I had a strange dream, it hit me hard.
Perhaps, it was a premonition….
An answer, I never searched for,
A prayer, I never prayed.
I dreamt of my birthday…
I went to bed the night before… laid out my birthday dress..
Tomorrow will be my day, I know.
I'll wake up to a perfect arrangement of calla lilies..
Like all the years before…
A flower of which perfection and beauty are defined by mere simplicity,
Perhaps, that's why I've always loved it..
Not everything had to be so complicating.
I knew I'd wake up to a strong aroma of black coffee, and hazelnut creamer.
A smiling face.. Moms tender kiss, and a whispered happy birthday.
I closed my eyes, and mentally went over my birthday list.
A strand of pearls… a telescope.. A pair of yellow gold hoops,
A few new books, A new bottle of Coco Mademoiselle, new gown… for who knows what,
I just happen to collect them… a few gift cards from my favorite stores…
I never finished reciting that list, sleep took over.
I opened my eyes at nearly noon.
There were no lilies, not even close.
There was no fragrance of coffee, not a hint of hazelnut.
No smiling faces, not a kiss, not a single wish.
A sadness dawned upon me. Have they forgotten?
All of them? I'm sure they couldn't…
It's my birthday.
I got out of bed, and on a stand I found…
6 envelopes…
All neatly sealed, addressed to me.
I smiled, I knew they wouldn't.
I opened one, and was slightly shocked..
I didn't understand..
It was from my sister… a list I found..
Of everything she's ever dreamed and wanted.
From lenses, to laces, to rocks.
I put it down, I grabbed the next one..
Another list… of what this one wanted..
I went through them all..
I couldn't comprehend.
'It's my freaken birthday! ' I wanted to shout..
But it wouldn't matter, they wouldn't hear…
They all left to my birthday party.
All waiting for me to arrive, all waiting for their lists to be granted.
Tears filled my eyes…
I couldn't understand,
I didn't mind really.. I loved them all,
I'd grant them all their gifts..
But people never played like this.
This wasn't right… that's not what birthdays were about.
I wasn't mad… not really.. Not at all..
It was a strange feeling, a hurt I cant explain.
A sadness… a deep kind of inner pain.
I awoke then.. A residue of that strange feeling..
I glanced out the window… snow.
It's December it hit me.
My Lovers birthday.
I remember my Christmas list.. That I never yet finished…
I remembered my dream…
I felt a sad faint whisper … 'It's My birthday… '
Oh, Love… I'm so sorry….
It's my Lovers birthday December 25th…
'My Love', I said… 'but you have it all….I can't think of what to get you, nothing at all'
He smiled, weakly… He took my hand…. He asked me for a walk.
We walked the streets of Haiti.. I've never seen such pain.
'I'm hungry', my Lover told me…
The crumbs you take for granted are their unanswered prayers.
A loaf of bread, He said… bring Me for My birthday.
I felt a hint of pain.
He took me through the alleys of Bulgaria… through crowds of shivering abandoned children.
'I'm cold', my Lover whispered….
Every night you warmly fall asleep, or complain of the heat… I depend on cold granite, on stone, to keep me warm. To spare my life.
Too often, those nights you soundly sleep, a new statistic I become.
I want a coat for my birthday.
A warm pair of shoes.
We kept on walking… I felt my tears…
He walked me into a beautiful, large house…
Into a bedroom, she had it all it seemed..
But a blade in her hand she held… her death was so near…
'I'm lonely' He told me, 'I need a friend…'
'For my birthday… just call me ok? '
I couldn't take it.. How did I miss all this?
He took His hand, and wiped my tears…
And then He handed me His Christmas List.
I barely whispered Happy Birthday. |
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WHEN JESUS LOOKS When Jesus looks upon my life,
What picture does He see.
Does He see His own reflection,
Or does He just see me.
Does He see His likeness,
The product of His hand.
Or just another Christian,
Who never took a stand.
Does He see a child of God,
A child that He made free.
Living life to honor Him,
Or does He just see me.
What about the other folks,
I meet along the way.
Do I show them Jesus,
To brighten up their day.
When someone looks into my eyes,
Can they truly see.
That calm and gentle peace of God,
That dwells inside of me.
When I reach out and shake a hand,
Is He right there in my grip.
Can they feel that strength from God,
That steadies when I slip.
When folks are in my presence,
Do they know His Spirit's there.
Can they see that He's the one,
Who guides me everywhere.
When other people think of me,
What is on their mind.
Do they think of Jesus Christ,
So gentle and so kind.
I try to be like Jesus,
Every single day.
Spreading love and kindness,
All along my way.
I'm afraid that I have failed,
I could not pass the test.
Deep inside my heart I know,
I haven't done my best.
I have had to fight my flesh,
Since the day that I was born.
It's always causing trouble,
And being such a thorn.
That's why His Spirit dwells in me,
He's helping me to learn.
In every situation,
Where I need to turn.
He knew I'd never pass the test,
That's why He took my place.
He gave His life to save my soul,
He suffered my disgrace.
Now I try to be like Him,
I must represent Him well.
So other folks will want His gift,
And turn their backs on hell.
Other folks should see the joy,
That Christ has given me.
They should want to have it too,
Especially since it's free.
They should begin to ask me,
What is it they must do.
Just how it is they go about,
Getting Jesus too.
Then I get to tell them,
This wondrous gift is free.
It only takes a humble heart,
A prayer on bended knee.
Someday when I'm face to face,
With the Lord who made me free.
Will He see His own reflection,
Or will He just see me. |
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Jesus only our true Friend |
A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was kind of shabby
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed,
Each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'
The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.
'I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kind a what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish,
Told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime
Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister
Knelt at the altar,
He'd never done it before.
His cold heart mel ted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
T he hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Jim was so glad, when no flowers,
Calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
Up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
That he's in here all the while
Everyday at noon He's here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May God hold you in the palm of His hand And Angels watch over you.
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IF NOT FOR JESUS by Akaninyene Ntia
How could darkness disappear for light to shine,
If not for Jesus.
How could the unrighteous became righteous,
If not for Him.
How could the disvirgined be made virgin,
If not for Jesus.
How could the unworthy be made worthy,
If not for Him.
How could the hopeless became hopeful,
If not for Jesus.
How could one under judgement be justified,
If not for Him.
How can a sinner becomes a saint,
If not for Jesus.
How could the dead be made alive,
If not for Him.
If not for Jesus, where would I be?
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