Tag Archive: kids


This Time Around 12/23/2011

The year seems to fly by so fast anymore.
I wish sometimes that I could just yank on the reigns,
Stop the wild horses from dragging me along…
For me, savoring each moment takes extra effort of will.
Before I know it, I’ve missed
More moments than I’ve noticed.
The minutes, hours, and days, sneak by at top speed
Like the roadrunner zipping past the coyote.
Now I look around at my kids, nearly all grown,
My grandchild just born… almost three years ago,
Time is such a thief!
Yet, today is still today.
I cannot count the yesterdays.
This Christmas soon will be tomorrow’s history, but
I’ll not leap ahead in thought or the clock
Will catch up with me even faster.
A moment to treasure, with all its shortcomings,
Is better lived with passion than
Wished away for the next day’s pleasures.
I celebrate today with all the joy I can muster,
Finding contentment in the arms of my family.
We laugh together and anticipate the fun
Of watching each other open presents, devour food,
Or just sit quietly smiling in the midst of the
Wrapping paper storm that fills the living room.
Music saturates the atmosphere with the reminder—
Above all else the day belongs to Christ,
Who in the end gives us eternity to enjoy one another.
He breaks the bondage of time’s iron-sharpened passage.
By His very existence, He split time in two.
Soon time will end; eternity will take precedence again;
And the moments will stretch as long as we want them
Without fear of losing the things as precious
As the childhoods I have somehow missed
This time around.

Out With The Old Stuff

You confuse me.
Some days you act so belligerent and angry.
Then before I realize what’s happening,
You treat me with civility and courtesy.
It leaves my head spinning and
My insides churning because
I never know what to expect.
I don’t understand you at all.
 
I don’t think I ever will, if the truth be told.
I can only be grateful for the peaceful moments,
Let go and forgive the angry ones, and
Be thankful I am no longer with you…
I only count the moments now
Until the kids are grown and I can
Let it all go behind me with the rest
Of the clouded confusion and anger.
 
In the meanwhile,
Today only reminds me again
How deep this old wound is
To still make me shiver with fear,
Then tense with angry, runaway thoughts
Of all the imbalances and inequalities
I still have to endure at your hand,
Whether politely or otherwise.
 
Dear Jesus, help me breathe again–
Out with the old stuff and unforgiveness,
In with all Your grace and mercy,
Remembering that what You gave to me,
I must give to others.