In the Image of You

October 7, 2014 / The WheatandTares

Staring at the reflection in the glass, I wonder what is to become of me.

A wretched, lost and weary soul is all that I can possibly see.

Oh, how desperately I desire to be made brand new.

How could I have ever been formed in the image of You?

You are so majestic, so serene and so Mighty.

I am so lost without You and can take things too lightly.

You are so faithful, so patient and so kind.

I am so self-consumed, thinking only of my time.

Looking into the glass so darkly, all I can see is muck and mire.

A moment of peace in a life half-spent is all I can possibly desire.

Oh, how desperately I need to be rescued.

How could I have ever been formed in the image of You?

You are so divine, so magnificent and so eternal.

I am so lost without you and can make things too comfortable.

You are so loving, so merciful and so just.

I am so unfaithful, thinking only of my lust.

Gazing at the shattered glass, all I can see is fragments and pieces.

A ray of hope in a broken heart is all I can possibly seize.

Oh, how desperately I long for You to be all that’s true.

How could I have been formed in the image of You?

You are so amazing, so incredible and so awesome.

I am so lost without You and can make things, oh, so dumb.

You are so forgiving, so compassionate and so Sovereign.

I am now so blood-washed, thinking only of my pardon.

Penned – MG – 10/21/02

Soar As The Eagles Soar

October 1, 2014 / The WheatandTares

Today, I want to soar as the eagles soar across the sky

They fly so high with beauty and grace

I want to flee these storms of anger, confusion and strife

I want to flee all these things that hinder my life.

Tomorrow, I want to glide as the seagulls glide over the sea

They fly so high with energy and life

I want to escape these waves of shyness, fear and uncertainty

I want to escape from these thoughts that envelope me.

But if I were a bird, I would not be here to share feelings

I could not feel the touch of someone who is always there

I could not hear the voice of someone whose love will never end

I could not know the strength of my very best friend.

So, I will remain the being I am today

Continuing to encourage you to be the best you can be

Living my life to love and support those in need

And watching as the eagles soar on in grace and beauty.

Penned – MG – 1990/1991

This Little Girl

October 1, 2014 / The WheatandTares

You say you love her, but all you do is neglect her.

You say you care for her, but all you do is abuse her.

She is growing up, and you are missing out on the best.

She is getting older, and you are giving up on the rest.

I have known you for years, for several long years.

I have seen a mother neglect her child and call her a dear.

I have seen a mother and father give all they have to wish you well.

You continue on your way, coming in whenever you think it swell.

This little girl has evolved from emotionally wrecked to strong and sure.

This little girl has grown into a youngster, stable and pure.

You say you are concerned; yet, you always cause her pain.

You say you are loving; yet, you voice it all in vain.

My heart breaks to see this child live like this.

My heart bleeds to know how much she will miss.

My heart tears to watch her cry out in the night.

My heart crumbles to see her life fall to this plight.

By His grace, she will push past this shame.

By His grace, she will learn from all these games.

He will keep her, love her and draw her into Him.

He will, in time, make all of these memories go dim.

Her heart will strengthen from all of these trials.

Her heart will bolster past many, many miles.

Her heart must yearn for His mercy and grace.

Her heart must triumph when confronted with His face.

Penned – MG – 7/27/02…finished 1/1/91

Stay With God

September 28, 2014September 28, 2014 / The WheatandTares

No matter what comes. No matter who leaves. He is still God, and He never fails! Stay with God.

For many, these statements can be so controversial. Many will dispute these words; they will say because we live in a fallen world that surely we must be ruled by a hostile God. Some will say this cannot be truth, because, after all, truth is relative: what is true for me may not, necessarily, be true for you. Still others will say this is heresy, because their chosen god is, after all, more mighty, more logical, or more spiritual than a “simple man who roamed this weary earth until his humiliated death.”

Oh, but you can only state fallacies when you do not know my King. You see, I talk to him every day. He walks with me through every moment of every hour. I see His love in a baby’s smile. I hear His joy in a child’s laughter. I smell of His gentleness in the summer breeze. I taste of His goodness in the fresh fruits of spring. His faithfulness reaches the very depths of me, even beyond my failures, my fears and my frailties. You see, He speaks to me in the quietness of my very soul.

He was there when I drew my first breath, and He was there when I took my first step. He watched over me when my mother ventured the wrong paths, and He comforted me when my father refused to come back. He protected me when I fell and cut a main artery, and He shielded me when my classmate was mean and called me names. He has always been there, regardless the circumstance or enemies I have faced.

He brought me life when I called on His name. He gave me hope when I was hopeless. He delivered me from trouble when I lost my way. He restored my joy when all I could see was darkness. He removed my confusion when I couldn’t understand. He opened my eyes when I just couldn’t see. He surrounded me with peace when all around me was turmoil. He filled me with rejoicing when my heart had only seen mourning. He has been my song when I couldn’t open my mouth to utter a sound.

He has done too much for me for you to try to convince this weary soul that He doesn’t exist now. Once you’ve ever seen a glimpse of paradise, it’s hard to be satisfied with normal life. It sets a longing within your being that cannot be quenched by all the riches and wealth of this ordinary world. When your goal is set on higher thoughts, when your dreams are of things beyond what this place can even imagine, it’s hard to envision a lesser place or a lesser Savior. You see, He is my everything. He is the very air I breathe.

Do I have the “perfect life”? Oh, I don’t know. I think that all depends on perspective. I’ve seen hard times, and I’ve seen good ones, too; yet, I just keep trusting Him. I don’t have everything that I want, but I surely have all that I need. He gives me His grace that is so sufficient, and that has made all the difference. Things have happened that I’ve not liked, but life is just life. We’re not home yet. I decided a long time ago that I’d just stay with God, no matter what came my way, and that has carried me through.

No matter what comes. No matter who leaves. He is still God, and He never fails. Stay with God.

Light Of The Son

September 27, 2014 / The WheatandTares

The sun shines bright this morn, unlike it did yesterday

It burns with a brightness I have never seen

Its light shines through the clouds of darkness

Like the dawn interrupts the dream

This brightness is not coming from the fireball in the sky

This light could only manifest through You

You are the Almighty One, Life Everlasting

You came into my darkened heart and gave me life anew

This sea of unforgiveness was quickly drowning me

Turning me back and forth until I knew not which way to go

I went over to the left, returning to the right

Always trying to prove to all, the right of way I clearly know

I was entrapped too deep, in way over my head

Then You came and rescued me, showed me Your true way

You covered me, washed and made me whole

You showed me Your path and surely brightened my day

Now, I am a new creation, bathed in Your royal blood

Washed so white, purified, and made in Your righteousness

I praise Your Name on High. You are above all else

Awed by Your beauty and the light of Your Son

Penned – MG – 4/8/90

In Him

September 25, 2014 / The WheatandTares

I used to sit here

On a rainy day

Just sit here and dream

In a weary way

Now the rain is gone

The clouds are done now too

And when I look ahead

The only dream is You

You have brought me life

And through You I have grown

Please don’t ever leave me

Because then I’d be all alone

Penned – MG – 11/87

Only From You

September 7, 2014September 7, 2014 / The WheatandTares

I look out over Your waters and behold

A reflection that could only be from You

So gentle, so calm, so peaceful

It reminds me of Your serenity

I look upon Your waterfalls and know

A strength that could only come from You

So strong, so bold, so powerful

It reminds me of Your awesomeness

I look into Your streams and visualize

An image that could only be given from You

So humble, so meek, so merciful

It reminds me of Your purity

I look out on Your mountains and see

A creation that could only be made from You

So vast, so immense, so beautiful

It reminds me of Your majesty

I look upon Your peaks and understand

A faith that could only be from You

So wondrous, so hopeful, so believing

It reminds me of Your faithfulness

I look into Your foothills and recognize

An adventure that could only come from You

So energizing, so exciting, so invigorating

It reminds me of Your passion

Then I look at Your Son and realize

A love that could only be of You

So amazing, so overwhelming, so inviting

It reminds me of Your grace

Thank You.

Penned – MG – 10/26/03

Eyes of Mercy

August 25, 2014August 25, 2014 / The WheatandTares

Sometimes, especially when the water is murky, we must choose to look through the eyes of mercy…

Let me give some clarity to what I mean…

Our 12 year old was being a little testy one afternoon while we were at the pool, and I just happened to be on the phone, with my husband, when the “altercation” occurred. I was trying to ask JGrizz something; yet, he thought I was simply telling him to get out of the pool. So, he kept swimming to the pool ladder, head halfway in the water, motioning to the it while obviously not answering me. He took quite a bit of time to get out; however, Joey wanted an immediate answer. *Note: Dad has a “NO TOLERANCE” policy for ignoring adults… So, when he finally arrived by my chair, dad wanted to speak with him, told him of the consequences for the delay in answering, and said he would be there in five minutes to meet up with us. Once the phone was hung up, JGrizz proceeded to explain that he “assumed” I just wanted him out of the pool; so, he was trying to get to the ladder. When dad showed up, I proceeded to explain the “possible miscommunication,” and the consequence was lessened. As JGrizz and I walked to the condo together, he then confessed, “Mom, I may have actually been ignoring you a little. I mean, I saw your mouth moving, but I just thought you were telling me to get out; so, I ignored you until I got out.” I replied, “Yes, son, I know.” He, emphatically responded by saying, “So, you lied to Dad?!” I corrected him by explaining, “No, I just simply decided to hear your side and view the situation through the eyes of mercy rather than judgment. You still have consequences for the delay, but the thoughts you were having in the moment, I chose not to assume when I explained it to dad.” We then talked about the difference between mercy and judgment, grace and consequence. It was a great moment to remind him of how God created such a wonderful miracle when He gave us mercy in redemption when we actually deserved eternal death.

As parents, sometimes, we must choose to look through the eyes of mercy, when we might would prefer to judge only the “rule” broken, the words spoken or the thoughts assumed. Sometimes, we just have to choose mercy in order to allow God’s grace to flow freely. This doesn’t mean consequences are never given. This does not mean desires are always appeased and attitudes, especially those of entitlement, are ignored, and this, definitely, does not mean a tolerance of rebellion is encouraged! No, it just simply means that, sometimes, grace can be given in the moment, because the situation could really go either way, and the attitude being shown is that of a contrite heart.

To me, it’s a lot like when the water of the pool is slightly murky, because the chemical balance of the chlorine hasn’t been correctly set. It’s not really harmful to your physical body; it’s just not crystal clear like it should be, and it definitely does allow for an enjoyable pool time, but swimming can still be accomplished for a little while.

Can this be taken too far, especially when you are raising two very independent, strong-minded young boys as we are? You bet. However, if these acts of mercy are tempered with strong boundaries and a solid foundation for truth, these small miracle moments can bring about huge lessons of God’s love and mercy.

It was a moment for my maturing son to realize rules may be “crystal clear;” yet, forgiveness can always be given when a murky, yet contrite, heart is viewed through the eyes of mercy.