The single most miscalculation I made
Across these almost seventy-eight years,
Was to think intellect could forge a blade
Sharper than mercy, gentler than tears.

I once believed that wisdom’s fire
Could light the way through shadowed lands,
That reason’s climb would take me higher,
Beyond the need for softer hands.

But the head, though strong, cannot replace
The heart that bends, the soul that gives.
For mercy flows with boundless grace,
And through such love, the spirit lives.

In chasing truth, I overlooked
The simple kindness I received,
And only now, with pages booked,
Do I see where I was deceived.

Mercy mends where logic fractures,
Grace rebuilds where reason fails.
Love sustains through all life’s chapters,
When intellect’s bright flame pales.

So as I near the twilight’s gleam,
I cherish mercy’s warm embrace,
And walk with grace, my final theme
The wisest path, the truest place.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

What you settle for is what you suffer from,
What you settle for is where your joy comes from.
Life is a balance of what we choose,
Yet God’s blessings are never meant to lose.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve,
For you are crafted with love and nerve.
His plans for you are mighty and grand,
Shaped by the touch of His gentle hand.

He wants the best for you, this is true,
Because He made you, uniquely you.
So raise your eyes, your heart, your voice,
In faith and courage, make the best choice.

Trust in His promise, follow His way,
And let His goodness brighten your day.
For what you settle for shapes your strife,
So seek His best and embrace His life.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

I may have many years of faith,
From the time I first believed,
But it’s not the length of knowing Him,
That determines what I’ve achieved.

It’s not the years that count the most,
But the love in every deed,
The steps I take in faith each day,
To serve where there is need.

For faith is not a passive gift,
But a journey to impart,
A living trust, a constant walk,
With Christ within my heart.

So let my years in faith be shown,
Not in time, but in my care,
In kindness, hope, and truth I give,
And in His love I share.

May my actions speak of Him I know,
May my life His grace recount,
For it’s not the years of knowing that count,
But the faith in action that surmounts.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

A melody rising through all life’s days.
Soft whispers of hope, or jubilant cries,
A harmony soaring to infinite skies.

Each heart sings a tune, unique and sincere,
Shaped by its journey, its trials, its tears.
For prayers are as varied as stars in the night,
Yet all find their way to the Source of light.

In joy or in sorrow, in love or despair,
Praise is the answer, the soul’s silent prayer.
A chorus of faith, in countless ways,
Uniting us all in a symphony of praise.

Created by
MarkWaldrop 

Did you ever live on a farm so still,
Where the work was hard, and the air had a chill?
Dreading the task of the tough stump row,
A test of resolve where progress was slow.

That dreaded day finally came at last,
The sun beat down, the hours dragged past.
I lowered my head, bit my lip, pressed on,
Each swing of the hoe sang a stubborn song.

Some days in life are just like that row,
Starting out rough with nowhere to go.
But step by step, with grit in your hand,
You clear the way, and you take your stand.

For persistence and faith will see you through,
With every strike, you’re born anew.
Never giving up will shape your soul,
Turning toil into triumph, and making you whole.

Created by
MarkWaldrop 

Never leave home without a kiss, a hug,
An “I love you” whispered, warm and snug.
For life is fragile, its course unknown,
And moments once lost are forever gone.

You never know when the last goodbye
Might linger softly beneath the sky.
So hold them close, let your heart be true,
Speak love aloud in all you do.

Cherish every single moment shared,
Each fleeting second shows you care.
For the greatest gift we give, and receive,
Is love that lingers when we must leave.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Let us tell our story, both bitter and sweet,
Of the mountains we’ve climbed, the valleys we meet.
Of heartaches endured, the tears that we’ve shed,
The lessons we’ve learned, the paths where we’re led.

Let us tell of the joy that brightened our days,
Of laughter and love in life’s winding maze.
Of moments of triumph, of dreams brought to light,
Of courage that carried us through the night.

Let us tell of forgiveness, the healing it brings,
The weight it lifts, the freedom it sings.
Of letting go burdens, the grace to restore,
A soul once broken, now whole once more.

Let us tell of the glory, the beauty divine,
Of hope that endures, of love’s perfect design.
Of the strength we have found in the storms that we faced,
And the faith that sustained us through trials embraced.

Our story is woven with sorrow and cheer,
With threads of redemption and grace ever near.
So let us tell boldly, for all hearts to see,
The tapestry woven through you and through me.

Created by
MarkWaldrop 

Caregivers walk a path unseen,
Through shadows soft, where few have been.
They carry loads they do not share,
A quiet strength, a silent care.

They give their time, their hearts, their all,
Answering every whispered call.
Their days are long, their nights unsure,
Yet love and duty help endure.

They trade their dreams, they set aside,
The fleeting joys for which they’ve cried.
A social life, a carefree day,
Are sacrifices on their way.

The toll it takes, the silent ache,
The heavy heart that will not break.
Yet you won’t see their struggles plain,
Their smiles conceal their hidden strain.

To walk this road is hard, it’s true,
Until you’ve worn their weary shoe.
So honor those who give and give,
For they show us how love can live.

Created by
MarkWaldrop