Take time to stop and smell the roses, Life rushes by as the door closes. In the bloom of red, the softest hue, Lies a moment waiting just for you.
The world may spin with endless haste, But joy is found in moments chased. A petal’s curve, a fragrant breeze, A quiet pause beneath the trees.
Take time to hear the robin’s song, To watch the clouds drift slow and long. For beauty whispers, soft and sweet, In every corner, at your feet.
The roses wait, their story untold, A fleeting treasure, more precious than gold. So pause, be still, let the world compose Take time to stop and smell the rose.
It’s the smallest things that make a life, A whispered word, a softened strife. A glance, a touch, a fleeting smile, Moments that linger, just for a while.
The morning light through windowpanes, The rhythm of softly falling rain. A child’s laughter, a warm embrace, The quiet joy of a familiar face.
The scent of bread, the bloom of spring, A songbird’s call, the joy they bring. A cup of tea, a hand to hold, The warmth that lingers when nights are cold.
It’s not the grand, the loud, the bold, But tiny threads of silver and gold That weave the tapestry of our days, Binding hearts in intricate ways.
So cherish the little, the small, the slight, The glow of stars on a quiet night. For life is built on these gentle things— A world of whispers, where meaning sings.
I am called to live, not for my own acclaim, But to bear the light of His holy name. A perfect bond with God I seek, To let His strength shine through my weak.
Not admiration for who I appear to be, But a yearning for Him through what others see. For thoughts of self are chains that bind, Hindering the work of the divine.
God’s purpose isn’t a showcase display, But a vessel refined for His chosen way. Not polished pride, but a heart made pure, To carry His message, steadfast, sure.
So I surrender, let Him take control, Molding my life to fulfill His goal. Whatever He asks, wherever He leads, I trust in His plan; He meets my needs.
Lord, make me useful, humble, and true, A mirror of grace that reflects only You. For when I am nothing, Your power is known, Through me, may Your glory alone be shown.
The Holy Spirit of Christmas came to us long ago, When in a humble manger, divine love began to glow. A baby born in Bethlehem, a gift from Heaven above, Sent by our gracious Father, a token of His love.
For those who seek and welcome Him within, The Holy Spirit of Christmas breaks the chain of sin. It lives within us daily, a light that never fades, Guiding, comforting, and strengthening in life’s trials and charades.
Oh, the Spirit of Christmas, pure and bright, Fills our hearts with hope, joy, and light. It whispers peace in the quiet of night, And shines through faith with heavenly might.
So let us honor the miracle of that sacred morn, When the Savior of the world to us was born. Through every season, let His Spirit remain, Living in our hearts, again and again.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
It brings back Memories of yesteryear
The wonderful times when I was a kid
Mom and Dad kept me very near
Pressing my nose to the window pane, searching for a glimpse of the Red light
Seeing what I thought was the Star of Bethlehem Shining so Bright
I knew Santa’s first stop was Bethlehem
To bring gifts to the Great, I Am
The Love Santa has in His Heart for all the children in the world
Comes from his Maker above with His Love unfurled
Keep the Love of God and the Spirit of Santa close to you today
We bow our heads and thank Him for the Love He sent our way.
December 6, 2022
Mark Waldrop
Dogs die. But oh, how they live, Every moment, they have love to give. They bound through life, so brave and true, With hearts that shine in all they do.
They guard their homes, their chosen pack, With courage strong, they never look back. Their wagging tails, their playful cheer, Make every day feel bright and clear.
They don’t fear tomorrow, nor dwell on the past, They savor each moment, knowing it won’t last. They teach us joy, pure and unrefined, A lesson in living we often can’t find.
So, though dogs die, they leave us their light, A love eternal, a beacon so bright. For in their short lives, they show us the way, To live fully, to love, every single day.
Sometimes, when shadows cloud our day, We don’t need words to light the way. No questions asked, no answers sought, Just quiet company, deeply thought.
A presence near, no need to speak, No solutions offered, no wisdom to seek. For feelings twist and turn and ache, And understanding sometimes takes its break.
The burden is ours, too heavy to share, Yet their silent warmth shows they care. They sit, they stay, without demand, Their quiet strength, a steady hand.
No “You’re not alone” needs to be said, The comfort’s in their stillness instead. For in that moment, with them near, The weight feels lighter, the world less severe.
Sometimes, a breath, a touch, a glance, Is all it takes to shift the stance. Not alone—that truth’s enough, To remind us we’re held, even when life’s tough.
Finally in bed, the battles cease, A fleeting moment of quiet peace. The pillow whispers its softest lore, While the blanket shields like a closing door.
The world spins on; it can wait its turn, For now, there’s no need to fret or yearn. Dreams await in their gentle embrace, A sanctuary from life’s frantic pace.
So close your eyes, let the darkness dwell, Good night, dear heart, and sleep so well. Tomorrow will come with its trials anew, But for now, the night belongs to you.
My life isn’t perfect, but that’s okay, I wake with gratitude every day. Though storms may gather, skies may gray, I find the light along the way.
The dreams I chased, not all came true, Yet blessings abound, both old and new. A roof, a meal, a warm embrace, Love surrounds me in every space.
Perfection’s a shadow, a fleeting thing, But joy is found in the song I sing. In simple moments, my heart takes flight, Grateful for the gifts in plainest sight.
For every trial, a lesson learned, For every loss, a love returned. The road is rugged, the journey steep, But in my soul, God’s peace I keep.
So here I stand, both flawed and free, Thankful for all that’s given to me. Perfect or not, I take my stand, A grateful heart, a life in hand.
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.
