Author Archives: Mark Waldrop

About Mark Waldrop

I hope you enjoy reading these poems as much as I enjoyed writing them. Thank you for visiting the site. Poems that send dartsšŸŽÆto touch our heartsā¤ļø

Bridging the Divide

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When politics rise and tempers ignite,
Let us not rush to argue or fight.
For family and friends are treasures we hold,
Worth more than opinions or stories retold.

Let us listen with patience, speak with care,
Set judgment aside, and show weā€™re aware
That beyond every view, every stance, every side,
Is a heart, a soul, a love that abides.

Hold space for the thoughts that differ from yours,
As if opening gently a set of new doors.
For behind each belief lies a life and a pain,
A story unseen, a hope or a strain.

Let kindness be louder than points to be scored,
With empathy found in each gentle word.
Agree to disagree if thatā€™s what it takes,
But honor the bond that no quarrel should break.

In a world that divides, let us build a way,
To love past the lines that words canā€™t sway.
For when all is said and opinions fade,
Itā€™s the heart and the love that will always remain.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Love Laugh Live Give

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Love with a heart thatā€™s open wide,
A warmth no hurt can hide.
Love fiercely, love deep,
In memories to keep.

Laugh like the worldā€™s your stage,
Breaking free from lifeā€™s cage.
Let joy fill the air,
A moment pure and rare.

Live with courage and grace,
Boldly take your place.
Chase dreams, face fears,
Gather lifeā€™s souvenirs.

Give with hands that heal,
In kindness, find whatā€™s real.
Share, donā€™t withhold,
In giving, hearts unfold.

So love, laugh, live, and give,
In these, find reason to truly live.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

November 4

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Daily Devotion: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Matthew 10:12
"As you enter the house, greet it."

Reflection:
This simple instruction from Jesus to His disciples as they went out to spread the Good News holds a profound lesson about the way we approach others and the places we enter. Greeting a house signifies bringing peace, goodwill, and a blessing to those within. Itā€™s an act of kindness that opens the door to meaningful connections and fosters a welcoming atmosphere.

Our Father knows the power of small gestures and how they can transform interactions. A warm greeting can set the tone for a positive encounter, breaking down barriers and creating a space for God's love to be shared. When we enter any spaceā€”be it a home, a workplace, or even a public settingā€”our attitude and approach can make a significant difference.

By greeting the house, we acknowledge the presence of God in that place and invite His peace and blessing to rest upon it. This simple act reminds us that we are ambassadors of Christ, carrying His love and peace wherever we go. Itā€™s a way of aligning our actions with His will, trusting that our Father knows best how to use us to touch others' lives.

This verse also encourages us to be mindful of the environments we enter and the people we meet. Every interaction is an opportunity to reflect Godā€™s love and to bring His presence into the lives of others. Whether through a smile, a kind word, or a heartfelt greeting, we can make a profound impact.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to bring Your peace and love into the places we enter. Help us to greet each house, each person, with the kindness and goodwill that reflect Your heart. May our actions be a testament to Your presence and love, and may we trust that You know best how to use us to bless others. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
A simple greeting can open the door to Godā€™s blessings. Trust in the power of small gestures and remember that our Father knows best how to use our kindness to touch the lives of those we meet.

Judge Me Not

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Iā€™m not a bad person; I just lost my way,
Led by shadows where I meant to stray.
I stumbled along with the wrong crowdā€™s call,
Not knowing Iā€™d trip, not meaning to fall.

I was searching for somewhere to belong,
But the voices I followed led me wrong.
In moments of weakness, I made my choice,
Silencing reason, ignoring my voice.

But deep within, I still know who I am,
Not the broken shell or the misplaced plan.
Iā€™ve learned from the dark, Iā€™ve found the light,
And Iā€™m standing now, ready to make things right.

Mistakes donā€™t define me, theyā€™re not my name;
Theyā€™re echoes of lessons, not badges of shame.
Iā€™m more than my missteps, more than my pastā€”
A heart that is healing, a spirit steadfast.

So judge me not by where Iā€™ve been,
But see where Iā€™m going, what lies within.
For Iā€™m not a bad person, I just lost my way,
And Iā€™m finding myself with each new day.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Our Past is Where Our Future Begins

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Our past doesnā€™t have to be our prison,
The chains of yesterday can break.
Mistakes and scars that left their mark
Are lessons learned, not paths to take.

Each dawn brings light, a chance to start,
To leave the shadows cast behind.
Weā€™re free to step beyond regret,
With strength and peace in heart and mind.

The weight of guilt can fall away,
No burden must we carry on.
For grace renews whatā€™s worn and weak,
And faith restores whatā€™s almost gone.

The bars that held us fade in time,
As hope and love begin to grow.
Our past is not our final truthā€”
Weā€™re more than what we used to know.

So rise with courage, bold and free,
No longer bound by loss or sin.
Our past may shape the lives we lead,
But itā€™s the future we begin.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

The Old Tractor

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An old tractor abandoned in the prairie,
Left to rust where the fields grow weary.
Nature claimed it in her quiet way,
Her roots and vines where engines lay.

Its paint now faded, metal worn thin,
With bark and trunk rooted deep within.
Too stubborn to move, too proud to break,
Bound by the roots no force could shake.

Once a tool for hands now still,
Held in the earthā€™s unmoving will.
A relic of toil, left as it standsā€”
Steel and wood, held in natureā€™s hands.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Hug the Ones You Love

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Be sure to hug the ones you love,
For moments pass like clouds above.
A gentle squeeze, a warm embrace,
Can turn a tear or light a face.

Life moves fast, like rivers flow,
In ways we often cannot know.
So hold them close, and let them see
The love you give so willingly.

A hug can say what words may hide,
A shelter strong, where hearts confide.
A simple act, yet deep and true,
A gift that lives inside of you.

So hug the ones you love today,
For time will never choose to stay.
In every touch, a memory spun
Be sure to hug each cherished one.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

November 3

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Daily Devotion: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Psalm 32:5
"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ā€˜I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,ā€™ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah"

Reflection:
Psalm 32:5 is a powerful reminder of the importance of confession and the assurance of God's forgiveness. When we acknowledge our sins and bring them before the Lord, He is faithful to forgive us. This verse teaches us about the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father, who knows our weaknesses and loves us unconditionally.

Acknowledging our sins can be difficult because it requires humility and honesty. It means facing our shortcomings and mistakes, and being vulnerable before God. However, this act of confession is not about condemnation but about healing and restoration. Our Father knows our hearts and desires to free us from the burden of guilt and shame.

When we confess our transgressions, we experience the profound peace that comes from God's forgiveness. His forgiveness is complete and transformative, allowing us to move forward with a clean heart and renewed spirit. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on our perfection but on His grace and love.

This process of confession and forgiveness is a continual journey in our walk with God. It encourages us to live in honesty and openness before Him, trusting that He always knows what is best for us. As we bring our sins to the light, we can experience the depth of His love and the power of His forgiveness.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless mercy and grace. Help us to come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our sins and seeking Your forgiveness. Thank You for the assurance that You forgive and cleanse us from all iniquity. Strengthen our resolve to live in honesty and openness before You, trusting in Your perfect wisdom and love. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Confession brings freedom and forgiveness. Trust in God's grace and mercy, knowing that our Father knows best and desires to restore and renew us through His love.

TwoĀ Kinds of Peace

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Thereā€™s a peace that rests upon the skin,
A quiet calm, where life begins,
In gentle waves and soft repose,
A hush that through the body flows.

Itā€™s found in silence, soft and deep,
In starry nights, in tranquil sleep,
A breeze that stirs the morning air,
A stillness free from weight or care.

But then thereā€™s peace within the soul,
A sacred calm that makes us whole,
Not bound by sight, or touch, or sound,
A grace that lifts us from the ground.

This peace transcends the fleeting day,
It holds through storms that come our way,
A trust that quiets every fear,
A warmth that says, Iā€™m always here.

One peace is felt, as breath drawn in,
A fleeting balm on weary skin,
The other, deepā€”a holy grace,
A shelter found in Loveā€™s embrace.

Two kinds of peace, like day and night,
One seen, one hidden, yet both alight.
Together they bring hearts release,
The strength of flesh, the soulā€™s true peace.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

November 2

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:8-9
"Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

Reflection:
These verses from 2 Corinthians remind us of the eternal perspective we are called to hold as believers. Our true home is with the Lord, and this understanding fills us with courage and hope. It reassures us that our lives on earth, while temporary, have a greater purpose rooted in eternity.

Living with the awareness that our ultimate home is with God should transform how we approach our daily lives. Whether we are physically present in this world or spiritually united with the Lord, our primary aim is to please Him. This means aligning our actions, thoughts, and desires with His will, knowing that His plans for us are always for our good.

The courage mentioned in these verses is not just about facing physical death but about living a life of faith and purpose. Itā€™s about trusting that our Father knows best, regardless of the circumstances we face. We can be confident that He is guiding us and that our efforts to please Him are not in vain.

This perspective encourages us to live with intentionality and devotion, focusing on what truly matters. It reminds us that our earthly journey is a preparation for our eternal home, and every moment is an opportunity to glorify God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope and courage we have in knowing that our true home is with You. Help us to live each day with the aim to please You, trusting that Your plans for us are perfect. Strengthen our faith and guide our steps, so that whether we are at home or away, our lives reflect Your love and purpose. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Live with the confidence that our Father knows best, and make it your aim to please Him in all that you do. Remember that your true home is with the Lord, and let this eternal perspective guide your daily actions and choices.