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 darts🎯to touch our hearts❤️

May 6

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Psalm 23:6
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Reflection:

As we journey through life, there are moments when we wonder about the path ahead. Questions arise: Why am I here? What’s next? Will everything work out? These are the moments when we must remember that our Father knows best. Just as David reflects in Psalm 23, God’s goodness and love are not distant promises but constant companions. They follow us, pursue us, and surround us each day of our lives.

In the midst of uncertainty, we can rest in the assurance that our Father has laid out a perfect plan for us. Even when circumstances don’t make sense, God’s loving care is always at work. He knows the trials we face and the triumphs that lie ahead. His goodness is a guiding force, not only for today but for all our tomorrows.

When we fully trust that God is working everything for our good, we can let go of fear. He leads us, not just to provision and peace but to an eternal home with Him. Dwelling in the house of the Lord forever is more than a future hope—it’s a present reality. As His children, we are already embraced by His eternal love, right where we are.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant goodness and love that follow me each day. Help me trust in Your perfect plan for my life, knowing that You know best. Guide my steps and remind me that I am always held in Your care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

JOY

Jesus first—our guiding light,
He leads us through the darkest night.
His love, our anchor, firm and true,
In all we are, in all we do.

Others next—our hearts extend,
To lift, to serve, to love, befriend.
A gentle word, a helping hand,
To build each other, strong we stand.

Yourself the last—but not unseen,
For joy will blossom, pure and clean.
When Christ and others take their place,
Your soul will shine with heaven’s grace.

True joy is found when love is shown
Not in ourselves, but Christ alone.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

To the Graduates

     Walk Free in Faith

Step forth with courage, hats held high,
Your dreams like stars across the sky.
But heed this word as you depart:
Guard your mind and keep your heart.

The world will whisper, pull, and bind,
Entangling soul and thought and mind.
It tempts with gold, with praise, with fame,
Yet leaves you weary, chasing name.

The more you strive with anxious hand,
The tighter wraps the sinking sand.
The more you grasp with frantic breath,
The more it drags you close to death.

But pause—and rest—release control,
Let peace of God embrace your soul.
Relax your grip, the knots unwind,
His love brings freedom to the mind.

For Christ is near, both guide and sword,
To cut the cords and lift you toward
A life of purpose, pure and true—
Not bound by fear, but led by You.

So graduate, walk bold and wise,
With heaven’s hope before your eyes.
Rely on Him, not fleeting charms
And you will rest in shepherd arms.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

May 5

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Proverbs 24:15-16
“Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.”

Reflection:
Life is full of challenges, and even the righteous face trials, setbacks, and failures. Yet, what distinguishes the righteous from the wicked is not a life without trouble, but the ability to rise again after each fall. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that although the righteous may stumble many times, they are never defeated because they rely on the strength and grace of God to get back up.

In contrast, those who live in wickedness stumble and fall, but their calamity is final because they lack the foundation of faith and hope that sustains the righteous. This passage encourages us not to fear failure or opposition, but to trust that God will help us rise again, no matter how many times we fall.

God, our loving Father, knows that we are not perfect. He understands that we will make mistakes, struggle, and face difficulties. But in His wisdom and love, He offers us grace to stand back up each time we fall. His plan is not for us to be without trouble, but for us to grow stronger and more resilient through each challenge, trusting in His strength to lift us when we are weak.

No matter what trials you are facing today, remember that falling is not the end for the righteous. Our Father knows best, and He has promised that in Him, we will rise again.

Prayer:
Father, I thank You for Your unending grace and strength. When I fall, help me to remember that You are there to lift me up. Give me the courage and faith to rise again, knowing that You are with me in every trial. Protect me from the schemes of the wicked, and help me to walk in righteousness, trusting in Your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Question:
When you face setbacks or failures, how can you rely on God’s strength to help you rise again? What does it mean for you to trust in His wisdom, even when things go wrong?

May 4

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
BY Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Luke 12:2-3
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”

Reflection:
In our lives, there are moments when we might feel tempted to hide our thoughts, actions, or feelings from others. We may keep certain things hidden in the shadows, hoping they will never come to light. However, God reminds us in Luke 12:2-3 that nothing is hidden from Him. He sees everything—our struggles, our fears, and even our sins. Though we may cover things up from others, God knows us intimately and deeply.

This scripture can be both a warning and a comfort. It warns us that our secret actions and thoughts will eventually be revealed. We cannot hide from the truth or from God. However, it also comforts us because it means that God fully knows us—the good and the bad—and still loves us unconditionally. He sees our hearts, and His grace covers even the things we wish to keep hidden.

As we walk through today, let us remember that our Father knows best. He knows the areas where we need healing and transformation. Instead of hiding from Him or others, we can bring everything into the light. In His hands, there is redemption, forgiveness, and renewal. We do not need to carry the burden of hiding. God offers us freedom when we trust Him with all aspects of our lives.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for knowing me completely and loving me despite my flaws. Help me to live in the light of Your truth, not fearing what is revealed but trusting in Your grace. Guide me to be honest with myself, others, and You. I surrender the things I have kept hidden, knowing that You can heal and restore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Question:
Are there areas of your life you have kept hidden from God or others? What would it look like to trust God with those hidden parts today?

May 3

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

In this world, the weight of our worries often feels overwhelming. Life's circumstances may cause us to question the path we're on and bring fear into our hearts. But Jesus offers us something the world can never give—His peace. This peace is not tied to our circumstances or fleeting moments of tranquility, but it comes from knowing that our Father knows best.

He sees the whole picture. He knows every trial we face, every fear that grips our hearts, and every burden we carry. When we surrender to His will and trust in His perfect timing, we open our hearts to His peace. This peace is not dependent on understanding every detail of our journey; it's rooted in trusting that our Father, in His infinite wisdom and love, has already prepared the way.

Reflection:
Today, let us take comfort in knowing that we are held by a God who sees beyond what we can see, who gives us peace that surpasses understanding, and who promises to guide us safely through every storm. Whatever we face today, let's remember—our Father knows best, and His peace is ours to embrace.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the peace that only You can give. Help us to trust in Your wisdom and rest in the assurance that You know best. Calm our troubled hearts and lead us in Your perfect path. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May 2

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:11 - "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"

In a world full of distractions, noise, and endless demands, it is easy to get caught up in the rush of life. We find ourselves juggling responsibilities, chasing after success, or getting entangled in other people's affairs. Yet, through the wisdom of Scripture, we are reminded of a divine principle: quietness, focus, and diligence in our own work.

God, our loving Father, knows what's best for us. He calls us to a life of calmness and to mind our own business, focusing on what He has entrusted to us. By working faithfully with our hands, we honor Him and live a life of contentment and purpose.

This verse encourages us to avoid meddling in the affairs of others and to cultivate a peaceful, diligent spirit. When we focus on the work He has given us, we are living in alignment with His will, bringing glory to His name and finding fulfillment in the process. Trust in His guidance, knowing that His plans for you are perfect.

Reflection:
Are there areas in your life where distractions have pulled you away from the work God has called you to do? How can you embrace a quieter, more focused walk with Him today?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing what is best for me. Help me to be quiet in spirit, to mind my own business, and to work faithfully with what You have placed in my hands. Guide my steps so that everything I do brings glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Where My Will Ends, His Will Begins

Where My Will Ends, His Will Begins

Where my will falters, weak and worn,
Beneath the weight of trials borne,
There in the silence, soft yet bright,
God’s will unfolds in perfect light.

Where my steps stumble, lost in doubt,
And fear would seek to shut me out,
His hand extends, so strong, so true,
Guiding me paths I never knew.

When dreams I held are torn apart,
And sorrow lingers in my heart,
I yield, I trust, I stand, I wait—
His purpose weaves a grander fate.

For where I end, He just begins,
To cleanse, to heal, to lift from sin.
His ways are higher, vast, unknown,
Yet in His grace, I am His own.

So let my will release control,
And let His love refine my soul.
For in surrender, life begins—
Where my will ends, His will begins.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Isa 55:8  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isa 55:9  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The Kentucky Derby

    One Hundred Fifth First Running
Saturday, May 3, 2025

At Churchill Downs, the roses bloom,
A spectacle that sweeps the room.
The 151 st a grand affair,
Hearts racing in the springtime air.

The thundering hooves, the vibrant crowd,
Each cheer and shout is incredibly loud.
A blur of colors flashes by,
Silks gleam under the May blue skies

The mint juleps, the fancy hats,
Old traditions, the aristocrats.
A gathering where legends tread,
Dreams run fast; the track is their bed.

Two minutes where time holds its breath,
Glory or heartbreak, triumph or death.
The greatest of races, a sight to behold,
Stories of courage and daring are retold.

Celebrating this grand jubilee,
The Derby, a dance of destiny.
Where every stride writes history,
Here at the Kentucky Derby, we’re free.

MarkWaldrop

May 1

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Matthew 24:44 - "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

The return of Jesus is certain, but the timing is unknown. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being ready at all times. We often live as if we have endless days ahead of us, but this verse serves as a reminder that our lives and the world as we know it are fleeting. God, in His wisdom, knows the perfect moment for His Son’s return, even though we do not.

Being ready means living each day with purpose, faith, and obedience, trusting in God's plan and aligning our lives with His will. Our Father knows best, and while we may not know the hour or the day, we can live in constant expectation by walking closely with Him, serving others, and growing in our faith.

Reflection:
How are you preparing your heart and life for the unexpected return of Christ? Are you living each day as if it were your last, fully trusting in God’s timing and guidance? Reflect on how you can be more mindful and ready for His coming.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to live each day ready and eager for the return of Your Son. Guide me in faithfulness, and teach me to trust in Your perfect timing. Strengthen my heart to remain watchful, obedient, and joyful as I wait for Your plan to unfold. Amen.