A Lesson Left Behind

In a quiet restaurant, a son brought his father,
An elder man, weak, yet no burden to bother.
With trembling hands, his meal he ate,
Spilling crumbs that time would create.

The crowd around them whispered and stared,
Faces twisted, but the son never cared.
With patience and love, he bore no disdain,
For he knew honor blooms where kindness remains.

He led his father to cleanse and refresh,
Wiped food from his face, smoothed wrinkled dress.
He combed gray hair with a gentle hand,
Restored the dignity of this cherished man.

Returning to silence, the room stood still,
The son paid calmly and cleared the bill.
But as they turned, an elder arose,
A stranger with wisdom the moment chose.

“Don’t you think you left something behind?”
The son replied, “Nothing comes to mind.”
With a smile, the stranger softly spoke,
“A lesson, my friend, in every heart woke.

You’ve left a hope for fathers to see,
And taught sons what honor truly can be.”
The room, once loud, grew solemn and still,
A truth resounding, a moment fulfilled.

For what greater tribute can a child impart,
Than to care for the ones who first gave them heart?
The elders who sacrificed, who paved the way,
Deserve our respect every step of the day.

So cherish the hands that once held you tight,
For in their care lies a beacon of light.
A timeless bond, a love so true
What they gave to us, we must return too.

MarkWaldrop

      To Fathers here and Above
           Father’s Day Tribute

To the dads who guide with steady hand,
Who teach us how to love and stand
Your strength, your grace, your quiet might
Reflect the Father’s holy light.

And to the One who reigns above,
Who fathers us with perfect love
We lift our thanks, our hearts, our praise,
For all You’ve given, all Your ways.

On earth or gone to Heaven’s shore,
A father’s love lives evermore.
So here’s to each, both near and far
A gift from God, a guiding star.

𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓒. 𝓦𝓪𝓵𝓭𝓻𝓸𝓹

Some Have Given All
In Honor and Remembrance

All have given something
A day, a year, a stand,
A letter home, a tearful hug,
A prayer with trembling hand.

Some have given comfort,
And others gave their youth,
Some bore the weight of silence,
Still fighting for the truth.

But some… some gave it all
Their breath, their blood, their name,
A folded flag, a final march,
A torch passed on in flame.

We walk in fields of freedom
Because their hearts stood tall.
All have given something…
But some have given all.

So pause beneath the banner,
Let grateful silence fall
For freedom has its cost,
And some have given all.

Mark C. Waldrop
Jhn 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends 

Moms, you are cherished beyond measure,  
Not for the deeds your hands perform.  
You are treasured in His sight,  
For simply being the form you adorn.

God knows every layer of your spirit,  
More deeply than you could ever view.  
In His infinite wisdom and mercy,  
He has made His loving verdict—He cherishes you.

Across all the mornings you rise before dawn,  
Through nights when peace seems afar.  
He sees the strength in your weary eyes,  
Illuminated, as you are His star.

So on this day when we honor you,  
Let this truth in your heart be still:  
You are loved just for being you,  
With a love that no depths can fill.

Happy Mother's Day to you,  
A blessing from the skies above—  
Eternally valued, eternally held,  
In the boundless embrace of God's love.

May 7, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

     The Shadow of the Cross

Upon a hill so dark and high,
The Savior hung beneath the sky.
No robe of gold, no royal thread—
A crown of thorns upon His head.

The crowd grew still, the sky turned gray,
As heaven watched love poured away.
His hands were pierced, His side was torn,
For every soul that would be born.

No angels came to lift Him down,
No earthly throne, no victor’s crown—
Yet in that stillness, mercy cried,
And hope was born the day He died.

He bore our shame, He took our place,
He looked with love into disgrace.
Each drop of blood, each ragged breath,
A path of life through gates of death.

And though we mourn this sacred loss,
We do not weep without the cross.
For Sunday dawns with glory bright—
From death shall rise the Lord of Light.

So kneel today where shadows fall,
And hear His voice—He died for all.
The darkest day the world had known
Became the day love overthrown…
Was crowned the King upon His throne.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop