
But sometimes our blessings are taken for granted, because I, for one, forget to focus on the gift of those blessings while some days our hearts fill to overflowing with praise and thanksgiving for even the least of these. Those are the days we remember all that God has given each of us with love. And then we wonder how we can ever thank our great God enough for all He’s done for us, especially in the life of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, whose birth we just celebrated, who came to this earth with a purpose, ultimately going to the cross for our eternal salvation. (John 3:16) And that’s a blessing to forever be thankful for!
My previously unpublished poem below was written several years ago as two separate poems during a particularly difficult year of Ed’s continued worsening health and my cancer diagnosis and treatments. Yet their poetic themes were similar enough that they seemed to flow as one entity of praise in alternating verses, fitting to end this year with and to welcome a new year.
I also find it easier to write in the first person. From my own life experiences and feelings of my heart, words flow onto the page. Ed always said I wore my feelings on my face. But it’s also been said I’m too emotional, by someone in a leadership position who should know better. It’s true, but that’s the way God created my caring heart. And often when a poem is finished, re-reading it in its entirety brings tears to my eyes. For I know God has blessed me with words that often seem to come from somewhere deep in my soul… from someplace with which my consciousness is not always in touch… with words that have touched the hearts of others and brought healing to mine.
Because yes, it’s my heart that rejoices, my heart that is saddened, my heart that gets angry at times, my heart that despairs, my heart that apologizes and seeks forgiveness for my wrongs and desires peace, my heart that looks up to the Lord for His loving forgiveness, asking for His hand to guide my path, and it’s even my heart that these poetic words lift up.
For it’s also my heart that praises the Lord for all the blessings He’s given while allowing me to face hardships and pain, as He brings healing and peace, and joy amid tears from His loving mercy and grace. In all of life’s ups and downs, He knows best how to guide my heart and my steps… and may He use these words to touch your heart in turn… as I thank each of you for being a blessing to me.
You’ve Blessed Me
Linda A. Roorda
Oh Lord, you’ve blessed me in ways beyond count
At each new dawning to greet a new day
With words of praise from depths of my heart
Like birds taking flight are songs in my soul.
~
How do I begin my Creator to thank?
For where life began barely touches the sum.
But were I to try my heart could not name
All the blessings of love and joy in my soul.
~
Your hand is my guide unaware at times
Taking for granted simple joys of life,
So may I pause and contemplate
The myriad ways Your love covers me.
~
Through seasons of need joy and praise burst forth
In testing and trial with hope I reach up
For You always guide each faltering step
To carry when I fall and ease heavy burdens.
~
Look upward my soul as life and stress deep
Overwhelm to the core and deprive of peace.
With hope the key to renew my heart
I walk not by sight but by Faith alone.
~
Within this world You allow my struggles
For an easy path was never promised.
Yet You have vowed at my side to be
Guiding me over life’s treacherous shoals.
~
For it’s You my Lord, to whom I will run
Whose voice I hear, whose Word is my guide
Directing my path, gently leading me on
Guiding with light, Your Son in my heart.
~
You promised more if I will just seek
Your grace and mercy since Your child I am,
With a love and joy that knows no bounds
And peace that passes all understanding.
~
And oh! the joy that blesses my soul!
For since time began You’ve called me by name.
And with thankful heart I praise You my God
For blessings given in ways beyond count.
~~
Linda writes from her home in Spencer.
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