whispersofhope/christian poetry and encouragement/linda t. reich

Faith

2012-02-12T07:18:00.001-05:00

Rise above it all
Here the Spirit call

Fear, depression flee
Bow on bended knee

Rest on angel's wing
Let your spirit sing

Victory is near
Victory is here

Trust with all your heart
God will do His part

Linda T. Reich

Is It?

2011-12-22T06:28:00.002-05:00

A decorated tree
A wreath on the door
It's Christmas alright
But I hope there is more!

Is it shopping for presents
For family or friends
Or watching the expressions
On the faces of children?

Is it caroling, baking,
Pretty wrappings and ribbons
Or Santa, his elves,
The joy felt in giving?

Is the the birth of the Christ Child
Who came down to man
Bringing hope and salvation
To fulfill God's loving plan?

Linda T. Reich

I'm Just A Tree

2011-12-22T06:05:00.003-05:00

I don't know what all this fuss is about
I'm just a tree

Why you cut me down and carried me home
I'm just a tree

Why I have to wear all these strange embellishments
I'm just a tree

I'm used to giving shade, housing birds
I'm just a tree

But here I stand in the middle of your room
I'm just a tree

Being the center of attention
I'm just a tree

All the focus is on me
I'm just a tree

It was one of us they used to make a cross
A hanging place for a willing, loving Savior
I'm just a tree

The One you should have as the center of attention
The One to focus on
The One who came down to man
To free him from his sin
And give him hope and a heavenly home

He is the One who came and is to come
He is the One worthy of all of this attention
He is the One
I'm just a tree

Linda T. Reich

Christmas/The World's Gone Wild

2011-12-18T16:09:00.003-05:00

What was I thinking
I couldn't say
But for some strange reason
I went shopping today.

It's too close to Christmas
To hit the mall
But that's what I did
And guess what I saw?

These people all scattered
And rushing about
And me in their midst
I couldn't get out.

They hurried and scurried
And they pushed and they shoved
Well, maybe not quite
But I witnessed no love.

I need to get through
I wanted to say
Move over, or else
Get out of my way.

What was I thinking
It couldn't be me
Acting like them
How could this be?

I realized this
It didn't take much
For me to get stressed
In the wild Christmas rush.

I made some adjustments
In my attitude
I made up my mind
To fill my heart with gratitude.

It made all the difference
When my outlook was better
I started enjoying myself
I dropped every fetter.

Christmas is coming
Christmas is here
Christmas is in my heart
Christmas beyond compare.

Linda T. Reich

Yes, Twas The Night

2011-12-18T16:00:00.003-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas
And oh, what a spouse
He'd hidden my present
Somewhere in the house.

The closets were bursting
With so much to wear
I searched and I searched
I couldn't find it there.

The drawers were so full
That they couldn't be shut
I looked and I ransacked
And I'm not sure for what.

And me, so excited and not able to sleep
Just wanted one chance to find my present and peek
When all of a sudden the clock started to chime
If I couldn't find my present I would loose my mind.

But then came a thought
It was so loud and clear
I had lost sight of Christmas
What happened this year?

I sprang from my bed and ran down the stairs
Ran into the parlor and cried many tears
I quick found my Bible and knelled down to pray
How did it happen? I'd lost Christmas that day.

The Nativity lay there
Nestled under the tree
Silently speaking
A message to me.

I asked God's forgiveness
I had seen the Light
It's the birth of our Savior
Now all else seems right.

Linda T. Reich

As Dry As A Dead Leaf/When Winter Comes To The Soul

2011-09-09T20:21:00.002-04:00

There are a few reasons
Winter comes to the soul of a Christian
It's hard to withstand the icy blasts of winter

When winter settles in among the trees
The once beautiful leaves
That were so alive and nourished
So attached to their lifeline
Now, lay on the ground
Crumpled and stepped on
Not an ounce of life left in them

For a Christian
Bible reading and prayer
Are our lifeline
If either is ignored
We wither and crumble

After a season
We will be as dry as the dead leaf
But it is not the end
Spring is coming
The winter season is over
We can begin a new season

Open up the windows of heaven
Let the Sonshine in
Connect with God again
Let the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit
Touch our souls again
He is the giver of abundant life.

Linda T. Reich

Me, Myself, And I

2011-09-09T20:14:00.003-04:00

Why am I front and center
Thinking the world revolves around me
I came to a surprising conclusion
The god I serve is me.

I don't know when it happened
Putting my feelings first
Wanting approval from those around me
For selfish things I thirst.

Inwardly I sort things out
Longing to be number one
I must get down from this throne of mine
And bow before the Son.

It's not intentional really
I just get in my own way
I want to put myself behind
And help others along the way.

God keep the cross before me
So I can rely on you
I want to focus on those you love
In all that you call me to do.

Linda T. Reich

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

2011-09-09T20:08:00.003-04:00

The light at the end of the tunnel
Is not a train coming your way
But a chance to know there is hope
When you face another new day.

At first the light's hardly visible
And seems so far away
But it's there at the end of the tunnel
To lead you and show you the way.

Don't turn your back on the light
It's your way, or your ticket out
The darkness has been shattered
So face your fears and your doubts.

Stand firm and keep on walking
It's a gift of a brand new day
God is ever beside you
And beside you is where He will stay.

Linda T. Reich

"NO"

2011-09-09T19:52:00.006-04:00

That's one word we don't want to hear
When the answer to our prayer is near
Yet, the answer is crystal clear.

How can God say no to me
The reason for it I cannot see
How can this possibly be?

But our Father knows what is best
In His care we can rest
Our loving God sometimes will test.

"NO" will guide us day by day
Can be a help along the way
It is one word God has to say.

Linda T. Reich

The Hungry Octopus

2011-07-04T05:39:00.001-04:00

Life can be like a hungry octopus
With tentacles too many to count
Tugging and pulling in all directions
Leaving us trapped with no way out.

Strangled by many obligations
Until our energy is zapped
Latching on to our lives one at a time
Surprised that now we are trapped.

Tentacles squeezing from all directions
Are things that rob of us time
Now, some of these tentacles may have to stay
Responsibilities that God says are mine.

The answer is very simple
If our lives are out of control
We are the head of our octopus
Each tentacle is in our control.

Examine each one of these tentacles
To see if it should go or stay
When we release the ones that aren’t necessary
It’s the start of a brand new day.

I remember a time a few years ago I felt like I was being strangled by too many things in my life. Not people but obligations and activities that I had allowed to crowd into my life. Taking up way too much of my time. I drew a picture of an octopus with its many tentacles. Each tentacle I labeled with one of those life-draining activities/responsibilities. I felt like they were squeezing the stuffin’ right out of me. Then I started to understand what God was saying.. Once I put it on paper God started to work because I was ready to do something different. God revealed something very interesting to me. He showed me that I WAS THE HEAD of the octopus and I could control every single tentacle. Every single one. Nothing could squeeze the life out of me unless I allowed it to. There are a few activities/responsibilities that must stay because they are God-given but my understanding and attitude toward them is knowing which ones are valuable and which ones are those life-draining, time robbing, unnecessary ones that I should never allow to latch on. I feel free now and thank God for such a valuable lesson in my life. I love how He continues to teach us and help us grow when we are ready for the next step.

Linda T. Reich

One Step At A Time

2011-02-21T06:57:00.003-05:00

We’ve heard it said to take one day at a time
Easier said then done
There are days in our lives that are so full of stress
There’s not a moment of fun.

Days like that can overwhelm
We don’t want to get out of bed
But if we tackle the day one step at a time
What else needs to be said.

When the alarm goes off put both feet on the floor `
Before Satan defeats you
Don’t hem and haw or partner with dread
When this brand new day comes to greet you.

One step at a time and have a plan
Do not let the day over-rule you
Take it one step at a time, one minute at a time
It can be done, don’t let the devil fool you.

Order and peace will help you deal
With whatever comes your way
God will be in the midst of it all
When you give Him the gift of your day.

Linda T. Reich

Standing Tall

2011-02-12T07:59:00.008-05:00

The day will come
When I’ll leave this place
And I’ll see my Savior
Face-to-face

When my struggles are over
My trials all past
When I’m finally done
With my earthly tasks

Will I stand tall
When we finally meet
The victory won
Gone, the defeat

Will I shrink back
Unworthy, ashamed
Or hold up my head
When He calls out my name

God’s love covers a multitude of sins.

The words I hope to hear are "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Linda T. Reich

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T09:02:00.001-05:00

The turkey's in the oven
The folks are on their way
There's still some things to do
On this Thanksgiving Day.

Forgot to buy the eggnog
The rolls are over-done
But the family's all together
Except for our dear son.

Our son has gone to heaven
We had to say good-by
Why did he have to leave us
I often think and cry.

But the tears aren't for my son
He's as peaceful as can be
The tears I often cry
Are really just for me.

I am looking for the day
When we are able to embrace
That wonderful day is coming
When I see him face-to-face.

This isn't a true story but just a reminder of how thankful we can be when times are tough. When we believe in Jesus we have a future and a hope beyond anything we could have hoped for. I hope whoever reads this would one day ask Jesus into their hearts.

Linda T. Reich

The Gift of Gab

2010-08-19T20:20:00.015-04:00

Who has the gift of gab
What a treasure that can be
When we gab about our Lord
And His eternity.

We can gab about the weather
Politics and health
But waiting by the side-lines
Is a message of Godly wealth.

Just a simple little chat
Can plant one tiny seed
To change a person’s life
One seed is all they need.

God can take our gift of gab
And use it for their good
As we try to share the gospel
As any Christian should.

It shouldn’t be that hard
Although it sometimes is
But the message isn’t ours
This life-changing message is His.
　
Linda T. Reich

I Could

2010-08-13T22:40:00.002-04:00

I could write a poem
As long as a mile
I could be funny
And make you smile.

I could whip up a song
With a catchy tune
That would keep you humming
Til the month of June.

I could write a novel
With an interesting plot
Where the good guy wins
And the bad does not.

But my message is simple
Not boring or long
If you take it to heart
You can't go wrong.

Jesus is calling
He's loving and kind
He's waiting for you
To make up your mind.

Linda T. Reich

Memories

2010-08-07T16:43:00.003-04:00

Each member of our family
In someway has played a part
In all the treasured memories
We hold within our hearts.

Remembering the moments
Shared with those we've held most dear
Looking back with fond remembrances
As we think of all those years.

Memories of those we've loved
Who we miss so much and more
Knowing they're in the loving care
Of the God that we adore.

Linda T. Reich

Fun With Rhyming

2010-07-27T19:30:00.003-04:00

God doesn’t rush
He wants the best for us
Let all of our worries hush
For our spirits they do crush
Let’s stop all the fuss
For God is leading us.

What do we have to fear
When our God is standing near
He has made it oh so clear
That to Him we are so dear
So not another tear
For our loving God is here.

Linda T. Reich

When Winter Comes To The Soul

2010-07-03T03:22:00.003-04:00

There are two reasons
Winter enters the soul of a Christian
It's hard to withstand
The icy blasts of winter.

When winter settles in among the trees
The once beautiful leaves
That were so alive and nourished
So attached to their life-line
Now lay on the ground
Crumbled and stepped-on
Not an ounce of life left in them.

For a Christian
Bible reading and prayer
Are our life-line to God
If either are ignored
We wither and crumble.

After a season
We will be as dry as the dead leaf
But it's not the end
Spring is coming.

The winter season is over
We can begin a new season
Open up the windows of heaven
Let the Sonshine in.

Connect with God again
Let the gently breeze of the Holy Spirit
Touch your soul again
God is the giver of abundant life.

Linda T. Reich

When God Listens

2010-07-03T03:12:00.003-04:00

We say God is silent
When we have unanswered prayers
We say God won't answer
Although we know He is there.

The heavens are brass
Yet, we are in a hurry
Our timing is now
So all we do is worry.

His timing is perfect
Is waiting on God a pleasure?
God listens and plans on our behalf
It's one of our greatest treasures.

While our faithful God listens
Can we be still?
When He's ready to answer
He will reveal His will.

He has heard every sigh
He has wiped every tear
He has heard every word
And our prayers are so dear.

So let God listen
And know He is near
It may take some time
A day, a week, a year.

As God listens
He plans for our best
Can we be still
And seek His peace and rest?

Linda T. Reich

How To Handle Pain

2010-07-03T03:05:00.005-04:00

Good thing my flowers were dying
It made me get off the couch
My legs were hurting so much
All I could say was ouch.

The flowers I nurtured all summer
Were dry and wilting fast
If they didn't get watered soon
Not sure how long they would last.

So once I was up and moving
I was able to keep on going
My Poor Pitiful Pearl mentality
Was no longer the only thing showing.

Get up, get moving and get your mind off yourself.

Linda T. Reich

Do I Have A Big But?

2010-02-12T20:15:00.003-05:00

Is my "but" too big
For my own good?
I don't always do
The things that I should

What God wants me to do
Isn't always easy
"But" I don't think I can
My stomach feels queasy

"But" I can't do that God
I'm really a wimp
"But" I can't do that God
My bad hip makes me limp

"But" now that's too hard,
Would give me bad nerves
"But" It's you God I love
And you shall I serve

So my "but" must get smaller
And I don't need a diet
I will try to say yes God
Yes, I think I will try it.

Just like Moses we may not feel qualified "but"...

Linda T. Reich

It's All On Hold

2009-12-22T03:04:00.000-05:00

Last minute things to take care of
Christmas is coming fast
Then things started to happen
How long will this illness last?

A virus came without knocking
Decided to have it’s own way
I have a few errands to tend to
To be ready for Christmas Day.

To add to this unwanted illness
A blizzard is coming our way
They are calling for twenty-some inches
That’s what those weathermen say.

Too sick to even bake cookies
Trying to sign Christmas cards
All I want to do is lay around
Watch snow piling up in the yard.

Those twenty some-inches have settled
The weathermen got it right
Although this snow was not in my plan
It’s such a beautiful sight.

Christmas is coming, ready or not
It’s the birth of God’s Holy Son
Everything may be on hold
But the celebration has come.

Linda T. Reich

Christmas Morning

2009-12-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

I woke up early this morning
While walking past the tree
I noticed something was different
So I got down on bended knee.

The Creche was there, still nestled
Under the Christmas tree branches
I noticed something was missing
But how? What were the chances?

The little baby Jesus
Was no where to be found
All the rest were in their places
Scattered all around.

Mary was with Joseph
The shepherds with their sheep
The camels with their wise men
Their vigils they did keep.

But where could the little Jesus be
He’s the center of it all
I started searching everywhere
My sleeping family I did call.

Has anyone seen Jesus
He’s no where to be found
No one had a single clue
And no one made a sound.

How can Jesus be missing
Christmas Day is here
It happened without warning
How did He disappear?

Linda T. Reich

Xmas

2009-12-05T20:53:00.000-05:00

Just an abbreviation?
We write it to save time
Marking our Christmas boxes
Making them easy to find.

If we’d stop and think about it
We may realize what we have done
We have taken the Christ out of Christmas
X’d out the name of God’s Son.

So let’s take an extra moment
And thank God on bended knee
We can put the Christ back into Christmas
For all the world to see.

Linda T. Reich

Christmas

2009-12-05T07:48:00.000-05:00

The turkey’s in the oven
Wrapped gifts under the tree
It’s early Christmas morning
No one up except for me.

The smell of coffee’s brewing
Snow is on the lawn
The house is oh, so quiet
It’s early morning dawn.

I sit down on the sofa
I can see the nativity
It helps me to remember
What Christmas means to me.

This day will be so busy
Grandchildren filled with delight
Company will be knocking
Everything seems right.

I know when evening shadows fall
My heart will be the same
I hold my Savior very close
Immanuel, His name.

Matthew 1:23

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Linda T. Reich

Say Yes

2009-08-17T09:11:00.000-04:00

Say yes God, before your feet hit the floor
Say yes God, as you are going out the door
Say yes God, as the day goes on
Say yes God, in the midst of a storm.

Say yes God, when you hear His voice
Say yes God, let that be your choice
Say yes God, melt me and mold me
Say yes God, guide me and hold me.

Say yes God, to Your will and to Your way
Say yes God, that’s all you have to say
Say yes God, there is no better way.

Linda T. Reich

Our Heart

2009-07-12T04:15:00.000-04:00

Can anger and love live in the same house
Better yet, can they live in the same heart
The dominant one will rule
Please don’t be fooled.

Is anger our right
Have we been commissioned to love
What fruit does anger bear
Fruit that we can lovingly share?

Anger sneaks up on us
Some anger may be beneficial
But some very harmful
Don’t go through your day with a heart full

Have we let anger dominate
Has anger settled in
Don't let the sun go down on our anger
Remember anger can lead to sin.

Linda T. Reich

The Unseen Pest

2009-07-10T08:16:00.000-04:00

A fly is a pest that we can see
It lands on our arm, our face, our knee
We get out the swatter and chase it down
We don’t want this pest around.

A bee is a pest that buzzes around
A nasty pest, with a nasty sound
Not welcomed at picnics, don’t bother their nests
Just one of the many bothersome pests.

These little pests are easy to handle
They get on our nerves but they don’t hold a candle
There’s a bigger pest, much more of a threat
An unseen pest who causes us to fret.

He brings with him doubt, worry and fear
He’s sticks close to us, wants to be near
But he’s more than a pest that we can swat
He’s evil and cunning and hell is his lot.

He’ll take others with him, do what he can
To live forever in his fiery den
But we are safe from his evil charms
We don’t have to fear he will bring us harm.

For In Jesus name the devil must flee
He’s not a threat to you or me.

Linda T. Reich

The I's Don't "Have It" The U's Do

2009-06-28T17:50:00.000-04:00

I only thinks of self
No other one will do
Let’s forget about I
And start thinking more of U.

I is very selfish
It’s sometimes used too often
But when I thinks of U
Both their hearts will soften.

sIn, the center is I
Makes sense to me
When we center on I
Too self-centered we’ll be.
　
I’m sure you understand by now
I is ourself and U is another
So what I’d like to say
Is less of myself and more of others.
　
Linda T. Reich

Poems

2009-06-24T03:09:00.000-04:00

Were these my words
Or Yours today
Did I remember to pray
"What would You have me say?"

Am I speaking in love
Is my message from You
How should I say it
What should I do?

Is my message timely
For just the right season
I don’t want to write
For just any old reason.

Tell me again Lord
What should I say
With every poem I write
Please have Your way.
　
Linda T. Reich

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

2009-06-24T02:45:00.000-04:00

God deserves the glory
God deserves the honor
God is worthy of all praise

I know we get excited
When we have an answered prayer
We’ve been praying for so long
The answer’s finally here.

We want to shout it from the rooftops
The answer came because "I" prayed
But let’s be very careful
With each little claim we make.

God is merciful
Kind and good
He hears us and answers
It’s understood.

We don’t have the know-how
To answer our own prayers
But when we talk with our Heavenly Father
His answers are beyond compare.
　
Linda T. Reich

What A Difference A Day Makes

2009-06-19T22:11:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is coming
It's on the way
Has anyone had
A miserable day?

Just twenty-four hours
It's not so long
Time will correct
All that went wrong.

Don't carry our troubles
Into tomorrow
Don't pack our bags
With all of our sorrows.

Tomorrow will make
Today just a memory
Let's hold onto our faith
God has a remedy.

All will work out
All will be fine
Changes will come
All in God's time.

Linda T. Reich

Robin's Nest/Fuzzy Head

2009-06-11T07:14:00.000-04:00

The little nest was woven
With tender love and care
If you can’t find little miss Robin
You can always find her there.

She’s nestled in, she doesn’t budge
She patiently sits on her eggs
She only leaves to grab a bite
Then back to the eggs she has laid.

Her nest is low in the tree out front
Not really hidden at all
She doesn’t seem to mind if we stop
But we keep our distance and call:

Hello little Robin, how do you do?
What a good little mother are you
But all we can see is her one big eye
And her little head tilted toward the sky.

How many babies can there be?
I would love to count them, one, two, three
When they are new-born oh, what a sight
We hope we can witness their first flight.

We hope your babies stay safe
From the Crows that stalk your nest
We want to see them fly away on their own
So stay safe from those miserable pests.

Linda T. Reich

Fuzzy Head
　
One little birdie has lifted it’s head
Above the nest in full view
Funny little baby with it’s fuzzy little head
I can finally have a peek at you.

Mama Robin so faithful and true
On the edge of her nest she is perched
But so far it’s been very quiet
None of her babies have chirped.

I see a second, maybe a third
Just a beak and some fuzz are showing
It’s so much fun to watch all of this
While each little baby growing.

A turn of events
I don’t want to believe it
The babies are missing
I cannot conceive it.

The nest has been visited
At a terrible cost
The nest is now empty
Mama bird seems lost.

Linda T. Reich

The Cross Around My Neck (True Story)

2009-06-07T05:18:00.000-04:00

I wasn’t a Christian for long
But I wanted the world to know
I thought I should wear a cross
Around my neck it would show.

I thought the bigger the better
To display my faith on a chain
Yes, I wanted the world to know
Christ didn’t die in vain.

So, I was on a mission
To find just the right cross
I searched and hunted for weeks on end
My searching was at a loss.

Then one day I found it
When I was getting into the car
It was so small I almost missed it
On the ground, all battered and marred.

Yes, it was on a chain
The cross was simple and small
But it bared the same marks as Jesus
All battered and beaten and marred.

I picked it up as a treasure
I knew I found it at last
I would treasure this cross as a symbol
To remind me of my lost past.

Linda T. Reich

Good, Better, Best

2009-06-01T16:48:00.000-04:00

Good, better, best
Never let it rest
Until the good is better
And the better best

Life is good you say
But it can get better day by day
All you have to do is pray
And God will open up a way

For the good to change for the better
And the better will now be God's best

Linda T. Reich

For Those Who Have Turned Their Back On The Lord

2009-06-01T00:46:00.000-04:00

Backsliders about face
Pick up your pace
March on in grace
And come back to your Lord

Linda T. Reich

Satan Hates The Morning Light

2009-05-28T08:07:00.000-04:00

Try as he may to ruin our day
To discourage and cause us strife
When we go to bed we don’t have to dread
For we will arise in the morning light

A brand-new day is headed our way
One filled with hope and delight
Victory sweet, Failure’s defeat
With the passing of the darkest night

So hold on tight until morning’s light
It’s a chance for a new beginning
What happened today will fade away
And once again life will be worth living

Linda T. Reich

Thank You Men and Women

2009-05-25T09:10:00.000-04:00

Serving our country
And serving it well
Our soldiers and sailors
With stories to tell

Husbands, wives,
Fathers and mothers
Leaving their comfort
To fight for their "brother"

Willing to go
To keep all men free
Fighting wars
For you and for me

Thank you so much
I could not do it
But you so unselfishly
Put your minds to it

I just can’t imagine
Your sacrifice
Willing to serve
Giving your life

Thank you to all
Who serve the USA
It’s your time to shine
This is your day

I think of all who have left the comfort of their homes and families
The luxuries they had here in America, jobs, cars
I think of the kids right out of high school and college
Whose lives are just beginning
And how they unselfishly left their girlfriends, boyfriends, homes, cars
What a great group of young people
They are our future

Linda T. Reich

Me of Wee Little Faith

2009-05-23T03:42:00.000-04:00

If only my faith were stronger
If only I had more trust
If only I could pray more
Stomping fear and worry into dust

Some "things" have been with me
For way too long
If I don’t let go
I won’t be strong

To weather the storms
That come my way
If I don’t let go
I can’t go on another today

Do I have to get mad
At these tormenting pests
Mad at myself
For allowing this mess

What will it take
To ban fear and worry
What will it take
To really be sorry

For letting "them" rule
Am I insane
It’s a sin in my eyes
Jesus should reign

I give up God
I hand them to you
I'm giving you my fear and worry
Please tell me what more I can do

Linda T. Reich

Who Will Go/Who Will Stay

2009-05-18T08:41:00.000-04:00

There are some called to go
Some called to stay
Whether we come or go
We are all called to pray

If we are called to stay
Our calling is to pray
Praying for those
Who are called not to stay

It’s just as important
To stay as to go
Our mission in life
Varies you know

We can’t judge our call
Comparing one another
We cannot compete
With our Christian brother

Being called to go
Is not as easy
And those who are staying
Are not being lazy

So some must go
And some must stay
It’s all a matter
Of God’s answer when you pray

Linda T. Reich

My Invisible Friend

2009-05-18T08:02:00.000-04:00

I have a friend you cannot see
He walks with me
And he talks to me
I'm not so sure
We should be hangin' out
Instead of hope he gives me doubt
I'll tell you my friend's name
If you keep on readin'
I've had this friend
For many a season
One day I might just say good-bye
Why I choose him
I wonder why
Good-bye forever
Dear old friend
My friendship with "Loneliness"
Is now at an end

Even though Loneliness left when Jesus came in
Loneliness still tries it's best to win.

Linda T. Reich

Mary, You Couldn't Have Known

2009-05-14T09:39:00.000-04:00

Mary, you couldn’t have known
That your baby boy
Would be so important to a world of sinners

Mary, you couldn’t have known
That your little boy
One day would reign in our hearts

Mary, you couldn’t have known
That your Son would break
The hold sin had on the world

Mary, you couldn’t have known
The love your Son had
For future generations

Mary, you couldn’t have known
The part your Son would play
In the redemption of all the world

Mary, you couldn’t have known
I would one day bow
At the foot of your precious Jesus

Mary, you couldn’t have known
All that God had planned
When He gave his only Son

Mary, you couldn’t have known
What it means to me
When you obeyed God’s call on your life

Linda T. Reich

TinkerBell Doll

2009-05-10T22:45:00.000-04:00

I was three
My sister was five
A present from dad
What a surprise

A TinkerBell doll
Love at first sight
Out of the box
I squeezed her tight

We played with Tink
She was well-loved
Her little green dress
And wings like a dove

Bells on her shoes
Blond hair in a bun
She was our Tink
And she was such fun

We played so hard
Her little arms fell off
One couldn't be found
So the other I tossed

Forever gone
Threw it away
What was I thinking
I cannot say

We kept our Tink
We still have her today
She needed some fixin’
So we whisked her away

To the doll hospital
We took our dear Tink
For a new set of arms
What would dad think

We would fix up our Tink
Have a new dress made
We still had her shoes
With a new dress of Jade

She’s lookin’ good now
A smile on her face
She sits on my shelf
In just the right place

We have had TinkeBell for over 50 years.

Linda T. Reich

Mothers Never Give Up

2009-05-10T07:47:00.000-04:00

Have you had your hands full
Raising your kids
Have they tested your patience
Like we all once did

Have you struggled to raise them
And teach them what’s right
Have you stayed up and prayed
For them into the night

Do you have your hands full
Since the teen years are here
Does it seem to get harder
With each passing year

Are you children all grown
And not keeping in touch
The phone never ringing
And you don’t see them much

Well, there’s one thing I know
Of one thing I am sure
Mothers never give up
On the children we adore

This poem is my story
And it may not be yours
But we all have our moments
Of this, I am sure.

Keep on praying moms
Never give up
God never gives up on us
Our kids are still a work in progress

Linda T. Reich

Me! Me! Me!

2009-05-04T08:14:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I get tired
Of me, myself and I
Thoughts of myself
Sometimes cloud my mind

I’d like to vacation
Away from myself
Just one little break
Away from my thoughts of self

The times I say "I"
During the course of the day
Makes me consider
To find a better way

To forget about self
And center on others
Loving and listening
So my "I" thoughts don’t smother

A listening ear
Is a valuable gift
When "I" is no longer
All I can give

Linda T. Reich

Faith Is The Reason I Get Out of Bed

2009-05-04T07:10:00.000-04:00

We all need faith
It’s what keeps us going
Faith gives us hope
First thing in the morning

When doubt says we can’t
Faith says we can
With faith on our side
We can begin again

With faith, add some hope
And to hope, add some love
All of these gifts
Are from our God above

Just a little faith
Goes a long way
It’s the beginning
Of a brand-new day

Linda T. Reich

Eternal Security

2009-04-29T07:09:00.000-04:00

Once you ask Jesus into your heart
He comes willingly, settles in
He'll never depart
He'll free you from your sins

Once you ask Jesus into your heart
He's at home, here to stay
He'll never depart
You can't turn Him away

Once you ask Jesus into your heart
Giving all to God, He receives
He'll never depart
We are asked to believe

Once you ask Jesus into your heart
He's ready, angels rejoice
He'll never depart
It's simply your choice

Our salvation is a gift from God
It doesn't cost a thing
He has so many blessings for us
Peace and joy He brings

Linda T. Reich

Day Care Workers

2009-04-23T20:30:00.000-04:00

Waking up children from their naps
Picking up pillows, folding up mats
Snack time is here, tummies to fill
Picking up marshmallows, cleaning up spills

When it’s playtime we go out
This takes two of us without a doubt
One child rides a bike, another tries to catch bees
Then we have to gather the little ones hiding behind the trees

Cleanup time
it’s your turn, no, I think it’s mine
Are we a great team
I think we are mighty fine

Linda T. Reich

I Am The Clay

2009-04-23T19:31:00.000-04:00

To the potter speaks the clay:
Mold me, fashion me in this way
I want to be a work of art
A flawless, priceless vessel

Said the potter to the clay:
You have it wrong
It doesn't work that way

Practical and useful
You'll be a work of art
Place yourself in my hands
And I will do my part

Linda T. Reich

The Jigsaw Puzzle

2009-04-19T20:40:00.000-04:00

A card table set up
In the center of the room
On it, a jigsaw puzzle resting
We’re getting ready to start it soon

Mom takes a seat
And then opens up the box
Emptying all the puzzle pieces
Onto the card table top

Turning over each grey piece
Revealing all the colors
Starting with the border pieces first
Ignoring all the others

One by one the pieces fit
The picture starts to emerge
Piece by piece they fall into place
Until the words “it's finished” are heard

Some days are like grey puzzle pieces
We don’t know how they fit in
But with a little work and patience
We see that God may have a plan

Each tribulation we go through
We may not understand
We cannot always see
That God leads by His loving hand

But when all the pieces fall into place
We can start to understand
The beauty and the kindness
Of our faithful God’s perfect plan

Linda T. Reich

The "No Poem" Years

2009-04-13T08:52:00.000-04:00

There was a time of sadness for me
When I couldn't seem to write
No matter how hard I tried
I couldn't get it right

A dry spell is what it was
My pen and typewriter idle
No matter how hard I tried
I couldn't even think of a title

I couldn't use my gift from God
Quite a few years went by
I wondered if God "took" it back
My ministry went dry

I had a lot of sadness back then
That seemed to block the flow
I just couldn't seem to do it
So I just let my poetry go

But I believe I was in training
Learning from sadness and strife
To deepen my understanding
I had to experience life

I needed to spend some time waiting
Spend some time in the trenches
Needed to do some more waiting
Spending some time on the benches

I'm so glad God is faithful
My gift was not taken away
It lay dormant until I was ready
It was the start of a brand-new day

Thank you God.

Linda T. Reich

Midnight Flower

2009-04-13T06:32:00.001-04:00

There’s a flower that blooms at midnight
After the light has faded away
It’s as lovely in the darkness
As any flower blooming in day

When darkness seems to surround me
And God’s light seems to have faded away
God’s love is the light I have stored in my heart
I can bloom no matter what comes my way

Yes, I can bloom in the darkness
For the hurting and lost to see
Not even Satan can stop me
For God’s light is alive in me

God’s Word is the seed He has planted
He waters His seed with His love
Can I fill the air with God’s fragrance and beauty
And bloom through the darkness and minister God’s love

Linda T. Reich

Foot In Mouth

2009-04-07T18:29:00.000-04:00

Foot in mouth
So many times
Mistakes like that
Stay on our mind

Words are said
Can't take them back
Can say "we're sorry"
That's a fact

It's hard to say
Those words sometimes
Not like a poem
With words that rhyme

But spit them out
Don't hesitate
Say we are sorry
Before it's too late

"I am sorry"
How hard was that
"I am truly sorry"
Go have that chat

Linda T. Reich

Worry and Fear/Lousy Companions

2009-04-07T18:15:00.000-04:00

When I start to worry and feel afraid
I am in the presence of my enemies
So why do I continue to entertain them

Worry and fear are unhealthy relationships
Why do I welcome them into my thoughts
What would it feel like if I didn't open my heart's door
When they came knocking

Go away! I'm not used to saying that
It's not polite
But why should I be polite to dangerous intruders

Can I open my heart's door and demand that they leave
Of course I can but I don't
What will it take before I stop welcoming them

They are lousy companions
Yet, I have invited them in time after time
Wasting my time and energy

Why can't I replace them permanently
With Trust and Faith
What helpful companions they would be
I wonder how I can open my heart's door
And clean house

It's too crammed full of stuff
How can I sort it all out
Ah, I think there may be a solution

Since I am not doing too well on my own
I know Someone who will help me
Help me to clean out those intruders
That force their way in

How many times must Jesus die on the cross for me
Once and for all it is finished
The work on the cross is finished

I've been loved, forgiven and cared for at Calvary
And Jesus is still waiting for me to ask for help
Help in conquering things so small
Compared to what He conquered

Yet, they seem like mountains to me and not mole hills
This seems to be a lesson I have to keep learning
And re-learning way too often

Shall I give it another try
Yes, I shall give it another try
What man can't do God can

I open the door of my heart to you God
Again, please help me get rid of fear and worry
And welcome trust and faith
I know with them as my constant companions
I can't go wrong

Linda T. Reich

Home

2009-04-07T18:05:00.000-04:00

Some of us are travelers
Some at home, we'd rather stay
Some of us are wanderers
Some may go astray

But there is a place I'd rather be
This place is called my home
It calls my name and brings me back
From wherever I may roam

Our home is our safe haven
Where we can close our door
Retreat from the world and it's problems
No matter if rich or poor

Home is where my heart is
It's everything that's dear
It's my little bit of heaven
Where I can bring my family near

My home is my retreat
Not made of straw or sticks
I've built my home on The Solid Rock
Not on quicksand or with bricks

My home is not a building
Yet, it sometimes needs repair
I know the Master Carpenter
My home is safe within His care

Linda T. Reich

My Backyard Bird

2009-04-07T17:41:00.000-04:00

Like fire against the snow
A burst of red, a warming glow
A songbird's melody sent my way
To warm my heart from the cold of the day

As I watch from my window the Cardinal knows
Spring will come as winter goes
A touch of hope through winter tears
A new beginning for future years

Linda T. Reich

God's Work, My Work

2009-04-07T17:37:00.000-04:00

My work is not a chore to me
Or I would tell you so
But I love it here at the nursing home
So every morning off I go

To care for all the elderly
God has placed within my care
For I know that He is using me
To be a witness for Him there

Linda T. Reich

Love Your Friends

2009-04-07T17:34:00.000-04:00

New beginnings
Old friends
Starting over
Relationships to mend

If you fail each other
Start again
Just remember to
Love your friends

Linda T. Reich

Poor Pitiful Pearl Doll

2009-04-06T22:23:00.000-04:00

Santa was waving from a fire engine

Was he real, I wasn't sure

As he rode through our neighborhood

I peeked out the back door

It was Christmas Eve

Mom was curling my hair

It was getting late

I was anxious to climb the stairs

I think I was ten

And filled with delight

It was Christmas morning

And love at first sight

I opened my presents

And when I saw you

Something happened inside of me

I knew just what I'd do

You weren't very pretty

Your hair, long and straight

A scarf kept your hair

From hanging down in your face

Your long dress had patches

All scattered about

I opened your box

And I took you out

I think you wore boots

You were very poor

You needed someone

But I needed you more

I knew I would love you

And you would love me

Poor Pitiful Pearl

I cared for you faithfully

Packed away in a box

Now I was grown

You, just a memory

I had a home of my own

Then a raging fire

Swept through my parent's house

The family gathered together

To help sort things out

There you were, naked

All covered with soot

Not a thing wrong with you

Except a small hole in your foot

The love was still there

But I packed you away

I knew in my heart
I would clean you some day

Many years later

I got the job done

Fixing you up

For me, was quite fun

Aunt Ceil took us shopping

With a new handmade dress

From the Elfin Studio

You did look your best

The dress, purple and peach

With white stockings, black shoes

A purple bow in your hair

Yes, I think that will do

I asked my dad

About Poor Pitiful Pearl

The reason they bought her was

I was such a pitiful girl

I wanted pity

Why, I can't say

Was it my cry for attention

In my own childish way

It's been thirty years now

Since I first got my Pearl

She sits in my bedroom

She's still my little girl

Poor Pitiful Pearl Became My Nickname.

The older picture is me around eight or ten years old with Poor Pitiful Pearl.

The second picture is Pearl now. Fifty years later.

Linda T. Reich

Peter

2009-04-05T19:02:00.000-04:00

Unspoken words
It was only a glance
Peter had failed Him
He blew his last chance

To take up for Jesus
In His final hour
What happened to the courage
Peter once had
What happened to the power

He denied he ever knew Him
Before the cock crowed twice
He betrayed the One who loved him
Now he had to pay the price

Locked behind closed doors
Fear and sadness griped his heart
Then Jesus stood among them
His forgiveness to impart

Now the Scriptures were fulfilled
Peter understood
Jesus' death was meant for evil
But God meant it for good

Linda T. Reich

The Empty Tomb Has Set You Free

2009-04-05T05:23:00.000-04:00

The tomb is empty
But your heart needn’t be
The empty tomb
Is a symbol for me

Are burdens too heavy
The empty tomb has set you free
When Jesus conquered death
He freed us from all misery

Could it be loneliness
Or maybe your health
Could it be family problems
Or the loss of your wealth

Whatever your heartaches
Jesus conquered all
Don’t let your heart stay empty
Just answer the empty tomb’s call

Jesus knows how we feel
He walked in our shoes
He died for our sins
You have nothing to loose

One simple act
It’s a matter of faith
Start on bended knee
There’s not a moment to waste

Just answer God’s call
Give your heart to Him
He will fill it with His presence
He will free it from all sin

Linda T. Reich

Hawaii or Heaven

2009-04-02T19:19:00.000-04:00

When my husband and I were first married
We started to save our change every day
We had a large, empty Kosher Dill pickle jar
That can hold a lot of change

I had this great idea to save for a trip to Hawaii
Hawaii is somewhere I would like to go
I heard it was pretty expensive to visit there
I wondered how long it would take
To save for a trip to Hawaii

Years probably
I got to thinking
I have traveled before
So I didn’t really feel like
I missed out on anything

I came up with a better idea
One day I am going to a beautiful place
That will make Hawaii seem like nothing
The place I am talking about is Heaven

So I dropped the idea of going to Hawaii
And now instead of saving our change
In our pickle jar
I have my button collection in it
I have over 15,000

Not worrying about Hawaii anymore
Heaven is just around the corner
And it’s the best trip I will ever take
Who needs Hawaii when Heaven is waiting

Linda T. Reich

The War That Never Was

2009-04-02T18:14:00.000-04:00

Too young to remember
Too old to forget
The dying, the sadness
Our disrespect

Soldiers fighting the battle
Giving up their lives
It was in the sixties
Vietnam, the war that never was

Soldiers and their families
Affected still today
Too many unanswered questions
People asking still today

There is only one solution
For their healing to take place
Jesus is the only answer
He can save them by His grace

Linda T. Reich

The War That Touched Home/Saddam Hussein

2009-04-02T18:06:00.000-04:00

I wrote this many years ago when my brother Mark was serving over there.

Foreign words, foreign lands
College students in combat stand
Scud, patriots, Saddam Hussein
Playing a deadly game

A livingroom war for those left behind
News reports playing games with our minds
Yellow ribbons, unspoken words, empty beds
Symbols of the fears that dance around in our heads

Praying that our loved ones
Will all come safely home
Our prayers are being answered
Remember we are not alone

Someone encouraged me to submit this poem to our local newspaper and to my surprise it was published.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saddam Hussein

His regime, crumbling

His statue, tumbling

The critics, mumbling

The results, humbling

Linda T. Reich

It's Not Easy Being Green

2009-04-02T17:54:00.000-04:00

Why does the Willow weep
Why does it seem so sad
Humans have entered in
Wasting the best resources we've ever had

Trees are being destroyed
From one continent to another
From here in our own land
And the land of our distant brothers

I'm only one person
We all could say
But there's always hope
When we take time to pray

I'm not a fanatic
And never will be
But as Joyce Kilmer says
There's nothing lovelier than a tree

Trees bear fruit
They give shade
They give us beauty
In the heat of the day

Imagine just once
As far as your eye can see
No matter where you look
There are no trees
How empty and barren God's land would be

Linda T. Reich

The Best Of All

2009-04-02T17:41:00.000-04:00

Warmth may be a fireplace
Or a steaming cup of tea
Warmth may be a candle light
A soft kitten to cuddle me

Warmth may be a warm soft bed
On a snowy winter day
Warmth may be a loving thought
A kind word that I might say

Warmth may be a hug, a touch
When someones having a bad day
But the warmth of the heart is the best of all
It's the love that you give away.

Linda T. Reich

One Day At Work

2009-04-02T17:27:00.000-04:00

One Day At Work

Flowers delivered
They're not for me
Someones birthday
Or anniversary

Husbands and boyfriends
Showing they care
Capturing a moment
For those in love to share

On Another Day At Work

I never get roses
But I have something better
A dad who's there for me
Through all kinds of weather

It's really snowing outside
Two of my tires are bad
I'll have to drive home
But wait, here comes my dad

He changes my tires
He's showing he cares
My friends think he's something
He's my answer to prayer

On My Birthday

Flowers delivered
They are for me
Sent to celebrate
My fortieth birthday

They're not from a husband
Or a boyfriend, you see
But my sister and dad
Sent them to me

I've made a decision
There is nothing better
Than getting flowers delivered
It's my best birthday ever

This was written many years ago when I was single.

Linda T. Reich

The Buttercup

2009-04-02T15:48:00.000-04:00

There was a little flower
Bright yellow as can be

When we were little children
We'd pick them just to see

If when we held them to our chin
Would the color reflect on me

If in fact it did so
Then a butter-lover I'd be

Linda T. Reich

Little Bug

2009-04-02T15:15:00.000-04:00

Little bug, little bug
Flying so free
This I wonder
What could you be

Little strange bug
Flying so fast
Unidentified bug
Resting at last

Little bug, little bug
Upon the great wall, what more do you know
Little bug, little bug, so still and so small
Mockingbird says "breakfast to go"

I was sitting in the car in line at the bank window and this strange little bug was flying all around. I was trying to identify it and it rested on the wall for only a moment. Then all of a sudden a Mockingbird swooped down and got it! Breakfast to go!

Linda T. Reich

Where Did You Go Moe

2009-04-02T15:09:00.000-04:00

One day when we were still at home
Our dog Dusty liked to roam

One day he brought a friend to us
We really like him, made a fuss

He was black and Dusty was brown
We really liked having "Moe" around

Dusty and Moe were quite a pair
Together they went everywhere

Moe's owners did not understand
Why Moe thought our family was so grand

So they'd take him away for a day or more
But he'd come right back to our front door

One day our Moe just disappeared
The worst had happened we all feared

His owners rather than share our friend Moe
Gave him away. Moe, where did you go?

Linda T. Reich

Making Beds

2009-04-02T15:03:00.001-04:00

I have been a nursing assistant and personal care assistant for almost 30 years.

If I got a penny for making every bed
I'd be so filthy rich I think
It'd go right to my head

If I had a penny for every bed I made
I wouldn't have to make my own
Instead, I'd have a maid

If I had a penny for every bed I made
I think I'd stay in bed all day
And sip some lemonade

Linda T. Reich

Lady

2009-04-02T14:58:00.000-04:00

Black and graceful
With a touch of red
Lady was the daintiest pet
I ever had

She lived in a corner
At the top of her cage
Quietly spinning
A nest for her eggs

I truly did love her
But I'm sorry to say
I took her eggs from her
And flushed them away

One chilly fall morning
I started to cry
Lady was ready
She was going to die

I'll never forget her
I miss her you see
My Black Widow spider
Was very special to me

True Story

Linda T. Reich

Chester Churantula

2009-04-02T14:50:00.000-04:00

Chester Tarantula
Lives all alone
He'll eat other spiders
If they visit his home

He's a Mexican Red-Leg
He's five years old
He can live to be fifteen
He doesn't like the cold

We feed him live crickets
About once a week
He always needs water
But doesn't always eat

He's not very dangerous
But if he does bite
No worse than a bee sting
But he'd give you a fright

He molts once a year
Steps right our of his skin
This means he's growing
You'd think he was twins

His abdomen's soft
If you drop him he'll burst
By then it's too late
No need for a nurse

My cat wants to eat him
Just one little bite
But, I say no way cat
You're having fish tonight

Chester is no longer with us. He passed away.

Linda T. Reich

Pop

2009-04-01T21:44:00.000-04:00

My dad passed away in 1992. I wrote these next two poems for him.

He's not a fisherman
Doesn't like to play ball
But when it comes to pops
He's the best one of all

He's kind and giving
Yet has a sharp tongue
But when there's something to do
He gets the job done

Wouldn't trade him or change him
He's our very own pop
He's fun to be with
His good deeds never stop

Linda T. Reich

Happy Birthday Dad

2009-04-01T17:35:00.000-04:00

I always felt safe
When you were around
Knowing things were ok
When you were around

Through all these years
With you I have found
I've never missed out
'Cause you're the best dad in town

Out of all the dads
I could have had
There's no one else
I'd rather call dad

Love, Your Daughter

Linda T. Reich

Always A Poem Away

2009-04-01T17:29:00.000-04:00

The poems I've written, over a hundred you see
But it makes no difference to me
For no matter what I have to say
I'm always a poem away

I've expressed myself when I'm happy and sad
Gotten the pen out when I'm peaceful or mad
But no matter what I have to say
I'm always a poem away

Will I ever run out of thoughts or emotions
Or arranging my words to make a new poem
But no matter what I have to say
I'm always a poem away

Linda T. Reich

A True Story

2009-04-01T16:54:00.000-04:00

Under our refrigerator
In our tiny little house
Lived a creature, small and furry
We called him our baby mouse

His mother seeking food one day
To feed her babies, three
Came upon some food at last
The trap she did not see

His brothers fending for themselves
Then came upon a treat
Poison was their final meal
"The end" they were to meet

So one small mouse was all alone
Hungry and scared was he
He won our hearts, we captured him
To join our family

Then late that night
Nibbling on my hair
I awoke to find
Another mouse appear

Another mouse! I couldn't believe it
I wondered if there were others
Baby mouse was not alone
He had another brother

I could have tired to capture that one
But you see, it was too late
Baby mouse plus two more others
Poison also sealed their fate

Linda T. Reich

Strawberry Patch

2009-04-01T16:47:00.000-04:00

Like sparkling rubies wet with dew

Nestled in a carpet of jade

The thought of me helping myself

Suddenly begins to fade

The rustling of leaves interrupts. An Intruder!

I wonder who or what it might be

I bend down to get a closer look

Just in time to see two eyes looking at me

Startled, I scream

Oh, for goodness sakes

What's the matter with me

It's only a snake

Linda T. Reich

The Music Box

2009-04-01T16:22:00.000-04:00

The tiny ballerina sleeps
She's graced with beauty and song
She dreams of a pair of tiny hands
Waking her up as they come along

Two big blue eyes peek in the box
The sunshine filters through
The tiny ballerina stands
She knows just what to do

With the tinkling sound of the music box
The tiny ballerina twirls
She dances for an audience
Of one tiny little girl

Her dance complete
She's put to rest
She sleeps in peace
She danced her best

Linda T. Reich

Hummingbird Come Home

2009-04-01T15:52:00.000-04:00

Winter is making an exit
Spring is knocking at our door
Brightly colored flowers are awakening
Little Hummingbird you couldn't ask for more

Your feet are much to feeble
You cannot walk on them
But your wings make up the difference
Bringing you safely home again

You spend your winters in a far off land
Traveling five hundred miles in a single flight
Taking your wings to their limit
Soaring to new heights

Hummingbird, you surely are a work of art
Two to eight inches in length
Your wings beat up to eighty cycles per second
Flying backwards is one of your strengths

Your markings are drenched in color
You are no bigger than a mouse
You are one of three hundred and twenty species
You weigh less than an ounce

Hummingbird, you are destined
Spring holds you in the palm of her hand
We miss seeing you sipping your nectar
Your entrance back home shall be grand

So little Hummingbird we'll be expecting you
We'll be watching from our back doors
You are welcome in my garden anytime
Little Hummingbird, I couldn't ask for more

Linda T. Reich

The Worm On The Sidewalk

2009-03-29T20:42:00.000-04:00

It’s there, outside on the sidewalk, dead
Why didn’t the little worm know
The worm had it good
It lived in rich, fertile soil
Surrounded by everything it needed
To live a good, healthy life
Yet, when the storms and rains came
And things got tough
The worm was on the move
Looking elsewhere for protection
And relief from the storms
So it made it as far as the sidewalk
Where it got stuck, shriveled up and died
~
The little worm is me
~
I am planted in the rich, fertile soil
Of The Word of God
God’s Word has everything I need
To live a good, healthy life
Yet, when the storms and rains come
And things get tough
I start looking elsewhere for protection
And relief from the storms
Yet, if I stay planted
In the rich, fertile soil of God’s Word
The storms will pass
And the Son will shine again
I must stay planted in the rich, fertile soil
Of God’s Word
So I don’t get stuck, shrivel up and die spiritually
Amen?
~
Linda T. Reich

There's A New Season On The Horizon

2009-03-20T17:47:00.000-04:00

Like winter some “seasons” in our lives
Stay way too long,
Some drag on and just when you think a new season is coming
Like spring, the sun is back but the rains bring a chill
Are you tired of the season you are in
Has it been a hard one, a long one
Have you struggled one day at a time,
An hour at a time, a minute at a time
Have you felt the chill right down to the bone
Have you felt the emptiness
Have you felt the heartache
Does your soul need warming
Has your First Love (your relationship with God)
Seemed to have lost the glow it once had
Well, seasons only last for a designated time so hold on...
There’s a new “season” on the horizon
God will open a window
Fresh air will come in,
You will feel refreshed
The Son will shine in your life once again
God will restore
You will have the strength you need
God’s mercies are new every morning
That long, unwanted, winter-like season won’t last forever
So hold on
God is working
“Seasons have their reasons”
They are needed
Each and every one has a purpose
But Halelujah there’s a new season on the horizon
~
Linda T. Reich

There's A New Season Coming

2009-03-20T17:37:00.000-04:00

Seasons come and seasons go
*
The seasons of contentment
The seasons of restlessness
*
The seasons of waiting
The seasons of doing
*
The seasons of joy
The seasons of sadness
*
The seasons of good health
The seasons of physical challenges
*
The seasons of plenty
The seasons of scarceness
*
The seasons of quietness
The seasons of being busy
*
Seasons can be wonderful
Seasons can be challenging
*
When seasons are good we are thankful
When seasons are life-draining we may
Need to enter into a season of prayer
Thoughtful prayer
Serious prayer
Maybe even constant prayer
More than just a quick thought now and then
*
When we enter into a season of prayer
God will grant a season of answering
Be faithful in prayer
Because God is ever-so-faithful in answering
*
Linda T. Reich

When Can I Retire

2009-03-16T16:34:00.000-04:00

When can I retire
I wonder everyday
It's not that I don't love my job
But I've been "called" to stay
-
My job is not a job to me
Or even a career
But a calling on my life from God
That I hold close and dear
-
I've worked among the elderly
Since I was thirty-one
Now, I'm pushing sixty
Yet my ministry's not done
-
Those who cannot help themselves
I care for everyday
Yet even though the work is hard
I'm blessed in many ways
-
This is what God spoke to my heart one morning:
-
The prize my heart is focused on shouldn't be to retire but it's when God calls me home and says: "Well done good and faithful servant." Servant being the key word here. A servant always does what their master asks them to do whether they "feel" like it or not.
-
Linda T. Reich

Is There Anybody Out There

2009-03-16T16:24:00.000-04:00

A tired old man
On a bench in the park
Had no place to go
After dark
*
People living their lives
As if nothing was wrong
The birds in the sky
Still singing their songs
*
I wish I could show him
Some needed respect
I just want to talk
Not to judge or inspect
*
All alone and unloved
In the world is he
No one who cares
It's a mystery to me
*
He was once a young man
Full of hopes and ideas
What must have gone wrong
As he lived out his years
*
I wish I could give him
A taste of God's love
To show him some kindness
Let him know he's thought of
*
There are many more like him
Just open your eyes
Where did they all come from
Can you hear their silent cries
*
People walking right by
Doesn't anybody care
Won't you help in some way
Is there anybody out there
*
Linda T. Reich

Take The Good With The Bad

2009-03-16T14:08:00.000-04:00

Along with roses
There must be thorns
Along with happiness
A time to mourn
~
Springtime and rain
Go hand-in-hand
Harvest and famine
Across the same land
~
Faith to move mountains
The next day doubt
You hit a home run
Then three strikes you're out
~
The people you love
Will cause you pain
But when all else fails
Love will remain
~
Linda T. Reich

Expressions of Love

2009-03-16T11:49:00.000-04:00

Forget about yourself
Just long enough to say
A kind word to someone dear to you
It may brighten up their day
*
Reach out and help a neighbor
Let them know that someone cares
If they need a friend to talk to
You can help by being there
*
Be patient with those you work with
By your example you may lead
Just one lost soul to Jesus
It just may be what they need
*
Linda T. Reich

The Times of My Life

2009-03-16T11:42:00.000-04:00

The gates flew open
I saw the Light
The long road I had traveled
Was not very bright
~
There were times I was walking
As if I was blind
Taking life slowly
One step at a time
~
Times I tried crawling
No strength of my own
Wanting to quit
But still I went on
~
Times I grew weary
Not knowing my way
Stopping to rest
Wanting to stay
~
Times I tried running
Often I'd fall
Getting back up
Was the hardest of all
~
The times of my life
Whatever my pace
Taught me to live
A life filled with faith
~
Linda T. Reich

Moving On

2009-03-16T11:39:00.000-04:00

A door is closing
No turning back
New adventures waiting
It's time to act
*
Say goodbye to memories
Some good, some bad
The future is calling you
From the life you once had
*
A new life awaits you
Some good, some bad
There is peace in knowing
You are on the right path
*
The path that you follow
God leads the way
He knows what is best
Trust Him and obey
*
Linda T. Reich

So Much To Gain

2009-03-16T08:51:00.000-04:00

Are you tired of trying
You are ready to change
Take a look at yourself
You have so much to gain
*
Your sins are too many
Your guilt, too deep
You don't have the answers
You hang your head and weep
*
Your shame can be your answer
God will hear your sincere cry
If you're truly sorry, tell Him
It's for your sins Jesus died
*
He will make your life much better
He will change you by-and-by
All you have to do is ask Him
This new life is worth a try
*
Linda T. Reich

Abortion

2009-03-16T08:43:00.000-04:00

It isn't a life
Some women will say
I'm going to abort it
So easy, the way
~
I made a mistake
I don't want to suffer
You see, as a mother
I have nothing to offer
~
The baby's not wanted
By me or the father
I'm going to abort it
It's all such a bother
~
I beg you, don't do it
Please listen, please stop
There are people just longing
For a baby to adopt
~
This baby, so tiny
So precious, so dear
Just needs this one chance
To have parents who care
~
Don't make that mistake
This baby is loved
By a couple somewhere
And by God up above
~
Linda T. Reich

Quicksand

2009-03-15T16:42:00.000-04:00

Quicksand
A slow but sure death
Sinking deeper
As I take my last breath
-
My cry for help
Reaches deaf ears
I've been sinking
For quite a few years
-
As a child
Watching TV
Quicksand in Tarzan movies
Terrified me
-
Only darkness below
Then I see a hand
I'm being pulled out
Of that old quicksand
-
I didn't go under
I didn't go down
My lifeline is Jesus
Now I'm on solid ground
-
Linda T. Reich

Written In Red

2009-03-15T16:31:00.000-04:00

It's time to write a letter
To the One I love
I'll tell Him all about me
He's the One I'm thinking of
-
I'll tell of all my heartaches
Of all my hopes and dreams
I'll write of all the talks we'll have
And how much they will mean
-
I'll write of words straight from my heart
The words I long to share
Or the love I feel for Him
A love beyond compare
-
Today I found a letter
It was written just for me
It was from the One I love
With words so lovingly
-
He told of how he searched for me
Through storms and peaceful times
Of how He called me by my name
And waiting patiently in line
-
He told of how He died for me
And loved me from the start
How He gave His life on Calvary
Gave me His very heart
-
I needn't write a letter
To the One I'm speaking of
He already know my deepest thoughts
I read His letter of love
-
Linda T. Reich

Don't "Strive To Arrive"

2009-03-15T16:27:00.000-04:00

We never really "arrive" as Christians
Do Christians ever "strive to arrive"
If we did "arrive" wouldn't that mean
We would stop growing
Stop learning, stop searching
Stop seeking God's will
Because if we have "arrived"
There is nothing left to learn
Would we be as wise as God
Impossible, impossible for us to "arrive"
And "arriving" is not included in God's plan for us
So the pressure is off
Just be yourself
Just love God and believe in faith
Carry out His will and keep on keeping on
So easy
-
Linda T. Reich

The Fearful Worried Sinner/The Itsy Bitsy Spider Rhyme

2009-03-15T16:23:00.000-04:00

The fearful worried sinner
Walked up the Calvary Hill
Then came the storms
And she took quite a spill
-
There she found the Son
Who dried up all her tears
And the grateful, happy Christian
Served God throughout the years
-
Linda T. Reich

Evil Triplets

2009-03-15T16:14:00.000-04:00

The devil has given birth
Trained each one from the start
He is up to his old tricks
To discourage each of our hearts
-
He has an evil plan
His only aim is harm
He trips us when he can
Turns on his evil charm
-
His triplets, always near
They never leave his side
He tells them what to do
His heart is full of pride
-
His triplets have a name
When he picked them he was careful
When we hear them call our name
With caution, please be prayerful
-
We know them when they come
They visit us quite often
They say they won't stay long
Don't let your hearts be softened
-
Their names are so familiar
We entertain them all
Worry, Anxiety, and Fear
Are just waiting for our fall
-
Linda T. Reich

Cowgirl For The Lord

2009-03-15T16:07:00.000-04:00

I may not dress the same as you
In my jeans and cowgirl boots
But riding the range on my Daddy's land
Is a life that really suits
-
In my flannel shirt and cowgirl hat
I can lasso as good as anyone can
And no matter what the weather is like
I can round up the herd from across the land
-
The big open country before me
I scout around for the lost
I'm not talking about the cattle or horses now
But the lost sheep bought at great cost
-
The lost sheep belong to my Daddy
He searches for them everywhere
If I could bring just one safely back home
Oh how much my Daddy does care
-
No matter how large the flock
If just one has wandered away
My Daddy grieves and is waiting back home
For the one who dared to stray
-
If you happen to be in the saddle
And stumble onto one of Daddy's lost sheep
Reach down and give it a helping hand
Forgiveness is within it's reach
-
Linda T. Reich

I Don't Belong

2009-03-15T15:48:00.000-04:00

Here I am, of all the places
Don't want to be here
No familiar faces
But here I am
Just me and them
I don't want to fit in
*
A waiting room
Where I don't belong
Don't feel too happy
My heart has no song
But here I am, of all the places
Don't want to be here
No friendly faces
*
My name is called
I take a seat
It's through a glass
We have to meet
We cannot touch
We cannot hug
But here I am, of all the places
Don't want to be here
No understanding faces
*
It's way too hard
I cannot do it
But with God's help
I will get through it
*
Linda T. Reich

The Sound of a Tear

2009-03-15T15:41:00.000-04:00

Alone at last
I can mourn the past
For a son who has gone astray
~
How long has it been
He knows I care for him
My son who has gone astray
~
It's quiet here
No one sees my tears
For the son who has gone astray
~
God sits on His throne
He calls me His own
As I pray for a son gone astray
~
My heart is breaking
My very soul aching
Lord, my son has gone astray
~
God hears each tear as they fall
In His bottle He collects them all
A reminder of a son gone astray
~
He will listen when I call
He hears each tear as they fall
And comforts this mother of a son gone astray
~
I know there will be a way
I know there will come a day
When my son gone astray will come home
~
Linda T. Reich

Worship

2009-03-15T15:35:00.000-04:00

How easy it would be to worship You
Where there is not a care in the world
Beside the still water, the quiet, the peaceful
-
How can I learn to worship You where I am now
Among the clamor and the turmoil
My spirit weighing heavy with care
-
Worship doesn't need a place of comfort
Worship begins when I forget about myself
And start looking to You against all odds
-
Against all feelings
Worship doesn't require feelings
Worship doesn't always "feel" good
-
Leave your feelings on the doorstep
Before you enter through worship's door
Obedience says worship
-
Lord, teach me more...
-
Linda T. Reich