Running Wild

The last time I saw Lori and her little daughter Grace, I took them down to Baltimore's inner harbor. Grace had a ball. Everything down there fascinated her and she ran after everything that caught her sight. I started to write this piece about Grace, but as usually it turned into a retrospective of my own life.

Running Wild

Hey, child, running towards tomorrow,

Looking back, are you being followed?

Mamma tend to worry about that boy.

Hey, child, somebody's calling you.

Running on, who are you listening to?

Hope you don't loose yourself on the way.

Walking up right on your own,

Within the year you were born,

Strong willed child, running wild.

Hey, child, looking for who you are,

Working hard, will you be a shining star?

Gonna have to catch your breath some day.

Hey, child, Jesus is calling you.

Turning back, who will you listen to?

Will you find your way back home?

Strong willed child, running wild.

The Light from Behind My Grandma's Door

My grandma was the godliest person I know. Every day, she would get up super early in the morning (while it's still dark) to pray and worship the Lord to begin the day. Every evening, she would stay up way late to do it again to end the day. I'm convinced that her time with the Lord were two-way conversations. In fact, I'm sure it was her prayers that caused God to hold an umbrella of protection over our family. I remember when I was really little, I was afraid of the dark. My mom would keep the light on until I had fallen asleep. However, there would be times when I would wake up during the night. Luckily, my grandma's light would be on as she prays for the family and I would fall asleep in the comfort of her light. God, I miss her since she'd passed away. So, here's one for you, grandma:

The Light from Behind My Grandma's Door

The Light spills into the night,

From behind my grandma's door.

Its glow scatters the shadows

Upon the living room floor.

Her prayers climb up Jacob's stairs,

Up beyond the evening sky,

To where the Light shines, through the night.

Her songs take me to where I belong,

In His sight.

Keep the Light burning in my heart.

Keep her life's yearning in my heart.

A Chest of Hope and A Chest of Burden

As a single person, I'm never comfortable about giving marriage advice to friends. But sometimes, it's hard keep silent as I watch a relationship blows apart. So I wrote the following for a very special couple.

A Chest of Hope and A Chest of Burden

A chest of hope and a chest of burden

Are the same chest then and now.

The same package with the same contents,

Through the years, has changed somehow.

A gift from God to a parcel from hell,

How quickly their views have turned.

They wanted true love and intimacy,

But freedom their hearts now yearn.

When and how did the load become heavy?

Were more added in the night?

Who was responsible? Was it he or was it she?

Now, begins the final fight.

He lifts his end of the load higher,

Shifting the weight towards her.

She lifts her end of the load higher,

Beyond the point they once were.

How will the story end?  I don't know.

Where do relationships land?

Will they return the load to where it belongs,

In the Father's secure hand?

A chest of hope and a chest of burden

Are the same chest then and now.

The difference is who supports the weight.

The question is who not how.

The same package with the same contents,

Through the years, has changed somehow.