PAULIE'S POEMS - PMG

  The Past The past is over; I can't mend it It's presence - why must I attend it If I could just leave it behind I know my present would be fine Instead, I relive past mistakes  But, oh, what heavy toll that takes For that robs me of here and now And I can't fix them anyhow  I know it's Satan's evil scheme To keep my thoughts caught in between  The day I'm in and what is past Lord, how long must this torment last For, torture seems like what it is It's certainly no way to live To dwell on what's gone previously  Why from the past, can't I break free To think about what could have been Is game that I can never win Yet, one the devil plays with me But, am I playing willingly For, don't I have the choice to make To dwell or not on past mistakes  I can't prevent the thoughts that come But, must I wallow in each one This battle is one, spiritually Thus, God's power's given to me Must call upon it every time That past thoughts try to grip ...

  Good Deeds Though may not know it, your soul needs The joy that's found doing good deeds You may not think you've got the time Yet, you should make some to be kind For a good heart to take up root Must nourish it to produce fruit Kindnesses are the food it needs Compassion grown out of good deeds Develops stronger community If I help you and you help me We make the world a better place When we extend each other grace For in this life, I've come to learn That doing good nets huge return So when we heed a need's appeal It greatly impacts how we feel Think you've brightened another's day By helping them in some small way Yet, that warm feeling you extend Will come right back to you again The light you shine can't be contained It spreads and spreads to new terrain  As one good deed begets another Begin to truly see each other Not just as strangers passing through  But someone you can minister to For someday you will have a need Provided for by a good deed So, ...

  Boldly/Meekly Oh, how boldly I proclaim The power of your holy name And then next moment become meek Behave as if You're oh so weak I know how boldly I make plans Instead of placing in Your hands Then, meekly have to come to You When what I've planned has fallen through  It seems a paradox to me That I profess my faith boldly Yet, meekly worship in a crowd Will sing the hymns, just not too loud It really doesn't make much sense I know my faith's not on the fence Boldly proclaim my love for You Though, meekly fret, how much You do How could your love for me be bold  Meekly confess, if truth be told Don't always feel I'm worthy of Your reckless, neverending love Yet, it's with meekness I submit To your will, Lord; yes, all of it For Christ said, "blessed are the meek" So gentle spirit's what I seek I can come boldly to your throne For you, Lord have called me your own Christ boldly showed his love for me Meekly endured that cursed tree For Chri...

  Tell Me a Story Tell me a story, would you Daddy, dear  You know it's my favorite that I long to hear Tuck me in snuggly and turn the light low Read it once more, Daddy before you go Tell me the story of when you were young The one 'bout your puppy, Mom; you know the one How day after day he'd dig under the gate Tell me again, Mom 'bout when you were eight  Tell me the story of when I was born Was it late afternoon, or was it early morn  Did I have your eyes and a full head of hair Remind me; I've forgotten  Though I know I was there Tell me the story of folks long ago The ones I remember and those I don't know For they are a history that's passed on to me Then, in turn, I pass it to my family  Tell me the stories of biblical men I've heard them before but please tell me again  For tales of these heroes just never get old No matter how many times I've heard them told Stories are ways we learn how things begin Or bring us to places we never have bee...

  Brokenness and Grace Occurred to me the other day That we're all broken in some way May be a thing we hide away Do best to act like we're okay We all carry a tale of woe Part of our life that didn't go The way we hoped. Yet, even though It hurts, try not to let it show It's really not up for debate We all have things we truly hate About ourselves; things that frustrate Traits we'd like to eliminate  It doesn't matter who we are Each one of us carries a scar Or two, that we store in a jar Or write about in our memoir  Whether we admit it or not We humans are a messed up lot May walk around like a big shot Inside, we know that we are not Since sin in Eden, we can trace How world became a broken place Affecting the whole human race Each one of us in need of grace Since each of us has broken parts How do we mend; where do we start Must see others with loving heart Then with that love, grace to impart Yes, I am broken; so are you So, grace is something we could use...

  The Little Things It's easy to appreciate God When big blessings are received Or when he's saved us from some harm Feel grateful and relieved  Our God's so big that it's not hard To see big things he does Yet, there's so many little things That show how much he loves For the Father's little blessings Are right there under our nose The morning dew, a child's hug The sweet fragrance of a rose A steaming cup of coffee A warm shower, a sunrise A purring cat, afternoon nap Pure love in someone's eyes  Each shows a little glimmer Of sweet heaven here and now  Evidence of just how much God cares Each one a little, "wow!" Can truly find them everywhere When we open eyes to see The little things God does for us Occurring endlessly A call from friends, last piece of pie A stroll beside a brook Returning safely home again  Joy found in a good book Lord, help us see the little things  As blessings,  though seem small We thank you for each one of them For...

  Rest Dear Father, God, I need some rest Can't sleep; wake up at two My days are filled with so much stress At night, it all bleeds through  Dear Lord above, I need some rest Yet, with the rising sun Before I've even gotten dressed Day feels like weary one Dear Father, how I need some rest Been worn out for so long  Without it I'm far from my best Am weak when once was strong Dear God, I need my mind to rest For it is weary, too Troubles have got me so distressed Can't think straight what to do Dear Abba, show me how to rest  My body and my mind Lord, answer my prayerful request  Teach me how to unwind For I know you see need for rest Since you, Lord rested, too Not 'cause you must, but for our best Teaching what we should do So, show me how to be at rest Be peaceful, calm, and still Lead me beside still waters To rest in your perfect will May all my cares be put to rest  I place them at your feet May thoughts go to how I am blessed Then rest in peaceful s...

  Worth the Effort You'll travel miles and miles to reach The salty air and sandy beach Can't wait for smell and feel of each So it was worth the effort  You searched and searched both high and low  Wonder where that lost thing did go Won't stop till found because you know That it was worth the effort  You crack the books throughout the night Sometimes until the morning light For that diploma's within sight And so it's worth the effort  You make the climb, though all uphill Your legs are aching, even still The summit view is such a thrill That it was worth the effort  You're in despair and misery Get down in prayer on bended knee Fervently pray till half-past three For know, it's worth the effort  A friend in need puts out a call But you just don't have time at all Or say you'll help, but drop the ball Are they not worth the effort  You'll try new restaurant 'cross town Church is too far, so you're not down Besides, the preacher makes you...

  Indifference Though it is open for debate The opposite of love's not hate I've seen love die, and I've learned since The opposite's indifference  In love, you can't be on the fence There's no room for indifference  If for their welfare you don't care It's obvious that love's not there If their needs don't become your own They might as well be on their own For true love entails sacrifice  Mere tolerance just won't suffice  Indifference, of which I speak Is seeing need, yet crossing street To disengage emotionally Til other's burdens you don't see Could you imagine Peace's Prince Living a life of indifference  The thought of it's absurdity  A thing the Christ could never be  For pure love was his true essence  Farthest thing from indifference  Seeking the lost, those in despair  And treating them with utmost care His love for man on full display  Would not see need, then look away Though God, he still knelt in the dirt To help...

  A Little Light May never know the value of Even the smallest act of love A mere word of encouragement  Can lift one when all hope is spent Sweet gestures done without thinking May save a drowning soul's sinking For one who's quit, a simple smile Can help them go another mile A mannerly, please or thank you Helps when a bad day you go through  And like a ray of pure sunshine  Is simple act of being kind What weight a compliment carries When doubts have brought you to your knees Sweet words like honey soothe the soul When stresses of life take their toll Oft times, it is the little things That seem to come on angel wings And in an instant they replace The forlorn look upon one's face It only takes a little light  To brighten up the darkest night  Resolve to be a light today To those you meet along the way Then you will see before too long That little light gets passed along Illuminating what was dark All started from your little spark

  Come Clean Guests can't come over - house unclean Don't want my clutter to be seen I know I shouldn't make a fuss But, could you wait until I dust Nothing to eat, not even smudge But if you'd just clean out the fridge  You'd find plenty of food in there It's all just stored in Tupperware  Mother is just about to fume For teenage girl won't clean her room Complains she has nothing to wear Yet, Mom sees clothes strewn everywhere  Clean up your language right away Yes, watch the kind of words you say Too many people curse and swear In fact, you hear it everywhere  He snuck a cookie; he's been seen Nothing to do now, but come clean The evidence is on his face And cookie crumbs are every place When your behavior is off track You might be told, "Clean up your act." Though never told just how to do it Making it hard to follow through it Some people's lives are such a mess Causing anxiety and stress So much so, don't know what to do In need o...

  Perfection There's no such thing as perfect life No perfect husband, perfect wife No perfect daughter, perfect son Just God alone has perfect one Perfection seems a worthy cause But if you think that, you should pause And calculate the price you'll pay In striving to reach it each day In this imperfect world we have Perfection's not a magic salve To make frustration disappear  Or heal our pain and calm our fear Or cause people to love us more Or earn entrance through heaven's door  In seeking it, you'll find instead Increased stress and angst fill your head Of course, should strive to do our best But perfection's not a litmus test To prove the things we're worthy of Like praise, respect, kindness, and love God gives you all those things for free Don't need to earn them, don't you see Your striving won't bring them your way Let perfect go, and walk away Then, choose instead to do your best And let God handle all the rest God won't demand per...

  Not Enough It seems in life, of't times I've found There's not enough to go around  Not enough hours in the day To finish work - never mind play Not enough money for the week Not enough of the things I seek Like help with jobs I have to do Or energy to see them through  Not enough space to store my things Or kind I need to spread my wings Not enough patience with myself Or freetime to read books on shelf Not enough sun, nor enough rain More than enough time to complain Voice inside says, " enough's enough " With that outlook all things seem rough The problem is in that I see Glass not half full but half empty So, always feel the need for more Instead of rich, see self as poor Each day I'm blessed with time anew And godly work I'm given, too In truth, I have riches galore More blessings than I've space to store I have my health and a warm home I have loved ones to call my own My pantry's full; my closet, too So heart is full of gratitude  All ...

  But, Yet, So Proclaim I know what faith's about  But oh, how often do I doubt Confess I'm sure that God is good Yet then, don't trust him like I should  I know the Father cares for me So, why have such anxiety  God promises a future bright But often just see dark of night Know Christ has washed the stain of sin Yet, I still feel its shame within God only sees his child in me So, why is that not what I see Sure sin's debt I can not repay Yet try to earn it anyway Lord, I can't do it  without you  But, that's just what I try to do I'm sure God's love will never end Yet, love I can't quite comprehend  And though I've loved deeply before But know his love is so much more Dear Lord, increase the faith in me And help me see the way you see Remove my doubts and in their place Fill me with trust, mercy, and grace The ways you've blessed abundantly Let all those gifts then flow through me For Lord, that's what we're called to do And all I ha...