Witnessing A Blessing and Thinking And Thanking
An anthology of inspirational poetry
Copyright © 2010 Adelaide Brice
Smashwords Edition
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This book is dedicated to my mother, Catherine Ruth Baker-Jernigan, for giving me constant encouragement, an unbiased view of my work, and instilling in me the courage to accept a blessing… taking these unspoken words from my heart and publishing them.
Mom, this one’s for you!
These poems are an anthology of thoughts, beliefs, and memories through meditation with God and all He is doing and has done for me.
Adelaide Brice
For Mr. Miller, my early childhood librarian at Turner Elementary School, who helped create the world of words and the joy of reading for me. Also for Mrs. Ellis, my high school English teacher at Ross Sterling High, who discovered my “gift” through my daily journals.
Witnessing A Blessing
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.
PSALM 19:14
Contents
A Prayer
Doubt
Hell For Just Awhile
Help Me To Know Jesus
I Still Believe
I’m Listening
Is He In You?
Life’s Journey
Oh How Blessed
Smile
Success?
Thanks for the Memories
This Light of Mine
True Love, First Love
Where There Is Love, There Is God
Witnessing A Blessing
A Prayer
Almighty God, I come before you to offer
thanksgiving, honor, and all the praise
this lowly earth dweller can give.
Father, I reach my hands up to thee today,
with a bowed head, offering a heart filled with
humility, a soul needing redemption
that only you can give.
I have nothing to offer You, Lord
but my love, my trust, and my faith in you.
I pray it’s enough, dear God.
Without You, I am no more than silt,
left behind from water,
remains of rock, roots, and decay
that which You created.
You see Father, that which I am,
I cannot take credit for, because
I know your work with me is yet done,
I’m still here.
Oh Lord, guide me in the way you desire,
for Your will, will be done.
Lead me Lord, so I know no other way, but your way.
Mine eyes are to the hills.
Teach me Lord to seek ye first in all I continue to do.
You are my strength and my salvation.
And above all else,
Show me how I can be like the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Your son, Jesus, in all ways.
Lord I am not worthy of your time, your love, or your mercy.
But, I am so grateful to you Lord, that you looked
upon me and saw a soul worth saving and I thank you.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Doubt
I have often wondered where doubt, especially
self doubt originates.
In and of itself, doubt leads one to question themself,
become uncertain of things planned, completed, or contemplated.
Doubt. Why is it in all of us, yet offers no reward,
nothing good, no gains?
Doubt and worry are as close as identical twins,
sharing the same seed, but affecting people in very different,
individual ways.
Doubt has a certain ring with devil or demon.
Who would make you question the will of God?
Who would try to distract you from the Lord’s promise?
Doubt equals devil.
We allow doubt to creep into our thoughts like a slug,
moving slowly but strong in conviction to reach it’s appointed destination.
Doubt doesn’t always arrive, it depends on the significance or magnitude of your blessing and your obedience to God’s will.
It makes so much sense now, how worry begot doubt and
doubt begot second-guessing and uncertainty all working
equally hard to convince you not to believe, not to trust in
the One, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I think doubt and worry have condominiums down the street from each other in the valleys we will travel through.
But Grace and Mercy Construction Company always build
a way of escape, thank you, Jesus.
Because of its persistence, doubt will outlive all of us. Trust in God and pray up your doubts to the Lord in His son Jesus name and receive all that is for you, which will be given to you.
Hell for Just Awhile
Trouble surrounds me, in front of me,
on my left, on my right, and
I’m in the middle, being tossed about.
Everything around me has been influenced by hell.
Every step I take, hell is pulling on me,
tearing at me, it’s in me!
I can’t see my way clear.
I can’t seem to shake it.
But even through this hell that engulfs me,
I know there is hope, help is coming my way.
When I opened my eyes this morning, my help was already here, it woke me.
The hell that I’m in is only for awhile.
I know from where my help is coming,
And I will keep mine eyes to the hills,
Because, I believe and trust in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Help Me to Know Jesus
(A prayer for salvation)
Dear Lord,
So many people in my life seem to know You and Your Son, while I do not. I envy these people Lord, because they have something I don’t. You.
Lord, I’m praying to You today and I’m not sure I’m doing it right or if You are listening but, Lord I hope You are.
Help me Lord to know Jesus, where I’ve been told my salvation awaits. Someone once told me that salvation begins with believing in Your Son—and Lord I want to. Oh Lord, I want to believe in Him so bad, I don’t know anything else to do but try praying to You, I hope You’re listening.
Tomorrow I’ve been invited to go to church with a friend who knows You and Your Son, Jesus. They told me that being at their church and listening to Your words will help me to understand and come to know Jesus.
Lord, all I want is a better life and my friend told me that, it would all begin again, once I’ve accepted Jesus in my life.
So Lord, I’m asking. No. I’m begging that You help me to know Jesus. Show me the way to eternal salvation, Lord.
Amen.
I Still Believe
When times are hard, and the road is progressively tougher
and tougher, I still believe.
When the light at the end of the tunnel is a mere flicker of light, I still believe.
When the bills outweigh the paycheck each month, I still believe.
When I haven’t prayed as much or as often as I should and
receive my blessings just the same, I still believe.
When trouble hangs over my life like a dark cloud on a sunny day, I still believe.
When I was alone and felt that no one could help me or cared for me, I still believe.
When my spirit is broken and my soul cries out to You, Lord,
I still believe.
When everything in my life is fabulous, I still believe.
In all times and in all ways, I still believe.
Because Jesus got up and He is my savior,
I will always still believe.
I’m Listening
There’s a voice I hear when I worry about things
that are going on in my life.
And I know it’s You Lord.
A voice that is soft, caring, reassuring, loving, and strong.
I’m listening.
My connection to You Lord is in my heart, but
first it’s in my mind, directing my thoughts, my actions, my dreams.
I hear You Lord.
Sometimes my thoughts are so compelling, so strong,
I am restless through the night, yet rested come dawn.
I know it’s You Lord, and I’m listening.
I hear You when You keep telling me it’s time to move on,
to let things be, pushing me toward my purpose, head held high.
I’m listening.
When I place my burdens in the hands of Jesus Christ,
and turn away from it altogether,
I know it’s You Lord, and I’m listening.
Sometimes I know I resist Your guidance, Your direction,
But You never give up, nor allow me to.
I’m listening, Lord.
My life will forever be entrusted to You Lord,
You and only You know what I will do, should do, and will
have the opportunity to do—You know what’s best for me.
I am listening, Lord.
My future may be uncertain to me, but You,
You are my Father, El Shaddai.
And every step that I take, every turn that I make
I know You will make a way before me, the only way, just for me.
Yes Lord, I am listening.
Is He In You?
Does God live in your house?
Is He welcomed like an old friend or
a distant relative?
Do you greet Him with a smile of
gratitude and love for all the
mercy He has shown you?
Have you spoken to God lately, not
just to complain about how miserable
your life has become, but thanked
Him for loving you and showering
you with a multitude of blessings?
Is God within you?
Around you?
Does God live in your house?
Not the structure that you use
a key to open the door, where all
your worldly possessions reside—
behind the door, through the windows,
under the roof.
But the house you carry with you—
In you—In your heart.
Is God in your heart?
Can you feel His presence?
Do you love Him?
Trust Him?
Need Him?
Tell Him.
Does God live in your house?
Life’s Journey
We started this walk together, You and I, me and You, this
life’s journey.
You have been with me at the beginning, giving me
comfort, support, and above all this, You gave me unconditional love.
We’ve been together for so many years now, I’m not sure it
would be fair to count them all.
The important thing is that You’ve been with me
on this life’s journey and I thank You.
You helped me through those difficult years of
trying to figure out just where I fit in, where I belong.
So often a spot light of hope shone brightly because, You
stood by me when no one else would.
You held me up to see this brilliant ray of hope and gently
guided me deeper still into this life’s journey.
You held my hand when I took that fabulous leap over the
broom to secure a mate for me,
And You were there when the broom broke and he and I went our separate ways.
We have been together for quite some time, haven’t we?
Remember when, through Your constant pushing, I found the
courage to be by myself and how proud I was, You were?
But then pride and confidence brought a new change and You decided that man was not meant to live alone, even for me.
Thank You, he is a good man.
You and I, me and You.
We’ve seen a lot, done a lot but You were always
at my beckon call to provide me with everything,
anything I needed or will ever need.
You rubbed my forehead as You stood over me when each of those three beautiful souls were delivered to me.
We both smiled, remember?
As we continue on the path, designed for me by You,
this path in life’s journey,
You are still by my side, giving me the go ahead to still try.
Now that I’ve raised the kids, as best I know how, and their
lives with You, secured;
I’ve had the chance to travel this old world,
seeing sights I only read about in books.,
Coming home to an empty nest…
You and I, have traveled through this life’s journey,
hand-in-hand, heart to heart, from the very beginning to the absolute end.
Oh How Blessed
Oh, how blessed I am to know Jesus.
How blessed I am to have learned
about Him in a home where God lived.
Oh, how blessed I am to trust Jesus.
How blessed I am to let Him control
and guide my life.
Oh, how blessed I am to believe in Jesus.
How blessed I am to know no matter
what I do, I can turn to Him for
comfort, support, and counsel.
Oh, how blessed I am to have Jesus in my life.
Oh, what a blessing it is indeed to
be lead by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Oh, how truly blessed I am.
Smile
I have often been fussed at about
not smiling enough, all the time.
Sometimes I jokingly say, that’s because
my new teeth aren’t quite paid for!
This always brings a smile to everyone’s face.
When I see people who don’t know
Jesus or have put Him on a shelf
to collect dust, it’s hard to smile,
knowing all the blessings they miss.
Sometimes a smile can be misleading.
It makes others believe everything is going well,
when in fact, all is not well.
Others would argue that because
I know Jesus I should have
a reason to smile.
True, there’s no argument there.
But, because I know Jesus and all
the wonderful things He has done
for me in my life, sustains me—with or without a smile.
Remember, there will be good and bad days.
A smile should be genuine, not something plastered
on your face because you feel it’s what you
are supposed to do.
I smile when I greet others,
when I am in service for the Lord,
when I understand and am moved by a spiritual
or a message from the Word, or when I’m
talking with those I care about, love.
I smile when I can share the goodness of the Lord with
someone who may not know Him or has
ignored Him for a long time.
Isn’t it amazing how something as
simple, as unimportant as a smile
can bring so much conversation?
When Jesus being the reason for everything,
seldom gets talked about at all.
Smile.
Smile if you have Jesus in your heart and
be blessed.
Success?
I was skimming through a magazine a day or two ago and on every page there were pretty pictures of beautiful people, lovely places, and spectacular clothes.
Among all of this beauty, there were many articles recounting
famous or now famous people’s success. What got them there,
how they made it to the top.
Since I’m always interested in the success of others,
and their climb to the height of their careers, I read on.
As I read I found it interesting that none of these famous,
now famous people acknowledged God in their success. They had done it all by themselves. Wow!
Didn’t they know that they were only deemed successful because of God’s will? His mercy? His grace?
Don’t they realize that unless their success has been sealed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, this success will be a mess?
All the wonderful things they claimed were their own, were
blessings from God. His gift to them.
Shame on you!
Through your faux success, you failed to recognize the one
who created you and your true success!
No need to thank Him after the fact, you should have thanked Him before the fact!
There won’t be any cheering fans, chauffeur driven limousines, mansions on a hill, lake front property with a 32 foot yacht, a Bentley, Mercedes Benz, an Escalade, and a Harley Davidson in a four car garage, two kids, and a large dog, unless Jesus is in your success.
Thanks for the Memories
Lord, I cannot thank you enough
for bringing so many wonderful
people to my life.
Many of who are with you, Lord.
But while I don’t have them to talk to,
and laugh with, to continue to love,
I have been blessed with their memories.
Too often we forget the ones who
sacrificed for us as Jesus sacrificed
for all of mankind, but everyone has
a purpose, a meaning of life.
And theirs, was also to be a part of
my life to help me be who You
will have me be, Lord.
There’s not a day that passes that
my blessing of remembering
someone special in my life brings
a smile to my face and warmth
in my heart, thank you, Lord.
So, Lord, thank you for Little Mother, Big Mother,
Grandpa Frank, Gramps, Aunt Lucille,
Momma Baker, Aunt T, Miss Della,
and especially Daddy.
Because even though
they are with you Lord, they’re
still spending time with me.
This Light of Mine
There’s a light I carry with me,
oh don’t worry it won’t hurt
your eyes, burn you, nor go out.
The light that I have has the warmth
of a campfire on a cool autumn night,
the security of a favorite blanket to
help chase the monsters away.
This light of mine is so special because
no one, absolutely no one can
take it away.
It follows me wherever I go,
I won’t dare leave it at home
or shoo it away like Mary and her little lamb.
What makes my light so special?
My light is the light of Jesus Christ
who leads me, guides me, nurtures me,
loves me, and above all—will never forsake me.
I know you’re thinking a light should
have a glow and can be seen right?
Well, my light, lights my way
so I don’t stumble and fall.
Even when I do—my light is still standing tall.
You see, my light knows the way and
I trust in this light to lead me on a
path of righteousness,
for his name sake, Jesus Christ.
True Love, First Love
I remember one day, sitting around the
dinner table, sharing “back in the day”
tales when;
A fond memory crept into my mind.
As it did, my heartbeat quickened,
a small lump began to grow in my throat.
Then sadness and guilt over shadowed
this memory that all too often brought a smile to
my face, warmth in my heart.
My memory was of a true love, first love that
seemed to mean the world to me, back in my youth,
continued to maintain a certain fondness, rekindled warmth.
As I have gotten to know you better Lord,
this fond memory has lost its glimmer and glitz,
its amber glow, because, this first love wasn’t Jesus.
My heart is heavy Lord. I hated to admit this even to myself.
I feel the guilt of a thousand men.
I’m guilty Lord because I have cherished a memory so fondly,
and yet it was not about Jesus and all He continues to do for me, real love.
Then it dawned on me that Jesus was just as much a part
of that memory as that true love, first love.
My heartbeat began to race as I understood that the only reason
I was able to even experience this true love,
first love was because of Jesus’ true love, only love,
and that was me.
Where There is Love, There is God
I love going to the park, sitting on a
familiar bench, watching nature.
Today was especially nice.
The cool north wind caressed the southern
flow of air, making this mid June day very, very comfortable.
I observed a mother and her child
talking and also enjoying the summer day
when I overheard their conversation.
“Well, Mommy, what is love”, the child asked.
The mother gave the child a familiar look
of where is this question heading, before she replied.
“That’s a really tough question to answer.
Love can be a lot of things.”
As their question and answer period
went on for awhile, I found myself wondering
what was love.
Much has already been written about
love, but none brought much clarity to
what this feeling really is.
As I thought about love, my thoughts
transcended in me a warm, comfortable
feeling of family, home, marriage, children,
and friends.
Yet, I still didn’t know what love was.
A vision of amazing peace and unending faithfulness
enveloped me.
And I remembered finally, what love really was,
You.
With arms out stretched, giving up Your life for us,
Love.
Where there is love, there is God.
The creator of all that is good and right in the world.
Witnessing A Blessing
Lord, thank you for what I have seen today.
For today Lord, I witnessed a blessing.
I saw a man today Lord, who appeared
to be down on his luck, resting in a
city park, seeking shelter from the sun.
Lord, while this man said nothing
to the multitude surrounding him,
I noticed a few on lookers who simply stared.
But Lord, there was one. There was one
amongst the multitude who remembered
Your teachings, Lord.
This one Lord, had fed upon the good
of the land, like all others in this gathering.
Having seen this man, who now had found
the comfort he sought, fell asleep.
The one approached.
He approached this stranger with a
gift in hand. For Lord, he knew exactly what to do.
Lord, today I witnessed a blessing.
For you see, the gift for the down trotted stranger was food.
Food of the land, food he wasn’t even
aware was being given to him, or he had asked for.
Lord this blessing, like all blessings
are so wonderful, but this one Lord
was especially special.
Lord, today I witnessed a blessing
because it was my son who knew
without being told what to do.
He knew that Jesus would have offered
this stranger food.
And so he did.
So today Lord, thank you for allowing me to witness
a blessing for me, through my child.
Hallelujah!