A Dried & Fragile Flower 5-24-14

A dried and fragile flower, I -

hold close to broken heart

that cries in fervent, heavy tears

so Godly peace would start.

It's from my mama's funeral.

Yes, dried, completely dead -

and though it's fragile, I hold close

...to what she always said.

---

"So many people want to bloom

and live life their own way -

While stems are often hidden, they

support the whole bouquet.

"Beware of pride's deception!

That's what the Bible warns

in Obadiah One, verse three.

Be careful with those thorns.

"Not one small single flower blooms

without the narrow stem -

so treat folks how you'd like to be -

be treated back by them.

"Affect the different colored rose -

and do not them, reject.

Remember, a good Christian has

deep love and great respect."

Now everybody loved my mom -

'cause she loved everyone.

Though poor, was always giving more -

as if she'd just begun.

And mom was very patient too.

For years she went without.

Yet joy was heard in all her prayers.

With that, there was no doubt.

Her words were like this flower here.

And I had always tried -

to comprehend her fragile words

she left before she died.

---

A dried and fragile flower, I -

hold close to broken heart

that cries in fervent, heavy tears

so Godly peace would start.

It's from my mama's funeral.

Yes, dried, completely dead -

and though it's fragile, I hold close

...to what she always said.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Obadiah 1:3 (NASB)

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,

You who live in the clefts of the rock,

In the loftiness of your dwelling place,

Who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to earth?'"

And That Is Why 5-20-14

Children sleep.

Moms cry.

Moms lie awake nights.

That is why.

Children hunger.

Moms cry.

Moms work several chores.

That is why.

Children question.

Moms cry.

Moms know their child's thoughts.

That is why.

Children argue.

Moms cry.

Moms have softer hearts.

That is why.

Children tempted.

Moms cry.

Moms love their children.

That is why.

Children in sin.

Moms cry.

Moms have more wisdom.

That is why.

Children troubled.

Moms cry

pleading with Jesus.

That is why.

Children busy.

Moms cry.

Moms miss them so much.

That is why.

Children absent.

Moms cry

alone in the 'home'.

That is why.
---

And that is why

God's love can touch.

He sent His Son

who suffered much.

We're children, all -

sinners, mankind.

Confess, repent -

then seek to find.

Moms and children
hug and cry.
Jesus saves
and that is why.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Amanda 5-16-14

(based on a true story)

The daughter? About eight or nine -
but very able, was.
Amanda helped her parents out
in stable there because -

the bank had threatened all they had,
demanding every cent.
The housing crisis lingered on.
The stress was great torment.

Now she could make some extra cash
and help them out 'a ton'.
Yes, she could help her daddy out -
while chores were being done...

She took a chalkboard she thought large
and took a piece of chalk.
She headed down the driving way, just
a quarter-mile walk.

She tried to write her letters large
enough so all could see -
in hopes that many drivers there
could see her humble plea.

(actual sign)

"PET SITTING AND

HORSE BOARDING

AVAILABLE."

The cars drove by, but no one stopped.
It made her feel sad.
She wanted so, to do her part -
but it turned out all bad.

As she had started up the drive
long tears ran down her cheeks -
but she had kept on trying for
those many, many weeks.

She once was very happy but
the stress had seized the fun.
Day after day, she cleaned the stalls
until her chores were done.

The day had come they had to pack.
She woke before the dawn.
The barn was void of any life
with animals now gone.

The kittens, puppies, bunnies were
so very soft to touch -
and with them, horses, llamas too -
she missed them all so much.

The bank had made its billions while
Amanda made her bed.
She knelt with tightly folded hands -
and this is what she said:

"Dear Jesus, love my daddy please.
He worked so very hard.
And he could fix most anything,
around our little yard.
He sacrificed for forty years
and helped so many folk -
but then the stress had worn him out -
depressed, no savings, broke.

I thought my tears were all used up,
had dried and gone away -
but more and more still follow them,
on each horrific day.
Oh Jesus, if Your love is great,
please take dad by the hand -
and lead him by still waters there
into Your 'promise land'.

And mama- she still works so hard.
Lord, what are we to do?
Her tears are in abundance too -
but dollars, very few.
There is no garden here to work.
There is no barn and chores.
There is no future I can see
and no more open doors."
---
Do you see hungry children?
Do you see 'signs of chalk'?
Are you concerned, speak up enough -
and do you 'walk your talk'?

For God sees inside all our hearts,
He knows who loves the Lord.
You bet He knows how much we give -
or rather, if we hoard.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In Case You Just Forgot 5-10-14

Oh, come what may, let mothers say

what's good and what is not.

Though skies are gray, it's child's play.

Are you still just a tot?

Don't be that way, it's quite okay

to give her all you've got.

Hugs can't betray.  Simply obey.

your mom wears polka-dot.

Now don't delay nor let it weigh -

or life is all for naught.

Without essay, just jot away.

You needn't write a lot.

Then find the ray in bright bouquet,

Has heart not one soft spot?

And finally pray.  It's Mother's Day,

(in case you just forgot).

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Pile Of Leaves 5-6-14

Our knowledge grew but wisdom knew

a massive pile of leaves.

Wind kicked them high.  We watched them fly

on God's stiff autumn breeze.

Without a care they danced up there.

If each one was a letter,

they'd flock like birds creating words

while God put them together.

If words were formed would hearts be warmed

or ruin all our plans?

Are we so smart we'd fall apart

and then make our demands?

Oh, have not we, humility

and other Godly traits?

Please give us peace as burdens cease -

for patience always waits.

Not one's shoving.  Leaves are loving.

They begin this phrase.

"Your disbelief in every leaf

cannot give God the praise!"
Yes, it'd be weird if words appeared

and we'd not have to guess.

But notice there, a simple prayer

that goes something like this:

"Savior Jesus, please don't give us

everything we want.

This world brings so many things -

those things we only flaunt.

So we'll be true to only You

and have no other 'gods'.

Then You may ease our temper please,

so we won't be at odds."

If we can't learn and can't discern,

restrain us then in fetters.

Please underline, bold font is fine -

and then enlarge the letters.

Our knowledge grows - but wisdom knows

a massive pile of leaves.

Wind kicks them high.  We watch them fly

on God's stiff autumn breeze.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Abundant Life! 4-19-14

Oh, how the evil people came.

They tore me from my roots.

Now I was dead and destitute

and offered no good fruit.

I could not cope and gave up hope

that I could ever be

a twig, so insignificant,

upon God's mighty tree.

My pain, excruciating, vast -

my burdens, so intense.

Their legal laws weren't moral and

their logic made no sense.

They burned me out and bested me.

They said, "Now go away."

Exhausted, they, my energy

I needed for the day.

My prayers seemed ever hollow

and repetitious too.

I asked God for some wisdom,

then asked Him, "Where are You?"

I asked God for some answers.

I asked, "Where are You now?

Oh, why did You not answer me?

Why this, did You allow?"

Confused, I was, and angered.

I screamed, "This is not fair!"

Depressed, I was, and out of hope,

Did God no longer care?

My glass was very empty,

while theirs was very full.

Now how can God revive the dead?

It seems impossible.

But God gives life abundantly

forgiving everyone -

who does confess through faithfulness,

as grace shines through His Son.

My faith was null and buried.

They killed it with a knife.

Man may destroy, but God creates,

then gives abundant LIFE!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 10:10 (NASB)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

1 Peter 1:7 (KJV) 

That the trial of your faith,

being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, 

though it be tried with fire,

might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

In the Know 4-15-14

When we can't cope and we've no hope to face another day,

because desires of the liars have the legal say.

When money speaks, lawyers' techniques will find the crooked way -

to bend the rules with legal tools demanding us to pay.

When we can't flee and we can't see a silver lining's ray,

'cause the cancer of the answer requires us to pay.

There's no support for truth in court.  It's in such disarray.

With judges bought, the crooks aren't caught.  It's now their evil way.

I'd like to live more positive with poems optimistic,

but I'm the fool they've treated cruel and they all make me sick.

Their lobbyists just can't resist to bribe them flush with dough.

The rest of us don't make a fuss.  We work, yet owe and owe.

God's in control of every soul and hell they'll surely see.

Do not think twice, take my advice and come along with me.

Starting today I'm on my way to take back Washington.

Begin again.  This time we'll win.  We've only just begun.

There's Huckabee, Trey Gowdy - and don't forget Rand Paul.

Ben Carson, Sarah Palin - and of course there's Bobby Jindal.

There's many more we can vote for, who haven't sold their soul -

to those elite who like to cheat and have no self-control.

'Goliath' fights but we have rights that only come from God.

Now 'in the know', our numbers grow- as we hold sovereign sod.

If it's a war they're asking for, then let's pick up the stick.

And get on board to our reward- protecting our Republic.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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By the Bushel 3-30-14

Two weeks and a day since mom passed away.

Tomorrow will be yet another.

Tears run down my cheeks each time someone speaks

and mentions my dear ol' mother.

For many long years she shed many tears

for the lost and the lame and the weak.

And sitting beside, I would see them in stride

zig-zag down her long wrinkled cheek.

I can't change the facts and cannot relax

understanding that life must go on.

As long as I'm living, I must be forgiving

and add to what mom built upon.

Before laid to rest, my mom did her best.

She loved God with all of her heart.

And right now she's givin' her love there in Heaven.

What time should the rest of us start?

To save someone's soul was her greatest goal.

The joy on her face would abound.

She wasn't contented until friends repented

and peace everlasting was found.

My mom, she was special.  She filled by the bushel,

such love, her incessant desire.

Though it overflowed, her love never slowed

as she piled it higher and higher.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Perfect Mom, The 3-16-14

In remembrance of my mom...

Ruth 1925 - 2014

Escorted by the rising tide that I no longer see,

I don't look back to shores again I know will never be.

The garden gate has opened up and I am ushered to

the freshest, fragrant flowers with the deepest velvet hue.

The vibrant colors beckon me as I think back with ease,

recalling garden flowers there ...but nothing such as these.

Has Eden's garden multiplied a million trillion times?

The choir voices carry on as I hear echoed chimes.

No wheelchair or blindness now.  No pain cuts through my face.

I take my lively buoyant steps on paths that prove His grace.

I feel just like a child again.  I jump and skip and hop

as landscapes go forever here with beauty that's non-stop.

The vivid 'reds' are deeper and the 'yellows' brighter still.

The roses, and the daffodils and other flowers fill -

the contours of the garden knolls with colored trees of fall.

The sunshine brightens everything ...and now I see it all.

I glide now ever closer to an everlasting brook

meandering the lily pads that my attention took.

Every scene and every sight is pleasingly outstanding.

The peace that overtakes me now still passes understanding.

The sweetened fragrance envelopes me in this special place -

and all of Heav'n around me here reflects His shining face.

I hear His soft familiar voice that whispers loving care,

"There's nothing here to worry you- and nothing more to bear."

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

(note:  Ruth was recovering from a successful heart surgery when her medications ended up wrong.  This setback and others that made her gain weight- along with a tumor they found on her backbone- put her in a wheelchair.  A nerve in her jaw had given her great intermittent pain for decades, her hearing was bad or non-existent in one ear and her eyes had faded to near blindness.  Cancer was then discovered throughout her body.  However, though nearly blind, she continued to knit 'flips' for children to throw and gave them out as fast as she made them until her final days.
Ruth Gander 1925-2014)

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My mom had told me once that this was her favorite song...

I Come To The Garden Alone

I come to the garden alone 

While the dew is still on the roses 

And the voice I hear falling on my ear 

The Son of God discloses. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks and the sound of His voice, 

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me 

Within my heart is ringing. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

I'd stay in the garden with Him 

Though the night around me be falling, 

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe 

His voice to me is calling. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known.

Memory Wrinkles 2-26-14

Whene'er I view God's mighty trees,

small sparrows, tiny birds,

my wrinkles bring back mem'ries that

are hard to put in words.

I sit close by my window sill

with crinkled memories.

I look out as I reminisce.

Some drop me to my knees.

Yes, those I'd just as soon forget

but pleased I am with most,

Each wrinkle is a mem'ry though.

With some, I love to boast.

Now here's a very special one,

when wedding dress was worn,

and this, another perfect one,

the day my child was born.

The time my child was married off,

a sight you'd have to see,

the birth of my granddaughter too,

the day she walked to me.

This wrinkle here had really hurt -

and it is yet 'unspoken'.

It caused me many, many tears -

my heart so sadly broken.

Oh, how can people hurt so much?

It is the worst of crimes.

And down on knees I prayed and prayed

so many, many times.

It seemed that I was so alone

those many, many years.

I wept and grieved all by myself

in all my lonely tears.

Yes, time and time again I prayed.

I said life wasn't fair.

I didn't think God heard my voice.

I wasn't sure He cared.

One day with Bible in my lap,

I started reading when,

a verse had stuck; was thirty-one

in Matthew, chapter ten.

Oh, I have mem'ry wrinkles, sure,

from small to deepest one,

but every day brings greater joy -

when shines, God's morning sun.

Whene'er I view God's mighty trees,

small sparrows, tiny birds,

my wrinkles bring back mem'ries that

are hard to put in words.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 10:31 (KJV)

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."