Now That Is Peace 12-19-17

Small snowflakes float on easy breeze -

without an effort, find the trees.

Now that is peace.

They rest upon the solid branch,

upon the roof of humble ranch.

Now that is peace.

They settle on a rail fence

without a thought, without suspense.

Now that is peace.

They blanket softly, all around,

upon the leaves upon the ground.

Now that is peace.

The Christmas snow reflects all light

from its decor with such delight.

Now that is peace.

More snowflakes settle.  They're unheard -

as Heaven speaks without a word.

Now that is peace.

The stars above, they sparkle too -

a gift from God, to me, to you.

Now that is peace.

Without the pomp and circumstance,

the scenic beauty is romance.

Now that is peace.

A babe in manger once was born -

without the fanfare, without horn.

Now that is peace.

Through virgin love, through virgin birth -

A blanket grace for all on earth.

Now that is peace. 

So why this blanket when it snows?

So why this gift?  The Christian knows.
Now that is peace.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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But Grace 12-9-17

When I think back at my whole life that I have spent on earth -

and when I think of all the wrong that I have done since birth -

for selfishly I'd done my will.
My life was all for me.

I wonder how God loves me still

and wants me to be free?

I failed my spouse, I failed my kids, I failed my screaming boss,

I failed my ever patient God - and also, too, the cross.

I wonder why He sent His Son,

I lied and lied and lied.

I selfishly had been just one -

one reason that He died.

But God is patient, more than I.  He's waited many years -

for me to find that faithfulness, for me to come to tears.

I wonder why He loves me still.

I wonder why He cares.

I need that mustard seed to grow.

Does He not hear my prayers?

And pray, can I, a sinner's prayer?  What right have I to pray?

What right have I to anything with life in disarray?

But grace is mine and that's because

mere works do not suffice.

I have no right, but Jesus does -

because He paid the price.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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That Distant Light 11-24-17

The air was calm below the palm

so rested, I awhile.

I stared across the quiet lake

with my own lazy smile.

The sun had set and I had let

the time just slip away.

I lost myself among my thoughts

and it had seemed okay.

Reflections though, had taught me so.

There's something you should know -

how they reflect the real thing

in fascinating show.

There's no delight in distant light

where nothing misbehaves -

But watch those sparkles dancing on

the tops of rippled waves.

That shimmer see, will always be

from light across the lake.

That dancing drew attention from

the light that isn't fake.

Half-way across the lake they tossed.

They glittered brilliantly.

Deceiving, long reflections as
that light shone silently.

I liked the show - reflection's glow -

and there was nothing feared.

But when that distant light turned off,

reflections disappeared.

Was I deceived?  Did I believe

that distant light, God's Son?

Or focused I, on rituals -

merely the reflection?

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Covered Bridge 11-17-17

Still washing o'er and 'round the rocks,

the splashing rapids pass the fox.

They pass the beavers before dawn.

They pass the doe.  In time, the fawn.

The chipmunks work.  The 'possums too.

The river flows past me and you.

Time doesn't stop.  It knows not how

with covered bridge before us now.

The water moves, the river flows.

God makes it so.  That's how it goes.

The bridge we walk is like our birth -

A fresh red coat for what it's worth.

Like ol' homestead, the bridge is red,

but it seems brighter here instead.

Enjoying travels, springtime views -

no other roadway, we would choose.

The hewn-cut logs are under foot.

And all our faith in God, we put.

Each step we take, we hear the boards.

Experiences bring rewards.

Then walking past the eight by eights,

a calendar of days and dates,

they hold the roof that keeps us dry -

like summer rains as we pass by.

Then near the end, the autumn air -

brings me to tears to know we're there.

Life seems so fast- like rushing dream -

like splashing rapids of the stream.

As she steps off, I see her go.

Yet she's in Heaven.  That I know.

I pause some here as I recall -

our great relationship and all...

Those times together I still see -

forever always, her and me.

Love and devotion, God gave both.

Remember well, our Christian growth.

I see her bright and smiling face.

My mem'ries hold, as her embrace.

I hear her voice - fresh as the breeze.

Her songbirds echo still from trees.

The bridge, now old, weathered a bit.

And soon, we too, will step from it.

A moment's pause.  I see them too.

These colored leaves are much like you.

A blanket, soft of powdered snow -

will come one day - and this I know -

will cover road and cover bridge,

cover trees and winter's ridge.

The sunset's bright.  I see the moon.

So please be patient - see you soon.

The things of earth just keep changing -

but never God.  He's amazing.

Still washing o'er and 'round the rocks,

the splashing rapids pass the fox.

They pass the beavers before dawn.

They pass the doe.  In time, the fawn.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Last Duckling, The 10-14-17

Free will expressed in God's likeness

and formed in wonder's love.

With utmost care, He made me there,

at home in Heav'n above.

But after birth right here on earth

it wasn't really fair.

They all made fun of waddled run

and no one seemed to care.

There was no drake out on the lake,

but breeze was cool and fine.

Mother struggling, seven duckling -

with me, the last in line.

Sometimes my feet could not compete -

so I would lag behind.

But she would wait- me motivate -

for she was patient, kind.

Then peril sent an accident.

My legs went nearly lame.

They laughed again at my chagrin

and slower, I became.

In Godly way, my mom would pray.

She loved me even more.

With lots of skill and her big bill,

she'd nudge me up on shore.

And there I'd praise the sunshine's rays

next to my mother's charm.

And always there, my mom would care

protecting me from harm.

Through many jobs I'd hear her sobs.

She had the biggest heart.

I must attest, she was the best

'til death pulled us apart.

As time goes by I often cry.

It's sad to swim alone.

The only love that I knew of

was what my mom had shown.

I am not strong. I have done wrong.

I was the least of sev'n.

Lord, call me back.  Please call me back.

Please call me back to Heav'n.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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And Colors Each 10-7-17

Do we know with His rainbow, there's life among the trees?

What message comes from God above through autumn's colored leaves?

Does a willow display YELLOW just to send a small alarm -

to caution us from danger so we're free from Satan's harm?

Does the bright glow of the ORANGE show a way to raise our spirits?

Down through the years, does wisdom claim we shouldn't call it quits?

And does the RED mean Jesus bled to save us from our sin -

that we would turn our life around and be born once again?

Do the GOLDEN leaves embolden us to face another day?

Our golden years are not to waste, but live in Godly way.

And does the GREEN that's still between all us and many others -

prove that God still gives us life among the many colors?

Please understand God's faithful and His great creation thrives.
He paints, each fall, a masterpiece and colors each our lives.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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