Shortfall

Standing on shore looking at the floating dock
I believe I can swim that far.
Standing on shore looking at the tiny island in the lake
I believe I can swim that far.
Standing on shore looking at the ocean knowing
another continent lies somewhere out there,
I know my shortfall.

Standing on Earth looking forward to Heaven
I believe I can please God today.
Standing on Earth looking forward to Heaven
I believe I can please God most days.
Standing on Earth looking forward to Heaven knowing that
pure righteousness is demanded in order to dwell in God’s presence
I know my shortfall.

Neither has anything to do with my desire or my intention,
but, everything to do with the vast distance between where
I am and where I need to be. Shortfall.

Attempting to enter God’s kingdom
solely on my own effort ~ futility at best.
The gulf ~ too vast.
The only bridge
that can span from my heart to Heaven
~ the perfect Son of God.
Sin caused the gap. Christ filled it.
It cost Him His life to build the bridge.
I will walk safely across from my world into His kingdom.


Anyone want to come for a walk......


We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:22-25 (NLT)

Author's Note:

Not my original thought ... arrangement based on something heard over the past month.

'Roses' Have Thorns

Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.
Song of Solomon 2:2

I am NOT a gardener. I wanted to set that straight from the start. Love flowers, I do. Plant them, water them, tend them, I do. Mostly, I watch and pray, hoping that God will once again create a miracle in my yard. He does, every year. I have four rose bushes which have beautiful blooms that I love to see reappear each year. Four rose bushes that have made me bleed, pierced by their thorns, multiple times. Yet, knowing I will most likely be hurt and bleed no matter how careful I am, I still go back and tend those bushes. WHY? I love the finished product. I love their fragrance and their beauty. I have learned to put up with the thorns because I love the roses.

Does this sound at all familiar? The Master Gardener, Creator of all, has such patience with the 'roses' in His garden. How often He gets the pain of our thorns as we lash out at Him, or worse, ignore His presence. So why does He bother with us? He knows we need tending. He loves each and every single 'rose'. He knows how to get us to bloom for Him in time. Each of us can become His prized rose.

With His help we can be more like Him as we deal with, 'prickly people', the other 'roses' in our lives. Perhaps a little reminder might help. Looking for an addition to your garden.....

.....plant a rose bush.

Roses Have Thorns

Dedicated to all the 'roses' in my life's garden.

Bleeding, I sit and weep, for
once again you have pierced my
heart with the thorns of your hurt.
When will you realize? When will you
know, I am not your enemy. I am your
comrade fighting this battle with you.
Life has wounded you so many times. Left
you hiding behind thick, stone walls so high.
With patience, I will chip away
your rough mortar until
a sliver of my soul’s radiance
shines through. Don't be afraid.
Embrace it, bask in it, knowing
that only love’s light will allow you to grow,
bloom, and become my prized rose.

AUTHOR'S COMMENT: Based on an old adage or saying:
Persons who love roses will have patience with their thorns.