Beliefs

Let them be more
More than words on the page
Or the thoughts for each day
May they be the words I live
Let them shape the way
The way I spend my time
For we never know how long
Some moments last forever
As others slip away

So let them be more
More than the rules I list
Saying that this is what I choose
May my actions reflect
As I try to respect
All the words that you say

Let them be more
Than hopes for future days
As I wait on the promises
That wait for me
You are gracious to give
Let me gladly receive
More than words of thanks
Let them be actions of praise

4/17/14 - ALJ

Choose Joy

Let me choose joy
On the days when grief is near
When I'm afraid to move forward
And fall back, there I go
I stumble and fall
Ashamed in my strife
Let me choose life

4/17/14 - ALJ

Bird

Like a caged bird
    born free
    born to fly
Held in safety
    looking to the sky
  yearning to fly
  spreading its wings
    but not sure why
The door is wide open
  but still I'm held back
So guide me
  on your wings I'll soar
    flying out that open door
  you freed me once
    and all I need is to go
Guide my way

4/13/14 - ALJ

Let Them Be More

Often I speak

But don't follow through

My mouth declares

Yet my feet don't move

My search is over

But my journey has just begun

Help me to lead others

Whether I walk or run

Don’t let them just be words
Or the thoughts that I keep

Put them into action
And make them true

Use me for your glory

As my days reflect your ways
The truth I find in You

Don't let them just be words

Help me to live them out

Not in whispers but in shouts

Though I stumble and fall

And daily I fail

In your hope I stay

That my words may be more

Pointing others to you

Helping to share the joy

Don’t let them just be words

For actions can say more

About your grace

About your love

4/12/2014 – ALJ

The Moment

What if we lived in the moment
What if we lived in the now
Never worrying about the past
Never having to ask how

How will we survive tomorrow
How will we make it last
Always looking to the next day
Not living in the past

Let the moments fade
And look to the current day
It doesn't matter what you've done
Or where your next step leads

What if we could live for now
And lived it like our last
No more clinging to mistakes
No more hoping for the best

4/4/14 - ALJ

Stuck in the Middle

The messenger

The middle man

The person stuck between

Never pleasing

Always reasoning

Whatever do you mean?

Try as you may

Try as you might

No matter the case

You never end up right

It’s either this or that

Or how about when

Then maybe, a sort of

Okay, but not then

Caught in the struggle

To make the words right

Remembering this one

Or this one?  Uh, not quite

Doing this dance

All the day long

It’s what I’m here for

Even if I get it wrong

A jumble

A mess

They just won’t quit

Do you want it

Or you

Oh, no… Not it!

3/28/14 - ALJ

Wish For a Star

As the world grows bigger

And you find yourself so small

I hope you will find someone

To help you rise above it all

After the spotlight has faded

And only the man remains

May there be someone there

Without something to gain

As others focus on the outer

May she look to see within

Sharing the same desires

When hopes of family begin

To the world, you may shine bright

Or become a fading star

Yet she remains, not for roles played

Only because of whom you are

As beauty slowly slips away

I hope you find yourself to be

With the one who sees you

And not just fame and glory

When the jokes have all grown old

And there's nothing new to say

May her company not be waning

May you still enjoy each day

As the joints grow slow and tired

And it's hard to bust a move

May there still be one that's longing

To dance each day with you

May she firmly hold your hand

No matter the incoming call

Supporting your dreams as her own

Together forever, once and for all

3/5/14 – ALJ [re-edit]