The Empty Chair

Take time to pray for those who are suffering ECS today— Empty Chair Syndrome, meaning those family and friends who have lost someone. The loss could be recent, 5 years ago or 20 years ago, but the pain is, nonetheless, real and present. Pray for the Lord to comfort them, wrap them in His Perfect Peace and cover them in His Love. Ask for all the wonderful memories, and amazing love, they shared to be near and for them to be covered in Hope in the midst of their pain!


See, for me, today—one of my favorite days of the year—is about thanking Jesus for ALL my many blessings (all of which are undeserved), faith, family, food, did I mention food, and football, but I also look at the empty chairs of Buddy, Mamaw and Papaw. I miss them. I miss Karson, Jonathan, AJ and so many more. So, while I’m infinitely grateful, for today; I also have a heavy heart! A little tiny piece of Thanksgiving will NEVER be the same and is forever lost!

If I know 3 things people appreciate, in life, it’s somebody taking the time to say I love you, somebody taking the time to notice them and to say you don’t walk alone. I care. You matter. Your feelings matter and I know it’s hard. So, take a couple of minutes to text, or *gasp* call, someone and let them know you’re praying for them, are here for them and walk alongside them. On one of the busiest, albeit special, times of the year . . . it will mean the world! +Hope Abounds+ JMB

I, actually, wrote this post 2 times, before now. Don’t believe we face opposition? I typed it on my phone and hit post and my phone, which never messes up, said the link may be broken. It was lost. I then got on my laptop and wrote it again with more fervor, and determination, and a little pissed off and disappointed and hit post and it magically disappeared. So, not one to quit, or give up easily, I got on Microsoft word and composed this, because fool me once, I’m bothered, fool me twice, I’m real irritated, but fool me three times . . . well, that just won’t happen! Because this message was WORTH too much not to get out!

One More

Oh, how sweet it would to be to have ONE MORE . . .

One more hug, one more smile, one more talk

One more game of hopscotch lined in chalk

One trip, as the wind blows, on the merry go-around

One more skinned knee, playing kickball, after falling down

One more time getting called down for not being quiet in class

One more being scared to look at my grade did I fail or did I pass?

One more time staying up to watch a movie past my bedtime

One note, handed in class, check yes or no will you be mine

One more game Mom, I promise it’ll just be one more

One more buggy-ride through the grocery store

One more pick-up game that will end up in a fight

One more windy day just to fly a kite

One more time listening to your laugh as time seems to stand still

One more trip to the golden arches to get the toy in the Happy Meal

One more Sunday morning with grateful hands lifted high

One more I think I can, after all, you never know unless you try

One more time of hearing your footsteps coming down the hall

One more trip, blasting the music, heading to the mall

One more evening, just sitting and listening to your voice

One more time would be magical, abra cadabra, on multiple-choice

One more day, sitting in a swing, holding tightly to your hand

One more touchdown as the school song is played by the band

One more smile— it would be amazing to see your face light up with joy

What I would give to do it all over to go back to being a little boy

One more smell of the breakfast cooking as soon as I awake

One more time skiing or jumping off the pier at the lake

One more tear falling down my cheek that’s how we know we truly care

One more time playing spin the bottle, on the trampoline, or truth or dare

One more time Saturday to sleep in as the rain begins to fall

One more giggle, one more crush, one more late-night phone call

One more time to hit snooze as the boss wonders where we are

One more time to make a wish twinkle, twinkle little star

One more time to bow my head now I lay me down to sleep

If I could make one wish how these memories I would keep

What would be my request if these memories I could store

I would treasure each one before simply asking for just one more!

JMB

As The Leaves FaLL

As the leaves fall, so does shame fall all around me
Sins of my past, like rising water, hoping it doesn’t drown me

Waves up to my neck when suddenly I hear a sound
The water starts to drain, once lost now I am found

Grace rescues me when it seems there is NO hope
Turning my weakness to strength allowing me to cope

So, I feel pain, I shed tears, but I continue to FIGHT
Though the darkness surrounds me, fear grips me, I am guided by the Light

The KinG has looked upon this pauper and placed a crown on his head
Purpose courses through my veins~ I remember when I wanted to be dead

So, pardon me if I find perspective the silver lining in the cloud
Or find Peace, in the chaos, though my heart’s so very loud

I listen to the Voice that says I’m enough when I feel I’m a MESS
The One Who calls me MORE when I feel lesser than less

In the bottom of the pit, looking up, hoping to see a hand
It was there, in the midst of my hurt, I learned not to depend on man

Just when I was about to give up, You plucked me from that hole
You recused me, restored my life, it was there You saved my soul! + He > i

JMB

The Imperfect Race

This is God's view as seen through an imperfect reflection
I've been dead so many times, but You're my soul's resurrection
My Protection, my Hope the Reason I live and my being
The only way I can cope and find JOY in the midst of my grieving

And I've grieved 'til there were no tears left
Overwhelmed, I was drowning, couldn't find my breath
But I've learned Your Love is immune to my losses and mistakes
So I carry my crosses and steer clear of the snakes

Cause I know who I've been and I know who I am
So, when it comes to how you see me I really don't give a damn
All I care is that I'm known by the one TRUE King
The One Who crushed death and is called Elohim

That's truly where my identity is found
The place where hope floats and where Grace abounds
And where Grace resides, lies have no place
SO amazing You could love me when I spit in Your face

And it's crazy the way I chase after the wind
Treat You like a stranger, but still call You a friend
That's me Lord, call me 'Can't get right,' it's cool
While You call me the King's Light and I act like a fool

I trip on this race sometimes more than I run
Must be a vampire the way I try to HIDE from the Son
But my Hope is all the acclaim would be used for nothing more
than to praise Your Name
That every single standing ovation would be an echo of Your Love
and Hope to every nation

If I live this life just for money and gain
Then I've missed the boat, my flight and even the train
'Cause that's INSANE not to use my life for Your Glory
I'd rather hold Your pen and let You WRITE my STORY!

Excelsior

The older I become, the younger I grow

As the years pile up; the less I know 

Would love to say I always try my very best 

Instead, I drowned in temptation's waters; I didn't always ride the crest

And I've stood the test-- survived the flames when everything around me turned to ashes 

The greatest thing I will ever do is lift Your Name high above the masses!! 

And the crashes? I've hit the ground more than a plane hits the runway

But I'm thankful I've always rose again like a congregation on a Sunday! 

While Love holds me Grace covers me like a turtle's shell 

I'm not scared of the heat in the kitchen when I've already walked through hell 

Storms teach you in ways smooth waters simply are unable 

Though the waves overcome the shore; the foundation remains stable 

Am I able? I'm of worth though sometimes I act like a pauper

I've failed God Time After Time just call me Cyndi Lauper 

But no matter how many battles I've lost; I know the war is WON!! 

God turned a pauper into a prince all by sending His only Son! 

When I think of the Glory to come; these trials seem so very mild

Breath left my Savior's lungs; And in that moment the orphan became reconciled 

JMB 

Just Keep Going

If you're going through hell just keep going
No matter how much it rains or how hard the wind's blowing
Keep going like the Little Engine, eventually you'll climb the mountain
I've failed so many times, then again, who's countin?

Just keep going, it might not change right at first
But perseverance will be rewarded before you reach the hearse
In order to walk on water; you gotta get out the boat
You can't reach the castle without first crossing the moat

My Dad told me son, the sun don't always shine on the same dog
In order, to reach the destinatioN; you gotta keep going through the fog
I know it ain't easy, but that's just how life goes
You gotta stay balanced through the ebbs and the flowS!

And who knows, things might in your favor turn
But to become a precious metal first you got to burn
Just keep goinG, with your eyes uP; that's the only way you'll ever FLY
Cause if you stop; you're already dead, you don't have to wait 'til you die

JMB

If I Never

If I NEVER reach the summit; still I've reached high in the sky
If I never rully reconcile my past; still I won't choose to believe the lie
If I never understand Your kindness or why You keep holding me close
Help me understand You're the BEST and that You love me MOST!

If I never shine like the sun on beautiful summer day
If I never remember I used to be an orphan; help my kindness not delay
Guide my hands, steer my heart and steady my mind on You
If I never walk among the stars help me remember my troubles are few!

If I never ascend the mountain or plunge the ocean's depth
Help me always embrace the Father of Life and God of every Breath
If I never understand why it is, then help me simply BE
If I never break these shackles help me to at least feel FREE!!

If I never overcome all my mistakes and flaws
Help me at least know Grace drowns out all my broken laws
If I never learn how to walk on the surface of the sea
Help this dear child remember Your Beauty always shines on me!

So, if I never sit upon the throne and wear a crown of jewels on my head
Let me lay down at night in stillness with Peace surrounding my bed
If I never do anything else in this life that You've so graciously given
Let praise ever be on my lips and accept that I've been forgiven! JMB