THE COLORING BOOK

We begin
happy to have the Lord beside us
as He shows us His pattern
and color on our lives
we watch Him and learn

Then a day comes
when we think
we have learned His way
we push His arm aside
and show Him what we can do
we take the pallette and brush
He has provided
and begin to fill in
the canvas of our life

He gently leans close and whisperes
scribble scrabble
we have not grown enough
to see His vision of the finished product
as our picture is crushed and crumbled
we step aside
and watch
what the Master artist can do
with a clean canvas
and full reign over the studio
of our life

Once again we are side by side
and shoulder to shoulder
great splashes of color and joy
begin to form
life is sweet and satisfying

Wipe the way of presumption
from my reach
be quick to point out any lines
that do not conform
to Your pattern and plan

For that day
when the finished canvas is presented
I desire Your signature and pleasure
on my life.

- Deborah Booth Armstrong

THE SINGING BIRD

I sing my song to the Lord
but I cannot compete
with the piping of the songbird
outside my window
It's song is pure
uninhabited
spontaneous
out in the open
for all to hear 
It is mobile
in its song of praise

Let me find that freedom
Release a spontaneous song
of praise in me
through me
A new and free
and full expression
an anthem of love

God does all things well
He is full of pleasing surprises
new revelations 
of amazing forms
of creative wonder
His beauty seen
just on the horizon
of my comprehension

Release my senses
dulled by earthbound
sensuality
stop my thoughts
from dwelling on
what will melt away
in the fervent heat
released
as You unveil 
the new Heaven and Earth

Eye has not seen
nor imagination explored
the Kingdom of God
the bridal suite
of His new creation.

- Deborah Booth Armstrong

NOT EASILY OFFENDED

 
Reactions
reactions to our words
causing pain
our reaction to their words
as pain
uncalled for
undeserved
unintended
words and their
reactions keep piling up

LIVING CRAYOLAS

The world needs
   more tulips
   in all colors
   blooming in circles
   at the side of the road
   with tulip intersections
Boxes full of tulips
   along the sides
   of buildings
   by the bank
   the pawn shop
   lineing the drive through
   windows
Potted tulips cascading
   from balconies
   waving from the
   buttresses of bridges
   welcoming all
   to drink their beauty
   and let their colors
   serve breakfast
   to the eye.

-Deborah Booth Armstrong