The Roller Coaster

Tall and sturdy he stands Like a tower visible from afar A lighthouse when storms strike He always shines bright Showing me the way home His arms are always ready to hold A skinned knee A broken heart Shoulders wet from catching tears He never turns one away His heart, two sizes too big Envelopes me No matter what I have done I know I’m safe Safe in the arms of my Daddy No matter what I have done I know I’m safe Safe in the love of my Daddy

Rainbows emanate from your soul You draw pictures in the sky Leaving children in awe Determined to pursue the extraordinary “Anything worth pursuing requires hard work” Your hands are never idle You never rest Your ears perk up when you hear a cry You drop everything to listen to the lonely Comfort the weary Mend the broken Your life was not lived for yourself But for every moment You touched a life You painted the world with your words Your children exalt you Your husband adores you You brought color to a black and white world Your legacy will live on Your colors will not fade

The New Year came with a whisper as I enjoyed the end of the year and first few days of 2013 in Indonesia. Unlike the Philippines, Indonesia did not welcome the new year with fireworks that would make one think World War 3 had been declared. Instead I found myself in a church singing "Thank you Lord" with a large number of God's people. Though it was not my typical new year since I was without my dad and siblings, I was thankful for the opportunity to start the year saying "Thank You". I don't know if this is true in your case but as I reflected on the past year I realized thanksgiving did not take up most of my time. I was always rushing to and fro, worrying about this and that, and complaining when things didn't go my way. I spent so little time in the quietness of God's presence to just utter those two words that mean so much more. I spent so little time reflecting on God's blessings to encourage me and so much time trying fran...