A New Dawn

It’s an interesting feeling, wouldn’t you say,

To know that yesterday’s woes have passed away?

A new day has come, a new dawn to shine,

The darkness is over, and today looks just fine!

What a feeling to feel, to finally see,

All that God’s got in store, and what He’s given to me!

I don’t know His plans - no not one,

But I finally know He made life to be fun!

Sure - there are trials, grief, loss and strife,

But they prove the sunshine, and bring God’s glory to life!

There feels nothing greater than this feeling I feel,

Not even being in love, can compare to this deal.

I couldn’t have said this, when my life fell apart,

But now I know God was there, rebuilding my heart.

He walked, even crawled, with me the whole way,

Now He’s brought me through the darkness, to see a new day!

~ By Ruth Louden

Someone

I wanted someone to find me, and show me who I was…but nobody came. So I found myself, and learnt to be who I wanted to be.

I wanted someone to pull me out of my misery and teach me how to live….but nobody came. So I taught myself to be spontaneous and free.

I wanted someone to make me laugh and smile…but nobody came. So I created a mask to hide the pain, and smiled a little anyway.

I wanted someone to comfort me, and wipe away my tears…but nobody came. So I cried myself to sleep, and waited for another day.

I wanted someone to protect me and stand up for me….but nobody came. So I stood up for myself, I was left alone, and felt I was to blame.

I wanted someone I could belong to. And then he came….

He found me, and he knew me.  He taught me how to live.  He made me laugh, and smile. He comforted me, and wiped away my tears. He protected me and loved me. And for the first time, I felt like I belonged. But he left too soon….he had other battles to win, I suppose, and again I was alone.

The pain returned, unbearably strong. At last, I cried out to God…”God, WHY??  Where were you all those times I needed YOU, when I thought I needed this man??”

He said “I was right here with you. I found you. I have shown you who you are.  I am teaching you how to live. It is I who gives you laughter. My creation makes you smile. It is I who holds you as you cry yourself to sleep. I wrap my arms around you and bring you the new day that wipes away your tears. I have protected you from more than you know, and my word stands up for you. You don’t have to stand alone. You belong to me, my precious child, so why do you turn away?  You search in places I cannot be found, for I am already living in you. I hold your future, there is no need to be afraid. So come with me, on a journey, an adventure, and find my joy and peace within you, as you trust me every day.”

~ By Ruth Louden

Hope of a Hurting Heart

How do I say what’s on my mind,

When everyone’s heard it a thousand times?

I’m stuck at this point, with nowhere to go

While the rest of my friends continue their climbs.

Why do they think it’s time to move on,

When all I can think is “What has gone wrong?”

People don’t see the tears that I cry,

Nor do they know my need to belong.

It’s something that most people don’t understand,

‘Cause it’s not just a feeling, or a hurt to subside.

It wasn’t flirting or fleeting - the love that I felt,

But a desperate hope, deep down inside.

That hope of a future, a life, and a friend,

Has all shrunk to dust and it’s hurting my heart.

Every step that I took dragged on the ground,

And for weeks I have felt like I’m tearing apart.

I knew to trust God and not to give up,

But with something like this, it’s a hard thing to do.

When nothing felt good, and laughter was fake

The idea of suicide took hold and grew.

But something pulled my heart back and said,

“You can’t just give up – give someone a call!”

So I cried with my sister and though we didn’t say much,

Hearing her voice helped to breach my cell wall.

Now the pain is still there, and won’t heal for a while,

But I know God’s plan will be better than mine.

He lifts my heart up, and helps me to sing,

And I know when He’s through, He’ll help me to shine.

He’s been there before, and He’ll do it again,

It’s the hardest one yet, but I have to believe,

He’ll help me to heal from the worst kind of pain,

And I know that His plan is more than I could conceive!

~ By Ruth Louden

Time to Play Again

“Rain, rain, please don’t stop! We’re coming out to play!”

Our jeans drenched, hair dripping, we enjoyed the rainy day.

Both sisters and friends, we played for hours together,

Enjoying both the sunny and the stormy weather.

Growing up and looking back, remembering fun times,

I wonder why so often our escapades were treated like crimes.

We were noisy and silly, playing and fighting through rain and sun.

Is it so grating on nerves, to see a child having fun?

I vowed I would never let my silliness out of sight.

I didn’t want to be trapped by responsibility’s bite.

It wasn’t fair that I had to grow up, to become an adult.

I resented it, and became exactly what I hated. A bad result!

Overcome with responsibility, busyness and stress,

I hated that while I was trapped, my friends could be silly in excess.

It took me time to realign priorities and learn again to enjoy life.

Time to relax with friends; time to have fun without strife.

I guess the more stress I allow in, the harder it is to go back.

Back to those times when nothing mattered, nothing lacked.

I wonder if I will be able to withstand the stress and avoid the trap…

When life has me standing on the edge of a cliff – can I bridge the gap?

God, would you remind me to take some time out each day?

To relax with you, to smile and laugh, before my nerves begin to fray?

Never let me get to that point, when I’m too old to play in the rain.

And even when I die of old age, meet me in heaven and we’ll play again.

~ By Ruth Louden

So Many Times

So many times I’ve failed you

And yet you’ve never left my side.

How is it that you love me, so?

And in everything, provide?

I struggle to wake up each day

On time to get to work.

I don’t have time to spend with you

It’s something that I shirk.

I guess if it comes down to it

I don’t know what to do.

You’ve given up so much for me!

So what could I give you?

I know you can relate to me.

You’ve been and done it all

But I never died for one I loved

I couldn’t have made that call.

I can’t even seem to give my time

For one I claim to love.

How can I relate to you?

To one so pure – to God above?

You are righteous and pure.

But I am lazy, sinful and lost.

I’m used to an easy and comfortable life,

I can’t imagine how much it cost.

How much it cost to be on that cross

To bear the weight of the world!

To see the ones you know and love,

And all the insults they hurled.

And all the ones who were not there

In times gone by and yet to come…

You knew it all and gave it all

So we could be your chum.

Why is it that you love me so?

When I can’t give the little I’ve got.

I so appreciate your patience

For you really have a lot!

I promise I will try

To give a little more.

For I know that you are waiting

And knocking on my door.

~ By Ruth Louden

Blessings

When I think about my life,

And the part that you have played,

I know I can depend on you –

My problems seem to fade.

The blessings you have given me

Are too many for me to count.

The best of these is the greatest love,

Which nothing can surmount.

The trees, the birds, all living things,

Created by your hand,

The lives of every one of us,

You have already planned!

Through all my times – the good and bad,

You are by my side,

And I know that I can trust in You -

It’s in You I can confide.

Sometimes I cannot feel You near –

My spirit dry as bone,

But if I spend some time with You

I don’t feel so alone.

I love that You will not give up,

No matter what I do.

For if I come apologise

You forgive me through and through!

And when I’m going strong with You,

It’s easier to see

All that you have done so far –

The way your hand is guiding me.

When I think about my life,

And the part that you have played,

I thank you, God, that You’re always near,

I need never be afraid.

~ By Ruth Louden

Genevieve

Words cannot describe the impact you bring,

Each day we spend with you is like dancing in the spring!

We love the way you smile, and giggle when we play,

Each time we hear you laugh, it really makes our day!

We love your company and the friend we have in you

We hope that when we’re old and grey our friendship will stay true.

We love you like a sister and we hope you have a blast!

On this day we honour you, for it’s your 21^st!

~ By Ruth Louden and Sarah Venn