Tag: faith

Transformations

On By Piano girl13 Comments

I’ve never given deep thought to the life cycle of a butterfly. Besides children’s books and craft projects, that is. A tiny egg, a growing caterpillar, and a beautiful butterfly. It sounds simple, especially when mapped out with cotton balls, popsicle sticks, and coffee filters.

But none of those descriptions mention the chrysalis or what happens inside. The transformation is anything but simple. It is hard and sometimes painful. Near-perfect conditions are required for the butterfly to be released.

This week, saying goodbye to my dad, I was reminded of the shell left behind. It held so much life. Protected the spirit and soul of its occupant. And when the time came, allowed its release.

Death is part of life. I know that. And my dad lived his to the fullest, good times and bad. Health conditions over the past few years caused him to slow down. Challenging for someone who spent their life building things.

Instead of swinging a hammer, he would cook dinner for kids at church. Instead of traveling on mission trips, he would encourage friends thru phone calls. He did not complain. And most of all, he enjoyed his life with my mom. Picnics by the lake, coffee, cookies in the evenings, doctor appointments…life.

His sweet soul is no longer with us. It has been released. My faith tells me he is with God. And though that brings comfort, I selfishly wish he was still with us. The missing is hard. I suppose it is a part of my transformation…

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl8 Comments

Choosing Thankful

So many things I take for granted.
Today, I am embracing the simple.
Thankful that the sun is shining.
Thankful that the breeze is crisp.
Thankful for the ability to talk on the phone.
Hearing my dad, You will always be my little girl.
Hearing my mom, I am ok. We will trust God to take care of us.
Dad is in the hospital in Arkansas.
Mom is there with him.
I am at home in Oklahoma.
Such is this life. And that is ok.

Christmas Gifts

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Another year
To celebrate
Family
Friends
Goodwill
And cheer
Mercy
Grace
Forgiveness
And hope
A precious gift
Tiny baby born
Lying in a manger
Sleeping among
The animals
Listening to
The Lullaby
Of angels

When I consider Christmas past, some gifts stand out. The jewelry box from mom and dad that was also a music box! Dolls of the World from my Aunt Sharon. A voice print of my kids saying Mama from Gart. How my Granny Mahar always had a gift for each of her twenty-six grandchildren. ❤️

Great or small, each gift was given in love. And each giver holds a place in my heart.

I’ve been called sentimental more than once. There’s no denying it. But the older I get, the more my sentiments rest on people, not on things. Each memory is a gift held in the heart. Tied together by an unending ribbon of affection, six-inch curls in between. 😉

Silent Night, arranged by Phillip Everen Kelley Morris, piano

Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi Kelley Morris, piano

Merry Christmas!

Casting Cares

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Once and for all
Never to be
Thought of again
Is that what it means to cast all my cares?
As I read the words
They make sense
But one turn around
And my worries seem
To find their way back
What if I picture myself
Fishing pole in hand
Standing at the edge
Of a clear mountain lake
Knowing, once I cast
My line out into the water
The only thing left to do is wait
Knowing that the waiting
Can be done with patience
Enjoying surrounding beauty
In excited anticipation
Of what may come
Or wasting sacred moments
Pacing back and forth
As if I have any control
Over how those fish
Swimming below the surface
Will respond or react-
Maybe the secret
Is in the accepting-
He cares about each worry
No matter how big or small

..casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Wrestling

Why does
The heart
So often resist
Needed change
All while
The body
Is crying
Please stop!
You need to rest!
Because of fear?
Fear of what?
Disappointing someone?
Making a wrong choice?
The heart knows
The answer
All along
Yet, continues
To wrestle
Within itself
That is, until
Strong arms
Take over
Wrapping
Themselves
Around the chest
Squeezing tight
Releasing
A message
Of reassurance-
Have faith!
It will be ok

Seasonal

On By Piano girl4 Comments

I sensed
Its approach
One morning
Leaving for work
In the dark
Not like an
Impending
Sense of doom
Just a weightiness
Not present
The day before
Changing seasons
Can feel that way
Filled with both
Beauty and angst
Watching leaves fall
After Stunning
Transformations
Mourning their loss
While clinging
To the hope
Of new buds
In the Spring
Relishing falling
Temperatures
Cooling my skin
Mourning the
Consequent
Dwindling
Of sunshine
While clinging
To the hope
Of new light
Following the cold
Dark days of winter
Believing once again
This heaviness will lift

Be the Light

On By Piano girl6 Comments

Experiencing
Darkness is
Universal
As is the hope
For a light
To ease
Our gloom
We are not
Intended
To live alone
On an island
No contact
With another
Living soul
Each of us
Will have
Opportunity
To be the hand
Reaching
Thru the fog
Or the one
Grateful
To be pulled
Out of the murk
Weightless
In the arms
Of our brother

Inside-Out

On By Piano girlLeave a comment 
Clouds of
Bluish gray
Against the
Almost white
Morning sky
Felt as if
The World
Had been turned
Inside-out
Overnight-
Complete opposite
Of what my eyes
Witnessed yesterday
Bright blue sky
Crisp white clouds
Strange…
For a moment
I wondered if
Something was wrong
Was yesterday simply a cover?
Sadness hiding behind a smile?
Maybe, maybe not
Another glance revealed
Today’s answer-
The morning star
Twinkling 
Among the clouds
As if to say
Good morning
It’s a new day
All is well
And I smiled
Not hiding
But trusting
 
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Psalm 143:8

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl7 Comments

Yet to Know

For all the hurrying
To complete
The next task
Reach the next
Milestone
I am finding peace
In the unfinished
Relief in knowing
There is more
To become
Simple changes
In the day to day
Or transformation
Across the years
A me anyone has yet to know…
Hopefully, one who is
A bit wiser, one
Who remembers
To slow down
So as not to miss
Even the singular
Steps of growth
Requiring
The most faith
Revealing
The simplest joys

Inviting Light

On By Piano girl8 Comments

Days when
Words try to
Stay hidden
In the deep
Crevices
Of my mind
No one else
May enter
Unless invited
I attempt to
Pry them out
Giving voice
To the feelings
Held behind
The words
While knowing
That sharing
The positives
Will prove easier
Than sharing
The negatives
Days when
Words try to
Stay hidden
I am learning
And re-learning
To write them down
Inviting light
To gently restore
The fractures
While easing my fears