memory lane moments

  • GW Bridge
  • Whitestone Bridge
  • Tarrytown, NY
  • Tarrytown, NY
  • Tappan Zee Bridge
  • Ossining, NY
  • Ossining, NY
  • The Hudson River – Ossining, NY

These are images from a recent road trip back to New York. We (my wife and I) made the trip to attend a memorial service and decided to head back to visit the area where we lived during our college days. We visited Briarcliff Manor, Tarrytown and Ossining, NY, and thoroughly enjoyed our trip down memory lane.

Regarding the images: ‘GW Bridge’ is short for the George Washington Bridge, connecting New Jersey and Manhattan. We take the Whitestone Bridge to go from the Bronx to Long Island. We enjoyed lunch at Horsefeathers, and the view of the amazing Tappan Zee Bridge, which connects Tarrytown, NY to Nyack, NY. The homes in Tarrytown and Ossining were 2 of the places we lived in after we were married while in college. It was fun taking in the sights of these old, beautiful towns!

so today

dear God
really glad you're here
i'll receive all you have for me
with gratitude
for i know this new day
is a gift from You

so today
if i see a hurting soul
let me be a comfort

so today
if someone hurts me
let me be grace and forgiveness

so today
if i stumble in word or deed
please help me
change me

on this new day
make me new
on this new day

faith hope love

so i woke up
and all the clouds
remind me of the words i said
oh God
the words i said
the anger in my head

so i woke up
and all the clouds
can’t hold the tears
that just rain down
down down
it hurts
and i don’t know why
oh those clouds in the sky

so i woke up
and all the clouds
press on my shoulders
and i manage to pray
oh God
i just want to be okay
just one day
can i be okay
one day

faith

help me to trust
that just behind
those clouds
Your promises still shine
help me to hear
the light of Your words
and rest
oh God i’m so tired
so i rest in You

hope

i choose to reach
beyond the now
one day
only light
and no more tears
so today
while i’m in the clouds
i place my hope
in You alone
in You alone

love

let me see
Your Light
let me know
Your promises
let me hope
that one day soon
all will be well
all must be well
because You
are Love
You are Love

so i woke up today
and all the clouds
remind me
that today right now
You are here
not hidden
so i’ll search for You
and make it through
this cloudy day
with You

with You

dear son

Our youngest son is getting married tomorrow... I walked into his room and reflected on what I found...

dear son
thank you for the empty room
it tells me the time has come
to see you journey on
and say how proud i am of you

dear son
thank you for my heart is full
it tells me that the time has come
to listen to my memories
and watch you make your own

dear God
thank you for your grace for me
it tells me there is grace for him
let him be so much more than me
let him soar and sing and be
a wonderful man

a wonderful man

who was once a boy
to me

soul distancing

Soul distancing: the practice of separating your soul
from the day to day rush
the deadline driven exhaustion

the anxiety saturated social media
the identity robbing expense of living for someone's approval

the heart hardening fallout of unforgiveness
the countless heart deadening diversions

and instead

connecting to whatever it is that helps you to

s       l        o         w           d           o            w             n

a walk on the shore... a hike...
sitting in stillness... prayer...
coffee and a good book...

you may discover what you are really living for and decide to change course

you may discover what you really worship and decide to reach higher in the affections of your heart and mind

you may discover an ocean of tears that were held back by your hardness becasue you need to be right

or you won't let it go

or you refuse to forgive

or because you know you need to confess and make it right

you may discover

in the stillness

the voice of God