carousels can be a bit scary…

…don’t you think? Thanks for stopping by!

it’s a journey after all

i'm so glad
the Light found me
just as i am
i began to be free
identity restored
i'm not trying to earn anymore
i'm so glad
the Light found me

and now a love
has touched my soul
all of my past
all that’s yet to unfold
slowly being restored
i was blind
but now i see
oh, i’m so glad
the light found me

i still stumble
and fall
it’s a journey
after all
so be patient with me
i’ve got miles to go
i’m not what i will be
it’s a struggle you see
but this Light found me
so i trust and i wait
it’s the mess i call faith
but i’m so glad
the Light found me

rest in you

sometimes i feel
like i don’t belong
i’m not a part
of the song
that everyone
seems to know
and i wonder
if i’ll ever know
how to sing again

you see i’m not quite sure
what’s deep inside
i’m not quite sure
that i’m all right
i’m not quite sure
if i
matter
did i ever
matter

hey world
i wonder
if it’s okay with you
to quietly say
i’m not okay
i’m sad
and
don’t
know
why
i’m mad
and even when i try
to find some rest
all i find
is just a mess
i’m just a mess

so i still will pray
peace be still
God please
invade my heart
and my will
and let me see
what you see
in me
and rest
i am a mess
but i’ll rest
in You

i’ll rest
in You

what i saw in chelsea

In my previous post I shared images from the General General Theological Seminary campus in Chelsea NY, the location of a spiritual retreat that Ruth, my wife, and I attended last week. In this post, just a few pics from a walk we took to the Chelsea Piers before having dinner at the Empire Diner.

general theological seminary

My wife, Ruth, and I had the opportunity to attend a spiritual retreat last week at General Theological Seminary, located in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Situated on the west side of Manhattan, the seminary’s first building was build in 1827. The retreat and location provided the perfect setting for solitude, reflection and excellent talks from our retreat guides. We can’t wait to return.

dear mommy dear daddy

dear mommy
dear daddy
i’m sorry
you’re sad
i want you
to know that
i am
with Peace
i am
at peace

dear mommy
dear daddy
this wasn’t
your fault
i want you
to know that
i am free
of pain

dear mommy
dear daddy
when grieving
gives space
the light
that you gave me
let it shine
in this world
so many
are living
but they’re
not alive
lonely
forgotten
and screaming
inside
it would
make me
so happy
to know
you
are
listening

dear mommy
dear daddy
give others
what you
gave me
love
light
life

dear mommy
dear daddy
if i could just say
this longing
this knowing
it’s not supposed
to be this way
we all know it
we all see it
do you know
what it means
that we all
know this place
that we never
have seen
where all is made right
no darkness only light
where mommies
and daddies
at the end of the day
hug their children
and play
and love
is over all
in all
between all
so let us all pray
Your Kingdom come
Your will be done
on earth
as it is
in heaven

- written with lament, sorrow, love and prayers for those who lost everything and for the community of Uvalde

florida fun part 2

Winter Garden, Florida was a delightful downtown with amazing boutiques, eateries and coffee shops. Shout out to Main House Market (best peppermint lavender kombucha on the planet!) and Doxology.

florida fun part 1

We are enjoying some getaway time in the Sunshine State. Say hello to Cocoa Beach!

backyard blues

I’ve got the backyard blues, and I am so happy!

another day

another day to cry
so many whys
we can weep
together

another day to dance
its okay
take a chance
we can hold each other

another day to dream
close your eyes
and see the light
come to chase away
all the darkness
in our hearts
can we just start
again

on this new day
its okay
don’t say a word
we can
just be

another day
to take a breath
and rest
we can see
each other
we can hear
each other
and be
together
another
day