Author: Marie Fitts

For the love of a Mother
Every child’s heart aches
From the day that we are born
We yearn for what it takes

To know and feel a Mother’s love
The hugs and kisses on our face
She was created by God to comfort us
Regardless of time or space

We all need Mom’s approval
We still search for it in later days
And if Mom’s not happy
Well…you know what all the critics say!

Some Mom’s are great… they are “All In”
No matter what the game
But if your Mom was not up to the test
Your experience may not be the same

You may feel hurt or left to wonder
How could she treat me that way?
But remember your Mom was once a young girl
In a game with no rule book to play

Maybe she didn’t have a good role model
And maybe she didn’t know the Lord
So how could she pass down something to you
That in her own life she never absorbed

Maybe she wants to change her past
As much as you do yours
Maybe she cries in the night
For the love of a Mother to implore

You not to pass judgement over her
Until you’ve walked a mile in her shoes
Then maybe you’d understand
She felt no love inside to use

Toward you when you were just a kid
Or even now that you are older
She’s looking for the same love of a Mother
Hey, maybe she could use your shoulder?

To lean on while she tells her story
Of days gone by…mostly guts no glory
How she made it through her difficult past
To a starring role in which she was cast

To teach “YOU” from
Her past mistakes
So if she was not a good example
Why don’t you give your Mom a break

On this Mother’s Day
As you ponder
If she is still living
Praise God that you can honor

Your Mother, no matter
What the case
For the Love of a Mother
Every child’s heart aches

I wrote this poem for my niece, Hannah Pearson, and the graduating High School Senior Class of 2014 at Jackson Christian School, in Jackson, TN.

Matthew 7:12 (NIV) –
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and Prophets.”

In the early years in grammar school
We learned to write
The Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

On wide ruled tablets
With thick pencil lead
Writing and Listening to what The Teacher said
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Our young hearts were open
Our little minds were set
Memorizing the rule so we would not forget
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

But was that just an exercise in futility
Reciting a verse that would not come to be?
Because as the years flew by and we made our way
Through Middle and High School and even up to today

If we were truly honest
Our hearts would tell
We’ve forgotten the verse
We once knew so well

We’ve forgotten our words
Wound just like a knife
That words move us to actions
Often causing strife

Words of hatred and anger
Words of slander and disgust
Are killing us softly
Returning us to dust

So let’s remember again
On this Graduation Day
What The Teacher has said as we go on our way
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

This one simple verse
Quoted in red
From the good book of Matthew our Savior Jesus said
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

If we’ve learned anything at all
From these past twelve years
Be it to “LIVE THE GOLDEN RULE”
Among foe, friend or peer

Then we will be successful
All of our days
As we humble our hearts
With Grateful Praise

To the One who offers the best
Of what the future holds
When we do what He said, just as He told
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Holding tightly to my youth
As my crowning glory turns to gray
Deep inside I still feel the same
But that’s not what the mirror’s say

The mirror used to be my friend
She portrayed me with radiant light
She championed my every effort
In which I took delight

But the mirror is calloused toward me now
Not always showing the best side of me
She is blunt and in one single glance
Weather’s the young beauty I used to be

But the mirror does not know my heart
My appearance is all she sees
She has no idea of the beauty within
The woman I’ve grown to be

So if I had one wish it would be
For the mirror to meet my heart
Reflecting all the beauty still inside
The beauty that is my heart

Wherever You are
Is where I long to be
I am nothing without you
Flesh of flesh bone of bone
At home in the body
Is away from You
But in Your presence
I am complete
Your Spirit nourishes my soul
I am light
Transcending space and time
Linear
I exist only to Love You
I reside in You
Your Spirit in me
We dwell in The Father
Yesterday
Today
Forever

I struggle with the same old thing
Lord I know you’re sick of hearing
I failed again to pass the test
My actions less than endearing

Wisdom is a matter of being wise in the midst
I’m mostly wise after the event
I see the error of my ways in retrospect
Changing course midstream is an act I’d respect

I’m ashamed of my outbursts over and again
Frustration, aggravation causing me to sin
Losing my cool, my blood pressure pumped
I missed another good chance to shut up!

Yet God knows my struggle
He’s heard my cry
In the aftermath of my actions
I turn my face to the sky

Praying again for forgiveness
Now my heart sings
As my Lord forgives me again
For the same old thing

If I were the girl I wanna be
I’d not let frustrations bother me
I’d sit calmly in my chair
Living life without a care

If I were the girl I wanna be
I’d take better care of me
Exercise daily, sleep 8 hours
Doing everything in my power

Making the most of this life I’m given
Now wondering why I’m not as driven
When I look deep inside of me
Why I’m not the girl I wanna be?

But I know this girl, we’ve met before
She lingers now and again at my door
She stops by long enough for me to see
Glimpses of who I wanna be

She is neat and tidy, and always dressed
Her words, soft-spoken not meant to impress
She offers encouragement when she can
Now why is that girl not who I am?

She’s in control of her whole being
Missteps from her you won’t be seeing
Because she is wise beyond her years
She trusts in God and has no fears

She’s certain where her life will lead
Fame and fortune, the least of these
Her heart is pure, her mind is set
Living each moment to have no regrets

So I take a step back and focus my gaze
At this girl I wanna be through the haze
Of my blurred vision I do believe
With a little more work that girl could be me

The darkest day in history
When Jesus took my sin from me
Hanging naked on a cross
Dying so I would not be lost

Did thunder roll? Did lightening strike?
Did the earth quake at the sight
Of Love nailed to a tree?
You may not think…but I believe

Might winds howled
The sun hid its face
For what we did
Was such a disgrace

The earth shook with all its might
Saying look what you’ve done! This was not right
To crucify the Savior of the world!
But this was ordained by God, as His plan unfurled

For Jesus to take the punishment meant for us
Three days later God would entrust
Him to rise from the grave…death could not keep
Love imprisoned in a tomb…no more should we weep

For Jesus sits at the right hand
Of God alone
Our King, Our Savior
He is risen to the throne!

I’m not the root
just a branch
from a wild olive tree
grafted in and grateful

grateful to those
who were there in the flesh
that physically heard
Jesus speak

and through His breath
The Holy Spirit
passed from His lips
to each Disciple through
the generations

I’m grateful
they took the time to share
His word, His message, His Life
so that one day that breath would cover me

and I would breathe in
the same Holy Spirit
through generations of conversations
told in exhaled breath

and find His Holy Spirit
alive and well
living in me
awaiting this opportunity to exhale

My hands are folded
My head is bowed
Reverently listening
For The Lord now

Quiet my heart
My soul at peace
Wisdom
I yearn for You to teach

My heart is receptive
My mind is clear
A word from You Lord
I long to hear

To guide my life
Along its way
I listen
To learn what You have to say

Through prayer I petition
Lord hear my cry
Rescued again
A thankful sigh

From the rising sun
Until it sets
I will pray continuously
Until we’ve met

The thought crossed my mind today driving to work, while sitting at the exit ramp to the Interstate, that life really is like a highway. Everyone scurrying to get somewhere, but where is everyone going?

Some are in the left lane trying to merge to the right. Others are already there, deciding that lane is not for them and desperately trying to squeeze into the crowded left lane. Still others are in the right lane, patiently waiting to exit.

The left lane is known to be the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane. Many stay in this lane thinking it is the best route. They speed up passing others by along the way.

If you knew that the left lane was leading you down a path where the road was washed out, wouldn’t you try to change your course?
Wouldn’t you merge into the right line no matter how long it took for you to squeeze into the flow of traffic? If you finally made it into the right lane would you be willing to let others go in front of you?

I believe there are many in the HOV lane of life, without a clue that the road they travel is washed out at their final destination.

If you think you might be heading towards a washed out future or a dead-end road that doesn’t lead to an eternity spent with Christ, are you willing to ask The Lord to come into your heart and steer you in the right direction?

If so, just pray: Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior.

If you prayed that simple prayer, I believe you are born again. Get into a good Bible based Church. Stay yoked to other believers who can keep you accountable and watch as The Lord moves you into the right lane.