Perceptive Poetry
SERVANT HOOD
Surrendering to servant hood, Lord, what does it take?
Abandonment of selfishness, to work for others’ sake.
Abandonment of selfish pride and all that wants acclaim;
To work alone for Jesus Christ, to glorify His Name.
A servant must be willing to get down on his knees,
And wash the feet of others; this is the secret key.
Servant hood means giving, giving all you have.
Bringing joy to others, and to some, a healing salve.
Jesus, You were humbled, to take a servant’s role.
You were brought humility to the very soul.
Nothing that You did Lord, deserved what You received;
But through Your true humility, many have believed.
Jesus, make me willing, to be a servant true;
Help me be like You, Lord, in everything I do.
SOMEBODY CARED
Somebody cared, down on his knees,
Somebody cared; was that one me?
Down on my knees, calling on God,
Down on my knees, feeling His prod.
Caring for those hurting so deep;
Caring for those who lie in a heap.
Lives so shattered – torn apart,
Dying of a broken heart.
Help me Lord to hear their cry;
Help me reach out, e’er they die.
Many come right by my door,
Open my eyes to see them more.
Lord, prepare me on my knee,
For prayer, I know, is the key;
To unlock doors and break the chains,
Bringing the lost, eternal gains.
Lord prepare me through Your Word,
To help those who have not heard,
That You care whate’er their need,
Lord help me to plant the seed.
Help me to act out Your love,
Help me to take off my glove;
Fearing not to soil my hands,
So that others can break their bands.
Somebody cared down on his knees,
Somebody cared Lord, let it be me.
Down on my knees, I call on God,
Down on my knees, I’ll feel His prod.
* * *
Inspired through a sermon Feb. 6, 1983
IN THE CRISIS HOUR
I need You Jesus, I need You now, I need You Jesus, in this crisis hour.
I feel so broken and torn apart; come and heal my broken heart.
Crying and weeping, I come to You, asking of You, to fill me anew.
Fill me with peace and calm serene; Help me always on You to lean.
Only You, Jesus, can take the void and fill me with that newfound joy,
Only You can dry my tears and take away my every fear.
Jesus, I choose to start anew; Jesus, I choose to trust in You.
Trust You when the storm clouds rise; trust You, for You’re always wise.
Jesus, how could I not see, what You’ve always done for me?
No one else could see me through or say, “I know, I’ve been there too.”
Thank you Jesus, for being here, Thank you Jesus, for hearing my prayer.
As I walk with You each day, I will see the sun’s bright ray.
MASKS
We hide behind our self-made masks,
Pretending all is well;
Alas, we only fool ourselves,
For others, soon can tell.
Our masks may take on many forms;
Half-truths, self-denial;
And maybe even bitterness,
When death seems so final.
We do not wish to bare our souls,
Fearing more rejection;
For others cannot understand
Our pain and frustration.
Alas, my friend that’s not the case;
Some long to reach that shore,
Sharing your pain and emptiness,
For they’ve been there before.
Open up your hearts to them
And let them share your pain;
Let them guide you through the dark,
And out to light again.
Take off the mask and you will see
That others love you best,
When you will truly be yourself
And leave to Christ, the rest.
Rest in Him and you will see
You’ll never need the mask,
For His is there to meet each need
All you must do is ASK.
FREEDOM IN FORGIVENESS
I’m free; the burden’s been lifted;
I’m free from the shackles that bind.
The burden of unforgiveness,
Has finally been put behind.
It seems so light now, my Father,
No longer, I carry the load;
The load of bitterness, anger,
That squeezed me in Satan’s mold.
I’m free as a soaring eagle;
I’m free as Your children at play
;
I’m free to care and be loved,
For this is a brand new day.
Yes, freedom brings a new step, Lord;
A step that is light and serene;
A step that brings me to victory,
Praise God, I now feel so clean!
Jesus, You unlocked my prison;
My prison of turmoil and pain,
No more do I feel entangled,
You’ve brought me peace once again.
I’m free; the burden’s been lifted;
I’m free from the shackles that bind;
Shackles of anger and hatred,
Have finally been put behind.
Written out of my own experiencing of forgiving a loved one.
GOD’S BEAUTY
God’s beauty is all around us; God’s beauty is everywhere.
The fall brings forth its colors, in a spectrum oh, so rare.
The hues of gold and of crimson, blending of burnt orange and brown,
Caught in the rays of sunlight, to shine like a shimmering gown.
The beauty’s oh so breathtaking, how can we comprehend,
That God, the Great Creator, could give us such a blend?>
(One of my favorite poems, which was inspired as I drove home from a women’s retreat. The Lord has constantly reminded me of the verse, “Be still and know that I am God.”
BE STILL MY CHILD
Be still my child and hear my voice
Be still my child; make me your choice;
Draw from My well and learn of Me,
Be still My child, I’ll set you free.
The battle rages in your soul,
The battle rages o’er and o’er;
How long will you in turmoil sit?
Be still My child, your soul I’ll knit.
Bathe in My Word and you will see
A rest and peace come over thee;
A peace this world can never give;
Dwell in My Word and you will live.
Life victorious can be yours,
When you will unlock the doors;
Doors, which lead to doubt and fear,
Learn to hand them o’er to me.
Be still My child, rest in My love,
Draw anew from the Heavenly Dove,
Be still and you will only see,
Peace and joy eternally.
© Jean Anderson