Rear View Mirror Living

How often do I live life

Looking in the rear view mirror

Trying to move forward

All the while glancing back

Trying to focus on today

But thinking of the past

Why do I live with past regrets

Of sins confessed, repented of and forgiven

Which only robs each day

Of peace, hope and joy

How often do I mourn what’s lost

Failing to trust God’s plan for today

When will I choose to let go of my grief

Embrace and celebrate what the Lord has given me today?

by Susan Wachtel

May 19, 2012

Five Minute Friday…Sobering Perspective

Those days I feel overwhelmed

By the pressing, unrelenting demands of work

Come home weary and fatigued

When tempted to wonder, “How do others do it?”

Instead I look around and see

So many effected by the continuing downward spiral of our economy

Drivers and cars that used to head off to work

Now stay in the driveway each day

Lawns once green and manicured

Now have turned brown

Gardens once tended

Are now overgrown with weeds

Homes that used to show signs of live

Now stand empty for no one is home

Lord…may I have a heart of compassion

May I have a heart of gratitude for Your provisions

May I be faithful in prayer for those in need of jobs

Reach out where You lead

May I not presume upon my God

Who causes it to rain on the just and unjust alike

May I have a right perspective and attitude

Depending upon God for the strength to persevere

By Susan Wachtel

May 19, 2012

A day late…but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to participate in The GypsyMama’s Five Minute Friday.  Head on over and give it a try and be sure to read the writings of many gifted individuals while you are there. 

Welcome Home

Home should be a place

Where warm arms embrace you

Welcome you home

After a long hard day

Where you are embraced by your biggest supported

Your champion who believes in you

Accepts you for who you are

Imperfections and all

A place where judgment and condemnation

Are forbidden to enter

A place where you are loved by one

Who never ceases to hope and pray for you

A place where you can rest

Your weary body, mind and soul

Without fear that you will be examined

Picking apart every thought, word and deed

A place where you are encouraged

Though the world may leave you discouraged

A place where the enemy feels very unwelcome

Where he may not enter in

A place where forgiveness, love, grace and mercy flow free

Given beyond measure

by Susan Wachtel

May 6, 2012

Sin Debt

She dreamed she was standing in the long and winding line

Up ahead the Judgment Seat of Christ

She held a bill in her hand

On it the summary of her sin debt

She knew there was no way she could pay

The enormous debt she had incurred

She had spent a life time going her own way

Ignoring the stops signs God had placed in her path

All her life she tried to blot out the truth and reality of God

The One to Whom she must give an account

She believed she was better than some, not as bad as others

Now she could not escape the truth

Her heart was deceitfully wicked above all things

In her lies no good thing

She began to weep and cry out to God

“Lord, forgive me for I have sinned”

As she wiped the tears from her eyes

She felt a hand on her shoulder

She looked over

Saw a nail pierced hand

She looked up, staring into the eyes of compassion

Filled with mercy and grace

“Give Me your sin debt

For I have paid the price”

“You have been forgiven

Your sin has been removed”

“Dear one, go and sin no more

For I have set you free”

She awoke from her sleep

Darkness surrounded her

Her heart was pounding

She whispered, “Was it a dream?”

Then she cried out

“Lord Jesus I believe”

By Susan Wachtel

May 6, 2012