Footprints in the Sand (The Mary Stevenson Original)

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints in the sand,

is when I carried you."

Birthday thotz (Runa Original)

Feeling the usual birthday blues...
I wonder what God thinks
of this thing
we call a 'birthday'
and the hooha we put on it!

When I was younger

nobody ever remembered
my birthday
even my parents!
I can't ever recall
of my parents
ever giving
me a birthday party!

The other day my friend
was going for a coming of age party
for a friend's daughter
I heard it was going to be grand one
held at a hotel
She was turning 21
My friend had bought some golden jeweleries for her
Because she was a rich man's daughter
so the gift must also befits her!

Wow! I think she will have more befitting gifts
from relatives and friends coming for the party

what a lucky young lady!

I grew up actually despising this thing call 'birthday'
until I discovered the true meaning of what it meant
to be alive and
given the right to live
by the One who made
me for Himself
from that day my heart
found its healing...

though nobody really remembers
or appreciate
this thing call Runa's birthday
No flowers or gifts or even a cake...

I know my heavenly Father does

and I will celebrate that with Him
for He's the One that gave me life
and He's the One who gave me
the right to live
He gave me right to space in
His huge world
He gave me my being
and its true meaning!

So, its going to be another quiet
and demure birthday
as usual for the last many years
nevertheless...blessed birthday!

I am loved, I am embraced,
I am accepted
Therefore I am blessed!
Thank You, my heavenly Father
for giving me the
greatest gift of all...
and that is You!
And that is the best ever present
one can have

for their birthday,
eternal and priceless!

God's world, still! (Runa Original)

Sometimes when I see
what's going on around me
and in the larger world...

why the good seems to suffer?
why innocent children have to die meaninglessly?
why the evil always gets away?

why the earth is groaning so loudly?
through earthquakes
through storms and typhoon
through hurricanes and tsunamis
through sickness and diseases

why are leaders power crazy and hungry?
while the ordinary people suffers?
they pay it with their lives
they become displaced in their own lands
their children are born and might not live long

in the freer world there are still forms of slavery
the poor are slaves to their circumstances
the rich are the taskmasters

So, I asked myself...where is God in all of these?
I heard His still small voice saying...
This is my world, still
There is always hope
that lies in the eternal and not the temporal
there is hope!
that lies in the fact that this is not a lone planet
but one that is being watched by
and preserved by it Creator!
The God of Heaven and Earth
The God Incarnate, Jesus Christ
The God Holy Spirit, dwelling in the midst
of people of faith

Yes, my heart says...this is God's world still

He's still in control so we will not be utterly destroyed!
The Day of Restoration is coming
Then there will be the new heaven and the new earth
A new beginning of what this life was intended to be and become
An eternal communion with the One
who made us for Himself
for friendship and fellowship of eternal love
Yes, this is God's world, still!