just for today . . .a mother's heart . . .3/26/13

Dear Holy Friends,   During Advent we ponder Mary and Joseph and the baby. I believe historians tells us Joseph was dead by the time Jesus was crucified. That left Mary to ponder things all alone. Being a mother of four sons her heart really touches mine. How did she make it through that week, for she knew what God said about her son?   In His Grip, Chandra     the mother's heart     From the day he was born     she pondered things, Treasured moments and days     filled with good things. How quickly did the joy     from Sunday fade? Did she wish someone     His place would trade? From His first breath she'd known     this sad day would come. But maybe she had hoped     God would spare His Son. With the crowd she rejoiced     it was God's Plan. Her Son would make way the     salvation of man. She knew that week God's will     would be done, How hard to grasp the truth     her Savior was her Son.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 3/26/13~

Just For Today . . .The Shadow . . .3/25/13

Dear Holy Friends,   While I love Christmas, the magic of it all (and I don't mean the commercial part), this week each year causes me to pause and ponder in ways no other week does. Yesterday we celebrated his entry and the loud Hosannas. He entered that week knowing what was to come. Yet, he still taught and loved and cared. I wish I was more like Him.   in His grip, Chandra   The Shadow   The shadow of the cross loomed    He saw it all of the time,    as he walked, talked, and taught    the cross followed behind. Ignoring the shadow He kept on     each step He took for us,     showing us how to follow Him,     teaching us how to trust. How could he walk through that week     without shouting of what was to come?     How could he keep loving them-me     stay with them instead of run? He knew the betrayal would happen     his beloved would run and deny,     He also knew me and my life     my sins were another reason to die. I walk in the shadow of the cross     thinking of all He did for me,     the path He took His final week     is why I'm saved and free.   ~Chandra Lynn Snith~

Just For Today . . .The Days Between . . .3/22/13

Dear Holy Friends,   I must admit I sometimes wonder if sending poems every day is a bit too much. But, I have recently had a few requests for more poems. Since I focused on advent during December, it seems appropriate I do an Easter week theme. So, here you go . . .   In His Grip, Chandra     The Days Between   He entered town in victory     cheering and jubilant song, They waved palms and shouted     so when did it go wrong? Yet, amidst the joy that day     He knew what would come, How could he smile and celebrate     knowing what would be done?   He rode in with joy     loving everyone He met, Could any of us do that     love those we knew would forget? Thinking of how He spent His last week     healing and teaching wondrous things, I don't think I could give myself     aware of what the week's end would bring.   This week we remember His entry     the joyous and happy day, Next week we look to His arising     from death to show us the Way. But, do not forget the days between     which he walked with mercy and grace. Because of Him and all He did     in heaven I have a place.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~

Pondering Heart: Paradox

Dear Holy Friends,   I love the delivery scene in The Nativity Story when Joseph helps deliver the baby and then just breaks down and cries as they see the Baby. It is a side of the whole Christmas story I think we may sometimes skim over. This poem is for Joseph.   in His grip, Chandra     Paradox   I hold a paradox the tiny babe in my arms, In Him prophecies come true how can I keep him from harm? Why am I the chosen father of this heavenly child? I cannot organize my thoughts they circle and run wild. This boy so small and helpless is going to look up to me? I am a poor carpenter hardly fit for royalty. I look at this little baby feel fear and humility. This is a mighty task I face Father, I need you to help me. And as I pray to you my God I hold my son, Your Son. My baby, my child, my Savior, God may Your will be done.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~

Pondering Heart: Not Here, Not Now

Dear Holy Friends,   There was a nice frost on the ground this morning, and the pond had a sheen of ice. Aah . . . that looks like Christmas. We may have flurries tonight and tomorrow. Aah, again. The peace that no one can explain but only happens on Christmas is covering my household. I LOVE Christmas Eve!   in His grip, Chandra     Not Here, Not Now   Not here, not now, I just want to be at home, it's not time, cannot be, just Joseph and me alone. Why a stable,not even a room is there really nowhere to stay? Thought we'd be home in time, but the pains started today. Not here, not now, not a barn instead of my home, did we do wrong Father God, why are we alone? I'm scared Lord, it hurts Lord, can't say I understand you, my faith is big but my trust is small I'm weary, I cannot remember what to do. . . . not here, not now . . .   ~Chandra Lynn Smith ~

Pondering Heart: Head Full of Thoughts

Dear Holy Friends,   We are down to the last few days. I have not finished shopping and that's okay. I enjoy last minute shopping. I try to smile at those who aren't smiling. I started some of my baking Thursday and one of my sons said, "I wondered when you'd start making cookies!" Today my house will smell like cookies and breads. Yum. I don't know how many days Mary and Joseph traveled before arriving and labor beginning. But the next few days poems' will be some of my older ones about the journey and the birth.   in His grip, Chandra     Head Full of Thoughts   sleep eluding baby moving leg cramps at night, body bloating emotions floating dreams filled with fright, world changing life rearranging not ready at all, packing gear time is near that donkey looks so small, faith wavering home savoring soon is time to go, Lord blessing peace caressing following the unknown.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~

Pondering heart: MOst Kings

Dear Holy Friends,   I don't imagine a single one of us was not deeply affected by the events of Friday. I wrote a bunch over the weekend, but am not ready to share yet. This one I wrote last week as I pondered differences between King Jesus and every other king our world have ever had. As I read over it today I know that our precious King Jesus is the only answer for the pain in this life.   in His grip, Chandra     Most Kings   most kings have servants mine came to serve me most kings rule with fear mine set my heart free most kings imprison mine offers me grace most kings rule from a throne mine chose a bed of hay most kings like control mine gave me free will most kings want action mine says 'peace, be still' most kings answer to no one mine answers God above most kings offer nothing mine offers perfect love.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 12/10/12~

Pondering Heart: Don't Miss the Night

 

Dear Holy Friends,   I wonder how bogged down people are right about now. I am listening to Faith Hill sing "A Baby Changes Everything" right now and I pray that all who are hearing that song at this moment have paused to think about its meaning. I pray we don't miss the night.   in His grip, Chandra     Don't Miss The Night The night was dark the air was cold, no one could know what the hours hold. A quiet town filled with guests, all they needed a good night's rest. And while they slept their world would change, salvation's plan did rearrange. Two tired people would become three, a stable stall made history. How many missed their Savior's birth, so busy with life they lost its worth? I hope we won't miss the Holy Night, our Savior's birth that makes life right.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 11/27/12~

Pondering Heart: Proclamations

dear Holy Friends,   This morning I played around with similar words and came up with a rather simplistic poem about Christmas.   in His Grip, Chandra     Proclamations   sin's devastation God's frustration man's emotions God's devotion evil generation God's dedication need restoration God's incarnation Mary's gestation mankind's salvation   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 12/12/12~

Pondering Heart: A Manger Look . . .12/10/12

Dear Holy Friends,   We all do it . . . wear the happy face when things are way less than that. Whether we can't share or won't or just think our issues aren't important, we tend to hide the real difficult things from others. But, this time of year more than others I think the increased stress makes us cover the rough things even more. But, one look at the manger and the birth of Grace can bring us all to our knees in prayer and praise.   in His grip, Chandra   A Manger Look I'm okay doing well facing things can't you tell? not to worry it's all okay know I can make it through this day . . . facade crumbles weary heart when I give it up my healing starts. see the manger drop to my knees the Savior born meets all my needs.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 11/29/12~

Ponderign Heart: Reset the Heart . . .12/6/12

Dear Holy Friends,

 

It is only December 6th and already I see people stressed out by the season. It's such a shame that so many have lost the meaning of Christmas. I know it is tough sometimes, but I try to do everything I can to remember Jesus. Christmas carols, even the secular ones, point me to why they are playing. Everything points me to the manger and that keeps the joy in my heart.

 

in His grip,

Chandra

 

 

Reset the Heart

shopping

parties

rushing around,

mean crowds

long lines

joy not found,

stressed out

too tired

energy gone,

we've lost

the hope

the Holy One,

reset

your heart

feel no more loss,

Savior

sleeping

in the shadow of a cross.

 

~Chandra Lynn Smith, 12/6/12~

Pondering Heart: Joy of Heaven . . .12/4/12

Dear Holy Friends,

 

Our scripture for the first Advent candle this week was from Luke when Gabriel appeared to Mary. I have been thinking about that this week as I look for depth of Christmas inside me. This morning I though about Gabriel's mission.

 

in His grip,

Chandra

 

 

Joy of Heaven

 

Think of the excitement

heaven filled with tension,

something about to happen

beyond their comprehension.

Gabriel given a mission

to a virgin named Mary,

no one fully grasped

the message that he carried.

Were the angels surprised

at what God had planned?

did they think humans worthy

to receive the Son of Man?

Gabriel delivered

the message to the girl

one single act that

forever changed the world.

And as I savor the season

the miracle of God's love

I hope my celebration

please those in heaven above.

 

~Chandra Lynn Smith, 12/4/12~

Ponderign Heart: Heart Beating for Mine . . .12/3/12

Dear Holy Friends,   He came to earth for me, for you. He took on flesh for us. So many people missed it then. So many still do today. I don't want to miss it.   in his Grip, Chandra Lynn Smith     Heart Beating for Mine   what would it be like to hear angels sing, see the star in the sky to witness these things? what if tonight I felt peace on earth, and finally understood the precious baby's birth? or would I be like them and sleep through the night, unaware life was changing missing the amazing sight? may I not wake tomorrow finding reason to whine, but look to the manger where a baby's heart beats for mine.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 11/23/12~

Just For Today . . .poems in all times . . .10/23/12

Dear Holy friends,   Years ago when I began Just For Today I never submitted anything that wasn't upbeat. I remember being told that there was no way I could always be that up all of the time. To those of you who said that, you were right. The fact that all my poems were up didn't mean I always was. I know I haven't submitted as many poems in the past two years. I aim to do a little better in the days to come. Please know this, there is a little of me in every poem I write. But many time a poem is entirely written for someone I know in something they face. Recently, I haven't written as many new poems, for many reasons.   Please do not read my words and worry. If you are led to pray for me, always follow that lead as I do for you. But when you read my poems, read them and listen for what God is saying to you. I fully believe each poem I write is from Him to someone who needs it. That's why I send them out to so many people.   Have a blessed week. In his grip, Chandra     poems in all times what happens when the poems don't come do you just put the pens away? or do you force yourself to write and find them anyway? maybe they didn't really leave they just changed, and in the sad places of your heart the words got rearranged. but what of people who read the uplifting things you write? will they understand some words come from dark times, not light? illness, death, betrayals come at some point in each life, without the dark of the valleys we face we'd not enjoy the light. give the dark places a chance to work wonders in your heart, and realize it's in our hard times some of the best poems start. some will read these words and wonder if I'm okay, others will read them and know I wrote for them today. I always write from things in my heart things I think, feel, or see, wonder not the source of my words, just let God use them to help you be free.   Chandra Lynn Smith, 10/23/12

Just For Today . . . in the darkness . . . 8/10/12

Dear Holy friends,   Dry spells . . . we all have them. While I have been writing much recently, I have not sent my poetry out. I've been dealing with my own dry spell. The thing is I know some others who are too. A marriage ended, a relationship got nasty, a beloved pet died, a baby died, a pregnancy ended, a prodigal struggled, a lady miscarried, a mother died, a father died . . . and the list goes on. For me, writing the darkness is not an option, it is a necessity. This morning I felt led to share this with you all.     In The Darkness   writing in the darkness is tough makes it hard to see, without any light on things there's no poetry. the darkness wraps tentacles around heart and soul, thoughts and words won't organize heartache takes its toll, but writing in the darkness is the only way, to make sense of the senseless and get through the day. my soul feels the dark right now and gets weighted down, and writing in the pain is crying without sound. and somewhere in the darkness is a ray of light. words written on the pages help to make it right. one day darkness will retreat allowing room for light, and pages filled with sorrow helped within the fight.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 8/9/12~

Just For Today . . .Living Fog

Dear Holy Friends,

 

Several requests have come to me that I resume my submissions. So, as I get back into the daily mode, I shall send along some of my older ones.

Living Fog   the fog is alive   moving, changing       almost   breathing its way       across   the field . . . white fog, peaceful   but in the back       shadowed   black fog hovers       threatens   the field . . .   looking at the fog   foreboding, warning       daring   me to hope       of sunshine to burn it away . . . sun tops the trees   lights the field       dark fog   dissipates       white fog   slowly floats away . . .   God's light in me   moving, changing       always   breathing His way       within   my heart and soul . . . Darkness threatens   within my mind       taunts   Spirit reminds   God's light keeps me whole . . .   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 7/30/08~   My friends, whether the fog before you is white or dark, it still blocks the light of God. Trust in Him, He will burn the fog away allowing you into His most marvelous light!   love, Chandra

the pondering heart . . .shadow of the cross . . .12/26/11

Dear Holy Friends,

 

One of the most powerful Christmas pictures I have seen is the one with the shadow of a cross over the manger. It inspired this poem.

 

In His Grip, Chandra

 

The Shadow of The Cross

The infant in the manger

tiny and brand new,

how could it be

He could save me and you?

No crowns and royal clothing

for this King of kings,

rags and a smelly barnyard

for the Lord of everything.

Lying in the golden hay

innocence of a baby boy,

heavenly royalty

wrapped in newborn joy.

God, in the babe in the hay

let the miracle not be lost,

look closely in this Holy light

and see the shadow of the cross.

 

~Chandra Lynn Smith~

 

the pondering heart . . . fingers and toes . . . 12/25/11

Dear Holy Friends, We came back from midnight services last night and took our Baby Jesus that stays out of the mange all of December, placed Him in the manger and sang Happy Birthday to Him. I love the beauty of Christmas Eve and the peacefulness of the morning before the others are up. ( and now that they are not young . . . they don't wake early at all. yay!) So, this morning I can ponder what it was like when Mary held her baby. In His Grip, Chandra Fingers and Toes Ten fingers, ten toes, dark hair, crinkled nose, tiny feet, soft skin, dark eyes, little chin, sleeping peacefully, crying loud, beautiful baby, parents proud. Baby's breathing, pounding heart, perfect child, joy starts, baby noises, bright eyes, tiny movements, contented sighs, sleep interrupted, time compressed, life enriched, family blessed. Every parent feels this way, long ago and still today, Holy night in a manger stall, God on earth in a babe small, I bet his mother kissed His nose and counted fingers and tiny toes. ~Chandra Lynn Smith!

the pondering heart . . . not here, not now . . . 12/24/11

Dear Holy Friends, My house is loud, my sons are home and I am smiling . . even as I try to get away from their chasing me in their crazy voices! I think of Mary and Joseph and what this day was for them. I wonder how tough it was when Mary realized the time had come. Perhaps she prayed 'not here, not now.'   In His Grip, Chandra   Not Here, Not Now   Not here, not now, I just want to be home. It's not time, it cannot be, it's Joseph and me alone. Why a stable, not even a room, really there is nowhere to stay? I thought we'd get home in time, then the pains started today.   Not here, not now, God, is something wrong, Mama should be here, or someone at least why are we so alone? Can Joseph do this, does he know how? I wish your plan I could see. For at this moment in time I am beginning to doubt me.   Not here, not now, does Joseph know what to do? The star in the sky above us A sign sent to us from You? My faith is big but, trust feels small. I need to feel Your presence in this manger stall. . . . Not here, not now   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, updated 12/24/11~

the pondering heart . . . head full of thoughts. . .12/22/11

Dear Holy friends,   How often are we like that? Our head so full of thoughts we cannot organize them into one coherent one. Especially these last few days when the list of what is yet to do can overwhelm. Maybe today we could all benefit from a little being like Mary and treasure these things in our heart and ponder them!   In His Grip, Chandra   In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. . . .So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:1,4-5 Head Full Of Thoughts sleep eluding baby moving leg cramps at night, body bloating emotions floating dreams filled with fright, world changing life rearranging not feeling ready at all, packing gear time is near that donkey looks so small, faith wavering home savoring soon is time to go, Lord blessing peace caressing trust and let worries go. ~Chandra Lynn Smith~