You were the Barbie jeep engineer.
You were the 5-card pinochle player.
You were the gripe to do the dishes.
You were the patient mall bench sitter.

You were Elvis Presley records and
paper backed crime novels.
You were my new antivirus software.
You were the chatter in the middle of an
NCIS episode.
You were the "It's okay, sweetie" on the
other end of the phone.

You were the voice of every bathtime storybook.
You were the baking soda on my first wasp sting.
You were the green Ford Escort parked
outside my middle school every afternoon.

You were the loudest clap at my graduation.
You were the sticky caramel corn crumbs in the
living room that held the place together.
You were the laughter

You were the toolkit when my pictures hung crooked.
You were the cornerback baker, the pecan pie maker,
dance recital seat saver and the road trip driver.
You were the puppy-dog pill-giver and the
broken heart mender.

You were the church goer and the goodness seeker.
You were the black-haired teaser and the
very best secret keeper.
You were a prideful wig wearer and
wheelchair rider.

You were a cancer fighter.

You were my first call.
You still are.

The rain drops cold but the memory sweet
I remember the days before I sat at Your feet
The mind like a deck of cards without distinctions
Going on just the same life without restrictions
Thoughts of lust grabbed me young
But still it was I that thought it would be fun
Lord I rushed to the front so many times at church
I was like a bird taking new a different perch
Lord I cannot say when You saved me or such of the sort
Lord but what I do know is that You are now my only resort
I feel my story lacks that awesome power clearly displayed
Yet when I close my eyes I know that Your beauty is arrayed
I think of the millions of stars that makes the whole world small
Lord I also think of how You suffered for my fall
Lord I am nothing but the dust that You formed to be like You
Truly a blessing that is really not my due
But nevertheless I know that through the trial and storm
Slowly but surely the character in me starts to form
Into something that is not my own
I feel a yearning for a truer home
Lord please have mercy and grace on me
Without You this is nothing but a dead man’s plea

The world was dark without form
This was the beginning the norm
Our minds roamed free in days past
Before we were taught dreams did last
No one said I could not fly
I never had to explain why
The mind of a child is gold
May his little mind never grow old
Who sees the beauty in all things
Who truly reflects the King of kings
A child can conquer any obstacle
Cause of faith all things are possible
A child loves despite what is done
A child will never stop but run
Run until he can’t no more
But that is when he will soar
A child’s smile is priceless
May a child never be godless
And lose his innocence so precious
And fall prey to the enemy so vicious
So change a child’s life with joy and peace
And see the blessing of God be released

Draw your lines on the battlefield
Pushing and striving yet none will yield
This is the war that continues after it ended
These are the people we left undefended
God is good and all the time
Can you say that with your life on the line
Oh death where is your sting
Do you believe that with your everything
Maybe none of us were ready for war
There is no choice when the enemy’s at the door
Fight the good fight we were told
Repetition made the command grow old
Soldier! Pull yourself together
Don’t you know that live or die God lives forever
We are strong not on our own
We fight not against flesh and bone
Sing and shout praise God at length
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
You practise when the times are good
You only win the battle if your ground you stood
Lord through all things may I serve
For truly You haven’t given me what I deserve
Lord I reach out to You most High
The Lord of all who will hear my cry
Glory and honour to You alone
Holy Spirit You will guide me home