It was so wonderful to attend the She Speaks 15 conference. I learned many things and met some really wonderful women of God. We are all trying to learn to use our voice for spreading the word of God. Proverbs 31 Ministries puts on the conference every year with the theme of “Writing words that move people”
One person I met was Lisa Simmons. She blogs about autism and also has a book out called “I Would Have Said Yes” We talked about our children and that lead us into a discussion on the Children of Israel. Lisa wrote this beautiful poem and I wanted to share that with you today (and with Lisa’s permission). It spoke to me because of our work with orphans and listening to God’s calling. I hope it speaks to you the way it did to me.
ARE WE ANY DIFFERENT?
I wondered as I read today
How Your children fell away.
Couldn’t they see you always there
Holding their hand;
showing you care.
But are we that different
From the people of old?
We have more than ever
Yet our hearts are so cold.
Why can’t WE see
That you’re still there
Holding OUR hand
telling US you care.
“Lord give me a job.
It’s all I need
I’ll praise your name
If you help me succeed.”
“If I give you that job
then will you know
that I am the God
who loves you so?”
Yet I go to work
While my family sleeps
Returning home
To say “sweet dreams”
While the Lord says,
“come to my table.
Eat ‘til you’re full
The cup’s overflowing
The banquet goes on.
I made every planet .
The sun, moon and stars.
Don’t you know
Those are trinkets
Compared to your heart.”
“Lord, one more thing,
and then I’ll be done.
There’s this house
Behind gates.
It’s the perfect one.
If that were my house, Lord
No one could deny
Jehovah Jireh
The God who provides.”
“If I give you that house.
Then will you know
I am the Lord
Will your giving grow?”
“Thank you Lord
for a great place to live.
As soon as it’s furnished,
I’ll start to give.”
Still the Lord says,
“Come to my table.
Eat ‘til you’re full
The cup’s overflowing
The banquet goes on.
I made every planet .
The sun, moon and stars.
Don’t you know
Those are trinkets
Compared to your heart.”
“I’m at the end Lord.
I know I am dying
Life goes so fast
I thought there was time
I’m sorry for shortchanging you Lord
For saying the right things
But not doing more.
The things that I thought
Were going to last
Have all gone away
So there’s nothing to ask.
I guess we’re no different
Than children of old.
We ask, beg and plead
For blessings untold.
Why can’t we learn
From your words in the past
That only the praise
We give you will last.
Still the Lord says,
“come to my table.
Eat ‘til you’re full
The cup’s overflowing
The banquet goes on.
I made every planet .
The sun, moon and stars.
Don’t you know
Those are trinkets
Compared to your heart.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5-6
May the Lord Bless you and keep.
Yvonne
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
