Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep
The dishes in the sink will keep
The overflowing trash will wait
The laundry never will out-date;
For more important than the stack
Are those who ate and did not lack
And those who knew the covering
Of clothes, and more, of Christ the King.

Now I lay me down quite spent,
The dust bunnies are all content
To wait until tomorrow, so,
I'll close my eyes and let them go.
For more important than the dirt
Was time to stop and heal a hurt
To listen to a heart in pain
And help it start anew again.

Now I lay me down to rest
Lord, you know that I did my best
Though sleepy now, I must confess
Beneath this darkness, lies a mess;
But Jesus loves a disarray
If that is how he plans a day
He doesn't see a bed unmade
But only how He's been obeyed.

Now I lay me down to snore
I didn't make “to love” a chore
I rocked, and read, and vanquished fears
I played, and fed, and dried small tears
I built up hopes while dusting fans
I colored sunsets in with crayons
So now, dear Lord, if you see fit
Let me rest myself a bit.

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my mess to keep
Still my mind and calm my heart
And bless me with new strength to start.

For what, my Christ?

For what, my Christ,
Was Godhead rent?
You--one of three--
His own blood spent
On Calvary.
 
What paradox!
Most glorious made
When by One owed
A debt was paid
And life endowed.
 
Such satisfaction,
Dearly bought--
Oh may my erring heart
Be taught a more
Obedient part.
 
For not a lifetime
Could have earned--
No, not ten lifetimes
Could have learned--
REDEMPTION!
 
Yet you, dear Christ,
In moments knew
My total shame;
The nails passed through
My debt by name.

Timeless Prayer

Oh Father God, which ever art in Heaven,
Today I kneel and marvel at your name.
I am so glad your love is set upon me,
Through endless ages, evermore the same.
Thy kingdom come, in time that you deem perfect;
Thy Will be done, though I don't see the end;
So now, my burdens, take here at Your Footstool;
I trust them ever to my God, my Friend.

Oh Father God, which rules in earth and heaven,
Give us this day Thy Strength and Daily Bread
And needed grace to offer up forgiveness
As You graced us when once for all you bled.
The tempter lurks, but love lights up the pathway,
Though shadows fall, Your Spirit shines a light--
Lord, You are with me; I will fear no evil,
Thy Staff of Presence comforts through the night.

(chorus)
It may not be the answer I expected;
It may not be the end I had in mind,
But God—my Help, my Strength, and my Director--
Sees to the end, when I am poor and blind.
Though He race in with “Yea” and quick relieve me,
Though He in perfect wisdom answer “Nay,”
Or in foresight lift me up while waiting,
I'm trusting Him in every prayer today.

Surely my days, shall Thy blessed mercy follow,
Thy goodness glow, without and from within,
And I shall dwell within Thy house forever--
Oh Father hear my prayer. Amen . . . Amen.

Presence of Peace

When for the darkness
The way is not clear;
When footholds are few,
When rest is not near;
I have a dear Shepherd
Who certainly leads
Beside the still waters,
The rest, and the reeds.
In the absence of knowing
Is life with new lease;
In the absence of answers
Is presence of peace.
 
When wolves fill the shadows
With uncertain fright;
When the way to the sheepfold
Is covered by night;
I have a dear Shepherd
Who certainly leads,
Beside the still waters
The rest, and the reeds.
In the absence of sunlight
Is Jesus who sees;
In the absence of moonlight
Is presence of peace.
 
When the way is too steep,
And the sun is too hot;
When those we love sleep,
When we have—but have not;
I have a dear Shepherd
Who certainly leads,
Beside the still waters
The rest, and the reeds.
In the absence of dry eyes
Is deepest release,
In the absence of quiet
Is presence of peace.

To What Effect the Empty Tomb?

To what effect the empty tomb?
The fallen shroud that made Christ room?
Rejoice, oh resurrected soul!
For by Him risen, we are whole--
Sweet guarantee—diverted doom
To that effect, the empty tomb!
 
To what effect the empty tomb?
What parted hopes are there exhumed!
For though a death must change for life--
To live again hence dulls the knife--
As flowers on a deathbed bloom
To that effect the empty tomb!

To what effect the empty tomb?
A bride now waits upon her groom,
Now may she bide in pleasing grace,
Transfixed in loving on His face—
Christ will return; His reign resume—
To that effect the empty tomb!

Maggie's Lullaby

If I had a lullaby
Sent from heaven to my arms,
Guilded soft with angel's songs
That could still the heart's alarms,
I would sing it every night;
I would rock so patiently,
So the everlasting arms
Could be felt by you through me.

If I had a lullaby
You could take with you in part,
I would whisper it in prayers
While I held you near my heart,
"Jesus is my lullaby,
Peace and solace in the night--
Take His lullaby, my child,
You will never lack a light!"

(chorus)
Child lay down in peace and sleep,
Leave your troubles for His mind,
For His thoughts are greater far
Than the thoughts you leave behind.
Rest in safety, for the day,
And the past, and what's to come,
All lay settled past the dawn
Near the heart of Christ the Son!

Believing Draught

I cannot cease;
I cannot halt;
Upon my knees
My every fault
I offer up.
 
And then for blessing
God, I plead—
My griefs, my heart’s
Most minute need—
My dearest hopes.
 
For at thy throne
And near thy feet
Are wells untapped
And seas replete
For thirsty souls.
 
Don’t seek out men
And fools be-robed—
But seek the truth
That has un-globed
Their little roles.
 
I speak, O self-
Encumbered heart
Of living water
That restarts
A life at One
 
Believing draught.
This living water
Dearly bought,
Cost unstopped slaughter
Of a Father’s Son.
 
And with that Holy
Breath unspent,
All hell was crushed
The veil was rent—
NOW ENTER IN!
 
The heart that stopped
But for a time
Was Deity,
And Blood Divine—
And hope from sin.