There was a horse that frolicked in the fields all day. When he got tired or hungry, he would walk to the big apple tree that stood by the creek. He would grab an apple and lay down in the shade of the tree. He grew up with that tree and he loved that tree.
He thought the tree would always be there.
But late one afternoon, as the horse sat under the tree, a terrible storm came to the farm. It came so fast that the horse was caught off guard and had to stay under the tree for shelter.
But as the winds roared, the rains poured , the thunder rolled and the lightning stuck, the horse was feeling uneasy.
Then the tree was struck by lightning. As it caught fire, sparks flew down and the horse’s mane caught on fire. He ran out into the rain to save his mane and ran to the barn as fast as he could.
As he stayed in the barn, he started thinking how could the tree do this to him? He had spent a lifetime with that tree. Why would the tree hurt him so?
He spent several days in the barn. Depressed and anxious about going back into the fields. But as the days went by, he became lonely, and his belly started grumbling.
He took a few tentative steps into the field and he wondered if he would ever be okay again. Would he always feel this way?
He looked back at the barn and started to wonder if he could really trust it, even as it had never given him a reason not to.
Days went by and he started to heal and he would sometimes look at where the charred remains of the tree stood.
Sometimes he missed the tree. Sometimes he missed the apples and the shade.
But as each day passed, he grew more into who he was meant to be. He grew stronger, he grew healthier, and he found the true love and happiness that was inside of him.
He looked at the barn and smiled, because he even learned to trust again.
Living in a world
We don’t want to see
Too much hurt and pain
Is our reality
Turn off the news
It doesn’t go away
It’s right next door
Seems like it’s here to stay
But I put pen to paper
Write out a few words
Maybe someone will read it
And it’ll help heal the hurt
No one’s perfect, we’ve all done wrong
We’re all paying for someone else’s crime
There’s a time to grieve and a time to grow
We all only have so much time
We all know right from wrong
We all have to live with our mistakes
We all have demons fighting to live
Do you sleep sound in the bed you make?
We all have hurt and pain
We all live in the dark and the light
We all have a choice to forgive
We all can give up or we can fight
We can be bridges or steps, too many are steps
Taking from others to raise themselves up
But being a bridge requires work to connect the gaps
We need more bridges connecting others with love
I’ve never been in your shoes
You’ve never been in mine
We’re not that different
We’re all trying to get through life
A little empathy can go a long way
A simple smile can be a spark
Thoughts matter but action is a verb
A kind word can heal a broken heart
We can all use a little help
I know we’ve turned into an instant culture
But we’re not building on solid foundations
Shifting sand only causes fallen structures
The wind blows and the water rises
And our what ifs and fears turn into reality
We have to lay stones and do the work today
To build a world we may never see
Take The Lead by Jimmy Levy –
Good Day For A Good Day by Michael Franti & Spearhead –
Every year, for a week or two, depending on the weather, we can be in awe of the amazingly beautiful cherry blossoms. I have never seen them in person but when I see pictures of them or see them on tv, they are beautiful.
Are they more beautiful because they come at the end of a long winter ? Are they more beautiful because they give us hope for a future of warm days and sunshine? Would they be as beautiful if they bloomed in July instead of late March?
And then, in the blink of an eye, they are gone and replaced by green.
And that my friends, got me thinking. About a lot of things really. How fleeting is life, relationships, our children growing up, etc etc.
But what it really got me thinking about is our society.
How we bounce from one thing to another without, at least to me, making much change. Someone or something happens and it’s all you hear about for a week or two and then someone or something else happens and the first thing is in the background or gone altogether but nothing ever changed from it. The issue is still there, we have moved on from it to something else.
And eventually, we come full circle and go through the same problems again, over and over.
And we have been doing it this way for decades and I don’t have the answers to fix it. I can only write about how I see it.
Then, as I’m thinking and looking at pictures, I noticed there in the background, meandering slowly through the picture, is the Potomac River.
But the river name doesn’t matter because all rivers are the same.
All rivers are created by smaller streams, creeks, etc flowing into them making one body of water that are no longer separated, but must work together to flow throughout its life.
And in any river you will have rocks and boulders and banks to navigate in and out and around and through.
But then the river comes back together as one.
Which is the point I’m getting to.
What if we always remembered that we, as a society, are the river. We come from different places, different walks of life, we have different beliefs and we talk differently, but we are all living here together and if we flowed together like the river does, then the beauty of the cherry blossoms would not be fleeting.
What if we remembered the hurt, remembered the pain, remembered the love and remembered the beauty of all of us and all of the world.
It’s easy to get used to seeing the beauty of a sunset until we wake up one day and realize we haven’t noticed it in months.
We have to be intentional.
Because when we can learn to live together as one, the beauty of life and how we should live it, the humanity that flows from the river that feeds the cherry blossoms will be as beautiful as cherry blossoms every day, all year round.
I see trees of green, and roses in bloom, And I think to myself, what a wonderful world we can have.
It was a long, cold, dark winter. One that she didn’t think would ever end. There was snow, rain, and sleet. A couple of times there was enough ice to nearly break the branches on the trees. The little girl held on. She waited for the warmer weather, the better times, the warmth of the sun. She knew it would come, it was just a matter of time. As she waited patiently, she would say her prayers, she would thank God for protecting her and her mommy and daddy during these cold, dark, winter nights.
Finally, the day had come. The first bud of spring appeared out of the ground. The bud peeked out of her shoot and could feel the warmth surround her. She was filled with so much joy that, at first, she didn’t notice she was the only bud sprouting. After basking in the warmth of the sunshine for a few minutes she looked around, startled that she was the only one. Where was everyone else? Was she going to be all alone? Did she come out too soon? Was colder weather coming back and she would die because of her eagerness to sprout? She was filled with fear and doubt but she stayed strong. She knew God had a plan for her. It was then that a little girl saw her and started yelling for her dad to come see the new flower. The little girl was so excited that the bud could not help but smile. Her excitement was contagious.
A little while later another bud awakened. He also took a moment to take in the warmth around him. He then looked to see if the others had awakened and that was when he saw her. She was within inches of him and he knew he would love her. It didn’t take long for her to notice him either, even though it took the help of a little girl yelling “Look, daddy, now there’s two!”
They welcomed the spring with all the other buds that started to awaken. With all the other flowers around them, they knew they were meant for each other. When the rains came, he would lean towards her to cover her petals. When the strong winds came they would lean into it together, holding stems. They were inseparable. When the bees came they opened their petals for them so they could spread their seeds to other lands where there were no flowers. They also knew that the bees relied on their pollen to take back to their hives for food. It was a beneficial relationship. Everything was new and exciting.
Then summer came. It was a scorching summer, one like they had never seen. There was no water. Many flowers died but not our couple. They shared what they had with each other. Every little drop of moisture was shared between them. Luckily, they were also planted where they had shade for part of the day. They counted the hours down together until they were cooled by the shade. Every once in awhile the little girl would come out with a can of water and water them, helping to keep them alive. They were often too tired to open their petals wide enough for the bees to come but they did their best. They knew the only way to survive this summer was with the help of others. They prayed their prayers for rain, for cooler temperatures but it was not to be. Sometimes in life, God doesn’t answer prayers and there are reasons only He knows why. They had reached a point in their relationship that they were still together, but they didn’t talk much. Too much too worry about, too much life got in the way. When was their next rain drop, how would they make it through another day without food, why couldn’t they be like they were in the spring? Did they waste this whole season of their life? They knew better because they still shared the little water they had, they still protected each other but the excitement was gone.
Before they knew it Autumn was here. They had made it through the difficult summer and were enjoying another season of their life. The rains came again, as well as cooler weather. When he looked at her she was still the most beautiful, most loving, most caring flower in the garden. When she looked at him he was still the bravest, strongest, most handsome flower this side of Eden. They held each other’s petals more each day, knowing that their days were winding down. They reflected on the spring and the summer. Days when their love was new and days when they didn’t know if they would make it. They thought of their seeds spread far and wide, soon to be new flowers that would spread their love and beauty around the world. It wasn’t easy, they had moments of doubt but they fought for each other, they fought for their love. They survived.
Soon the cold winds blew again. They held on for as long as they could but with each passing day, their petals would fall off. They knew it wouldn’t be long now but they held on for each struggling moment. Relying on each other to get by. Praying for just one more second. She was the first to go, as she was the first to sprout. He wasn’t far behind her.
The little girl, all bundled up from the cold, looked at her daddy and said, “Look, daddy, the first two here are the last two to leave. I wonder if they were happy here, I wonder if they were in love.”
“Now, now,” said the daddy, “we know flowers can’t fall in love but if they could, those two would definitely have been like me and your mom. Through all the seasons and all the weather, the rain, the sun, the cold, they were standing right beside each other. Holding petals all the while.”
The little girl giggled. Through the cold, dark, winter nights she was safe as she anxiously waited for the first bud of spring to blossom again.
I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman –
Then by Brad Paisley –
Stand By You by Rachel Platten –
Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice –
The End Is Not The Answer by Three Days Grace –
Worth Fighting For by Nine Days –
When I Said I Do by Clint Black –
Forever Changed by Carrie Underwood –
Remind Me by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood –
Would You Go With Me by Josh Turner –
I’ll Stand By You by The Pretenders –
Meant To Be by JJ Heller –
What Faith Can Do by Kutless –
To be clear, there is no Autumn or anyone else. I’m still figuring out how my new life will look and ready to explore that life alone for awhile. But when the time is right, I hope it comes so unexpectedly I have to catch my breath.
But I might have a little crush on Autumn Reeser.
Winter came and I was dark inside
Wasn’t living, just trying to survive
Wasn’t looking forward to Spring
There wasn’t a love song I could sing
And for once, I didn’t want the Summer heat
Then I saw you and you smiled at me
I wasn’t looking, didn’t see this coming
If I did I probably would’ve been running
I wasn’t ready for this again
Wasn’t ready for these feelings to begin
Wasn’t looking to love someone else
But you know I can’t lie to myself
These feelings I wasn’t expecting at all
Damn Autumn, I wasn’t expecting to fall
My life is now brighter than the colors of the leaves
And when I’d all but given up I now can believe
Love’s walked out the door so many times before
I was done, didn’t want it anymore
My heart was healing when I thought it was dead
Taking my time to clear out my head
Tired of being hurt and given up on love
Wasn’t even something I was thinking of
Then I saw you and you smiled at me
I caught my breath as my heart skipped a beat
These feelings I wasn’t expecting at all
Damn Autumn, I wasn’t expecting to fall
Santa, I’m writing this letter
Asking for your help
I know in years past I’ve asked
For things for myself
But this year is a little different
And I know you know how
This world is a little dark and we could
Use some light right now
So many people are depressed
Giving up, waving the white flag
This year I’m asking for the world
If you could pull out of your bag
Some hope and put it
Underneath our trees
Some faith and give it
To those that don’t believe
And Santa we also need
Lots and lots of healing
All year round Christmas spirit
Open hearts, sharing feelings
But Santa, what we need the most
What we do not have enough of
I know it’s a big ask but what
We need is love, lots of love
What The World Needs Now (Cover) by Various –
Light A Candle by Wayne Haun –
Love Lighting The Dark by The Taylors –
History of the birds:
Love, Not Hate: The Reconciliation
Love, Not Hate: Tragedy At Mandalay Bay
Love, Not Hate: Continue To Love
All the little birds wanted to trick or treat
But tonight, their nests they would not leave
It was Halloween night all through the land
But you see, trick or treating had been banned
The parents said the world had grown too dark
And they placed walls around their cold hearts
The land had been taken over by evil and hate
The parents told the little ones they would have to wait
You never know if that bird behind that hockey mask
Is looking for candy or up to some sinister act
Or that bird dressed in that scary disguise
Is carrying a gun or even a knife
The little ones had tears in their eyes
Please let us trick or treat tonight
The little ones begged and said you can protect us
And talk to the neighbors you haven’t spoken to since Christmas
You stay inside and don’t do what the Eagle has said
It was out of love his blood was shed
The eagle said do not live in fear
But it’s what you do keeping us locked in here
How can we spread love and dispel hate
If you keep us locked here in this cage
Then the parents were quite surprised
Those words hit home they realized
And they soon came to understand
They have let fear and hate rule their land
In fear they had locked themselves in their nests
Letting hate take over while love took a rest
They didn’t even talk to their neighbors or their friends
They didn’t spread love to strangers and love they did not defend
The light they carry they had let grow dark
But their children’s words had ignited a spark
They realized they had made their homes a coffin
Because of their children, the parents’ hearts softened
Then they said we will go out on this Halloween night
Instead of letting hate rule we will let our love be the light
Tonight we must start to let love grow and hate decline
Yes, tonight in the darkness our light will shine
Hey Papa by Natasha Bedingfield-
Fire Away by Disciple-
Dreaming by P.O.D. –
In Our Blood by Tyrone Wells-
Community by Kira Willey –
It was a long, cold, dark winter. One that she didn’t think would ever end. There was snow, rain, and sleet. A couple of times there was enough ice to nearly break the branches on the trees. The little girl held on. She waited for the warmer weather, the better times, the warmth of the sun. She knew it would come, it was just a matter of time. As she waited patiently, she would say her prayers, she would thank God for protecting her and her mommy and daddy during these cold, dark, winter nights.
Finally, the day had come. The first bud of spring appeared out of the ground. The bud peeked out of her shoot and could feel the warmth surround her. She was filled with so much joy that, at first, she didn’t notice she was the only bud sprouting. After basking in the warmth of the sunshine for a few minutes she looked around, startled that she was the only one. Where was everyone else? Was she going to be all alone? Did she come out too soon? Was colder weather coming back and she would die because of her eagerness to sprout? She was filled with fear and doubt but she stayed strong. She knew God had a plan for her. It was then that a little girl saw her and started yelling for her dad to come see the new flower. The little girl was so excited that the bud could not help but smile. Her excitement was contagious.
A little while later another bud awakened. He also took a moment to take in the warmth around him. He then looked to see if the others had awakened and that was when he saw her. She was within inches of him and he knew he would love her. It didn’t take long for her to notice him either, even though it took the help of a little girl yelling “Look, daddy, now there’s two!”
They welcomed the spring with all the other buds that started to awaken. With all the other flowers around them, they knew they were meant for each other. When the rains came, he would lean towards her to cover her petals. When the strong winds came they would lean into it together, holding stems. They were inseparable. When the bees came they opened their petals for them so they could spread their seeds to other lands where there were no flowers. They also knew that the bees relied on their pollen to take back to their hives for food. It was a beneficial relationship. Everything was new and exciting.
Then summer came. It was a scorching summer, one like they had never seen. There was no water. Many flowers died but not our couple. They shared what they had with each other. Every little drop of moisture was shared between them. Luckily, they were also planted where they had shade for part of the day. They counted the hours down together until they were cooled by the shade. Every once in awhile the little girl would come out with a can of water and water them, helping to keep them alive. They were often too tired to open their petals wide enough for the bees to come but they did their best. They knew the only way to survive this summer was with the help of others. They prayed their prayers for rain, for cooler temperatures but it was not to be. Sometimes in life, God doesn’t answer prayers and there are reasons only He knows why. They had reached a point in their relationship that they were still together, but they didn’t talk much. Too much too worry about, too much life got in the way. When was their next rain drop, how would they make it through another day without food, why couldn’t they be like they were in the spring? Did they waste this whole season of their life? They knew better because they still shared the little water they had, they still protected each other but the excitement was gone.
Before they knew it Autumn was here. They had made it through the difficult summer and were enjoying another season of their life. The rains came again, as well as cooler weather. When he looked at her she was still the most beautiful, most loving, most caring flower in the garden. When she looked at him he was still the bravest, strongest, most handsome flower this side of Eden. They held each other’s petals more each day, knowing that their days were winding down. They reflected on the spring and the summer. Days when their love was new and days when they didn’t know if they would make it. They thought of their seeds spread far and wide, soon to be new flowers that would spread their love and beauty around the world. It wasn’t easy, they had moments of doubt but they fought for each other, they fought for their love. They survived.
Soon the cold winds blew again. They held on for as long as they could but with each passing day, their petals would fall off. They knew it wouldn’t be long now but they held on for each struggling moment. Relying on each other to get by. Praying for just one more second. She was the first to go, as she was the first to sprout. He wasn’t far behind her.
The little girl, all bundled up from the cold, looked at her daddy and said, “Look, daddy, the first two here are the last two to leave. I wonder if they were happy here, I wonder if they were in love.”
“Now, now,” said the daddy, “we know flowers can’t fall in love but if they could, those two would definitely have been like me and your mom. Through all the seasons and all the weather, the rain, the sun, the cold, they were standing right beside each other. Holding petals all the while.”
The little girl giggled. Through the cold, dark, winter nights she was safe as she anxiously waited for the first bud of spring to blossom again.
I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman –
Then by Brad Paisley –
Stand By You by Rachel Platten –
Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice –
The End Is Not The Answer by Three Days Grace –
Worth Fighting For by Nine Days –
When I Said I Do by Clint Black –
Forever Changed by Carrie Underwood –
Remind Me by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood –
Would You Go With Me by Josh Turner –
I’ll Stand By You by The Pretenders –
Meant To Be by JJ Heller –
What Faith Can Do by Kutless –
Santa, I’m writing this letter
Asking for your help
I know in years past I’ve asked
For things for myself
But this year is a little different
And I know you know how
This world is a little dark and we could
Use some light right now
So many people are depressed
Giving up, waving the white flag
This year I’m asking for the world
If you could pull out of your bag
Some hope and put it
Underneath our trees
Some faith and give it
To those that don’t believe
And Santa we also need
Lots and lots of healing
All year round Christmas spirit
Open hearts, sharing feelings
But Santa, what we need the most
What we do not have enough of
I know it’s a big ask but what
We need is love, lots of love
What The World Needs Now (Cover) by Various –
Light A Candle by Wayne Haun –
Love Lighting The Dark by The Taylors –
My God, My Music, My Life 