In the Quiet of Your Presence

Grand Tetons_Sep 2017_by Kathy Owen

Photo by Kathy Owen
Grand Tetons

In the quiet of your presence
Come sit with me
My companion
During loss and distress
Pain anger despair

In the quiet of your presence
The touch of your hand
A welcoming shoulder
For tears grief
For memories laughter

In the quiet of your presence
Great storms tumult
And pounding waves
In fear anguish
Drawn to your haven

In the quiet of your presence
Oh whys and what nows
No and no and no
Reef of danger or
Rock of safety

In the quiet of your presence
Blessed stillness
Washed
By shared tears
Battered and worn

In the quiet of your presence
Oh God!
Hold me
For I am bereft
Cold lost alone

Resting
In the quiet of your presence

New Year’s Dawn

Snowy morning_cropped

Northwind chill and bundled frame
Speaks of New Year’s coming dawn

Sunlight bright or blowing snow
Quiet breath catches in anticipation

Laugh of children and calls to come
Homemade soup to warm one’s bones

Barking dogs or honk of horns
Season’s tide begins to turn

Twilight’s glitter and dark’s bright star
Contemplation of time now past

Frosty morn and day’s cold rise
Hope’s dream and New Year born

Christmastide Journey

candle Christmas lights

Zechariah and Elizabeth upon the path
To them came joyful word
Rejoice, a son to fill their lives
Messenger to prepare the way

Mary and Joseph lead by God
Angel-greeted, faithful, and true
Rejoice, rejoice Messiah to come
Emmanuel, God is with us

Through Nazareth and Judean hills
Arrived at lowly stable
Rejoice, Bethlehem to see the child
Angel-announced and shepherd-followed

From eastern lands the wise men traveled
Followed a shining star of hope
Rejoice, rejoice a king is born
Gifts offered to humble home

To Egypt now, as former time
Now flee, oh flee far from
Earthly king 
blinded to good news
The story will continue 

Jerusalem upon the mountain
Journey on, journey true
Rejoice, oh people of faith
Step now, for Christmastide

Faithful comes a mighty God
Light shines to show the way 
Place of shelter, gift of grace
Worship now… u
pon this Christmastide journey

Hold Us

children arm over shoulder - bw

Hold us, oh Lord
In your encircling arms
So wide so strong
Hold us, oh Lord
Quiet shelter

Hold us, oh Lord
We rest in You
Your unfailing presence
Hold us, oh Lord
Do not turn away

Hold us, oh Lord
We rejoice in You
Secure and protected
Hold us, oh Lord
Block temptation’s sway

Hold us, oh Lord
When doubts say flee
When fears would darken
Hold us, oh Lord
Your hands to calm

Hold us, oh Lord
Strong ship in storm
Firm tower in battle
Hold us, oh Lord
When our soul would faint

Hold us, oh Lord
We abide in You
Source of life and hope
Hold us, oh Lord
God Eternal