Turning Pages

When I am born I have nothing to say
Nothing to do. Can sleep night and day and…..
Others turn the page.

When I am young others take charge
I follow their lead. Watch what they do and…..
They turn the page.

As I gradually mature to adulthood
I become responsible. Make decisions myself and…..
I turn the page.

When I do something wrong
I need to repent. Say sorry and…..
Turn the page.

When I have been unjustly accused
I must forgive, Forget and…..
Turn the page.

When I find myself in a stormy sea
I’ll reach out my hand; find God’s and…..
Turn the page.

When sorrows and troubles multiply
I’ll look up; see blue sky and…..
Turn the page.

When weighed down by burdens too heavy to bear
I will come to Jesus ; rest in Him and…..
Turn the page.

I am moving through the book of my life
So each new day I make a fresh start and…..
Turn the page.

When I reach the end of my book
I will find God waiting to welcome me and…..
He will turn the last page.

Ruth Jessup

Heavenly Treasure

I must never compare myself with another
Because so often in my mind I will fall short
Then I will never enjoy who I am
Because of what I can’t be and am not.

God created me as He wants me to be
I only need to match up to His measure
And by living with the Spirit’s inner strength
I’ll honour God and store up heavenly treasure.

Ephesians 3:16
Matthew 6:19-21

Ruth Jessup

Map & Sat Nav

There will be so many twists and turns
In my journey through life today
That if I have no map or sat nav
I shall probably lose my way.

I only have a vague idea
Of what this day may contain
But God knows exactly what will happen
So I’ll let Him lead; take the strain.

He’s provided me with a very good map
The Bible. It’s called His Word
But He also gave a spiritual sat nav
When the Holy Spirit was outpoured.

If I read the Bible I’ll know the way
God has already planned for me
And the Holy Spirit will keep me on track
However treacherous or steep it may be.

So before I set out I’ll read the map
But then when I’m on my way
My sat nav will guide me at every turn
Get me safe home at the end of the day.

Ruth Jessup

Death’s Proximity

A country road
Trees
A deer darting out
A sharp braking
Black ice
Skidding
Flipping over
Disaster so close
Refocuses the mind
On the fragility of life
The proximity of death.

Ruth Jessup

Metamorphosis

I’m here alone
In my cocoon
I feel so sad
All on my own
I cannot see
How to get out
I really wonder
What it’s all about.

In the darkness
As I listen there
I hear God speak
Says He wants to share
Liberate me
To breathe fresh air.

As His light shines down
Warming my cocoon
I feel new life stirring within
Then, what was for so long
Holding me tight
Splits open and in the light
I see the new me
God had always planned
That I should be.

Now, so beautiful, bright
I open my wings
With joy take flight
All my waiting
Through the long,dark night
Has transformed me
Allowing me to bring
To many, great delight.

Ruth Jessup

A Handful of Sand

The sands of time are pouring
So rapidly through my hand
I’ve only been given a measured amount
I look down, see the little grains land.

Every grain is like a second of time
Slipping through my fingers each day
I cannot hold on to the grains very long
They are so quickly sliding away.

Many grains are so tiny they slither through
Completely unnoticed by me
I can never, ever, recover them
They are lost to eternity.

I started out with a handful
But now only a few remain
I am going to cherish those that are left
Carefully enhancing each grain.

Then when my hand is empty
All the grains have made a pile
I will at the end have no regrets
But will leave them behind with a smile.

Ruth Jessup

Hidden Agenda

God has no hidden agenda
Concerning His plan for me
He just longs to transform me
Into the person He made me to be.

He is gradually changing my thinking
So that I come in line with His will
And even when I really mess up
He has promised to be with me still.

If I surrender my all to Him
Let Him take full control
He will work wonders in my life
Renew my mind, make me whole.

Then when there’s a change in my attitude
And my thinking’s just like His
I shall know for sure what He wants me to do
Taste how pleasing His perfect will is.

Romans 12:1&2

Ruth Jessup

Willingness

The question is this:-
‘Am I willing?
Willing to go where God sends?
Do what God wants?
Surrender my will to His?’

God is not concerned about
Appearance.  Intelligence,
Talents or experience
He is interested in my heart.

He created and formed me
Personally.  Individually.
Has a special plan for my life
Even though I can’t always see it.

I may think I need
More confidence, skill
Ability, artistry, flair
But God says, “No!

I want you just as you are
Your love.  Your willingness
Your surrender to me.
Are you willing?”

Ruth Jessup

Confidence

What is important in life?
Not what I am doing
Not where I am going
But who I am going with.
With and for whom I am working.

My security is placed
In whom I am with
The confidence I have
The trusting faith.

God has promised
To direct my paths
Be with me always.

I will trust in Him
Follow His plan
He’s promised to hold me
With His powerful right hand.

Proverbs 3: 5 & 6
Joshua 1: 9

Ruth Jessup

Reach Out

The rhythm of life lived in tune with God
Speaking to Him, reading His Word
Is great, because I need not look about
Worrying and wondering how things will turn out.

For Jesus has promised to be my guide
If I match my step to His, stride for stride
If He stops somewhere I must stop too
Must not get anxious about what I should do.

For sometimes Jesus wants to just be with me
Resting together in harmony
These rests are important for he knows He needs time
To refresh and prepare me when there are high cliffs to climb.

Problems and doubts troubling my mind
I give to the Lord for Him to unwind
He reassures me, wipes away my tears
I have peace in my heart, all stress disappears.

Fully trusting Jesus I’ve no worry or fear
Hear His gentle whisper,  “Reach out, I am here.”

Ruth Jessup