EUGENE

My best friend’s Dad got us a summer job at the window manufacturing plant he worked at. Being a teenager, lazy, irresponsible, and self centered, We were at best, a pain to have around.

The day started this way: Being awake before the Sun was, Riding in a car, that frankly, you could hang meat in it was so cold (Donnie’s dad must not have known that the car had a heater too). Arriving at a place that was not the beach, that was hot, and there was …. Work. Being worthless, we were given the menial tasks to do, one little thing after the other. Oh, and don’t forget inventory, I remember being on a shelf nearly four stories high, with nothing but the metal roof above me, cooked by the noon day sun, it was so hot, I could barely breathe. There I was, counting screws. Really? Not just one huge box, but millions of huge boxes.

It became apparent to the owner that we were worthless, but being the son (and friend of said son) of one of his best men (Donnie’s Dad), This owner had to find a way to make us do the honorable thing, and quit! So, This man also had a construction company, and he had a project, and it turned out, me and Donnie were a perfect fit for the job. It was of little comfort that there were a few of his other employees there that he valued as much as us was sent along too.

After being driven off to a remote area of the world, the car stopped, and we were instructed to get out. This boys will be your job for the rest of the summer. We both lifted our eyes to the largest field of dirt I have ever seen. We were told, “Go through this field, and pick up any sticks you see this size or larger” Looking up at this person, I saw him holding a stick about one inch long… Really?

So off we went, bending over, and “Picking up sticks” when low and behold, we saw these vehicles roaming the field. Huge machines, with Huge tires, long bodies, and they were filled with new dirt. Really? I later learned that the huge trucks (Later were used on the first Star Wars Movie) were called pavescrapers. Their job… To spread new dirt, with new sticks over all the areas that we just picked… Really?

Then it happened (As if this story alone isn’t enough to burn an image for the rest of my life) I saw it… Eugene, that’s right, one of the other most valued aluminum window making employee. We were taking one of our few allowed breaks, and I was sucking water like a camel, but here was Eugene, in the middle of this field of dirt, sitting, and shoes off, socks off, picking his feet. Man… if I knew any way to scrub that image. But there is it, Eugene… Really?

Tears

Bottled Tears

Angels from on high, come to wipe the tears from our eyes,
For our Father knows when we cry.
He feels our pain, and knows our heart, to him it is plain,
I’ve seen him cry, and have seen him weep,
His feelings for us run so very deep.
So what has overwhelmed your heart?
Has sorrow took the place of joy?
Distressed are you now, and full of doubts,
He knows your fears, He feels your pain.
All your emotions that flow as tears,
He keeps in his bottle, Throughout all of your years.

MFL

As The Water Falls

As I said in the start of my Blog, I have been inspired by the two greatest things in my life, to write some stories, and poems. Some may not make any sense to you, but somewhere in my mind, they were an expression of my love and devotion to my Lord, and also, to my Wife.

This one was, and is to my Sunshine!

Waterfall

As the waterfall that beats the ground
So my heart beats, but not a sound.
Helplessly the stream races on,
To the fall, its endless song.
When I behold the sunshine of your face,
The way you walk, You have such grace.
Still beating harder within my chest,
To hold you close, to taste your breath.
This thought that fills with pure delight,
Even in darkness, You are my light.

MFL

LIFE PATHS

In a dream I saw a path that lay before a small infant, there were angels carrying this precious child along. I could hear them communicate the wonders of God to this tiny human being, showing all of the goodness and love of a faithful creator.

The path was clearly marked “The path of Life”. As I pondered in my heart the meaning of this I realized that God was showing me the way to know real life.

As I considered these things, I noticed in my dream that the infant was now a young adult, in his face could be read the scars of many battles. I was confused, How could God who showed such tenderness and love to this infant, now allow him to have had such a rough life? It was then that I saw him approach a fork in the path, and from the look on his face I could tell that he had been here before, not at this place, but at this choice. Which way to travel? What was best, and what would bring the most satisfaction? Both paths were clearly marked, There was one that was beautiful, the sight glorious to the eyes, it’s pleasures beckoning to his young and foolish heart. But the details of this path clearly stated that the end was darkness, and pain, and separation from the creator of all living things. In my mind there was no real choice, but why then did this man seem so perplexed. Then I noticed the other path, It was marked...”The path of Life”, and the details of this path too was clearly stated. The end of this path promised Life, Love, Joy, Peace, and Beauty beyond human comprehension. There would be no sickness, no death, and no sorrow. And the one who created the path, and all of its beauty would be there. But along this path there would be hard times, trials, and even death, but with all of the trials there is a promise of inner peace, of joy undisturbed, and protection from ever falling...It was then I remembered the angel that carried this little infant at the start of his life.
I now realized, this man had been on the path that leads to destruction, for how many years I do not know, and now again he had to face the choice, which path will he travel, the hard lines on his face showed that he yearned to follow the path of life, but everything within him craved the pleasures that the path of destruction promised, which would be better, to live life now, to enjoy the thrills, but end up bankrupt. Or to deny the pleasures of this present life to enjoy the fruit of everlasting life offered by following the path of life?

I awoke, and sweat flowed from my brow, my hands were shaking, and my heart beating hard... It was my face that I saw on the man in my dreams, those hard lines that covered his face were caused by the choices I have made in my life, those that caused me to turn from the one who cared for me as no other in this world could ever. Where was I now, on what path did I belong, I knew what was the right way, but where was I now?

What about you my friend? Are you at a fork in the path of life, look to the end of the path, not the path, for that which is at the end of the path will last forever...Will it be Life? Or will it be Death?

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

MFL 2-11-2001

Sky Painting

I am the Sky, So Bright and so Blue,
My canopy covers the Grass, the Trees, and Dew.
I fill my canvas with Clouds by day, and stars by night,
The Shooting star is seen, and the Eagle soaring high.

But you, My Love, Illumine the sky Ever so Bright,
You fill my painting and dazzle my sight.
Your Love is as the Sun, Burning yet not consuming,
Your Rays sink deep into my Soul
And Warms my Heart with Love untold.

I watch You all of the day, and smile as you move on,
But grow sad, as I see you slip away, Then you are gone.
I wonder, Oh where are you my Love, my Dove, My light,
My canvas now filled with night.

Then I see it, the twinkle of the stars,
as though they are winking at me from afar.
The moon I see illumined by your Rays,
Reminds me I was lost in Days.
The night Sky too has beauty up above.
I see it now, as I am filled with Your Love.

MFL

Peace

My Heart doth break, when I see hate,
This world is torn apart.
Such beauty is seen in creation wide,
But man knows not where to start.

Upon the highest mountain,
And on the plains below.
The search is made for peace,
Something some men may never know.

Why with such expanse in space,
The ocean deep and wide.
Can not the creature with his kind,
In peace therewith abide?

I have looked on high,
I have searched down low.
The truth of this, a mystery be,
Until I did the answer know.

That peace is not within a man,
It is a gift from above,
Not space, or sky, or nature,
But is found in God’s love.
MFL

Roses Are Red

I guess you all know by now, i love my wife dearly.

Roses are red, and all the violets are blue,
what do the color of flowers have to do with you?

The grass is green, and the sky is blue
I think the violets and sky have something going on too!

The birds in the air, the fish in the sea,
tell nothing of the love between you and me!

So what else can I say, what else can I do?
To say that I Love You with nature is like gobbledygoo

But my heart is a pounding, and my soul is on fire,
My blood pressure rising higher and higher

To think of your beauty, and muse on your song,
keeps a smile on my face all the day long.

MFL