All the words

Sometimes I fear
I'll wake one morning
to find I've used all the words.

That there will be
nothing new to write,
nothing fresh and inspiring.
That I will have
delved the depths of God
and life
and I'll be found
with no more revelations.

How sad.

Then I remember,
This is God
we're talking about
and I can never get to the end
of all there is to know about Him.
Not in a lifetime of study.

In fact,
eternity to spend with God
will not leave me
board and uninspired
on the topic of my beloved Lord.

For, the more I know,
the more I love,
and the more I long to know
and long to wrap up in His love.
There is no end to the longing for more
(not on Earth anyway).

Yet,
one day,
when faith is swallowed up by sight,
Oh what delights
await our soul
and an eternity
was created
to revel in His love.

Wow...

I can feel my bare feet
cool on the streets of gold
My hand smooth
on a gate of pearl.
Delighting in the warmth of
the sun on my face,
only to open my eyes
and find the Lord in front of me,
taking my hand and
walking with me
to the crystal sea.
Sights so delicious
new words will have to be created
to fully describe the beauty
and splendor.
Complete joy and rest,
total security and love,
beauty in every direction,
glory as far as the eyes can see.

On earth when I feel your glory
I don't want to move,
for fear it will vanish.
I don't want to breath,
for fear you will move away
and the feeling will be swallowed up
by this world.

In Heaven,
One day
I will have all days,
all time,
all with you,
never ending.
Oh, God
do not terry!
Teach me to hasten that day.
Oh that beautiful first day,
the beginning of all days
spent with you.

Give me the beautiful feet
that bring good news.
Give me the precious words
that speak of our forever time,
and our loving Lord,
who stepped off His throne
to be one of us,
to feel our pain,
to face our temptations,
to die our death,
and pay our debt.

Oh Jesus,
words are too small
and too few
to capture your glory and love.
yet how much more glorious
that you allow our language
to utter Your name,
to tell of Your power and love
(poured out to save our souls).
How glorious that
You choose earthen vessels
to pour Your Spirit into.

Praise you Lord of all!
Praise, honor and glory
to you Endless God
all powerful Lord of all.

c Kim Damon 2014

Stolen Away

Stolen Away

I saw myself being picked up

and sitting on the Fathers lap.

My head resting on His chest.

I knew this time had been given to me.

I knew the Father stole me away

and brought me to a spacious place.

All attempts at pulling me back

were deflected.

This was His time

with me.

Time to eat honey

and wild locust.

Time to refocus.

Time to listen,

just to listen…

and be refreshed.

Still the picture of sitting on His lap…

”She’s mine!”

His hand holding others away.

Togetherness.

Adoring.

Safety.

Focused.

Protected.

Still water.

Powerful covering.

So close I feel His heartbeat.

Affection received.

Demands only a distant noise.

I am growing stronger

as I rest.

Weeping

from loves focus,

truth penetrating,

deeply

to affect my core.

Lies and masks exposed,

removed,

made powerless.

Identity, restored.

Nothing demanded,

love exchanged.

Stillness.

Hope growing,

peace that sustains.

Empowerment

fear crushed

and faith growing from the ashes.

Unshakable vision

that sustains

and changes vision

like glasses

for the inferior sight,

clarity.

Truth,

light,

love.

c Kim Damon 2014

My Grandma died last night.

My Grandma died last night.

She...

...so many memories...

She was beautiful

like stunning.

Her short white hair

styled just so

made me 

want to look just like her when I'm older.

She was

strong

proud

independent

loyal

and straight forward.

She spoke her mind

and moved on.

I'm sure she had week moments

I'm sure she cried

but I never saw it.

I only ever saw constant strength

and deep deep love.

All hard stuff swept together 

with all the easy stuff

and it was an inspiring monument of

the perfect life.

Not the perfect 

that came 

without flaws

but perfect

as in

I don't see the flaws

and it was the life 

I wouldn't have traded for any

other.

Mom,

I'm sorry for your loss. 

I know one day I'll have to experience it as well. 

But I don't even want to imagine it. 

I want those tears to wait till another day, 

which who knows 

may never come. 

Maybe the rest of us will all rise together 

and go join Grandma at Christ's return. 

I'm going to hope for that. 

She's in a better place. 

Really.

Life can be hard

and earth can be cruel.

God is the best One 

to handle our forever, 

and He's trustworthy. 

I love you

and I'm so very thankful 

you are my mom

and Grandma 

was my Grandma.

c Kim Damon

In the year 2013.

Looking back
searching for the
monuments of victory,
and the spoils
of wisdom
(gained from my mistakes).

I found victory in curious places
as this year I've learned:
being real,
honest,
and transparent
is more beneficial in ministry
than trying to be perfect
or hide my flaws.

I've learned
(or rather I'm learning)
not to despise
my weaknesses
God chose to pour His spirit
into clay pots
so that the all surpassing power
would be seen as from God
and not from man.

This year some things
have gotten easier
and other things...
well, harder.
My eye sight,
memory,
and hearing are fading.
But as a result,
I'm less critical
(of myself and others)
I don't remember offenses as long
and I listen less to harsh words.

I lost the 35 lbs I gained last year
and I've battled old temptations
where I had won battles in the past.

I'm convinced I'll be battling my old sin nature
till death rescues me from life
and I'm brought to our loving Lord
and given all my hopes have longed for.

I changed churches this year.
and learned (once again)
My ways are not His ways,
and His ways are better.

I've never liked change,
it's always scared me,
but when it's by God's leading
I find rest more quickly.

This year I was confronted
by the frailty of life
and the staying hand of God
as my grandmother lay dyeing
(in Hospice)
and yet I live.
My daughter and I hit a deer
(on my motorcycle)
and it died,
yet we lived.
And close friends suffered
the loss of their parents
while mine live.

God has a time for us all
and I'm convinced
He has a plan
we will not leave till it's complete
and we need to be about His work
till He returns
or calls us home.

I have spent the better part of a year
not formally teaching,
at times it's been a gift
I've cherished
at times I long for the end of this season
because I miss it so much.

This has been a year of change
I think I've learned
(all the best years are.)
And it's been a year of preparation
as I feel my roots have grown deeper
and my branches reached higher
my heart's grown softer
and my mind's been renewed.

Thanks God for the victories on the horizon
and for the battles
you've kept me through.
And thanks for walking with me
(best of all)
My days are worth living
because you sustain me.

c Kim Damon 2013

Christmas Eve

My kids hate this day.
Waiting gives them a tummy ache,
and makes them a bit stir-crazy.
They see no purpose in it.

I know waiting is hard,
and I'm not fond of waiting myself,
but I see all that needs to be done
and it makes me glad of the last few minutes.

It occurs to me this might be
the key to contentment
while in a time of "not yet".
I want to keep the childlike enthusiasm of
"I can't wait"
and add the wisdom
to be busy
with all that's left to do.

God bless your Celebration
and anticipation,
dear friends!

c Kim Damon 2013

What more can I do?

Have I not surrendered
completely enough?
Have I not repented
unceasingly enough?
Have I not longed for holiness
with enough conviction?

Why do I still see my sin
so clearly?
Why do I still
settle for less than
your good and perfect will?

Tears

God I fear at the end of my life
I'll be able to see
all I could have accomplished for Your glory
or all I would have been,
to bring you honor.

Yet,
all I can do
is surrender
(again)
Repent
(again)
and continue to long
for holiness.
But is that is all I can do?

You
my Almighty God,
You,
can do all things.
What is impossible
with man,
is possible
with You.

So God,
let me add
trust,
to my surrender
that you have indeed taken and cherished
all I have laid at your alter.

Let me add faith
to my repentance,
that You forgive and cleanse me.
that Your grace and mercy are abundant
and free.

And let me add hope
to my longing for holiness,
that others will see past my
sinful self
and see the omnipotent God that chose to reside
in this clay pot.

c Kim Damon 2013

I don't mind the frigged cold outside

I love the snow.
I don't mind the frigged cold outside.
It makes me feel like a survivor.
I love this season
and I feel so blessed with my family and friends.

The list is long
of things that "should be done"
but I just put one foot in front of the other
and do each thing.
I know it wont all get done,
and maybe some important stuff
didn't make the list,
that will get done.
But I feel peace and full of joy.

When I heard the cranky child at the store today,
I just wanted to pick him up and hug him.
I wanted to look him in the eyes
and say "it'll be OK, buddy".
When I heard the angry woman who works for the post office,
I thought of what a hard day she's had
and what a lonely life she must live.
And I ask God to help me,
to be a blessing and to not get cranky (too)
but stay joyful.

Who know's joy may be contagious.
Anyway,
Happy Advent, friends!

c Kim Damon 2013