He's tired coming home as the day's nearly spent
Selfless shoulders may sag and then droop, greatly bent
But when he walks through the door at the end of the day
He's met by a chorus chiming, "Dad, can you play?"
First Josiah jumps up and dashes to Dad
Sammy swoops in - "Daddy's home!" - is he glad!
Nathan grabs gloves, "Hey Dad, come this way!
Daniel with Math, "Can you help me today?"
He sets down his lunch box, straightens up with a sigh
"Just a minute you guys, let me loosen my tie"
Surveys the day's damage, "Where's the train wreck?" he'll ask
Then quietly helps Mom with each clean-up task
"Ready now?" ask four boys, their eager eyes wide
For when Dad strides ashore, every game changes tide.
With shirt sleeves rolled up, Dad wades into the fray
His strong, sturdy hands help guide and relay
Helping fend off those Zeroes, a Pearl Harbor attack!
Pushing through Normandy, the Allies are back!
Rousitng out Redcoats, bounding over the Main
The Alamo's waiting, brave defenders to fame
Sherwood Forest to save, David Balfour to greet
Captain Hook to swashbuckle, make Godzilla retreat.
"Time for Practice" Dad says -- it's the signal at last
While tornadoes of cleats, gloves, and caps all roar past
Chauffering kids to and fro, chasing bats, balls, and gloves
Afternoons in the sun, spending time, spelling "Love."
Chugging home after dark, too weary to eat
"Where's Josiah's new jammies--the ones with the feet?"
Day closes, sun's snoring, tub and dinner are done
Kids all quiet in bed, still at last--'cept for one
He whimpers and cries, a dark dream in the night
Dad creeps to his room, soothes a small child's bad fright.
Big hands clasp those smaller, to protect and to guide
Bear the love of a Father whose own Son has died
On his knees on the floor, Daddy battles for peace
Prays mountains of mercy, sweet repose to release.
From whence comes his fervor, dogged courage and grace?
Where's the fount for such mettle, who pilots the pace?
A source ev'ry human dad needs, and can know:
"In weakness My strength is perfected and flows."
Our Dad isn't perfect, for humanity's flawed
But his life is poured out to his family and God
You gave us your name, will to run the race true
Granite strength, fountain flowing with grit, grace, "Can do!"
So Dad, we salute you and thank God so much
Yes, YOU are our hero, for through you comes His touch.
sometimes it's so easy
like rolling off a log
clear and breezy as a lazy summer day
warm and tender as the sky
lavendar, lilacs, lace
sometimes it's so calm
like a sleepy slate blue sea
not a ripple on the pond
starshine, sunsets, sighs.
but lately i've been feelin'
just as wretched as can be
as one marauding monsoon after another
pounds our poor dinghy into oblivion
i'm deluged from ev'ry direction
storms of adversity cloud my view
while a tidal wave of trials
crashes in and swamps our boat.
cold, soaked and dazed
i'm gasping with exhuastion
two pulls forward and three back
sometimes it feels i'm drowning
i often lose my grip
lift me up, pullme through
then we share a bucket
and bail Together
we lean into the tsunami
and fight for ev'ry stubborn inch
Together.
escape is not an option
jumping ship is not a choice
there's no light now
but we'll get thru somehow
hold me tight
and Together we'll brave the storms
grip our Compass sure and true
you and me,
we'll spot the shore
and taste the Son
so i'll yank these oars
with no one else but you.