poem:beautiful warrior

You are the archer,
I am the arrow

Formed by His hands but then
Born into yours. How blessed!
My childhood nestled in your quiver,
Secure—like the beloved that
Rests between His shoulders.
And you held, you sang, and I grew
In your hands, His hands.

Thankful to be held by such a beautiful
Warrior: prayerful and bold
In your love you never failed.
His salvation the shield—
Your arms gentle and strong for the task;
Many battles you fought to protect
Your fortress: a family built on Truth.

Selfless nurture and faithful instruction
Whittled and shaped me; removed
The splinters. He must have healed
Your broken skin as you continued.
Strong-will carved into character—
Like iron sharpened by iron, my arrowhead
Heart was polished and refined.

Trusting communion with the Target, you
Pulled back the bow and took aim
You let go—And now solo
I soar through the air, beyond you.
My life a display of strength,
Grace and the work
Of your hands, His hands.

I am the heritage,
You are my mother.

~rjr 2/25/04

References: Psalm 127:3-5,
Deuteronomy 33:12 and Proverbs 31:17, 26, 28

deeper thoughts: My Lord's Character

“Look to the Lord…seek His face always…” Psalm 105:4

My Lord is sovereign: creator and in control of the heavens and the earth (Isaiah 30:15, 45:12).

My Lord is perfect love: eternal, unfailing, and unconditional; His love endures forever (Ps. 100:5, Ps. 136, 1 John 4:16, 18).

My Lord is slow to anger and rich in love (Ps. 145:8).

My Lord is righteous and holy (Ps. 145:17).

My Lord is always near to me (Psalm 145:18, Josh. 1:9).

My Lord is gracious and compassionate (Ps.103:13).

My Lord is faithful and He is good (Ps. 86:5).

My Lord is mighty; He loves justice (Ps. 99:4).

My Lord is the bread of life and living water; I hunger and thirst without Him (John 4:13 and 6:35).

My Lord is strong, a powerful warrior; He will fight for me (Ps. 21:13, Exodus 14:14, 31, 15:2).

My Lord is great and worthy of glory (Ps. 145:3).

My Lord is jealous in His love for me (Ex. 20:5, Deut. 4:24, 2 Cor. 11:2).

My Lord is hope, my confidence since my youth (Ps. 71:5).

My Lord is a rock, a fortress that cannot be shaken (Ps. 71:3, Ps. 62:2).

My Lord is forgiving (Ps. 86:5, Ps. 103:3, 12).

My Lord is peace (Is. 9:6, 2 Thes. 3:16).

My Lord is all knowing and all present (Ps. 44:21, Ps. 94:11, Ps. 139:4, 23-24).

My Lord never changes; He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

My Lord is trustworthy; He keeps His promises (Is. 25:9, Ps. 145:13).

My Lord listens and cares; He holds me in His hands (Jer. 29:12, Isaiah 46:3-4, Ps. 37:24, John 10:28).

My Lord is patient; He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecc. 3:11)

My Lord is my Creator (Ps. 100:3, 139), my Counselor (Ps. 16:7, Ps. 32:8), my Savior (Ps. 42:5-6), my Lover (Hosea 2:16), my Friend (SOS 5:16), my Comforter (Is. 49:13, 2 Cor. 1:4), my Refuge (Ps. 62:8), my Sculptor (Is. 64:8), my Provider (1 Tim. 6:17, Is. 43:20), my Healer (Ex. 15:26, Ps. 147:3), my Guide (Ps. 25:9, 48:18), my Protector (Ps. 32:7), my Deliverer (Ps. 18:2)…my EVERYTHING.

“Lord, there is none like you. No one else could touch my heart like you do. I could search for all eternity long and find, there is none like you.”