Author: James Herrick

Ablaze

10/22/23

A man whose life was barren lay forlorn
He’d squandered soil and seeds since he was born
But since the rest of life was not yet spent
He changed his ways and new directions went

Renewed with Love that ne’er before he felt
Ablaze, he spread his joy, so freely dealt
The foul and filth of former ways cast out
The Beauty of his life now made him shout:

What good there is in finding Love and Light!
How blind I was while walking in the night!
How clear I see when Truth and Good I bear!
Such Beauty found when I for others care

Memories

10/22/23

Memories of failures, new and old
Often come to mind and take their hold
Dwelling on them rarely tends to cure
Wounds of battles past that we endure

Counsel sought and gained can often aid
A troubled soul, who then feels newly made
Alone, the soul is dark, but guided, bright 
A mentor can give glimmer in the night

Memories of victory then shine
Credit though, is hardly ever mine
Friends and guides, companions on the way
Are truly to be thanked for this new day

Again

10/16/23

Again and again and again
I fall and I fall and I fall
A victory kept now and then
But mostly I’m weak and I’m small

But still, let me rise with the hope
That all is not lost in this race
Resuming my step on this slope
Again let me go at Your pace

Freedom

10/15/23

Help me use this freedom well
Not returning to the cell
Of things that tear my heart  apart
Cast them from me from the start

Free to love and serve my friends
Let me see the best of ends
With the help that You bestow
Joy and peace to fully know

Love the Cross

10/14/23

Help me learn to love the Cross
Making up for every loss 
Laying down my life for friends
Eagerly to make amends

Often still I run away
Tugs and pulls still hold their sway
Small and weak, I waver long
Grant that I may soon be strong

Resolutely let me climb
Up this slope while there is time
Time to live and time to love
Firmly set toward Heav’n above

Distance

10/14/23

Distance from desires and deeds
So wide, so far it now exceeds
The difficult and rugged length
For which I feel I have the strength 

Impossible now seems the goal
Yet here I am, this wretched soul
Looks onward hoping soon to see
A path that leads to victory 

How small I am! How great the call
To rise again past every fall
I trust Your help will lead at last
To bear great fruit from seeds now cast

Neighbor

10/9/23

Abandoned, stuck beside the road 
A girl made sadly her abode
Means of travel broken down
Others passed with curious frown

A neighbor passing slowly by
Was struck with pity and a sigh
Stopping near the girl distressed
The day for both of them turned blessed 

Some are kind but not so nice
Rude, but help, not thinking twice
Others nice but not so kind
With friendly words but self they mind

As this neighbor saw that car
Of one who traveled from afar
He thought, can’t one be nice and kind?
At least some help he tried to find 

Finally the help did come
Words of thanks, struck nearly dumb
She didn’t know what then to say
For the help he offered, long to stay

Neighbors, friends were made that day
Unexpected on the way
To destinations somehow shared
By two who for each other cared

Angel of God

10/4/23

“Angel of God my guardian dear
To whom God’s love commits me here
Ever this day be at my side
To light, to guard, to rule and guide”

Angel of God: a messenger sent
To straighten paths so often bent
Guard against foes along the way
Who fight to drag souls so far astray

Lovingly God has given you
To stay at my side till life is through
Lest I forget your powerful aid
Light up the path for which I was made