Tipping the Scales

I have this scale-tipping dream
where somehow You can use me to lighten the load of others
even as a little pig-tailed, cabbage-patch-doll-toting kid
I eavesdropped on the strong will of my brother
how it weighed down my parents eyes and hearts
and peppered their hair a little too early
so I folded my hands in my lap and did my homework
a mantra to appreciate the unappreciated followed me on the growth chart
foam fingers and facepaint for the underdogs and loners in school
swallowing tears with empathy for the broken, the burdened, the unloved as a teacher

And now. . .
I have this scale tipping dream
where somehow You can use me in this . . . .
I can't call it a job
I can't call it a career
it's your gift-wrapped, weight-lifting, joy-giving, mission-driven privilege
to walk alongside super hero arrows pointing people to You
I have this dream, especially in moments like these
that somehow my presence can lighten the load a bit
where media genius is free to create because the schedule is made
where the holy spirit muse of music is free

to kickback with the boys with no red tape in the way
where actors don't act but are empowered to transform
where leaders can move forward while we carry out the vision
where tech prodigies have the tools to dip their brushes

and manipulate sound and light in a stage palette masterpiece

where we equip the gurus of the spoken message
so they too can lighten the loads of those who search for hope and meaning
and lead some prescious hand-crafted souls
back to the hands that crafted them

I have this scale-tipping dream of a home
where I can lift the weight of provider
for just a moment so he can be free
where I can balance the checkbook, the schedule, the deadline
so he has time for horsey complete with sound effects
long movies with messy popcorn between cushions
and a couch labyrinth of twelve limbs
for some time for him to breathe a little easier
sleep a little longer
work a little faster
and look in my eyes a little longer

I guess I just want to be a scale-tipper
like You

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden,." Hebrews 13:17

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

When the Moon Says "Wait Up"

twas the night before Innovate

and from the back of the car

peeps two little eyes looking out at the stars

"the moon is following us" she says with a sigh

"It's saying wait up!" as if to ask why

my foot on the pedal like the thoughts in my head

building momentum with the weight of lead

but just a few words through the eyes of a child

and You step in with Martha chaos refiled

and the worry slips off like a bad toupee

as You whisper through her "It'll be okay . . ."

"Give in to God, come to terms with him

and everything will turn out just fine.

Let him tell you what to do;

take his words to heart.

Come back to God Almighty

and he'll rebuild your life."

Job 22"21-23 (Msg)

Whitewash

whitewash
our attempt to hide flaws
a weak effort at the pristine
a feeble reach toward beauty
only to discover a quick fix
a slow fade
and blemishes highlighted
the painters bandaid
the politicians friend
and the enemy
of an artist.

Lord, bless each and every one of the amazing artists I get to work with in this coming week of inspiring other artists to innovate. Holy spirit, give them an energetic peace as they give of themselves and sound the call. Thank You for the gift of being on a team that refuses to whitewash the greatest story ever told.

" . . . when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, 'Where is the whitewash you covered it with?'" Ezekial 13:10b-12

Piece Out

just when I thought I had all the pieces in place

the fist comes down

startled pieces jump in fear

stately figures thrown askew

in the aftermath of change

I wince and squint

reluctant to view the horrific scene

of perfection slaughtered

just when I breathe in

and try to muster the strength

to rebuild piece by piece

just when I open my eyes

and begin to plan the next move

I look up to You

and remember I am not a player

but a piece

and there's the real peace.

"There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself. " Hebrews 13:8