Inspirational
My Strength
I wash off all that I have done wrong;
and praise the Lord for His forgiveness
I clothe myself in His Armor
I nourish myself to accept His strength
I close the door to my worldly distractions and I enter the day.
I survive for He
strengthens me
protects me
carries me
loves me
And I must, in turn, share Him with all.
-E.A.Laydon
Beyond The Window Shade
I wake to look beyond the window shade
To see the world with hope
To see the day begin
To thank the Lord for all that has been given
To ask the Lord for another day to bask in His Light
To ask for His patience as I strive to reflect His Light
on all paths that I cross
I throw off the cover that protects me through darkness
I thank the Lord for His Protection
I cleanse myself of all that I have done and failed to do
I praise the Lord for His Forgiveness
I walk away from my sanctuary to enter the new day.
I know He is always with me
Guiding me with His light
Holding my hand through the darkness
Carrying me when I have lost my strength
-E.A. Laydon
The Jar
Long ago in a far away place a beautiful girl was preparing for her wedding day.
Standing before the full length mirror she looked at her reflection and saw before her a tall, slender woman dressed in white. Her eyes, filled with peace and contentment, glistened with droplets of tears.
Her mother, standing behind her holding a small pottery jar looked on with love and pride,. The bride knew about this precious container. Her grandmother and her mother always shared with her its meaning.
Her mother turned her around and said to her, “My daughter today is the day that you will begin a life filled with hopes, dreams, challenges and sadly some misfortunes. Remember to always thank God for your easy roads and hold His hand as you travel down it. Do not be afraid to ask God to carry you on the dangerous roads, he will never turn away from you. This is good advice for your marriage too. Be sure to hold on to one another during the tough times. Don’t turn away or shut the door. Your vows reflect this thought.”
Her mother took her hand and looked lovingly into her eyes as she continued, “Daughter inside this jar are my dreams, my wishes, my hopes and my prayers. Through our entire life together I kept this vessel on my dresser. Each morning I would see it and remember the first day I knew I needed your father beside me always.”
She set her jar on the dresser and picked up a similar looking jar unusually painted and glowing with beauty. She handed the jar to the bride saying, “After my wedding, I dried my wedding bouquet and placed the dried petals in this jar. With each flower, I thought of my dreams, hopes, prayers, and wishes for our new life together as husband and wife. I asked for my future to be filled with love and selflessness. I dreamed of a home filled with laughter. I hoped for children and I prayed for the strength to get through the difficult times. Finally, I asked for the grace to be a good wife.”
“Each time your father gave me flowers, I would place a petal or two in my jar, with a new dream or wish. Or just to thank God for the dear man he gave me. My child I hope you use your jar the same way.”
The bride’s wedding was enchanting and she did as her mother said. Each day she would see her jar and remember all her love she has for her husband. Each day she thanked God for her life.
Her mother passed away sometime later. The bride took her mother’s jar and thought how beautiful to scatter her petals into her favorite garden. It was a garden filled with roses, lilacs and many colorful flowers. The bride opened the jar and peered in. She saw the remains of the flower petals and was fascinated that some of the colors were still on the flowers. She closed her eyes and she remembered her mother. She remembered the day her mom gave her the jar. As she began to pour the flower petals out, she opened her eyes and looked with amazement as hundreds of colorful butterflies flew out of the jar.
Love and Blessings,
E.A. Laydon
I Cry alone
The night is quiet
But the rumble of the furnace
Outside all is still
But the sound of a passing car
I am alone
A time to search for answers
I have none
A time to misplace my strength
A solitary weakness
Facing the frustrations
A withering of determination
Drowning in uncertainty
With eyes opened
I close them to my Spirit
With eyes closed
I open them to anger
I cry alone
Seeking relief from the journey
I cry for help
Looking to surrender
I am misplaced
Bewildered by the journey
I am injured
Incapable to take this passage unaided
I wonder
Is it a mask I wear
The day is busy
Am I hiding behind weakening armor
The tears are veiled
Reaching for help is unfamiliar
The fears are unseen
Wanting support seems forbidden
I cry alone
Tomorrow I will stop
I cry alone
Tomorrow no one will know
I cry alone
Tonight I will allow a moment of self pity
I cry alone
Tonight I will come back to my Spirit
-E.A. Laydon
Love Lost Again
A flood begans when the door unlocked
Feelings, stored deep within
never tossed away, never lost
Edge their way through the growing crack
Memories, laughter, love, friendship, passion
Rise to the surface and takes a great breath
The pages of what was, enlightens the heart
The yearn of a touch and a caress return
A warm glow; a trembling hand; a tear
The senses burst with longing
They are released from their forever slumber
A moment of bliss, a roller coaster ride rising and falling
The drops become deeper and each rise shallow
Silence, the strongest enemy to a fragile growth
Its delicate nature needs care and attention or…
Slowly walls rise from the silence
Protecting the few delicate remains
Walls thicken as empty promises evolve to nothingness
Feelings drowned in tears sink ever deeper
Memories packed away and forever sealed
Renewed warmth grows familiarly cold and empty
Never to return
Pain returns, emptiness is vast
-E.A. Laydon