CREATURES of THE KING

All creatures of the seas and oceans

Live in an underwater world we cannot see;

And the beasts of deserts and fields

All depend upon God to feed adequately.

Each one roams a vast expanse of sea or land;

Each lives and breathes as God has planned.

Birds of the air flying here and there

Seem not to have a worry, a fret nor a care

They hunt for twigs to build a nest

for their tiny babies to rest

Finding food is their continual quest

The provision of which is

God-Blessed.

Respecting the creatures God has made

We treat them with kindness and care;

Some are fierce and strikingly fearsome

We ought not impose upon them nor dare.

The world is big enough for ev'ry living being

When we realize this ~ we are truly seeing.

God made all creatures, some mammoth, some small;

He made some animals short and some He made tall.

From the tiny ant crawling in the dirt

With the ostrich his head to insert

And the Giraffe with neck so long

To God almighty they all belong.

And so we, too, are creatures of The King

Our repentant souls to Him we bring

To Him forever after we long to cling

Praise and Worship songs to Him we sing.

We all are creatures of The King!

© Mel Patterson, 9-19-11

DOUBLE BLESSINGS

The young woman of large girth
Was near to giving birth
She would soon see for the first time
Her infant miracles, how sublime.

Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes
Little rosebud lips, cute little nose
Of these wee ones born of this mother
A bond forms like none other.

Playful babe, happy giggles
Out of loving arms he wriggles
Stuffed animals, many toys
Very typical of baby boys.

Full of glee this little girl
Tousled head with red curl
Twirling and whirling in a dance
She's a ballerina perchance.

As Mom watches her child grow
She wonders where did the time go?
How is it my baby grew up so tall
When once he was so very small?

When did she stop needing me
Now all she does is needle me
She once wanted her door left open
Boredom sets in and I see her mopin.'

Applications to many a college
In an effort to grow in knowledge
Doctor, Lawyer, Commander in Chief
So many choices, good grief!

He met a girl; she met a guy
Two engagements, rings to buy
Twins met twins, who would have guessed
Both families to be doubly blessed.

Double Wedding Day done
Of a daughter and of a son
Our home is now an empty nest
It's time for a much needed rest.

Roses arrived in four lovely hues
I realize what the gift imbues
I am delighted and I have to say
The blooms are for me on Mother's Day.


© Mel Patterson, 5-7-11

IF I WERE TO WANDER

Lord, be Thou my Holy Guest
Thou art my ultimate Quest
My soul Thou hast blessed
In Thee I find peaceful rest

If I were to wander away
Other gods to hold me sway
This fool can truly say
Without Thee there is no day.

Permit me not to take my leave
Like a magnet to Thy heart I cleave
Thy boundless love may I receive
O Lord Jesus in Thee I believe.

I long to see Thee face to Face
When finally I'll win the race
Blessed by Thy every grace
O Triune God, it's Thee I Praise.


© Mel Patterson, 5-7-11

CLAP YOUR HANDS

Clap your hands, the Lord draws nigh
The time is nearing; look to the sky
As was told in the age-old story
He comes again resplendent in glory

Clap your hands, dress in fine attire
Stir up the spirit with hearts afire
Play instruments and joyfully dance
Sing out ~ your joy to enhance.

Clap your hands, be en guarde
Let not your souls be marred
Your spirits can soar to the height
Be ready for the most radiant Sight.

Clap your hands - He is here
Permit the Lord to draw near
Run to Him hearts aflame
You are the reason that He came.

Clap your hands, the Lord draws nigh
The time is nearing; look to the sky
As was told in the age-old story
He comes again resplendent in Glory!

© Mel Patterson, 5-5-11

IF NOT FOR YOU

If not for you we would not have been
You lovingly deemed we should exist
You sent Jesus, your Son, to heal us of sin
For our souls He did and still does persist


No bigger than a grain of sand on vast beaches,
You know when we sit and when we stand,
May we ever cleave to what Jesus Christ teaches
Each tiny undeserving speck of sand


O what a loving Father we have in you
Who willed all creation into being
For us every blessing and grace you imbue
Blind were we; now we are seeing


Accept our thanksgivings and praises
As we worship you with unabashed hearts
Pour upon us the blessings and graces
Your Holy Spirit imparts.


© Mel Patterson, 5-4-11

BEHOLD

To celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord
We rejoice in one accord
Wondering at what great a price
He has gifted us with Paradise.

It was necessary for Christ to suffer
Without leniency, without buffer
Left behind was the Glory that was His
The holy realm of heavenly bliss
He was sent by His Father above
To teach us the ways of Christian love.

Because of us He was denied Glory for a while
Teaching and preaching travelin' many a mile
His followers loved Him until His cruel death
Until in the tomb by sweet Holy Spirit breath
He rose up out of the grave our souls to save
What glorious gift our Triune God gave.

Jesus was given back His Glory as was foretold
Even though for thirty pieces of silver He was sold
And passion and death to Him was doled
He gave us Salvation, more precious than gold.
O the Resurrected Lord Jesus.......BEHOLD !


© Mel Patterson, 4-25-11

THE DAY AFTER

Our Lord was crucified yesterday and died
His heartbroken mother, relatives and friends cried
For terrible acts evil satan-smitten men contrived.

All friends except John from the morbid scene ran.
Yet Jesus was closer to fulfilling His Father's Plan
Blood Bought Salvation for each mortal man.

The day after Jesus' burial unfolded very sadly
Satan cavorted and cajoled men to act madly
And chortled to see Jesus treated so badly.

From his mother's womb
to the borrowed tomb
He rested, as was God's Will,
until Sunday morning
When on His Resurrection

There would be Glorying.



© Mel Patterson, 4-22-11

HE WASHED THEIR FEET



Their Master donned a towel girded about his waist
Each sandal of the twelve was purposely unlaced
And with basin of water each foot He bathed clean
A lesson in sheer humility they had ne'er before seen.

The Lord and the apostles together shared the last meal
Broken bread and blessed wine filled all but one with zeal
Jesus, with heavy heart, said one of them was a betrayer
Knowing already Judas was wallowing in satan's lair.

Their Lord taught them to serve rather than be served
That the seeds of faith He planted would be preserved
He said He was the True Vine and would prepare a place
That the Spirit would visit them with a powerful grace.

They did not want their Master to leave them so soon
In three days time His Passion and Death would loom
They didn't know they would add to His pain
Hiding and denials before the Lord would be slain.

Jesus explained that they would start the first church
To preach, teach and welcome all in their own search
To follow His Way, His Truth, His Life and His Light
Because each man and woman's precious in His sight.

On this Thursday Eve it could not be perceived
That the Lord and Master would be so deceived
That vile and evil acts could be so conceived
And that Crucifixion by Jesus so humbly received.
They insisted. He persisted....
to His very last breath
and
to His Death.


© Mel Patterson, 4-21-11

ROSARIES ENCIRCLING THE GLOBE





While praying the Rosary in deep reverie
The world appeared as a globe beautiful to behold
One Holy Rosary after another encircled it,
Every bead encrusted in a brilliant gold.

The world was bedewed with tears and prayer
Fervently prayed one decade after another
As souls reached up to Our Lady and Our Lord
Praying for each brother, sister, father, mother.

As Mary leads us to Jesus, her Son
She points to the Cross where He died,
The price He paid for the souls He had won
And Whose loving arms were opened wide.

Heavenward from the earth
the Rosary praying soul soared ~
Toward the Object of her desire,
her heart afire,
~ To His Holy Eminence,
Our Lord.


© Mel Patterson, 2-6-11

WHAT COLOR IS THE SOUL ?






The soul is a prism reflecting the Light
The radiance of which blinds our sight
A soul so attuned soars to great height.
The soul nearing the the Lord is lighter
And the closer to Him the brighter
Imaging Him it is even whiter.

God draws a beloved soul to His own
His Soul and the small soul coo in a moan.

The soul caught up in shameful sins
Moves away from God; satan wins ~
But God's love for that prodical son
Through the Blood of the Cross has won
The repentent soul and washed away
The filthy stain of blackness and gray.

God draws this soul close to His Heart
He blesses it by giving it a fresh start
He enlivens and enlightens the soul to pray
To ask for graces sufficient for the day.

The soul nearing the the Lord is lighter
And the closer to Him the brighter
Imaging Him it is even whiter.



© Mel Patterson, 1-16-11

SNOW FUN




Snow is falling, flakes big as your eye!
Pure white, its' beauty emits an 'ah-ing' sigh
Skies above appear as a milky gray
Evergreens adorned as glistening snows lay.

Reminiscent of times gone by
When mounds would cumulatively lie
Snowmen created and snowballs thrown
We played amidst that snow so blown.

Anxiously we'd don our gear with great haste!
Ankle deep, knee deep, even to the waist
We'd play and romp, frolick and slide
And on our red and brown sleds we'd glide.

For hours upon hours outdoors we'd play
Until we finally came in at the end of the day;
Off came each wet boot, scarf and glove
Hot cocoa served expressed thru Mom's love.

To be a child and enjoy all of the snowfall,
Unlike adults who might deem it awful,
Snow-white mountains are a child's glee
With no other place he'd rather be.


© Mel Patterson, 1-8-11

PLEDGE





O Lord, when I find it hard to pray
And the words will not come my way
Bless this unsettled soul of mine
So it may come into line with Thine.

How is it at times I am inspired
And much of me is required?
How is it at times I am depressed
With feet of clay that are hard pressed?

I long to be lifted out of this abyss
To understand why I have been remiss
In obeying Thy patient knock and call.
O Lord, I do not deserve Thee at all.

There is a spirit battle being waged
I want to break out but I am caged
Those pinions digging into my soul
Begin to take their tortuous toll.

Reach down and grasp my feeble hand
Lord lift me high out of this quicksand
Pull me up and engage me to Thy heart
Hold onto me that I may not again depart.

Instill within me Thy Holy Spirit
That I may always and ever endear it.
Lead me to Thy Truth, Life and Way
And I shall be blessed again to pray.

To Thee I come with repentant heart
And plead with Thee we never ever part
Lord, I adore Thee and upon bended knee
I pledge my heart and soul to only Thee.


© Mel Patterson, 1-6-11

AWAKE? PRAY







While the night unfolds and the hours tick by
The world sleeps but why can't I?
I wonder how it is this sort of thing has come to be
Perhaps it is the Lord who wants me to see
There are far more who toss and turn like me.

How do we use the time that is now handed to us?
Do we use it wisely or do we fuss and cuss?
Do we mis-use this gift of time that has been dealt?
It is far better to pray that peace may be felt
And that bitter sin encrusted hearts would melt.

The world is in need of salvation and much prayer
Nations need warriors to lift them up in care
To the Lord our God who alone can mend the ills
With Love each human heart He generously fills
As His Holy Spirit over the receptive soul spills.

It seems the reason for the wakefulness is now clear
As we pray for our world and those we hold dear
In the right frame of mind inspired by God above
We lift up our neighbor in prayer and in love
Then we retire again blessed by the Holy Dove.


© Mel Patterson, 1-4-11

TRAVELING

Entering the Springtime of my life years ago
Myriads of emotions sprinkled with bouts of woe
Tested my metal and kept me sway
As I traveled a journey toward The Way.

Little did I know in the heat of the Summer
Eventually I would surmount as an overcomer
Obstacles of draughts and fires that charred my soul
As I traveled a journey toward The Goal.

As the Autumn of my life came and went
I pondered if prior seasons were well spent
Resolving to focus on others, myself as least
I now traveled a journey toward the Banquet Feast.

Now in the Wintertime of my Salvific traveling
Avenues of serenity are oft pitted by graveling
Step by stoney step I mount the steep climb
Traveling the journey toward a Heaven sublime.


© Mel Patterson, 1-3-11

" FIRST DAY of the FIRST MONTH of the NEW YEAR "




The first day of the first month of the new year
God's eternal Love has placed us here
When we are open to His Word He stays near
May all of us to the Lord's Law lend an ear.

The first day of the first month of the new year
Holds promise, hope, and an awesome fear
The Lord's Joy in our hearts evokes a tear
What a blessing we cannot into 2011 peer.

The first day of the first month of the new year
Welcomed at the stroke of midnight clear
Amidst festivities celebrated with cheer
Includes families and friends we hold dear.


© Mel Patterson - 1-1-11

SNOW ANGEL

Little girl pink and pretty playing in the snow
Frolicking, tumbling, running, and on the go
Bundled up warmly, head to toe
Now supine through a sled-like slide
Gleefully waving an arm by each side
And creating snow angel wings that glide.

There is such joy to watch this little girl
Crowned with brunnette helmet of curl
Dreaming of balleting in graceful twirl.

The Seasons come and go but..
Winter's her delight!
Watching her snow-happiness,
O such a sight!
To be her age again?
I would in a minute,
if I might...
if I might..
if I might.


© Mel Patterson, 12-330-10

Little Innocents

Holy Innocents who died as little Martyrs
Their blood poured, now God's Partners
Because of the reigning King Herod's fears
Those stripped parents shed copious tears.

Wailing in sorrow in every tomorrow
Not one hour could one parent borrow
Hearts rended in indescribeable pain
Never would mourning their babes wane.

Is it not the same today here and now
Babies are ripped apart somehow
Hearts rended in indescribeable pain
Never to know why the seed became.

O Lord, send your Holy Spirit
That a pregnancy they might not fear it.
Give insight to the new mother to be
To deliver her baby because of Thee.

© Mel Patterson, 12-28-10

"SLEEPLESS NIGHT "

Sleepless night
Is my plight
In the wee hours
O His Powers
Get me to my knees
Hear my pleas, please
As I pray
This early day
For lost souls
On all poles
To know You
Love you, too.
Lord, bring them in
To the glory of heaven
Send Your grace
To every race
To every tongue
That's ever sung
Send your Spirit
That all endear it
Let's hear Your Voice
Then we shall rejoice
You alone are our choice.

© Mel Patterson, 12-26-10

"NOT ONLY ME..."

The Holy Spirit came upon me today
Reality sweeping over my tear strewn face.
Knowing I'm perfectly loved by God I pray
With grateful heart, blessed by His grace.

Not only me has He loved to His Death
But everyone to whom He has given breath.

Without His having created me from a seed so long ago
Eternal Life would not be possible; this I know.

He placed me in the tender palm of His hand
Gazed upon me with a love so grand
Me, only a little speck of sand
Waiting the eternal Fatherland.

Not only me has He loved to His Death
But everyone to whom He has given breath.

May evangelizing be our ardent endeavor
Teaching that His Love will never sever
Spreading the gospel by thought, word and deed
Following the Lord's lead as prayerfully we intercede
For our brothers and sisters, all mankind
That they may see who may be blind.

Not only me has He loved to His Death
But everyone to whom He has given breath.

Let us to the best of our ability, help others to see
The saving power of His Majesty
That the Father sent His Son,
The Holy Mighty Three -in-One
Planned from the beginning of time
An Eternity so Divinely Sublime
~ It can be yours and mine ~
Oh God, Thou art wholly Holy and Divine!

Not only me has He loved to His Death
But everyone to whom He has given breath.

The day will come with Blood bought souls
Thus purified soar to heavenly goals
Pure hearts to Him we'll bring
All Praise to our Almighty King!
Thanksgivings and Praises ever ring,
With heavenly choruses we shall also sing!

Not only me has He loved to His Death
But everyone to whom He has given breath.

© Mel Patterson, 7-13-10

" A GRAIN OF SAND"

A little grain of sand upon the beach
Has a lesson in humility to teach
Considering the numbers vast and wide
So high so deep a grain hides inside
Unnoticed, unknown, there nonetheless
Warmed by the sun in a warm caress.

Little grain of sand hidden from view
Still with his own little job to do
Fitting as placed there by the Creator's Hand
Right there on the beach within the sand
Unnoticed, unknown, there nonetheless
Warmed by the sun in a warm caress.

So are we, each one, one of many, yet all one
Placed here by the Mighty Three-in-One
Embraced by the Father, Holy Spirit and Son
One grain, in all the sands of time, won
From the plight of everlasting duress
Unnoticed, unknown, there nonetheless
Warmed by the sun in a warm caress
Enveloped by The SON in His Loving Caress.


© Mel Patterson 7-1-10