by Sarah Hayhurst (and Gemini)

My Children, Seeds of Strength

My heart, a tidal wave of joy, with grateful praise spills over,
For you, my three dear children, my blessings ever closer.
You grew from saplings tiny, with spirits bright and clever,
To thoughtful pillars strong, whose purpose fades, no, never.
Your empathy is profound, no act of grace is lost or wasted,
A field of human kindness your close friends have tasted.

My Children, Pillars of Resilience

I watched the distant mountains of effort you have all faced,
And saw the steady purpose that time could not have erased.
You stood strong like oaks against the wind, refusing to be bent,
Your resilience was a fortress, God’s strength was heaven-sent.
Now you walk with confidence, your paths becoming clear,
With every prayer I whisper, I will hold you always near.

Comfort of Friends and Faith

For friends who hold the mirror, so my best self can appear,
They show my heart is capable of loving again with no fear.
They offer wise compassion when doubt begins to creep,
Guarding the well of friendship that runs abundantly deep.
Above all treasures, pointing to the Rock on which I stand:
That God’s eternal Word reveals to us His faithful hand.

The Teacher’s Garden

And thank you, God, for this sacred gift of labor that I hold,
To cultivate young hearts whose stories will soon unfold.
They grant a fresh perspective, a clear and crystal sight,
The beauty of a child’s outlook, forever new and bright.
This humble, powerful honor, a seed has been deeply sown,
A chance to teach and learn, myself, in ways I’d never known.

Provision and the Wide Outdoors

I thank the Lord for shelter, the practical roof above my head,
The steady, sky-blue Camry that helps me forge ahead.
For the Creator’s artistry, the sun’s first golden, sweeping rays,
The chorus of the songbirds, singing in the morning’s haze.
For strength to climb the mountain, to stand on panorama’s height,
The simple, daily joy to walk or ride a bike in nature’s fading light.

Sisters’ Safe Shelter and Kinship

To my dear sisters in Wisconsin, your welcome is a sign,
Of steadfast, warming comfort, a bond that’s always mine.
Your homes are always open, like harbors waiting on the bay,
A refuge of unspoken love that brightens each passing day.
Family is always consistent, a generous, unchanging stream,
Reflecting back kindness, life’s most precious, central theme.

Music, the Soul’s Refreshment

I also thank the Lord for music, a river pure and deep,
A gift from the Holy Spirit, ministering as we softly weep.
It speaks where words fail, mending the broken space,
A language of the heavens, rich with melody and grace.
We worship a beautiful Savior, the Maker of all things,
Whose boundless love and grace sweet redemption brings.

The Master’s Finishing Touch

Not until the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
The tapestry entire and complete will then be held on high.
Each thread of joy and sorrow, each stitch of loss and gain,
Is woven for a King’s glory Who will conquer every pain.
Though the patterns now seem broken and the path is often dim,
The Maker will unroll the canvas and reveal how it glorifies Him.