Joy – Page 2 – Woodsmoke and Cardamom

The Hill

by Lucy M. Young

Up in the Northland far away
There's a long smooth hill at the foot of a mountain
Broad and steep, free of bushes and trees,
A perfect place to ski 

The mountain above it is beautifully clad
In fragrant balsam, fir, and pine,
Rough logging roads winding throughout

I skied for hours along those roads
Then at sunset, like a low-flying bird
I swooped down the hill toward home nestled snugly below
Aglow with lamplight welcoming me
To the love and security waiting therein.

The warmth of that memory stays with me
Brightening many a weary day
I pray that someone is skiing those trails
Feeling the joy and peace that I knew
In those long ago days of my youth.

A Patch of Blue

by Lucy M. Young

A patch of deep blue sea above the city skyline
For fluffy white cloud ships to sail upon
God knew we needed something bright and cheery
After cloudy days of rain and gloom
So thank you, Lord, for this small piece of April
To help us through the last grim days of March.

A Message of Cheer

by Lucy M. Young

There's a light behind every shadow,
  In back of each cloud there's the sun;
God's in His Heaven above us
  Showering blessings on everyone.

There's a rainbow in every raindrop
  Sparkling jewels in every snowflake;
God's promise in every sunrise -
  A promise He'll never forsake.

Bright daylight follows night's darkness.
  Sweet release comes after pain;
A smile will replace a teardrop
  Just as sunshine follows rain.

So seek the Lord and His Mercy
  Trust the Master Plan sublime
And look for a better tomorrow
  Living one day at a time.



photo by David Brooke Martin on Unsplash

The Christmas Star

by Lucy M. Young

The Christmas star is shining in the East.
Its pure and radiant light has never ceased
To guide the faithful with its steady glow,
Just as it led the Wise Men long ago
To a lowly manger in a stable bare
Where lay the Christ Child with his mother fair.

Oh Christmas star, may your pure holy light
Fill every heart with peace and joy tonight;
And may your beams encompass all the earth
Remind all nations of the holy birth
Of the Babe who came that war and suffering cease;
And bring to all the world good will and peace.

May the Christmas star fill your hearts with love and joy today and always



photo by Frantzou Fleurine on Unsplash

Never Alone

by Lucy M. Young

Once I wandered alone and lonely,
 My heart was empty and cold;
There seemed to be nothing to live for,
 Nothing to which I could hold.

Then one day He spoke to me softly,
 I didn't hear Him at first;
But slowly and gently He entered my heart,
 My soul was no longer accursed

With emptiness, bitterness, sadness -
 They'd been driven out by His love.
I rejoiced in my new-found freedom
 Given me by my Father above.

Lord, I come to you now in thanksgiving
 For the many blessings you've given;
I am never alone, for I walk each day
 With my wonderful Father in Heaven.



photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash

I Wonder

by Lucy M. Young

When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Born in a bare and lowly stall,
The angels caroled joyously,
Wise men and shepherds heard their call.
I wonder, do they still?

The sky was filled with radiance,
The bright star showed the way to Him;
Glory shown around the stable,
Cattle knelt in awe of Him.
I wonder, do they still?

The night awoke to heavenly singing,
People came from near and far
With love and hope to worship Him,
Guided by the wondrous star.
I wonder, do they still?

We reverently await His coming,
Surrounded by a troubled earth;
Naught can shake our faith in Jesus,
Or the wonder of His birth.
Oh, yes, we love Him still.

No more wondering, no more doubting,
God's great love surrounds us all;
And the star will ever guide us
To that lowly Bethlehem stall.
We know He loves us still.

photo by Batang Latagaw on Unsplash