THE CROSS

I am a cross
All rugged and worn
I have been standing
For many, many years.

After they nailed Him to my wood,
I thought I was going to crack.
I felt the tears roll down His cheeks
As He saw His mother cry.

I heard Him say "It is finished"
And He dropped His head and died.
They took Him off of my wood
And placed Him in a tomb.

After three days He came back.
He conquered death's chains of gloom.
As I remember the day He died,
I am not ashamed, but rather proud.

Since I am not ashamed of the part I played,
As Christ's blood fell upon the land;
I'm just an old rugged cross,
Who had a part in the Master's plan.

Dawna Simpson ©1998

THE LIFE I ALMOST NEVER KNEW

God gave me this life
And I almost threw it away.
I had a few problems
And thought death was the answer.

I cried myself to sleep
Wondering what I should do.
Things were hard for me
And I couldn't handle it anymore.

I thought about death
And figured things would be better.
My problems would go away
And I would be happy.

Then I came to realize
That death wasn't the answer.
I remembered the life God gave me
And decided to live it.

Living this life, given by God,
I am very happy
That I chose to live this life
Instead of throw it away.

If I would have died
I would have lost
My family who loves me and
My friends who have been there for me.

I would have disappointed God
And made matters worse.
I would have lost my life
Given to me, bought with a price,

If it wasn't for God
I would have died
And lost everything- including
The life I almost never knew.

Dawna Simpson © 1998

RAINBOW

When the sky is blue
And white clouds are there
There's a beautiful rainbow within
I look up and
See so many colors
With so much meaning.
Red is for the love God gives
And the blood He shed for our sins.
Orange shows God's guidance and care.
Yellow is for those golden streets above.
Green is for my faith
That stands strong.
Blue shows the power of
The Lord God Almighty.
Purple is the friendship
That was built between.
And white is for purity and
The forgiveness that God gives.
But the most important is
When you put these colors together
As a rainbow in the blue sky
With the white clouds,
It stands for the Promise of God.

Dawna Simpson ©1998

IT'S OKAY TO CRY

It had been years
But I was still miserable.
I changed my appearance
Trying to hide what I was really like.
Just as my rough front
Hid my deep unhappiness.
I needed to talk
So I went out for a walk
To talk with my Lord.
I wanted to think about my future
But all that came to mind
Was the past I had lived.
I spoke to my Lord.
I told Him thanks for my boyfriend
And what it was like to
Have someone love me that way.
I mentioned my attempts of death
And He said…
"Satan wants you to think
That it's your only way to escape."
I know, my Lord and i humbly apologize.
Then I clearly hear Him say
"Dear Child, your attempts of death
Are not a way to escape.
They are your way to hell."
Tears fell down my cheeks
As a chill ran down my spine.
"I love you and I don't want you to die."
Hearing those words made me realize
My life is worth living
And someone really does care.
I began to cry.
And He told me
"It's okay to cry."
Lord, I love You too.
I promise to never
Attempt death again ever.
You gave me life and
Only You can take it away.
"Yes My Child, that's right."
I told Him about the pain
I was always feeling.
"Let me take away your pain."
Lord, You don't have to.
I will be okay.
"Dear Child, I don't have
To do anything,
But I want to do this for you.
I want you to lay your burdens on me."
Then I felt like I was floating.
All my pain suddenly disappeared.
I began to cry
And He said to me in a gentle voice,
"It's okay to cry."
My heart is wounded
And seems as though
It will never, ever heal.
I felt a gentle touch upon my heart.
My Dear Lord had
Touched my heart
And the wounds were finally gone.
I need a best friend.
"What about me?"
I mean someone I can talk to,
Someone who will always listen to me
And always be there for me.
"Why not me, Dear Child?"
But I can't talk to You.
"Then what are you doing now?"
I am so sorry, Lord.
I didn't realize that
I can always talk to You,
That You'll always listen to me
And that You'll always be there for me.
You are my best Friend.
I cried again feeling ashamed.
"Dear Child, I gave My life for you,
You can always talk to me anytime you need to,
I'll always listen to you
And be there for you no matter what."
As tears began to roll down my cheeks I said,
Thank You Lord.
"And it's always okay to cry."

Dawna Simpson © 1999