Blessed are thy ways O Lord

Blessed are thy ways O Lord

Umpteen though they may be

Myriad paths and tangled webs

Leading to where we need be.

Countless are the times O Lord

That I have wondered aloud

If there be a God in the midst of pain

When sorrow overwhelms me.

Can it be that thorns and briars

Will transform into flowers and bloom?

Nay, it seems impossible

When seen in the midst of the gloom.

When I look back at times gone by

With memory filled heart and mind

Now lilies in bloom at every layby

Where first were arid lands.

Little did I know of a heavenly map

That takes us to where we need be

Providing succour to the weary heart

At every cross that seems too heavy.

Countless are thy ways O Lord

Providing hope to the weary

A hug, a word, love unmeasured

A deluge that calms the soul.

A rock, a refuge - that’s what You are

A shelter in every storm

Joining all the dots of my life

In sweet melodious symphony.

Blessed are thy ways O Lord

Wonderful in every which way

A thankful heart , eyes that now see

A divine plan that may be. 
    - Ann Joseph

List of poems penned:
Blessed are thy ways oh Lord http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/11/blessed-are-thy-ways-o-lord.html
Life - an Illusion http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/12/life-illusion.html
An Ode to my mother - http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/11/an-ode-to-my-mother.html
Remembrances http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/12/remembrances.html
Aloneness http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2013/10/aloneness.html

http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/11/moments.html

http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/11/when-love-finds-self.html
http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/12/what-is-love.html
http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/11/the-dance-of-truth.html

An Ode to my Mother

In this twilight time as I gaze at death’s door

Trying to snatch time with Mum against all hope

Remembering years gone by, time that has flown

Over 41 years of being moored at her shore.

As I look back through childhood, teenage and adulthood years

Through times of innocence, joy, despair, sickness and health

Despite roller coaster rides of love, anger and heart-burn

She remains the port of call during every storm.

Now when frail weak hands clasp mine for support

I remember that these hands once helped me walk.

When I soothe brows bowed in pain and grief

I remember with tears, times when she did the same.

Through knitted sweaters, embroidered linen & clothes stitched

A love for baking and a spotless house bereft of disorder

She never allowed her ‘ill-health’ to become a crutch

Rather, working doubly hard to ensure normal order.

Through all my teenage years

And through times I’ve got unwanted advice

I never would’ve imagined a time would come

When I would grieve so, and long for her advice.

Now as I reflect on her life & ponder what impacts me most:

A capacity to tap on hidden strengths from deep within

Turning ‘weakness’ into strength, bounce back from every post

A deep abiding love for all and faith in God.

When I see frail hands of my parents entwined

Holding in the present, a deep connection of nearly 50 years

I realise what a privilege I’ve been given

To be born to parents such as mine.

I take a snapshot of memories of my growing up years

And realise that in all of them she remains in pain

It grieves me so but I hope and pray

That she soon finds peace and rest for her weary soul.

As tears cloud my eyes and I can scarce write

I know I will grieve for times gone by

Only to realise that she lives in my life

And when I am quiet, I’ll hear her in my heart.
   - Ann Joseph

List of poems penned:
Blessed are thy ways oh Lord http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/11/blessed-are-thy-ways-o-lord.html
Life - an Illusion http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/12/life-illusion.html
An Ode to my mother - http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/11/an-ode-to-my-mother.html
Remembrances http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2012/12/remembrances.html
Aloneness http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2013/10/aloneness.html

http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/11/moments.html

http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/11/when-love-finds-self.html
http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/12/what-is-love.html
http://rapportinrelationships.blogspot.in/2014/11/the-dance-of-truth.html