Time-tested patterns cannot be tossed,
Lest hard-learned wisdom could be lost.
“New” may offer promise bright,
But often times may not be right.

Wisdom’s ways have lasting worth,
When well-learned, much gold to birth,
Building in us strong foundation,
A gift of life-long inspiration!

“For wisdom is better than rubies: and all the things
that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
Proverbs 8:11   KJV

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Listening to another’s heart
Is a very sensitive art.
For all that dwells so deep within
Desires expression to begin.

We cannot learn to know another
With many words which just will “smother”.
The heart is heard in quietness...
In times of listening... without stress.

It’s possible to miss “the gold”
Which in quietness would unfold.
A tender heart it’s gold will hide,
It’s treasure resting deep inside.

For truly listening is a skill
Gained in learning to be “still”.
When a heart’s deep words are lost
We sadly pay too high a cost.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
in honor giving preference to one another.”
Romans 12:10  NKJ

© 2006  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Lord, help us find Your chosen path,
That we might rise up and be strong,
Causing blessings to come forth
As we stand against all wrong.

Let our feet make worthy imprints.
Let our voices bring high praise.
Let our prayers bring new light
And a bright new standard raise!

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.”
Psalm 138:8   KJV

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf

When I see a pretty butterfly
Or hear a tiny bird’s sweet song,
 I want to linger in that moment,
To hold and to remember it long…..

To gather up its beauty
And give worship to its Maker…..
Feeling then the tender touch
Of our great Creator.

God has given endless treasure.
May we always look around
And start to have life-changing moments…
To capture what is so profound.

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 145:3   KJV

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf

If in life we go too fast,
Important things we might rush past.
The Lord will help us find right pace
If for Him we’ll make some space.

His timing woven in our day
Will birth in us a new forte.
Things of worth will soon outweigh
Hurriedness and disarray.

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord;
in the morning will I direct my prayer
unto thee, and will look up.”
Psalm 5:3  KJV

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf

In God we find our giftedness.
Each person has unique design.
If His gifts we will caress,
In our lives we’ll truly shine…

And we’ll accomplish so much more
Than even what we thought we could.
Our gifts may open many-a-door,
And we’ll rejoice… as well we should!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and  cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom
is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17   KJV

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf

In God’s Word are “anchor points”
Which every day will count for much.
Anchor points will keep us strong
Through unexpected trials and such.

The Word brings wisdom and bright hope
Which lift us up and keep us steady.
Being anchored in the Word
For every challenge makes us ready.

“It is God that girdeth me with strength,
and maketh my way perfect.”
Psalm 18:32   KJV

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Rejoice in God’s great artistry and lovely handiwork,
His excellence and beauty in array for all to see,
For mountains, plains and shining seas, for waterfalls and streams,
For trees which tower toward the heav’ns and flowers which are wee…

For light He gives us in the day and starshine through the night,
For the very air we breathe and wildflower’s fragrant scent
For dew upon the grass at dawn and wind to cool the heat of day,
For birds who warble, sing and call when day is almost spent.

Creation’s endless beauty is a portrait of God’s caring,
Reminder of His lovingkindness all throughout the land.
Pause and take a moment to reflect and sing God’s praises.
Everything we see is created by His hand.

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”
Psalm 8:9 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

As we travel down life’s paths,
We form mindsets and ideas.
But in spite of what we’ve learned,
We may not have life’s panaceas.
Walk softly.    

Till we’ve lived through many seasons
We do not have full perspective.
Facing hardships, working long,
Cause us to be more reflective.
Learning to walk softly...

Experience teaches us to pray
And humbly seek our God each day.
For this is where we start to “see”
And “eye-scales” start to fall away.
Our footsteps soften.

Hindsight brings an overview
And shows us who we need to be.
Over time we change and grow
And then we see reality...
And the need to walk softly.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
 even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32   KJV

© 2008  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Lord, In Your presence is well-being…
Precious balance for each day,
Enabling us to find direction
And to prosper in our way.

Thank You for bright inspiration
Which You bring with every dawn.
Every morn is full of promise
And great joy to spur us on!

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which
You have done, and Your thoughts toward us: no one can
compare with You!  If I should declare and speak of
them, they are too many to be numbered.”
Psalm 40:5  Amplified Bible

© 2019  Arlene Schwartzkopf