Cracker Jack Box Prize

(first draft)  

You can read books and watch videos on many things, but until you see, touch and taste it for yourself, you don't know if it will mean anything.  Just like a Cracker Jack Box with a prize, you have to taste it for a while before you get down to the surprise.  

Some prizes you will keep for a day, some for a week before you give it away.  If your lucky you get something to keep for a while, but blessed is the one who find a prize that will never go out of style.

A hundred or so boxes people may try, some hoping a gold ring is never seen by their eyes.  Others after time well spent, will give their ring away to make something permanent.

You never know which way things like this go, and only by meeting in the middle and spending time will you know.   

One little paper cut, oh no, two little paper cuts, here we go. Three little paper cuts, the pain starts to flow. Four, five, six, little paper cuts, but no one knows.

Words that sliced flew around the place and soon she began to lower her face.  Away from words that cut up her heart, she wasn't even sure what she did to make it start.

Band-Aid here, Band-Aid there, soon there were Band-Aids everywhere.  “Your paper cuts are so small and little, maybe they seem large to you because your so brittle".

"What’s wrong now and why do you cry, words like this are always exchanged between a girl and a guy".  Love swirled hot and then it was cold, she prayed for freedom before she became too old.

She stood still for a moment so she could catch her breathe, her heart and soul had been paper cut to death. Against all odds her courage began to grow and God sent friends to help light the way to go.

In her heart she will always believe, God saw her tears and told her to leave.  He saw her as a precious gift, one the receiver blindly left in the mist.  

The receiver was now filled with great sorrow and regret, but God in his wisdom had better for her yet.  No promises could be trusted, her heart had grown cold and she hope, once healed, to be treated like gold.

The horse who ran free for so many years, was slowly broken by saddles, ropes and tears.  Its wild heart grew weary until it was numb, and hopes to be cherished disappeared like the sun. 

The wind brought a Melody from a place faraway and numbness, like ice, began to melt away. Its notes became flowers to brighten each day and fences that held the horse began to sway. 

The wild mare now older began to hope again, asking God to help her gallop anew with the wind.   The Mountains once climbed held her gaze and the fear she would never return slowly faded away.

 Why is hotel music is all the same, with businessmen trying to play the one night game?  They must be so bored with life, or maybe it's their lonely wife.  

I hate their sideways glances, with cards left on my table to increase their chances.   My heart goes out to the women who play this game.  I bet in the morning they don't feel the same.  

Eating alone never bothered me, but I guess some assume I sit here lonely.  Following you to the elevator, with sideways glances and a "hope to see you later".

For me I want to sleep alone, or catch up with loved ones on the phone.  Maybe I will watch a movie or read a book, both are 100% better than any of those sideways looks. (yuck)

Everybody needs a hometown, a place you once belonged. A place to become grounded when life on the road gets long. Where the past and friends greet you, as if you’ve never been gone. A place to hold your soul’s memories, just like an old favorite song.  

Old friends, first kisses and high school first loves, these memories slip on like an old favorite pair of gloves. Summer days, summer nights, we raced against time, with fast cars and freedom, and love on our minds.  

Everybody needs memories of loved ones long gone. Years of life together before you moved on. Summer nights with lovers and Fall seasons in the stands, quickly recalled by a song from your favorite band. Christmas lights past and old promises of Spring, are one song away from the memories it brings.

Everybody needs old friends who stayed for your show, while some friends like seasons, they come, and they go. Driving through my hometown I often move slow, so memories can catch me from times long ago. The hugs and the laughter with friends who stayed, are the reason time and distance will never keep me away.  

 For K, J and P

Oh Lord, today I am so beat up, my little warriors heart struggles to look up.  But unto you I lift my eyes and know the Holy Spirit hears my cries.

I feel the beat of gentle angel wings as they circle me and I begin to sing to Jesus, my Lord and King.  My armor broken by the swords of tongues, is gently removed, and skillfully hung.

"Brave little warrior", I heard Him call, "those that tried to harm you have been reduced to nothing at all.  Rest for a moment on angel's wings and allow My words to heal you as they sing.

Today is not your day to fight, for the lonely and wounded who have lost their light. Rest while I faithfully mend, your armor the darkness tried to rend.

Rest well beloved daughter chosen by me, a war is coming, one you can't flee. Back to the battle you will go again, and regardless of what you see, with My strength we will win. 

Be strong little warrior for I am with you.  The enemy will rage and find there is nothing he can do.  He will strike your armor made of priceless ore, only to find defeat, just like he did before." 

Oh God, help me turn around, guiltless before those watching is what I hope to be found. Their eyes of judgement bore down on me, so I lifted my wounded heart to thee.

Trusted friends with surprising cruel eyes, put me back in my place where they knew I would die. Die of a broken heart with eyes to the sky, knowing they had all been part of the lie. 

Does my precious God really want this for me? Does He really shrug his shoulders, turn away and not see? Does the law justify so much pain? Modern day Pharisees with their red-letter stains.

Warriors heart, I feel your beat, don’t fail me as I rise to my feet.  Beat strong, beat steady as I open the door and I run towards freedom like I never have before.

With each step fire burns again in my eyes, and strength once lost is felt again my thighs. Power guided by God above, flows through my arms with boundaries set by His love. The wind blows again through my hair, and I know the Holy Spirit is there. 

I see Jesus in the distance, and he wipes the pain from my eyes. Dear Daughter, so loved the world need you, so be free and don’t cry. I did not wish this pain for you but know the leading in your heart is true. Feel the wind in your hair, see the glorious mountains in your eyes and run with freedom beneath my blue skies.