Acrostic Poem for Thought

 The Lord's Strength                                                                                                       

Through times when I don't know
He is always there to help me
Even when to this I am slow

Lovingly helping as is His decree
Opening doors to help me through
Remembering me to set me free 

Drawing ever closer to bestow
Supplying my needs as His guarantee


Strength He gives me allowing me to grow
Teaching me it's not always about what I see
Residing in my soul to show
Everlasting His love, to this I agree
Nothing interfering with our flow
Granting me strength to be carefree
Time and time again, this I know
He holds the key to my reality

                  ©Doris Elaine 

Thoughts: Sometimes we don't see or realize when the Lord has answered our prayer for strength. I know I didn't for a very long time. And, He does give us this strength in the most awesome ways. For instance: Some months ago my daughter, I currently live with, told me she's moving on and I need to be prepared to find me a place to live at the end of our current lease. My job as a customer service representative does not pay enough for me to be on my own; yet, and currently do not know of anyone I can move in with. I had a huge challenge to figure out before the end of the lease. Plus, I'm getting up in age and am ready to retire; I'm tried. What a dilemma! I prayed God, please give me strength no matter what my future holds. Then one of my other daughter's, after getting wind of my situation, went looking for a place for me. She found a retirement home that is income based, no matter what that income is. I called and learned there is a three year waiting list. But, the management personal told me they have other properties in Georgia and their waiting list may not be as long. So after much praying, I called one of the properties that is close to my work place. This property and the other that is close to where I work, is managed by the same person. I learned, from speaking to her, they really don't have a waiting list, they more so screen for good residential candidates. First step was to get approved for the property. She gave me a fax number that went straight to her. I filled out the downloaded application and faxed it to her. Now, I have a couple of past situations I was really afraid would hinder my approval; want go into that, but I was badly concerned. My stress level was ridiculous. I knew this may be my only hope to not be in the streets when our lease ended. I prayed over my application before faxing it. She called and told me she had received it and she would let me know if I'm approved. A week gone by and I had not heard anything; which, just made my stress level jump even higher. Then I decided to call her. It went to an answering service where they left a message. It was time to go to sleep. I went to the restroom and laid down. I sleep during the day, as I work over night. I turn off the volume to my phone when I'm sleeping, as I am a light sleeper. I decided to check my phone one more time before laying my head down. Goodness, the manager to the property had called while I was in the restroom. She left a message. The message said, "I'm approved", and she also said she just doesn't have anything Right Now. Halleluiah!! I have my retirement home lined up, I have a place to live. Wow, how my stress level decreased 10 fold. Now, I have the strength to keep going into what life has for me. I'm good.  You see, before this, I did not realize how The Lord gives us strength by lifting worrisome burdens in our lives. Although, as life would have it, we will always have difficult situations where it seems we just don't have the strength to get through. We pray and pray, God help me, give me strength. I realized with every burden lifted, strength to carry on is given; enough strength to get us to the next spiritual growth spurt. Moment by moment, situation by situation, strength He gives us. His strength never fails, we only need to recognize The Lord's Strength.