CHRISTMAS FOR THE BROKENHEARTED (A Song of Hope)

Chorus
When no-one calls to wish you a merry Christmas
When no-one’s there with you to share
When love is elusive, a long time a-coming
Come unto Me and know My care
Oh! Just come unto Me anytime, anywhere

Calling all who have no-one to trust
Calling all who have lost joy’s hope
Calling all whose friends have long gone
There’s a Christmas for the brokenhearted
No more will love be hidden, departed

Chorus
When no-one calls to wish you a merry Christmas
When no-one’s there with you to share
When love is elusive, a long time a-coming
Come unto Me and know My care
Oh! Just come unto Me anytime, anywhere

Never give up when you’re alone
Never give up when your heart’s cold
Never give up when sadness calls
Never give up, I won’t give up
There’s a Christmas for the brokenhearted
No more will love be hidden, departed

Chorus
When no-one calls to wish you a merry Christmas
When no-one’s there with you to share
When love is elusive, a long time a-coming
Come unto Me and know My care
Oh! Just come unto Me anytime, anywhere

Bridge
Oh! Even when the snow it falls
And settles upon your life that’s stalled
Look past the fragile side of the season
Know that you are loved
And that I am the reason
Yes, know that you are loved
And that I am the reason

Chorus
When no-one calls to wish you a merry Christmas
When no-one’s there with you to share
When love is elusive, a long time a-coming
Come unto Me and know My care
Oh! Just come unto Me anytime, anywhere

© 2014 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

I Wait and Wait … and Wait

I wait.

For an answer.

To prayer.

The path before me divides.

Which path to take?

I have lifted the need in prayer.

I could go forward.

But I will sit.

And wait.

And trust.

A door will be opened.

In His time.

In His time only.

Just trust.

So I wait.

But Lord ….

I need the answer now.

I don’t have the time to wait.

Something has to be done now!

But still I sit.

And wait.

And wait.

Then one day  ….

A different solution arrives.

It’s easier.

It answers my problem.

And I didn’t have to do a thing.

Just trust.

And wait.

And not take the problem out of His hands.

It’s done!

All I did was wait.

And watch.

And believe.

And wait.

An answer always comes.

And it’s always the best for me.

Because He loves me.

And I love Him.

********

From “Fragrance from the Spring”

WAITING

“Wait on the Lord

Again I say wait.

In Christ, we find patience

To wait on the Lord

 

Onward Christian soldier

Nearer to Him we be

 

Tell the brokenhearted

He died for you and me

Ever faithful, everlasting

 

Lord, in Your radiance we live

On Your promises we believe

Render to each a measure of faith

Dearly beloved, a treasure to Thee”

 

YOU MEAN MORE TO ME THAN MOTHER’S DAY (A Song for Anyone with a Sweet Mother’s Heart)

O the sweetness of those words
You mean more to me than Mother’s Day
Touches deep, releases joy
Something only a dearest child could say

Chorus
Sometimes distance has its way
Sometimes others have their say
But still, my love survives in May
‘Cause you mean more to me than Mother’s Day
Yes, you mean more to me than Mother’s Day

Brings with them, sweet butterflies
Of fleeting memories from yesteryear
Interspersed with cherished love
Can sense their closeness, even if not near

Chorus
Sometimes distance has its way
Sometimes others have their say
But still, my love survives in May
‘Cause you mean more to me than Mother’s Day
Yes, you mean more to me than Mother’s Day

Brings a bouquet of sweet intent
And hugs that reach to eternity
Thankfulness for heaven’s gift
Preciousness with a face that’s so pretty

O may I feel your arms surround me
May I feel your breath upon me
May I feel your love towards me
Sweet child, sweet child, of mine

Chorus
Sometimes distance has its way
Sometimes others have their say
But still, my love survives in May
‘Cause you mean more to me than Mother’s Day
Yes, you mean more to me than Mother’s Day

© 2014 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

*** *** *** *** ***

AND NOW A PRAYER FOR ANYONE WITH A SWEET MOTHER’S HEART

Dearest Heavenly Father
I come before You to lift every Mother unto You
And even though Mother’s Day is a wordly affair
And every day should be Mother’s Day in a child’s heart
You are love
You know our need for love
So I lift all Mothers unto You
All who have never been Mothers
Yet have a Mothering heart
All who are with child at this very moment
But are on the verge of terminating that life
All who are with child at this very moment
But are fearful of losing that life
Due to complications, accidents, medications
All who have lost a child
All who have lost children
Whether miscarried
Stillborn
As an infant
A toddler
Child
Young teen
Teenager
Young adult
An adult
… to silence
All who have a Mothering heart
And through silent tears
Are unable to have children
But Lord
But with God
Nothing is impossible
All who are awaiting the news
Of a missing child
Desperate for news
Hoping, praying
That they will be returned
Safely into their nuturing arms
All who are unable to spend
Mother’s Day together
Due to distance
Sickness
Disagreements
Anger
Hurt
Pride
And any other Mother who due
To no fault of their own
Is just unable to share
This precious day
As is every day
Together
All Mothers who have lost their Mothers
As a child
And never knew them
As an adult
The grief is the same
Anyone who has lost their Mother
Those whose heart is breaking
Because their Mother is so sick
Fear worrying how they will cope without them
O Lord
O Lord
Please also bless those spending
Today together
May they be aware of the gift they have
May Your love abound
May Your love abound
Shed Your love abroad
May it enter deep within all hearts
Unto You Lord
Unto You Lord
Precious Lord
In Jesus Name I pray
Amen

© 2014 – current Liana Wendy Howarth

His Death, Our Life

Pierced by hatred
Pierced by thorns
Crowned with pain
He died for all

Unrelenting agony
Suffered He for us
Torn, jagged flesh
Whipped with cruel bone

Life, it left Him
Emptying, abandoning
Covering every sin upon Him
Crimson, yet spotless, He bled for me

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
In bondage to those nails
A prisoner; but free
Fulfilling the will of the Father

May we never cease to cherish
That cherished moment
When He cried, “It is finished”
Glory to God in Heaven, forever shall be

A MOTHER’S LOVE (Song Lyrics)

Chorus
When the lamp of love is no longer
A central part of your home
When the beating heart of a mother
Has left this world too soon
That’s when for every tear that falls
Of a young boy, or young girl within
Sweetest memories form a new life poem
Allowing broken hearts to sing

’Cause when is ever the right time
A child, no matter their age
Will understand their mother’s heart
And how she lived out her days

The first time your eyes made contact
With eyes of abandoned love
Never sensing what lay ahead
Or the sleepless night-time hours

Beaming over the wobbly steps
Soft treasures of little hands
All the funny faces between
All the words forming inside

The scraped knees, the tears, and the smiles
Bunny rugs, favourite toys
Adventures beyond heart’s desire
Prepared for school days ahead

The projects, best friends, and parties
Homework, and then changing days
Features, they’re coming and going
Clingy fingers separate

Through the days, the sulks, and the trials
Who could you always run too
Dear mother’s heart ’twas always there
Floury apron, cookies, love

Chorus
When the lamp of love is no longer
A central part of your home
When the beating heart of a mother
Has left this world too soon
That’s when for every tear that falls
Of a young boy, or young girl within
Sweetest memories form a new life poem
Allowing broken hearts to sing

Then one day you’re out on your own
School’s finished, career may start
Or study, or marriage, or move
She’s still Mother Dear to you

Disagreement may come between
Two lives are visibly bound
Many days may pass in silence
To mother, you’re still her child

So all I can say in closing
From someone whose loss is great
It doesn’t matter the years since
Parting, it happens, it’s real

Love her while you can, just let go
Of pain, or unforgiveness
Forgive, restore any love lost
Your mother’s heart beats for you

Take her hand in yours, remember
All the times she helped you through
Keep love’s memory locked deep down
May thinking of her bring a smile

Though it might not have always been
Harmony on every side
Maternal love’s like a flower
Be the fragrance of her heart

Chorus
When the lamp of love is no longer
A central part of your home
When the beating heart of a mother
Has left this world too soon
That’s when for every tear that falls
Of a young boy, or young girl within
Sweetest memories form a new life poem
Allowing broken hearts to sing

© 2018 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

Today, Sweet Mother, You Would Have Been 92

Bittersweet feelings today … Joy and sadness mingled … Joy, because tonight I get to hold my beautiful daughter who is now 29 weeks pregnant and her husband, in my arms, after one whole, very long year. Sadness … missing mum.

It’s been twelve long years, years of Christmas chime
Some days tears of sadness, love, they still flow
A memory, moment, in missing time
Intense waves of emotion; but short though

Please know that I am still on this journey
Of uphill and downhill and uphill climbs
I would find comfort if you held my hand
But that won’t happen, in these present times

There will come a sweet day and we’ll hold hands
Look at each other, see love in our eyes
And that love will encompass all we shared
Safe with Father, as eternity flies

Remembering our hugs and all that you ever were to me dearest Mum.
I love you and will never forget you.

The reflection of heaven’s rose garden.

Upon the branches of my heart
For you, this poem is written
The love you gave, the love you shared
The tenderness that softened

And on the paths that lead me there
Your footsteps are remembered
Guiding and advising me
You’ll never be forgotten

And on the leaves that bound my heart
My family life is written
Joy and pain, happiness and gain
The aroma will ever remind me

And on the petals of flowers found
Found wrapped around my heart
Sweet words of gentle encouragement
That trusted who I was

The aroma of those flowers linked
To leaves and branches and paths
Take me back to when you first left
Though not as often now
But the tears of dew that water my heart
Will always remember you

© 2010 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

I WILL DRY YOUR TEARS (Song Lyrics)

Are there tears, deeply hidden
Locked away from those you know
Are they trapped, chained, in bondage
Waiting patiently to flow

Were they abandoned, unloved
Or recklessly thrown aside
Did your heart refuse to hold
What emotions should have cried

Chorus
Come to Me, all broken-hearted
Come to Me, I’ll help you shed
All the pain, lost dreams, and sadness
Replace it with the Living Bread
I will sustain you
I will love you
Help you to surrender what doesn’t bring hope
And all the while, throughout the journey
Walls will come down
Tears will come forth
Healing, delivering
Healing, forgiving
Then I’ll dry those tears, come rest your head

How long have they suppressed joy
How long have they been silent
Can you endure much longer
It’s time for walls to be rent

Come to the altar, dear child
And lay your brokenness down
Your tears will be dried with love
You’ll receive My joyous crown

Chorus
Come to Me, all broken-hearted
Come to Me, I’ll help you shed
All the pain, lost dreams, and sadness
Replace it with the Living Bread
I will sustain you
I will love you
Help you to surrender what doesn’t bring hope
And all the while, throughout the journey
Walls will come down
Tears will come forth
Healing, delivering
Healing, forgiving
Then I’ll dry those tears, come rest your head

Come to the altar, dear child
And lay your brokenness down
Your tears will be dried with love
You’ll receive My joyous crown

© 2020 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

I AM NOT A BLOB

Not sure why; but feel led to post this again … if but one life be spared.

You didn’t know I was inside
So tiny at first, unseen
Then small changes started happening
And you’d never again be how you’d been

One minute you’d cry, then you’d laugh
Strange things, now so inviting
Beautiful glows appeared on your face
Sometimes the waves would keep you from eating

Please let me tell you a story
My little heart formed quickly
And within the space of a moment
I was becoming somebody, yes, me

And there are many dreams ahead
I’m more precious than a pearl
I love to twirl in this warm, dark lake
You don’t know yet, if I’m a boy, or girl

Every day I hear your heartbeat
Love compounding with each breath
Oh dear Mama, I feel so cherished
Oh dear Papa, you’ve given life, not death

I hear each word of spoken love
I feel so safe, and secure
With each passing day of my new growth
Your gentle lullabies, they reassure

Then one day, everything, it changed
Your tears no longer cried love
Voices vibrated longer, louder
I heard you didn’t want me, no more love

My heart started beating faster
There was nothing I could do
Can’t you see, feel I’m nearly ready
To be placed in your arms, so close to you

Please, please, can someone please help me
My lungs, ready for breathing
And ready to cry with thankfulness
I’m a perfectly formed human being

Mama, you said that you loved me
Your heart was no longer grey
That you’d always wanted a baby
No, don’t do that, take that needle away

I hurt so much Mama, why, why
This pain is unbearable
I no longer want to stay; but leave
The depth of pain is indescribable

I’m going to take my last breath now
And even though I suffered
I will be at peace; but not with you
I pray that forgiveness will be received

I forgive you Mama
I forgive you Papa
And when, through the years
You remember
And through the tears
You’ll shed
Please tell your family and friends
I was never, ever a blob

© 2019 – present Liana Wendy Howarth

WE NEED YOU (Written During Australia’s Fire Crisis) … Prayer for Australia

Lord, our land is crying out to You
Heal us we humbly pray
Our land is parched, our hearts are broken
Breath is taken from Your creation
And hopelessness abounds
So much suffering, all consuming
But look and see Father, faith can still be found
We trust You, we need You, You are all we have
Please open heaven’s gates of mercy
And pour Your healing down
Oh Lord! Pour Your healing down

Many are trapped, have nowhere to go
Open a door oh! Lord
And when the way seems impossible
Flood with Your all surpassing power
Holy Spirit power
May lives be spared, as only You can
Keep our hearts beating, and sweet livestock bleating
Deliver from the ferocity that flows
Please open heaven’s gates of mercy
And pour Your healing down
Oh Lord! Pour Your healing down

The beauty You gifted this nation
Darling koala bears
The creatures, big, small, vulnerable
They cry out as only they know how
Bless all who are fighting
Every service man and woman
Man and animal, birds, nature exhausted
The kangaroos trying to outbound the flames
Please open heaven’s gates of mercy
And pour Your healing down
Oh Lord! Pour Your healing down

Lord, please open heaven’s gates of mercy
And pour Your healing down
Oh Lord! Pour Your healing down

© 2020 Liana Wendy Howarth

 

The Unfulfilled Rose – Sadness as Blossoms Fall and Lie in Falling Tears

A little something I wrote six years ago:-

Over the last week or so, I have been peering out of our bay window on waking, to see my beautiful ‘English Rose’ blossoming before my very eyes and being in awe, once again, of the perfect work of my Lord and Saviour. This is one of two David Austin roses that I recently bought and I was so excited to see the finished rose.

We’ve been having soft; but steady rain for quite a while now and the rose continued to break forth and grasp as much sunlight as possible.

Words cannot describe this gorgeous bloom laced with scent from heaven.

Sadly, the rain was bruising the underside (sorry I’m not technical in botanical terms).

But each morning brought with it another stunning image.

Really starting to open up now. I’m in love.

So many petals on one sweet flower and the colour, divine.

But the rain was taking its toll on the dear, little one.

And this morning I awoke to a broken sight.

My heart broke. Perfection, beauty lay fallen upon the ground.

The creaminess had become a soft shade of lemon. Crushed. Compacted in pain.

This is all that remains. Remnants of torn petals for which I feel much sadness and yes, guilt.

For you see, a few days ago, I took the damaged petals from the rose. I had to tear them off. I feel that I have in some way contributed to the rose’s demise. It was unable to hold all of heaven’s tears and unable to take it any longer, it just gave up and surrendered to what it knew it couldn’t control.

I had even written a poem :-

“Such a silly thing I did today

I tried to take imperfection away

I prayed the Lord, He wouldn’t take

The beauty of the rose at stake”

But by tearing away what I thought was something that was marring its beauty, was in reality actually holding it’s very existence together.

Yes, I know there will be some of you that think I am totally exaggerating; but I see amazing stories and spiritual truths in God’s creation and being able to capture them with the camera is a blessing.

We grow stronger with our trials. With pain. With tears. With anything that makes us feel like we can’t go on.

Jesus is the only One who can hold us together.

Tearing Him from our lives is devastating.

Maybe not now.

But one day.

God bless all who read this.