Encouraging a Child with Words

I read this on The Draper House blog and wanted to share it with you....

In Which House Do You Live?

"I got two A's," the small boy cried, his voice filled with glee.
His father bluntly asked, “Why didn't you get three?""Mom, I've got the dishes done!" the girl called from the door.
Her mother very calmly said, "Did you sweep the floor?""I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said, "and put the mower away!"
His father asked him with a shrug, "Did you clean off the clay?The children in the house next door seem happy and content.
The same things happened over there but this is how it went."I got two A's" the small boy cried, his voice filled with glee.
His father proudly said, "That's great! I'm glad you live with me!""Mom, I've got the dishes done!" the girl called from the door.
Her mother called and softly said, "Each day I love you more.""I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said, "and put the mower away!"
His father answered with much joy, "You've made my happy day!"Children deserve a little praise for tasks their asked to do.
If they are to lead a happy life, so much depends on you

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Papaw!

Today would have been my Papaw's 86th birthday. He went home to be with his Lord in May 2005. He was an amazing, loving, caring, thoughtful, and generous man who I miss greatly. Happy Birthday in heaven, Papaw.

God's Angel

Thank you Lord for sharing with me

One of your angels so precious is he.

He's shown the love you have for us all

And I proudly call him my Papaw.

A Christian example he's always shown

And was never afraid to let it be known.

He led me to you one bright Sunday morn'

For he wanted to know that I'd been reborn.

You've allowed us to love him for so many years

Now our selfishness is the reason for these tears.

We all love him so deeply and will miss him so much

But there's comfort in knowing we'll again feel his touch.

You're calling him home to rejoice with you

Of that there is nothing we can possibly do.

We can, however, look forward to the day

When we're reunited because Jesus paid our way.

We ask for your comfort and peace in our hearts

We love him so much and it's painful to part.

No one could ever take his place

There will just forever be an empty space.

Our memories will never fade

They'll get us through the hardest of days.

Again, thank you Dear Lord for sharing with us

An angel from heaven we know as Otis.

© Shane Hawk 2005

I wrote this two weeks before he passed away. I knew the time was drawing near. He truly was my angel!

An early morning poem

As I layed in bed last night, unable to sleep, my mind began racing. I soon got up and came downstairs to my office. Shortly thereafter, this is what I had....


The Fisherman

A fisherman sat in
His boat one day
Searching for truth and
Looking for the way

He cast his line
Into the water deep
Not knowing what
His line would reap

He soon felt a tug
And began to reel it in
On the hook he saw
The temptation of sin

He knew he shouldn't keep it
but couldn't resist
It tempted him and said
They could peacefully coexist

He again cast his line
Into the water deep
Not knowing what
His line would reap

Again there was a tug
And he anxiously reeled it in
He had caught a golden crown
That looked more promising than sin

He thought for a moment
Not knowing what to do
Then he heard a voice say
"I will gladly help you"

"The sin you have
May look appealing
But I can replace
All that it is stealing"

"If you throw it back
And take my crown
I'll see to it that the sin
Is completely drowned"

"With my crown of jewels
You'll be a fisher of men
And bring others to me
To take away their sin"

That was an offer
He couldn't refuse
It was an easy choice and
He knew just which one to choose

He proudly now wears
The crown of gold
And leads others into
God's protective fold


Thanks for the inspiration Eric!

A poem about "The Masters"

Since this weekend is THE weekend as far as my husband is concerned, I thought I'd share this with you. I wrote this in 1993 out of boredom while my husband was watching The Masters. Of course that was "BK" (before kids) when he could actually do such things. Luckily for him though, the boys and I are heading out of town this weekend (perfect timing as far as I'm concerned). So... no need to call, email or stop by because he'll be totally absorbed in all things green!

"The Masters"


I get out of my cart
and address the tee,
I gaze down the fairway
and no one do I see.

My caddy hands me my club
and tells me to watch for the bunker.
He forgets I'm a scratch golfer,
not some old clunker.

The dog leg is tough,
but I'm going for the eagle.
This time I'm going to
do it absolutely legal.

As the divot flies
high in the air,
I keep my cool and
at the ball I stare.

I can see it's a hook
as it goes to the left.
Just over the pond,
but not a bit wet.

As I give the warning
and call out “fore,”
It lands in the rough.
I can see it no more.

I make my approach shot
and hope for the best.
Right on the green
it comes to rest.

He hands me my putter
and speaks not a word.
The course is silent
except for a bird.

I step up to the ball
with the greatest of ease,
Hoping no one can
see my stomach quease.

I sink my spikes
into the ground,
For I know this is
the very last round.

After I putt the ball
time seems to stop.
It rolls so slowly,
I'm about to pop.

At long last
the birdie is mine.
I'm walking tall
and feeling fine.

As the crowd starts to clap
and give me a hand,
Jack Nicklaus gives me
my hundred grand.

When the bright green blazer
is being present to me,
Reality sets in……..
I'm awoke by a bee.

© 1993 Shane Hawk

My Latest Poem

Courage of a Man

How do you measure the courage of a man?
Could it be by looking at his nail-scarred hand?

Or maybe the soldier who goes off to war
Not quite sure what he’s fighting for.

Is it the officer who proudly patrols our street
Never knowing exactly who he may meet?

What about the men who work deep in the mine
Only able to see where their lights shine?

Could it be the firemen who battle the blaze
And seldom receive any praise?

Maybe it’s the man who faces cancer head on
Not knowing if he’ll live to see another dawn.

Is it the man who serves the Lord
While knowing many will not seek His rewards?

The man who faces his own fears each day
Should kneel on his knees and courageously pray.


© Shane Hawk 2006

More of my poetry can be found on my poetry site.

Thank You for Giving to the Lord

This is one of my favorite songs ever. It instantly brings to mind images of my grandparents. This song could have been written specifically about my Mamaw, Lucille, and Papaw, Otis. Before his death in May of this year, my grandfather gave all he could to everyone he could. Even when/if he didn't really have it, he would manage to share what he could. My grandmother is still doing the same, just as she always has. I only hope that as my life draws to an end, I can look back and apply this song to my life as well. I dedicate this to my precious grandparents.

"Thank You For Giving to The Lord "
(Words and Music by Ray Boltz)

I dreamed I went to heaven and

You were there with me

We walked upon the streets of gold

Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing

Then someone called your name.

You turned and saw this young man

And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now"

And then he said, "But wait"

You used to teach my Sunday School

When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer

Before the class would start.

And one day when you said that prayer

I asked Jesus in my heart."

(Chorus)

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am a life that was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you

And said, "Remember the time

A missionary came to your church

And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money

But you gave it anyway.

Jesus took the gift you gave

And that's why I am here today."

(Chorus)

One by one they came

Far as the eye could see

Each life somehow touched

By your generosity.
Little things that you had done

Sacrifices made.

Unnoticed on the earth

In heaven now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven

You're not supposed to cry.

But I am almost sure

There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand

And you stood before the Lord.

He said, "My child look around you.

Great is your reward."

(Chorus twice)

© Copyright 1988 Gather Music/ASCAP All rights reserved.

To hear a small portion of this song performed by this amazing song writer/singer go to RayBoltz.com. Once at his site click on the song title, "Thank You." Then click on the button beside the title. Enjoy!

The Broken Chain

I saw this poem in a Best to You catalog that I received today. It's such a beautiful piece of poetry and I wanted to share it. It immediately brought precious thoughts of my Papaw.

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning

God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.

In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,

you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you,

the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,

your love is still our guide;
and though we cannot see you,

you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,

the chain will link again.

--unkown