Dare I let tomorrow
Steal today’s joy
Dare I doubt
Rather than trust and believe God
Dare I hold on to the past
At the expense of today
Dare I hold on to a grudge
While I plead for forgiveness
Dare I esteem the inconsequential
Rather than value that which is eternal
Dare I force my plans
Rather than yield to God’s plan
Dare I?
I dare not!
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 22, 2009
In my despair
You are my hope
In my darkness
You are the light unto my path
When I’m mourning
You comfort me
In my sorrow
You give me joy
When I’m lonely
You are with me
When I’m betrayed and all turn against me
You are my defender
When all is lost
I find riches in Christ Jesus
When I sin
You forgive me
When I’m weak
You strengthen me
When I’m tempted
You provide a way out
When I lack understanding
You give me wisdom
In a world build on shifting sands
You are my Solid Rock
When lies abound
You are truth
When the world tells me I should fit in
You consecrate me
When my soul is disquieted
You give me Peace
When I’m prideful
You humble me
When I’m hated
You love me
When words fail me
You intercede for me
When enemies surround me
You are my friend
When stuck in miry clay
You freed me
When I deserve judgment
You give me mercy
When defiled by the filth of my own sin
You cleansed me
In the unworthiness of my sin
You redeemed me
When I deserved condemnation
Christ was crucified
In death
You are Life
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 19, 2009
Each day I long for
Look for
Eagerly anticipate
Your glorious return
The time seems short
You will be coming soon
For Your bride, the church
Any day now
When I see a flash of lightening
Hear the thunder roar
I wonder
Is my Savior coming
Even as I long for that day
Desire it with an unquenchable thirst
I’m reminded
Of those for whom I pray
Each day I lift up their names
Before Your throne
Pray for their salvation
For deliverance from darkness
I pray that family and friends will be set free
Those who believe in counterfeit Jesus
Those who worship a god of their own making
Those who deny the very existence of God
For their sakes
I wait patiently
Pray that they will call upon the name of Jesus
And be saved
Yet…I desire
To gaze up Jesus
Worship Him
The One who is good, lovely and pure
I long to spend eternity in Your presence
Even here may my lips overflow with praises
Even now may my heart sing with thanksgiving
Of Jesus who gave Himself up for me
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 16, 2009
An easy faith
That requires nothing of me
I come to God as I see fit
On my own terms
Church attendance is not required
No time in my busy schedule
Prayers are uttered
But only in times of crisis
No need to study God’s word
No desire to know truth revealed in Scripture
My faith is more about how I feel
An experience that makes me feel good
No need to share the gospel
Don’t all paths lead to God
My thoughts are not taken captive
There’s not much difference between me and the world
My son whom I love so much
Surely he is good enough
No need to train him up
In the way he shall go
No time to take him to church
When our days are filled with baseball, basketball, football and tennis
God’s warning may go unheeded
By ears who do not hear
Rather than being welcomed home
“Come, enter into the joy of your Master”
There will be a loud and resounding proclamation
“Away from Me, I never knew you”
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 17, 2009
Each day I long for
Look for
Eagerly anticipate
Your glorious return
The time seems short
You will be coming soon
For Your bride, the church
Any day now
When I see a flash of lightening
Hear the thunder roar
I wonder
Is my Savior coming
Even as I long for that day
Desire it with an unquenchable thirst
I’m reminded
Of those for whom I pray
Each day I lift up their names
Before Your throne
Pray for their salvation
For deliverance from darkness
I pray that family and friends will be set free
Those who believe in counterfeit Jesus
Those who worship a god of their own making
Those who deny the very existence of God
For their sakes
I wait patiently
Pray that they will call upon the name of Jesus
And be saved
Yet…I desire
To gaze up Jesus
Worship Him
The One who is good, lovely and pure
I long to spend eternity in Your presence
Even here may my lips overflow with praises
Even now may my heart sing with thanksgiving
Of Jesus who gave Himself up for me
Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 16, 2009
I stepped into the ring today
Before I knew it the bell had rung
The fight was on
The first punch was doubt
Followed by a blow of discouragement
Well aimed at my heart
I didn’t have my gear on
Soon I was blocked on all sides
Couldn’t even lift my head
I cried out
Sought deliverance from my Lord
Silence ensued as I waited
In the heavenlies
A battle raged
Between unseen forces of good and evil
Suddenly…there was a break
I was freed
Saved from a powerful foe
I emerged weary, worn and tired
While no human eye could see it
A battle was waged in the heavenlies
May I cling to my risen Savior
Daily equip myself with the armor God has provided
Remember the battle belongs to the Lord…Jehovah-Nissi
Praise God the enemy is a vanquished foe
The crushing blow was wielded at the cross
His victory certified when Christ arose from the grave
Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 27, 2009
How is it
I feel far away
From the One who will never leave me?
How is it
I feel deserted
By the Him who will never forsake me?
How is it
I feel separated
From God who indwells me with His Holy Spirit?
How can I
Trust my feelings
Which contradict the Word of God?
How can I
Believe the enemy’s lies
Rather than remember God’s faithfulness?
Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 15, 2009
This poem was written on a low day, in which the enemy’s attacks were many. Finally relief came in answer to prayer. I found hope and peace when I encouraged myself with reminders of God’s faithfulness and through the truth found in His word.
Gossip thinly disguised as a prayer request
Only serves to tear down and cause division
No one is exempt
From being the next victim
Leaders faithfully serving the body of Christ
Have decisions questioned at every turn
Those enduring trials and tribulation
Are a delicious topic of conversation for the gossiping tongue
Opinion and speculation
Pass for an intimate knowledge of the facts
Even the innocent bystander
May fall prey to the gossiping tongue
Gossips raise themselves up
By trampling on the reputation of another
The sin of gossip tears people down
Both the victim and the one with the uncontrolled tongue
Sometimes motivated by boredom
Gossip makes the perpetrator feel important
It gives the appearance of being “in the know”
Or the confidant of so many friends
Never is an opportunity lost to sully a reputation
Or call into question someone’s motives
Like an viper lying in wait
At an opportune moment…the gossip will strike with their venomous poison
Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 24, 2009
The sinless Lamb of God
Bore our sins upon His body
The Father’s wrath was poured out
Upon His innocent Son
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”
Beseeched from the Holy One whom they had rejected
Mocked when He proclaimed that He was King of the Jews
Yet He is the King of kings and Lord of lords
The ones He had healed
Stood before the cross condemning their Healer
Those whose sight was restored
Were blinded to the Savior before them
Those who could hear after Jesus’ miraculous touch
Were deaf to the Word of God
Those whose tongues were loosed
Were now crying “Crucify Him”
Those who sat on the hillside listening to the Sermon on the Mount
Now reviled and persecuted the Teacher who came to show them The Way
Those who hungered and were fed with loaves and fishes
Showed contempt for the One who was moved with compassion
The Pharisees who diligently studied God’s Word
Did not recognize the Scriptures fulfillment
The Disciples that Jesus called to follow Him
Had now fled, save one who stayed nearby
The Innocent’s blood was shed
For the guilty who stand condemned in their sin
The cleansing blood of the Lamb applied to the sin debt
Of those whom the Father had given Him from before the foundations of the world
The condemned clothed in self righteousness
Will stand before the Holy, Righteous Son of God to give an account
The guilty clothed in Christ’s Righteousness
Stand forgiven and are bid to enter in
Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 23, 2009
In the silence
God is at work
Attending to details
Of which I’m unaware
Will I be anxious
Worry and fret…when and how will it all work out
Or will I trust Him
Confident that God is faithful and more than able
Will I try to be in control
Get out ahead of God
Or will I be obedient
Take only the next step that God has directed
My peace during times of uncertainty
Is found in the presence of Christ Jesus
My security is found
When I walk hand in hand with my Savior
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 22, 2009
I am in the world
But not of it
My ears are tuned
To the beat of a different drummer
Daily dying to self
I’ve been crucified with Christ
That which used to attract me
Now repels me
I’d much rather learn God’s word
Than pursue that which will one day be lost
Storing up in heaven riches
That which can never perish
Oh Lord, may I glorify Jesus my Savior
Rather than seek the praises of men
Honor Him who died for me
Praise the One who set me free
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 1, 2009
Discouragement reporting for duty
Greetings powerful evil one
The day is young but the time is right
I’ve already begun to make my rounds
While I may not rob them of their salvation
Through defeat and discouragement
I can keep them from experiencing
The joy and peace of their Master
I can lead them down the path to failure
Use their own sin nature to cause them to stumble and fall
I move by stealth
They are unsuspecting of the enemy’s plan
I stir up discontentment
Cause them to grumble and complain
Focus on what they lack
Rather than turn to God in prayer
Like the Jews of old wandering in the desert
They experience deliverance by the mighty hand of God
Witness miracle after miracle
Recipients of God’s grace, mercy and compassion
Yet I cause them to question their God
Demand deliverance according their plan
With unbelieving hearts
Choosing to doubt God’s goodness and character
Unyielding
Unbending
They will not submit their will
To God’s perfect sovereign plan
Pride and selfishness
Such effective tools
Rather than God
They enthrone themselves upon their heart
The mouth which should praise Him
Is instead filled with grumbling and complaints
They are focused on the here and now
Rather than submitting to God’s eternal plan
No crown will they receive
To lay at their Savior’s feet
Their works like wood, hay and stubble will one day burn
What remains will lie in an ash heap
I will have the victory
If I can distract and disarm them
Keep them focused on themselves, rather than God
Discontent and disheartened…believing their God does not even care
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
March 5, 2009
Beautiful is the woman who loves the Lord
She grows sweeter
With each passing year
In the midst of difficulties
Trying circumstances
She leans on, depends upon the Lord
She has a peace that passes all understanding
When others around her are anxious
She has a quiet trust that the Lord will work it out
Her countenance radiates
Joy and happiness, peace and love
As she grows more like her Savior
Her voice is sweet
She chooses to bless and not curse
Praise God and pray
She befriends all whom she encounters
Confident that the Lord has brought them into her path
Humbly she offers encouragement and wise, godly counsel
She raised her children
In the fear and admonition of the Lord
Trusting God’s faithful promises to those who love the Lord
She does not grow old
No matter what the calendar might say
Instead she’s growing into the woman God designed her to be
She has an inner grace and radiance
A light that shines forth
As she basks in the glory of the Lord
She looks forward
To the day the Lord will bring her home
There she will be reunited with those who have gone before
She does not fear for her future is secure
Her hope can never be shaken
For her foundation is built on Christ alone
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 26, 2009
One of my favorite things is to turn on the digital picture and watch the pictures randomly scroll through the hundreds and thousands of pictures that are loaded on that little tiny memory card. Yesterday as glanced over at the picture frame…Jean’s picture came up…and in my mind I could hear her sweet voice from singing the night before at Bible study. Soon the pictures of many other women whom I am so blessed by God to know came up. I found the contrast striking to the last poem I wrote about…“Mean Girls”. What a difference these godly women who continue to grow in the Lord. With each passing year, they grow more beautiful…and radiate the love of Christ.
This poem is dedicated to these beautiful women of God that I know. I thank you for the example you share…and pray that one day…I will grow into the woman God created me to be. Love you so much and thank God for you!
In my darkest hour
You are my bright and Morning Star
When my head hangs low
You are the lifter of my head
When tears fall I remember
One day you will wipe every tear from my eyes
Even when I feel alone
You are my Friend who will never leave, nor forsake me
When life leaves me burnt, devastated and scarred
You bring forth life, growth and renewal
From the depths of sin
You redeemed my soul
From the edge of destruction
You snatched me from the enemy’s hand
When I feel as if I can’t go on
You lead me through dark ravines and narrow canyons
When my foot slips on the dangerous precipice
You uphold and steady me on the path again
When weakness overtakes me
You strengthen and sustain me
When doubts assail me
You keep my mind stayed on Thee
When my circumstances demand an explanation
Your presence is all that I need
When nothing around me makes sense
I trust that Your eternal plan being worked out
When I am heavy laden
I go to the One who bids me to come for His burdens are light
When decisions demand an answer
I come to You for wisdom
When I am restless with uncertainty
Peace and comfort are found in You
When pain consumes me
I turn to the Great Physician
When the wait seems long
I will wait upon the Lord
When no one seems worthy of my trust
I will trust in the One whom the Father declared worthy
When my trials seem big
I will run to Him who is bigger still
When this lamb is lost and has wandered far away
I cry out to the Shepherd who will seek and find me
When death presses down on me
I look forward with eternal vision
Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 23, 2009
Dedicated to the many people who are bearing heavy burdens, where explanations are few. May you continue to trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…and cling to Him ever so tightly.
I tell people that you are missing
The truth of the matter is
I have no idea what’s become of you
Until “that day”
I had always thought highly of you
Believed that you were upstanding and hardworking
Then the truth of your character
Was revealed
The depths of your depravity became clear
After that
I didn’t want to have much to do with you
The occasionally obligatory phone call sufficed
Because of our mom
We had to have some contact
But then you faded away
Has it been five or six years now
I forget
Time and events all seem to run together
Honestly I found myself angry
Resentful
That you had nothing to do with our mother
No cards
No phone calls
No checking in to see how she was doing
Was it guilt that drove you away
Or because the well had dried up
It was no longer profitable for you
Well, your mom has been dead
For almost a year now
I have no way to let you know
Or are you still out there
Anonymously
But somehow still in the know
It’s hard to imagine
That the one who resorted to dishonesty
Would not seek his fair share of what remained
That’s why I fear
Wonder daily
What’s happened to you
Did you cross the wrong person this time
Reap the consequences
Of the depths to which you’ve sunk
Is your body lying in a shallow grave
Hidden…never be discovered
Will your fate ever be known
Are your remains in a morgue
The name John Doe
Tied to your toe
Are you imprisoned
Has the law finally caught up with you
Are you paying society its due
Or are you far away
In some distant land
Hoping to avoid the penalty for your wrong doing
There is not a day
That I don’t think about you
Worry and wonder what’s become of you
I don’t know where to begin
Or what to do
To find you
The search I paid for
Came up fruitless
All traces of you disappeared a few years ago
Only God knows what’s become of you
Dear brother, I pray that the Reveler of mysteries
Will reveal what’s happened to you
Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 11, 2009
So much of life
Is learning to let go
Letting go of people
Who will leave long before I’m ready to say goodbye
Letting go of expectations
Of how I think someone should act
Letting go of my will
Accepting God’s will for my life
Letting go of a dream
Without letting go of hope
Letting go of sorrows
Putting my hope and trust in God
Letting go of my way
Choosing to put others first
Letting go of my sin
Remembering I am dead to sin and alive to Christ
Letting go of bitterness and hurt
Applying the healing balm of forgiveness
Letting go of envy
Filled with gratitude for what the Lord has given me
Letting go of hatred
Walking in love
Letting go of the past
Living in the present
Letting go of taking the easy way
Willing to endure for that which is of eternal value
Letting go of fear
Taking courage in the Lord’s presence
Letting go of failure
Believing that God will redeem my past
Letting go demands for deliverance on my schedule
Instead praying for the grace to endure
Letting go of faithlessness
Asking and believing God for the impossible
Letting go of my timetable
Trusting God and His perfecting timing
Letting go of “Why God?”
Asking “What will You do through this Lord?”
Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 27, 2009
At His appointed time
He turns wrong into right
Bad into good
Weaving the circumstances of my life
Into the tapestry of His eternal plan
No need to fear
Or waste time with anxiety
Instead I am called to trust Him
When no answers are forthcoming
Or when I don’t understand
Oh to glorify Him
With my life
Testify to the goodness of God
In all circumstances
That is my heartfelt plea
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 13, 2009
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 11, 2009
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 11, 2009
Shoe boxes filled with cards
Expressing sentiments and well wishes
From friends and family so long ago
I trace your writing with my finger
Hoping to connect once again
The pictures from old
Of family I never knew
All those who loved you
Have long since passed away
I feel it my obligation to remember
When I see your smile
It causes me to wonder what made you to laugh
You had such serious eyes
What hurt, pain and thoughts
Were burdening your soul
You were a real live person
Who laughed and cried
Who loved and hated
A daughter, sister, wife, mother and someone’s best friend
A son, brother, husband, father and someone’s closest pal
By God’s providence
We are related though we may have never met
I wish I could reach across time
Tell you that I treasure the memory of you
It is with care hold your words and pictures from so long ago
As I hold these treasures from the past
I feel such profound sadness…I want to weep
Through my tears I wonder what will become of my life
What will I do that really matters
Who will remember me
Susan Bunts Wachtel
January 3, 2009
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