Saint James

There are certainly all kinds of people, and I seem to spend time around a lot somewhat boisterous type A personalities. Yet, among all those noisier folks I’m also blessed to know a man of a different sort. He has a quiet and gentle spirit. Being, “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” in the words of the apostle James. His name, coincidentally, is also James. He’s definitely the strong, quiet type, who can seem a little imposing to the uninitiated since he is rather tall. But beneath that imposing and ruggedly handsome façade there beats a heart of pure gold. He teaches high school math, coaches a youth mountain biking team, has his own adult sons and is the servant of all. A man of few words, but the first one to show up in your time of need. He’s also a man of humble prayers that often humble me. And he is the only person I know who still occasionally uses the word “knuckleheads.” However, in his case it really is a term of endearment. It means those who could use a little extra help … or a lot. But rather than being the old guy who might generally proffer such and archaic term as knucklehead, he responds and jumps in to help. In his case, after the words “slow to speak and slow to get angry” you might also add “quick to help.” He’s a great encouragement to many people, and certainly to me. So I offer the following poem to my friend Saint James, whom I have dubbed the patron saint of knuckleheads. 

Saint James

It seems there is a patron saint

For most every kind of folk

Who need someone to watch over them

And whose name they can invoke

Soldiers, travelers and sailors

Beekeepers, cobblers too

Whatever hobby or profession

There’s a saint for what they do

And there’s a saint for ne’er do wells

Who at times have lost their way

On bike trails or their math skills

And he walks with them each day

He offers wisdom and encouragement

Kind words, and hope to those

Who seem to fall a bit behind

And he loves them, heaven knows

He dusts them off and nudges them

When they have fallen back

He prays for them wholeheartedly

And guides them to the narrow track

Those who need assistance

Can call on him by name

Most think of him as Mr. May

But he truly is Saint James

He’s the apostle of encouragement

No finer man this earth has tread

Than Saint James, the encourager

The patron saint of knuckleheads

                By Frank Carpenter ©

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."  James 1:19

For the Dads

 I was blessed with a great father, an amazing step father and a father-in-law. It's Father's Day and I penned the following poem as a tribute to all of them as  I sat in church this morning. I thank Gid sir all of my dad's, and this one is for them.

For the Dads

I was blessed with three dads

Who helped me on my way

A father, step dad, a father-in-law

I celebrate them all today

Each of them had a season

Each one had influence

Each helped shape the man I am

And helped my life make sense

I was blessed with earthly fathers

Who blessed and encouraged me

Who showed me how to live and love 

And unravel the mysteries

Each of my fathers offered

The wisdom so dealt bought 

Through struggles and trials lived out

When they suffered, failed and fought

Each of them gave me a blessing

Each showed they believed in me

None left me with guilt or oppression

But left me feeling strong and free

These men are all in heaven now

But they left their impression on me

So I thank God for all of my fathers

And I am their legacy 

By Frank Carpenter

Proud of You

This one goes out to my granddaughter Aubree May Carpenter for her 14th birthday and her junior high graduation. We are so proud of you every day, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you in the years to come. 

Lots of Love Always, Pops

Proud of You

Fourteen years old and moving

To high school from junior high

A girl on the brink of womanhood

That no one can deny

With a faith to move the mountains

Plus a smile so warm and bright

You seem to light up every room

And fill others with delight

In this summer of transition

Between seasons, between grades

Between childhood and adulthood

Between dreams and plans you’ve made

We stand by you and celebrate

All you’ve accomplished, all you’ve done

Friends you’ve made and love you’ve shared

How you bring joy to everyone

How you inspire others

With your faith and how you live

With the open-handed way

That you encourage and you give

And from this moment forward

It’s important that you know

Our hopes and prayers go with you

Wherever you may go

Wherever God may lead you

We carry you within our hearts

Through this big wide world of wonder

As we have right from the start

So dream farther than your comfort

Pray bigger than you dare

Reach for the very brightest stars

Always, always love and care

Trust in Jesus to walk with you

Every day, your whole life through

Happy birthday and graduation

Aubree, we’re so proud of you

                        By Frank Carpenter ©

Unforgettable

Some unusual thoughts today about a few possible futures I've mulled over after bumping into a friend who lost her husband to Alzheimer's. That's rare, but we've also had our own serious car accident. And a variety of other events in our wider circle of contacts reminds me that life just doesn't come with a guaranty. So it's become my philosophy never to neglect saying the important things both early and often to the people I love. I never want there to be any doubt about how I feel ... or felt. So to that end, I offer the following reminder to my bride of how much she is loved and how blessed our life has been. I hope we never need these words, but if we ever do at least they have been said.

Unforgettable 

Whatever the future holds for us 

Whatever may come our way

I reaffirm the love and commitment

That we share every day 

Everything seems so perfect

So many ways we're blessed

So this poem is a touch stone

In this season when things are best

Because we know that circumstances

Could always turn on a dime 

At anytime in this last third

Of our precious years and time

If our financial situation

Or my heart or memory

Should suddenly take a left turn

I want you to hear from me

That I've loved you with all my heart

From that first June day we met

That we've built a love and life

I would never want to forget 

If we swerved off the road again

Or end up in the ICU

If cancer or Alzheimer's mar our path 

I'll still be filled with love for you

Whatever the decades bring us

All that hasn't quite happened yet 

Lies beyond our vision or control

So I ask you to never forget 

All the beauty, wonder and laughter

Kids, friends, vacations and fun

This life of faith and blessing

Every good memory, ever one

If somewhere in the future 

I'm  somehow less me than before 

Remember our love right here and now

Know you're the one I always adore 

Know that I believe in forever 

In case I should forget someday

I have cherished our life together

And nothing could take that away

By Frank Carpenter

And one final thought. On the same subject, here is the chorus of a song I hope never to have to finish writing:

I hope you will remember

In case I should forget 

What happened that September

I never could regret 

All the years we shared together 

They mean everything you see

So in case I can't remember ...

Don't give up on me

The Times I Almost Died

The Times I Almost Died

There are those rare occasions when we end up thinking to ourselves, “Whew, that was close!” Most of us have had one or two such moments. As for me, I can think of at least four of those times:  One dicey health scare, and three driving incidents. And in each of the driving ones I was completely surprised and not at fault. The point is that no matter how careful we may be, things just happen, and they are often beyond our control. If we’re fortunate, they turn out to be near misses. When they are, we can be left wondering, “How did that happen?” Yet, with the way my heart and mind work, I’m more likely to ask, “Why didn’t that happen?” Why indeed. And here’s where your world view makes all the difference, because I happen to believe that there is a God who cares about us and has a plan to work things for good. Following that train of thought, if I’ve lived though all those close calls then I’m just assuming that God’s not done with me yet. In fact, I’m pretty sure that once God is done with us, we assume room temperature. So if I’m still here after all those close then I have to believe that I’m here for a purpose, that I should live in such a way as to be available for discovering and fulfilling that purpose. I may not know for certain what it is just yet, but I can still be inclining my heart and life towards God in order to be open to fulfilling it. Sure, I almost died a few times … but I didn’t. So I’m going to make the most of this extra gift of life God bestowed on me … on multiple occasions. Ever wonder why you’re also still here too. Apparently, God has a plan for each of us. Let’s go live it.

The Times I Almost Died

Jesus, why have you kept me here?

When you could have done otherwise

When I swerved too close to disaster

To danger and compromise

When the tires began to lose traction

Or the lines on the EKG

Dragged me to the edge of oblivion

Lord, why did you rescue me?

I can only conclude, my God

That you had other plans in store

That I still wake up every day

Since I was meant for something more

So Lord I offer up my life

And open up my heart

To whatever plan you have for me

I’m ready for it to start

Use me as your instrument

Sweep away my fear and pride

And do whatever you saved me for

On those times I almost died

           By Frank Carpenter ©