There is Always More

For one negative

There are many positives

For one rude person

They are many more that care

For one sorrow

There are many joys

In the face of negativity

Always embrace the positive

Ignore those bad comments

And look at the friendly faces

And make yourself realise

That everything is ok

When you face unkindness

Heap burning coals on their heads

And smother them with love

Instead of fighting back

As bitterness hurts

But love conquers all

When sitting in the house

Lonely with your thoughts

Don’t let them eat you up

Instead lift your head and look up

As the main thing to realise

Is that you are special and loved

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2017

Thank You

Thank you to the one

Who took my arm

And walked me to the door

Thank you to the one

Who saw my pain

And asked if I was hurt

Thank you to the one

Who looked at me

And asked how I was

Thank you to the one

Who gave me a card

With words of peace and joy

Thank you to the one

Who made me laugh

And embraced my crazy

Thank you to the one

Who enquired after my job

Telling me I was glowing

Thank you to the one

Who told me of their pain

And let me into their life

Thank you to the one

Who asked me to help

And be part of a team

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2017

Blessings

In our daily lives

We focus on the wrong things

Like the temporary,

The immediate and the tangible

We focus on the looming deadlines

The impending exams

The family struggles

And the diagnosis that threatens

They are close to us

We carry them with us

And the urgency strangles us

They are hard to ignore

But we need to look higher

To see what is important

And live life to the full

Counting our blessings every day

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2017

Thankful

Don’t catalog your losses

Instead, count your gains

Take your eyes off yourself

And look around at others

Don’t let time waste away

While you live in sorrow

Open your minds and hearts

And look at your blessings

Let your soul be thankful

For all that you have

Life is too short

To sit in the dark

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2017

A New Name

We all have names

But we also get labels

When people judge us

And brand us as they see fit

Divorced, unwanted, player

These are labels we receive

Whether we want them or not

It's what happens in our world

But one day we will get a new name

We will be all be changed people

Labels will be gone

As we will have a crown of splendour

Instead of being broken we will be rebuilt

Instead of being lost we will be found

Instead of feeling unwanted we will be chosen

As we will be renamed

Instead of being labeled

We will be free

There will be no more shame

And no more need to hide

The burdens we carry

Will be lifted from our shoulders

And we will be renewed

Our past will be erased

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2017

Faith

Faith can be messy

And riddled with questions

It can be complicated

Faith is a journey

A journey with struggles

It can be hard to understand

How things can happen

And why are they allowed to

Do you wonder and question?

Well you are not alone

Humankind wrestles these complexities

Of a hard life and a loving God

Where is God when life is tough?

Where is he in the mayhem?

In the shootings and the fires?

That brings destruction to life

God is always there

Even when we cannot see him

And even in our doubts

He knows us inside out

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2017

You Are Seen

To the woman in the corner

Crouching on the ground

Scared of the next thump

Please be reassured you are seen

To the boy running away

From the bullies in school

Scared of the next beating

Please be reassured you are seen

To the girl being abused

Hiding in a darkened room

Scared of the night time

Please be reassured you are seen

To the man under stress

In a job that is too much

And is taking its toll on you

Please be reassured you are seen

To the people who are scared

To those who are invisible

To those who are struggling

Please be reassured the Lord sees everything

He sees all we do

The bad and the good

He sees our heartache and pain

And he loves us all

He does protect us

Though it may not seem it

But he is working for us

As we are his precious children

Jo Anne Kennedy

October 2017

Prayer

So many words

Floating in the air

Trying to reach you

From us below

We send up requests

We plea in anguish

Asking you to help us

To come amidst our problems

Every night, every day

Every hour, every moment

Prayers are being said

Waiting for your answer

Do you answer us?

Yes you do every time

But it is not always a yes

Sometimes it’s a maybe

Sometimes we get a no

And we don’t understand

Why we prayed for healing

But the person passed away

We need to trust in you

To realise that you always hear us

Even as all our prayer mingle together

You always hear our individual voices

You are a God who is never distracted

You focus on us always

Listening to our prayers

And hearing them clearly

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Paul

Paul is an apostle

He was the boss

He was tough

He was fierce

His endurance was great

He was broken

He was stranded

He was shipwrecked

He was imprisoned

He was forever in danger

But still, he endured

He laboured

He toiled

He went without sleep

He went without food

He went without drink

But still, he endured

Paul was strong

Mentally and physically

But yet he felt weak

He was weak to sin

But yet he was positive

He didn’t let life overwhelm him

Paul pressed on

He continued living

He was bold and courageous

He was confident

Because he knew the truth

The strength of God would not fail him

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Fear

Fear

Fear is a four letter word

Which we all fear!

Because it is considered weak

To be afraid of something

But fear is real

It is the gap in our armor

And is used by our enemies

To trip us and cripple us

Fear haunts us every day

From family woes

To health scares

Fear is all around

It is okay to be afraid

It isn’t a sign of weakness

It is just a fact of life

Fear is a reality

Fear shouldn’t cripple us

It should give us strength

We should stand up to fear

Because we do not need to be afraid

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Alone

To be alone

To be rejected

It is a double sting

It brings isolation

It brings hurt

And leaves deep wounds

When we are abandoned

And left in the corner

While they walk away

And leave us on our own

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Bedrock

When terror strikes,

You don’t unravel

You remain steadfast

And in control

Everything is in your hands

Including us

No matter how violently the earth shakes

You never let go

You are always with us

Watching over us

Helping us with our lives

Ad keeping us together

I thank you for being you

For bringing me into the world

And never letting me go

You are the bedrock of my life

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Your Presence

Lord, I need your presence

More than I need air

I need you to infiltrate

Yourself in the terror of the world

Come to us in the midst of horror

Reassure us in the fragile times

Our world is falling apart

And we need you more than ever

Our world is a mess

With bombings on the London tube

To winds and seas raging,

And causing total destruction

People rush to blame you

For the destruction that is caused

When lives are torn apart

And the economy collapses

But what we need to do

Is come into your presence

Trust our lives with you

And give you our fears

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Pride

Pride is destructive

It refuses counsel

Denies leadership

Ignores sovereignty

Demands its own way

And forgets the cost

Pride is sinful

And pride can make us fall

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Not in Control

We are the created

Not the creator

We are not here to control

But to look after

We are not to charge,

Like a bull into a china shop

And make rash decision

That could change the world

But this is exactly what we do

As we are proud

We are independent

Even though we should be dependent

We are determined to control

To take the world into our own hands

To achieve our dreams

And control out destinies

But the truth is, we can’t

It’s not our role to control

We can have all the dreams

But they might come crashing down

As the harsh reality is

Life never goes our way

We want to rule the world

But then tragedy happens

Doctors bring bad news

Your job comes to an end

Money is scarce

And friends walk away

We are not in control

We need to remember that

And to give our life over

To the higher power

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Under Your Power

To be under your power

Makes me feel weak

Unable to be strong

And stand on my own two feet

I feel like I need your help

To make every decision

To say yes to being ok

And approving my every move

You are like an addiction

Hard to overcome

But necessary to remove

Due to the destruction you cause

You make my head dizzy

With your yes’s and no’s

Unable to make a decision

About how you want to treat me

As one moment you are nice

And the next you ignore me

But even though it’s destroying me

I still come back for more

Because you are in my head

I can’t seem to let go

And it actually seems

That either can you

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Bully

You took away my value

Made me feel low

My self-worth was gone

Your words hurt

They were like slaps to the face

Leaving a lasting sting

You spoke behind my back

Laughing at my flaws

Making my life miserable

But that was then

And this is now

Life has moved on

Yes people may hurt me

Words may be said

And people walk away

However, I am older now

Though I may not be wiser

But I can hold my own

I am not alone

I have someone in my corner

Helping me to stand strong

Sometimes you enter my thoughts

But you don’t own me anymore

That scared girl has gone

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Lost

I am lost

Where am I?

I have no idea

I need help

I need direction

Who do I ask?

Do I ask for help?

Or pretend I am fine

And keep on going

What is my destination?

Where am I going?

I have lost my way

Please help me

Come alongside me

And show me the way

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Treasure

Treasure

Worthless and worn

Like a discarded trinket

Just lying in the corner

No use to anyone

Joints ache all the time

Making noises as you work

Like an old rusty banger

Heading for the scrapyard

Old, used, down and out

No good for anything

We all feel like this sometimes

When we are lonely and tired

But that’s not the truth

We are all treasures

We have a worth and a purpose

We are all precious gems

So, next time you are low

And feeling like an antique

Just look in the mirror

At the diamond you are

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Safety Net

The world is not a safe place

Lives are in jeopardy

And countries are falling apart

At a touch of a button

Within this stormy weather

We all need a safety net

Something to cling to

In our times of trouble

We all need a buffer

To save us from the elements

Taking us onto dry land

And a place of safety

We all need someone

To walk alongside us

Holding our hands

And comforting our souls

In the stormy times

We need reassurance

That despite the high winds

Everything will be ok

It is difficult to measure

How things will turn out

But with a safety net to catch us

Don’t worry about the fall

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Our World

My fears are many

My woes are the same

I fear for loss

Of life and liberty

The mountains tremble

And the seas rage

As country after country

Produces deadly threats

We have weapons of ear

Hurling across the sky

Ready to plough down,

And kill all that is around

Life is not safe

The world is at unease

With President’s twittering

Instead of governing

Then there is Mother Nature

As beautiful as she can be

She is a threat to us as well

With the heavens offering up storms

Countries are being flooded

People are being displaced

Cars are floating down the river

And lives being bid to rest

The world is not safe

But it is our world

And we need to do everything

To keep holding on

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2017

Chosen

Overlooked

Passed over

Excluded

Abandoned

Rejected

Feelings of hurt

Feeling we are alone

Feeling we aren’t wanted

Blaming ourselves

We are not good enough

We are not worthy

We are useless

We are a failure

But none of this is true

As we are wanted

We are part of a family

We are chosen

We are worthy

We no longer need to be afraid

As we are celebrated by God


September 2017
Jo Anne Kennedy

You Are My Help

Hello, can you hear me?

I am talking to you

But you do not respond

Why are you so silent?

Please don’t leave me hanging

I may not survive

Please listen to me

As I cry to you for help

Don’t let me relapse

Into the wicked ways

Like those who gossip

And are evil in heart

Let them suffer, not me

Show them they are wrong

Let them pay the price

For being wrong in their ways

They do not care about anything

They treat the world as their own

Destroying everything around them

And treating others as they please

Please hear my cry

You are the one I need

You give me strength

And I trust you and only you

When you do help me

Which is always and often

My heart is filled with joy

And I am truly thankful

You bring strength to others

And give them a safe place to go

Please look after us all

Like a shepherd with his sheep

Based on Psalm 28

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

My Light

With your bright shining light

You show me the way

And with your strength

You save me from me

You are my fortress

Protecting me from danger

But then why do I still tremble?

Why do I still fear?

I know I should not fear my enemies

As they are just weaklings

And if they do try to attack me

You will make them stumble and fall

I only ask one thing of you

And that is for you to never leave me

Let me stay with you always

So I can delight in you

When troubles come to me

Please hide me away

And keep me safe and sound

Out of harm’s way

With you, I can be strong

I can be the better person

Finding joy with you

Loving you all of my days

You ask me to come with you

To talk to you

And I tell you I am here

As I know I am safe

I know you will never leave me

That you will never reject me

You will never abandon me

And always hold me close

Show me your ways

Help me in my journey

Protecting me from my enemies

As they try to destroy me

No, I am not afraid

As I am confident in you

And I will wait patiently for you

As you are the one

Based on Psalm 27

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

Master Weaver

You are the master weaver

Weaving my life together

Stretching out the yarn

And intertwining the colours

When the ragged edges come

You sew them together

And mix them with velvet

To cover up the scars

You remove away the stains

And make me look new

Taking away my pain

To leave me with a smile

Nothing is beyond you

You are on top of everything

Taking what is bad

And weaving it together for good

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

You Never Gave Up

You were sucker punched

Taken by surprise

And thrown into a pit

Then left for dead

You were abandoned by your kin

Then sold to slavery

Before being entrapped

And eventually imprisoned

You were sold out

You were mistreated

Promises were broken

And gifts destroyed

You were in a swampland

But you never gave up

Bitterness was never a problem

And your heart stayed pure

And despite being angry

You never allowed hatred

To enter your soul

Or let your heart harden

You never gave up

Your resolve never vanished

And not only did you survive

But you thrived and you grew

How did you do this?

How did you flourish?

In the midst of tragedy

And be a powerful man

When others would be defeated

You never gave up

You kept on believing

And kept on going

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

The King

The earth is pure

And the world a creation

But who does it belong to?

I hear you ask

Do the animals rule the world?

Or is man the King?

Do the rivers and seas rule?

What about the valleys and mountains?

These are all part of creation

The foundation of the earth

For us to dwell in

Made by the King of Glory

Can we ascend the hill?

And stand by the mighty?

Are we pure enough in heart?

And truthful in tongue?

Can we receive the blessing?

And seek the face of the King

And let him come in

Through the gate to our heart

Shall we let the King In?

The one who is strong

The one who is mighty

And will fight with you in battle


Based on Psalm 24

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

The Past

Tears trip my face

When I think of the past

All the things I did

And all the things I said

I was not a perfect person

And I am still not

I have flaws like everyone

With holes in my soul

I try to be a better person

But I am not always on target

Which can cause upsets

That leaves me feeling shame

But yet you are still there

Still by my side

Even if it’s tough for you

But it is because you love me

Love that is always there

No matter what I do

Which makes me feel guilty

When I think of what I’ve done

But the past is in the past

Used to be is dead

Tomorrow is another day

I just need to move on

I need to accept the truth

To believe in me

To believe in you

And all you have done for me

You have never left me alone

And I know you never will

I hope you also know

I am always here with you

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

You

You are always there

Even when I am lost

You come and find me

To bring me home

When I feel low

And not worthy

You smile at me

And tell me you love me

When life gets too much

You take my hand

And sit me down

 Tell me to rest

When I am weary

And can’t go on any longer

You give me the strength

To continue the journey

When I am scared

And not wanting to be alone

You show up at my door

And invite yourself in

When I feel insecure

And doubting in myself

You tell me it is ok

You are by my side

When I was broken

You patched me up

And I know if I break again

You will do the same

You are always there

Just at the right time

Even when all I need is a hug

Your arms are open wide

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017

The Shepherd

Look at him, how cute is he

Sitting in the field

Just eating away at the grass

With no worries at all

He is safe in his field

With all his little friends

And all the grass they can eat

As the shepherd watches over them

He has no want for water

As the river runs close by

Which refreshes his body

And calms his soul

He is not afraid of anything

Day and night he is watched over

Even if evil comes his way

There is no need for him to fear

He knows the shepherd is close by

With his rod and staff

Looking out for him

And giving him comfort

Based on Psalm 23

Jo Anne Kennedy

August 2017