Snow Fairies

Throughout the afternoon I watched them there,
Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky,
Whirling fantastic in the misty air,
Contending fierce for space supremacy.
And they flew down a mightier force at night,
As though in heaven there was revolt and riot,
And they, frail things had taken panic flight
Down to the calm earth seeking peace and quiet.
I went to bed and rose at early dawn
To see them huddled together in a heap,
Each merged into the other upon the lawn,
Worn out by the sharp struggle, fast asleep.
The sun shone brightly on them half the day,
By night they stealthily had stol'n away.


And suddenly my thoughts then turned to you
Who came to me upon a winter's night,
When snow-sprites round my attic window flew,
Your hair disheveled, eyes aglow with light.
My heart was like the weather when you came,
The wanton winds were blowing loud and long;
But you, with joy and passion all aflame,
You danced and sang a lilting summer song.
I made room for you in my little bed,
Took covers from the closet fresh and warm,
A downful pillow for your scented head,
And lay down with you resting in my arm.
You went with Dawn. You left me ere the day,
The lonely actor of a dreamy play.

Being Saved

Being saved is like being on a plane
Once you're on you can't get off
whether the ride is through turbulence
or is smooth and soft

Being saved is like being on a ship
sailing across the ocean blue
You're not getting off that vessel
until the voyage is through

Being saved is like being on a journey
through a strange land
knowing you'll never make it on your own
only by Jesus holding your hand

Being saved is looking for a better house
and country to live in
the place Jesus is preparing
for those who've been forgiven of their sin

Being saved is knowing there's a day
when we'll reach that heavenly shore
and see the beautiful city
that we've been longing for
Jan Bagwell
God bless !
Hebrews 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:16
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a cit

A Confident New Year

I’m grateful for the past,
for the valley’s I’ve been in
for they have given me . . .
the strength I have within.

I’m grateful for my failures,
and yes, even my every loss
for they have all lead me . . .
to the foot of the cross.

I’m grateful for the pain,
of a heart that’s been broken
for to the mercies of God . . .
my soul has been awoken.

I’m grateful for the process,
I have been put through
for Lord, it has brought me
to be much closer to You.

I’m confident of the future,
though not sure were it’ll lead
but I’ve true peace knowing . . .
with God, I’ll have all I need!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Gone  but  not forgotten
Proverbs 3:5

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good work
in you will perform it until the day
of Jesus Christ:”

 Snowflake

Born high inside a winter cloud,
a snowflake I became.
A snowflake small, defenseless and
too poor to have a name.
I opened up my naive eyes.
I had so much to learn,
but did not know the truth of life
or which way I should turn.

I was content with floating free -
as free as any bird,
until some other flakes whizzed by
and shocked me as I heard;
"Get out of here you stupid flake!
You're in our treasured world.
We're here to make a winter storm."
With that, they whipped and swirled.

Impeding them, they elbowed me.
My world turned up-side-down.
The wind was stiff and tossed me too
above a country town.
My glimpse at  lights was brief
and couldn't be expressed -
as more flakes shoved me to the side
and wouldn't let me rest.

I wanted calm serenity,
but this is what they'd say;
"You bother us! Get out of here!"
You're always in our way!"
They pushed and shoved and shoved and pushed.
I found it most appalling.
...And none of them had realized
that all of us were falling...

I saw a 'V' formation of
some southern flying geese.
If only I could hitch a ride -
then maybe I'd have peace...
I'd cherish, under tall palm trees,
the warming breezes felt.
But, if indeed, they're flying south,
I wondered, would I melt?

This life can be so burdensome,
this world so turbulent.
I prayed, "God, give me peace and rest"
as I made my descent.
I hovered over roadway where
I thought I'd safely land.
But then came two huge semi-trucks
that didn't understand.

The world had thrown me yet again.
My life became a blur!
But then I slowed and settled on
a Colorado fir.
And where were those insulting me?
It really was profound.
They melted under tire tracks
from traffic eastward bound.

High status, they had fought for but -
their efforts now have ended.
They said that I offended them.
I wished that they had listened.
They elbowed all their way through life -
for more space in the air.
But tell me, was it worth it all?
What did it matter there?

Retired now, I think of things
for which I am not proud -
and all the selfish thoughts I had
since falling from that cloud.
I think of times I prayed to God
and thought He didn't listen.
But  lights around the town,
across the snow, now glisten
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

My Days Are Numbered

My days they are numbered,
I don’t know how many remain
but one thing I know for sure . . .
to reach the goal, I must strain.

There are just so many hours,
God gives me each new day
and every minute counts . . .
as I travel the narrow way.

I can’t rest for a second,
I must keep on, pressing on
for I will never know when . . .
my time here will be gone.

There’s tons for me to do,
and my talents I must use
for what God has given me . . .
I mustn’t mistreat or abuse.

The minutes they tick quickly,
the seconds, oh how they do fly
and I must use them wisely . . .
before I say my final goodbye!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Jeremiah 10:6

"Forasmuch as there is none
like unto thee, O Lord;
thou art great, and thy name
is great in might."

Psalm 90:12

“So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts
unto wisdom.”

Old Hometown Church

There's something that perplexes me
as I, my mem'ries, search,
right here among familiar pews
in my old hometown church.

It's been so many decades now
since I have been around.
Those many years have faded fast
with oh, so little sound.

I sit a-spell and reminisce
in silence that remains,
from walnut pulpit up in front
to stained glass window panes.

The cross behind the pulpit hints
a show of halo's glow.
It seems to be inviting me.
There's much I still don't know.

My eyes drop down in front of me
upon a hymnal book.
I hesitate and ponder some
before I take a look.

Those tunes and words come quickly as
my sorry psyche swims
to words of His "Amazing Grace"
and more familiar hymns.

Familiar are both floor and walls.
Familiar are the lights.
Reflecting back to faces though,
my deepened grief ignites.

So many friends I cannot see.
They've moved or passed away.
No, time and change are not my friends!
How did I go astray?

How many times can God convict
me of my wicked ways?
How many times did I pretend
and did not give God praise?

I crave and plead that time turns back.
It rips my insides out!
It makes me blame somebody else.
It makes me want to shout.

There's something deep down in my gut
that I can't sanitize.
Confession comes, repentance looms
with something in my eyes...

As I stare squarely at myself -
and you know how it goes -
the lightning strikes and thunder roars
as levee overflows.,,

But lonely tears are wiped away,
for love will always be,
as grace holds all of Heaven up
throughout eternity.

My long, sad tears dry from my cheeks
as I, my mem'ries, search,
right here among familiar pews
in my old hometown church.

Jan Bagwell

God Bless