Poetic Prayers for Uniformed Professionals

(Armed Forces, Police, Peace Officers, Firefighters, Customs, Security and Correctional Officers, Etc.)By Lorne K. Freake

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Dr. Lorne K. Freake, Ph.D. (Padré)
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-9613-7

Contents

Preface..............................................................viForeword.............................................................ixAcknowledgements.....................................................xDedication...........................................................xiiPrologue.............................................................xiiiIntroduction.........................................................1Poetic Prayer #1: Love And Romance...................................5Poetic Prayer #2: My New Baby........................................12Poetic Prayer #3: I've Been Promoted.................................17Poetic Prayer #4: Moving Again.......................................20Poetic Prayer #5: Wisdom.............................................24Poetic Prayer #6: Teenager Blues.....................................28Poetic Prayer #7: Debt...............................................36Poetic Prayer #8: Professional Conflict..............................41Poetic Prayer #9: Personal Conflict..................................46Poetic Prayer #10: Trauma............................................51Poetic Prayer #11: Justice Denied....................................57Poetic Prayer #12: Justice Served....................................60Poetic Prayer #13: Officer Down......................................63Poetic Prayer #14: Grief—Death Of A Parent.....................67Poetic Prayer #15: The Passing Of A Child............................70Poetic Prayer #16: Divorce...........................................75Poetic Prayer #17: Sickness..........................................78Poetic Prayer #18: Retirement........................................85Conclusion...........................................................91Epilogue.............................................................93Articles And Collections.............................................94Web Pages/Links......................................................95About The Author.....................................................96

Chapter One

Love And Romance

Dear Lord: My heart is pounding
It's one of those days
My sweetheart is around,
My head, I'll raise

I think he's/she's the one
It seems to be true,
I'm so much in love
Hardly know what to do

But with my job as You know
I need to be sure
It takes someone special
To fit the decor

As a unformed professional,
There's lots of stress
I want to do this right,
I want to give my best

So I wonder Dear Lord
Is he/she really for me?
In the midst of life's storms
Will we both be happy?

That he'll/she'll be there the day
That I walk down the aisle
But the days after too
For a long, long while

Will he/she be the one
With whom I'll grow old?
Will our love last forever,
Or will our passion grow cold?

Lord it's a very big step
That I want to make
I just need Your advice
Before the step I take

I know how I feel and
How my family feels too
What's important right now
Is how it's felt by You!

O Lord You know
What is best for me
And what the future holds
For my spouse to be

And I want the best
And I'm sure You do too
I want to be sure
Before I say "I do"

O Lord I need guidance
And direction today,
So I'll know for sure,
Exactly what to say

For marriage is serious
This I'll surely know
For the Good Book,
Undoubtedly tells me so

Life can be difficult enough
Without the added grief,
A spouse approved by You
Will be of much relief

The original plan for marriage
Is written in Your book
One man, one woman
No need for a second look

When Adam dozed off to sleep
You took from him a rib bone
You made Eve, his darling wife,
So he didn't have to be alone

The rib bone is near the heart,
Is where a spouse should be
An equal partner in every way
Seems very plain to see

The rib bone is beneath the arm
Designed to be protected
The other parts designed as well
We see to be connected

With this in mind, it seems so fine
That marriage is part of Your plan,
So for guidance and direction
Lord I need Your helping hand

Your Book speaks so clearly
About keeping of the vow
The time for discernment
Is really right now

While I feel really in love
I'll wait patiently until
You confirm in my heart
That it's Your perfect will

I need to please You Lord
In all that I do
In my life and in my work
Especially my marriage too

So here it is
I'm putting it all out
I really need Your guidance
So there isn't any doubt

So speak to me Dear Lord
Put Your peace within my heart
I need to have Your guidance
Right from the very start

When the day finally comes
For wedding bells to ring
I'll not be worried at all
Or be concerned of anything

So thank You Lord for my future spouse
I'm sure things will be ok
As we check in with You
Lead us O Spirit we pray

Amen

QUESTIONS WORTHY OF REFLECTION

1. What is Love?

2. Do you love your partner?

3. How often do you tell your partner that you love him/her?

4. How is your love generally expressed?

5. How do you demonstrate that love?

6. If you have any children, do you love your children?

7. Do they know that you love them? If so how?

8. How do you share your love with them?

9. Are love and respect the same?

10. If not, how are they different?

11. Love is spelled T-I-M-E

12. Do you agree? Why or why not?

My New Baby


Dear Lord: Our precious child has arrived
Planned or not we'll all survive
Seriously though we're really happy
With another person in our family

We have planned for this joyous event
Delivery day has come and went
Mother is fine and baby is great
Now more chores upon our plate

The night time feedings, the crying too
Sometimes I don't know what to do
It seems all new but it's been before
I just couldn't remember any more

But I remember now, I haven't forgot
Babies also need changing in their cot
It doesn't always smell like perfume
Sometimes I just want to leave the room

But it's my baby, I can really see
God the great gift You've given me
That precious soul is just a child
I'm busy now, I'll be for a while

Preschool stage seems easy to me
With daycare too since we're busy
But then again it costs a lot
For someone else to care for our tot

I wonder if it's worth being on the job
While baby goes off to daycare with a sob
Lord there must be a better way
So I can see my baby during the day

Shortly then it's off to school
Where my child has to be cool
The pressure today it's more than enough,
For our kids with all that stuff

So Lord, how am I doing?
Will I overcome?
Are You pleased with my progress?
Will it be a job well done?

Lord I know You've given me
A great instruction book
And in it often Lord,
I should somehow take a look

Lord I really want to do this right
So my baby will be safe and bright
The book is the B-I-B-L-E
Where it's all written, plain to see

Help Lord me to read it,
And then to put it into use
So my parenting skills then,
Will really get a boost

I know that it's all in there
As written from the past,
It all makes sense somehow,
I can count on it at last

Lord thank You for my new baby
I'll be the best parent I can be
I'll be patient, wise and loving
So my baby can clearly see

That I'm a parent who loves
And really cares a lot
Especially for my baby,
My little tiny tot! Amen

QUESTIONS WORTHY OF REFLECTION 1. My baby, child, or children is (are) a gift from God. Agree or disagree? 2. How do you think your baby/child/children see the world? 3. How do they see you in their world? 4. One of the best resources of wisdom and thought about raising children is found in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. There are actually thirty-one chapters in all in there, one per day for the whole month. In reading through it, write down some of the key words about children that you come across.

I've Been Promoted

Dear God: The exams are written, the results are in
I've passed the test, happy I'll grin
There are now possibilities to a world unknown
Wherever it is Lord will soon be shown

So what does a promotion mean for me?
Higher rank? Extras bucks? More authority?
I'll take it all, it's easy to grasp,
But along with all that, comes additional tasks

So now more bucks, means more taxes too
It's always tax time when the year is through
With a higher rank, more authority You say?
It couldn't be better any other way!

More authority means more responsibility to do,
Promotions are great, but I'll work harder too
"To whom much is given, much is required",
So harder I'll work and the more I'll be tired

Unless of course I discover the clue,
Ask You Lord to help me know what to do
It's important I know as the Good Book says
'Trust in You Lord, You'll direct my ways'

You'll give me wisdom as I need it
Smart folks are those who heed it!
So now I am promoted, it's good to thank You God,
You'll be with me today as I onward trod

I'll make some mistakes as we all know,
As I trust in You, You'll make me grow
I'll try to conform to Your exact desire
And You'll be with me ... until I retire

So now I'm promoted
Some will tip their hat,
Yet have to work much harder
With more of 'this and that'

God You've been gracious,
It's so easy to see
I'll keep my feet on the ground,
My eyes to the sky and I'll make it, safely!

Amen

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think or hear the word "promotion"? 2. Do you think that all promotions are good? 3. Are there any negative effects on being promoted? If so, can you name them? 4. Do you think that all promotions are fair? 5. Are there folks who are promoted, who don't really deserve it? 6. Are there those who really do deserve it and are not promoted? If so, what is your reaction?

Moving Again

Lord do I really need it?
Is it worth anything at all?
Shouldn't I just leave it?
Is it worth another haul?

I've already moved it many times,
But never quite used it well,
Will I ever need it, ever?
It's so really hard to tell!

The space is often limited
The moving truck is small,
There's so much stuff to pack,
My back is against the wall

The kids say 'dad, don't chuck it',
The spouse is not impressed,
I've hardly seen it used at all,
Like most of all the rest

It seems each time we throw it out,
Next week we need it bad,
It is as if we should have kept
All of what we've had!

Most times we can never find,
These things 'in case we need'
So off to the store we go to buy,
Again and again indeed

Life is a little crazy,
When it come to moving time,
We minimize the spending,
In our efforts to save a dime

So Lord, help me to decide
What needs to be left behind,
What the Red Cross needs are,
For others to happily find

Most of what I have,
Is only stuff anyway,
Lead me to do as You will
Whatever it is, will be ok

When I wonder of the value
Of everything I own,
I know there's never a reason,
To complain, fret or moan

We are really just too spoiled,
We should live with less You know,
So when it comes time for moving,
We can simply pack and go

Amen

QUESTIONS WORTHY OF REFLECTION

1. Why would you want to move?

2. Where might you want to move?

3. What are possible advantages of moving?

4. What are possible disadvantages of moving?

5. How does your family feel about moving?

6. Do they generally adjust well after they move? Why or why not?

7. Are the things you purchased more valuable to you at the point of purchase than they are to you later on?

8. Is moving on, always the same as moving up? (Discuss)

Wisdom

Dear God: Did I make a mistake?
Or did I well discern?
Need I giv'em a break?
Will they ever learn?

It really tough at times,
When I'm out there on the beat
Have to always watch my back
When I'm out there on the street

Folks don't always want to help,
Like they used to in the past
Can't trust anyone anymore,
Some will give you a blast

Wonder why it's like that now
When I work so really hard?
Pressures come from all around
Must be always on my guard

Still not all folks are bad out there
Some just need a break
They need some understanding
Because life is so hard to take

Their kids are somewhat perturbed,
They have troubles in the schools
Life is a little ungluing
Some folks break the rules

Some kids don't know who their daddy is
Or to where they'll be moving next
They seem so vulnerable you know
It's enough to make you vex

Jobs are cut both on left and right
The bills are pilling high
The parents are all stressed out you know,
It's enough to make me cry

In the high risers and the projects
It's concentrated grief
I wonder if it'll ever end Lord
Or when they'll get relief

Everyone comes from somewhere
They all have a story to tell,
Some have had such terrible lives
It has been a living hell

So as a uniformed professional
Who is out there on the beat
I am asking Lord for wisdom
As I am working on the street

Lord I really need discernment
So I can right decide
Who's out there who needs my care
Who has no place to hide

Amen

QUESTIONS WORTHY OF REFLECTION

1. How do you define wisdom?

2. Can you think of some particular case when you really lacked wisdom?

a) At work?

b) At home?

3. Are there situations that come to mind where people were hurt or offended by your lack of wisdom?

4. If so, have you ever thought about apologizing to them because of this?

5. When at work, what is your source of wisdom?

6. When at home, what is your source of wisdom?

7. Who is your model of a wise person? Why?

Teenager Blues

Stop that again,
You're driving me crazy
You're out of control
You're somewhat lazy

Look at your room,
It's all a mess
Hang up your clothes,
Clean up your desk

Lord I've said it over
And over again
But it really seems
Useless to complain

The kids today
Don't give a care
About their chores
Or what they wear

Lord I'm trying real hard,
I've done my best
You will have to help me
With all of the rest

The kids out there
Are out of control
It doesn't exactly look like
The days of old

Where have we gone
So terribly wrong?
And why is it so hard
To try and continue on?

Why can't we ever
Really get along?
Lord, I can hardly wait
For them to move on!

And go on they will,
To another town
And leave me alone
To finally rebound!

Somehow I'll survive,
I know all of this
But for right now
It isn't real bliss

I wonder Dear Lord
Did I treat my parents this way?
Surely God I didn't
Dear God dear I say?

History seems
To repeat itself,
Lord how bad my dear parents
Must have felt

For a person in uniform
It's really hard,
I'm supposed to be
Always on my guard

Lord my dear family
Needs to be civilized
I'll admit Lord,
Yes, I've idolized

I seem to forget that
Kids will be kids
Professional's kids too,
Can lose their lids

My kids are the exact,
As the kids next door,
Somehow though, Lord,
Society expects so much more

It's the same for the child
Of a lawyer or teacher,
Or that of a judge, doctor,
Banker or preacher

Our kids too I know,
Really need a break
Sometimes the pressures
Are too hard to take

Kids will be kids
We're are told all the time,
Yet there are exceptions,
For those kids of mine

We are the professionals,
People in uniform,
Our kids are supposed
To be saints when they are born

O come on folks
Give us a break
Our kids are like others
Who like ice cream and cake

They are normal as anyone
In every sense of the word,
We will not let them be labelled,
A geek or a nerd

Even though we are officers,
Firefighters and the like,
Our kids are still kids
Who all like to bike

And all things like
Other kids like to do,
Music and sports
And yes partying too

Someday, they'll grow up
And will all leave home
Leaving us as parents
Tired and alone

That's what it's all about
And very simple to see,
As kids are a part,
Of our blessed family

So yes, Lord at times
We've all had it rough
But through it all,
We have become tough

It's official of course,
And we'll all survive,
It's the continual goal
For which we strive

So with Your help Lord,
We should try to relax
Try as we might,
And stick to the facts

After all Dear Lord,
It isn't all that bad
With all of Your help
One day we'll be glad

So thank You Lord,
For my teen(s)
Help me Lord
Not to be mean

When they're all grown up,
I want to be their hero,
So help me dear God,
Not to be a zero!

Amen

QUESTIONS WORTHY OF REFLECTION

1. Write down ten words that typically describe a teenager?

2. How does your teenager fair in that general description?

3. Teenager is a child in transition from childhood to adulthood, do you agree?

4. As a parent, how do you think you could facilitate the process?

5. What are some of the values you wish your child/teenager had?

6. Have you personally modeled those values for them?

7. If you could be a teenager all over again, how would you do things differently?

Debt

Dear Lord: I'm somewhat over bent
Because I definitely over spent
I've been hurting to the bones
Trying to keep up with the Jones

It's all that advertising
That's got me appetizing
It's the latest tech and gizmo
That has taken all my dough

Plus now everything cost so much,
I really don't need all that stuff
So help me get it straighten out
I'm sure You can, there is no doubt

I'll cut up the credit cards first of all
Before I'm driven up the wall
And I'll go back to the simple ways,
Like it was in the good old days

Back then I watched every dime
And my needs were met all the time
If I didn't have the cash to buy
I didn't buy it on the fly

So now I'll have to take a look
And keep a budget in a book
And rid myself of things I don't need
I'll be the example, so help me lead

I know that I need to set the rules
While at first it won't be cool
My family will follow this I know
There is no choice, it will be so

I'll shop more wisely first of all
And keep my budget on the ball
I'll ask You Lord to be my guide
So I'll be on the winning side

I'll even be kinder to the poor
I'll give donations at the door
I'll be less selfish that's for sure
Helping others, I was created for

I'll be more thankful for what You've done
Life for me will be more fun
Being in debt will be of the past
Prosperity and blessing will come at last

Now that I have it all figured out
I am relieved there is no doubt
I'll have what I need to pay the bills,
Without the debt that always kills

There will be more money for the little things
For simple pleasures which the happiness brings
And less events will now go wrong
Because of the budget that I am on

I might even give more to the local church
For its causes are of much worth
It supports the poor at home and abroad
It definitely does the work of God

So thank You Lord again and again
Thanks is offered to Your Holy Name
I've learned Your lessons You wanted to teach,
I'm glad they were still within my reach

I'll do things different so much better now
Because of Your grace You have taught me how
I'll slow down a little more and seek Your advice
Your care and concern for me are really nice ...! Amen

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Poetic Prayers for Uniformed Professionalsby Lorne K. Freake Copyright © 2012 by Dr. Lorne K. Freake, Ph.D. (Padré). Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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