Everyone Should Have

Today I received a few copies of the Maya Angelou poem that is circulating. It tells what "every woman should have" and what "every woman should know." With all due respect to the beautifully written words of Maya Angelou, I'd like to take that a step farther, open it up to both genders, and relate it to walking with God. (written 30 Jan 2008)

Everyone Should Have
the security that comes with knowing that God will meet your every need
even if you think all your needs are met and can't imagine them not being so

Everyone Should Have
the comforting mantle of the love of God
even when you feel cold and alone

Everyone Should Have
a clear and concise picture of the emptiness of their life before God

Everyone Should Have
a way to express the beauty that God's love brings
it may be through words, through art, through performing, or simply through daily living

Everyone Should Have
God's holy word (the Bible), or access to one
if you don't have one, let me know .. He'll help me get you one

Everyone Should Have
the realization that God is always there, no matter what
He hears you always, and is your father and friend

Everyone Should Have
the knowledge that salvation is a gift to be shared
but is at the same time intensely personal
and manifests itself differently in each one of us

Everyone Should Have
the anticipation of sharing eternity with God
and the feeling of joy that His blessed presence brings

Everyone Should Have
the peace that comes with turning your problems over
to the master problem solver

Everyone Should Know
the beauty of God's precious love
because He doesn't expect us to be who we are not

Everyone Should Know
when to let go
and let God

Everyone Should Know
that the past is simply that
and that the cleansing power of Jesus' blood
eliminates all sin

Everyone Should Know
that Christians are not perfect
but that they are forgiven

Everyone Should Know
that God will never fail you
even though the answers He gives
are not always the ones we think we need at the time

Everyone Should Know
that the greatest gift of all
is absolutely free
and is available simply by asking and believing

Everyone Should Know
that God is alive
and that miracles happen every day


God, give me the strength to stand fast in my faith and share the beauty of your love. Allow me the privilege of continuing to write the words that praise you. Make me a light for those who may feel trapped in darkness.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV