Terry Earp

Terry Earp

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Gift of Friendship

The Gift of Friendship

It has been said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend.  There is no truer statement as when we hear this demonstrated again and again in the news.  Almost daily we hear of someone risking their life for another.  I have asked myself what kind of courage is this.  After closer examination I believe that this is the ultimate measure of friendship.  Most of these heroes do not look at themselves as one.  They just saw that something needed to be done and without hesitation they did it.  On the other extreme being a friend can be as simple as being there or standing in the gap when someone is going through a hard and difficult time.  Often times I think some people stay away because they do not know what to do or say. We probably all have stories like this that we can relate to.    I have been in this place.  I had this friend who was dying of cancer and her doctors told her that she did not have much time left.  I felt so bad for her and her family but I did not know what to do.  I wanted to call on her more than I did.  I wanted to cheer her up in some way.  I was afraid of saying the wrong thing.  I mean what do you say to someone that is just given a few weeks to live?  I have since learned that it is not as important in what you say as in how you listen.  Most of the time that person just wants to know that someone is listening.  I mean really listening.  This kind of listening involves the heart, a heart of compassion.   The majority of people are not looking to be fixed as much as just having a compassionate person to share their feelings with. 

When I was a young boy growing up on the farm I had a Great Dane called Duke.  Duke was as big as I was and my best buddy.  Most all the time when I would be outside Duke would be right there by my side.  When I would talk to him he would look at me like he could understand every word I was saying.  There were times I believe that he actually could.  There were occasions when I was feeling really down about something and I believe he could since that.  Duke would stay even closer to me during those times.  I would talk to him and for some reason always feel better after sharing my problems with my big friend.  Maybe this is one of the reasons they call a dog man’s best friend.  Friendship is such a needed and powerful thing.  In a world of strangers a friend is of great worth.  I have always felt that if it were not for the differing views of politicians in many nations around the world that most people would get along just fine.  I do not believe that we are that much different from one another outside of our social upbringing.  We laugh, we cry, we love, we hope, we might even share a dream.  Some people work so hard to make their world a better place to live by building walls that separate rather than building bridges.  This may be a topic for another day but this subject on friendship has made me rethink of what kind of a friend I am to others.  It makes me recall a difficult period in my life when I lost everything through a series of bad choices.  I lost my livelihood, my home, my cars and eventually my family.  This was a very dark time for me and I really had no desire to go on with my life.  I lost my purpose to live.  I sat down and began to write my thoughts on a piece of paper.  It started out to be a letter and ended up being a poem instead.  This kind of expression has always been a release for me.   I didn’t have any idea of who to send it to because I did not feel that there was anyone left in my life that really cared.   I was having a major pity party.  By the grace of God I am still here.  People that I did not even know before my tumble just seemingly appeared in my life when I needed a friend the most.  I think that my New Years Resolution this year will be for me to be a friend to someone in need of one.  I know the pain of loneliness when it seemed that there was no one else to care.  This holiday season think of maybe giving the gift of friendship to someone very much in need of a friend.  It costs very little except for a little of your time.

Have a blessed day,

Sincerely, Your Friend

Inside of this letter I am sending my heart
Please handle with care,
For it has been broken apart
Buffeted and battered and bruised from within
Please guard this broken vessel
Sincerely, your friend.

Enclosed is a is a treasure, like pearls are my tears
That were bought for a ransom,
Has redeemed all my years
When the Master comes calling, as He promised to mend
Give to him this broken vessel
Sincerely, your friend

He is the Master Potter, like clay in his hands
He’ll remold my broken heart,
On His promise I will stand
As it goes through the fire, I’ve no fear. He’s the best
It will come out bright and shining
It will pass this last test

When He’s finished, take it gently and put it high on a shelf
You were kind and very thoughtful,
Thank you for your help
Through broken heart and shattered dreams by my side you have been
Closer than a brother
Sincerely, your friend

For a friend is there to walk beside you in darkness and despair
And when you fall they will lift you up
And hold you up in prayer,
A friend will stand the test of time, compassion they will show
A friend is a friend for ever,
This you will always know

For a greater love has no one than
To lay his life down for a friend

By Terry Earp

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Journey

I used to envy people like my brother who knew what they wanted to do with their lives long before they were even in high school.  From what I remember he was in seventh grade when he told our parents that he wanted to fly jets.  He knew what he wanted to do and he put a plan together.  He wanted to get into the Air Force Academy.  My brother knew that in order to do this he was going to need to keep his grades up and he did.  He was a straight A student because he had a vision that fueled his dream.  He had plenty of distractions along the way, me being a major one, but he did not let anything or anyone come between him and his dream.  I remember asking him on occasions to come outside to play catch with me or do something else that I thought would be fun.  He would often times be in a book that he just could not put down.  My brother was amazing.  He was like a walking encyclopedia.  I remember going to him with questions about history or some other subject and he always seem to have the answer.  He was accepted into the Air Force Academy right out of high school.  He served as an officer for close to thirty years and got to fly his jets all over the world.  I love this part about my brother.  He always seemed to have a plan.  I on the other hand was at the opposite end of this spectrum.  My parents lined up many great opportunities for me but I just could never seem to get excited about any of them because it was not my dream.  They wanted me to do well and excel in something.  I was not even sure what I wanted to major in until my junior year in college but even then I did not have a vision or a dream of what I wanted to do with my life.  Which category do you fall into?  When I was a young boy I used to think that I knew what I wanted to do.  I wanted to see the world.  I wanted to help make this world a better place to live but I did not have a plan mapped out for my life.  I didn’t even have a clue.  I know that many people out there like me can relate to this because I have met some of them.  Many of us think we know where we are going but without a clear vision, a purpose and a map on how to get there will cause us to wanders aimlessly like the Israelites did for forty years in the desert.  Be encouraged to know that this is not the end of our life in fulfilling our dreams.  Our dreams and visions often come to us in the most unlikely places.  I have been to the desert and I have to admit that it is a very dry and unpleasant place to be; but my journey did not end there.  It was only a detour to where my heart really desires to be.  Life is a journey.  I found fresh revelation, new hope and new direction in my journey there.  I believe that it is not our Lord’s intent for us to remain in the desert.  For my life it was only a detour that I needed to take.

Have a blessed day,

The Journey

I long to go down to the sea again
To the call of the wind and the tide
It is a wild call, it’s a clear call
That cannot be denied

This yearning deep within my soul
Draws me to where sea meets the shore
To that familiar call heard by sailors all
Within the breath of the oceans’ great roar.

Enchanted by her grand embrace
Eyes fixed on where sea meets the sky
I ask her of the many stories been told
Of adventure and this she replied

I have carried so many by their faith and hope
To where ever their hearts are drawn
A journey fueled by their passions and dreams
To where many before them have gone

To some their port was uncertain
It was the thrill of the open sea
As they set sail toward the horizon
It felt so good to be free

As seasons changed and seas turned gray
My waters rose like mountains
The skies turned black with no stars for guides
And the heavens spilled forth like fountains

As confusion rose and gave way to fear
Like a ship they were tossed
Without the stars to guide their way
They thought they must be lost

Their thoughts went back to that first day
Not so many years ago
When they started their great journey
To what port they did not know

I asked what purpose is this voyage
To travel all this way
To have no destination
And to this storm fall prey?

Is this the final hour
To face this storm alone?
Will they be lost forever?
Will they ever find their home?

The answer made me realize
That storms will come and go
I send them not to harm you
Just to guide you home

When you see the storm clouds gather
No matter where you roam
Just know it’s just the hand of God
Sent to guide you home.

Terry Earp








    

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

 Hold Tight to the Memories

My youngest girl just turned 21 this month.  It seems like only yesterday she was daddy’s little girl.  Where did all of the time go?  Have you ever wished that you could just freeze time or relive a certain moment?  What would you have done differently?  Would you maybe have worked a little less leaving more time for family time?  When they ask you to come outside to play soccer or play catch with them would you have put aside the things you thought were more important at the time?  Isn’t it strange how we never remember the times we put in that extra overtime but can remember the soccer game where you stood on the side lines cheering her on until you were hoarse.  The passing of time in our lives has a way of bringing a certain kind of clarity to things of what was or could have been.  We all have had those thoughts of if only I could do that one over I would hold on to that moment just a little longer.  My two precious girls are grown and scattered now.  As a father it has always been my desire to provide for them and protect them from anything and everything that could harm them.  Did I do my best?  I ask myself these questions a lot.  Did I do enough to protect and provide for them?  Did I get it right?  I will be the first to admit that I have made more than my share of mistakes as a father.  If I had to do it over again I would have certainly done some things differently.  If this was a perfect world I could protect them from ever getting hurt.  I could have protected my youngest from falling off of her first bike and skinning her knee.  I could have protected her from the heart ache from her breakup with her first real boyfriend.  I could have been there for my older daughter when she needed me most.  I know that the skinned knees and the heart aches are all part of growing up.  I have learned to make peace with my past so I do not spoil the present.  I still want to protect them from the harsh realities of this world and probably always will.  If I could provide them with a world free from anger and fear I would.  If I could make all of their wishes and dreams come true I would.  If I could do this one thing for my girls, I would build for them this magical world:



Once Upon a Time

If I could hold back the sands of time
I would cling to each grain in my hand
And embrace every moment of this time with no end
I would build all the memories I can

If I could paint my dreams on the wall
And make words play out like a song
I would paint you a melody of this magical place
Where nothing would ever go wrong

I would sing of a kingdom in a far away place
With homes and fields filled laughter
Where the prince finds his princess and they ride off together
And living happily ever after

If I could give you a day with no end
And make all your wishes come true
I would give you this day where joy would abound
And sadness could never touch you

In this magical place where time would stand still
Giving time for all you should do
Your longings and dreams will all come alive
In this world created for you

I trust you will share this wondrous place
With someone in search of their dream
And tell them this story, your incredible journey
Of everything that you have seen

For once upon a time in a far away realm
Where hopes and dreams all come true
Time will stand still in this magical world
And old thing will all become new

Terry Earp



Sunday, December 5, 2010

Choices

Choices is my journey of self-examination and a search for truth.  It is a series of heartfelt and heart changing journeys through time that has changed my life forever.  Each entry is the result of an event that has touched my life in a very special and personal way.  I am of the belief that if we fail to learn from these life lessons then our journey here is but in vain.  I do not claim to have all the answers.  I have learned from others along the way much wiser than I and hope to continue to do so.  When we think that we know it all and have all of the answers then the learning process stops.  I will always consider myself a student in this massive and always changing world where choices must be made daily.  I hope you will come and travel with me on a journey filled with its many peaks and valleys.  My wish is that these true and personal stories bless you as they have richly blessed me.  I look forward to hearing from you.  How do you feel about this subject?  What is your story? 

I am so very excited to be starting off with my very first blog.  I feel like I am at the threshold of meeting my extended family for the first time and very much look forward to this.  I would like to start off sharing a poem that I had penned when I was in my twenties.  Its original title was Blind Destiny.  I was walking across my university campus in the evening just after leaving the Shakespearean play Hamlet.  I was feeling great and very philosophical that night.  I felt as though I had the whole world at my feet and I was ready to go out and conquer it.  I was excited about my future and ready to explore my new world.  I did not know what my future held but felt confident that I was ready to face anything.  Many years later I revisited my poem with a whole new insight and made some changes.  I do not believe in blind destiny anymore.  I believe that we forge our own destiny by the choices we make good or bad. I also believe that our past does not have to dictate our future or who we are today because we still are free to make choices.

Have a blessed day!

Choices
Alone I walk the cold dark street
With only my thoughts for company;
The street lamps overhead guide my steps
As I watch my shadows pass me.

I hear my steps upon the walk
And strain my eyes to see,
My mind begins to dream a dream
Of where my steps will lead

I hear laughter, I witness pain,
I feel the sun, I smell the rain,
I greet faces, I visit places
I’ve never seen or been

This yearning deep within me
Draws me down this path
Toward sights unseen and dreams unborn
A future not determined by my past.

Then suddenly stillness fills the air
I sense a presence and then small voice
My wisdom I have given you
To make yet another choice

But what is this that lies ahead?
My path goes right and left.
At last my time has finally come
To choose which path is best

Terry Earp