Poet and Author Joyce Eckard

   “WHEN I’M GONE”

When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile,

Just forget if you can, whenever I’ve frowned,

And remember only the smile..

Forget unkind words I have spoken,

Remember some good I have done,

Forget that I ever had heartache,

And remember I’ve had loads of fun..

Forget that I stumbled and blundered and sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I have fought some hard battles, and won,

at the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going, 

I would not have you sad for a day,

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay..

And come in the evening, when the sun paints the sky in the west,

Stand for a few moments beside me,

And remember only the best.. 4-29-2021

  “ARIZONA”

My inter youth, as a young girl, 

cries out to you, “Arizona!”

Your mountains majesty..

Your sunsets of purple, pinks, and golden hues,

Oh, how do I capture the beauty of you?

The youth who loved you so much,

cries out for your return.

Your God given beauty, your desert in bloom.

The magic of your sunsets, woo and beckon to me yet.

Though, many years ago, I have loved you still,

I can see you yet.

The longing, deep within, to see you once again.

The carpet of a sky, painted only by a hand,

no one on earth could ever describe.

The richness of your hues, only God himself could paint.

Oh, land of desert, tis with you, my heart does relate.

Many moons ago, I did call you my home, 

Tis of those days, I’d once again return, if only in my dreams,

someday, I shall visit you once again,

in the beauty of my new home, Heaven….

What a beautiful scene; I shall never tire of you.

I can see you in my mind’s eye, 

tis Heavens beauty, right here on earth.

Never give up your dreaming and looking ahead,

for our day shall come, when we all see Heaven,

our Maker, His Majesty.

To God be all the Glory, he is the Author and finisher of all,

this 29 day of May, 2021, and Joyce A. Eckard, His grateful daughter

whom He has blessed beyond measure.

NOTE: I lived in Arizona with my parents, Walter & Anne Lamson, and my little sister Susie, for six happy years when I was a child. I still remember the beauty of Camelback Mountain and the sunsets beyond compare. 5-30-2021

“REMEMBER TO THANK A VETERAN FOR YOUR FREEDOMS;

THIS MEMORIAL DAY!!” 

 “THE DAY’S OF UNREST!”

“The Days of unrest are everywhere, in our homes,

In our cities, and in our nation!

Only you, dear Lord, can put an end to this upheaval, and confusion!

Only you can squelch this unrest…Come quickly, our Savior, and answer!

Help us to focus, and reunite in prayer, and our love of you, oh Lord!

May we be ever mindful of You, and your presence in our lives.

Living and breathing each day with you our Savior,

at the helm of each decision.

Why, oh why, must we flounder through life, like fish out of water.

Your word tells us to look up to a brighter future,

with you calling, and making all decisions.

All mortals seem lost, and undone,

missing the pathway to the Throne of Grace..

Frenzy is all about each household and nation, where shall this all end..

The grip of the enemy grows tighter and tighter, BUT, stop it we must!

There is but ONE solution,

The Christ who died on the cruel cross, for everyone’s sin…

Access is so simple, and has been here all the time.

Call on the name, who shall right all wrong.

Today is the day, and the hour, to make Christ,

the ruler of you, and all you possess.

Come into right order, and glorify the one who has redeemed every thought.

You were bought with a price, so fulfill the reward,

and give Him honor, and glory.

This is the day the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Tis with a heavy heart I pray for myself, my family, friends, and nation..

But, there is only one way, and that is to look up, for your salvation draws nigh, this 9th day of June, 2021 By the Savior of all our hope, and Joyce A. Eckard

Psalms 33: 4&5 For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, 

and his unfailing love fills the earth.

Psalms 34: 1-5 I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O Magnify the lord with me,

and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me,

and delivered me from all my fears.                              

 6-15-2021

  “DEAR LORD”

Dear Lord, help me each day to speak, as you would speak,

to love, as you would love.

May I always do unto others, as I would want other to do unto me.

May I find the beauty in my Fellow man,

that you see and find in them.

May I be worthy each day of the acceptance of you, 

my Lord, who died for my sins.

May I see beyond each flaw of everyone I meet,

just as you see beyond all of my inadequacies.

May I accept at face value the teachings you have taught,

and apply them each day to my daily living.

May I love others, as you have loved me.

Help me to see beyond each scar of each one I meet.

May I see my brothers and sisters, as you see them Lord,

without blemish, without judgement, and without malice.

May my love go deep within my soul, while meeting other’s needs.

Jesus help me to walk the path you would have me walk,

not straying to the right or left, but, staying on the straight and narrow.

Keeping my eyes fixed ahead to you and your wishes.

Just as you were tempted, and resisted,

help me Lord to resist the enemy, and do what is right in your sight!

Temptations are all about, and we are tempted, morning, noon, and night!

But, with you Lord, at our helm, we’ll avoid the gates of Hell,

and live forever, victorious, with you, “Dear Lord!”

From the Lord of all victories, and His daughter, Joyce A. Eckard

this 12th day of July 2021

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS: Matthew 4: 1-4 Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the Devil Came and said to him, “If you are the son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘ People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.’”

TODAYS THOUGHT: God is no respecter of persons, for those who give so fully of themselves unto others, with such abandonment, they shall receive back without measure, shaken down, and running over. 

7-13-2021

  “GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO JESUS!”

Oh’ give what you have to Jesus!

You may think it’s small and insignificant, 

but He can turn it into just what you need to survive!

Be it tattered and torn, like you believe your life is, or the clothes you wear, or maybe you feel like you’re in the tank of life..

“Give What You Have To Jesus!”

See Him make water into wine, see Him right all wrong,

see Him put a full wind in your sails…

Watch Jesus rekindle all you have lost,

See Him put a step in your gate…

See Jesus put a sparkle back in your eyes.

If only you’ll give Him a chance to be number one in your life,

as He wants to be. Today is the day to,

“Give What You Have To Jesus!”

Compose a list of your needs, and talk it over with Him,

He’ll guide and direct you to the other side of your problem..

Nothing is too large or too small, He will tend to them all..

He’s right here with you, He’ll do wonders when you,

“Give What You Have To Jesus!”

Jesus the problem solver is right by your side this 7thday of June, 2021

As given to Joyce A. Eckard by her Heavenly Father 

Psalm 23: 1-6 “A Psalm Of David” (My earthly father, Walter P. Lamson, and my Maternal grandmother Margaret Mary Thomas White favorite scripture)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever..

To quote Erma Bombeck: “When I stand before
God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left but could say, ‘I’ve used everything you gave me.’''

  6-14-2021

   “MY CHILD”

This is a mother’s love; 

as you lived and grew in my body for nine months,

a deep bonding took place.

You developed and grew in my innermost part, right next to my heart.

There as you lay attached to me, I could feel you move, and grow.

It was then the wonder of you, that stole my heart, and love.

Would I have a son, or daughter, would your eyes be blue, or brown,

Oh’ the wonder of you. At your birth, that first small cry.

Oh’ how perfect you were, with ten little fingers, and toes.

Tears of joy were shed at such a beautiful site. 

God blessed me that day, again, and again.

As you see, in my eye, you are perfect.

You have no flaws, or disfigurement, for a mother sees beyond all judgements.

Many paths we may trod, but the tie between a mother,

son, or daughter, shall never be broken. 

Blood is thicker than water, and tis of the same blood, we do adhere.

Time can erase many things, but the love of a mother for her children,

just grows, from day to day, to eternity, and beyond.

There is another bond, that grows and grows,

and that is the bond of our Savior, who knew you before I did.

For Heaven was your first home, before you came to earth,

and Heaven shall be your final resting place.

All said and done, there is our one true Lord who died for us,

and He is waiting to hear our call.

He loves you more than I do, if that could ever be possible!

His fondest wish is for you to cry out, and let Him be your next of kin.

He’ll walk with you, and talk with you, and make all things right.

So as a mother’s love just grows, and grows,

so shall the love of Christ, be a love beyond compare.

This is the day the Lord has made, won’t you let Him come in,

And sup with you, this 25th day of May, 2021.

By the ever loving Lord, who knew you first, and your mom, Joyce A. Eckard. 

Dedicated to my three children: Tim, Tammy, and Darla

Numbers 6: 24-26: (My favorite scripture) The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 

the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace..