What Do I Long For?

by Cheryl Merrick
I long for time to rest, 
time to think and ponder,
and time to enjoy nature.

I long for time
 to build relationships,
 with God, my family,
 and with friends.

I long for time to grow,
time to study, write,  
and care for myself.

I long for time to serve,
time to tend grandchildren,
time to send encouraging notes,
and time do family history.

Most of all,
I long to be still
and have the time 
to live a simple life. 

Opening a Window

by Cheryl Merrick

Seeking my own answers
I quickly become frustrated.
There seems to be no way
it can be done.
I’ve hit a blank wall
and there is no way out.
Praying for the Lord’s guidance,
new options suddenly appear.
The solution was always there,
but I just hadn’t seen it.

Impressing

by Cheryl Merrick

Who am I trying to impress
when I recklessly declare
“I can do it!”,
or proudly tout my accomplishes
at the end of the day.

Just wanting me to be happy,
My husband isn’t impressed.
In fact he is disappointed
to once again come home to
a wife who is tired, stressed, and grouchy
after a day of pushing herself.

Advantages of Limiting Details

by Cheryl Merrick

Better Companion, Mother, & Friend
Happier All Day
More Loving and Receptive to Spirit
Manage Home Better
Think, Understand, & Remember  better
Handle few details better; more efficient
Plan Better
Feel Better - more energy

Law of the Harvest

by Cheryl Merrick

Sowing love
Gathering friendship

Simplifying home
Discovering peace

Living carefully
Enjoying health

Pondering scriptures
Feeling His presence

Keeping covenants
Receiving blessings

Planting principles
Harvesting inspiration

The Deserving Few

by Cheryl Merrick

Instead of asking where to keep it,
     I ask why keep it?

Instead of how to care for it,
     I question should it be cared for at all.

Some possessions are given away,
      and others stored in the attic.
Remaining are only a few things giving daily ease,
     but requiring little care in return,
     the deserving few.

Peaceful Day

by Cheryl Merrick

Begun with morning meditation,
strengthened by prayer
     and scripture pondering,
guided by the words of prophets,
the day begins,
firm and true.

With priorities in order,
     and goals clear,
obscuring clutter
simply falls away,
leaving peace
glowing purely
in the steady light
of inspiration.

Peace At Last

by Cheryl Merrick

A nagging feeling that
things are not right in my life.
A sense of unrest.
An unsettling awareness that something is wrong.

Accepting my need to rest,
I knew I only had ten hours to do all I wanted.
Of these hours, half are needed to care for myself--
food, exercise, meds, rest, and scripture study.
The other five hours were needed to do LDS.org feedback,
family history, study and write.
Fifteen minutes of each hour must be unscheduled time
and include all detailed work.
Time gone.

Living in Balance

by Cheryl Merrick

With the priority
of building eternal relationships,
I’m focusing my energies on just a few things--
scripture study, family nurturing,
and missionary work.

I’m setting more realistic goals--
eliminating those details and commitments
which don’t directly relate to my goals
and which drain my limited energies--
teaching writing and visiting teaching callings.

Full Day

by Cheryl Merrick

Doing what is right for me,
Planning ahead to avoid pressure,
Spending my time and energies
on what is most important to me,
Sharing my love with others,
Mentoring eight year old writers,
Keeping my home clean and in order,
Having plenty of prepared food to rotate,
Hours to study scriptures
and work on family history,
Time to talk with my husband
and visit with friends,
Moments of meditation
to sort out my thoughts,
Time to relax, to enjoy beauty, to write.

Simple days, with room to breathe
and stretch the mind and soul,
A day full and overflowing.

Focus

by Cheryl Merrick

Asking how best
to use her gifts,
the woman
begins to simplify
her life.

Possessions are given away,
lightening her load.
Busy tasks are given up,
freeing time and energy.

As a focus
returns to her life,
She is filled with peace,
and knows she is,
once again,
on the right path.

Listening to the Lord

by Cheryl Merrick

The morning seems to pass unregistered

as I slowly start my day.

After a few hours of detailed work,

I’m tired, tense, and stressed

unable to do much of anything.

The few moments each day when I feel well enough 

to do creative projects has disappeared,

consumed by low priority tasks.

Don't

by Cheryl Merrick

Don’t let myself become distracted
Keep focused on who I am
and why I’m here.

Don’t let others’ goals become mine
Fulfill my mission as lamp bearer
showing the way home.

Don’t let momentary pressures
divert me from the straight path.
Hold fast to correct principles.