How did I go in less than two weeks from wheelchair to hiking?

Struggling with exhaustion,
I came to a point where
I could no longer read
and could barely walk.

Knowing my life depended 

on my being able to take

my cancer medication,

I prayed to know

what I could do

to continue taking it.

Anticipating a blessing of strength,

I sat stunned by my answer

to remove everything 

which makes me ill

from my living environment.

Doing Well

by Cheryl Merrick

Realizing that scripture study
had become merely another "should"
to be checked off on her list,
the woman prays asking to have
the Holy Ghost with her,
as she focuses instead on
becoming closer to
Heavenly Father and His Son.

Though she longs to have time
to quietly sit at her desk
thoughtfully considering
each verse of scripture,
in the few still moments
when she is not rushing
to meet someone's needs,
she ponders a verse,
and, feeling The Spirit,
is reassured that
she is doing well.

Sharing

by Cheryl Merrick

Mine to share are gifts
that cannot be touched or held,
the glimmering, ethereal gifts
of the mind and heart.

Through intense empathy,
I’m able to sense potential
mentoring it into fruit.

From hours spent
in study and thought,
I draw out solutions to problems

From prayer and meditation
I discover principles
to light our way.

And so, in loving concern,
I share my faith
and hope for the future.

Good and Better Questions

by Cheryl Merrick

The question isn’t whether it is good --
It is,
but is it the best use of my time, energies, and abilities?

How can I feel a sense of purpose in my life
while not becoming stressed with excessive details?
Though I sincerely want to help others,
is all this help of equal value?

Am I seeking approval and acceptance
by trying to do more than I’m able?

How do I set bounds so that I  keep to my goals
and not get pulled off course by others wishes?

What must I do and not do
to lessen the stress I feel each day
and improve my health?

I pray for answers
for these
Good and Better Questions

Filling

by Cheryl Merrick

Drop by drop,
my bucket fills
with scripture study and prayer,
meditation and study,
writing and reading,
dance and decorating,
caring for us,
and nurturing others.

Anchoring

by Cheryl Merrick

Before I get far into my day,
I sit and ponder
Who I am and why I’m here.

I consider what is important
for me to do that day,
and gather my thoughts together
straightening them out in a poem.

Seeking Heavenly Father’s
guidance through
scripture study and prayer,
I am now firmly anchored
and ready to begin a new day

Obvious

by Cheryl Merrick

As  I choose ONE
most important project
and work on it early
when I have the time and energy,
I’m finally getting
the things I want done.

Now there is no need to push,
because I’m not behind.
I’m astounded at how much
time and energy
I’ve  wasted
by not being focused.

As I pray for help
I’m being blessed
with ideas on how to change.

With His help
It all seems so simple
and obvious,
now.

Earned

by Cheryl Merrick

Melting away in the heat
     of a bustling day,
Peace disappears.

Distilling again
     only though hours
of quiet prayer, study,
     and thought.

Voices

by Cheryl Merrick

The tired woman puts her hands to her ears,
Her mind reeling with all the voices,
Some loudly demanding:
The baby’s cry,
The toddler’s scream,
Her school children’s calls for assistance,
The PTA’s request for cookies,
The Church’s appeal for help with the program.
Her mind is also crowded with silent voices:
the teen’s unvoiced plea for advice,
her husband’s quiet need for support,
her mother’s lonely call from far away,
the sorrowing neighbor’s emptiness.

Beyond the Mark

by Cheryl Merrick

Setting goals for scripture reading-

in chapters instead of in change,

I am so anxious to accomplish

that I forget to allow time for

my spirit to savor the message.

Light Bearer

by Cheryl Merrick


Its source lies within.
Born from quiet moments
and deep reflection.
Nourished by hours
of pondering and prayer.
Energized by intense feeling.
Guided by true principles
and focused upon eternal goals,
The strength of faith glows,
producing a light
to guide safely home.

Step-by Step

by Cheryl Merrick

I have been lead 

to learn the lessons
     I’ve needed to know

to overcome weaknesses
     and become whole

to develop strengths
     I didn’t know

Anchored

by Cheryl Merrick


The anchor of my soul sinks deep,
     secured in quiet moments
where the clanging of demands
     stills slowly to silence.

Centered

by Cheryl Merrick

Listening to the Lord’s voice;

The blare of impatient buzzers,

throbbing music, rushing traffic, 

and relentless demands,

quiet to a soft mummer;

Flickering computer screens, big screen images,

and glitzy advertizing hype;

slowly fade into the distant horizon;

Leaving my soul centered