Month: January 2022

I think about life and death and know 
that it comes and then finally goes and 
it is the way.  Life is a miracle and a precious gift.  
It should be used as God intended:  
To know Him, love Him and serve Him in this life 
and be happy with Him forever in eternity.  
Somewhere along the path we forget 
these things and are led astray by 
the false gods of this world. 
 I think about where joy is found and 
conclude it is in the giving of ourselves 
to others; to empty ourselves 
only to be filled up again.  
It should be a beautiful story for everyone, 
but history tells us that many and most lives 
have been filled with hopelessness and misery 
and controlled by other humans who 
have power over us.  I think of all the 
food and water we have and how it is wasted 
or blocked from getting to those who need it 
because powerful men will not allow it 
because it threatens their control.  
One nation’s soldiers are ordered to 
commit genocide on neighboring countries.  
People can only stand by and watch torment 
and murder on different factions of 
their own countrymen.  The bells toll for us all 
and the healing never takes place completely.  
We become frustrated but can only do those 
things in front of us which will improve condition.  
When we focus on this discipline and carry it out 
to the best of our ability we will be better able to 
endure the knowledge of all of this misery and hatred.
We all have one life to live and have been instructed
to go to the fringes to help those in need and then
move on to the next place and do the same.  It is not 
an easy assignment, but the only one which has merit.  
We should proceed, knowing that it is God’s will.
Everything else will fall into place and we will find peace.

Steve Haarman aka Stanski
January 6, 2022 ^

Jesus gives us gifts every day

A winter sunset reflecting

across the lake leaves one in awe

He gives us many opportunities

We may help others in need

Often we ignore the situation

because we are too busy

looking after our own interests

There could easily be a time

when we are in the position

of needing help and always expect

what we need will be met

What if they are not there?

What do we do?  Cry out to

the creator who could easily

say where were you when

help was needed.  We must

learn to be generous and give of

ourselves and our gifts will empty us

so that we may be filled again.  It is

gratifying like the sunsets, the stars

at night, the moon rises and sunrises

We will live with no regrets

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 6, 2022 ^

I believe in “Light” supremacy

Sitting in church I see

His light forming a mosaic

On the walls by the alter

It is coming through the

Stained glass window

It, like us, changes by the minute

And without notice, it disappears as

The clouds cover the sun’s rays

The “Light” is supreme

It will overcome all darkness.

Our time on this earth is limited

The “Light” will remain

Forever and the wise will

Seek it out and be purified and

Warmed by its rays

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

The day starts early

And its palette is gray

The trees are black

The snow is white

Clouds and water

The various shade of gray

The waves are half-frozen

And their symphony has

Changed dramatically

Their shoreline is made

Of frozen snow and water

The location is two football

Fields away and the music is dull

Some of us were looking for

Something lifting, removing

Us from grief and now we

Have hope that the sun will

Do its work later in the day

We know we must move forward

But do not have to lose the past

When the mind works, something

Ten years or twenty years old

That happened is still happening

Old laughs are current laughs

Stories are fresh and happy

Thoughts wrote in the past

Few months and years shed

Light on this new day and

A deeper degree of love

Develops and gives us a

Degree of remorse that

Could not exist before the reading

Precious thoughts are offered

Enduring love is offered by many

We are thankful for so much support

Even as the trembling and tears continue

There is no way to go back and talk

Our minds will hold the memories

And all the truths that know

Step by step with the father’s help

We will find peace from her journey

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 5, 2022 ^

It is all over

There will be no recovery

The chances were there

But to no avail

So we sit confused

Hearts heavy with sorrow

She was once complete

Had a “kick-butt” attitude

But events came along with

No flag for interference

Being strong she persevered

And finally was overcome

Egos and control

Can’t stop a free spirit

But do slow one down

Her love of life and people

Not to mention animals

Kept her moving forward

Until she hit the proverbial wall

Depression took over

Something difficult to understand

It changes people as we know

But she never gave up her

Love of family and friends

She was kind and lovely

Drew people to her

It all seemed so natural

Until medications took their toll

She had her faults along with doubts

Could keep condition camouflaged

Finally trickled over an unknown waterfall

Leaving us to know with sweet-sorrow memories

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 3, 2022 ^

When I think of life and spirituality

my mind goes to poetry and to the garden. 

These are places where life is exemplified. 

Poet’s words are soothing if you look for them. 

They describe the beauty of the earth,

in its people, the plains, mountains,

streams, rivers, and the oceans

along with the spacious skies. 

One starts comparing and finds

areas where personal improvement

may take place and also affirmation

that the things being practiced are

the right things to do.  What is derived

can be provoking or soothing. 

In the garden, we find order or randomness. 

Both have merit, beauty, and possibilities. 

Flowers lose their petals one by one and

fall to the ground.  They have given of themselves

but can no longer shower us with

their loveliness.  No mockery exists. 

They have witnessed the sunrise and the sunsets;

the storms and the calm.  They are finished,

having completed their mission and

bow out gracefully, and are removed to

begin their next stage.  When I meditate on this

I think of giving and improving. 

I also pray for all the help I will need.

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 4, 2022 ^

I think about life this day and what

it means and how much it is worth. 

Priceless seems to be the answer

and not to be wasted or put off

because at some time it will end

and if we could look back we would

most likely see gaps where not much

was accomplished and in effect, wasted. 

I am sure that most do not intend to

misuse their time, but the attribute

comes with being human.  Much more

is done by us than what we realize and

there are people who are grateful

that we are around because of something

we did for them.  This gives good meaning

to our existence.  We may and should make

plans for the future while remembering that

we only have this day and it has to be lived first. 

I try to remember that we should make each day

count without regard for situations that may be present. 

A good attitude and joyful spirit help, along with

the realization that our heavenly father is in charge. 

He has a purpose for us and I believe that

we should open ourselves up to that purpose. 

It gives us depth and confidence that we have worth

as we put our lives to the best use possible.

Steve Haarman

January 3, 2022 ^

My firstborn died today and I tremble

Her name was Barbara Elizabeth

She was the oldest of six children

Her life seemed lived in stages

In front of many, she was shy

Alone she was bold

Worked well at different jobs

Training dogs was her favorite

She has a daughter, now 33

And a granddaughter just one year

She lived alone in a slummy condition

Part of the effects of suffering depression

She was found deceased in her apartment

The coroner is now at work

Trying to determine the time and cause

It is sad, so sad, another hole in the heart

She had capabilities but lost ambition

Her ears were not sensitive to advice

When confronted she could not converse

So difficult when you knew she needed help

She was in denial and gave an assurance

That everything was alright

She could put up a good front but

Later would sleep around the clock

She was kind to the old and helpless

Loved little children and in general

Was polite and charming to everyone

Which often left her vulnerable

She had hope, but her hope was

Attached to conditions which always

Seemed to be changing, leaving her in dismay

She attempted to create the illusion of well being

Those of us who loved her were forever frustrated

Doctors had her on too many medications and

Antidepressants are dangerous and

Have many untoward side effects

The worst is death and death finally caught up

Now she is in a safe place while we are

Left to mourn and wonder

We will miss you forever, dear one and

Will remember your dreams and promise

Someday, somewhere, there will be a new sun for you

Steve Haarman aka Stanski

January 2, 2022 ^

These are the days given to us

Sometimes they are very cold and snarly

I think:  What happened during the night

To produce this dreamy kind of malarkey

The dark faded when it was time

It left us with chilly, gray on the incline

To be kind the wind stopped hollowing

The lake glazed over with a stage of ice

I think about all of these days and wonder

What would they become if they were seeds

And could be scattered about to grow?

What would we be getting?  A cornucopia

Of delight, joy, happiness, and goodwill or

Something more like evil, hatred, violence, and death

We will never know for it is something we can’t do

We must take the days, one by one, and live in

The one we’re in, influencing it in our unique ways

Depending on how we feel or how others

Respond to our actions.  We become the growth

In the garden, depending on so many things

And others if we are to have a chance at fruition

Many things to ponder while knowing

That there is one truth and we have

This one day to bloom in a complimentary way

It has been given to us, let us use it well

Stanski

January 2, 2022 ^

I thank God for His love as He allows words

to flow through me that are significant and

have the meaning that He conveys through

the words of the scriptures.  Today’s times

are different in many ways just as they are

the same in others.  The Four Horses of the

Apocalypse existed and still exists.  We wait

for but have to be patient for the return of

the Lord.  All events are done in his time. 

We are anxious as we witness a corrupt world. 

We pray for intervention for the sake of the

abused.  Innocent people are turned into slaves. 

Christians are being killed in many countries. 

We cry for justice and are unjust ourselves. 

We must prepare to receive His grace.  He

is ultimately the one we turn to and the

one we should follow.  We should focus on

this day as the past is over and tomorrow will be new.

Stanski

January 2, 2022 ^