Echoes of Grace

By Kay Lawrence

Echoes of Grace is a compilation of verses from the heart of the author. Kay was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus when she was sixteen. Having numerous allergic reactions to various pain medications, she turned to faith and prayer. These are the words of comfort, anguish, and sometimes joy that she heard in her heart during some of her most trying times. She prays that as you read and reflect on these poems, they may bring you into a greater relationship with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479784141

Kay Lawrence

Kay Elizabeth Grant Lawrence was born on August 7, 1970, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She is the wife of retired Marine James Lawrence, and the mother of two children. After receiving her BS in Jamaica she completed a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction. Her diverse educational career has allowed her to teach worldwide. In 2006 she developed a blood clot in her brain. While pondering what she thought was a “tragedy”, she found solace in serving the elderly and homeless in her local church ministry. It was also in this period of seeking answers, that her deep intimacy with Christ, and sense of purpose to service were developed. Kay knew God had given her a new path, not to serve classrooms, but a passion to channel the hurt that she was feeling. Kay decided to become a Chaplain, she wanted to minister to the sick, and care for those who shared her sorrow in the journey of chronic illnesses, like Systemic Lupus. God introduced her to Clinical Pastoral Education. She took several semesters of CPE at Florida Hospital Tampa. Kay’s greatest fulfi llment comes from visiting and interacting with her patients. She ministers through reading her poetry, prayer and singing for those who need her special touch.

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Kay Lawrence.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 02/19/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

127273

Contents

Dedication

Familiar

Grace

He Called

Mother Nature

Peace

Why, Lord?

Highway

Crossroads

Last Night

Dreams

The Potter

Leave Me a Legacy

My Child

Guide Me

I Saw the Lord

Bind Me Close

Today Again

Gently

No One Cares

Cross

My Life

My River

The Love in Me

But for a Time

Give Me Strength

Did I

I Followed Life

Time to Die

My Soul

My Sister

Today Again

Guidance

Treasures

Will You Still Love me?

Better Man

How Close

Free to Give

My Hollow

Whole

Grateful

Trust

Tears

Need

Hummingbird

Pierced

My Friend

Puzzled

Plea

Cheers

Jesus Loves Me

Today

I Know You

My Sleep

Black Rose

My Father

My Mother

You First Loved Me

Dear God

Nurse

Life

My Stone

Embrace

Pain

Intercessory

More

Me Again

Wings

The City

Passion

Greater Love than This

Beauty

Different

Passing

Sunshine

Control

Night

VIP

Sabbath

Just Smile

Blessed

Care

I Give You

The Tongue

Examine Me

Praise

He Heals

Pray

I Come

Guide Me

Quiet Place

I Need You, Lord

Trust in God

My Temple

He Is Divine

Breathe on Me

Bills

Magnified and Blessed

Hospital

Children

My Husband

Thank You for Life

Thanksgiving

Sanctuary

Marvelous

Celebrate Life

New Beginnings

Dedication

As children, we were always told that education was the only way out of poverty. Even when I was getting an education, I could not see the way out, so praise be to God for getting me out. I dedicate this book to my family and the neighborhood angels whom God placed in our lives when we were young to provide food, clothing, money, and other necessities for us. Ms. Vie, Ms. Kentish, Ms. Mighty, Ms. Grant, and to the many others who have passed on, I am forever grateful.

Familiar

25714.jpg

I have passed this way before, where life’s journey once began,

treading familiar pathways

No one dares to understand, huddling with each other

God had provided a shelter no one dares to complain

He has been good over and over again

A neighborhood angel providing food; she is always in a good mood

We did not have a lot, but one thing we surely got: love is all we knew

They loved us wholeheartedly and true

I have passed this way before, where life’s journey once began,

for illness has stolen the luxuries

That life afforded for me and relinquished the material

that had built my integrity

Now with children of my own, I’ve poured out love unknown

Treacherous days have come and gone; did not know how to make it along,

Looking to the hills where my help comes from

I sincerely understand

I have passed this way before, where life’s journey once began,

treading familiar pathways

No