But If Not

But If Not

“But if not”

Is a phrase you can say

When trying to be positive

About your life from day to day

There may be righteous requests

That will possibly take place

But if not . . . .

You can count on His grace

The Lord has given you promises

And He’ll always keep His word

Though right now it may feel

There is no way to be assured

You have the desire to be delivered

From a burden so grueling to bear

But the Lord may have other plans

E’en amidst all that seems unfair

Your prayers for relief may be answered

At the very time you petitioned

But if not . . . .

The time for relief will be precisely positioned

“But if not”

Is a phrase you can say

When your best laid plans

Don’t seem to go your way

©Alisha Gilbert

October 2010

The Women in My Life

The Women in My Life

(Dedicated to all the amazing women in my life. You know who you are)

My life has been blessed

And filled every whit

With wonderful women

Who are the best, I submit

I’m always amazed

When I stop and reflect

On the many amazing women

I’ve come to deeply respect

Each one is very special

Quite unique in their own way

But I’ve needed each of them

And in my heart they will stay

I can name each woman

The ones who’ve touched my heart

They’ve left an imprint so permanent

Their Christ-like love is just a start

Each woman has blessed my life

In ways I can’t portray

I thank my Heavenly Father

For their influence from day to day

My life has been blessed

And filled beyond measure

With women so precious

A divine and delicate treasure

©Alisha Gilbert

Oct. 2010

Foolishness in Me

Foolishness in Me

I've been here before
It's nothing new to me
I'm familiar with all these feelings
That's how it has to be

I've felt the smallness
The foolishness too
Of feeling like I'm good enough
But it's too good to be true

I question all the whys
And surmise it's all me
I wonder if I was different
Would he finally see

How can I escape
The feelings that I feel
When time after time
The evidence seems so real

It's always the same
I'm never the right girl
I'm always just the friend
Even after my beauty is unfurled

It's no wonder why I question
“What is wrong with me?”
When no matter how good I am
It's not what I “should” be

Though my feelings are tender
And are so very real
I know deep down inside
They're irrational to feel

So no matter how many more men
Decide to pass by me too
I know one day one will love me
With affection so real and true

©Alisha Gilbert
July '10

Like a Teardrop

Like a Teardrop

Sometimes I feel insignificant
Like a teardrop in the rain
Someone never noticed
So ordinary and plain

Sometimes I feel insignificant
Like a grain of sand in a storm
Just carried away by the wind
To be seen nevermore

Sometimes I feel insignificant
Like a pebble on the ground
Kicked around to and fro
Nothing worthy to be found

Sometimes I feel insignificant
And it seems that it's true
For many have passed me by
As if I'm small, and invisible too

Those times I've felt insignificant
The Savior has proved me wrong
I only thought I was unnoticed
Until He showed me all along

There has never been a time
When my life has been more known
He has always noticed me
And time after time He has shown

He counts every teardrop
That appears to be lost in the rain
Not one drop is overlooked
Because He's endured my pain

©Alisha Gilbert
July '10

Cliches For The Singles

Clichés For The Singles

Please excuse me for a moment

While I take a little time

To humor you with some clichés

I hear in this single life of mine

You’ve probably said

Many of these, I’m sure

But don’t be offended

I know your intents are pure

Let’s start with my “favorite”

Which goes a lot like this:

“Maybe you’re not meant in this life

To experience marital bliss”

Gee thanks for your confidence

I’d never thought of that…

I’ve only worried a lot about it

I’m really glad we had this chat

Now onto the next cliché

That I sometimes hear

I’ve been told I’m too picky

But have you seen it here?

It’s a big, fat drought in the land…

Hardly any men in sight

So even if I wanted to be picky

It would be quite the plight

Oh, now here’s a good one

Are you ready for it?

“Just enjoy your life

And don’t worry one bit”

That had never crossed my mind-

To be happy right now

And enjoy my life as it is

Until you said that; Wow!

I guess I’ll go on

Because there’s a few more

You probably didn’t realize

All the clichés I endure

I’ve been told I haven’t met

The right one just yet

But that I’m to be patient

And he’ll find me, no sweat

I’m glad we went over this

I was totally perplexed

I thought I’d found him

And that marriage was next

Because I mean, really

Guys are lined up at my door

I’ve been on so many dates

It’s become a big bore

Of course I am kidding

Remember, it’s a drought

Guys hardly ever talk to me

I forgot what dates are, no doubt

Well, while we’re at it

Let’s go one more round

This is a great one

A real doozy, I’ve found

Many people have said

I intimidate guys

Oh, please…are you sure?

Maybe you should open your eyes

It’s not my “incredible good looks”

Or my “outstanding smarts”

That’s making these guys

Too afraid to share their hearts

There’s nothing about me

That would intimidate men

They just don’t talk to me

And that is the end

So maybe I’ve been

A little sarcastic indeed

But these are clichés

People think I need

I know I’ve made fun

Of all the advice I’ve heard

But it gets old and crusty

And sort of absurd

I know things are said

Because people care for me

But if you heard them many times

Then you’d probably agree

©Alisha Gilbert

April ‘10

Splendor

Splendor

Women of Christ
Women of worth
Always remember:
You’re of Royal birth

Women of God
Women so pure
Remember He loves you
You can ever be sure

Women so loved
Women so tender
Listen to His Spirit
He’ll speak of your splendor

Women so loving
Women so sweet
Think of your beauty
It runs ever so deep

Women of God
Women divine
Women of Christ
They made you to shine


©Alisha Gilbert
April ‘10

Because God Said So

Because God Said So

As I look at my reflection
I sometimes don’t like what I see
I wince here and there
And wonder how this could be

I grimace as I notice
My imperfections, every one
I want to see a reflection
That’s as beautiful as the Son

For God created me
With splendor on His mind
He sees a priceless treasure
A jewel for me to find

He wants for me to notice
The deep inner me
Not just the reflection -
The things I don’t like to see

The Spirit whispered so gently
The truth I need to know -
Apparently I am beautiful
Because God said so

©Alisha Gilbert
April ‘10