NOT PERFECT IS FORGIVEN

I MIGHT NOT BE THE WISEST ONE
I MIGHT NOT BE SO KIND
IN TIMES WHEN EVERYONE IS UP
I MIGHT BE HARD TO FIND

I MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE THERE
WHEN OTHERS THINK I SHOULD
EVEN THOUGH IN MY HEART
I REALLY WISH I COULD

I MIGHT FORGET ABOUT YOU
THAT'S WHAT I DO SOME DAYS
BUT LATER MAKE IT UP TO YOU
IN SWEET AND SIMPLE WAYS

I MIGHT NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT
WHAT IS GOING ON
BUT IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME
YOU'D KNOW WHY THAT IS WRONG

I MIGHT SEEM STRANGE AND DISTANT
AND HARD TO GET TO KNOW
BUT REALIZE I'VE COME SO FAR
AND HAVE SO FAR TO GO

I DO NOT HAVE YOUR CONFIDENCE
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE LOST
BUT I DO KNOW ALL'S FORGIVEN
JESUS PROVED THAT AT THE CROSS

KAREN DAMERON DALE

LIVING LIFE

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M LOOKING AT
IT'S THERE, BUT NEVER SEEN.
EVERYTHING GOES WHIZZING BY
LIKE ON A MOVIE SCREEN.

I NEED TO STOP AND TAKE A BREATH
AND SLOW MY BODY DOWN.
THE HOURS PASS LIKE MINUTES,
ON MY CLOCK THAT SPINS AROUND.

I QUESS THAT LIFE IS BEING LIVED
BY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW.
I HEAR THEIR STORIES, SEE THEIR SMILES,
AND WATCH THEIR FACES GLOW.

AS THEY TELL OF THEIR ADVENTURES,
WISHES, HOPES AND DREAMS.
FUN TIMES WITH THE FAMILY,
WALKS BY QUIET STREAMS.

VACATIONS THEY ARE PLANNING
OR A SUNDAY IN THE PARK.
THEIR FUTURES ARE SO CLEAR AND BRIGHT,
MINE LOOKS EXTEMELY DARK.

TELL ME PLEASE, WHAT CAN I DO
TO SLOW THIS VESSEL DOWN,
MAKE MY TIME ON EARTH WORTH LIVING
AND KEEP ME HEAVEN BOUND.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

STOP AND THINK

STOP AND THINK A MOMENT
OF WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.
HAVE YOU REALLY COME THIS FAR
WITHOUT THE NEED TO PRAY?

HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN SO EASY?
HAVE YOU ALWAYS DONE WHAT'S RIGHT?
NEVER WORRIED, NEVER FEARFUL
IF YOU'D MAKE IT THRU THE NIGHT.

NEVER NEEDING TO CRY OUT
"MY LORD, MY GOD, WHY ME?"
OR STUMBLING, IF NOT FALLING
TO LAND ON BENDED KNEE.

THINK AGAIN ABOUT THIS
AND JUST HOW FAR YOU'VE COME,
THEN CLOSE YOUR EYES AND FOLD YOUR HANDS
AND THANK GOD FOR HIS ONLY SON.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

PEOPLE LIKE YOU written for ANGELS disguised as friends

IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU
WHO HELP US GO ON.
IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU
WHO ARE KEEPING US STRONG.
WEARING GOD'S ARMOR
AND GOING WHERE YOU DARE,
WITH HIS STRENGTH AND HIS COURAGE
PROVING YOU CARE.

ARMED WITH HIS KINDNESS
YOU HELP US GET THROUGH,
EACH TRIAL THAT WE'RE FACING
SO MUCH YOU WILL DO.
TO SHOW THAT HE LOVES US,
HIS CHILDREN WE ARE,
HE USES YOUR FAITH
TO GET US THIS FAR.

WITH HIS LOVE AND HIS MERCY
YOU ALL DO YOUR PART,
TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FILLED
WITH HIS LOVE IN OUR HEART.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

PEOPLE ARE FUNNY

PEOPLE ARE FUNNY IN SO MANY WAYS
THEY GO ON AND ON AND ON FOR DAYS.
"OH, I NEED THIS, OR I MUST HAVE THAT"
NOT REALLY THINKING WHAT OTHERS MIGHT LACK.

THINGS REALLY IMPORTANT, LIKE FOOD FOR THE SOUL
A WARM HAND, KIND HEART, SOME SOUP IN A BOWL
PEOPLE THAT NEED A WARM COAT ON THEIR ARMS,
SHOES ON THEIR FEET OR A SHELTER FROM HARM,

CHILDREN THAT ARE CRYING FOR LOVE EVERYDAY
MEN THAT ARE WORKING FOR SO LITTLE PAY.
WOMEN THAT NEED TO BE LOVED AND CHERISHED
IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE SOON, WE WILL ALL SURELY PERISH.

GOD'S NOT WITH US? DO WE WANT IT THAT WAY?
COME ON EVERYONE-YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY.
SAY THAT YOU'LL BE THERE, NO MATTER THE PROBLEM,
TOGETHER, THOSE PROBLEMS, I'LL BET WE CAN SOLVE THEM.

YES, PEOPLE ARE FUNNY IN SO MANY WAYS,
THEY GO ON AND ON AND ON FOR DAYS.
ONLY THINKING OF OTHERS AND WHAT THEY CAN DO,
NEVER TIRING OR COMPLAINING UNTIL THEY ARE THROUGH.

HELPING OTHERS THROUGH LOVING AND GIVING AND SHARING
KNOWING WHAT'S NEEDED IS AN ABUNDANCE OF CARING.
GOD GIVE THEM HOPE AND STRENGTH IN ALL WAYS
SO THEY CAN GO ON AND ON FOR DAYS.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

MY DAD

WHO IS TO SAY
HE WAS OLD ANYWAY
WHEN HIS TIME ON EARTH HAD PASSED

HE WAS STILL VERY STRONG
WITH A WILL TO GO ON
AND HIS HEART FULL OF LOVE BEATING FAST

A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME
TOOK AWAY WHAT WAS MINE
IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED THE CRASH

AND I SAW IN HIS EYES
HIM SAYING GOOD BYE
AND THE FEELING HE JUST COULDN'T LAST

TUCKED SAFE IN MY ARMS
GENTLE KISS ON HIS HEAD
THE WORDS "I LOVE YOU" POURED OUT

HIS RESPONSE WAS SO WEAK
THE ONLY WORDS HE DID SPEAK
"I LOVE YOU" FORMED ON HIS MOUTH

SO NOW HE IS GONE
AND THE HURT LINGERS ON
BUT I KNOW HOW HAPPY IS HE

FOR HE'S WITH ONES WHO CARE
WHO'LL ALWAYS BE THERE
AND I KNOW THAT HE'S WAITING FOR ME

KAREN DAMERON DALE

REMEMBER HIM written for the loss of a loved one

EVERYDAY'S A BLESSING
BE GLAD FOR THOSE YOU SHARE
WITH SOMEONE KIND AND LOVING
AND SHOWING THAT HE CARES

YOU BUILD THAT LOVE INSIDE YOU
AND STORE IT IN YOUR HEART
ALWAYS READY WHEN YOU NEED IT
TO LAST WHEN YOU'RE APART

REMEMBER WHERE IT CAME FROM
THE MINUTES AND THE DAYS
THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS JUST WITH YOU
THAT VERY SPECIAL GAZE

SOON YOU'LL BE TOGETHER
TO BUILD THAT LOVE AGAIN
BUT THIS TIME IT'S FOREVER
A LOVE THAT HAS NO END

KAREN DAMERON DALE

MOM written for MAXINE THARP

ALTHOUGH YOU'RE MISSING FROM MY EYES
THE TEARS MAY STILL GO ON
WHEN PRECIOUS MEMORIES REAPPEAR
FOR YOU I WILL BE STRONG

REMEMBERING ALL THE HAPPINESS
THE KISSES AND THE HUGS
GIVING US THOSE SPECIAL DREAMS
AND WISHING THEM WITH LOVE

I'M SURE YOU DIDN'T REALIZE
HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME
YEARS OF RUSHING THRU YOUR LIFE
HOW COULD YOU EVER SEE

THAT EVERYTHING INSIDE OF ME
COMES FROM WATCHING YOU
THE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION
AND HEART SO PURE AND TRUE

YOU ALWAYS GAVE SO WILLINGLY
EVERYTHING YOU COULD
SO I WILL FOLLOW IN YOUR STEPS
AND DO ALL THAT YOU WOULD

FOR WHEN THOSE TEARS FILL MY EYES
OF THIS YOU CAN BE SURE
I'LL SQUEEZE THEM TIGHT WITH ALL MY MIGHT
AND LOVE YOU EVEN MORE

KAREN DAMERON DALE

YOUR HUSBAND'S LOVE written for SHELLY FRYE

ONCE A LOVE HAS FOUND A HOME
IT WILL NOT FADE AWAY
IT WHIPS AND GLIDES AROUND YOUR HEART
AND FINDS A PLACE TO STAY

LOVE DANCES IN YOUR LAUGHTER
AND GATHERS ALL YOUR TEARS
THEN KEEPS THEM SAFE AND HUGGED AWAY
FOREVER THRU THE YEARS

LOVE'S ALWAYS THERE TO COMFORT
AND EASE THOSE LONELY DAYS
IT FINDS THE STRENGTH TO CALM YOUR FEARS
IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS

IT MAY BE IN A PICTURE
OF HIM IN DAYS GONE BY
IT MAY BE IN YOUR DAUGHTER'S FACE
WHEN YOU SEE HIM IN HER EYES

LOVE BUILDS YOU UP AND BRINGS YOU PEACE
TO MAKE IT THRU EACH DAY
AND SHOWS A SILVER LINING
IF A MOMENT SAYS NO WAY

SO NOURISH ALL THE LOVE HE GAVE
LET MEMORIES DO THEIR PART
THEN PASS HIS LOVE AND HELP IT GROW
INSIDE YOUR DAUGHTER'S HEART

KAREN DAMERON DALE

FAITH

FAITH IS SUCH A LITTLE WORD
FIVE LETTERS IN A ROW
BUT HOLD IT SPECIAL IN YOUR HEART
THERE'S NO WHERE YOU CAN'T GO.

FAITH IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T BUY
IT'S NOT FOR SALE AND SO
YOU MUST BELIEVE IN HIM NOT SEEN
THEN PRAY AND WATCH IT GROW.

FAITH CAN GIVE YOU STRENGTH SO STRONG
MUCH MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD
FAITH CAN CALM EACH RESTLESS NIGHT
JUST PUT IT IN THE LORD.

THEN WITH HIS LOVE YOU START TO SEE
HOW THINGS CAN TURN OUT RIGHT
HOW MUCH YOU'RE LOVED, FOR HE'S IN CONTROL
AND YOU'RE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

THE MASTER'S PLAN

I'M NOT WORTHY, BUT HE STILL CARES

HE'S WATCHED ME CLOSELY ALL THESE YEARS

HE'S LIFTED ME FROM TIMES SO DOWN

AND ME NOT REALIZING HE'S AROUND

HE'S LED ME DOWN HIS CHOSEN PATH

WATCHED ME STUMBLE AND TURN MY BACK

HE SEES ME MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES

BUT STILL, WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES

TO LEAD ME CLOSER ON TO HIM

HE DOES WHAT HE MUST TO HELP ME BEGIN

AGAIN AND AGAIN 'TIL I GET IT RIGHT

NEVER WANTING ME TO EVER LOSE SIGHT

OF WHAT LIES AHEAD, IF I TRULY BELIEVE

AND LIVE THE LIFE HE KNOWS I CAN ACHIEVE

ONE DAY I'LL BE WITH HIM, THIS I'M SURE

WITH NO MORE SUFFERING TO ENDURE

NO MORE EVIL OR PAIN TO FACE

HE PROMISES IN THIS GRAND NEW PLACE

JUST GO STRAIGHT, DOWN THIS NARROW WAY

LIVE A GOOD LIFE FROM DAY TO DAY

HELPING OTHERS AND SHOWING YOU CARE

NEVER THINK TWICE OF THE BURDENS YOU BEAR

FOR OTHERS FIRST DO ALL YOU CAN

THIS IS PART OF THE MASTER'S PLAN

THAT IS WHAT HE'S DONE FOR ME

ALL THE HE COULD, HE GAVE YOU SEE

HIS LIFE WAS NOT TOO MUCH TO GIVE

SO THAT I , IN PEACE, FOREVER MAY LIVE.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

GOD'S GOODNESS

I HOPE THAT YOU CAN REALIZE
JUST WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME.
IN A WAY I CAN'T EXPLAIN
YOU'VE HELPED TO SET ME FREE.

I HAVE A TWIN AND WE'VE BEEN THROUGH
A LOT OF PAIN AND SORROW.
AND THROUGH THE YEARS EACH TRIAL WE'VE FACED
MADE HIM STRONGER FOR TOMORROW.

BUT NO, NOT ME, I LEARNED TO CLING
AND HOLD ON TO WHAT I HAD.
NOT EVEN CARING IF FOR MYSELF
IT WAS GOOD OR IT WAS BAD.

THE DEATH OF A MOTHER AND THEN A STEPMOTHER
IS MORE THAN A CHILD SHOULD BEAR.
THEN ONE TRAGIC MARRIAGE INTO ANOTHER
I NEEDED SOMEBODY TO CARE.

I NEEDED TO LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF
AND NOT TO DEPEND ON OTHERS.
BUT I NEEDED A START, WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED
TO TURN OUT AS STRONG AS MY BROTHER.

WITH NO CONFIDENCE AND LOW SELF-ESTEEM
I NEEDED A GOOD FOUNDATION.
AND THAT IS WHAT YOU'VE GIVEN TO ME
AND I'M FILLED WITH ANTICIPATION.

NOW I CAN CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME
AND MAKE MY OWN HAPPINESS TOO.
AND ALL OF THE GOODNESS THAT COMES INTO MY LIFE
I'LL REMEMBER IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

STORMS

NEVER FEEL THAT IT IS YOU
WHEN THINGS TURN OUT ALL WRONG.
THE LITTLE TRIALS THAT WE GO THROUGH
JUST PROVE TO MAKE US STRONG.

IT TAKES A STONE UPON A STONE
TO BUILD A WALL SO FIRM.
THE WIND AND RAIN THAT BEAT IT DOWN
ARE LESSONS THAT WE LEARN.

REINFORCED WITH MORTAR MADE FROM
FAITH AND HOPE AND LOVE,
ASK THE FATHER FOR GUIDANCE
FOR HE'S WATCHING FROM ABOVE.

STORMS MAY COME AND STORMS MAY GO
SOME MAY BE FIERCE AND LOUD.
BUT REMEMBER ONE IMPORTANT THING
A RAINBOW WAITS BEHIND THE CLOUD.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

ESCAPE

SOMETIMES WE WORRY WHEN WE'RE ALL ALONE
THAT LIFE JUST ISN'T FAIR.
BUT THERE'S A PLACE YOU CAN ESCAPE
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN TAKE YOU THERE.

IT'S DEEP INSIDE THE CORNERS OF YOUR MIND
RIGHT WHERE YOU REALLY ARE.
THE HOPE, THE JOY AND LOVE YOU LOST
YOU'LL SEE IT DIDN'T GO FAR.

IT'S RIGHT AROUND THAT SADNESS
THAT CREPT IN WHEN YOU DIDN'T SEE.
IT'S RIGHT BEHIND THAT HOPELESSNESS
THAT JUST WON'T LET YOU BE.

SO GATHER UP ALL THE STRENGTH YOU HAVE
AND MAKE YOUR LIFE WORTHWHILE.
LET THE LOVE IN YOUR HEART AND THE GOODNESS INSIDE
COME THROUGH IN THE WARM OF YOUR SMILE.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

THE SECRET

IF GOD TOLD ME A SECRET
I KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO.
I WOULD GO TELL EVERYONE
ABOUT HIS LOVE SO TRUE.

HOW HE LOVES EACH PRECIOUS FACE
EACH TWINKLE IN EACH EYE.
HOW JUST THE SWEET SOUNDS FROM EACH MOUTH
LIFTS HIS SPIRITS HIGH.

HOW HE WATCHES ALL THE DAY
IN EACH AND EVERY LIFE.
AND HOW HE HOPES OUR FAITH IS STRONG
TO WEAKEN ALL OUR STRIFE.

HOW HE PLANS FOR US SO DEAR
A SAFE PLACE DOWN THE ROAD.
WHERE LIFE WILL SOON BE BEARABLE
'CAUSE HE'S LIGHTENED EVERY LOAD.

SO IF YOU HEAR THIS SECRET
DON'T DO LIKE SOME MIGHT DO.
GO SHOUT IT FROM THE HILLTOPS
DON'T MISS ONE EAR OR TWO.

HIS LOVE WILL BRING YOU HAPPINESS
YOU NEED ONLY TO BELIEVE.
HE'LL BE WITH YOU EACH AND EVERYDAY
THROUGH ALL ETERNITY.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

ME

I LIVE ON THE SURFACE OF THIS WORLD

NOT KNOWING TOO MUCH ABOUT ANY ONE THING

YET KNOWING ENOUGH TO MUDDLE THRU

THE PAIN AND THE GAIN OF THE WONDERS

THIS PLACE HAS TO OFFER.

YOU MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

AND BLAST THRU EVENTS AND TIME

SPINNING AND DAZED AT EVERY TWIST AND TURN

ONLY LOOKING BACK AT A TRACE

OF WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND.

I HANG AND I HOVER, NOT BY CHOICE, BUT FROM FEAR

FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT LIE AHEAD FOR ME

IF A WRONG TURN SPINS ME OUT OF CONTROL

AND LANDS ME IN A COMMON

YET UNFAMILAR PLACE.

WE STRIVE TO FIND A PLACE TO FIT, OFTEN CHOOSING WITHOUT THINKING

OUR MINDS ARE LOST TO FEELINGS

AND FEELINGS MAY PLAY HAVOC IN A WORLD

WHERE WE TRULY ONLY HOPE TO FIND

COMFORT AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.

KAREN RUTH DAMERON LORDEN DALE

THOUGHTS OF LOVE

WHEN THOUGHTS OF LOVE FILL MY MIND

YOU KNOW I THINK OF YOU.

I SEE YOU ON A CLOUD FILLED DAY

BACKED BY A SKY SO BLUE.

WHEN THE OCEAN MEETS THE SUNSET

AND VIVID COLORS FILL MY EYES,

IT'S YOU THAT PASSES THRU ME

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT LOVING SIGH.

THE FEEL OF YOU SURROUNDS ME

WHEN MY DAY BEGINS AND ENDS.

I NEVER WORRY IN BETWEEN

YOU ARE MY CONSTANT FRIEND.

ONCE AGAIN I'LL FEEL YOU

WHEN MY BABY'S AT MY KNEE,

AND REACHES UP WITH OUT-STRETCHED ARMS

AND SOFTLY CRYS "HOLD ME".

WHEN MY PARENTS SIT IN SILENCE

AND THINK OF DAYS GONE BY,

A SMILE WILL FORM UPON THEIR FACE

AND I'LL SEE YOU IN THEIR EYES.

AT LAST I KNOW YOU ARE NEAR ME

IN THE COMFORT OF MY FRIENDS,

SO I'LL HAVE NO FEAR OR WORRY

THAT YOU'RE WITH ME TO THE END.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

GOD SPEAKS

EVEN WHEN I'M IN THE WAY
GOD KNOWS WHAT'S BEST FOR ME
HE'S HOPING THAT I'LL STILL OBEY
AND MOVE EVENTUALLY

IN MOVING LIES THE PROBLEM
THE WAY TO GO UNCLEAR
I NEED TO MASTER GOD'S INTENT
TO LISTEN AND TO HEAR

ARE HIS WORDS SOFT AND SUDDLE?
DO I HEAR HIM WHEN HE SPEAKS?
SOME SAY THEY HEAR HIM LOUD AND STRONG
MY FAITH MUST BE SO WEAK

FOR WHEN I'D STOP TO LISTEN
AND PRAY HE'D SPEAK TO ME
I HEARD A DEADLY SILENCE
THAT BROUGHT ME TO MY KNEES

THEN, THAT IS WHEN IT HAPPENED
I'D BEEN FOOLISH FROM THE START
GOD DOESN'T SPEAK INTO OUR EARS
HE SPEAKS INTO OUR HEART.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

THE NEW DAY

I WOKE UP EARLY, THE DAY WAS NEW,

THE BRIGHT SUN SPARKLED ON THE DEW.

ROBINS GLIDED WITH THE GENTLE BREEZE,

BLUE JAYS DIPPED FOR FOOD WITH EASE.

DAISIES DANCED ALONG THE LAWN,

INSECTS PLAYED THEIR FAVORITE SONG.

SHADE TREES REACHED UP TOWARD THE SKY,

SO MUCH BEAUTY, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHY.

SOMETHING WAS MISSING DEEP INSIDE,

THIS EMPTY FEELING I WANTED TO HIDE.

WHAT COULD IT BE ON THIS LOVELY DAY?

AND THEN I REMEMBERED I'D FORGOTTEN TO PRAY.

KAREN DAMERON DALE

MY LITTLE PRAYER

IT'S NOW AGAIN THE MORNING
AND MY PRAYERS ARE BEING SAID
IT'S BETTER 'CAUSE I'M WIDE AWAKE
NOT HALF ASLEEP IN BED

MY PRAYERS ARE LONG, THEY MUST INCLUDE
EVERY HURT AND STRIFE
THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY CARRY
DOWN THIS ROAD WE ALL CALL LIFE

AFTER THANKS AND ADORATION
AND CONFESSING ALL MY SINS
AND ASKING GOD'S FORGIVENESS
FOR ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN

I SAY A SPECIAL LITTLE PRAYER
TO HIM WHO'LL ALWAYS BE
SO CLOSE A FRIEND I'LL EVER WANT
MY WEAKNESS HE WILL SEE

"WRAP TIGHT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME LORD
ALL DAY IF YOU PLEASE"
AND IF I MUST CRY OUT TODAY
I'LL NEED ONLY TO SAY "SQUEEZE"

KAREN DAMERON DALE