Jeanette Olson

Devils Lake, North Dakota

I live with my husband Arvid and daughter Leslie. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and have taught first, second and third graders. In 1988, I began writing poems that summed up Biblical passages. I had the poems and Scripture printed in booklets to share with others. In 1990, I began writing poems about everyday experiences and entering poetry in the National Library of Poetry contests. My favorite subject for my poetry is truths I learn about God through studies and personal experiences. I also put other people's feelings and experiences into poetry form.

It's GOD'S Love

Showing compassion is simply my way,
Of letting God's love shine on someone today;
A person in darkness who knows only night,
Is deeply in need of the warmth of His light.

May we be like the moon shining bright,
Reflecting the sun's rays into the night;
Into those hearts to whom midnight is come,
We can reflect the love of God's Son.

We are like channels God's love can flow through,
May we not hinder the work He could do;
It isn't my love to keep to myself -
I'll let it flow on to somebody else.

Let's open the flood gates and let His love flow
Into a land of sorrow and woe;
A land that is thirsty, a land that is dry -
Where without His Love, we wither and die!

Empire Builder

As the train came down the track,
I knew that it was near;
It whistled LOUD as if to say,
"Come see me, I am here!"

As it whizzed on by the farm,
It was a thrilling sight;
The light that shined out from the cars
Lit up the ebony night.

I thought about the passengers,
The story each could tell;
Some were coming home again
And all was good and well

A few, I'm sure, were very sad,
Just holding back the tears;
Their thoughts with those they left behind
And may not see for years.

Now I am no longer there
To thrill as the train goes by,
But in my memory those
Sights and sounds will never die!

Beholding

It's in beholding that we become
So look on Jesus, God's Holy Son;
His sweet compassion and acts so kind,
Have power to soften the hardest mind.

He came to teach us how to live;
Help one another, love and forgive;
He came from glory to bleed and die
That we might live with Him on high.

This mind of Jesus can be in you -
Your thoughts and motives be made brand new;
What He accomplished, He'll help you do,
The love of Jesus can shine in you!