There is a right track, O Lord; point it out for me to follow.
(Psalm 25:4 and Psalm 32:8–9; below Hebrews 4:13)
No creature is hidden, from eyes which never leave me.

Dear friend,

I write to you about the truth we share with all humans—life is not by our invitation. We had no say in it. Though some seem born of promise, most… are not!

Life unfolds differently for all. Maturity and wisdom help us forge our
own track—one that leads to security.

As Christians, we believe God is righteous. Right in all He does and faithful
to His promises. (Daniel 9:14)

“In quietness and confidence shall be my strength.”
(Isaiah 30:15)

The track we choose is unknown, but it is known by the eyes that never leave us.

Let me trace this idea using my life.

I am privileged—born a New Zealander, to parents who provided: food, guidance, and an example of stability.

Beyond them, a government that supported families—
with a benefit for each child and retirement support.

How often do you reflect on your teen years?
I do—often.

Compared to today’s stories, I am grateful for parents who—dare I say it—
sacrificed personal comfort for their family.
Safety, responsibility, and care are what they shared.

Isn’t the track more than physical?
It includes the inner ‘person’—the true you, our sense of self-purpose.

For me, being raised in a Christian, Bible-believing home gave me an ethos of being—
a foundation. Not a question. No searching. No looking—
I grew into it, though with inner questions as to the exact possibilities.

Yes, I chose Christian faith as my track.

Memory grounds emotional balance, doesn’t it?

“You took me from the womb, making me secure at my mother’s breast.
I was given over to You at birth. You have been my God from the womb.
Do not be far from me now—distress is near and there is no one to help.”
(Psalm 22:9–11)

Security—not lacking in the basics—gave me strength, outlook, purpose, and faith.

I’ve known little insecurity, though perhaps insecurity has visited you.

There was a moment—a hospital visit some fifty years ago—
pills, they said, would cause only a sore stomach, not an end.

I had my internal struggles, but God sustained me.

Another time, I applied to be a Corrections Officer, but was told, “Sorry, not enough life experience,” so—“No.”

And a nervous several weeks, of being separated from Kiwi mates while in America.

Since then, life has seasoned me: travel, solitude, marriage, stepchildren,
has led to emotional growth.

Along with Track (security) there is Trace (blessed)—
helped and protected by God.

What does Trace mean to you?

For me, it began at infancy. Parents who believed in a Creator God—a heavenly Father who hears prayers.

This belief shaped me. I’ve embraced it—independent of my parents.

Yes, my life is Traced—seen by God.
Let me relate a turning point.

One day, kneeling quietly in a church, an image came: an army—many roles,
from commanders to foot-soldiers.

As I reflected, understanding hit me:
Without soldiers, there is no army! You can have all the ranks you like—
but without foot-soldiers, there’s no army.

That was the moment God traced me with purpose—
Stephen a foot-soldier—essential though unseen.

This assured me: I am Traced.

Yes, I have questioned my faith—do I really believe?
Little external proof, yet belief remains, growing, as I grew.

Emotional healing, with renewed thoughts of self-worth.

“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.”
(Psalm 112:7–8)

I don’t know if all will be well, but I rest, knowing grace is not hidden,
and God’s love fills all the gaps. (rest — see Hebrews 4:1–10)

I hope my reflective writing offers something solid to engage with—
a stepping-stone on your Track ‘n’ Trace.

An invitation to reflect on your own life path seen by God.

Blessings and cheers with prayers,
Stephen

P.S.
Like Job, may we trust God. Though unseen, He knows our path and sees us—refining us like gold.
(See Job 23:10–12)

© stephen c douglas as Poet.Kiwi
31 March 2025; for Christian Writers Hutt Valley & Beyond, 12 April 2025
photo credit: Stephen — Wellington Camino Walk (Southern Walkway) Sunday 17 April 2022, 11.27am

There is a rhythm in the world,
A grouping older than the seas.
As whispered through eternity—
The mystery and the power of three.

The power of three:
Is what I find within the story of the passion,
As Jesus of Nazareth is arrested and tried.
May you be blessed with this poetical expression.

The power of three:
Three instructions for Passover—look, follow, prepare.
Three elements at the table—bread, wine, betrayal.
Three times Peter, you will deny me.

The power of three:
Three go deeper into the garden.
Three prayers are spoken in anguish.
Three times they are found asleep.

Three legs steady every stool.
Three chords hold songs in harmony.
Three-strand cord is not easily broken—
How strong, how strange, the power of three.

The power of three:
Three Jewish trials—Annas, Caiaphas, Sanhedrin.
Three Roman trials—Pilate, Herod, Pilate again.
Three Peter denials—servant girl, bystander, a group.

The power of three:
Three times Pilate declares, “No charge.”
Three times the crowd cry, “Crucify him!”
Three tens of silver—exchange betraying hands.

The power of three:
Three mockery scenes he withstands,
Three persons crucified on Skull Hill.
Three hours of darkness veil the land.

The power of three:
Three Marys watch from a distance.
Three days he lies within the tomb.
Three days later—he stands alive.

The power of three:
Three meet and talk upon the road.
Three women bear first witness.
Three risen appearances—to his disciples.

The power of three:
Three questions Jesus asks of Peter.
Three replies—“You know I love you.”
Three charges: “Feed my sheep.”

The power of three:
Three Persons—Father, Son, and Spirit.
Three signs of character—do, behave, and speak.
Three spheres of life—past, present, future.

Zechariah speaks—two-thirds shall fall.
One-third remains, refined by flame.
The Shepherd struck, the sheep scattered.
The remnant calls.
He answers.

The power of three—
“Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.”

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (Jesus; John 15v’s4&7)

When my day is spent and

Oh LORD, I've done it again, I've gone the wrong way

As the old begins to decay, and the new takes place today.

These candles remind-and challenge-us to be........

1\ “Don’t look back.”\ Today, the preacher spoke:\ about a man named Lot*\ who lived in the city of Sodom.\ How angels knocked on his door\ to warn that fire would fall,\ for the people’s way are evil.\ “Take your wife and family,\ flee from this place\ and don’t look back!”

Spring is nature’s annual fling

I picked some flowers on a sunny day

the Beauty of Being Me\ by Stephen Douglas

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

the Way

My soul skipped with real delight After the pain, a rainbow in the clouds! I ask, “For me and not the crowds?” Its appearance makes such a sight! Marching across the sky, side to side Like a soldier in colourful stride.

Our worth unknown,

True Love

Latin; manu tenere “hold in the hand”

Which accumulate to make a whole.

Rest is good for the body and soul. It regenerates energy and control.

Accept My Thanks

Accept my thanks, LORD, for all you have done My hands where empty and you filled them! Look kindly toward me Lord I have done my time I’ve worked the land you gave me Now I pass it on. What you put into my hands I have been careful to attend too; To make a shelter for whanau and beast. You guided me and I listened You gave me instruction and I obeyed You supplied and I offered my hands Show me mercy Lord before I die! Selah The sale pens remind me How you’ve blessed my labouring’s My house is a symbol of provision How you spoke and I believed. Now strengthen me once more LORD, I need your justice Where I have done wrong – forgive!

Northland Tour (with Ultrik) Old house with sheep pens: 2707 State Highway 4 Owhango; 3 Oct © stephen c douglas; as kiwi poet & photo shoots; 22 Oct ‘23

For the search of joy, no need to wander far\ Because happiness resides by your side, and\ Beauty is not too far, it’s even nearby.

\ Then he spoke his observation:

Wairaka, the daughter of Toroa, captain of the Mataatua canoe, uttered the words “Me whakatāne au i ahau” (I must act like a man) when she saved the Mataatua after it came adrift.                                                

ANZAC Day 2023 - at the going down of\ ** * the sun, we will remember them.***

Easter Sunday 2023.

Passover blood upon the cross from, An innocent young man

For I am sowing ‘The Kingdom’ seed to ensure I have a good foundation so trials and tribulations will not knock me! *Quote:* *we decide our tomorrow by our sowing today*

I rest in Thee

I read Wislawa’s* Nobel Prize Lecture this morning and the poet’s phrase: “I don’t know” got me!

My son, we said goodbye to you today, just as the sun-set behind the distant hills.

We wait for many things while at the same time we are doing. Busy doing this or that, yet deep down we know we are waiting…

An activity, an engagement of thought to proceed, to produce an action. While we nurse the spirit of waiting there is the flow of emotion, feelings when in reality it is the art or perception of waiting which engages us.

RAIN

\ Courage to Go. . . 2023

the sea of hopefulness

Does verse one describe your feelings which could be physical,

Colour and Beauty Show

akitio - doing something slowly

You’re a speck of light in the darkened sky, you’re a pinch of salt in a tasteless world,

Daddy is so powerful his voice can shake the earth.

Scripture describes me like a sheep gone astray, going my own way.

*the single standard rose pokes its red nose right past the sill, to be right in my view!*

Today I plan to walk with the rain and ask, “Would you like to come too?” I’m dressed with coat and leggings so, why not come and play the game?

From the beginning, before substance was formed\ Wisdom (Holy Spirit) was there alongside as the helper.\ Before galaxies and earth was established, God knew.

I love my Harley darling, she’s slick & clean,\ she beams as i ride along the highway,\ her low slung body takes the curvy bends\ as other riders turn their heads to see\ how i lean her low; enough not to go topsy-turvy.

Poem & Photo by Stephen Douglas © stephen c douglas, 17 April ’22 for kiwi.poet

There is something about. . . a nice clear day no cloud in the sky, no wind to fly. All my cares, I now commit to prayer, as I rest them in Jesus’ name.\

There is something about. . . a picture of me young ‘n’ wild, a hearty smile. All my hopes centred as a wee child, as I develop a sense of life’s worth.\

There is something about. . . a look at the past in the light of today’s growth. All my self-doubt and fear, didn’t last, as I learnt in light, we’re all the same.\

There is something about a. . . bird in flight an ant hill & a crocodile’s tail. All our knowledge equals nought, belief and action seal their tale.\

There is something about. . . a new baby’s cry it tells you and I we’re fairly made. All our doubts and questions need fly, as we have no answer to its DNA line.\

There is something about. . . the end of a day no sunset the same, no star alike. All my cares are being sorted, as I apply my knowledge with hope…..\

There is something about. . . a trusting soul which brings the Father much delight!

in between there are footprints in the sand

* Give me a pale pink blossom Framed by a bright blue sky, Any day of the week my dear ~ Before we need to depart awhile

**Barriers, be they physical or emotional circular in style or concrete in shape.**

Next, there is the task ......of sowing, a bright new lawn

We listen to the streams, to preserve their fragile wetlands

Let me come, to the end of my journey, with the sunshine on my face

....colours are seen, but what is not is their history

I saw myself to be like a little seed dropped into the crevice of a mighty rock and there I was bound to be, so I set about allowing myself to be free by responding to the impulse to grow,

It's this time of year again / when Santa and his reindeer come....

Memories dance about inside my head, telling me not to cry

You LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head

As I thank You for my life. \ Help me to go about blessed \ With your Spirit’s insight \ And hear You affirm I’m your beloved.

*“Where will the bellbird sing…… if the heart of the flax bush is gone?”*

As a flower grows……

``` ** Lake Nga-Roto by** Stephen Douglas

Seven stones in my hand Where have these stones been? Who has stepped on them?

a Testimony\ is more than what I say\ it is who I am!

*  ** Red Lanterns,***

WAVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Douglas

Waves pounding upon the shore, rising tide creeps up the shore\ wetting rocks, stones and sand yet not able to wet me. \ For I stand higher on a rock, out of reach from tidal wash\ because there’s an unseen force limiting; holding the\  *               Waves, pounding upon the shore.**\ *.\ .\ .

Coffee @ Pirongia,[1] NZ

Your Vote 2020

***I look up –*** to the Table Mountain Range, Cape of Good Hope. Does my strength come from these mountains?

I used to be a tall strong pine tree In Manawatu hills beyond thee With branches wide and green; Habitat for wild birds and bees,

*I turn my gaze to address your moon-face and shout aloud my boon*

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare. . . .

``` We all walk the road to Emmaus, A walk not too far from heart breaking affairs. Affairs which create doubts and questions about what is possible in life. Such happenings can engage deep conversations with friends, Turning despair to hope, a place not too far from here. We all walk our road to Emmaus,

“Am I my brother’s keeper, shouted the stranger from the back, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”

``` Autumn colours are plentiful this morning, as I walk ..The pathway winding through this beautiful scenery Thankful I have eyes to see and legs to move me. ..Gratefulness abounds in my spirit for autumn leaves Sing praise to their living Creator; these leaves sing ..Their song of happiness, beauty, and creativeness, I bend my ear to catch their song, to sing my praise too.

In isolation...in a room...the empty tomb

sunlight on my face

Ocean waves pound upon the shore

Be they praying or callous workers hands

That fine dining score; 5 course with wine

Inspirational, free flowing

**It was an unusual sight to see** **Because it was only part of the tree**

One small leaf curls and tucks itself next to another,

As our body requires oxygen to move, to breathe, to know the taste of life

The way I spend time out in nature can affect how much my physical and mental health will recharge and how I benefit from it.

…….Where upon we lie upon our bed…………...to dream of what’s ahead

So, I Ponder. . . . .

If you be Light when all around is dark

Lower Dam – Wainui-o-mata

delicate. . .delicate. . .delicate…..

I rake the fallen camellias, which lie upon the ground. They’ve flowered their youth; Bloomed their best - in seasonal time.

The weather changes like my mood as I contemplate life at noon. I wonder if the rain today has a message plain & true.