Stand up to life, face-to-face, belly-to-belly.
Give up, succumb, or turn tail and run.
Or declare your victory and shout it to the skies…
I have a strength you don’t even understand.
So I speak to you and declare. Not Yet. Nope.
When life is throwing constant curveballs
Punched in the gut, you’re not sure what to do.
Take heart at the moment, don’t respond,
Defy the storm, and say, “Not Yet. Nope!”
I’m tough, getting older, but getting tougher.
I refuse to quit or back away. Let’s face it head-on.
How do we fight back? There’s no bulking routine
But faith in the process and journey is my strength.
Look challenges in the eye – Not… Yet. Nope!
Shake a fist, talk with authority – Not… Yet. Nope!
Even when it’s time to lay it all down – Not… Yet. Nope!
The end will come, and still, I’ll say – Not… Yet. N.O.P.E.
Why? I have this feeling – my time is not short.
There’s more to do, accomplish, winning against all odds.
I’ve taken more guff than any man should have to deal with.
But I’m here to say. Not Yet. Nope. Be gone!
Some quit, but I don’t.
Some change directions to avoid. Not me.
Some don’t want to face the issue. I don’t understand it.
Some draw a line and say don’t cross it. Boundaries, they say.
Be who you are; you leave me no choice but to accept it.
Just don’t expect me to be different.
I’m me. The only way I know how.
Who you are, and what you’ve become? I don’t understand.
Not me. I will not change for you.
You’re all over the board.
My sail is set. Constant.
Even thru this temporary storm.
I see a clearing ahead, blue skies, fair seas.
But we’ll all feel the loss when we get there
My hope and prayer is you will not have made
Other plans which don’t include me. Us. Or Them.
Not yet. Nope. I’ll not give up.
Prayer and hope, mercy and love, grace, and peace.
Forgiveness is given and hopefully received.
We’ll make it there. Yes. Soon.