Monday, June 26, 2017

What Comfort This (and Dave-update)



 I was on a little drive this afternoon,(praying for my brother) looked up and saw what felt like a kind hug from God
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us,
so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 

Below, a few more shots from my drive on a road we locals call 'The Third'.
It is an immensely scenic stretch of rural bliss!





What comfort this; the Lord who splays the ream
Where green hills touch blue sky and leave gaze awed
Where rivers like diamond tiaras gleam
Through valleys cradled in the arms of God

Where bud unfolds in star-eyed miracle
Embellishing the moil of soil with vim
Where troubadour bows, stripped of canticle
Kind-humbled by nature’s prolific hymn

Where He who tints the hues of dark and light
And sheathes with spectral shroud, dusk’s dimming lay
And tunes the green-leaf harp; with faultless might
He turns the gyre that garners night and day 

...whereon we press a printless pageantry
Of summers spent, of bowers bloomed and felled
Of hours lent, bent with love's tangent spree
Of flowers, sweet and full and hardly held

...before their petals line a tender trove
Of days gone by and eyes wiser than they
Who drink the dream of youthful wander-love
Until life deems that they too walk the way

...of laughter’s aftermath; sorrow and dust
Where time's sublime four-season, suave quadrille
Concedes that joy cannot escape The Must
That teaches us to trust a Higher Will 

 What comfort this; The Lord who fills the spheres
Whose loving faithfulness will never cease
Is ever near. He gathers up our tears
He hears our prayers and grants us Mercy’s peace

© Janet Martin

For those not on FB with us, here is the latest update from Karen, (my brother Dave's wife)
(To newcomers; I have been updating since last Wed. when I shared that my brother Dave (52yrs. old) fell from a roof )

  Yesterday (Saturday) he had a much harder day so I decided to stay down in the hospital with him all night.(he has been moved from the Trauma Center to reg. hospital closer to home)
 Tonight before I left he was feeling better. I decided to come home and get a night's sleep in my bed and will go down early in the morning with Krista so that I am there when his Dr comes in.


As I am sitting with him, it reminds me of a roller coaster ride. There are times when you are on the top and it is exciting and then you go down hill. I know that our ride is just about to begin! It would be great to be at the top of the ride but I know we will have those down days and I just know that God, family and friends will be with us thru it all.
Keep praying, I took a lot in from the DR today, main thing said, It will be a long haul.
Thanks again.

(Karen, who struggles with more than her share of health challenges needs prayers for health and strength as well!) 

This morning at our Sunday worship service I was moved to tears by the timing of this hymn.


8 comments:

  1. I think I would be overjoyed to be traveling that road and taking photos. So sorry to hear about the fall. I will pray and as you said, trust a Higher Will. Thinking of you and your family as I look at the sky and field today.

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    1. You would love that road...I think I snapped a hundred photos! Every way i turned yesterday, partly because of that stunning sky and the greenness of too much rain, was a masterpiece!

      Thank-you for your prayers...hard times but its the kind thoughts, words and prayers of you all that makes it bearable!

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  2. Janet, thank you for sharing your beautiful heart and talent. In my 30+ years of nursing, no matter where I worked, transferring from an area of more intense support to less, was always challenging for patient and family. You are doing better but it doesn't feel like it, the monitors and close observation have been lessened or removed. As a patient, or parent/family, you want reassurance that all will be well and someone will be there when you aren't. Lots of doubt and insecurity and just the move itself is so fatiguing. It really is a challenging bump on that sometimes long journey to wellness. Praying for healing, continued big breaths, trust, comfort, encouraging visitors who stay just long enough, refreshing sleep for all and peace. The One who created us so perfectly is in control and knows your brother oh so well.
    It is absolutely a very beautiful morning as I sit beside the Muskoka River. Praying.

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    1. Marilyn, thank-you SO much for this insight from 'the other side':) Your words of understanding, experience and encouragement are deeply appreciated!

      It's a beautiful morning here as well!

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  3. I keep meaning to let you know I am praying for your brother. My goodness, I can't even imagine. :( Your poem is beautiful, meaningful, touching, and lifts my eyes to my God. Thank you for this, and for the beautiful photos of His amazing artistic touches.

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    1. Hi Marie, dear poet-friend(())! thank-you so much for your kind words! how is Brandon doing?
      My sister-in-law describes it well; a roller-coaster, right?! but one cupped in the palm of God's hand.

      Thank-you again!

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  4. So much here. Great photos. Marvelous poem.
    Your brother and his wife are in my prayers.
    "Be Still My Soul" is my favorite hymn.

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    1. Martin, once again, a heartfelt thank-you! I love that hymn too. One of my other favorites I cannot find the original version of on Youtube...

      by William Cowper
      (each stanza breath-taking!)


      God moves in a mysterious way
      His wonders to perform;
      He plants His footsteps in the sea
      And rides upon the storm.

      Deep in unfathomable mines
      Of never failing skill
      He treasures up His bright designs
      And works His sov’reign will.

      Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
      The clouds ye so much dread
      Are big with mercy and shall break
      In blessings on your head.

      Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
      But trust Him for His grace;
      Behind a frowning providence
      He hides a smiling face.

      His purposes will ripen fast,
      Unfolding every hour;
      The bud may have a bitter taste,
      But sweet will be the flow’r.

      Blind unbelief is sure to err
      And scan His work in vain;
      God is His own interpreter,
      And He will make it plain.

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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!