that earth is a boat
and we're passengers
on time's massive float
being drawn breath by breath
toward a shore
through the access called Death
to Forevermore?
Time draws its barge along
on straits of day to day
Beneath the chime of golden gong
or clime of lowered gray
We grapple with A Sail
of Utmost Gravity
Because Time’s sacred charge entails
far more than we can see
Time tugs its transient bark
‘neath arcs of dark and light
Where we are far more than tourists
on floats of sound and sight
We wear God-granted grace
as breath-tones rise and fall
And bear the very common place
of duty’s beck and call
Time flies through outstretched arms
and eyes wide with surprise
It breezes through fists clenched against
its resolute demise
It tosses plans awry
and teaches us to trust
The invisible hand that makes
visible dust to dust
Time takes its telling toll
on mortal’s temple-gate
Where carriages of deathless soul
have much to contemplate
For This, no pleasure cruise,
transports us to a Shore
Where every single passenger
embarks forevermore
Time steals our breath and seals
its aftermath in years
How swift its gift of empty reels
fills up and disappears
While heart-strings groan and fray,
and pray, we start to sense
The absolute approaching of
That Day of Recompense
Time ticks around the clock
but cannot tell how far
Or near to the most searing dock
and final pier we are
To meet the destiny
of This Fleeting Sojourn
Where verily, eternity
is time's sacred return
© Janet Martin
Some encouragement while we 'sail'...
(Imagine if the passage below said
'to the churches of Canada' in place of Thessalonians
and this could/would be said of us from its letter-writer?!!)
2 Thess.1:1-5
Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy,
*To the church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,
[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more,
and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance
and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right,
and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which you are suffering.
2 Thess.2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us
eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you
in every good deed and word.
Beautiful photos, Janet. Oh my!! They are all my favourites today. And what a thought provoking poem. A lovely wish and prayer from Paul, "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing." May it, indeed, be so in our land, in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful week ahead!
Brenda xo
Hello Brenda, and thank-you! Isn't that passage esp. meaningful right now?! So much to make us happy and sad these days, isn't there? By the grace of God we pray for increasing faith and love!
DeleteMay you have a blessed and encouragement-filled week as well,
oxox