Joy Complete

So many potential titles for this poem;

So Much More Hope

Ultimate Relief

Prelude to the Prize

 Miracle-Pinnacle (Faith that makes us whole)

Complete In Him

Yesterday Victoria and I squealed with giddy delight,

our Almost-Autumn joy complete

in the culled, mulled colours 

and brisk breezes of September

This morning is no exception;

Apple-pear-cider crisp and tart

So much to love in the middle of life's muddle...

this morning's muddle in Canada includes back-to-school

meaning SO much emotion for first-time scholars and parents of those and,

first-time high-schooler, post-secondary education students etc.

So much out of our control means we need 

Someone to anchor us SO MUCH!

Col.2:8-10

Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you 

through philosophy and empty deceit, 

according to the tradition of men, 

according to the basic principles of the world, 

and not according to Christ. 

 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily;

  and you are complete in Him, 

who is the head of all [g]principality and power.

So much to try our good intent

So much to lose and win

Desire and discouragement

Battle beneath our skin

So much to disappoint and tempt

So much to pick and choose

So much to do, where consequence

Soon keeps its promised dues

So much to vex the ardor of

The dreamer and the dream

So much to test the heart of love

Where idol-temples gleam

So much to taunt, where want runs rife

But boast cannot fulfill

So much to make the most of life

So much to steal its thrill

So much we touch then strew behind

So much hunger and thirst

So much for ties of death to bind

So much, both blessed and cursed

Where best and worst are woven through

Vestures of faith and fear

Where so much that we say and do

Can’t keep a conscience clear

So much to turn to prayerful trust

To repent and confess

So much more God, merciful, just

Father of forgiveness

So much more love where grace achieves

The convict’s full release

So much more hope as faith receives

So much more joy and peace

So much more hope; ah, this alone

Can make our joy complete

So much uncertain and unknown

Yet, so much comfort sweet

Where only genuine belief

Overcomes doubt and dread

Then we find ultimate relief

As we trust God instead

Complete in Him; ah, pray that we

Find this world's paradise

Complete in Him; ah, may this be

Our prelude to The Prize

Complete in Him; longing fulfilled

As much as possible

Complete in Him; fear's storm is stilled

By the Invisible 

© Janet Martin