Beauty-Bombardment

We need only to look within us and around us

to soon be bombarded with life's Unbeautiful!

But pray we are never so burdened by the unbeautiful 

that we miss the beauty (of the Lord)

Psalm 27:4

One thing have I desired of the LORD, 

that will I seek after; 

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

 to behold the beauty of the LORD, 

and to inquire in his temple.

Forbid that in this world that brims with beauty of the Lord

With morning-tide, unfurled in hymns of mercy’s vow restored...

With lilies, though they do not toil or spin, God weaves their cloak

In grander garb than queen or king’s royal garments bespoke...

Where Innocence is following us with unbridled trust...

Where labor is a love-song to He who its page bestows

Where joy is like a fountain as thanksgiving overflows...

Forbid that in this world that brims with beauty of the Lord

With morning-tide, unfurled in hymns of mercy’s vow restored

With lilies, though they do not toil or spin, God weaves their cloak

In grander garb than queen or king’s royal garments bespoke

Forbid that where the beauty of a helping hand is sought

Where far more than stiff duty stirs us from sweet slumber’s cot

(Because love gladdens ups and downs of toil and happiness

And hope is like The Rose that crowns the thorns that prick and press)

Forbid that in this place where each new day of grace is poured

Through the flue of God’s smiling face (though He is oft ignored)

Where Hallowed Glimpse is hollowing each frame of dust to dust

Where Innocence is following us with unbridled trust

Where beauty of a baby is life's sweetest, purest loan

Where in the midst of Maybe God's Word anchors the unknown

Where nature is a theater of Eden's tarnished void  

Where someday the Creator will restore what sin destroyed 

Where what we cannot fathom should fashion each day we live

Where One authors a question to An Answer all will give

Where Example is coaching the most tender among us

Where we are all approaching A Most Sacred Exodus

Where all we have is Given by the One who grants its means

Where night’s dark veil is riven where dawn’s grail spills color-scenes

Where God’s Word is not shaken though Unbelief waxes bold

Where One Day all will waken to undoubtedly ‘Behold’

Where labor is a love-song to He who its page bestows

Where joy is like a fountain as thanksgiving overflows

Where time is but a quiver on strings of eternity

Forbid I (we) scorn its Giver and a Blind Bystander be

Forbid that I (we) do nothing where goodness and mercy brim

But trample the fine clothing of the love and grace of Him

Forbid I (we) miss the thunder of Beauty that wills today

And never thrill with wonder at Love’s sumptuous buffet

…and never be bombarded by the Beauty of the Lord

Dismayed and broken-hearted without comfort, Word-restored

Forbid we spurn the kindness of God’s faithful keep and care

Because we turn to blindness of Unbelief’s Deep/dark Despair

© Janet Martin

Rev. 1:4-8

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, 

and who is to come, and from the seven spirits a before his throne,

  5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, 

the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

  6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—

to him be glory and power for ever and ever!

 Amen.

7“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” b

and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;

and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” c

So shall it be! 

Amen.

8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,

 “who is, 

and who was, 

and who is to come, 

the Almighty.”