Grace-berth/Birth

Yesterday's sunrise

So often so little distance seems to lie between dawn and dusk, doesn't it?!!

Yesterday's sunset

Days seem to fly by! 

So does life!!

Just a blip between the dawn of birth and the dusk of death!

(two visitations this week for friend's parents were a vivid reminder!!)

...and not one of us can see how near that Dusk is!

It can fall in the twinkle of an eye to young or old alike!

Thus, often much of life's focus seems to be 

on making every effort to 'Make (fond) Memories'

which really are precious!

...like picking pussy willows 😊

Canning sausage

Spending time with (aging) more precious-than-ever parents...

Because there are 10 children in our family, for mom and dad's Christmas gift

this year, each child is given a month to extra-bless them

 (not counting December (Christmas) and September 

when we hope to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary all together)

March was our month. 

On Saturday we took them to my brother-in-law's sugar bush

 to watch modern-day maple-syrup making...

...and then we dropped by my mother-in-law's house where my sister-in-law served us supper;

 the best bean soup I ever tasted served with Vidalia onions, 

summer-sausage, fresh bread and cheese! A five-star meal!!)

...but, as dear as these memories are there is something

far more sacred in life to make, than memories...

We are called to 'make every effort' for something far more lasting!

2 Pet.1:3-10

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 

through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 

4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, 

so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, 

having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; 

and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; 

and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 

7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

  8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure,

 they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive

 in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  9But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, 

forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers and sisters

 a make every effort to confirm your calling and election.

 For if you do these things, you will never stumble,

  11and you will receive a rich welcome 

into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In light of this, Awareness beckons us behold today with 

more thankful, thoughtful, sacred soul-searching!

Behold the berth/birth where God’s grace is extended

Where Life runs rife with holy beck and call

Daylight dissolves heaven’s star-studded blanket

From mercy’s fount hope-forged stepping-stones fall

From He whose love cannot be comprehended

Today is bestowed by God, to one and all

Though want and woe’s what and wherefore may vary

Though no two roads of life are quite the same

No matter what composes cares we carry

Rest and redemption are found in One Name

For the deathless soul, none can burn or bury

Jesus, the Way, Truth and Life all may claim

Today is a common-ground charge, all must weather

Like a barge drawn over sky, sea and sod

Where soon the Harbour at Twilight will tether

Some to the slumber that morning will prod

Some through a gate that parts, light as feather

Over that last lowered gangway to God

Who can afford to be calloused and careless

When no one knows where time’s curtain will close

Pity the passenger, faithless and prayerless

Unready for what Last Breath will expose

Come, bid Today reawakens awareness

To behold berths/birth where God’s grace overflows

© Janet Martin

So off we go on a new Today!

How many remain,

 only the Giver knows!