"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Phil.4:4-6
(read the whole glorious chapter HERE)
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again I will say, rejoice!
to all men.
The Lord is at hand.
6Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving,
let your requests
be made known to God;
7and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
O, I have ceased the need to rush as if my life depends on it
Content to watch the hush of dawn dissolve the darkness once again...
O, I have ceased to strain on reins that once vexed youth's audacity
Content to bask in the delight of little children, starry-eyed...
To marvel at a world a-thunder with God's creativity...
a bit curious at the intruder 😅)
forgive my blurry zoom lens
Content to learn from weightless wings, unhindered by tomorrow's care
To be taught by Child's innocence is to be astonished by joy...
'o-h--h! I can't wait till three o'clock, snack time!!!' sighed
Miss Sweet as sweet-can-be at two-thirty.
'Oh my! replied I, completely at a loss as how to live up to her anticipation/expectation.
'Do you like popcorn?' I asked, relieved I had one snack staple on hand.
Her pause suggested a 'no'.
'Actually, what I am really wishing for is fresh bran muffins'
(NOT what I was expecting at all, but so relived. lol!)
'Guess what?!" I said. 'This very morning I was wishing for fresh bran muffins!!'
So, fresh bran muffins it was 💖😋
O, I have ceased the need to rush as if my life depends on it
Content to watch the hush of dawn dissolve the darkness once again
To light Time's face with God's kind grace outpoured for our benefit
To tune the countenance of hope with love and joy and peace. Amen
O, I have ceased to strain on reins that once vexed youth's audacity
Content to bask in the delight of little children, starry-eyed
To marvel at a world a-thunder with God's creativity
To linger in November's dusk; brusque blush and blue-bathed countryside
O, I have ceased the futile quest of clinging to what none can claim
Content to let the gauze hemline of seasons slip through unclenched will
To be still and know He who fills boundless firmaments with His Name
Anoints each moment with His brush, as Today's Masterpieces spill
O, I have ceased to Want for things, whose ownership death will destroy
Content to learn from weightless wings, unhindered by tomorrow's care
To be taught by Child's innocence is to be astonished by joy
As meeker gratitude enriches happiness beyond compare
O, I have ceased to be encumbered by Bygones I cannot wrest
Content to concentrate on faces and favours still within reach
To let the sorrows of this world be comforted by Heaven's Best
And wonder at the holy pleasure only God, through grief, can teach
O, I have ceased to pursue answers for His higher thoughts and ways
Content to know that He is able to do exceedingly more
Than I can think to think; then, with nothing but humbler, purer praise
To take up faith's cross like a child, and trust God for what lies before
O, I have ceased the need to rush as if my life depends on it
Content to watch the hush of dawn dissolve the darkness once again
To light Time's face with God's kind grace outpoured for our benefit
To tune the countenance of hope with love and joy and peace. Amen
© Janet Martin
While I was wrestling with the second last stanza of this poem
my daughter, Victoria sent me a message, simply this;
Enjoying this collection of hymns this morning 😊
(and suddenly, as I listened, like a little miracle
the words fell into place!)
Thank-you God, for 'faces and favours still within reach' !
Thank-you for my family and friends,
pouring out/in so many precious ways
to comfort me 🙏
Bless each one today!
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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!