Wonder-witnesses

Last night I got home after Jim (husband) was sleeping and he got up early to leave

so I got up as well to see him off.

then I was wide awake so I settled down for some 'quiet-time'

(such as praying for my sister-in-law Karen who is having 

a hip-replacement surgery today!! prayers valued)

but, my quiet-time was soon interrupted by a rather

suspicious rustling, so I set the mouse traps I have been saving for Jim to set,

...then returned to reading and writing (a few minutes ago I heard a 'snap!')

The background music and backdrop of poetry is often anything but poetic!!

This poem was inspired in part by a conversation this morning

 (while we waited for the coffee to brew) about

how it's harder to get the Christmas 'feeling' as we get older...

Also in part by my devotion passage from Isa.43.

As I read through the chapter I was suddenly so thankful

for the Christmas 'knowing' which is better forever

than just a 'feeling'.

We, by faith are witnesses of Hope's reason!

We are witnesses of wonder!

Isa.43:10-11

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord,

“And My servant whom I have chosen,

That you may know and believe Me,

And understand that I am He.

Before Me there was no God formed,

Nor shall there be after Me.

11 I, even I, am the Lord,

And besides Me there is no savior.

We are witnesses of wonder...

He whose Word will never dim

Causes earth and sky to thunder

With the evidence of Him...

(upstairs window with a screen was my only option

to capture December dusk yesterday)

a wonder-evoking beauty in spite of being blocked by buildings

We are witnesses of wonder

He whose Word will never dim

Causes earth and sky to thunder

With the evidence of Him

Causes creation to capture

Eyes and ears with sight and sound

Overflowing hearts with rapture

As both great and small confound

We are witnesses of glory

So we may know and believe

In He who fulfilled love's story

Hope, joy and peace to achieve

He whose servant-like behaviour

Purchased pardon for sin's debt

Hallelujah, what a Saviour

Dying in the sinner's stead

We are witnesses of promise

Only faith can apprehend

As we fix our eyes on Jesus

And hope's assurance defend

As we trust the One and Only

Author and Perfecter of

Faith; as His truth cheers the lonely

With His everlasting love

We are witnesses of wonder

Where good tidings of great joy

Break the bars of hell asunder

Through Bethlehem's Baby Boy

Glory to God in the highest

Glory to the King of kings

Glory to His love unbiased

And the hope that Jesus brings

He, wounded for our transgression,

Bruised for our iniquities

Through Calvary's intercession

Fulfilled ancient prophecies

We, witnesses of salvation

We, who by His stripes are healed

Sing with joyful exaltation

For the Lord's pleasure revealed 

We are witnesses of 'Knowing'

What the angels sang about

Of the love of God bestowing

Light to pierce shadows of doubt

Of the Word that makes His dwelling

In the likes of you and me

Witnesses of Christ's compelling

Love for all humanity

Janet Martin

Mary's Boy Child- Jim Reeves

Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven (A Children's Carol) - Keith & Kristyn Getty

Mercy's Manifestation

1 John 4:9-10

This is how God’s love was revealed among us: 

God sent His one and only Son into the world,

 ...so that we might live through Him. 

 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us 

and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

***

An angel gilds earth's sashes and lintels with gold-glazed white

She stokes yesterday's ashes coaxing from cold hearths, daylight...

An angel gilds earth's sashes and lintels with gold-glazed white

She stokes yesterday's ashes coaxing from cold hearths, daylight

Its Source no Else-force swindles; redemption rolls like a sea

From the Hand that rekindles virgin opportunity

This world, where woe and wonder war, where hope and heartache merge

Where Much is inclined to want More, is balanced on the verge

Of what sight perceives, but in part; Faith's dark glass cast between

The passages we learn by heart, and pastures, Heaven-green 

Each morning Bygone's bower bends with what yet waits to be

Mercy's manifestation rends the veil of history

With blessing beyond mortal ken, as traffic of clad souls

Rushes dawn's showcase once again with sacred 'fishing-poles'

Behold the banner of God's grace, each new day testifies 

Behold what manner of great love erases darkened skies 

Behold, divine delight unfurled from Favour's faithful Hand

An angel's wing wakens the world and morning sweeps the land

Janet Martin 

Lam.3:21-26

21 This I recall to my mind,

Therefore I have hope.

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I hope in Him!”

25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.

26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

For the salvation of the Lord.

Star of the East

A few more gems from Slim Whitman...

There's a Song in the Air

Long Ago there Was Born...

Bittersweet Ballad

Ps.19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, 

be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Christmas season stirs reflection.

As I reflect on another year where sorrow and joy

 clashed, again and again, the word 'bittersweet'

seems to have taken a deeper, more sacred root in the soil

of hope, 

trust...

 and gratitude!

Before it is too late to say 

'I love you' by our words and deeds

Let's take a fresh look at today

And make the most of moment-seeds...

Moment-seeds may appear as commonplace

as shoveling snow

or loads of laundry,

but as we take a closer look at the

'who' and the 'why' of them

they steal our breath!!

With changes that each year unfolds

Where birth and death's charges compete

Love and longing's uncharted holds

Compose a ballad, bittersweet

Between a world of yesterdays

And morrows, life's moments untwist

In sunshine golds and storm cloud grays

Years melt away like morning mist

 

...while making us more humble stewards

Of  Today's gardens-vineyards-fields 

To gather love's grains, grapes and gourds

With gratitude for what soon yields

...to scenes of once-upon-today

The heart, a gallery that gleams

With buds that bloom and fall away

Like petal-fray on rushing streams

...pushed by relentless winds of change

Where hold and letting go compete

In tangos of embrace-estrange 

To time's bold ballad, bittersweet

Before it is too late to say 

'I love you' by our words and deeds

Let's take a fresh look at today

And make the most of moment-seeds 

...so when the bud unfolds to bloom

Upon the tomb of yesteryears

The bitter-sweetness of its plume

Will stir a hymn of smiles and tears 

Janet Martin 

Wonderful Merciful Savior- Selah 

An Advent Reveille

 

Sometimes when daybreak kindles the eastward horizon

in flaming appeal, (like yesterday morning!!) 

it rushes the air like a celestial reveille,

beckoning us to rise and 'shine' !

Do not grow weary in love’s dues bearing eternal worth

Continue to tell the Good News of the Messiah’s birth

Continue to proclaim the Name, commanding prophecy

Tell the world of Jesus who came to set sin’s captive free

The ‘last days’ prophets long foretold, on that first Christmas morn

Began to fulfill and unfold when Jesus Christ was born

Jesus, knowing the dreadful price of His sinless blood shed

Came to become sin’s final sacrifice and crush Death’s head

Then pray, do not cease to proclaim He who conquered the grave

Salvation knows no other Name; Jesus, mighty to save

Stepped from His divine station to suffer redemption’s rod

To be the hope of nations, to fulfill the will of God

Then do not faint, but hail the Name of Jesus every morn

Good tidings of great joy proclaim; a Savior has been born

For God so loves the world, He gave His only Son to be

Sin’s off’ring once for all, to save and set condemned souls free

Joy to the world, the Prince of Peace is trustworthy and true

Someday the wars of earth will cease and all will be made new

Till then, continue to proclaim the angel’s hymn. Extol

The Good News; JESUS is His Name, the Savior of the soul

Janet Martin

Acts 3:18-26

But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, 

that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 

20 and that He may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached to you before, 

21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, 

which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began. 

22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you

 a Prophet like me from your brethren. 

Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 

23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet 

shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 

24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, 

as many as have spoken, have also [f]foretold these days. 

25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,

 saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 

26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, 

sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Dear Lucy, Like a Priceless Souvenir

These days, (Christmas season) when I am asked how I'm doing 

(regarding the sorrow of missing Lucy)

I've come to realize the raw edge of grief has faded into a tender, deep, deep ache,

that, by the grace of God, I will treasure like a priceless souvenir, as long as I live...

Dear Lucy, As Time goes by...

The raw edge of love’s heartache fades

And in its tender stead

An anguish of longing invades

The place where angels tread

To comfort us as we recall

Your voice, your smile, your touch

To gather up the tears that fall

As we miss you so much

While seasons roll across the land

As if nothing has changed

As we learn to weather time’s hand

With part of us estranged

The heart begins to reconcile

The void that will remain

To ache for your voice, touch and smile

Until we meet again

…and though the raw edge of grief fades

Beneath love’s brave façade

An anguish of longing invades

The place where we find God

He helps us treasure every tear

Each thought of you imparts

A precious, priceless souvenir

To harbour in our hearts

Time takes it toll and always will

For better-worse, it flies

And draws us all along until

It severs earthly ties

Where, pray we each leave in life’s wake

Of hold-to-letting go

The souvenir of love’s heartache

In all who miss/love us so

Janet Martin

In The Gladness For God's Goodness...

Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; 

at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Psalm 119:147

I rise before dawn and cry for help;

 in Your word I have put my hope.

In the gladness for God’s goodness, grief finds joy, and worry, peace

Longing finds sweeter contentment as counted blessings increase

Hope is more than optimism; like a rose that does not fade

Goodness and mercy unfold the bud of this day He has made

In the morning, He will hear us as we lift each humble plea

All day long His goodness cheers us as we wait expectantly

In the comfort of each promise, He turns despair to delight

In the beauty of creation God gratifies faith with sight

In the gladness of good tidings of great joy for all mankind

Jesus, Author of salvation beckons all to seek and find

Sin’s eternal absolution, hope which cannot be dismayed

Because of love’s restitution, through the debt that Jesus paid

Hark! The herald angel’s message of great reason to rejoice

Lucid as the light of morning, the sheep know the Shepherd’s voice

Step by step He goes before us; bids us cast on Him each care

In the gladness for His goodness life becomes a living prayer

Janet Martin

Ps.118:24

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart;

 the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous,

 gladness on the upright in heart.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light;

 it informs the simple.

Praise God For Man's First Christmas Gift

Acts 2:38-41

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you

in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

 and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, 

even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, 

Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:

This morning in majestic splendour, the heavens declared the glory of God 

and proclaimed the work of His hands...(Ps.19:1)

The God whose love gave us His Son, Jesus, so all who believe in Him

will not perish but have eternal life! (John 3:16)

The God who calls all of us to worship, 

not the created, but the Creator! (Rom.1:25)

All who beheld, worshipped one or the other!

Does His work not rouse a hymn of gladness for love's greatest work/gift of all?!!

Praise God for man's first Christmas gift; Jesus, Emmanuel

For the good tidings of great joy, which Is for all people

For promises of old fulfilled; for God's goodness unfurled

In the very first Christmas gift; the Saviour of the world 

Praise God for man's first Christmas joy, uncomprehend when 

Shepherds hastened to see the Baby boy at Bethlehem

Believing without understanding what the angels told

As the ancient redemption promise began to unfold 

Praise God for man's first Christmas hymn; glory to God on high

And on earth peace, goodwill to men,  rang from the midnight sky

 With a message of hope for all who believe in His name

Praise God for the first Christmas gift that faith alone can claim

Praise God for the first Christmas Day; the day of Jesus' birth

 The King of kings and Lord of lords stepped from His throne, to earth 

Praise Him for joy and peace because He conquered death and hell

Praise God for man's first Christmas gift; Jesus, Emmanuel 

Janet Martin

Jesus, Messiah 

Dare to be a Reckless Spender...(when it comes to love)

There is no end to opportunities to love,

to be generous and thoughtful.

We cannot help everyone but we can all help someone!

Who will be our 'someone' today?

I asked my grandson if he would be my 'someone' today

and he said 'yes'😊💝)

This poem was written as a reminder to myself.

('reckless' in this poem does not mean thoughtless disregard,

 but rather a trustful generosity!)

God knows the heart.

Yesterday morning's message to our congregation included a verse

most sobering and most comforting!

1 Sam.16:7

 For the LORD does not see as man sees;

 for man looks at the outward appearance,

 but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Dare to be a reckless spender when it comes to love

Revel in the promised splendor Heaven waits to prove

Test the measure of the treasure of God’s buffering

Discover hope’s holy pleasure in love’s suffering

Dare to be a cheerful giver; let Love’s Author lead

Pray for true love to deliver us from doubt and greed

Trust the Keeper of love’s coffer from which blessings brim

With each gift love bestows, offer each gift back to Him

Dare to test depths and heights, ample; blaze uncharted trails

Modeling a bold example, for love never fails

Strive to be a ready vessel run through with Enough

Live to let reliance chisel diamonds from faith’s rough

Dare to take the name of Jesus into every choice

Take the precious Name that frees us from Discontent's voice 

Let the power and the glory of God satisfy

Let the ink that writes love's story stir rev'rent reply    

Dare to be a reckless spender when it comes to love

Draw from unplumbed wells of tender mercies from above

Aware of the priceless Presence of nail-scarred Release 

Dare to let love be the essence of hope, joy and peace 

Janet Martin

Haloed Ground

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, 

that in Me you may have peace.

 In the world you will have tribulation;

 but be of good cheer, 

I have overcome the world.”

Oh, the joy of those moments when, like an epiphany

 the message in the treasured age-old 'Christmas Story'

 opens our eyes anew, to wonders as we ponder the

mysteries of God's love...

As we follow the example of Joseph and trust God's word

though we don't understand the beginning from the end!

The Birth of Jesus Matt.1:18-21 BSB

(Isaiah 7:10–16; Luke 2:1–7)

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: 

His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, 

she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

  19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man 

and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

20But after he had pondered these things, 

an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

 “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, 

for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

21She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,d 

because He will save His people from their sins.”

In this world we will have trouble

But we are not doomed to loss

In the dark and hurting rubble

Of life’s trouble, stands the cross

In this world we will have sorrow

But we are not doomed to tears

Faith today is hope tomorrow

In life’s sorrow, Mercy cheers/hears

In this world we will have trials

Dreamlands turned to battlegrounds

But in spite of dream-denials

In life’s trials, grace abounds

In this world we will have testing

High-fives tumbled/humbled by low blows

This is not God’s cruel jesting

In life’s testing, wisdom grows

In this world we will have dark vales

As we walk by faith, not sight

 Love holds a Lamp that never fails

In life’s dark vales, shines His Light

In this world we will have sadness

But, behold hope's haloed ground

God's peace cheers the soul with gladness

In life's sadness, joy is found

 

Janet Martin

Carrie Underwood - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Official Audio Video)

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee By Henry van Dyke and Beethoven Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee God of glory Lord of love Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee Opening to the sun above Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise Field and forest, vale and mountain Flowery meadow, flashing sea Singing bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee Thou art giving and forgiving Ever blessing, ever blessed Wellspring of the joy of living Ocean depth of happy rest Thou our Father Christ our Brother All who live in love are Thine Teach us how to love each other Lift us to the joy divine Mortals, join the happy chorus Which the morning stars began Father love is reigning o'er us Brother love binds man to man Ever singing, march we onward Victors in the midst of strife Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day

Thought-thoughts

 

As December's full moon climbs

over dusk's pink sill

Thought becomes happy to pause

and be perfectly still...

As the mind thinks, so we become;

Like babies in perception’s womb

Like children in a classroom taught

By a lifelong lector of Thought

Guard well the guests Thought entertains

The conquests toward which Thought strains

Because the person we become

Is shaped through Thought’s collective sum

For all the progress change may boast

It cannot thwart what matters most

Whether we regard it or not

We are the workmanship of Thought

If Thought is lazy, greedy, vain

Pity the one who gleans its gain

If Thought is prudent, humble, wise

It benefits its enterprise

Whatever then, is excellent

Praiseworthy and of noble bent

And true and just, without selfdom

Think on these things, and so become

Janet Martin

Phil.4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable—

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think on these things.

Free For the Asking

1 Sa.7:12

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.

 He named it Ebenezer,[a] saying, 

“Thus far the Lord has helped us.

”Read full chapter

1 Samuel 7:12 Ebenezer means stone of help.

Ps.27:14

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,

 And He shall strengthen your heart; 

Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Some of the 'sparkle' of joy this Christmas season, feels a bit tarnished

as we think of so many loved ones who are missing loved ones,

then we lift each of them by name to Jesus, our everlasting Helper, 

 Comforter and great joy!

His help, comfort and joy are free for the asking and believing/receiving!

and beyond compare.

What kind comfort to pray

To He who knows all things

Whose Presence is our Help/hope and Stay

Whatever today brings

To wait upon the Lord

May test our patience sore

While discovering the reward

Of trusting all the more

Then, as we trust, our love

Refined through bitter test

Begins to shine the glory of

The One who loves us best

***

God helps us if we ask

He helps us work and rest

And fulfill life's most common task

With zeal, contentment-blessed

He helps us when we lie

On a sick bed; He hears

The whimper of the heart-wept cry

The language of our tears

He helps us, young or old

And bids us, come what may

To discover riches untold

As we trust and obey

When we don't understand

Then yield to dread's alarms

He lifts us with His faithful Hand

To lean upon His arms

What sacred liberty

To ask, and then rely

Upon the Higher Thought of He

Who does not rush reply

Our help in ages past

 Our Rock of Ages still

Our Cornerstone to hold steadfast

Faith, anchored in God's will

Janet Martin

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Rock of Ages

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Author: Robert Robinson (1758); Alterer: Martin Madan (1760)

1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing;

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

mount of God’s unchanging love!

2 Here I raise my Ebenezer;

hither by thy help I’m come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

3 O to grace how great a debtor

daily I’m constrained to be!

Let that grace now, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here’s my heart; O take and seal it;

seal it for thy courts above.

Considering Gifts...

This is the time of year our thoughts start considering gift-giving;

the perfect Something for that precious someone...

 whilst wandering through isles laden with gifts, free for the 'taking'...

Considering that a week ago there was not a flake of snow to be seen

it does feel like winter literally arrived overnight!

(so, I am attempting to acclimate my delight to white-gilded glories/gifts)

Each day nature's buffet is laden with pleasures to share

Each season filled with reasons to run worship through with prayer

To He who grants fresh chances to awaken and rejoice

As He delights appetites for beauty through nature's voice

Each day a smorgasbord of the Lord's handiwork unfurls

Where Nature is a caterer with pocket full of pearls

And tables spread with green, gold, red and white; beneath, above

We witness He whose majesty earth offers glimpses of 

Each day fresh wonder thunders through the chambers of the heart

If we with slower pace embrace the study of God's art

And pause with awestruck posture, and holy humility

In the ache of a snowflake's astounding intricacy

Each day nature's showcase abounds with sounds and sights to thrill

And remind us because of love's kind Giver, to be still 

And trust the Teacher of the creature without skeptic doubt

To join the hymn that seraphim of earth and heavens shout

Janet Martin

O Worship the King

O worship the King all glorious above

Author: Robert Grant (1833)

Tune: LYONS

O worship the King all-glorious above,

O gratefully sing his power and his love:

our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,

pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2 O tell of his might and sing of his grace,

whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,

and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3 Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;

it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,

and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

4 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,

in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.

Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,

our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

5 O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,

whom angels delight to worship above!

Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,

in true adoration shall sing to your praise!

Psalm 8:3-6

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit[a] him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than [b]the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet,

Read full chapter

Awakenings~

Happy new month, new week, new day!

Happy December!

Ps.118:24

This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

A sense of what yet waits ignites

A tense awareness of insights

Rolling in an un-parted sea

Of uncharted periphery

Daybreak gleams like a pristine sash

Untrampled by Thought’s barefoot dash

Through keyholes, over holy ground

Not sullied by ink-jots unbound

Ink jots disclose, if but in part

The burning bush within the heart

An impressionist’s silhouette

Of a bower bursting with Yet

Dawn unfolds the prevailing hue

Of the old laden with the new;

A trembling generosity

Of frames to fill with what will be

***

Prov.4:23

Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.

Romans 11:29
For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.

Give diligence to truth and grace; to awe and choice because life’s race

Beats to a very sacred drum of calling and election’s sum

Give diligence to worship’s part and guard the chamber of the heart

For from it flows all that we seek; Be swift to hear and slow to speak

Give diligence to hope and love before mortality’s thin glove

Slips from the part that never dies; run as if to obtain the Prize

Give diligence to faith because beyond time’s trying wraith of gauze

Awaits the endless recompense of what/who we gave due diligence

***

Eccles.12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 

Fear God, and keep his commandments: 

for this is the whole duty of man.

Experience steals innocence; for better or for worse

It does not withhold elements of both blessing and curse

Regardless of the circumstance that vexes you and I

Experience is bound to grant a lesson in reply

Foolish to wish for yester-cake or ‘Before’ ignorance

The ups and downs of give and take produce experience

No one can outlive its demands or dodge its dogged reach

The long arm of Experience always has much to teach

It drills us in the pros and cons of gaining older age

Is no respecter of persons; tutor of fool and sage

It builds character or destroys; tyrant and troubadour

Through bitter grief it renders joys we never knew before

Janet Martin