But If They Could...

Sometimes we pray for miracles God does not seem to bring

We pray for health and healing for a loved one’s suffering

But in the end God deems it fit to take them from this life

While we are left to mourn the loss of child, husband or wife

…and wonder at God’s perfect way and will we’ll never know

Where “why, God, why”, wafts to the sky as loved ones miss them so

But if they could I’m sure they would from yonder portal call

And tell us Heaven is the greatest miracle of all

© Janet Martin

On Saturday at the wedding, in lieu of traditional wedding favors Jamie and Becca left this;
for so many would-have-been guests, dearly missed...

 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, 

OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 

Rom.11:33-34 

 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.  

See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

 Ps.139:23-24

'Flower' Power

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done... 

Read full prayer here

Oh, we are always on the verge of buds not opened yet

As past and future merge we touch the splurge that Now begets

Then, as the flower of an hour unfolds Ordained Must

We often stagger ‘neath the colors teaching us to trust

We cry to He who fills the bud with shades of His design

His grace sufficient and His ways so opposite to mine

And in our own Gethsemane we weep and pray and groan

“Remove this cup, yet not my will, oh God, but thine alone”

You are our Shepherd; in Your pastures green no want controls

Though storms may toss, beside still waters you restore our souls

Yea, though we walk through the valley of death we fear no ill

Your rod and staff they comfort, as we learn to trust Your will

…where we are always on the verge of buds waiting to bloom

Yet, we are always cupped in the same Hand that picks the plume

Oh Lord, our God, my God, even when no one understands

Help us entrust our ‘flowers’ to the love of nail-scarred Hands

© Janet Martin

To Bless and Keep

It is a prayer repeated daily

Because we so need it daily

...that God would bless and keep! 

  

This is one of those poems that can be read through as one poem 

or pick a verse 

for a quick rhyme-kick;-)

Before this day is swept away

Into the archives of the mind

Where echoes of its tendered love

Rise from ashes of daily grind

Before the doors on eastward shores

Swing wide then fade to midday blue

Above the noise that life employs

Of plans to make and work to do

Before we stare agape at air

That holds the lair where seasons sleep

Let’s bow beneath dawn’s baited breath

And implore God to bless and keep

This skin and bone that hours hone

With grin and groaning’s up and down

Soon learns the truth; suave, slick, fair youth

Falls prey to age’s hoary crown

…while we smiled, beguiled, like a child

By lollipops and laughing eyes

We licked Time's spoons and danced to tunes

That led too soon, to meek surprise

...no good, no good to mourn the ‘should-

Have, could-have, would-have’s trampled sweep

But with bowed head, to pray instead

For gracious God to bless and keep

Some days are rough, some slip silk-soft

Where pictures waft on Bygone’s breeze

How swift time’s gifted moments drift

From fingertips to memories

Dawn’s gold and gray that tips yon tray

Where come-what-may looms like thick fog

Is not some fluke kiss or rebuke

Tossed to us like bones to a dog

God grants His grace to human race

Where proud and meek till the same heap

And all may plea on humble knee

For His mercy to bless and keep

© Janet Martin

Brighter Than The Break of Day...

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Cor. 5:7

 Have you noticed? 'break of day' is happening a wee bit earlier than it did a few weeks ago...yay!!

The Light that draws the veil of night from city streets and countryside

Is more than golden bloom that breaks the bud of morning open wide

It streams beyond the scope of sight to where hope sets its hungry stare

And beams its never-failing Light through life-appointments of despair

Earth’s art that reappears where darkness hid its loveliness from view

Is like the heart, once dark with fears after the Light of faith shines through

Then, though we do not know what high or low this ergo might bequeath

Our passage through life's picture show is cupped in Light above, beneath

‘Great peace have they who love God’s law’; with trembling might faith grasps a rope

That tolls a bell; for fear is hell but heaven anchors holy hope

Then, from the belfry of God’s grace a song of peace and purpose peals

His law is love; ah, human race is cradled in a law that heals

His Light is brighter than the light that breaks the dark of night with day

It beams beyond the scope of sight where students of faith learn to pray

And dialogue peppered with words like ‘if’ and ‘when’ and ‘hopefully’

Feels through the fog to find the Lamp that lights the way we cannot see

© Janet Martin

" Still don't know much. 

They did ultrasound last night and more blood work 

so hopefully when the Dr comes this morning we may know something."

...above message from my sister-in-law Karen, this morning who is still waiting as Dr.s try to 'fix' the condition that caused a great scare on the week-end.
(her body now rejects the blood-thinner she has been on for years)

Please continue to pray for her, 

for the doctors,

and for the family, Dave, Josh and Krista and Jessica

Highway of Hope

I cannot bear to look ahead

To roads that seem too dark with dread

Oh Lord, my God, help me instead

To trust Thy All in all

For though the road looks dark today

As I peer to its come-what-may

Your faithful Light will show the Way

Through every rise and fall

I cannot carry morrow’s load

But cling to promises that goad

Faith’s eyes to fix beyond the road

To Mercy’s Patriarch

Then when I travel through the vale

Though mortal bark is weak and frail

You grant with Love that will not fail

Light greater than the dark

© Janet Martin

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you and help you;
 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa.41:10

Take Courage...

It's so easy to forget, when our own lives are full,

but let's remember to keep praying for Wayne and Doreen,

and their boys,(Darcy's brothers)
as they go on with a gaping emptiness in their home and hearts!

Take courage friend, though future as it flows through Now to Then

Is not what we envisioned, and swifter than we supposed

As Past’s eternal cast expands it tunes our acumen

To living’s wake of learning and horizons undisclosed

What once we thought we knew startles ho-ho with meek ‘aha’

Truth does not change its view,, we find, as raven locks turn gray

The aftermath of say-and-do fulfills its stubborn law

Of ‘reaping what we sow’; still, by God’s grace we face each day

Do not despair, my friend, the tender care that keeps the bird

Is faithful to the end though oft we kick it in the shins

With unwavering kindness He pursues us, undeterred

His gift to everyone who asks; the forgiveness of sins

Hello-farewell; heaven and hell-glimpses stun come-and-go

It rips our ragged breath from bodies bent on want and need

And teaches us the happiness of stepping soft and slow

Across Good morning’s welcome-mat that once we paid no heed

Take courage, friend, for God saw fit to lend another day

Its tray drips with appointments that we cannot fully see

But if we trust the Hand of He who grants, to show the way

Then we will have the courage to endure what waits to be

© Janet Martin