In Return...

If I, upon some straying thought

Should chance to hap across your mind

Then I would like to think perhaps

Your thoughts of me are glad and kind

Then likewise, if and when, my dear

The thought of you stirs me to yearn

Oh, I would like to think I’d think

As kindly of you in return

© Janet Martin

For all the joy that still is, on some days I wildly miss
what is no more...
those days before womanhood drove dreamers close to us
toward farther-away doors,

...but, if asked to trade back this day for Then
I would say 'no',
Because I would rob them of the joy
that comes before the hard heart-tug of letting go...

(This thought-line caused me to ponder other friendships that came...to pass.
Spring-cleaning cupboards allows thinking-time;-))

Everlasting Light

 As I listened to this song these words hit me anew

'yet in the dark street shineth thy everlasting Light'

Hallelujah!

What joy resounds, oh, we are not

Doomed to the dark of night

For sinners the Christ Child has come

An everlasting Light

How doleful would be every pain

How bitter mortal plight

But for love’s gift God gave to man

An everlasting Light

Jesus, God’s Son to lowly earth

Suffered redemption’s Rite

The climax of His holy birth

Hope’s everlasting Light

What joy resounds; for you and I

While faith is not yet sight

Are guided through the ages by

His everlasting Light

© Janet Martin

Then Pray...

'More things are wrought by prayer than any of us will ever know'

 from Bells of St. Mary

Inspired by this post

Are you sad?
Pray
Are you glad?
Pray.
Overcome with fear?
Pray.
Or sorrow's tear?
Pray.
Are you lonely?
Pray
Or loved by many?
Pray.
Are you 'poor in spirit'?
Pray.
Love; can you hardly bear it?
Pray.
Are you strong and able?
Pray.
Or sickly and feeble?
Pray.
Are your needs great?
Pray.
or have they been met?
Pray.
Do you long to
touch those far away?
Pray.
Or close by?
Pray.
Do you dread life's come-what-may?
Pray.
Are you weary today?
Pray.
...or suffering?
Pray.
or disappointed?
Pray.
Or grief-anointed?
Pray.
 Do you seek that which fully pleases?
Pray.
Do you long to be with Jesus?
 Then,
Pray.

Janet Martin~

 Philippians 4:6-7  
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Elixir of Hope

Dreams nourish hope

I hope we never lose

The will to feel the thrill of

All those untouched rendezvous

To be bereft of dreams

Is to die while we live

While others laugh and drink the hope

That only dreams can give

So dream a little dream

And pray a little prayer

Inhale the glorious elixir
Of dream-hope-polished air

© Janet Martin

The thing that struck me most after reading Ann’s post the other day is trying to grasp living without hope of something better here…unless we bring it to them!  

God, be with the people there on the ground. Protect them and be their strength and shield!

 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

 Ps.28:7

Across the Bridge...

Image Source:  wired.com

Someday across the Bridge I know, it's hard to believe

We will sing to Jesus with the likes of Jim Reeves

and other faithful greats who have crossed on to Heaven

As we praise the Power and the Glory forever. Amen

Janet~

Across the Bridge  Jim Reeves