Showing posts with label child. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

A Love Beyond Compare

One of my Sunday School students presented this artwork to me yesterday;
a picture she drew (with permissionπŸ˜‡) while listening to the lesson!
I love my class of smart, beautiful, eager, full-of-potential school-girls!
Thank-you K.S.


My earnest prayer for all our Sunday School students,
is that the Holy Spirit would begin to waken and nurture,
as we gather weekly, (and as weeks turn into years,)
not just a belief in God but a love for God.
That they would get more than an education in Bible stories and facts,
but that the plan and gift of salvation would begin to unfold
a lifelong awe, reverence and wonder for God's love and grace!
Will you join me in praying too?!
They are little for such a very little time!
I also pray that we, their teachers, parents and grandparents 
live pure and humble testimonies
of genuine love for the Saviour of our souls
and the Lord of our lives!

***
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, 
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

***
Let's live love over and above
What Duty delegates
Let's love God, wonderfully awed
By His goodness and grace

Let's live aware of eyes that care-
fully watch every move 
Where actions shout and leave no doubt
About who we most love

Let's live a life of joy, not strife
Let's pay most earnest heed
To what we sow, because we know
Soon fruit follows the seed 

Soon innocence will climb time's fence
And leave childhood behind
Let's live love over and above
With every child in mind 

Before the heart grows hard, let's start
To plant, with tender care
Awareness of God's wondrous love:
A love beyond compare 

Janet~


Ephesians 5:1-2
 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 
 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
 a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Today Twofer ...Cradle of Eternity and Today's Most Estimable Gift

Yesterday we celebrated the child that turned Jim and I into grandparents!

Happy 7th Birthday, Grandson!


Simply being there may look like nothing much
(dear weary, young mother/parent),
 but, is in essence, everything!

Oh, the efforts that may seem to count for nothing here
 but may count for everything There!πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™
By God's grace, keep on.

Above, we simply see a birthday cake!!
 not the baking of it by Very Sleep-deprived mom 
after children are tucked into bed,
We don't see the many, messy, mundane, oops, 
I mean SACRED interruptions/frustrations
 to bring it to fulfillment!πŸ˜…πŸ’“




Technology/screen-time has many negatives in the development of children BUT
this is one of the best positives; being able to laugh and chat with cousins 
over 2000 kilometers away!!




“Children are not a distraction from more important work.
 They are the most important work.”
– Dr. John Trainer
(according to this site, the above quote is misattributed to C.S. Lewis)

Children are by far the most important work!
because...

Beneath the wide, missing-toothed grin
That six and seven year old sports
Beneath Innocent Countenance 
That Time's Insistence soon aborts
 Beneath the sweet Cocoon of Youth
Trembles an Immutable Flame
As irrefutable as Truth
Unthwarted by denial's claim

This truth kindles a deeper look
At faces that we love so dear
At babies nestled in arm's crook
At hugs, as we draw loved ones near
Because, beneath the part we see
Exists the Thing That Never Dies
The Cradle of Eternity
Has missing teeth and eager eyes 

...a-sparkle with dream-giddy stars
Where footsteps that dash wild and free
Are bearing a most sacred charge
The Cradle of Eternity
Because, the part that melts the heart
With the velocity/Curiosity of Youth 
Cradles the soul, that precious Part
That looks to us to teach/tell the Truth 

© Janet Martin

Eccles.12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
 before the days of trouble come 
and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them"—


I began the poem below yesterday...
Inspired in part by this passage
 (which also helped inspire the above poem) 

For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
 That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments;...

from this devotion...

from this book...


Before the poem was completed Eagerness arrived to steal the show with sweetness!

when Little Brother noticed Big Sister about to be the 'star',
he, ever-so-full-of -'innocent'-mischief did his thingπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‡

Can't you just about hear his very enthusiastic 'CHE-E-E-ESE!!'πŸ’–πŸ˜…

We still managed one without his shenanigans 
(that keep everyone laughing and pulling their hair out!πŸ˜‚πŸ˜…)


After they left, Gramma needed a nap before
heading out to above birthday celebration!


Today's most estimable part is valuable to know
Though its most vital works of art may never steal the show
It ought to stoke a lion’s roar in hearts of you and me
Because today swings wide the Door of Opportunity

Where what we do with what we have holds more than first appears
The impact of Now’s aftermath fills more than yesteryears
As repercussion of reply unravels in its wake
A footpath forged by you and I, for future feet to take

Today’s most estimable part is sacred to the touch
Though, at first glance its works of art may not appear as much
Beneath the part we see the root establishes the tree
That will, for good or ill, bear fruit for all eternity

Sometimes eternity can feel far off, and quite unreal
Sometimes Impulse can spar and scoff at God’s/time’s/love’s patient appeal
Sometimes, today’s most estimable gift, we hardly see
As God fills up the cup we lift with Opportunity

© Janet Martin

Let's not lose heart by dwelling on
 opportunities lost or missed
but seize the part we build upon;
Now
goodness-glossed and mercy-kissed

Monday, July 17, 2023

No Commonplace Charge (is parenting)

Baby is teething and objects loudly to being put down for long...
Mommy is so weary!πŸ™

...with these two to keep her on her toes (and knees) besides!

I am no longer parenting little children but
I am grand-parenting little children 
which makes the messages below very relevant to my season of life as well!

***

To leave children without principles is
not to make them free but it is to render them helpless





We have within our keeping a very precious charge
of innocence soon reaping the harvest of its guards
no commonplace appointing from God, is parenthood
a baby the anointing of wonder, pure and good 

we have within our caring, besides child's sweet delight
the onus of preparing the soul-dier for the fight
no commonplace employment is the call they bestow
far more than mere enjoyment of watching Soul-dier grow  

we have within our reaching (for such a little time)
wide flung windows of teaching far more than nursery rhyme 
no commonplace vocation to all whom God assigns
the careful cultivation of very tender vines

What a priceless investment; the training of a child
how soon the world's resistance tests with lures, lie-defiled
no commonplace endurance, a parent's prayers outpoured
For wisdom and assurance established in God's Word

we have within our asking a very present Aid
Who tenders with love's tasking, commands to be obeyed
For this is no small gracing, a child, innocence-wrought
But a Soul-dier soon facing life, armed with what was taught  

© Janet Martin
Link to all four messages in this series below




Thursday, March 30, 2023

Of Arms and Hearts (or, They Grow So Fast)

 It feels like we just did this but we did it again...celebrate granddaughter's birthday!!




They grow so fast we sigh, as seasons fly through arms and hearts
Where none can tame the twinkle in time’s eye or change its ways
The child soon tries its wings, tugging on strings that love imparts
While teaching us to treasure the fleet measure of Todays
For time is never idle; none can tame or bridle clocks
Childhood’s tower of make-believe soon tumbled by hard knocks

They grow so fast we cry, while milestones make us laugh and weep
Robbing us of ready reply when we try to explain
Love’s gladness that runs rife with sorrow for what none can keep
Where each wee babe soon tests the play of love’s parental rein
The brief heaven of innocence soon startled by a Voice
As the gavel of consequence falls on the heels of Choice

They grow so fast we say, and pray the Lord their souls to guard
With angel armies, for this world is full of deadly snares
Where soon our arms are lowered and the garden gate unbarred
And off they go; but never out of reach of tender prayers
Or the eternal cradle-dear, that no child can outgrow
The heart that keeps them near no matter where their feet may go

© Janet Martin 


Grand-daughter's 'prince' freeing the princess...


Found the sweet poem above in this book!








Thursday, March 9, 2023

They Talk About Mermaid Tattoos


Ending an era with this little gal today; 
she is soon to be a proud Big Sister
(She doesn't know that she is the latest owner of a piece of Janet's heartπŸ’–)


But oh, what a perfectly-precious farewell day
with two of my favorite little gal-palsπŸ’•


It doesn't look like it here but oh, the conversation...πŸ˜…πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—








They talk about Mermaid tattoos
And Minions Bubble-bath and things
Like, how when thoap getth in your eyeth/soap gets in your eyes
It ‘really-really-very-thtingth’ /stings
And nothing is impossible
In a world not yet four years old
Still oblivious to the pull
Of Bygone’s oceanic hold

Their dollies board yoga-mat ships
Where giggling captains shout ahoy
And take the silliest of trips
To snack-time’s high-five, five-star joy
While we find life a gladder charge
In the delightful company
Of Darling Innocence at large
And pure and precious as can be

How unaware-ly they arrange
A gallery of mementos
Where nothing in the world can change
The pictures that these halls enclose
While heartstrings twang and tangle, oh
Where hold-and-letting-go soft-spars
With laughter-spangles lilting glow
And a sweet blur of salty stars

They stir a thankful melody
For pink-frock perfect happiness
For little girls, still fancy-free
Where childhood is earth’s heaven-ness
Before the slick wink of an eye
That turns us into hoarder’s of
Artwork that money cannot buy
Masterpieces entitled 'Love'

© Janet Martin

This sunny-deck tea-party was not just to say farewell
but to honor a birthday girl as well!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Victoria!

The little girls watched as I wrapped Victoria's birthday gift!
Granddaughter was SO excited!!
I reminded them that it's a secret so don't tell her!!
and they gave me their solemn word
...until, over come with excitement for her auntie's birthday
Grand daughter blurted out
'you have a gift and it's your two favorite-est books!πŸ˜‚πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’



Thursday, March 2, 2023

Oh, So Precious Three-Year-Old



This is the best birthday ever, said Miss Delighted Almost-three-year-old, (tomorrow)
over and over, especially after Pink Donut was set before her!
Dolly is part of EVERYTHING we do!!😘



After she blew out the candles she sat and looked at it without touching it!
What are you waiting for, I asked, puzzled.
'for you to get a knife to cut it, so you can have some too!'
and once again this almost-three-year-old almost-angel
left me speechless with joyπŸ’πŸ’—

She: Would you like some tea?


Me: What kind is it?
She, without skipping a beat: Strawberry-bubblegum tea!
Me; Yum! I would love some!!πŸ˜‚πŸ’–


They drive us mildly wild with endless questionings of ‘why?’
While reviving the child in us that otherwise would die
A perfect mix of mischief and happy helper, so proud
They are so very darling and so very, very loud

They try last shreds of patience just before they melt our hearts
And make us cry with laughter at what innocence imparts
They teach us to look longer and walk slower than before
As we examine puddles, worms, bugs, leaves and so much more

They tug our hands and suddenly we feel so very small
Beside Pure Trust gazing up at us, not yet three feet tall
They steal our breath with sacred dues and aching happiness
And scatter in the wake of outgrown shoes, mess after mess

They sometimes make us wonder who is teaching who the most
While they serve cups of bubble-gum tea and marshmallow toast
They watch us closely, learning far, far more than they are told
My, how we love them; Sweet, smart, oh so precious three-years-old

© Janet Martin


Yesterday she served me a teeny-tiny cup of coffee
'You make the best coffee!" I said after a very noisy sip
'what do you put in it?!'
...and again, without a pause she answered
 'marshmallows!'πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚


Today's story...



Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Of Utmost Importance...


Anyone who is blessed with the company of children
in their day-to-day lives knows that much time is spent teaching and training!
Today's teaching moments at Janet's house included
how to crack peanuts from the shell...
(bite softly preferably with back teeth, to crack then pull apart with fingers)



how to hold on to the swing with arms when mittens are too poof-y or slippery


how to peel pomegranate...



how to draw a chicken...


how to take turns to help with the vacuuming...



The end goal of training children is a responsible, respectful adult.
The end 'goal' of an adult is ultimately,
 for better or worse, accountability to the Giver of life,
turning all training of all children into something with an eternal impact!

No wonder Solomon gives us this advice in Prov.22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.

How imperative it is then, 
to constantly reevaluate/reexamine 
our hopes and dreams,
to keep our priorities pure!

Four-season circuits wheel unfazed by centuries
Like chariots of gold and teal they pass through fields and trees...

Time tries our hopes and dreams
While from dawn’s lowered barge
God replenishes mercy-streams
Sufficient for the charge

…to keep, comfort and bless
With Shepherd’s staff and rod
All who seek first His righteousness
And the kingdom/sheepfold of God

Four-season circuits wheel
Unfazed by centuries
Like chariots of gold and teal/silk and steel
They pass through fields and trees

From east to west to east
A feast of shadows spills
Where want is a voracious beast
No fortune-flaunt fulfills

…while hopes and dreams arouse
A surf of smiles and tears
That roll where dust-to-dust soon bows
Beneath death’s wreath of years

How miniscule the stack
Of numbered days of man
That charge the barge that draws us back
To where we all began

How futile zeal defends
Life’s dream-bedazzled splash
If no hope at its halt transcends
Earth’s vault of dust and ash

© Janet Martin


Thursday, January 5, 2023

A Few of the Reasons Why I Love You

Happy 6th Birthday, Grandson!


Yesterday marked six years since Jim and I became grandparents!
(yes, the hockey game was on during the celebration!)πŸ˜…

When I was a little girl the high-light of turning six
was the dearly anticipated mommy-box 
(mommy pronounced with a short 'e' at the end:
    the word for 'gramma' in Pennsylvania-Dutch) 
I decided to surprise Grand-sonny and start the tradition too.
Now his sister will have the joy of the anticipation! 
A momme-box consists of a calendar-picture-pasted box
(like a shoe-box)
filled with treasures hidden in popcorn!




The inside also holds nuggets of wisdom and treasures from God's Word!
(bigger version of writing at the bottom of this post)



Sister was DELIGHTED... a treasure with her name on itπŸ’


Baby Brother had no idea what was going on but it sounded fun so he joined in the joy too😘


I love you little lambkin with a sparkle in your eye
Or tell me, did a cherub softly flutter from the sky
To burst our hearts with happiness and remind us once more
As long as there are babies, life is worth the living for

I love you little tot with crinkled, freckle-sprinkled nose
As curious as a puppy and as pretty as a rose
A perfect blend of innocence with mischief woven through
To remind us, where there are tots, there’s lots of laughter (and hair-pulling groans) too

I love you little girl and boy eager to learn to fly
You startle love’s parental joy with discipline’s oh-my
Teaching mommy and daddy to talk to God every day
(Because)
As long as there are children there will be reason to pray

© Janet Martin


Below are a few pictures of my momme-box
(Long time readers of this blog have seen it before but not for a while)
received on June 7th, 1972
With a few treasures that came in it...