Showing posts with label dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dad. Show all posts

Sunday, August 29, 2021

This Little Bit of Time We Have...


Last Sunday we celebrated today's milestone,
Dad's 80th birthday!

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad


To us, much or somewhat younger, 80 years seems like a long time,
but it's a blip on time's screen, isn't it?!

Before refreshments we had an opportunity to share memories and words of appreciation.
Lots of laughter and a few tears too.
 

The verse below stands out as one my dad strove to live by, 
(and a few mentioned their thankfulness for his kind and wholesome habit of speech.)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Eph.4:29

The memories re-impressed on me
the little bit of Time we have in light of eternity
no matter how long/short life is!


This little bit of Time we have 
before Soul’s husk falls to the grave
Compels us to fine-tune want’s quest 
and strive to give each day our best
For it will not be long until 
the shoes we leave behind to fill
Will be worn by feet still so small, 
while we go on to That Last Call

Then, with this bit of time life grants 
we do not want to leave to chance
The calling and election of 
what soon is stripped of mortal glove
But pray each day, God will equip 
us with tools for good stewardship
His Word directs and edifies 
to feed the soul that never dies

His grace forgives, His love sustains 
us through whatever time remains
He helps us do the best we can 
to love Him first, then fellowman
So, someday when this race is run, 
we’ll hear hope’s glorious crown ‘well done!’
Where, when time’s veil is rent, we’ll see 
intangible eternity

© Janet Martin

On behalf of the whole family I also shared this poem My Dad
 written a few months ago but saved to share with him till this celebration.

 We also sang one of his favourite songs; 


Sunday, June 20, 2021

My Dad


Happy Father's Day!

Dad in his woodworking-shop...



His love for God and family and fellowman shines through
His unspoken humility and reverent point of view
His sense of humour quick yet kind, not off-colour or mean
Where God’s Word feeds and fills his mind to keep his conscience keen

Father of ten and yet again, it seems like so much more
Blessed by beloved grand-children and great-grandchildren galore
Hard-working and hard-praying, his hallmark of workworn hands
Committed to obeying His Father in Heav’ns commands

His words worth listening to because his speech is not idle
But in sincerity and truth he draws from wisdom’s well
With honour to the One who makes his love and laughter glad
Each one of his ten children are so proud to call him Dad

The older that he gets the older turns his darling brood
And we begin to cherish him with deeper gratitude
For his faithful example; so we work hard and we pray
For our dear dad (and mom), God's keeping, each and every day

For generations yet to come, with shepherd's staff and rod
He seeks first the kingdom that leads to, not from Holy God
He teaches us to keep in mind the footsteps that we spawn
Where precious souls follow behind long after we are gone
 

© Janet Martin


Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’

Psalms 127:3-5 - 
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. 
They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Daddies Of Laddies and Little Girls....

  Is that one the bull, daddy?
This poem started 'percolating' yesterday morning
when I went to a neighboring farm for eggs.
 It appeared they were sold out when Farmer came out of the house
(with a little lad tightly at his heels)
offering to take my egg bowl and fill it from the barn...


...then I stopped by a local roadside stand to pick up some fresh baking
and another dad and his son were splitting wood together...


(the above roadside stand is open for the summer at 7123 Wellington Cty. Rd. 12
Friday and Sat. from 7:30a.m. till 8:00 p.m)


...then in the evening I caught of few precious shots of
Son-in-law explaining many 'why daddy'  things to his son 
such as 'the purpose of the bull is to make cows have baby calves'
how, daddy?...?...?

Happy Father's Day and thank-you to all dads
whatever stage of 'dadding' you are in ...


Oh, what a gift to have a dad who shows the kind of love
We tenderly envision from our Father up above

The dad of lad or little girl has quite a sacred role
Breadwinner for the body and the shepherd for the soul

Those small fellows that follow on the heels of daddies dear
Will soon reflect dear daddy by what laddies see and hear

God bless the dad who gives his all to try diligently
To be the kind of man he hopes his son turns out to be

…and be the kind of man he hopes in some sweet-dreaded ‘glim’
Will sweep his daughter of her feet because he is like him

God bless the dad of lad or little girl and gently guide
And grant them strength and wisdom for all that dads must provide

© Janet Martin

Thursday, May 30, 2019

If Your Son Was A Chip Off The Old Block




If your son was a chip off the old block
And followed the footsteps you laid
Would we know, would it show that he loved God
By laws he revered and obeyed

Would we see him reach for his Bible?
To look to his Father above
For life’s daily guidance and counsel
Would we see God’s light in his love

If your son was a chip off the old block
Inheriting more than your name
Would it make you humbly thankful?
Or sorrowfully fill you with shame

Would he be a man among men, sir?
Or ever remain just a boy
Would he, in his speech and his manner
Fulfill a father’s pride and joy

Would he be master of his vices
As he mirrors more than your face
Would he, by his words and his choices
Make this world a better place?

And, if as time passed, folk would mention
How much he is just like his dad
If your son was a chip off the old block
Would this make you happy or sad?

© Janet Martin


 
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Prov.10:1
A wise son maketh a glad father:

Sunday, June 17, 2018

We Are So Glad For Dads...

Happy Father's Day!



We are so glad for dads who teach lads how to hit a ball
Who kindly sit a bit and listen to some childish wish
Who pause in spite of work because they love more than its call
Who sit on docks or riverbanks to thank the Lord…and fish

We are so glad for dads who try so hard to do their best
To guide, correct, provide, protect; an unrelenting Must
A man who realizes the significance of steps
How little feet that follow need somebody they can trust

We are so glad for dads who take the time to laugh and tease
And listen to small chatter of matters tall and dream-wild
And dads who bounce their baby boys and girls upon their knees
Because they know how swift the ease of moments steals the child  

We are so glad for dads who get down on their knees and pray
And ask their Father for direction in a world gone mad
Lest, God forbid, they are the feet that leads a child astray
We are so glad for men who make us proud to call them Dad

© Janet Martin
 



A letter from a father to his sons...

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

continued here
and here
and here

Sunday, June 18, 2017

We Thank You, Dads...



Happy Father's Day to all the Dads of the world...
What an undertaking you have; the training up of a child


It's sweet, watching our son-in-law be 'daddy'!


Praying for all dads and God bless those who look to a higher Abba to lead them


For learning how to laugh and joke
And seek life’s greater good
As you shoulder the salient yoke
Of tender fatherhood

For letting go of dreamer's quest
To tie a tiny shoe
To recognize that living’s best
Is looking up to you

For giving with nothing to boast
But little hands to hold
Because, what a small child needs most
Cannot be bought or sold

For balancing check-books and chores
And learning to love noise
For many interrupted snores
By doors and girls and boys

In place of freedom, love’s sweet bond
The bliss when baby smiled
In place of fantastical Want
Practical need of child

For sacrifices overlooked
And underpaid, for debt
That trains the heart, oft overbooked
To trust God for The Yet

For all the second miles you trod
To make a wee one glad
We ask strength and blessing from God
And deeply thank you, Dad

© Janet Martin

 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Prov.22:6 

So thankful for my dad, a humble role model to a family of ten 'youngsters' :)


‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

Num.6:24-26