Honorable Opportunist

 It's one of those mornings where everything felt a little heavier than I wished it did...

so I'm taking this as my verse for the day;

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, 

but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

 Each of you should look not only to your own interests,  

but also to the interests of others.

Phil.2:3-4 

 Happy March 1st!!

Two years ago we were recovering from an ice-storm.

No matter what this day may hold

Lord, let me take its gray or gold

And turn each opportunity

Into love’s kind humility

…let me with honor recognize

The gift that in each moment lies

And always bear in mind this thought

To be faithful, whate'er my lot

…no matter what this day may bring

Soon comes dusk’s gentle severing

Then let me seek with humble heart

To kindly, meekly do my part

…to take this day, You, Lord, have lent

And make the most of each moment

To turn its gift of grace into

A hymn of thankful praise to You

…and always keep this goal in mind

To be generous, patient, kind

Not for the sake of vanity

But oh, my Lord, to honor Thee

Your death upon a cross for all
Makes worthy life's most common call
Then may Your love that sets man free
Be ever reflected through me

© Janet Martin

This morning seems mild as a lamb but there is rumblings of a lion waiting to roar...

Lay of Day-to-Day...and 11mo. grand-baby pics:)

It lolls in bowls of farm-fresh eggs

Or apples sliced for sauce

It hums its hymns in leafless limbs

Stripped of glossy green floss

It hugs with mugs of coffee, tea

It anchors hope in prayer

It wanders through dusk’s yonder blue

Where starlight spins a stair

It tilts our heads to catch the lilt

Of little baby-coo

It turns our hearts to works of art

With wonder ever new

It wakes within an aching sob

That love alone inspires

Spaghetti-pots, forget-me-not

Can kindle holy fires

It draws, with laws of letting go

Keenness to what we hold

It slides sock feet across a street

Of Bygone’s tempered gold

It chases grace across a sky

Soon snuffed of afternoon

Come darling, let’s forget to fret

Let’s lick the mixing-spoon

…it employs joy in scattered toys

Where girls and boys play, roam

It is the lay of day-to-day

And precious home sweet home

© Janet Martin

...and grandson is 11 mos.!!!

this last photo stirred the song below in my heart

 

Good-bye Forever...

I would love you longer

But time must have its say

It steals you from my grasp and turns you

Into yesterday

Sometimes I overlook you

In living’s to and fro

Until the hour took you, love

Where I can never go

Forgive my jolly folly

While you are sweet and kind

I, footloose, dance upon a path

We always leave behind

And on those bluer days, love

I start to realize

How often you have come to be

Life’s beautiful surprise

…and I would love your longer

But Time seems to deem fit

To always whisk you from my arms

After we dance a bit

Goodnight and fare thee well, love

We will not meet again

But thank-you for the sweet sorrow

That comes with parting’s pain

© Janet Martin

Ongoing Objective...

 Gorgeous awning opens new day...

Each day we live we ought to give

In all we do with all we have

The best we can where test and plan

Go hand in hand into the grave

Each day we wake we ought to take

This gift that pours from Mercy’s Grail

Remembering in everything

God’s Love allows, He will not fail

Each day we face is by God’s grace

Not one escapes his tender view

Then pray that we live heedfully

In all we say and all we do

For each new day that comes our way

In all we cannot know, we know

This is the day the Lord has made

And by His Providence we go

© Janet Martin

“No children today so I need to make this day count”, 

I remarked to Victoria as I surveyed a mental to-do list.

I was sharply rebuked by my words before they were out of my mouth.

Pray we strive to make every day count for each day is a gracious gift from God!