The Other Side of Hug-and-Kiss...

There is only one way to remain grounded in Things Above; in the unseen...

by seeking faithfully to be found faithful!

Remembering the reward for faithfulness is veiled on earth...

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

James 1:25

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom,

 and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—

he will be blessed in what he does.

Matthew 25:21

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! 

You have been faithful with a few things;

 I will put you in charge of many things. 

Enter into the joy of your master!’

Faithfulness is like our 'marriage vow' to God,

forsaking all others, as long as we live,

 in the matter of fidelity and allegiance to Him

with love second to none

because we have resolved All For Christ!

Just as in earthly marriage as time goes by 

and human nature rears its unlovely head,

 we don't always 'feel' the passion

and excitement as in the beginning, 

but pray it is replaced with

a deeper, matured awareness that faithfulness

must/will weather the highs and lows that are bound to be,

'Well done, Thou good and faithful servant' 

is no small fete to win.

It requires daily surrender to our Heavenly Father,

our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,

and to the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer.

Faithfulness forgives and accepts forgiveness.

Faithfulness is a firm and humble obedience,

a penitent repentance when we stumble/sin,

a modest presentation of Self,

so we may give God the glory

for making possible the boast

of our salvation. 

***

Today we are attending the wedding of my niece

and we will witness the vows they make;

'till death do us part'

We will hear them speak before God

the words that bind two into one;

Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

Therefore what God has joined together, 

let man not separate.”

A wedding day is a day of joy and celebration and grave solemnity

as vows made on earth are sealed in heaven.

It is no laughing matter, This

The other side of hug-and-kiss

Of being true no matter what

When tempted to undo love's knot

Love's vows are not of fickle font

But transcend every wish and want

Because these words, 'till death doth part'

Are etched forever on God's heart

When hug and kiss is interspersed

With human foible's selfish worst

Startled, we start to humbly learn

Faithfulness grants no quick return

...but refines rose-coloured romance

With love, that would not stand a chance

Without steadfast commitment to

He who made us 'no longer two'

'A three-strand cord is hard to break'

'Love bears all things' love's highest stake

With God 'all things' are possible

Without, love is soon miserable

For self times two is not enough

To satisfy the ways of love

How harsh is disillusioned bliss;

The other side of hug-and-kiss

But oh, how lovely in return

Is love that is willing to learn

And learn again, the meaning of

A patient, kind and faithful love

For tis no laughing matter; this

The other/weathered side of hug-and-kiss

But is, when all is done and told

Life's greatest beauty to behold

...as the covenant of 'I do'

Remembers, one cannot be two

When faithfulness seeks no excuse

To sever what no man can loose

© Janet Martin

For those who are seeking truth

and maybe reasons to re-resolve to remain faithful

first and foremost to God, some helpful links below

 Dr. Joseph Webb on the truth about I Do, based on God's Word!

Why talk about divorce and remarriage in the Church Part 1, 

Can the blood of Jesus cover over my past divorce so I can remarry? Part 2

Whose servant is your pastor? Part 3

Pastors: please watch your doctrine on divorce and remarriage Part 4

Teach the truth on divorce and remarriage Part 5

Divorce and remarriage: what's your church teaching? Part 6

If I repented from having had a divorce, can the blood of Jesus cover me so I can remarry? Part 7

Are all second marriages after divorce adultery? Part 8

Can divorced and remarried couples In the Church serve God too? Part 9

Can divorced and remarried couples in the Church be believers too? Part 10

Can Christian divorced and remarried couples love Jesus too? Part 11

What repentance is and the mess of divorce and remarriage In the Church Part 12 

Christian divorced and remarried couples In the Church Part 13

If my spouse left me, why Should I Stay Single? Part 14

more HERE or HERE 

or more from Dr. Joseph Webb  HERE 

or this;

What Makes a Marriage Legal in the Sight of God 

Is my first marriage still standing even if I was not a Christian then?

I got a divorce and remarried all before coming to faith in Christ

I'm a Christian Divorced and married, am I living in adultery?

My first marriage ended; now I'm divorced but I'd to marry a godly Christian

Divorce and Remarriage and the Cost of Following Christ

Till Death Doth Part Is Not Word-art...

Mark 10:7-9

 7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother

 and be united to his wife,

c 8and the two will become one flesh.’d 

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9Therefore what God has joined together, 

let man not separate.”

For all who are married

 or thinking of marriage,

or thinking of ending a marriage,

something to consider/ponder...

What God has joined 💕💗

He will sustain

through ups and downs of love

'as long as both shall live' remain

He will His witness prove...

No, not our anniversary,

no, no wedding today

Just pondering the inescapable,

exhaustless common ground

 of love

Before any marriage fails

a friendship fails first.

May this year be filled with

refreshed and restored friendships!! 

🙏🙏🙏

God will not fail

all who humbly and sincerely

ask Him for help and wisdom.

Till death doth part is not word-art by signatures undone

Love's solemn vow does not somehow recant as time goes by

These words 'I do' are woven through God's hands; two become one

A covenanted knot, God-wrought, only death can untie 

Husband and Wife are thus, for life; marriage, a Mystery

Where what was two with this 'I do' is transformed into one 

And no rebate can separate the sacred filigree

As vows of love are sealed above, only by death undone 

For better-worse is not a curse but a glimpse of God's heart

To have and hold while dreams unfold much to learn and forgive

 And keep the vow no matter how many urge 'one' to part 

Airing 'just cause' as if this was mankind's prerogative 

We are not God; and too oft awed by what is not Enough

Like pride of life, or selfish strife or trusting mortal ken 

God's word is true; He helps us through the thick and thin of love

Till death doth part is not word art, but God with us. Amen 

© Janet Martin

Love, Far More Than It Appears...

Jim and I are celebrating 36 years of wedded bliss today!

Some days more blissful than others, for such is love and life...

It may appear quite commonplace; The love between husband and wife

As, for better or worse, we face/brace and share the highs and lows of life

Where workaday and give-and-take and find-a-way to get along

Is not always a piece of cake to keep love patient, kind and strong

Love, as it weathers smiles and tears of ‘what God joins till death doth part’

Is always more than it appears, and never for the faint of heart

For no matter how old or young or very much in love we are

Sometimes we do not bite our tongue, sometimes diff’ring opinions spar

Love is life’s very complex Best; so bitter-sweet, so wonder-full,

So rife with changes bound to test perspective with its push and pull

But, pray we tenderly revere Now-and-Here’s opportunity

For no one knows how far or near till farewell’s somber certainty

How graciously God’s goodness grants fresh chances as we live and learn

For every single circumstance love guarantees a rich return

And, though it may look commonplace, love is far more than it appears

It is a gift that, by God’s grace, grows dearer with the passing years

Heart throb, heartbreak; the stakes of love are very sacred and severe 

The pinnacle of perfect joy and tender trove of grief-borne tear 

Where we can never tell what waits to try the waning ties that bind

Around God's fingers as the days and years softly, surely unwind 

How often, unexpectedly, Death reaches in to claim its prey

How often then, more reverently we vow to treasure every day

And cherish the familiar face of still-present husband or wife

And prize what appears commonplace, but is the very best of life

A wedding anniversary is never commonplace, my dear 

It is the evidence that 'we' have weathered one more God-lent year

It is a celebration of the highs and lows love has withstood

Not by ourselves, but by the love of God who is faithful and good 

© Janet Martin

Yes, Love often appears quite commonplace... whether it's

Hubby's hearty swig from Wife's morning coffee

(because its the perfect temperature!)

or,

Hubby's 'toss his hat whither-so-ever it lands' except the hooks inside the door,

quite indifferent to Wife's 'evil eye' 😛😂😅

...and SO many things that Wife does and drives Husband batty,

Long stories, too many bunny trails, 😅

(but I've wondered why he cares when it clearly seems he often

  isn't listening in the first place) 😂

Always poetry waiting to be written...

Forgetting to pay bills on time...OOPS!! 

Ain't love grand?!!

Mark 10:7-9

7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother 

and be united to his wife,c

8and the two will become one flesh.’d 

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

9Therefore what God has joined together, 

let man not separate.”

Marriage (Is a Lifelong Unfolding)

It's really hard to believe that it's ten years!

Happy 10th Anniversary! 

May God bless you with many more happy, faithful years of marriage!

10 years later...

(photo credit to a photographer in Nova Scotia)

Everyone who is married knows 

that although wedding celebrations and congratulations are very special, 

Anniversary congratulations are ever-the-more so,

 having experienced, by the grace of God what it takes to fulfill marriage vows,

(especially as parenting-challenges are added🙏💝😍)

Marriage is a lifelong learning 

about highs and lows of love

A lifetime of no returning 

to a world of ‘I’ and ‘me’

From the moment vows are spoken 

and recorded up above

Only by death’s parting broken, 

marriage is a life of ‘we’

Marriage, is God’s holy knitting 

together of two to one

A lifetime of recommitting 

to be each other’s best friend

For this is no small endeavor, 

on a Wedding Day begun

Because marriage is forever; 

love, a student to the end

Marriage is full of surprises; 

'no dreamer’s dream long intact

Love’s politest of disguises 

soon faces reality

Testing Best of expectation

 with age-old matters of fact

Teaching stubborn indignation 

lessons in humility

Marriage is a bit like weather, 

some days full of smiles, sun-warm

Laughter finesses the tether 

that feels far too fine to break

But some days are dark with thunder, 

some days love must brave a storm

Some days love may dare to wonder 

if marriage was a mistake

But what God has joined together,

 by His grace He will sustain

Day by day, just like the weather, 

marriage weathers highs and lows

As love learns to say ‘I’m sorry’, 

faithful through both sun and rain

God is unfolding the glory 

of a very priceless Rose

© Janet Martin

Mark 10:9

Therefore what God has joined together,

 let no one separate.”

The Rose- Conway Twitty

Of Unbroken Marriage Vows

Today is my parent's 60th Wedding Anniversary...

On Saturday Mom and Dad, along with all children and spouses

enjoyed a day of celebration of God's goodness,

in the blessing of the milestone of 60 years of marriage!

And no, the waters have not always been calm and sun-sparkled!

They have weathered many a self-sacrificing storm.

Happy 60th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

So thankful for you!

No beauty in the world compares to love that stands the test of time

A yoke weathered by creature cares through vows uttered in youth’s green prime

Where none, as God joins heart to heart, with love’s solemn ‘from this day forth’

Can know how far ‘till death doth part’ will undo Heaven’s best on earth

For, when love is patient and kind, and when it does not seek its own

There is nothing that we can find worth more (save faith’s sound Cornerstone)

To ground love’s house built on the Rock, an anchor for the storms we face

To help us in our walk and talk to be examples of God’s grace

For it is by His grace love bears and believes and endures all things

A Threefold Cord; nothing compares to the strength this awareness brings

Where, by the mystery of God two become one, till death doth part

Let not man put asunder what marriage vows have joined, heart to heart

For nothing in the world compares to love that withstands living’s test

A recompense of humble prayers, of lessons learned through forgiveness

To bring honor and glory to He who is a most faithful Friend

And helps Husband and Wife to be loving and faithful to the end

Dear Mom and Dad…

God, bless and keep, protect and guide you on this special day, and then

From this day forth may He provide love and faith’s sacred need, amen

Where, though much in this world is broken, may what time weathers and bows

By God’s grace be love’s faithful token of Unbroken Marriage Vows

© Janet Martin

Num.6:24-26

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

It's Not Fancy, Love's Commitment

Marriage; that 'till death do us part' commitment

...that 'what God has joined together let no one put asunder' undertaking

...that 'for better or worse' that's bound to try even the starriest eyes 

Marriage; that union no love is ever fully prepared for

Today Jim and I, by the grace of God

 celebrate 35 years of marriage

it's not fancy, love's commitment

keeping kindness on its toes

learning how to be more patient

rather than wield verbal blows

learning to weather together

what could well draw us apart

when differences strain the tether

that has knit us heart to heart 

it's not fancy, love in action

testing more than how one feels

 about the truth of attraction

after first love cools its heels

its a digging in together

so we do not drift apart

in our promise of 'forever'

love; not for the faint of heart

it's not fancy, love's meek glory

tempered by both smile and tear

it's as simple as 'I'm sorry'

**(it's as hard as this, my dear)

it's a bittersweet commitment

bringing out our worst and best

as we stick to the fulfillment

of  vows human natures test

it's not fancy, being faithful

being gentle, being strong

being unselfish and grateful

 helping each other along

following Jesus example

of a sacrificial life

it's not fancy, love's wonder-full

journey as husband and wife 

💖💖💖

Janet Martin

As life writes our love stories,

as years fall behind us so swiftly

faithful love of husband and wife reaps a harvest

so worth the effort.

and it's not fancy,

or glamourous,

(for by now we've both too often stumbled

and been soundly humbled) 

until all that is left to exclaim is

'thank-you God' for your faithfulness

making possible ours!

...and through it all we marvel at how love

doesn't look anything like we once envisioned, but the more beautiful

because of its weathering!

When we get to those seasons in marriage when we're sure it's not going to work,

it is vital we pray to God for His faithfulness to see us through,

to help us remain faithful to the vows we made before Him!

Nobody has a successful marriage because it is easy.

Faithfulness happens day by day...

the other day on Ann Voskamp's blog

this beautiful guest post!!

Day-to-Day Grace for your Marriage

Psalm 25:4

(a good prayer for marriage)

Show me your way, O Lord,

teach me your path.

** and a genuine 'I'm sorry' is not

"I'm sorry that you feel that I should be sorry for something

that I feel I don't need to be sorry for!!"😅

One of my fav love songs!

The Rose

Of Unrelenting Honor & By The Grace of God

Therefore, what God has joined together

let not man put asunder.

Mark 10:9

The above words grow more solemn as the years pass.

I've seen God tug the tie many times,

and I have seen man attempt to do it

leaving heartbreak harsher than

the sorrow of death in it's wake...

Today, but by God's grace

 Jim and I celebrate 34 years of marriage.

Because 'love is a many-splendored thing'

It's a two-poem celebration😅💕

Counting dating years we've been together for 40 roller-coaster years!

I'm playing a few of our favorite love songs today

Hello Love, Hank Snow

 

I'd Love You All Over Again- Alan Jackson

Of Unrelenting Honor...

Of cares weathered together

Of vows highly esteemed

Of tests to ‘I do’s’ tether

In ways we never dreamed

Of constant, sacred learning

Of faithfulness, because

There can be no returning

To life the way it was

Of compassionate living

And in ire’s pricks and stings

Of merciful forgiving

Because love bears all things

Of being understanding

When we don’t understand

Not selfishly demanding

To force the other’s hand

Of praying without ceasing

To be humble in heart

For there is no releasing

This pledge ‘ till death do part’

To be best friends forever

And never say, ‘I’m done’

When Satan tries to sever

The cord that makes two, one

Of sharing pain and pleasure

Committed to love’s vows

Of treasuring the measure

Of all God’s grace allows

And, whatever betide us

Of hilltop or of vale

Of asking Him to guide us

So, love will never fail

Of critique left unspoken

Of unuttered lament

Lest blame becomes love’s token

Rather than compliment

Of choosing to be grateful

Of laughing till we cry

Of fighting to be faithful

Until God pulls the tie

Of unrelenting honor

For love is like a cup

That always needs another 

...self cannot fill it up 

Let's fill it with an ocean

And in its pouring prove

With beholden devotion 

The greatest of these; love

© Janet Martin

But By the Grace of God (till death do part)

Not counting all the times, we didn’t see quite eye to eye

When your druthers and mine were like December meets July

When opposites that once seemed so attractive start to irk

As we reevaluate what it takes to make ‘us’ work

Not counting all the days when love's 'tone' was misunderstood

And we did not respond in ways like two grown adults should

When we behaved like rivals rather than husband and wife

I’d say we are exceptional at rocking married life

Not counting all the rules that unschooled mid-life love ignores

Until our tempers cool, no longer fooled by lion-roars/'winning' scores

I’d say in spite of all the times we bite instead of kiss

That you and I are prime examples of sweet, wedded bliss

I hope that life becomes a 'losing track of years' because

Of moment-thrum's momentous sums; the love-story of 'us'

Where, in spite of those times we blush some sad excuse to fend

We'll look back on a life of 'us'; love, faithful to the end

© Janet Martin

But By The Grace of God (til death doth part)

Poem-a-day challenge day 12:write a counting poem and/or not counting poem.

Not counting all the times, we didn’t see quite eye to eye

When your druthers and mine were like December meets July

When opposites that once seemed so attractive start to irk

As we reevaluate what it takes to make ‘us’ work

Not counting all the days when love's 'tone' was misunderstood

And we did not respond in ways like two grown adults should

When we behaved like rivals rather than husband and wife

I’d say we are exceptional at rocking married life

Not counting all the rules that unschooled mid-life love ignores

Until our tempers cool, no longer fooled by lion-roars/'winning' scores

I’d say in spite of all the times we bite instead of kiss

That you and I are prime examples of sweet, wedded bliss

I hope that life becomes a 'losing track of years' because

Of moment-thrum's momentous sums; the love-story of 'us'

Where, in spite of those times we blush some sad excuse to fend

We'll look back on a life of 'us'; love, faithful to the end

© Janet Martin

That's Marriage, Ladies and Gentlemen

 Celebrating thirty-three years of 'us'!

Photo credit: Brittany Ruppert

 

Just now...phone rings (9:30 p.m.)

Me; Hello?

Him; what are you doing? Why haven't you called yet?

Me; I'm trying to finish writing something for our thirty-third anniversary.

but WOW, it's really hard work at night with an old, tired head...

Him; oh good! I thought maybe you weren't going to do one this year!

Yes, he looks forward to seeing a daily blog-post even if he is not really a fan of poetry

(Jim, for those who don't know us is a truck-driver)

Knowing he appreciates it always helps to motivate me to at least try

 on days when it's really hard to squeeze it in...

(first stanza is inspired by a scene last Friday

and every. single. other. niece or nephew wedding. ever.!!!!)😅

We’re getting pretty good at it, he and I

I button his shirt while he fixes his tie

He steps into shoes I have placed at his feet

‘Getting ready for a wedding’ just hit repeat

Because for some reason there is always a delay

Come date-to-be-home-for-someone’s-wedding-day

He calls from the truck ‘run the water, dear

If you give me five minutes, we should be near-

Ly ready to go (wedding starts in ten)

That’s marriage, ladies and gentlemen

‘For better or worse’ no matter what shape or size

Something will shadow/shatter the stars in love’s eyes

Sooner or later, we are bound to find out

What marriage vows are really all about

After the honeymoon (or on it?) when patience is tried

When love startles us with its less polished side

When words are tested with mettle of will

When love seems lacking its fire and thrill

It’s time to make time for each other again

That’s marriage, ladies and gentlemen

This is forever, ‘till death do us part’

Where no one can sever what God joins in heart

For as we commit to be faithful and true

He ties a knot only He can undo

To love and to cherish, a most sacred oath

That takes the full faith and commitment of both

And trusting that what we will need, God will give

In keeping our promise as long as we live

As we renew love’s vows again and again

That’s marriage, ladies and gentlemen

© Janet Martin

I made the poster below when I was 16 or 17.

 (yeah, we were young 'uns when we started)

See our names down the side???😍

 

The Ten Commandments for Married Couples 

was given to us on our 10th Anniversary from my parents

Even If...

'We give relationships our best efforts because we love the Lord.'

Bible Love Notes

...and that's the crucial element; if/because we love the Lord! 

It/He helps us forgive even when it seems it doesn't change anything.

When we put Love/God first it changes everything!

First and foremost, our focus.

Wow!

Today's Bible Love Notes Devotion

seemed to speak directly to me,

feeling a little/ a lot guilty at my less than loving response

to someone this morning which set the fur flying

(I won't bore you with all the juicy, dirty details)😁

and while we did sincerely apologize

for losing our 'cool', two people in their mid-fifties

are not miraculously changed just because we say

"I should not have said what I did, I'm sorry, (but)" 

But, by the time we reach our mid-fifties

 we also realize how vital reconciliation is!

(I'm sorry without the 'but'!!)

On this blog I try to keep life and love real!

Love is hard, often hidden work, but

vital work, so worth the effort, 

because it affects so many more people

than just ourselves!

So, by God's grace we forgive

and try again...

CityAlight-Grace

So, here's to love, even if...

Even if we feel neglected,

rejected, 

misunderstood

Love is patient

kind and gentle

Not angry,

vengeful

or rude

Even if, when disappointed

by the twists 

and turns

of life

Love protects,

considers others

does not wield

a verbal 

knife (oops!!)

Even if, we feel that our

frustration

is justified

Love requires

meek repentance

of self-serving

stubborn pride

Even if it feels lopsided;

 scales of loving's

give and take

Love respects,

lest we,

misguided, think

Self is love's

highest stake 

Even if we lose our tempers/mercy

Love apologizes,

then

Prays when he/she

pushes our buttons

we learn how to

count to ten

😏😓😊

and try, and try

and try again

Janet Martin~

Love never quits

Love never fails

1 Cor.13:8

Speaking of pushing buttons...

If we were push-button machines

we could 'order-up'

and all would be well

in Love of Self's little world...

but, since we are people

for better or worse

feelings and opinions come into play

and our only saving grace is,

'if we love the Lord'

If we don't then long-term 

happy, healthy relationships

are hard! 

...even if for just a bit

we want to sit and

nurse

'poor me'

Love makes us strong 

enough

to get up

and serve

with humility

Love is patient, 

love is kind...

1 Cor.13:4

Let's Leave Allowances (for a miracle!)

Due to the explanation here (Poem Tango) I am extending (Love willing)

  the lease on love poetry,

because after all is said and done/won

Love is poetry clamouring to be written!💗😊

This poem applies to marriage or

Love's Common Carriage called 'us'

"Let's keep in mind, storms never stay

the sun will shine again..."

Last week's sunshine-soak-spot😀

(side note; looks like our snow dugout in the background needs digging out!)

Weather is one way of reminding us how swiftly life's landscape can change,

and the only abiding Anchor is Love!

Let’s leave allowances, my love, for fumbles, slips and such 

And smooth out shouted wrinkles with a kinder kind of touch 

Let’s be good friends and not give up where cups of grace ran dry 

Let’s weather life together and give love another try 

Let’s be to one another what we wish others to be 

The golden rule is not a rubric of antiquity 

But is a foolproof principle for people, young and old 

And able to work wonders in a badly broken mold/world 

Let's keep in mind storms never stay, the sun will shine again

Let's not get so caught in the moment we forget the 'Then'

As much as we are able let's soften often harsh tones

And prove that we are grateful by not hurling verbal stones

Let’s forgive one another and release the bitter grudge 

Let love be of sound judgment, then, not quite so quick to judge 

What good is pointing fingers when we all bear part of blame 

Let’s remember Life’s Author and the love from whence we came 

…and leave allowances because we are all learning still 

Then let’s love one another on life’s road, often uphill 

Instead of clenching angry fists let’s join our hands until 

The love of God has worked in us His greatest miracle 

© Janet Martin 

Heb.13:1 NKJV

Let brotherly love continue

or NIV

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters..

Let's Not Keep Love A Secret

The worst secret to keep

is our struggles in love!

'Because love is the fight of all fights, all right'!!

And its success depends on you and me

Yesterday's Post, Betrayal, The Chief of Grief

 has hit closer to home in the past year than ever before

Making me wonder perhaps if we should be better acquainted

with Love Himself!

Photo below taken a year ago when life was still 'normal'

(this would be our annual getaway weekend)

I will be the first to admit I/Jim and I could plaster a massive wall with mistakes made,

and mementos of 'failure' BUT we commit to never quit forgiving each other

to keep our marriage vows and remain faithful to the finish!

Maybe all women should be asking this poem of our Lifelong-Love-to-be

Love flows like fire in a pen 

It tugs heartstrings with mute amen 

Where farewell often steals the show 

And love must learn how to let go 

While ever honing the fine art 

Of keeping motive pure in heart 

Love is more than ‘my happiness’ 

Or a costume worn to impress 

Love suffers much and bears in mind 

That to be strong love must be kind 

It does not harbour for itself 

Some idol on a secret shelf 

Love is a weapon and a shield 

A mountain and an open field 

It weathers, tethers and equips 

With iron will, and gentle lips 

And in its sacred ties that bind 

We leave words like ‘my, me’ behind 

Love intertwines with its cohort 

For love is not a solo-sport 

But cleaves to its betrothed ally 

To keep vigil with watchful eye 

For when love lets its guard grow lax 

It invites enemy attacks 

Love seems to be the favoured prey 

Of dreams and lies and cunning sway 

Then our greatest goal should be 

To protect it ferociously 

And defend love’s holy ought 

Lest we fail it, for love does not 

Love is far more than meets the gaze 

Of those who wonder at its ways 

Love is a front-line, prayer-immersed 

The aftermath of ‘others first’ 

It does not covet, does not steal 

It does not trust the dust of ‘feel’ 

Love is a God-begotten tryst 

Without Him, love does not exist 

For God is love, in Him we trust 

All else is hate’s accomplice; lust 

And whether we believe or not 

All who have loved have witnessed God 

Love never fails; lust desecrates 

What havoc Selfish Yes creates 

When it is seduced by the lies 

That masquerade as love’s disguise 

Behooving us to reassess 

Who and what brings True Happiness 

Darling, let’s commit to the fight 

For This is what love is, all right 

White knuckled grit to hold on so 

While we submit to letting go

Of all that does not benefit 

Love’s long and short and whole of it 

Love has no trophy wall or shelf 

It never succeeds by itself 

But exceeds all else, above all 

Though its accolades may seem small 

When weighed with the success Fame hails 

Where love commits, love never fails 

Love, let it be our sole/soul intent 

Let it be the humble cement 

That binds the mason-work of days 

With devoted, trustworthy ways 

So that when death our last breath drains 

The legacy of love remains 

© Janet Martin 

In this community, recently Death has drained so many, suddenly

of Last Breath, leaving behind Love/life's permanent legacy

which is why, in these very troubled times

 I am choosing this simple song by Don Williams to remind us

of what really matters!

We Should Only Have Time For Love