Speechless Praise

I stood on the fringe of a dark new-born day

And I couldn’t think of the right words to say

To He who saw fit

To extend a bit

Time’s affidavit of gold and gray

I stood on the edge of a ledge, soft, surreal

Caught, as it were, on time’s still-turning wheel

And I couldn’t think

The sky was so pink

And earth but a wink beneath heaven’s appeal

I stood on the brink of vast, imminent Past

Motionless while moments hasten so fast

Speechless, I bow

On this God-granted Now

Beneath the glow of Love’s new mercy-cast

I stood on the fringe of new day’s sacred ground

What can I say where the night, morning-crowned

Spills ‘round my feet

And out onto the street?

…thought repeats ‘thank-You’ with nary a sound

© Janet Martin

Thank-you Card

Light cleaves to air where just a while ago

Midnight clung to each ridge in boundless black

Dawn breathes its glory o’er time’s testing track

Grace scrawls deliverance in burnished gold

Creature complaint though common unto man

Falls mute beneath this ether evidence

Of God extending patient providence

Above this marred and sullied sorrow-span

…for morning is each longest night’s reward

Mercy does not withhold the hope of dawn

God holds love’s beacon as we journey on

And all that we can say is thank-you, Lord

© Janet Martin

 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Ps.96:9

Song of Thanksgiving

For mornings, heavy with un-scattered rain

For life’s constant bevy of glorious mundane

For man’s strength renewed as night-shadows wane

Lord, we thank You

For spring fields seeded with harvest’s fresh hope

For wild-flower rivers and emerald-green slope

For the steadfast Known as through unknowns we grope

Lord, we thank You

For blossomed distraction beyond my kitchen sink

For peony-splashes of petal-pure pink

For dishes to wash while I pray and I think

Lord, I thank-you

For smiles that gleam through love’s tender-sweet tears

For children that dream undeterred by aged fears

For memories to soften life’s chastening years

Lord, we thank You

For Master-piece moments in life’s darkest hours

For Master-piece miracles spilling in flowers

For Master-piece vaults of sunshine and showers

Lord, we thank You

Lord, we thank You for unfailing grace

The hope of heaven beyond life’s troubled race

For You, that You prepared such a Place

Oh, Lord we thank You

© Janet Martin

This morning Victoria suddenly turned as she was getting on the bus, with a big grin,  two-thumbs up and a merry wave…then they were gone. Just like that, my sink full of dishes and empty fridge and begging housework became beautiful through misted tears.

All I could think of to say is this…thank-you Lord.

 “Listen to this, Job;
    stop and consider God’s wonders.Job 37:14

Searching for Happiness?

Our search for happiness

Is fruitless and vain

If it is inclined toward

Personal gain

But if we are thankful

And truly content

The search for happiness

Is non-existent 

Janet Martin

Other pastures are only greener

until we get there.

Eighteen Wheels

Eighteen wheels sure can play a lonesome tune
Especially as they carry you away from home
You’ll be back again soon, Lord willing, this I know
But as you’re shifting gears the mournful sonnets start to flow
And as I standing here waving good-by to you
I start thinking it’s amazing what eighteen wheels can do…….

While you see mountains, oceans all from cab-top view
I see an ocean of love in dearest eyes of blue
While you say hello Chicago I tuck little ones to bed
And we remember daddy as our bed-time prayers are said
So if ever you begin to feel a little blue
I’d like to remind you dear, what eighteen wheels can do…….

Eighteen wheels feed little mouths that laugh and sing and pray
Eighteen wheels keep mom at home when you are far away
Eighteen wheels means wood for warmth and shoes, and clothes and such
A thousand little things we take for-granted far too much
And eighteen wheels lets Sonny play a hockey game or two
Yes, we remember when we pray what eighteen wheels can do…….

Eighteen wheels can play a soulful tune
But dear, I know that you will be home soon
So when you’re far away and feeling blue
Remember dear, what eighteen wheels can do
Daddy we love and appreciate you
God bless and keep those eighteen wheels…and you

With love, from
Your wife
Janet~