Hello!
because you might be wondering if I got carried away
by a couple of renegade bats and a mouse,
due to a longer than normal quietness here, but no!
those bats were caught on Thursday night after much more shrieking drama
and a husband who came back from a road trip just in time to be the valiant hero of the hour.
The bats were deposited outdoors before we left early on Friday morning
for a little holiday to Lancaster Pa. and Niagara Falls.
We returned home on Monday afternoon
to find the mouse trap also lived up to its charge,
so here's hoping to a critter-trespassing-free week!!
On Friday I turned 58! I can hardly believe it and I am thankful
for God's grace, goodness and mercies in every year of my
continuing education in the School of Life๐
So often it seems what I once thought I learned I need to relearn
So this poem is about what I am learning rather than what I have learned...
(I'm sorry this poem was a bit like a runaway team of horses;
I had to chase after it and rein it in)
In my defense, this is almost five day's worth of pent-up poem release ๐
after admiring many horses ๐๐
A few shots from the weekend...
I'm learning, it is futile/foolish to lament the haste of Time
That every day we should embrace as 'living in our prime'
I'm learning, regret and repentance are not the same thing
To live to love is manifold and all encompassing
How the lens that we look through affects thought, then word and deed
As moments toll/roll toward a goal for deathless soul decreed
That every day is holy ground, with so much to amaze
That happiness is found as we extinguish Want with praise
That hope without an Anchor is not really hope at all
That no matter how we progress, pride still fathers The Fall
I'm learning love must be learned, and learned best when very young
That much is built or torn down by the timbre of the tongue
That grief can carve a chasm only faith in God can cheer
That to exchange His Word for mine earns Consequence severe
That the enthralling thrill of the Splash swiftly disappears
But the ripple effect of it can outlast years and years
That our words are sweeter if we taste before we bite
That licking frosting from beaters is an ageless delight
That we cannot do everything to help our fellowman
But we can all so something, and we should, the best we can
That no one is too rich or poor to desire 'a good turn'
That we never outlive the class of 'still so much to learn'
That we will surely spoil the child if we withhold love's 'rod'
That flowers are a universal love language from God
That kindness and compassion prove the love that never fails
That laughter is good medicine for anything that ails
That though Mother Nature and Father Time will have their say
We are not at their mercy, but God's mercy, new each day
And though, as time goes by, we mourn the good of Good Old Days
God's everlasting and unchanging goodness naught can faze
I'm learning truth speaks for itself; a Voice none dethrone
That the noise of rebellion cannot shift The Cornerstone
That with each generation, nothing will stay quite the same
Save this, Jesus; salvation exists through no other Name
(though some have become bold enough to boast another way
Behooving all who still believe in Him to pray and pray)
I'm learning that in spite of so much to be sad about
God overflows creation with much to be glad about
And kindness is still like a little miracle of joy
And one of life's best gifts is still a little girl or boy
And life is like a cookie; we should savor every crumb
And Choice is like a Door always hinged to what will become
And though a good book can be good company for a while
A good book never can replace a warm handshake or smile
That Older Age reserves surprises we would never trade
For prettier disguises that will pitilessly fade
I'm learning how to touch and taste brief sparkles from Time's Fount
While all the while revering that for which I'll give account
And how a number cannot keep us from kicking up heels
That the fountain of youth is not in how one looks, but feels ๐
I'm learning how the common task is not common at all
That duty is a beautiful, breathtaking bestowal
That it is a rich blessing to be busy with demands
Lest we give place to the devil with idle mind or hands
That we get out of life what we put in, no more, no less
That the antidote to discouragement is thankfulness
That it is no clichรฉ; God grants much to be thankful for
"God, forgive me for the fathom of mercies I ignore'
I'm learning that to number days with wisdom's gain and love
However old or young we are will always be enough
I'm learning how kind and cruel unblinded love can be
How the sting I despise often refines humility
And how these lessons equip love with a gentler reply
When in a situation when we don't see eye to eye
I'm learning in the tug of hugs as heartstrings strain and ache
No distance is quite far enough to cause heartstrings to break
I'm learning not to fret the 'druthers' while pushing the plow
That, though all dreams do not come true, the birds still sing, and how
I'm learning, bit by bit, and prayer by prayer's imperfect plea
How holy is each lifetime's blip before Eternity
...how season over season tunes ruthless relinquishments
How reason cannot reason away harvest-recompense
How we grow too soon old and too late smart; ah, sacred sigh
That unfolds the umbrella of daybreak's marmalade sky
I'm learning that a slice of buttered bread is luxury
And what and who we love the most is very plain to see
And that a garden nook is pleasure at its simple best
And that a winding brook can satisfy the Poet's quest
And that it is no use to try to slow the haste of time
But rather snare wisps of thin air to tame into a rhyme
© Janet Martin
1 Tim.6:6-16
Godliness with Contentment
6Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into the world, so
b we cannot carry anything out of it.
8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation
and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith
and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Fight the Good Fight
11But you, O man of God, flee from these things
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12Fight the good fight of the faith.
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things,
and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession
in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
14Keep this commandment without stain or reproach
until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15which the blessed and only Sovereign One—
the King of kings and Lord of lords—
will bring about in His own time.
16He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light.
No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him.
To Him be honor and eternal dominion!
Amen.
