This Present Joy

See how He splays in countless ways

His bounty on earth’s tresses

From heaven’s trove He pours His love

And while we curse He blesses

This world would press our happiness

Into its vat of sorrow

But for the hope that lights the slope

Of yesterday’s tomorrow

See how He tends the fields and bends

His mercy to the hour

As He unfolds the green and gold

Of spring to autumn’s flower

See how He forms the calm, the storms

Each highway, hill and hollow

See how He keeps His precious sheep

All we must do is follow

Fear would destroy our present joy

But for a greater Reason

As thoughts of God bedeck the sod

In wonders of each season

This present joy would be grief’s ploy

But for a peace that frees us

As we repeat His comfort sweet

'This present joy is Jesus'

© Janet Martin

 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Because We all Need Each Other

Because,

We all need each other

A word, wise, helpful and kind

Is worth far more than anything

That we will leave behind

Because

We all need love’s touch

A smile, a hand to hold

Someone to come and visit us

When we are frail and old

Because,

We all need guidance

Soul-mate, friend or brother

Someone who loves us just because

We all need each other

© Janet Martin

This morning while reading the account of the eunuch in Acts 8 these words stood out to me...

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.…

When God Made Little Girls...

...and as my girls grow up I realize that every big girl needs to hear it too!

God, did you take from your most lovely strings

Of blue from the sky, rainbow, butterfly’s wings,

Of pretty blush petals and pure, priceless pearl

Then put them together to make a wee girl?

God, did you gather wisp of hair angel-spun

Willow-sigh whimsy, gold-grin from the sun

As it sparkles on water, did their laughter unfurl?

And then did You say, ‘This will be little girls’?

And God, did you splash heaven’s kiss on their nose

Or place twinkling stars in their eyes and their toes

Did roses and rubies and silver mist swirl

As You wove Your wonder in each little girl?

…and God, did you smile as You chose each fair thing

Knowing what joy and delight they would bring

As we glimpse Your beauty in tumbles and twirls

In dear, dreaming, dancing, darling little girls?

© Janet Martin

This summer we’ve had the pleasure of having a number of Victoria’s friends over for a few days at a time. Many I have known since they were babies, and my heart still glows to the core as it did back then, for little giggling girls are surely a glimpse of Heaven!

The tent sits in the yard…empty. But oh, what fun to dash back and forth through the pouring rain with thoughts that yes, this year THEY WOULD sleep in it no matter what! (see here) Thirty minutes later they were back, certain they heard thunder (wink) maybe, but I don’t think so. Besides, the gummi-bears, chips and pop were all gone. What were they going to do but listen to the rain on the tent;)?

It Feels Like Fall...

What began as a glorious rhapsody surrendered by noon to rain-song.

It feels like fall; a somber shawl is sprawled across the earth today

And on the lane the song of rain ripples in rivulets blue-gray

The sassy bloom like jilted groom bows her flamboyance to the dirge

Where melody of memory entwines in longing’s silver surge

It feels like fall; the madrigal of moments slips like rain from leaf

The tango of sweet summer’s love sighs languidly in golden sheaf

And where the sheen of virgin green flaunted its verdant opulence

I see of a hint of amber glint jading its fearless confidence

It feels like fall, the garden wall is laced with morning-glory vine

And on the dusk silk-misty musk sparkles like effervescent wine

We trace the place of walnut-lace acknowledging its numbered days

The crickets call; it feels like fall before its full autumnal blaze

© Janet Martin

It did feel like a premature fall day; first sunny then cool and rainy with the scent of late summer dripping from the trees.

Earth's Treasure-trove

Pearl, amethyst and ruby

Emerald and garnet gems

The colors of the rainbow

In July-diadems

How pretty is the treasure

That dazzles summer’s girth

We pluck its priceless measure

From troves beneath the earth

A little rain and sunshine

A little scuff of hoe

A little bit of patience

To watch these treasures grow

And then, oh gladsome morning

When labor yields its worth

As we glean from the garden

Grace-treasures of the earth

© Janet Martin

We had a fresh-from-the-garden lunch today!

Our 'Shouting Voice'

For all the words we tout and spout

In sleek and polished token

The only words we ever shout

Are those in action spoken

© Janet Martin

Let’s make our actions count today!

Happy Last day of July 2013.

Life's Minuet...of Hope and Morning-song

The Keeper of our groans and moans and tears we never share

Softly and patiently intones its sorrow to the air

Then, in kind, wordless empathy He places on our tongue

A sweet and tender melody of hope and morning-song

The dew evaporates at noon; the sun rises to set

And summer slips away too soon; this is life’s minuet

We dance within its moody arms; there is no other choice

Bearing the climax of lost charms in tears that have no voice

 The law of longing rends and ravages the mortal soul

We weep our secret tears, though friends and fellowships console

They cannot place within our clasp those things that cannot be

And only grace succors this gasp of thought’s futility

Life’s moment’s waft; sweet bubble-bliss of half-breath innocence

Before love’s sleek, soft parting kiss bestows deliverance

The revelation spun in youth unveils with bleeding awe

Its increment of stunning truth; the voice of longing’s law

For Love will ever be both longing and contentment met

It spills in silent symmetry of triumph and regret

Yet, we are not victims of hurt; Love bids us to be strong

The realm of heaven tunes this dirt with hope and morning-song

© Janet Martin

Fitness Test

How does life shape you?

In its hurdles and hurt

Do we get back up

Or languish in the dirt?

How do we respond

To its keening drill?

Do we carry on

Letting love mold our will?

Grace is deliverance

And Mercy is free

Lean on its Giver

With humility

The teacher of Time

Wields a winnowing knife

Ever the shaper

Of this little life

Then, count its kind blessing

And oh, never cease

For beyond the testing

Is love’s masterpiece

© Janet Martin

...or cookies!:) 

 

 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23