Because Every Day is a New Gift From God

We are not worthy yet o’er star-strewn sky

Grace gently brushes night-shadows awry

Where is this vault from whence Time flows, how deep?

Where is the spigot from whence hours weep?

We do not know when will toll parting’s song

But this we do; time is short, death is long

How will we touch then and how will we fill

This gift of grace from a Giver’s good will?

See how its river of light sweeps the sky?

See how it rushes in silent good-bye?

See, where the land was cupped in midnight’s hold

How it is brimming in beckoning gold?

We dare not squander this heaven-lent Thing

None are entitled to Time’s offering

But from a place none can mete or control

God pours His mercy into night’s dark bowl   

May we be zealous and gratitude shod

Because every day is a new gift from God

© Janet Martin

Life's Little Lovelinesses

A quick walk to the mechanic to pick up the van gifted me with our first wild-bloom bouquet of the year! Then I read Margie's poem and couldn't resist spreading this Binding of Loveliness

We walk beneath noon’s azure wreath

And woodland’s leaf-green tresses

Wild flowers bloom where we consume

Life’s little lovelinesses

We cannot buy or own the sky

And none claims the caresses

of melodies strung on lithe breeze

...life’s little lovelinesses

The windowsill is bare until

The fruit of bud re-blesses

Our empty jars with petal-stars

…life’s little lovelinesses

The air is drenched with song unclenched

Where bird and blossom dresses

The barren earth with nature’s mirth

…life’s little lovelinesses

Dear Lord, I praise Your sundry ways
Of healing our distresses
As you deploy in leaf-spun joy
Life's little lovelinesses

© Janet Martin

Off to rid the garden of some ‘un-loveliness’ while 'little guy' sleeps...

Remember, There Is a God in Heaven

Remember, there is a God in Heaven who loves us no matter what! From the above message by Charles Stanley

When we do what we ought to do

Instead of what we want

When we, with tear-and-groaning rue

Battle temptation’s taunt

Remember, we are not alone

Nor do we fight in vain

For God abides on Heaven’s throne

Our struggle to sustain

When we think that we want to quit

And cannot bear the load

That presses on our little bit

Of will-and-want fraught road

Remember, there is One who knows

The intent of each hurt

And He is greater than the woes

Tormenting Time’s wee dirt

When gods clad in self-righteous cloth

Distract us with their guile

And we are tempted to think both

Can be served for a while

Remember, God in Heaven gives

us courage, strength and hope

And He equips us all our lives

With what we need to cope

© Janet Martin

  Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life. Prov. 4:23 LB

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.Romans 8:28

Wonderful, Wonderful Wonder

Cyndy's post is super-inspiring and bids us pause in grateful wonder!

Glory above us and glory on sod

Bow down, oh people and worship our God

For, He did not build for Eve’s offspring a cell

But placed us midst wonders to wondrous to tell

Glory in blossom, in sunrise, sunset

Glory in all that a seed will beget

Over and over in each season-span

God spills His miracles to common man

Bow down, oh people and worship our God

He pours His glory on sky, sea and sod

Over and under, without and within

Wonderful, wonderful wonder of Him

© Janet Martin

Oh, Isn't It Amazing?

 ...For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. John I:16

Oh, isn’t it amazing as we stand where morning’s door

Swings softly outward beckoning where none have gone before

And gold melts into puddles where the gray of yesterday

Is gone and done, and God alone rolls out Time’s untried way

Oh, isn’t it amazing how with shadow, there is light

How God, in loving tenderness slips new day over night

And then in eager fullness He, in spite of our mistakes

Spills mercy into morning pouring more grace upon grace

Oh, isn’t it amazing, how where apprehensions groan

God begs us to go boldly into this day’s new Unknown

For He will never leave us or forget this troubled place

But with His fullness satisfies Want, with grace upon grace

Oh, isn’t it amazing, though our track-record is grim

Still love implores with open doors and glimpses rich with Him

For God, so rich in mercy from a high and holy place

Pours into us His fullest blessing of grace upon grace

© Janet Martin

...and it seems fitting to post this favorite hymn by a favorite band (we miss you, George)