For All We Do Not Know...

We cannot see it rolling in no matter how we try

Though we know that it rides upon the paling of the sky

Somehow within life’s letting go its bittersweet caress

Spurs us toward, we do not know, of heartache, happiness

We march, a brave battalion trained by Time’s Drill Sergeant; Past

While Future waits in ambush camouflaged in ‘firsts’ and Last

As we with trial and error bind the longing wounds that bleed

Heading into, we do not know but this, we must proceed

We must obey His orders; see, the Chieftain lights the wick

Where we are called to help the poor, comfort the grieving sick

And none of us are without need; we hunger and despair

What combat waits; we do not know, but this, our God is there

Then forward, ever forward into battle we advance

For we, God’s precious children are not creatures of mere chance

We serve beneath a Captain who is keeper of man’s soul

And He knows all we do not know, for He is in control

© Janet Martin

We simply cannot know
what a day will bring...
But, oh what sweet assurance
Our God knows everything

The Whole Armor of God

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,  and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  Ephesians 6:10-20

A Few Thursday Thoughts on Trusting and Waiting

We cannot know or trust God’s will

If we seek first our Want to fill

Our Want is sad and reprobate

Until we learn to trust, then wait

***

Truth is like a little seed

When tended it will grow

A tree of life within the heart

To help us trust and know

***

Sometimes we think we prove our might

By forging through frustration’s gate

But it takes more courage and fight

To humbly trust in God and wait

***

If we can wait on God for More

We find those things worth waiting for

***

Change is that strange and constant thing

We cannot keep from happening

But to adapt we can…and must

For in a changeless God we trust

Janet 

Impact of Imminence

Imminence swells, unfolds then breaks

To rest in Bygone’s frozen lakes

None can its free-fall resurrect

We live within after-effect

For though a moment soon is gone

Its consequence ripples and spawns

Another wave from there to here

It swells to break and disappear

As future-present-past connect

We live in After-effect

© Janet Martin

A peek at what happened during the delivering of this poem...'hey mom,' says daughter before leaving to get her hair done. 'Which one do you think would look best on me?' and she flips through a bunch of pictures on her phone of models with perfect hair ; then, 'oh, if you're going out can you buy four boxes of fresh straw-berries so I can make some jam to do teacher-gifts for the morning?' next; we look for my purse, find it, figure out how much to spend...back to the poem, 'now where was I?'

Ultimately, the conception of this poem began while listening to this message as I tidied the house...

So, Here It Is

So, here it is and so are we

Eager for what we cannot see

But soon its emptiness will frame

For each and every one the same

From vaults that no one can appease

This thing making new memories

Then, when the evening star is lit

And we pause to reflect a bit

As what now is wafts to what was

It steals our very breath because

Often it slips our thought with ease

That we are making memories

These ties that bind will someday break

Living’s design of give and take

Is all we have with which to fill

A place that oft returns at will

To echo on some dark night breeze

Where now we make those memories

So, here it is and so are we

A touch-taste-tremble odyssey

Before the scrim of sunset seals

What soon will be to phantom reels

That none can change; God, help us, please

For we are making memories

© Janet Martin

So, because I've been pondering this idea of days being like a thread weaving memories, when she came to me last night and softly touched my arm, asking 'May I have nine girls over for a school-year- end celebration on Friday?' to her astonishment I said 'yes':)

Inseparable Rivals

The unreliability of you perplexes me

For you are fickle as the wind we hear but cannot see

How easily you change your mind, and though you seem appealing

Your passion is quite undefined for you are merely Feeling

You stir my soul to poetry and toy with my emotion

Yet you know nothing of reality of true devotion

Your piety, seduction, fantasy can leave me reeling

Yet I can never trust you for you are nothing but Feeling

If I depend on you then I am pitiful at best

For one day you are naked and the next day over-dressed

I must search God’s sure promises for hope and help and healing

For though you rage within me yet, you are nothing but Feeling

The unreliability of you perplexes me

We, inseparable rivals agree to disagree

For you depend on circumstance and I find you appealing  

Your intense vaunt excites me yet, still you are merely Feeling

© Janet Martin