As Time Goes By

( Love the maple flower-gardens!)

Because we’ve met with days whose ways were not pleasant and sweet

We learn to humbly recognize the kinder days we meet

Because we’ve borne the careworn weight of weariness and woe

We learn to realize more full, God’s grace whereby we go

Because, as time goes by we start to see that its return

Is but a compilation of lessons still left to learn

© Janet Martin

How Doth a Day In May

How lovely is a day in May

When all the earth is good

And green is like a mist-spun fray

Flung soft upon the wood

How wondrous is a day in May

As bud, long, long asleep

In mid-air, plants a flower-splay

Against noon’s azure sweep

How darling is a day in May

A dreamland paradise

Where winter is too far away

To taunt our captive sighs

How handsome is a day in May

Time’s adolescent wink

Wears dresses of blue-sky chambray

And apple blossom pink

How sweeter is a day in May

Than winter’s wailing wraith

Where hills that long loomed dull and gray

Bloom with first-fruits of faith

How tender is a day in May
When Mother Nature smiles
And soothes earth's brokenness away
With leaf and lilac isles

How fleeting is a day in May

Then we should slow our feet

Lest we miss nature’s fresh display

That soon turns bittersweet

© Janet Martin

Miracle-maker

  

Doesn't this thought ever just simply steal the very breath out of you...?

We whisper our imperfect praise and cares to Him and He replies with His perfect will!

What comfort is God’s care

What peace our hearts to fill

The words we lift to Him in prayer

He turns into His will

What joy can conquer fear

He hears each tearful groan

And bestows to its woes faith’s cheer

Founded in God alone

What humble awe instills

Our meek, imperfect plea

Knowing that whatever God wills

Is best for you and me

© Janet Martin

The Near

Now breaks dawn’s triumph through dark deep

An ark of hope and grace

Unfettered from the Giver’s keep

To erring human-race

Time’s straight and narrow with the broad

Synchronize, called Today

But only one road leads to God

Oh, pray we find its way

Now, up the blue-sky ladder climbs

Morning-tide’s patriarch

Ah list, where heaven’s belfry chimes

And melts away the dark

Before the gaze of humankind

Mercy favors time's sod

And prays for straying feet to find

The way that leads to God

Now is the day of reckoning

Now is the day of grace

How long before hope’s beckoning

Becomes the Savior’s face?

No one can tell, but Now and Here

Are like an awesome Gate

Ah pray we realize The Near

Before it is too late

© Janet Martin

 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Cor.6:2

Mother To Mother

We don’t count

Or talk about

Sacrifices that we make

Knowing not long before

Someone

Made them 

For our sake

We don’t dwell on Heart-hollows

Where days

Fill with life's fuss

Reminding us

Of someone else

Who kindly

Lived for us

We wear with humble reverence

The word

Our mothers wore

While learning

The full meaning

Of the name

She bravely bore

© Janet Martin