Thursday, December 20, 2018

Christmas Blessing for our Beloved School-bus Drivers




Lord, for these plainclothes Angels
We know through wave and nod
We pray a special blessing to
These ranks that few applaud

Their charge, most Precious Cargo
The dearest in the world
Full of the noise and joys of youth
Our darling boys and girls

They suffer driver fury
And honks and glares and such
But moms and dads can set their clocks
By the big yellow bus

And we are oh, so thankful
For this early-rising fleet
Of common-looking angels
Driving up and down our streets

Lord, grant them joy and patience
For this brave-hearted task
And keep your hand upon the wheel
Lord, in Thy name we ask

Amen

© Janet Martin






Sky-art (No Charge!)


 The past few mornings, after many gray day-breaks, have been totally wow-some!





The skyline stretches
Where whispers unfold
Stark raven sketches
On canvas red-gold

Rivers of colour
Burgeon, brim and spill
Over yon border
Across vale and hill

Dream-lands grow dormant
Dim; then disappear
Lost in a torrent
Of soft pink veneer

Hearts burst with wonder
Eyes gape, wide with awe
Praising the author
Of Time’s lofty law

Of His grace extended
Of love’s fortitude
Of blunder amended
With Mercy renewed

…of glory adorning
Earth’s sliver of sod
Of skies charged with morning
And hope charged with God

© Janet Martin

(this passage never loses its beauty)

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end; 
 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lam.3:22-23

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Photograph


My fondest form of treasured torture is reliving through pictures...
Every year at Christmas, for the families whose children I cared for
I make a photo memento of some sort.
This involves going through all the photos and the feelings they inspire...
in one word; Bittersweet! 

I've had a lot of kiddos pass through my arms to that Forever-place in my heart!
 Photos are my tangible treasure of days gone by!

Warning; this video will induce love's best proof; tears!
But it is exactly how I feel as I go through a years worth of photos!



A photograph, I think is one of life’s most lovely things
It draws our thoughts toward a face or place held in the heart
A smiling piece of paper, yet, what happiness it brings
A bit of you still next to me when we are far apart

A photograph preserves the echo we would soon forget
It keeps one’s youth intact while Time insists upon its ‘say’
And long after The Way We Were has cast its silhouette
A photograph encapsulates fond frames of yesterday

A photograph can make us laugh or shed love’s tender tear
We press its page against the tugging ache of Having Held
And look a little closer at the glorious Now and Here
Before we feel the Winnowing where hug and hollow meld

A photograph keeps those who’ve gone The Way We Will nearby
Sentimental memento that is dearer than before
And though perhaps it rouses Sorrow’s tear within the eye
It reminds us to cherish what we hold a little more

Ah, photograph, sweet photograph, a card with double edge
You remind us of time’s fleet feet and soldered ties that bind
Yet, on the other hand you help us reaffirm the pledge
To savour the full flavour of what soon is left behind


© Janet Martin





Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Sun/Son-Light!


I wasn't going to write today, because...well, (excuses:) but then the sun came out 
and we Ontario-ans have seen very few days of sun since the beginning of November!
(wow! my windows are dirty;-)


It makes the heart leap for joy and reminded me of another Son-light...how it does too!

John 1:4
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

See the light that breaks through eons
From a lowly manger bed
To the cross, through grave to Heaven
Age to age, His Light has led

Pure and true, it never wavers
Generations trust its ray
Jesus Christ, man’s only Saviour
Melts the dark and shows The Way

From the torture of the pardon
To the rending of the veil
Through victorious resurrection
Streams the Light that will not fail

Hallelujah, though we suffer
Though grief's tears our sight may dim
Still, His Light will never waver
On the Way that leads to Him

© Janet Martin

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. 
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12

Monday, December 17, 2018

Pre-Christmas Prayer


Lest the week before Christmas becomes a panic-stricken, list-driven flurry...
 Lord help me hear Your whisper, "Peace, be still!" 

 

Still my thought Lord, let it linger
Not on lists that kill the thrill
But on Baby in a manger
Come to bring peace and good will

Calm the storm of futile worry
When I see that Baby Boy
In the midst of Christmas-flurry
Jesus, fill me with Your joy

Stir in me more than words, pious
Ring that angel’s hymn again
“Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth, goodwill to men”

© Janet Martin