Torrent of Tick and Tock

It runs us through and through

Where soon the new is old

And what we once were sure we knew

Must stretch and reach and fold

Triumph and defeat meld

Like paint upon a tray

The dream, always somewhat withheld

To drive us day to day

…a rush of highs and lows

Soon tatter like a reed

Tossed in a wind that stilly blows

And turns the bloom to seed

Alas and hip-hooray

Turns seasons into years

In dappled dash of day to day

A lifetime disappears

But look; the paling sky

Allots to push and pull

A fresh-from-heaven me-oh-my

To be lived to the full

...and not to be received

With hearts that pine and brood  

But to let our best be achieved

Through humble gratitude

© Janet Martin

some references in this poem like 'push and pull' and 'painter's tray' might be

inspired, due to the fact that I've been painting for the past few days...

Laundry room and kitchen dining area done...

main kitchen today if life allows.

Four years ago I start painting the kitchen,

suddenly life crowded in and four years disappeared.

so this time, by hook and by crook,

I hope to finish it! 

So teach us to number our days,

 That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Age Appropriating...

As the full bloom diminishes

true Beauty remains...

Happy Birthday, Lucy,

A beautiful woman inside and out!

Hope it's a memorable day in spite of social-distancing. Wink 😉

 God bless and keep!

A light-hearted post in the middle of lots of serious conversation💕

At our age we ought to be

Content to sit, knit and drink tea

Or so I thought when were still

A whole lot younger and much more care-free

At our age I thought we would

Be purely sensible and good

Forgetting that which was behind

We’d be laid-back grandmas doing everything we should

When we were half our age or less

I thought by fifty-something-ness

We would be quite the patient pro

At letting go of things back then we couldn’t even guess

Where happiness, pray we have learned

Is found in days soon un-returned

And we had better make the most

Of moments kissing us with wrinkles laugh-lines squarely-earned

At our age we ought to be

Sedate and very matronly

But just between the two of us

Let’s stay a little nuts because it suits us perfectly

© Janet Martin

Living The Proof

"We say the most about ourselves by our prayer-life" I heard someone say recently,

"Because in prayer there is nothing to prove and no one to impress."

Lord, there is nothing hidden from your gaze; You know us well

This frame of numbered days the sacred temple You indwell

Forgive us when we swagger and forget what Your grace grants

Protect us from pride’s deadly dagger pleasing at first glance

The way to you does not pass through the lap of luxury

How (often painful) is the path to true humility

Forgive us when we try to sway Your mind with blind request

When the way you design is always purposed for our best

Teach us to pray; equipped through fellowship with You, oh God

Where we are stripped of showmanship (you see through its façade)

Then, by this divine hour let the power of Your might

Secure us in the Armour that will fit us for the fight

This day that You have made is more than sunrise to sunset

Where cares of life invade and we remember or forget

How great you are and who we were before You set us free

To choose this day Who we will serve and honour faithfully 

In Your name we pray,

Amen

© Janet Martin

 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Eph.6:18

Joy Challenge

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 

Allow perseverance to finish its work, 

so that you may be mature and complete,

 not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 

Do we count it pure joy to suffer for faith’s cause

Or do we let the test destroy untried verbose applause

When trial’s lot employs the disciplining rod

Do we consider it pure joy and give glory to God

And do we let the test complete its sacred task

In ways that human wantonness would never care to ask

Do we gladly endure the cross that is our call

So that our faith will be mature and lack nothing at all

Do we with meek belief reckon Mercy’s consent

To try the wily, smiley chief of double-minded bent

Do we trust sorrow’s joys and suffer willingly

So faith is more than shallow noise lacking maturity

Do we suffer the thorn or simply want the rose

 When from time's flicker we are borne what proof will death expose

Will faith with steadfast gaze endure that last travail

As joy is turned to endless praise for He who did not fail

Dare we with wings untried rise up to meet our Lord

When Heaven's Groom Gathers His Bride dare she be smooth, un-scarred

When faith turns into sight as its armour grows cold

How sweeter then, the pure delight as we His face behold

© Janet Martin