Sacred, Fleeting Season

Suddenly, as I worked on this post, I couldn't stop weeping

for all the precious children of the world!

(How often it is the innocent who suffer

where innocence untaught 

grows up not knowing 

what they know not)

How sacred is the virgin soil

Of childhood's innocence ...

It is no mere coincidence that a child loves to hear about Jesus!

Every child in my childcare has shown me unbridled delight as we pause

before lunch to thank God for our food with this little prayer

God is great, God is good

Let us thank Him for our food

By His hands we all are fed

Thank-you Lord, for daily bread

Amen

From wide-eyed curiosity of a one-year old to eventually joining in,

 their faces beam with pure joy from pure hearts

as we thank God!

(and oh, the glorious conversations this little prayer sparks💗🙏)

On the inside cover of  a vintage version of The Pilgrim's Progress

 is this certificate of acknowledgement to honor the recipient of the reward.

Imagine if we still handed out such noble literature in our public schools

 as rewards to students!

Today students in this system,  

as tender as 5 years old 

(if the teacher chooses to comply)

are taught/groomed to dispute the indisputable...

He created them male and female, 

and blessed them 

and called them Mankind 

in the day they were created. 

Gen.5:2

Matthew 19:4

Jesus answered, "Have you not read that from the beginning 

the Creator 'made them male and female,'

Mark 10:6

However, from the beginning of creation,

 'God made them male and female.'

...and we wonder at the chaos and confusion of this age?!!

where by and large, the world has turned its back on God?!!

and ignores His everlasting Word?!!

Where defiled hearts defile innocence?!!

Evil as surely as good 

recognizes the sacred, fleeting season of childhood!

How sacred is the virgin soil

Of childhood's innocence  

How terribly accountable

Each one who tills and plants

Where evil as surely as Good

Recognizes this truth;

The fleeting season of childhood 

Soon sheds its tender youth

How then, we ought to sift the seeds 

That fall, so they will sprout 

A goodly crop, to choke the weeds

Of heresy and doubt 

Before planting time, brief and fair

Slips from the supple limb   

Remember the Creator, ere

They find no joy in Him

Janet Martin

"H-m-m! He's got one too!"

exclaimed Innocent Granddaughter at her observation

during little boy's diaper-change.

"Just like my baby brother!"

'Yes' I replied.

'that means he's a boy! 

If you 'got one' you're a boy!

If you don't, you are a girl!

God made it that simple and easy to figure out

and don't ever let anyone tell you any different!'

(Believe it or not, these unthinkable conversations are important today!!)

Eccles. 12 NASB

Remember God in Your Youth

12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, 

before the evil days come and the years approach 

when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”

; 2 before the sun and the light,

 the moon and the stars are darkened, 

and clouds return after the rain; 

3 on the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, 

and strong men are bent over, 

the grinders stop working because they are few, 

and those who look through [a]windows grow [b]dim; 

4 and the doors on the street are shut 

as the sound of the grinding mill is low, 

and one will arise at the sound of the bird, 

and all the daughters of song will [c]sing softly. 

5 Furthermore, people are afraid of a high place 

and of terrors on the road; 

the almond tree blossoms, 

the grasshopper drags itself along, 

and the caper berry is ineffective. 

For man goes to his eternal home 

while the mourners move around in the street. 

6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is [d]broken 

and the golden bowl is crushed, 

the pitcher by the spring is shattered 

and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 

7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, 

and the [e]spirit will return to God who gave it. 

8 “Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher, “all is futility!”

9 In addition to being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge;

 and he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.

 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.

11 The words of the wise are like [f]goads, 

and masters of these collections are like driven nails; 

they are given by one Shepherd. 

12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: 

the [g]writing of many books is endless, 

and excessive study is [h]wearying to the body.

13 The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: 

fear God and keep His commandments, 

because this applies to every person. 

14 For God will bring every act to judgment, 

everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Faith's Perfect Plea

Psalm 38:21

LORD, do not forsake me;

do not be far from me, my God.

Psalm 94:22

But the LORD is my defence;

and my God is the rock of my refuge.

Abide With Me-Audrey Assad

Savior, Lead Me Lest I Stray

Do not forsake me, Lord

But be my fortress tall

Sin wields a decorated sword

And winks while victims fall

Do not forsake my prayer

Lest from the fold I stray

Lest, wise in mine own eyes I dare

To trust in mine own way

Help me hold dear love's laws

Lest I love’s proof discard

Lest presumption of grace should cause

Me to let down my guard

Do not forsake me, lest

I lose the faith to cope

Where cares besiege and vices test

The hardiness of hope

Do not forsake me in

Sorrow, lest I despair

Nor in my joy lest I should sin

And turn my heart elsewhere

…and I would dare to flee

The rock of my defense

Thy Wing whose feathers cover me

Where enemies commence

Do not forsake me, Lord

I need Thy constant voice

Lest I am lured from Thy True Word

By a buffet of choice

Do not forsake me then

Because the flesh is weak

And I am only strongest when

Your Spirit bids me 'seek'

The foe is wily, oh

I know that I would fall

Prey to pitfalls of pride-fear-woe 

Without You, Lord of all

How impuissant I

Left by myself would be 

Lord, bend thine ear to hear faith's cry

Oh, do not forsake me

Amen

© Janet Martin

Inspired in part by this:

Like a Fresh-baked Loaf of Bread

 

I took the above video yesterday morning!

(I saw a flash of orange from the Baltimore Oriole-chorister)

He sang and sang and sang!!

It cheered my heart so, where tears could wash away all joy!

SO much sorrow in this sinful, broken world.

But, The Living Bread sustains when nothing else can...

(full chapter below)

Today begs to be tasted like a fresh-baked loaf of bread

Still warm from welkin ovens wafting somewhere overhead 

To savor wholesome/holy flavors of fresh favors, mercy-wrought

To break it gently, bite by bite, not scarfed down without thought 

To recognize with meek surprise, our place, then to give thanks

Where we, the subjects of God's grace ought never to pull ranks

But take and eat with humble recognition of Enough

And not to grumble at the greatest mission of all; love

The loaf that sits before us at daybreak soon disappears

The platter is so full of hands seizing laughter and tears

Where always without fail, morning's freshly-baked loaf becomes

An empty plate where pray, we stay to linger over crumbs

...oho, we rise each morning to Mercy's refurbished tray

Today begs to be tasted like a fresh-baked Bread-buffet...

Janet Martin

lingering over breakfast crumbs💓

 

Smile of satisfaction! 

(what a challenge for us older 'children' to respond like this!)

Full chapter Psalm 66

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer

nor his mercy from me

Psalm 66:20

He hears our prayers!

What a wonder.

 

Sacred Summons To Today

It may look like simply swing pushing/riding

(and we are all so excited and delighted to have a new playset

after the old one blew away!)

Why did it blow away?!

Big storm and no anchors.

(that's a poem/parable for another post)😅

Swing pushing by Janet would simply be years and years, 

and thousands upon thousands

of fleeting swing-pushes but for one thing....

Prayer.

Prayer takes the mundane and makes it sacred!

Prayer reaches far beyond the present push!

Each and every child, as they are pushed are prayed for

as well as their parents!

I pray for strength, grace and wisdom

 in parenting and marriages

that they/we may be faithful through thick and thin

one day at a time, by God's grace!

(because marriage and parenting is love's

most beautiful Hard!)

The first tot in my childcare

is renting a house this summer and our son 

is living in it as well.

One young man (who has since moved to Nova Scotia) is getting married.

One is getting his G1 shortly...

...and all of them are growing up/grew up so fast!!

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

God bless and guide you in today's push and pull

whatever/wherever that may be...

The night’s dark veil is rent

And to the land and sea

Returns the sacred fundament

Of opportunity

Slumber grants its reward

Of ambition renewed

Come then and let us serve the Lord

With praise and gratitude

He loves us oh, so dear

And draws dawn’s door ajar

Where no one knows how far or near

To Seeing Him we are

Therefore, none can afford

To cast a careless eye

Where His kind mercy has restored

Dawn’s lantern to the sky

Before its colors fade

Before ‘has’ turns to ‘had’

Behold the day the Lord has made

To rejoice and be glad

In the vineyard of grace

How sweet is His employ

Because no matter what we face

The fruit of grace is joy

Then, though life’s thorns may prick

Where oft we weep and groan

The Hand that lights the morning wick

Cradles each stepping stone

…and fits us for the task

He tenders to today

Forbid that we neglect to ask

Him for help to obey

A sacred summons spills

Across the land and sea

Grace reverberates and refills

Day's opportunity 

© Janet Martin

A Rich Canvas (of God's Flawless Poetry)

Where Mercy's faithful essence renews more than barren limb

He cheers us with His presence as we place our trust in Him...

Green deepens, a rich canvas for nature’s calligraphy

The land is young; it dances with God’s flawless poetry

Where wonder, like an elixir reminds the careworn heart

To trust in the Creator of earth’s unparalleled art

This life, so full of care would be too hard to bear, but for

The Lord’s unrivaled majesty only proud fools ignore

Where Mercy's faithful essence renews more than barren limb

He cheers us with His presence as we place our trust in Him

Hunger and heartache’s Texas vexes worlds beneath our skin

The belly of the whale perplexes well-laid schemes of sin

Where all we have is lent; God gives and takes, for He is Lord

Where spring is like a bower bent with hope and grace restored

Vales deepen; a rich canvas for faith's meek and fervent plea

Though spirits groan, hope dances as God spills pure poetry

Where a whole world of wonder waits to tune faith's ears and eyes

To trust in He who tends the gates/straits that lead to paradise

© Janet Martin

Psalm 138

I will praise You with my whole heart;

Before the gods I will sing praises to You.

2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name

For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,

And made me bold with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord,

When they hear the words of Your mouth.

5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

For great is the glory of the Lord.

6 Though the Lord is on high,

Yet He regards the lowly;

But the proud He knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;

You will stretch out Your hand

Against the wrath of my enemies,

And Your right hand will save me.

8 The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns me;

Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;

Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

 The Old Cross Road (click link to listen) 

James Rowe 1920

1. There are many paths through this world of sin,
   But there’s only one I shall travel in;
   ’Tis the old Cross Road, or the way called “Straight”—
   There is just one way to the pearly gate.
   • Refrain:
     There is just one way to the pearly gate,
     To the crown of life and the friends who wait;
     ’Tis the old Cross Road, or the way called “Straight”—
     There is just one way to the pearly gate.
2. There are some who sneer at the old Cross Road,
   At the pearly gate and the soul’s abode;
   Yet I mind them not, but, with happy song
   And assurance sweet, still I press along.
3. Others risk their souls on some new-made way,
   Thinking they will come to the gate someday;
   Oh, may they find out, ere their lives are done,
   That the old Cross Road is the only one.

 

Once Upon A Wistful Morrow (demands full attention now)

Woods are reinvigorated

Garbed in nature’s purest hues...

In Ontario we are in the thick of that swift and sacred planting season!

Hard work but so worth it as seeds and seedlings start to grow!

This plot doesn't look like much yet 

but hopefully in a few months it will be a vibrant dahlia garden!

The deluge of rain on Saturday halted my work before I got the stone-paths done...

One thing every bloom has in common:

it was planted!

Proverbs 20:4

The slacker does not plow in season; 

at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

It's that simple:

If we do not plant in planting season, 

there can be no goodly harvest

That is life's most solemn truth both literally and metaphorically!

Planting season is precious and fleeting!

Dear mothers, young parents, take heart as you till the soil of a tender soul!

Behold your sacred charge!

This is love's planting season!

Beyond the sweat and toil of tough love and training

waits the harvest!

And every day, entrust your cares

to your Heavenly Father 

who knows exactly what we need

and grants strength for the day.

No. There is no instant gratification

in planting.

It takes time and patience to grow a seed

to its full potential.

But, by the grace God gives,

endure!

Once-upon-a-wistful morrow

Brings no sweat upon the brow

Look; our feet stand on the furrow

Planting time is here and now

Sometimes as I admire someone's autumn garden

I will say, oh! I wish I would have remembered to plant

 such and such in the spring

but because I didn't I cannot harvest its fruit in the fall!

At almost 56 years old, I find myself in the autumn of life,

sometimes wishing for something I didn't plant in the 'spring',

but we look at the the spring of earth's season and are reminded of

a God of forgiveness and redemption

granting planting season once again! 

And we plant, even in the fall of life,

seeds for the harvest still to come! 

Woods are reinvigorated

Garbed in nature’s purest hues

Green in glory unabated

Saturates long-listless views

Once-upon-a-wistful-morrow

Demands full attention now

For dreams do not plant a furrow

Wishing does not push the plow

Morning spills momentous jewels

Awes us with mercies renewed

After slumber’s rest refuels

Diligence and gratitude

…and we beseech today’s Giver

For fresh fervor for life’s toil

For the field will soon deliver

Planting season’s foolproof spoil

Joy and sorrow’s measures mingle

Where birth’s showcase steals our breath

Where our zealous senses tingle

With the imminence of death

While we wonder at the favors

Of flower-font bound to fray

While we savor fleeting flavors

On earth’s bittersweet buffet

Where soon hues of first green languish

Where soon dues of planting chime

Where soon love and labour’s anguish

Turn to hues of harvest time

Once-upon-a-wistful morrow

Brings no sweat upon the brow

Look; our feet stand on the furrow

Planting time is here and now

© Janet Martin

Once upon a wistful morrow

this will be  flower garden!

Once upon a wistful morrow...

the planting dust will settle

 and

and they will be women and men

Of Westward Slopes...(and juxtapositions)

I started this poem yesterday morning before Cutie-duty began

...and just like that the westward slope claimed its faithful prey

Now it's off to do some more planting...

Where bitter gall and sweet surprise mingle within life’s glass

And no one knows as daybreak glows what waits to come to pass...

The westward slope of daybreak draws the sun across the sky

The duel between dark and light fuels charge and reply

Duty resumes the rivalry of age-old no and yes

Beauty bestows its rose to crown the woes of brokenness

Where each of us is faced toward the Place from whence we came

Today’s debut, like none before and yet so much the same

A gift from He whose promises forevermore endure

To span the rift twixt man adrift and hope’s anchor secure

The happiness of hope is not a Thing money can buy

But faith’s unswaying confidence in ‘more than meets the eye’

Where bitter gall and sweet surprise mingle within life’s glass

And no one knows as daybreak glows what waits to come to pass

To aggregate the ebb and flow of delight and despair

Where Doubt, the Eden-sired foe still seeks to sets its snare

Where pride still goes before the fall and love still never fails

Where, when repentance bows the head, the grace of God prevails

The wrongs of time will be made right for all eternity

The mysteries of God will be revealed for all to see

The glass we peer through now is darkly, but then, face to face

As we behold The Fulness we received; grace upon grace

Where whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly too

God is not mocked; He grants the seeds we run our fingers through

Where want and wonder war as time pours out heartache and hope

While we are drawn toward the low’ring Door on westward slope

© Janet Martin

At first only one party sacrificed their turn on the swing,

the other not swayed in the least my the fact that sharing is caring...

but quite content in the temporary satisfaction of serving Self!

eventually everyone was persuaded to be a cheerful giver

even if it was only turns on a swing!

This passage is good to read from time to time

because 'planting season' is so brief!

2 Cor.9:6-11

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

 and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, 

not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, 

so that in all things at all times, 

having all that you need, 

you will abound in every good work. 

9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.”[a]

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food 

will also supply and increase your store of seed a

nd will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, 

and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

May Day

These are the days that disappear into thin air in what feels like no time at all!

A glimpse at today's sparkle of bliss...

This morning's air was a bit cool and drizzle-dazzled. 

This afternoon the sun's warmth and 'bright, blue skies' returned in fine friendliness

immediately making me feel very busy and a bit behind!

Worked in the garden until it was too dark to see...(no pics)😐

this morning every bloom was frosted with diamonds!

New Grandson's first visit to Grandma's house...

Happy 1 week old!

He has a very keen and cute admirer!

Pumpkin-Raisin muffin snack...

Picked a pot o' posies...

These are the days winter-dreams are made of

Green grass beneath and bright blue sky above

Afternoon air flares with happiest joys/noise

Birdsong and chat of carefree girls and boys

Flowers flaunt glitter of raindrop rhinestones

Bowers a-twitter with myriad tones

Apple tree blushes, blossom-ecstasy

Lilacs burst into a star-symphony

Gardens are playgrounds for dreams and bare feet

Duty is sacred and labour is sweet

Hope is a river that runs through the heart

Each day of May like a work of fine art

Nature's inheritance humbles the meek

These are the days of God's kiss on earth's cheek 

© Janet Martin

Female rose-breasted Grosbeak (identified by my Birder-friends on FB)

This male caught my eye (it's okay. it's a bird) 😅😉

because its back-feathers seemed more variegated than some

Turns out its cause he's young!😇