How The Plump Dove Fluffs Its Feathers (among a few other observations)

Happy, happy halfway through January 2024!!

Ps.145:9-10

The Lord is good to all; 

 he has compassion on all he has made.

All your works praise you, Lord;

your faithful people extol you.

How the plump dove fluffs its feathers with no need for looking glass...

How, if we look, we find much to be tenderly thankful for

How a good book adds a touch of passion to commonplace chore...

(more about below book Here: Homemaker's Prayer)

How a cup of tea is like a gentle, pick-me-upper hug...

How snow-stenciled scenery always gives my heartstring a tug...

How the plump dove fluffs its feathers with no need for looking glass

How love’s sentimental tether binds the present to the past

How spring, summer, fall and winter, Beauty cheers thought’s countenance

And how prayer’s flight is unhindered by season or circumstance

How we are awed, sweetly speechless by Nature’s Grand Orchestra

How God teaches and beseeches mortal worship through its law

How the creature is no match for the Creator; never was

Never will be; He is greater and deserves endless applause

How the measure of God’s pleasure steals the show without contest

How each new day grants the treasure of a fresh and untried quest

How laughter’s melodic mettle fills the air with seraphim

How the song of the tea kettle is my favorite kitchen hymn

How, if we look, we find much to be tenderly thankful for

How a good book adds a touch of passion to commonplace chore

How a cup of tea is like a gentle, pick-me-upper hug

How snow-stenciled scenery always gives my heartstring a tug

How in spite of so much sadness, gladness survives trouble’s gall

How, despite shape, height or status love is still One-size-fits-all

How a morning always rouses what has never been before

Mercy’s renewed summons wows us with God’s faithfulness once more

How, the howl of younger hunger slowly but surely succumbs

To a wizened, humbler wonder satisfied to savor crumbs

How at last we learn the secret to happiness, fit for kings

Not in gimme-gimme-reaches, but in joy of simple things

How, through loss we gain awareness of phrases like you-and-me

Cherishing the fragile rareness of fine words like ‘us’ and ‘we’

How, here we are cradled briefly between two eternities

One, that concerns the Soul chiefly, one of Bygone centuries

How an almost-poem’s tempo keens the poet’s appetite

How ink-swirls compose mementos of rhythm and rhymed delight

How the Bard, kindly encumbered with God’s charge to dredge blurred deeps

Probes the place where Ballad slumbers or Elusive Poem sleeps

How the Finesse of Forever wakes us to the wealth of Now

How the howling gale of winter makes home palatial, somehow

How we chuckle while the weather throws tantrums that never last

How the plump dove fluffs its feathers ready to face one more blast

© Janet Martin

(Below, the cardinal and Blue Jay pics are from my mother-in-law's house yesterday)

How spring, summer, fall and winter, Beauty cheers thought’s countenance...

Bird-watching bliss these days as the cold temps 

and snowy weather brings a feeding frenzy!

Of Dialogue Unseen

Nothing we do, no matter how noble, or enjoyable, or profitable

can/should take the place of 

fellowship with the One who made and knows us completely!

Sometimes when I feel busy its tempting to 'skip' a time

of morning fellowship with my/our Giver of every good and perfect gift!

How foolish to choose to settle for less of Him 

on those days we need more of Him! 

Yesterday I enjoyed some mid-winter canning!

I schnitzed the last of the apples from our tree...

...because it looks like the temperatures are going to dip enough

that the produce I was still storing in the garage, might freeze.

I turned some of the cabbage, carrots and onions into another batch of veggie soup!

Below,  little spinoff from this morning's quiet fellowship with my Best Friend

Ps.139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart: 

try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Lord, hearer of lament

Beholder of my heart

Discerner of thought and intent

You do not see in part

…but know all things. You look

Beyond what love pretends

My life is like an open book

That no excuse defends

Lord, nothing can replace

The fellowship between

The Taker and Giver of grace

In dialogue unseen

Through You the branch bears fruit

Faith can no proxy plead

Prayer has no equal substitute

To satisfy its need

Unless Thy Word prevails

And Thy laws I embrace

In vain I hoist devotion’s sails

In vain I state my case

O Lord, search my lament

You see and know my heart

Thou, Discerner  of thought's intent

How very great Thou art

  

© Janet Martin

 Psalm 139:1-6 & 13-18

O LORD, You have searched me

and known me.

2You know when I sit and when I rise;

You understand my thoughts from afar.

3You search out my path and my lying down;

You are aware of all my ways.

4Even before a word is on my tongue,

You know all about it, O LORD.

5You hem me in behind and before;

You have laid Your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain...

For You formed my inmost being;a

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14I praise You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Marvelous are Your works,

and I know this very well.

15My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in secret,

when I was woven together

in the depths of the earth.

16Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all my days were written in Your book

and ordained for me

before one of them came to be...

How precious to me are Your thoughts,b O God,

how vast is their sum!

18If I were to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand;

and when I awake,

I am still with You.

Brief Encounter (with Today) or Truth's Long Encounter (with Eternity)

 Ps.139:16

all my days were written in Your book

and ordained for me

before one of them came to be...

Heb.3:12-13

Take heed, brethren, lest there be

in any of you an evil heart of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

but exhort one another daily

while it is called Today;

lest any of you be hardened through

the deceitfulness of sin

I wonder what today will bring!

Yesterday brought a sweet visit with my sister 

at a friend's beautiful home!

...and an opportunity to be utterly enchanted 

by our Creator's handiwork

as we walked on a riverside trail nearby!

this poem originally was the first three stanzas, 

then, as I was posting it, three more tumbled out😅😏

so, maybe you just want to read three or maybe you will read six.

Either way, may God bless and guide you and me 

 as we try to make the most of

Today's Brief Encounter

Where you will go, I know; your predecessors lead the way

Through twilight’s westward gate each brief encounter disappears

Yet, when I wake, once more you fill each window, like a tray

Replenished with what waits to fuel prayers, laughter and tears

And, though I do not know the ins and outs of ups and downs

I know Whose faithfulness abides to cup each come-what-may

That waits to weave an echo-labyrinth of smiles and frowns

As yesterday’s tomorrow dons the fleet shoes of Today

…to run beneath my feet, the sacred sweep that ekes toward

The finish line where Time and taker’s marathon is through

Thus, dear Today, before you fade where dusk tugs heaven’s cord

And tucks you beneath stars, I want to make the most of you

Because only God knows how many of you yet remain

Before each Today He ordained for me has come to be

So then, because I know that you will never pass again

I want to make the most of mercy's gift of you to me  

Because there is much more than memories to make, at stake

Much more than love's emotional or sentimental spree

Today is the day of salvation; a gift all should take

To prepare for Truth's Long Encounter with Eternity 

Then we should pay attention to each Today that we have

(As surely as the upward flight of sparks, its end will be)

But, Soul transcends the trek that spans between cradle and grave

Where Today's brief encounter hems Truth's Long Eternity

© Janet Martin

Then, Help Me Lean on You Again (A Prayer)

 for this snow-soft winter morning, I thank-you Lord...🎜🎝

Seldom can I recall lines from the night before, the following morning 

unless I jot them down .

The first two lines of today's poem, first introduced

 as I was getting into bed last night

were still with me when I awoke this morning!

This is my prayer for me and you

as we learn to lean on God's arms again and again.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms-Alan Jackson

I want to walk with You today

And talk with You along the way

In all I do I want to see

The evidence of You with/in me

I want to think on things I should

And speak only words sound and good

In all I say I want to hear

Your still, small Voice to commandeer

I want to trust in You alone

To help me through each day’s unknown

In all I face I want to know

Your gift of grace whereby I go

Father in Heaven I thank You

For Your Presence, faithful and true

Then help me lean on You again

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen

© Janet Martin

Ps.89:14-16

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

love and faithfulness go before you.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

 They rejoice in your name all day long;

they celebrate your righteousness.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Lyrics

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer

Author: W. W. Walford (1845)

Tune: [Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer] (Bradbury)

1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

that calls me from a world of care,

and bids me at my Father's throne

make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

my soul has often found relief,

and oft escaped the tempter's snare

by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

the joys I feel, the bliss I share

of those whose anxious spirits burn

with strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place

where God my Savior shows his face,

and gladly take my station there,

and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

thy wings shall my petition bear

to him whose truth and faithfulness

engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since he bids me seek his face,

believe his word, and trust his grace,

I'll cast on him my every care,

and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Homemaker's Prayer

Last night I started reading this book.

 (lent to me by a friend who knew I would love it, and I do!)

I fell in love with it from the first paragraph (pictured below)! 

reflections on the value of home, 

timeless good advice for homemakers,

 prayers, stories and recipes

connected to the stories!

In the first chapter, (written in the '60's) she is contemplating the 

increasing breakdown of homes,  the foundation of strong nations!

Even more relevant now! 

Lord, help me to make home a haven of kindness and grace

For nothing else in all the world can take home-sweet-home’s place

Then fit me with Thy joy and strength, fill every task I do

With thankfulness and love, so above all, I honour You

Lord, help me guard the heart of home with fierce, yet tender care

Lest some ruinous habit leaves it in sad disrepair

Keep me aware of what may harm or wreck its shielding wing

For the heart of the home is like a living, breathing Thing

… And never let the barb of discontentment tear a hole

Into the fabric that ought to protect, cheer and console

Lord, when my home begins to feel like a fragile, chipped cup

Still, let no failure foster the temptation to give up

Lord, teach me with humility to tend with mother’s pride

To details that kindle a glow that reaches far and wide

So that, no matter how far from its happy hearth we roam

The flicker of love’s Candlelight instills a sense of home

…and always draws us gladly back to where we long to be

To nourish us with home-sweet-home’s familiarity

Where welcomes are never worn thin, where love attends life’s woes

In, pray what grants a glimpse of Home beyond time’s curtain-close

© Janet Martin

I love how the beginning of the second chapter

 is in sync with the season I am in;

slowly tucking Christmas away, bit by bit

Books like this kindle in me 

a sweet contentment for the domestic 'mundane'  bliss

For things like 

mending...

ironing...

folding laundry...

tidying clutter...

making cabbage rolls...

(enough to freeze some for convenient suppers-for-one))

Cabbage Rolls...

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

For Our 'Happy-in-Waiting' (in Happy New Year)

I started this poem a week ago,

snaring lines as they bobbed by...

This week I finally had a chance to collect more fragments

from my trek through impending happiness-es!

I splashed through brooks, 

went on a picnic,

 laughed at a silly, fat robin,

and SO much more!

Happy Whatever Happy-in-waiting is waiting for you!

Winter’s canvas to be tickled with giggling snow-angel throngs

Below, one of my all-time favorite shots from days long gone

Victoria and her cousin...

Hush! plush-pink peony pom-poms wait to pop nature’s green cork...

Chill winds to be charmed and taken by soft zephyrs, blossom-sweet

Gardens to be warmed and ‘wakened by the banter of bare feet

Barren branches to be garnished with whispers of God-spun lace

Snowy hillsides to grow tarnished as sunbeams give winter chase

Dust to stir as fields are planted with both seed and farmer’s prayer

Hearts and souls to be enchanted by glory, heavens declare

Buds to burst with petal-plunder, miracles in every pod

Happiness immersed in wonder by the handiwork of God

Sassy robin tugging dinner from a grassy smorgasbord

Scrumptious supper-soups to simmer, coffees to be brewed and poured

Into fav’rite mugs, hand hugged and ever so blissfully sipped

While the bashful morn is tugged across skylines, pink and gold dipped

Summer’s harvest to be pickled, autumn to dwindle leaf-songs

Winter’s canvas to be tickled with giggling snow-angel throngs

Cheese and whole-grain cracker-stackers to pack in a picnic lunch

Bunch ‘o please-and-thank-you-happy snackers munching carrot-crunch

Steps to slow to walk with children, innocence to steal our breath

While we point the way to Heaven from earth’s thoroughfares of Death

Cozy snuggle-with-me twilight while outside the world grows dark

Foibles turning into hindsight as discernment meets its mark

Solemn Last Post and Reveille Remembrances-lest we forget

Fires to be stoked and fences to tend to, not mended yet

Hush! plush-pink peony pom-poms wait to pop nature’s green cork

Rush of seasons waits to romp and vex wild wanderlust with work

Payments to be made and worry to teach us to use our knees

Patience to test ‘we’re late’ hurry, as we search for phones, shoes, keys

Kindness to be shown, ink-hunger to be fed with books, books, books

Inner child to rediscover as we wade through fields and brooks

Cakes to bake and decorate for birthdays yet to celebrate

Beach to stroll and hand to hold; don’t wait until it is too late

Silver poplar’s shiny shivers, tap dancers made out of rain

Waltzing on impromptu rivers gushing down the street and lane

Naughty puppy to be scolded, antics by Mr. Mischief

Laundry to be washed and folded, to-do-lists-achieved-relief

Days to drain of exultation to God for blessing-heaped trays

Thought to tune with adoration, heart to overflow with praise

© Janet Martin

Scrumptious supper-soups to simmer,

(instead of scrumptious supper-soup, last night was scrumptious, supper-stirfry!)

Chicken and veg stir-fried and served on a bed of stir-fried/steamed cabbage and black beans