Happy Last Weekend of January 2025...already?!!
Last Sunday evening a much belated birthday celebration was enjoyed
(due to many cold and flu postponements)
in honour of the little lad who turned Jim and I into grandparents!
Happy 8th birthday, Grandson
Ps.40:5
Many, O LORD my God,
are Your wonderful works which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
they are more than can be numbered.
(find the whole glorious chapter at the end of this post)
The goldfinch doffed of yellow...
is a dapper fellow still...
Though winter dims bright colour with a layer of brown twill...
The landscape, green and golden...
or tucked beneath snowy fleece
Is like a priceless painting; a four-season masterpiece...
The heavens as they declare God's glory o'er all the world ...
The bud, arousing wonder for miracles, still unfurled
Stirs in the human heart a hymn that overflows its brink
To see God in creation is life's sweetest joy, I think...
In living rooms where laughter celebrates a birthday boy...
(before the ruckus, as little sister from across the table contributed a mighty PUFF!!!)
The goldfinch doffed of yellow is a dapper fellow still
Though winter dims bright colour with a layer of brown twill
The landscape, green and golden or tucked beneath snowy fleece
Is like a priceless painting; a four-season masterpiece
The heavens as they declare God's glory o'er all the world
The bud, arousing wonder for miracles, still unfurled
Stirs in the human heart a hymn that overflows its brink
To see God in creation is life's sweetest joy, I think
How small and trusting is the hand that tugs on mom and dad
Or Gran and Gramps; how suddenly love makes us humbly glad
For things we dare not forget to thank God for every day
Lest love we take for granted is suddenly drawn away
Wakening us to a more purposed response to God's grace
With ears to hear and eyes to see each other, face to face
In living rooms where laughter celebrates a birthday boy
To see God in our loved ones is surely life's dearest joy
Ah, I am wrong. When laughter's song is turned into a prayer
When sorrow tugs are more than hugs as farewells fill the air
When teardrops fall and all that we can do is lean on He
Who is a Very Present Help in times of misery
For all who are inducted into ranks of those who mourn
He comforts us; and never fails us when hearts are grief-torn
He who knows love's great suffering does not forsake us there
Ah! to see God in sorrow is joy beyond all compare
Janet Martin
Ah, I am wrong. When laughter's song is turned into a prayer
When sorrow tugs are more than hugs as farewells fill the air...
Ps.40 BSB (Berean Study Bible)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2He lifted me up from the pit of despair,
out of the miry clay;
He set my feet upon a rock,
and made my footsteps firm.
3He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4Blessed is the man
who has made the LORD his trust,
who has not turned to the proud,
nor to those who lapse into falsehood.a
5Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders You have done,
and the plans You have for us—
none can compare to You—
if I proclaim and declare them,
they are more than I can count.
6Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
but my ears You have opened.b
Burnt offerings and sin offerings
You did not require.
7Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll:
8I delight to do Your will, O my God;c
Your law is within my heart.”
9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
behold, I do not seal my lips,
as You, O LORD, do know.
10I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation;
I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness
from the great assembly.
11O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me;
Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me.
12For evils without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart has failed within me.
13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;
hurry, O LORD, to help me.
14May those who seek my life
be ashamed and confounded;
may those who wish me harm
be repelled and humiliated.
15May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16May all who seek You
rejoice and be glad in You;
may those who love Your salvation
always say, “The LORD be magnified!”
17But I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my helper and deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.
