Dear Lucy, It Is Summer

...and now it is eight months since our hearts were suddenly broken,

never to be the same again!

Dear Lucy, how we miss you!

The honeysuckle vine you gave is gilt with clusters, pink...

The breeze chases a winsome wave that rolls through wheat fields, gold...

The lily and the hollyhock lure honey bees to drink...

And everywhere we look earth gleams with beauty to behold

Summer has much on offer to rekindle awe and praise

The garden like a coffer brimming with the fruit of dreams

The countryside, a work of art entitled Summer Days...

Dear Lucy

The honeysuckle vine you gave is gilt with clusters, pink

The breeze chases a winsome wave that rolls through wheat fields, gold

The lily and the hollyhock lure honey bees to drink

And everywhere we look earth gleams with beauty to behold

Summer has much on offer to rekindle awe and praise

The garden like a coffer brimming with the fruit of dreams

The countryside, a work of art entitled Summer Days

(where joy and sorrow rush the heart in conflicting extremes)  

Sometimes, when missing you ignites fresh, sudden pangs of grief

I count the ways I loved you, sister dear, and love you more 

Then, from a world of yesterdays, descends divine relief

Love's symphony of echoes plays a tender repertoire 

The memories I have of you are like a garden path

Traced and retraced, soft woven through with threads I cannot touch

They gently bind the isles Thought trods to Laughter's Aftermath

Of Summers where we oohed and a-ahed, and talked and walked and such

....while watching our children grow too fast; they always do

While weathering the ebb and flow of tides that stole our youth

While planting flow'rs in trouble's dirt like our mother did too

While learning from parental hurt, lessons of timeless truth 

What I would give to hear you sigh or exclaim with delight  

Over something that caught your eye while your heart skipped a beat

A field full of wild flowers, purple, yellow, red and white (we were out on a sister's day)

Or twilight's tranquil bowers, or a yummy fresh-baked treat 

No, summer has not changed its ways, it still burgeons with bliss

And never ceases to amaze on both good days and bad 

The sky is blue; the lake is too, but, oh, in spite of this 

Somehow sweet summer without you just isn't quite as glad 

Janet Martin 

The memories I have of you are like a garden path

Traced and retraced, soft woven through with threads I cannot touch...

This year I planted a little flower garden in my vegetable garden...

A place to work, and let the therapy of flowers comfort me.

A place to sit to pray, read and remember Lucy, as well as my parents,

my other three sisters and their spouses,

my five brothers and their spouses

And of course her husband and children

We, as a family, all share in this deep grief of missing Lucy..

I hope in August when more flowers bloom, 

and you also would love a quiet moment of reflection and remembering Lucy,

you know you are welcome to drop by my garden too 💛🙏 

In the Garden

Because True Love Must Suffer Long...

“In every temptation we face and every trial we endure,

both Satan and God are active, and they have opposite designs, opposite purposes.

God is always proving your faith and your obedience in every temptation and trial.

And Satan is always seeking to destroy your faith and undermine your obedience

in every temptation and trial.”

—John Piper

Rom.8:6

For to be carnally minded is death;

 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

God had one Son without sin,

but none without sorrow

J.R. Miller

Love suffers long...1 Cor.13:4

For this midweek, midmonth morning, a prayer.

Happy (or not) Mid-July! 

Dear Lord, waken our wanting to veiled blessings burdens bear

Expose the carnal taunting of the tempter’s cunning snare

By Thy own life, remind us how true love must suffer long

How before and behind us, your Hand on us makes us strong

Let Your Word be our buffer in a world vile and untrue

Through all that love must suffer, shape us to be more like You

As You bless those who mourn with comfort of courage renewed

As You infuse hearts, sorrow-worn with humbler gratitude

Surely goodness and mercy will not fail us all our days

Surely, through sorrow, You instill love’s purer joy and praise

Surely, through self-denial You bestow riches untold

Surely, through each new trial some new blessing You unfold

Dear Lord, help us humbly receive the gifts You long to give

Guard us against lies that deceive; show us how we should live

Then help us walk by faith, not sight; in weakness make us strong

As Your law becomes our delight and love’s suff’ring, our song

© Janet Martin

another soul-cheering reminder from the book pictured HERE 

The Beatitudes

Matt.5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the [a]earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, 

and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, 

for great is your reward in heaven, 

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Tribute to Truckdrivers

Beginning this new week with thoughts and prayers for everyone whose occupation

demands many hours on highways, but esp. truckdrivers!

Below Jim,(my husband who is nearing a 40 year career of truck driving), 

getting ready to leave.

'While many wives and mothers stoke home-sweet-home fires with prayer

That God would send each truckdriver an angel unaware'...

Sometimes when we're in traffic we forget this bitty slogan,

'if we've got it a truck brought it!'

So how about a prayer, a smile and thumbs up, for our truckdrivers,

instead of temper-flares, horn blares and raised fists!

This Tribute to Truckdrivers was penned for my friend 

who lost her husband in May, (click HERE for May post)

after a fifty year career of driving truck. 

 In loving memory of Cliff Martin 

who is deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Continued prayers for his wife and family are dearly valued.

***

To you, the unsung heroes of a million miles and more

Who keep the wheels of commerce turning worldwide, shore to shore

Who leave the warmth of home, sweet home for supply and demand

Of socks and shoes, cruses of oil, fertilizer and sand

To you, the unsung heroes we pray God to guide and keep

Oft rolling through the dark night while the world is fast asleep

Where often we are guilty of forgetting what it takes

So we have chow for pup and cow and coffee for our breaks/cakes

To you, the unsung heroes of love’s often Missed Event

While you make someone else’s day across the continent

While you transport material and tools for every trade

While going extra miles to keep the costs of living/loving paid

To you, the unsung heroes of many a-weathered gale

And many a-mustered steep, while praying brakes and gears won’t fail

While many wives and mothers stoke home-sweet-home fires with prayer

That God would send each truckdriver an angel unaware

To you, the unsung heroes of many a lonely scene

While rolling down the highway, while mile on mile gapes between

Those dearly loved, because somewhere someone depends on you

To bring the Things they need, to do the Things They Need to Do

To you, the unsung heroes of facing another day

Of traffic racing on both sides because ‘you’re in the way!’

Caught in a line of fire, not for faint of heart and mind

So, if you meet a truckdriver, dear car driver, be kind

To you, the unsung heroes of pick-ups and drop-offs, while

Horns blare and tempers flare; not everybody wears a smile

To you, the unsung heroes of bridge-builders, buttered bread

Of bringing what it takes to keep us housed and clothed and fed

You are the unsung heroes of earth’s asphalt battlefield

Where every day you face the danger of weapons, four-wheeled

And many return home to hug their loved ones, once again

But many don’t. God, guide and guard/bless our truckdrivers, amen

© Janet Martin

Ps.91:1-2&4

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.a

2I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

4He will cover you with His feathers;

under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

George Strait Brothers of the Highway

'this country turns on eighteen wheels' ♫♬♬🎜

Roll On, Eighteen Wheeler-Alabama 

Making the Most of Life

Ps.5:11-12

Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: 

let them ever shout for joy because Thou defendest them: 

Let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.

For Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous: 

with favour wilt thou compass Him as with a shield.

***

There are few things which make life as meaningless, as selfishness.

Small wonder then that the two greatest commandments

challenge and cheer every choice we make

every day.

***

Our gains and blessings are never given to pocket, but to share.

How prone human nature is to self-indulgence,

rather than recognizing where there is added blessing

there is added responsibility to bless and give...

***

When we are tempted to hide the 'talent' in the earth

whether of money or spiritual gifts

to protect it from failure and loss

let us pray to the Giver for help

to trust Him more.

***

When, with what we are given, we seek first the kingdom of God,

by honouring the Giver, then success is guaranteed,

far beyond what the naked eye can behold!

***

Recently I purchased a little book

(so I would qualify for free shipping from Amazon) 😀

It is a beautiful vault of godly wisdom and exhortation!

(and the above excerpts are just the first few paragraphs!!)

Our greatest understanding cannot comprehend God's ways

Lord, let it be enough for me to trust Thee all my days

How brief, accumulation's lease; the treasures we accrue

Where, how/how where, we concentrate life's wealth is up to me and you 

How holy is each breath we take; each choice we make, oh Lord

Help us to make the most of life by reck'ning the reward

~Janet Martin

Flower Garden Goodness

Sometimes goodness seems shattered in this broken world of ours

Until we linger in the friendly fellowship of flowers

Sometimes we find it hard to reconcile life's highs and lows

Until we stop to listen to the counsel of a rose

Sometimes with good intent we rush headlong into the day

Without taking a moment to 'behold lilies' and pray

Sometimes, the path of righteousness would be a doleful due

Save for the flower gardens it is bound to draw us to/through...

Some of the greatest sermons that the heart has ever heard

Are preached from petal-pulpits without uttering a word

© Janet Martin

Matt.6:25-34 BSB

25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?f

28And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of Godg and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

For Each Today, Fresh Made...

'Put sprinkles on mine so I will be really happy'

ordered/requested an eager, innocent three-year-old recently

as he watched me scoop, wishing the ice-cream was blue, 

like the picture on the cone-box.

(is that how we sound to God sometimes??

Asking for sprinkles while he is scooping generous

helpings of ice-cream?!)

Stand in awe and sin not.

Ps.4:4

This morning I had all but the final two lines down in today's poem

before Duty prevailed...

Sausage to can...

Grand-kiddo helpers to pick peas...

Mercy, in tender splendor sets the wick of morn ablaze

For we, time's fortune-spenders in a sequence of todays...

Mercy, in tender splendor sets the wick of morn ablaze

For we, time's fortune-spenders in a sequence of todays

Where ups and downs, bound to perplex the architect of dreams

Wait, once again to test and vex and prove what love esteems

Creation's constant glory seals the evidence of God

Wonder, like holy thunders peals in each soul, humbly awed 

While laughter and tears ebb and flow, while sorrow-billows swell 

*Where holding turns to letting go and hello to farewell 

Let us reason together the Duty of you and me

To kind and humbly weather both beauty and misery

Not on our own but by the grace of God, who made all things

His steadfast Presence helps us face whatever today brings 

Mortal wish sometimes disagrees with purpose God-bestowed 

'An ice-cream cone with sprinkles please' is not a pleasure owed 

And all the 'sprinkles; in the world cannot compare, when weighed

With mercy's  faithfulness unfurled in each today fresh-made

Janet Martin

*Where holding turns to letting go and hello to farewell 

(the above lines inspired by the heart-wrenching tragedy of the Texas flood)

Tears and prayers flow...

Because Our Time on Earth is Brief...

Lest we 'fall into temptation and a trap because we want to be rich' 1 Tim.6:9

making it exceedingly difficult to

'love God first and our neighbour as ourselves, Luke 10:27

let us 'serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling'! Ps.2:11

Lest we label 'faithfulness in obedience' as legalistic

in an age of increasing nonchalance,

let us take heed, if we think we stand, lest we fall' 1 Cor.10:12

Lest we drown out God's voice with noise of worldly ploys,

oh Lord, remind us to be still and know that you are God. Ps.46:10

Let us delight in Your law and meditate on it day and night!

So we will be like a tree planted by rivers of water

bringing forth fruit in season,

and leaf that does not wither,

as whatever we do shall prosper. Ps.1:2-3

Our church family is invited to participate in reading through the Psalms during July and August!

Would you like to join us, and also be ministered to by these powerful chapters of Scripture?

Because our time on earth is brief

Not one single soul can afford

To live as if this world were chief

For soon we all will meet the Lord

The Lord is He who gives and takes

His breath instills each breath we draw

Then for Him and fellowman's sakes

Pray love to be our lifelong law

...because our time on earth is brief

Lord, make us more humble and kind

And help us live each day as if

Today we'll leave it all behind 

Janet 🙏💝

When Former Things Have Passed Away

Sometimes, whether foolishly or wistfully

I use the phrase 'heaven on earth' as I did this morning,

while gazing awe-dazed, at a rain-mist dazzled flower garden/roses...

However, Bible readers know what Scripture tells us;

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Cor.2:9

When we without dark glass between

Will see Him, face to face...

When former things have passed away

What a day that will be

When God transforms The Potter's Clay

To Immortality

  

When hope becomes reality

When prophecies shall cease

When knowledge ends and love will be

Eternal joy and peace

When God will wipe away our tears

When He settles faith's score

When pain and sorrow disappears

When death will be no more

No jealousy, envy or greed

No sin to mar or taint

When former things of want and need

No longer test/try the saint 

When we without dark glass between

Will see Him, face to face

And the Unseen becomes the Seen;

God's fulfilled Gift of grace

When we behold His dwelling place

When He makes all things new

When we are drawn in the embrace

Of God, Faithful and True

Tears, fears, grief, pain yield to decay 

Death crowned with victory

When former things have passed away

For all eternity

~Janet Martin

A few versions of a hymn that is growing increasingly dearer with

every parting of loved ones who have believed and received the gift

of salvation; eternal life! 

What A Day That Will Be Lyrics

Drew Parker - What A Day That Will Be (Acoustic Cover) // The Church Sessions

And last but not least one of the most precious and sobering passages in Scripture!

Rev.21:1-8

All Things Made New

1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,

the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.

Also there was no more sea.

2Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,

coming down out of heaven from God,

 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 

He will dwell with them, they shall be His people. 

God Himself will be with them and be their God.

4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 

there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. 

There shall be no more pain, 

for the former things have passed away.”

5Then He who sat on the throne said,

 “Behold, I make all things new.” 

And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6And He said to me, “It[c] is done!

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

7He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things,

and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

8But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable,

murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,

idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake

which burns with fire and brimstone, 

which is the second death.”