The Journey of Grief...a Reflection

The Journey of Grief 

As we face the journey of grief, no one hands us a map, 

clearly marked with when we must navigate what, or how, 

and no one hands those around us a map either,

with a distinctly highlighted path from starting point to finish line of grief’s journey.

On the journey of grief, each landscape varies; 

its hilltops and valleys uniquely individual,

uncharted, and ever so personal.

Sometimes, on its journey, grief grants pitstops where, 

for a glorious minute or hour

We forget that we are sad, 

forget bitter loss as we taste and treasure,

 if only for a little

a hint of sweeter days to come…

Then the weight of sadness rushes back in, 

its ebb and flow without cut and dry rhythms.

Some days sorrow almost overwhelms us with longing 

for what will never be again;

Longing to hear their voice, 

to see their smiles and tears and, feel their hugs.

Longing for new stories about him or her. 

But there are no new stories

So, we recall the old ones again 

and laugh or cry,

in a tender effort to keep 

precious memories alive!

In the journey of grief, we hurt for ourselves 

but we also hurt for fellow-travelers/mourners.

And in our human sorrow-tender nature 

we want to help them;

To ease suffering by easing their weight of sadness;

The very weight that God allows for us

 to discover firsthand the glorious power of Him;

His Very present Help, 

His comfort, 

His strength!

The very weight we want to eradicate 

is the weight that draws us to our knees!

To our personal Gethsemanes, 

to learn utter surrender 

and echo the prayer of Jesus

Not spared from pain and sorrow as He prayed

 ‘not my will but Thine’

And because of Jesus, the believer’s journey of grief

 is not traveled alone or without hope.

For the believer the promise in Rom.8:28, 

that God works all things for good to those who love Him,

 and are called according to His purpose, 

is truth,

 is hope, 

is reality 

on a timeline beyond our control or comprehension.

On the topic of Life’s burdens J.R. Miller wrote,

In every burden that God lays upon us

 there is a blessing for us if only we will take it.

Our pain and sorrow, 

endured with sweet trust and submission

leave us with life purified and enriched, 

with more of Christ in us.

Is there any greater good that God could work 

than ‘more of Christ in us’?

I treasure now, more than ever, 

the words of Jesus when He comforted Martha 

after the death of her brother Lazarus; in John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. 

He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 

And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. 

Do you believe this?”

What glorious comfort and hope 

transcends deepest grief, 

when we believe this!

Though grief is great, 

hope is greater.

Do you Believe This?

When Death, the Scythe that ceases Time, gathers a loved one beyond reach

Do you believe? Does Heaven’s clime become longing's lamenting roar

Though sorrow staggers 'neath the weight of lessons love must ever teach

Do you turn eyes toward a Gate that gleams far fairer than before

When Death delivers Farewell's rift and stuns the grasp of mortal ken

Do you believe? does God’s grace-gift fill sorrow with hope over-joyed

Because you know, though tears may flow, God keeps His promises. Amen

Though Death is a grim reaper, oh, how dear the hope that spans grief’s void

When Death reminds we who remain how small-swift-sacred is life's lease

When earthly loss is Heaven's gain does Heaven suddenly draw near?

Do we believe? with hurting hearts do we turn to the Prince of Peace

Trusting His will till sight imparts the face of God and loved ones dear

When Death, with one fell swoop subdues the Soul’s dust-to-dust vestibule

Then it will be to late to choose who we will trust or serve; oh pray

Do you believe in He who made the hope/home of Heaven possible

Are you prepared should Death’s swift blade cut your life to the quick today?

Do you believe and do you love He who does not leave or forsake

Is salvation’s solace enough to console sorrow’s weeping wail

For God so dearly loves and hears us; He draws nearer when hearts break

Through His Word He gently cheers us with goodness that will not fail

Janet Martin

The Hand That Gently Draws Night's Veil...

Happy first day of the final week of November 2025!!

(can you believe it?!!)

Ps.145:17-18

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

The Hand that gently draws night’s veil from welkin windows dimmed at dusk

Sustains redemption’s gleaming grail; shadows recede and morning breaks

Where what is done none can undo and what yet waits is beyond us

But what Today grants me and you are mercies renewed for our sakes

The Hand that none can circumvent delivers us from night’s dark hues

Where today’s laughter and lament are waiting to cheer and dismay

This is the day the Lord has made; we give account for how we use

Its fleeting moment-promenade falling like stars soon swept away

The Hand that none can see sustains preordained grants of joy and grief

Beyond reason Logic explains, God orchestrates love’s perfect will

Where what we see and understand are not enough to gauge belief

Behold! God’s goodness sweeps the land in grand persuasion to Be Still

The Hand that leads us if we ask and calms the tempest if we trust

Will help us in each humble task, will keep us in His faithful care

Will hold us in faith’s holy fight, will shepherd stray-prone wanderlust

Will shield us from pitfalls of sight and guard us from the Tempter’s snare

The Hand that gently draws night’s veil from nocturne-nestled countryside

Presides with love that does not fail regardless of perception’s wreath

Where what we want He will appraise and what we need He will provide

As morning breaks and Mercy lays His Hand above, beside, beneath

Janet Martin

Heb.13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, 

who through the blood 

of the eternal covenant 

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, 

that great Shepherd of the sheep,

 21equip you with every good thingc 

to do His will. 

And may He accomplish in usd 

what is pleasing in His sight 

through Jesus Christ, 

to whom be glory forever and ever. 

Amen.

Why Poems?

2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 20

For the 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge,

 poets write a poem a day in the month of November. 

Day 20 is to write an explanation poem.

To those who sometimes wonder, or ask, WHY?!!

Why poems?!!

poetry is far more than ink arrangement of verse-rhyme

(though some perceive its purpose as sheer waste of precious time)

because some so-called poets desecrate ballads with blight

through unholy vulgarity and disregard for right

poetry is love's passion poured upon a page; its quest

to rekindle a heart of awe within the human breast

to waken us to worship God with more humility

to draw wonder from unplumbed wells of Divine Deity  

to grasp, from sod and sky and sea, sacred glimpses, though dim

Of He whose workmanship is but the outer fringe of Him 

and then to bow before the parchment altar with amen 

touching the hem of God's garment through whispers of a pen

poetry is far more than vaunt to vex the hungry eye 

it is the aftermath of prayer, the dredged deeps of a sigh

the heart that skipped a beat as it beheld the holy stage

where ink survives the author of words committed to page 

poetry is the pleasure of  God rushing through thought's veins 

a holy happiness that the Ultimate Bard sustains

through nature's endless evidence of He who woos the soul

and keens ears to an ocean where uncharted poems toll/roll

poetry is far more than lyrical extravagance

it is a brush that paints a scene, a soulful song and dance

it is a kind endeavor to address lament and laud

and benefit the reader with witness that points to God 

poetry is the language of lovers of humankind

longing's collective sympathies, the music of the mind

so when you ask 'why poems? all that I can think to say

 is, 'to ignore the ocean's roar would be to cease to pray'

or, when you ask 'why poems' the simplest truth I can give

Is, 'to ignore the ocean's roar would be to cease to live'

Janet Martin

“When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”

Eric Liddell (1902–1945)

When I write poetry I feel God's pleasure

Janet Martin (1966-....)

The Key to the Kingdom-Faithfulness

Mark 13:13
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, 

but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Luke 21:19
By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer...

. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Jesus... for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

On the cross death/defeat appeared the Victor, but not so!

So let us also endure faith's crosses...

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, 

and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. 

Heb.12:1-2

“This job has been given to me to do. 

Therefore, it is a gift. 

Therefore, it is a privilege. 

Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. 

Therefore, it is to be done gladly, 

if it is done for Him. 

Here, not somewhere else, 

I may learn God’s way. 

In this job, 

not in some other,

 God looks for faithfulness.”

- Elisabeth Elliot

What sacred service and holy,

suddenly housework/homemaking becomes

To learn the faithfulness of God

Through cleaning up toys and toast crumbs

(or laundry or cooking or cleaning😅🙏)

Because I am in close contact with a number of young mothers

I am reminded of the days/season that 

sometimes felt overwhelming with 'small' demands

and feelings of little accomplished.

Faithfulness in life's seemingly small things is

faithfulness in its big things!

Dear young parent, dear old saint, 

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, 

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Each task performed to the glory of God

transforms mundane chores to majestic opportunities of faithfulness! 

1 Corinthians 6:20

For you were bought at a price; 

therefore glorify God in your body 

and in your spirit, which are God's.

Oh Lord, when I cry 'I am finished'

You reply 'I AM faithful'

Faithfulness takes a lifetime to achieve!

There is only one way to achieve it;

Press on!

Faithfulness is no once and done flying-leap victory  

It attracts little attention; its garb, humility 

No grandstands filled with lively din to energize and cheer 

And urge faith's athlete onward in the race/grace of now-and-here 

Faithfulness is no grandiose triumph, hailed with high-fives 

The approach to its curtain-close a grueling enterprise

Accomplished slowly, breath by breath, with love's sincerity 

And only the mercy of death achieves its victory

Faithfulness needs no scribe to pen its authenticity 

Love, first for God then fellowmen proves faith's integrity   

Faithfulness needs no loud applause, no trophy-bedecked hall 

Faithfulness presses on because of God's high, holy call 

Faithfulness is the diligence of duty, honour-shod

A servant-postured reliance on promises of God 

A fervent heart-desire, when the race of life is run

To bow before its Giver and to hear Him say 'well done'

Janet Martin

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! 

I have overcome the world.”

2 Cor.4:16-18 NIV

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us 

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

 but on what is unseen, 

since what is seen is temporary, 

but what is unseen is eternal.

The Afters - Well Done (Lyric Video)

Favour-Feast

 

2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 18

For the 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, 

poets write a poem a day in November. 

Day 18 is to write an optimistic and/or pessimistic poem.

Today's poem inspiration was kindled by today's devotion...

beginning with Ps.92:1

 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, 

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

Below, A small sampling of flavours from love's favour-feast!

It is good to rise each day and thank the Giver for its gift

It is good to kneel and pray and trust His Word that does not shift

It is good to praise God's Name above all other names. Amen

Then, to stake hope's groaning claim beyond this world's brief benison

It is good to learn to bear love's yoke when we are not yet old

It is good to be aware of the fleeting fortune of gold 

It is good to count each good and perfect gift from God above

 Then, when we are misunderstood we will be more fitted to love 

It is good to make the most of moments, because of their sum

It is good to boldly boast in He who tunes time's pendulum 

It is good to look around and marvel at God's mighty Hand

Then, to let wonder confound the holy ground whereon we stand  

It is good to suffer grief, to recognize true joy and peace

It is good to weigh belief in the Balance beyond Time's lease 

It is good to give more earnest thought to the things we have heard

Then, to believe truth's precepts taught and wrought by God's eternal Word 

It is good to sing and sing to He by whom all things exist

It is good to gladly bring offerings from love's unclenched fist

It is good to humbly trust in He who cares for you and me

Then, guard against domains/demons of dust to dust's ignoble hierarchy 

It is good to worship He who deserves more than we can think

It is good to faithfully draw from the well of Living Ink 

It is good to thank the Lord; to be unutterably awed

Then, because of His love outpoured, live to outpour our love to God

Janet Martin

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Dedication Anthem)

Autumn's Afterglow...

Over the weekend the halfway point of November

came and went...

and I am trying to content myself with a more

wintery pace of life,

reveling in the breath-stealing, burgeoning beauty

of each season/month.

. 'The inhabitants of the city suppose that the country landscape is pleasant only half the year. 

I please myself with the graces of the winter scenery, 

and believe that we are as much touched by it as the genial influences of summer! 

To the attentive eye each moment of the year has its own beauty, 

and in the same field it beholds every hour a picture which was never seen before 

and which shall never be seen again.'

Ralph  Waldo Emerson

Leaf laughter starts to fade but on the frosty air it seems

An afterglow of gold and jaded auburn tress still gleams

Infiltrating the heart with hues that form a tender swell

Of hope to quench lamenting rues where flaming frescos fell

Rafters, once rife with rustling hymns yield to the Maestro’s close

Like minstrels etched on welkin scrims, in majestic repose

Stark, still-life masterpieces fuel fresh and fervent awe

Where rough and tumble breezes release autumn’s last hurrah

Autumn rekindles days of yore as leaf-notes lilt and waft

Lost childhoods fondly found once more while laughing limbs are doffed

Where the heavens and earth compete, each apt to steal the show

In the fine-mingled bittersweet leaf-laughter’s afterglow

Something about the solitude of November ignites

A brooding ballad ‘neath subdued autumnal-hued highlights

Where no one but God can unfold each season’s ebb and flow

Of barren bough to green to gold to autumn’s afterglow

Janet Martin

When In The Woods I See Not Life...

Be still, and know that I am God.

Ps.46:10

I craved a quick woodland-soak this morning

before plunging into Sat. tasks...

To delight in simplicity is quite enough to satisfy 

When in the woods I see not life as sinister or crude or mean

Where the bird is a minister and the tree, a four-season queen

The air is like a silk scarf drawn through draughty awnings overhead

And the unruly little tongue is content to leave words unsaid

When in the woods I see not life as happiness to hurry through

No scales to weigh or mark success by what we do or fail to do

The frantic chase toward twilight's brief eulogy subsides, leaf-hushed

I am content with the insight of Nature's poetry, unrushed

When in the woods I see not life as battlefields for more or less

The creature is cut downs to sighs and yields to solitude's caress

Where factual epiphanies eclipse the graveyard-gilded dust 

As I gaze up, up past the trees into the Almost Face I trust

When in the woods I see life as a grand sandcastle, briefly leased 

The shock and ruin of dreamlands commands attention like a feast

Of effortless tranquility, like treetops reaching for the sky   

To delight in simplicity is quite enough to satisfy 

When in the woods I see not life as something to dread or adore

But rather like a gift that soon becomes a mem'ry, nothing more 

And here I am content to pledge to keep my wants humble and few 

To count it as a privilege to grieve the loves that once I knew

Janet Martin

a few snap-shots from previous woodland-soaks...

Monster of the Mind...

2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 15

For the 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, 

poets write a poem a day in the month of November. 

Day 15 is to write a monster poem.

“Assumptions are the most damaging enemies of our mind’s equilibrium... 

An assumption is an imaginary truth.”

— A.A. Alebraheem

Assumptions are the termites of relationships.

Henry Winkler

You are a foe to joy

The scenarios you erect

Are dark and destined to destroy

Gratitude, gladness and respect

Assumption is a monster cursed

With bidding us believe the worst

Get thee behind me, foe

You thrive on thought-evoked blood shed

And vicious, verbal blow for blow 

In the dark hole inside my head 

Assumption turns love's sumptuous feast

Into a meal fit for a beast

Janet Martin