Where We Are

Yesterday's Spectacular did not keep the Creator from a Whole New Awesome this morning!

Where whole new whorls of Awesome wait their colors to unfurl

Where woman-whisper blossoms from wee wisp of little girl

Where morning breathes a beacon to the berm of earth’s Far East

And sets before adoring eyes sun’s rising glory-feast

…where Lad and Lass have mom-dad-shoes to fill when they grow up

Where worth is not a money-grab but poured from Passion's Cup

Where we are all never too young or old to need love so

And learn from one another what the other does not know

Where Beauty is the token of nature’s unspoken word

Where each Today finds new ways to leave wonder’s vertex blurred

Where dark and light, lark and leaf-kite ally like balladeers

To compose Magnum Opuses to stun our eyes and ears

Where fear would steer us clear of fancy and its bitty dream

But God, so rich in mercy mentors us through Living Stream

And as we drink the Elixir from heaven-unfettered fount

Hope’s well-spring overflows with ‘ohs’ too bountiful to count

…where there is always something to be thankful for in spite

Of all the ways that we could name to buckle in the fight

Where we, seasoned heart-breakers, make amends and friends, for This

…for this is where we are and this is always where God IS

© Janet Martin

 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; 

he will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deut.31:8

As We Say Yes And No

...And we say yes and no

And why and ‘oh’

We cry and laugh, we leap and fly and fall

And all the while

Through groan and smile

God sees and hears, my dears, and cares for one and all

…and we pray, yes and no

And why and ‘oh’

As we lie wide awake or fast asleep

Whether we worry

Or whether we trust

Nothing, my love, will tug us from our faithful Father’s keep

…so we bear yes and no

And why and ‘oh’

Where hold-let-go wears holes through more than shoes

We break and eat

Both bitter and sweet

And hold to He who never lets go while love wills its dues

...and we cry yes and no

and why and 'oh'

While seasoned flow and ebb startles our sigh

Bloom breaks the bud

That soon strakes mud

And leaves us filled with leaf-like echo's begging lullaby

…as we taste yes and no

And why and ‘oh’

Where hello and goodbye fills our eyes, lips and hearts

While Time tethers years

To the back of its peers

And draws us ever nearer to the grave grace where all life starts

© Janet Martin

Where Majesty Prevails (what a Wonder-full way to start a new week!)

 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, 

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; 

Great is Your faithfulness. 

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, 

"Therefore I have hope in Him."…

Lam.3:22-24 

(sometimes it is highly-intimidating to try to put words after such Holy Works, but it is intended purely as out-pouring of praise to the Provider of Perfect Poetry)

Heaven is tossed with low barred clouds

They stretch like piers into a flaming sea

The hemming dark is lost; its shroud

Dissolves in redemption where Majesty

Shakes out the night with Evidence

Of Faithfulness. We bow beneath, agape

On shorelines of Deliverance

As Mercy metes morning in crimson cape

The Author of time’s ownership

Astounds, confounds us where the old is new

Though its newness is but a blip

Before it bears our marks of error too

God’s grace is like a galleon

Midst mayhem's gloom its mast, cross-shaped prevails

Through passageways, oft alien

Hope’s sorrow-scarred Battalion still sails

Heaven is absolved of starred sweep

Its fathoms leap, afire with molten mist

Above marauders of Love’s keep

God rends Time’s reserves, orange, amethyst

Pours from the place where grace commands

This granted glimpse of Heaven’s Greater Prize

It waits in mercy’s nail-scarred Hands

While we press to the Painter of the skies

© Janet Martin

Father Of All

I lift up names

You know them Lord

You knew us before birth

For You are God

And Father of

All in heaven and earth

Then, when I pray

Their names to You

According to Your will

You, knowing them

The way You do

Know just what need to fill

Hallelujah,

Thank-you

Amen

© Janet Martin

When Matt (son, 19) comes home no matter what time it is he often comes in to my room to talk...

usually jolting me out of my first deep sleep.

(I will NEVER tell him to quit coming in:)

but sometimes its hard to fall back to sleep right away...

so then when I don't know how to pray

or for what exactly,

I lift up names 

leaving the rest to He 

who fills in the blanks

perfectly!

Learning As I Go...

The older that I get, my God

I feel so very small

This orb of ocean scored with sod

Cupped in your All in all

Where galaxy to galaxy

Held by Divine Command

Does not annul humanity

On this blue dot of sand

The older that I get, my Lord

I feel so very blessed

The Author of love’s Sacred Word

Through faith made manifest

You hear the tear of fear’s dismay

You grant our truest needs

When we do not know what to pray

Your Kindness intercedes

The older that I get, my Friend

I feel so very awed

That we of sight-blind acumen

Can touch the throne of God

And, far above what we deserve

Grace forgives mortal debt

With Righteousness of He who gave

Himself in our stead

The older that I get, my God

I feel a sweet relief

The details of life’s why and what

Though it hones, tests Belief

Rests in Your Hands, Hands scarred by nails

Because You loved, love so

And what You promised never fails

For all we do not know

© Janet Martin

 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, 

so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures 

and the encouragement they provide 

we might have hope.

Rom.15:4