Where Now we See In Part...

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
1 Cor.13:12 NLT

 

This bark that navigates the storms of life could not withstand

The crash of waves where earthy grave insists on its demand

Yet, beneath each frail vessel is a Bulwark safe and sure

Hush now, the Hand that calms the gale will keep the soul secure

He will not fail though some insist that He already has!

The Grail that pours time’s moment-mist through mortal’s hour-glass

Does not reveal the why or wherefore of Love undeterred

Though He does not forsake us through the power of His Word

Awesome Forevermore is too awesome to comprehend

Our gaze is oft transfixed on one-way ways destined to end

My friend, don’t be deceived, this little tittle we call Time

Is like a shadow-ladder that each soul of man must climb

…before forevermore; ah, we should not ignore the goal

That no one can evade as husk of breath unveils the soul

Where death is not the end though masterminds of unbelief

And enemies of God contend that dust is god and chief

Pity, pity the people who have heard with wooden ears

Instead of faith in God they cling to sticks to soothe their fears

They hate the Rod and staff that God uses to draw us back

With tender tears of love because He knows how much we lack

Life’s sorrow-storms that fill our eyes with all we cannot see

Are like an invitation to trust Mercy’s Deity

Just as we are, a mortal bark that cups Immortal Soul

Where now we see in part until death’s chill unveils The Whole

© Janet Martin

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb.11:1

Lighthouse...

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God;
he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations
of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deut.7:9

Inept, the cold hard comfort of things pressed against our skin

Where flesh and blood appointments test the walls of worlds within

Time’s atrium of common care, of choice and consequence

Would be too much for man to bear but for Hope’s confidence

As strife runs rife and tests faith with its rival; fear and doubt

While life is but the wherewithal to who life is about

And all we have to lean on is the Word of God, my love

But if we humbly trust His Truth His Word will be enough

…to carry us from here to where there is no grief or pain

Beyond the cold, hard comfort of Things that cannot sustain

Where darkness would obliterate save for a Light within

God’s promises to navigate the way that leads to Him

© Janet Martin

Of Ingrained Tide...

This borderland of sea and sand

Is hinged to a divide

Where breath by breath we wield the death

That planes an ingrained tide

Until at last the scythe is cast

That severs Now from Then

And we proceed beyond the Need

That ingrains mortal men

Time’s one-way track does not wind back

One step from where we are

It flows toward a place outpoured

Without border or bar

Beg, borrow, trust where morrow-dust

Soon cakes beneath our stride

As wise and fool both grip a tool

That planes an ingrained tide

© Janet Martin

Before Impulse Reacts...

Don't you just hate it when you're misunderstood and the 'grapevine' bears strange fruit:)!

If it's too complicated to unravel and the only wounded party is Pride 

all we can do is forgive, love and learn, right ?

Yes, instead of venting let's just 'sh-h-h!'

Do not give ought to thought unkind

That never sires good

First impulse is often truth blind

To deed misunderstood

Better then, to not inflict pain

By casting spite’s harsh stone

Our hearts, so deceitful and vain

Are make-a-mistake prone

Then, when we are tempted to speak

Without the facts on deck

Pray that we turn the other cheek

And hold our tongues in check

For in life’s race we all need grace

This human brotherhood

Inclined to err must sometimes face

Being misunderstood

Are any of us oh, so grand

That we do all we should?

Kinder to lend a gentle hand

To deeds misunderstood

Better then to communicate

And not decide the facts

But rather try to mediate

Before impulse reacts

© Janet Martin

Highway of Hope

I cannot bear to look ahead

To roads that seem too dark with dread

Oh Lord, my God, help me instead

To trust Thy All in all

For though the road looks dark today

As I peer to its come-what-may

Your faithful Light will show the Way

Through every rise and fall

I cannot carry morrow’s load

But cling to promises that goad

Faith’s eyes to fix beyond the road

To Mercy’s Patriarch

Then when I travel through the vale

Though mortal bark is weak and frail

You grant with Love that will not fail

Light greater than the dark

© Janet Martin

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you and help you;
 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa.41:10