The Great Undoing...

Child-caring inevitably has some very hairy moments!

right? moms and all other child caregivers😅

And now and then in those wearying moments we are

tempted to say 'I can't do this!!!"

but then along come those moments that just melt our hearts

as joy trickles from our eyes in sweet surprise!

A reminder that in all of life, with the high comes the low and vise-versa!

When my grandaughter's 'pleath?' is accommodated with yes 

she is as sweet as sweet could possibly ever imagine being!

but if 'ple-e-e-ath' ith anthsered with 'no' the thweet thmile can turn upthide-down in a wink

and rather astonishing unpleasantness can ensue😂

I uthed the lithp(lisp) becauthe right she steals my heart with hers.

Yesterday, except for one incident that partly inspired this train of thought,

it was pure sweetness💖💖💖

Helping gramma with the dishes...

(and wearing an apron that I wore when I was her size...)

Teatime on the deck in mid-December!!

(she prefers pouring it to drinking it)😂

Trying to find 'auntie' Matt's shirts on the clothes line... 

(yes, she calls him auntie Matt)😁😂😅

The tapestry that moments weave achieves its work of art

By intertwining joy and grief from looms within the heart

Where subtle shuttles whir and bind time’s threads of gray and gold

Into a picture designed for retrospect to behold

Where we begin to learn, in warp and weft of lows and highs

That grin and groan and twist, turn into Beauty’s sweet surprise

...as startled senses waken to time’s ever-changing sway

Yesterday overtaken by the colours of today

Bidding us, with each gifted fray to always keep in mind

Swift, swift the tendrils of today with past are intertwined

And, never in life’s kiss and cuss should we forget The Whole

The shuttle that weaves This undoes the shroud around the soul

© Janet Martin

Delighted with a whole 'new angle' on playing house

Of Highs and Lows (aka as Life's Arpeggio)

Life is full of highs and lows...

High; a wonderful time at a ladies Christmas brunch on Saturday morning

Low; extremely high winds on Saturday afternoon destroyed our play-center/swing-set

this loss is small in scale compared to the destruction of the tornadoes in Kentucky

but its disappointing all the same!

Another glorious sunrise!

'The highs and lows of life compose a soulful melody

The deeps that spawn lavender dawn are steeped in mystery'

The highs and lows of life compose a soulful melody

The deeps that spawn lavender dawn are steeped in mystery

Life’s gain and loss an albatross of mingled joy and strife

As seasons surge and moments merge into a song of life

The stroke is swift that snuffs the gift from morning’s gleaming wick

The string that tunes spring afternoons is soon cut to the quick

And a new page becomes the stage for faith’s arpeggio

Where He who grants its song and dance will never let us go

Look up; the cup that overflows with highs and lows is held

With utter care and God knows where and how each drop will meld

Like notes, into the rush and woo of holding and release

Each rise and fall and beck and call part of life's Masterpiece

© Janet Martin

...and in our lows we are reminded in Luke 12:22-31

Do Not Worry

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, 

what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 

23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 

24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;

 yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 

25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]?

 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. 

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, 

and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,

 how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 

29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 

30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, 

and your Father knows that you need them. 

31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

tots looking at the birds...

'They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;

 yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! '

Have a wonder-full day!

Priceless Provision...

Visiting the dentist that I have had a long-standing 

Or rephrase, a long tipped almost upside-down relationship with

is NOT the way I would choose to start the week 

but I am very thankful for him nonetheless😅😂

This morning I couldn't help but laugh out loud when he asked me

if I'm feeling numb yet? Oxy moron?

Visiting the dentist always allows lots of time to reflect!

The eastward edge of earth and sky gives birth to break of day...

(to we who remain)

We know it will be so for nothing can dawn’s courser’s sway

How beautiful the funeral service message of comfort was yesterday

to the family and friends of my Uncle Ernie Frey

In closing the minister reiterated the wonderful comfort in the knowledge

 that though we mourn it is not without hope

because God did provide a way that defeated death

and leads to life eternal.

Oh, what a blessed hope and joy for all who believe!

So, though this year for many, Christmas is marked with sorrow

for those who believe it remains a season of everlasting joy as well!

The Child in the manger 

became man's redemption on the cross at Calvary!

Now, that's a Tree worth revering,

a joy worth shouting!

From it hung the Light of the World

in time's darkest hour!

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

The quote below is from a book of Peter Marshall messages...

The eastward edge of earth and sky gives birth to break of day

We know it will be so for nothing can dawn’s courser’s sway

Just as we know the west will showcase sunset’s artistry

Faith fixes eyes upon a prize it knows but cannot see

This is the day the Lord has made with hope and grace renewed

Time’s march, far more than stiff-starched moment-soldiers, season-hued

It is a footpath to an aftermath by breath concealed

And only when life ceases, then the rest will be revealed

God does not leave grief comfortless when death collects its due

If we believe then we receive Hope’s anchor, firm and true

Though storms may toss with loss, the power of the cross abides

Faith dearly clings through sufferings to the hope God provides

The Faithful One who gave His Son to pay the sinner’s debt

Will never fail though dark the vale of sorrows that beset

God, through His Son, knew love had won, though it appeared He died

The triumph of faith, hope and love was on death’s other side

© Janet Martin

Luke 12:31-32

But seek [f]the kingdom of God, 

and all these things shall be added to you.

 “Do not fear, little flock, 

for it is your Father’s good pleasure

 to give you the kingdom. 

Jesus, Son of God

Haloed Ground

Dusk’s halo crowns the dimming day

Earth draped in a luxurious shawl

Embellished where blue shadows fall

In patterns pressed like applique 

As twilight dons a hallowed air

And day that was is gently drawn

To gossamer worlds of bygone

In ambience akin to prayer

Leaving behind a kind of sense

That grants no answer as we peer

Down corridors of yesteryear

...of Time hinged to Something Immense

© Janet Martin

Serenade to Simple-Sweet

Good-bye Granola, Hello Muesli (and a few other taste-bud EUREKA moments)

I was inspired by this video by Kylie Flavell

to make a batch of muesli instead of granola

To a baking sheet of rolled oats add 2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon

 and a teaspoon slightly rounded of cloves. Mix

Drizzle with olive oil (approx.1/4-1/3 cup) Mix.

Spread out and bake at 300F-ish until golden brown.

Toast coconut, nuts and seeds...

I used sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds (sesame would be delicious as well)

 I used sliced almonds (you can use whole and chop after toasting)

Chop dates or apricots (scissors works well for this because they are sticky)

measure out raisins, cranberries or any other dried fruit

If you are watching sugars remember dried fruits are sugar!

They add the sweetness to this muesli recipe.

No sugar, honey, maple syrup etc.

When oats are finished baking mix all together.

So-o-o delicious!

the next recipe has been saved since I came across it in the summer, 

to try at Christmas

Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies

Worth the wait. WOW! 

Taste-bud bliss😋

(the only tweak (optional); 

a bit of orange juice and grated rind to the batter 

and a bit of grated orange rind in the frosting)

And last but not least...

Not so exciting to look at but

pure pleasure to eat!

Creamy Soft Caramels

Warning; can cause caramel addiction😅

One of life's sweetest, simplest pleasures

 is homemade goodness.

Makes one kinda want to sing 

a little song of gladness/thankfulness

for life's little treasures...

 

sing a song of simple pleasures

let love's longings leap with joy

count thy wealth of humble treasures

 little puppy, girlie, boy

little home-cooked warmth for supper

little hug-kiss, tuck in bed

little starlight-sparkle cover

underfoot and overhead

like a diamond duvet spread

little book-and-tea vacation

little prayer and little poem

 little patchwork of creation

for our little home-sweet-home

little birdie at the feeder

little butter for our bread

little laughter to make sweeter

little sorrow's scarlet thread

binding wounds with hope, not dread

little lease of little learning

little footfall of today

 little tick-tock's no-returning

always slip-slipping away

little moment-elum filling  

little hold and letting go

little lamp-light softly spilling

little halos on the snow

like an angel's afterglow  

Janet~

(new puppy next door wants to meet his neighbors)

'little birdies at the feeder'

'little home-cooked warmth for supper' (or lunch)

 

Because Love Came Down

When Love Came Down to Earth

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Luke 9:43

This post inspired in part by Luke 9

and this message by Charles Spurgeon

The Secret of Loving God

(a few excerpts from this message)

"Faith is an act, partly of the intellect, and partly of the affections.

And we must therefore have both head and heart renewed by the spirit of God

Or we shall not have true faith.

…it is no mere child’s play. No matter to be settled off hand without thought or consideration.

Search yourself and see whether the spirit of God has produced in you

the true knowledge, 

the true faith 

and the true love 

or otherwise whatever you may think you possess 

of these things is not of God.

We love Him because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Oh, if you really believe that Jesus loves you 

sit down and turn this over in your mind...

Jesus loves me.

Jesus chose me.

Jesus redeemed me.

Jesus called me.

Jesus has pardoned me.

Jesus has taken me into union with Himself.

Jesus has made me to be a part of The Bride, the Lamb’s wife. 

I shall be one with Him forever!"

When love came down, yon starry height

Was rent with angel host

The darkened world was bathed in Light

And hymns of Heaven’s Boast

When love came down from God to man

In form of helpless babe

The offspring of Love’s Master Plan

Was in a manger laid

When love came down from glory’s Best

To suffer evil’s worst

No one could confound love by test

Because He loved us first

When love came down no man could claim

Worth justifiable

To deserve Jesus Christ who came

One sacrifice for all

When love came down mankind beheld

Love’s/God’s Holy Mystery

The seed that in Virgin’s womb swelled

Infant, Infinity

When love came down, man could not know

How Satan’s scheme was wrecked

Hate tried but could not overthrow

The Cause that births effect

When love came down to you and me

Ah, who with logic whole

Could reject He who came to be

The Savior of the soul

When love came down to sinners vile

Their affection to woo

It made the hosts of Heaven smile

May it make us smile too

...and let the heart of worship brim

And sing, ‘Jesus, Jesus’

And shout for joy this; 'we love Him

Because He first loved us'

From well-springs inexhaustible 

Love's living waters laud

To fulfill the impossible

The love of man for God

With joy unspeakable and sure

God's sorrow forged a crown

The prize of faith and hope secure

Because His love came down

© Janet Martin

another small excerpt from the above message...

Our love is a simplicity founded upon a Mystery…

We love. That is simple enough.

Because He first loved us.

Ah, there is the great mystery which none of us can fully understand.

Like a Wind-swirl or a Splash...

Explanation to this photo at the bottom of this post...💝

This post inspired in part by Luke 8...

in part by scattered seeds, 

soon bearing blooms of consequence, 

and in part the momentum of moments...

Therefore consider carefully how you listen.

Whoever has will be given more;

whoever does not have,

even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

Luke 8:18

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

Luke 8:25

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”

Luke 8:39

Where clocks unravel so much more than morning, 

noon ...

and night...

(While I was writing this post my mom called to tell me 

my Uncle (Ernie Frey) passed away last night,

making the point of this poem ever the more poignant! 

He was in his 80's but the moment life ceases, the span of

100 years is but a spark and one breath eternity)

Between the bars of birth and death a sacred field unfolds

Where scattered seeds of no and yes soon shatters nascent molds

To strew beneath our hands and feet the fruit of consequence

Where tots follow, so pure and sweet, cloaked in Brief Innocence

What may seem nondescript at first, bursts tick-tock’s tiny glove

The loom of living blessed and cursed with faith or lack thereof

Where clocks unravel so much more than morning, noon and night

The Judge’s gavel poised above the roar of dark and Light

We all have this in common; death’s Summoning of the Soul

The seeds we scatter matter; only faith can make us whole

The Word of God anchors Unknown with Truth’s Security

Time's speck of sod man’s stepping stone into eternity

...this stanza added after mom called💖🙏

Ah look, life’s book of seasons is soon turned to dust and ash

Thought’s tilt-a-whirl of reasons like a wind-swirl or a splash

Where soon the wheel of day-to-day that shapes life’s clay will cease

Ah, pray we hear God say, ‘your faith has saved you. Come in peace’

© Janet Martin

I have one tot in my childcare

 who loathes the sound of tick-tocking clocks right now,

and so we have been trying to allay her fears by bringing clocks up close 

and smooth-talking/soothe-talking time away😅

It's quite an awakening to the adult mind to try to explain time

in terms a small child can understand!!

Oh, That We All Would...

Inspired in part by Luke 7

It was so neat; Luke 7 was yesterday's Dec. 7th reading

and this portion of that chapter was also part of last night's small group study!

Oh, that we all would identify with the woman

 in this beautiful account of Jesus' love for sinners...

Luke 7:36-50

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Forgiven-David Crowder

‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace’

Oh, that we all would hear

Love’s blessed verdict of release

As joy fills sorrow’s tear

As we receive forgiveness from

The One who knew no sin

But calls to everybody ‘come’

A new life to begin

Oh, that we all would hear Him say

‘Your sins have been forgiv’n’

To feel guilt’s shackles fall away

Replaced by hope of heav’n

No longer who we once had been

As we confess sin’s score

God washes our rap sheet clean

Rememb’ring it no more

Oh, that we all would be transformed

By the gift faith receives

Through Jesus Christ, of death unarmed

The hour one believes

The gift of God, eternal life

Where once sin’s wage condemned

His peace prevails amidst the strife

By His promises hemmed

Oh, that we all will hear some day

‘Well done!’ and this because

We all would find The Only Way

The Truth, The Life; Jesus

Oh, that we all would be a part

Of hope and joy’s increase

As God transforms the human heart

With righteousness and peace

Oh, that we all would wash His feet

With tears of gratitude

Not trembling at the Judgement Seat

Save with wonder renewed

Oh, that we all would cling to this;

 Redemption's gift, so good

'Your faith has saved you, go in peace'

Oh, but that we all would 

© Janet Martin

Come As You Are-David Crowder

 

Here's My Heart, Lord-David Crowder