Friday, June 27, 2014

Like a Butterfly






‘If only it had been different’
Sometimes we say
But then who knows what we’d have missed
Along the other way

‘If only’, futile fantasy
Of what can never be
The ‘what If’ follows in its track
To share its misery

But oh, the ‘what is’ trembles
Like a new-born butterfly
Darling, let’s give it all we have
Before it finds the sky

© Janet Martin~

What is Time?





Time is a scalawag
…I looked the other way
He took this very Thing I had
And made it Yesterday

Time is a lover, oh
He steals my very breath
Knowing, while one arm holds me close
The other cradles death

Time is a patient Daddy
In spite of my mistakes
Each morning he bestows to me
The best of all he makes

Time is a hungry monster
He feeds on days and years
No sooner is its table spread
And then it disappears

Time is a flower-garden
Time is a tug-of-war
Time is both bard and beggar
Twixt after and before

Time is the mediator
Of  predator and prey
Yet all that we can hope for
Is its gift of one more day

© Janet Martin

Last night we were at the graduation ceremony for Victoria's Gr.8 friends...those things always make me sentimental:)...as we hear the echo of 'how fast Time flies!'



For All We Do Not Know...





We cannot see it rolling in no matter how we try
Though we know that it rides upon the paling of the sky
Somehow within life’s letting go its bittersweet caress
Spurs us toward, we do not know, of heartache, happiness

We march, a brave battalion trained by Time’s Drill Sergeant; Past
While Future waits in ambush camouflaged in ‘firsts’ and Last
As we with trial and error bind the longing wounds that bleed
Heading into, we do not know but this, we must proceed

We must obey His orders; see, the Chieftain lights the wick
Where we are called to help the poor, comfort the grieving sick
And none of us are without need; we hunger and despair
What combat waits; we do not know, but this, our God is there

Then forward, ever forward into battle we advance
For we, God’s precious children are not creatures of mere chance
We serve beneath a Captain who is keeper of man’s soul
And He knows all we do not know, for He is in control

© Janet Martin

We simply cannot know
what a day will bring...
But, oh what sweet assurance
Our God knows everything


The Whole Armor of God

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,  and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  Ephesians 6:10-20

Thursday, June 26, 2014

A Few Thursday Thoughts on Trusting and Waiting



We cannot know or trust God’s will
If we seek first our Want to fill
Our Want is sad and reprobate
Until we learn to trust, then wait

***

Truth is like a little seed
When tended it will grow
A tree of life within the heart
To help us trust and know

***

Sometimes we think we prove our might
By forging through frustration’s gate
But it takes more courage and fight
To humbly trust in God and wait

***

If we can wait on God for More
We find those things worth waiting for

***

Change is that strange and constant thing
We cannot keep from happening
But to adapt we can…and must
For in a changeless God we trust

Janet 

Impact of Imminence





Imminence swells, unfolds then breaks
To rest in Bygone’s frozen lakes
None can its free-fall resurrect
We live within after-effect
For though a moment soon is gone
Its consequence ripples and spawns
Another wave from there to here
It swells to break and disappear
As future-present-past connect
We live in After-effect

© Janet Martin

A peek at what happened during the delivering of this poem...'hey mom,' says daughter before leaving to get her hair done. 'Which one do you think would look best on me?' and she flips through a bunch of pictures on her phone of models with perfect hair ; then, 'oh, if you're going out can you buy four boxes of fresh straw-berries so I can make some jam to do teacher-gifts for the morning?' next; we look for my purse, find it, figure out how much to spend...back to the poem, 'now where was I?'

Ultimately, the conception of this poem began while listening to this message as I tidied the house...