Daily Life

November 24, 2024

Late Autumn Day


Season’s leaves now brown and blown
Insects retreating from wind’s cold embrace

Autumn stretches, reaches into nooks
Touching questing noses wishing warmer place

Plip-plop, plip-plop of sky-chilled raindrops
Encourage hurried walks and blow upon uncovered face

Sun shines bravely, a reminder of summer growth
Gardens’ offering now gathered, leaves and yard tended

Rest, rest and breath in deeply
A pause as the year is soon to be ended

Contemplation upon this year’s past
Looking forward, awaiting… Time briefly suspended.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

November 1, 2024

God’s Touch (a prayer)


God’s gentle touch be with us here
In those moments that we so fear

His strong warm hands to hold us tight
God keeps us always in His sight

A love so strong and so true for all
He whispers encouragement when we call

Lifting you up in prayer each day
To our awesome Lord our troubles we lay

Oh, joyful Light that shines always
Fill our hearts and lend strength to our days

Charlotte-Anne Allen

October 13, 2024

Dirty Dishes


What is it then? What can I say?
About those dirty dishes from the day

Scattered round my kitchen sink
I need to wash them before they stink

As that nice hot water comes pouring out
They’ll be clean in a jiffy and no more lying about

I stack in the plates and utensils too
Suds are building and that will do

A swish and a wipe until that part’s done
Rinsing them off each and every one

Pile in the pots and don’t forget the pan
Scrub them well, as best you can

It’s not a chore, I will confide
As I dry them off or lay them aside

These dirty dishes are a gift God’s given
For they speak of His care and daily provision

Charlotte-Anne Allen

September 14, 2024

Distractions, Distractions


Hey, look at this!
Could you…?
“Crash!”
What was that?
I just found out…
Did you know…?”

Distractions are all around us, pulling us away from our current tasks or thoughts, demanding our attention, diverting us from our plans! Whether building frustration or simply giving up on any thought of completion, there is often an accompanying level of irritation or resignation. Our own thoughts distract us, as we turn to more pleasant or troublesome things. Anticipated plans or activities can fall by the wayside.

What are we to do? How can we ever get anything done? … And if we do finally get our chosen or needed tasks completed, what is our final state-of-mind? We rush to get through our responsibilities so we can get on to better things and are left feeling drained and dissatisfied.

Distractions, distractions! But are they really? I have been challenged to look at those perceived distractions in a new light. As we take a breath and pray for wisdom… and a quiet heart that trusts in God’s timing, our whole perspective shifts.

In our daily experiences we begin to see these distractions as opportunities to serve others. What a great difference we make when our frustration and impatience turn more toward caring attention and love… and when we give ourselves grace and extend that grace to others when we struggle. Paul encourages us too with his words to the Romans, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” *

May our days be filled with opportunities, our eyes be opened to them, and our hearts be encouraged.

*Romans 12:10
Charlotte-Anne Allen

August 18, 2024

Mush


An interesting word! Now, think about it.
Is it something to eat or something to do?

A warm thick porridge
To fill and to satisfy

Or flying across the snow
As swift dogs pull a sled

Is it too sentimental?
Just mushy romance?

Is it mashing and smashing
To a soft pulpy mess?

Whether cooking something wholesome
Or exclaiming, “charge on”

Let’s look forward, seek always
For good and our best

From “Words of Interest”
Charlotte-Anne Allen