
Softly spoken
Words in care
Music drifting
In the air
Beaming face
And tender touch
Reaching out
Is not too much
Spread some joy
In this new year
Share some laughter
And good cheer
Charlotte-Anne Allen

Softly spoken
Words in care
Music drifting
In the air
Beaming face
And tender touch
Reaching out
Is not too much
Spread some joy
In this new year
Share some laughter
And good cheer
Charlotte-Anne Allen

Shining bright
Love deep and strong
Life o’erflowing
With passion and courage
Reflection of most noble character
Wisdom more precious
… Incomparable worth
Beacon to all
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

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

Waxing waning
Nighttime’s herald
Growing learning
Tasks to do
Reflecting thinking
Drawing forth
In season’s call
With solar dance
Labor completion
bringing forth
Looking seeing
Strengthening resting
So is life
In bright parade
Charlotte-Anne Allen

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

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

Starry gaze through inky black
Moon’s beams peek ‘round clouds’ edge
Night settles upon the land
Sighing whispers of day’s farewell
Turn from bright glare of urban lights
That blink in disregard of rural calm
Go now to your quiet place
Far from bustle and clangs
Rocking slowly, now ease your mind
… Night calls softly to welcome rest
Charlotte-Anne Allen

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

What does it suggest?
What might it mean?
A help, a thought,
… a tease perhaps
When brains don’t joggle
Or are in a ‘foggle”
A simple word
May make us wise
Perhaps a well-placed
Bit of something
To alert a wandering mind
…Take notice now!
We tap our lip
In contemplation
Ah-hah, ah-hah
a welcome hint!
Charlotte-Anne Allen

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