May 18, 2024

Prayer for Stillness

Oh God, sometimes it’s hard to “still”
To seek, to listen… trusting Your will

Guide me in Your steps today
Ever in Your presence stay

Set my feet firmly on the rock
Not slipping sliding… “on my clock”

All anxious thoughts, please set aside
Draw me, calm me… in You abide

When I feel the sun and smell the rain
Hear joyful laughter and smile again

I’m thankful God
… in Your stillness

Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 12, 2024

Ah, Come Here

“Come here” we call to the bouncing puppy so full of life, reaching out our sheltering arms and welcoming their companionship.

“Come” is used in so many ways but it always points to recognition! After all, there has to be someone the words are directed to. It speaks to us. “You are here. I see you.”

We share the excitement of discovery or offer support and comfort. When we hear, “Wow, come look at this,” we gather around as our curiosity and interest is piqued. The caring, “come here” of family or friend as they reach with open arms, a hug, or an offer of help is welcome, too.

Jesus’s words encourage us to “come.” “Let the little children come to me,” he said to his disciples. At another time, his compassionate words called all “who are weary and burdened” to come to him (Matthew 19:14 and 11:28). He cares about us when we are struggling and brings us the example of coming as a seeking and trusting child. Sometimes the “come here” can be hard to follow and, like a small child exerting that will for independence, we turn away.

Often for me, that voice is a welcome reminder to run to God’s sheltering arms. When my anxiety swells and overwhelms, God’s voice whispers in my ear, “Come to me. I’m here.” It’s in His presence that I begin to learn the nature of love, obedience, security, and protection in daily life. God’s place of acceptance offers shelter and comfort.

Whether we come as a trusting child or a bounding puppy. Whether we come dragging our feet or unable to rise on our own… stressed, tired, or content, may God draw us ever closer to Him. He sees you, recognizes you, and cherishes you. “Ah, come here.”

Be encouraged.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 4, 2024

Space

Take a moment
Try not to rush it
Breathe and pause
Before you flush it

Conscious thought
In welcome… pray
Create the space
To meet each day

Sweet release
We become aware
That our God
Is everywhere

In His presence
Now rest and reside
Allowing space for God
… Always by His side

Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 21, 2024

Triangle

Arms open wide to greet the day
Or bow the head against the wind
Uplifted ‘neath the dome of sky
Wait and rise with hands’ sure touch

Bold and strong, it speaks its way
Standing resilient, ever-linked
Connected as in prayer upon firm base
Persisting daily through nature’s pounding

As mountain peaks and volcano cones
Butterfly glides and flower sways
Rocks and tents and stars above
Pyramids solid, constellations shining

Clasping hands in unity
Harmony coming… mind, body, soul
Linger here to make us whole

Past, present, future starting anew
Holy Spirit, Son, and Father …One
Mighty God, great above all else
Set us strong upon our way

– From “Forms Around Us”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 7, 2024

Blink

Memories open time’s album
Eyes wide open upon days’ dawns
Open-shut-open, open-shut-open
Arriving here and then… days gone

In our blinks we pause and see
What has shaped us, has made us be
Light quickly flashing, a momentary gleam
Revealing treasures, struggles, and more

Ah, time’s reward upon it’s trek
Whether quickly upon us or swiftly away
As blink and blink and blink again
Casting off past and gaining new

And so, each day we open a promise
Mindful of time’s precious blinks
Do not let them pass you by
But live and grow and quiet your soul

Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 31, 2024

YET

A word has recently been popping into my mind and so I have returned to it to see what it is saying to me. 🙂 That word is “yet” …Have you thought about this small but powerful little word before? It’s one of those words that we use a lot. Some ways we might use this small word are:

Are you finished yet?
I don’t know yet.
I have yet to see that happen.
He was yet a child.
Is she here yet?
Yet they were still able to come.
Are we there yet?

Are those any you find yourself saying? …“Yet” means that we have expectations. When we haven’t finished something, called someone, or done something we’ve been asked to do … adding “yet” can make a difference! There are still plans or hopes for the future. “Yet” can spark both anticipation and concern.

Now, the hard part for me, and for most of us, is staying motivated and encouraged. Keeping a positive attitude and persevering can be challenging, can’t it? I still well-remember and appreciate my mom reminding me to take one thing at a time. I’ve also learned to work on my perspective, to trust God for direction, and to focus on the small and “do-able” steps needed. And then there are times to give up our own “yet” and re-examine expectations and life’s journey.

Look how God leads us to adjust our own “yet” as he modeled his own:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NASB

God didn’t wait for us to be perfect examples (That’s impossible anyway, isn’t it?!). His help with waiting, reminding me of the need for patience, and adjusting expectations knowing that He with us through the long haul… that’s what keeps me going. God has gone before us and is waiting and preparing for us as we travel to the “yet.”

My prayers for myself and for us all, is that God will surround us with people, and will create us to be people, who help during all our “yets”. I am so thankful that he came to us first, during our greatest “yet”. Be encouraged.

Charlotte-Anne Allen