August 11, 2025

Reflections on Children


• Inquisitive curiosity feeds discovery
• Play is the basis of learning
• A place of security brings rest to our soul
• Nurture tender life and watch it grow
• Learning and growing is greatest when navigating challenges
• When seen through the heart, each day is a wondrous exploration
• Newness and change need time for adjustment
• Fresh eyes can bring great enlightenment
• May our words and actions encourage and uplift
• Imagination opens possibilities and delves into solutions
• Small things can loom as great mountains
• Speak encouragement and express value for others whenever possible
• Joy speaks through skips, song, and bright faces
• God loves us, His children, beyond our greatest imagination

Charlotte-Anne Allen

July 27, 2025

Come Princes Princesses


Rising sun on this new day
Humble princes and princesses
Adopted children come without delay

To the Mighty One, serving our King
We lift our voices and now we sing

Of trials and triumphs, of pain and joy
Of trust and doubt, of faith …and hope

We touch the promises of our great God
Love unfailing, forgiven freely

Arms enfolding, sovereign power
Awesome, filling

Charlotte-Anne Allen

July 13, 2025

With


Rain forming in a cloud
Joining with each other

Ingredients in today’s dish
Blending, mixing until just right

Special people surrounding us
To laugh and cry together

A furry companion by my side
Happy and contented

Child cuddled close and warm
For comfort and laughter too

Words upon a page a line
Bringing forth new meaning

Forming, gathering, making
Bringing all together

Wondrous in creation
God always by me… with me

Charlotte-Anne Allen

June 29, 2025

Forge


Moving forward
Slowly, steadily

As boats navigate
And butterflies migrate

Forge now ahead
Times a changing

Storms grasp
Tossed and tumbling

Sun rising, rays golden
Gently rolling on, softly lifting

Crystal clear blue depths
Or reefs raising grasping fingers

As a skilled smith creates their craft
So does God forge us carefully, beautifully

Through mist and fog, churning and stillness
Fresh and real… in his loving and mighty ways

Charlotte-Anne Allen

June 15, 2025

Reflections on Wood


• From our first sprouting to our final gathering there is much change
• As maturity comes, so develops strength and shape
• The smoothing and rubbing of life’s challenges brings out our character
• We all have the potential for many forms and purposes
• Like mighty trees, so protect and provide cover for the fragile and needy
• Those who nurture others are recognized for compassion
• Building and creating brings satisfaction for work well done
• Inward beauty shines forth with love and care
• Spreading warmth brings comfort and contentment
• Storms often bring loss and uproot or unsettle us
• Hope sprouts slowly sometimes, so tend with care
• Planting, watering, tending, shaping, serving… is purpose
• Draw from the land and bear good fruit with seeds
• God nourishes and makes things grow

Charlotte-Anne Allen