What do I see?
What do I hear?
Are my eyes so blind, though God is near?
Do my ears truly listen to words spoken to me?
Forgive me Lord if that is so.
Help me to follow and to grow.
Open my eyes to see with my heart.
Grant me understanding, doing my part.
In seeing… bring peace.
In hearing… make known.
Bring to fruition
The seeds to be sown.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
What is it to be wise?
How one is known through another’s eyes?
We seek to know, to understand.
Walk this way. Know where to stand.
Look about. Thinking deep.
Listen. Pause. In prayer keep.
In struggles, challenges, our mistakes
We learn and ponder. That’s what it takes.
Wisdom’s example in others, too
It steers us, helps us in all we do.
What’s wise, you say?
See the heart and the whole, this day.
Making choices that lift and heal
Consider all perspectives and how others feel.
Wise, oh wise. Pursue wisdom for life.
It grows from goodness and from strife.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Crunch of feet upon the path
Step, step along the way
One came teaching of God’s great love
Touching, healing, seeing our hearts
Who are you and why this trek?
Travelers with you, by night and day
Crunch, step, crunch, step
Ever closer to Jerusalem’s mount
Needy arms reaching, faces turning
Who do they see and what do we say?
Shout hosanna… then turn and run
King of heaven enters… to give up the Son
Step, step and one final sup
To pray in the garden and offer the cup
Broken body, abandoned alone
Then filled with new light for us at home
Come alongside Him, this Jesus alive…
Who’s lifting us up when we stumble and fall
Step, crunch, step ever closer to that holy mount
… Walking with Him upon the upward path
Charlotte-Anne Allen
In the stillness
There comes a calm
A time of quiet contemplation
Storms’ great waves
That crashed with tumult
Chaos, strife, and much distress
Come gather now
As silence deepens
Open to stop, to pause
Find now rest with indrawn breath
Comfort and new direction
Readying both body and mind
Heart now waiting
Ears unstopped
Eyes opened to receive
God with us, Emmanual
In deep compassion
Holds us gently
Heard is our voice
Breath touches pain, anger, fear
In His stillness… find new peace
Hope for each day
Joy in the moment
Faith for life… in His stillness
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Psalm 107:28-30 NIV – “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.“
Springtime fresh
Throw open the windows
Greet gentle waft invited in
Lifting spirits
Breathe in deeply
Coolness filling, ever washing
Winter’s dust
Now leave behind
Carried away upon swift wings
Feel its promise
Upon hot, tired face
Calming relaxing clean
Close your eyes
And be encouraged
Listening to spring’s soft sigh
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Tend and care for that which is of value
• Work for nourishing results
• Warmth and caring are like the sun’s bright rays
• Positive influences bring out the best in us
• Aim for results that are helpful and usable
• Becoming better at something takes time
• Change comes through life’s experiences
• There are many responses to changes and challenges
• Patience during the process of growth and life is hard
• Sometimes we feel dried up and empty
• Pruning unhealthy thoughts and actions opens doors for grace
• Celebrate often, noticing the big and small fruits
• Stay connected to the Vine for health and strength
• God is our source, bringing forth the best in us
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Something small
But right and true
Offer your all
What you say or do
A prayer, a smile
Or helping hand
Give of your resources
Helping others to stand
Not a biting bug
To irritate or harm
Discord’s not a part
But offers only alarm
We rise and rest
In our walk each day
Follow paths to spread hope
Encouragement along the way
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Sometimes life seems to dribble
A little splash or drop
Things can move so slowly
Or almost seem to stop
But then I look around me
Set impatience to the side
I’m reminded to ‘rest easy’
And in one great God abide
Slower times are oh so needed
Take a moment and see the view
Time to think or reconsider
Being thankful for what is true
In those quiet little trickles
There is mighty work at hand
In each day find contentment
Knowing God does understand
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Up, chirp, chitter chatter
Squirrel tail goes flitter flatter
Fussing as we pass below
Peering through the leaves just so
Hurling about with great velocity
Their big eyes bright with curiosity
Busily digging, digging about
Hiding food so they won’t go without
Building homes nestled high in a tree
Safe and secure where they can see
Facing our own challenges, we can take notes
From these creative adventurers in furry coats
Charlotte-Anne Allen
What then in time’s embrace
Time and time again again
Speaks now of universe’s vast expanse
Near-sighted vision up close
Blocking out all other input
Enveloped by me me here and now
Or far-sighted eyes ever on the horizon
Unable to relate to other souls
Ever craving more more to gain
What then speaks and what is heard?
Do eyes look but do not seek?
Each day’s gift a treasure before us
Would we succumb to the smog about
Or discover true Light to clear away?
Shine bright streams to birth Faith
Lift worn arms to God’s sheltering presence
Full in this moment this hour this hope
And smile in that gift of inward peace
Charlotte-Anne Allen
The Still Small Voice 