To go beyond
And give your all
Without complaint
A challenging call
To show up lift up
In rain or shine
To set aside self
And what we call “mine”
Extra extra
Is what it’s all about
Beyond the ordinary
That’s without a doubt
Though life may weigh down
Then persist and be true
Gain strength from above
To be faithful to do
Extra extra
Let His light shine
Happy and cheerful
Brightens your day
Shines in warm sunshine
With good things to say
Brimming with such energy
Canaries singing or buzzing bees
Drawing attention inspiring hope
Finding the positive in what it sees
Cautions to proceed with care
Head uplifted to solve a problem
Yet creative optimistic inspiring
Not defeated or overcome by them
A touch of light to cheer you on
As a butterfly floating… is joyful yellow
From “On Colors”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Shining, glistening
At dawns light touch
Life to drink
And hope inspire
Living water drawn
From God’s deep well
Drops to wash away life’s care
To touch those now upon one’s face
Cleansed washed renewed
As rainbow’s promise
Another day and year’s passing
New beginnings made possible
Through precious drops
Of Christ who gave his all
Shining, glistening still
At star’s bright light
Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/31/2022
We labor here; there’s work to do
To earn a living from day to day
The satisfaction of a job that’s done
In times of harvest and of gathering in
In faithful service we labor and reap
And offer thanks for the work of our hands
Establish now, God; please bless and favor
… Our toil is our worship to God who provides
Charlotte-Anne Allen
When we awaken to the day
And things are bright and sunny
The sky is fair, and thoughts are clear
We’re eager to get started
Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
He shines His light anew
When there come rumbles warning grumbles
Great flashes crashes gusty tempest
Skies are blanketed and heavy
Hearts fearful searching seeking
Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
His strength and power overcomes
So, when the wind begins to shift
Or dark clouds drift our way
See the shaft of light break through
Be nourished by His cleansing rain
Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
His care for us is true
On those cool morns of cloudy gray
When fog touches with fingers chill
There too is found a quiet peace
As His comforting hands enfold us
Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
A place of rest within our struggles
In winter’s bite and icy dread
There’s beauty in the snowy white
As a joyful child in simple faith
He draws us to His warmth
Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
May He shine on us anew
“It’s good to see you!” “How are you doing now?”
“See you soon!” “Stay in touch!”
Our desire or need for connectedness is expressed in many ways. It can be challenging to build and to maintain relationships with family and friends when separated by distance or circumstances! Those times when we can talk or correspond with each other bring us closer together… for encouragement, for enjoyment, to share, and to support each other. Working or serving together with others provides opportunities to deepen friendships and to develop new ones.
When my cousin and I get on the phone to each other, we usually talk for at least an hour… catching up, sharing thoughts, and lending support. We do not often get to see each other, as we live in different states, but when we do get together then we talk for hours. Close relationships are special! I am reminded of a verse in the book of Proverbs that says, “A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.” Relationship rises above differences and hardship.
Can you imagine building a positive relationship without staying in touch with that person? What if we rarely or never really talked to them about things that matter? How would they know that we care? Without desire and commitment, there would be no way to develop lasting friendships.
The same is true with our relationship to God, isn’t it? Jesus told his disciples, “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” Can you imagine that?! I’m so glad that God wants a relationship with us! As we build closer connections to God, through prayer, our faith community, and by studying His Word, we learn more about Him. We grow in our own faith and our words and actions let others know that we care.
My prayers for each of us – busy, stressed, struggling, thankful – are that we may rise each morning and lie down each evening knowing that we have a faithful friend in God, who is always by our side. Stay in touch!
*Proverbs 17:17, John 15:15, Luke 11:2
The Shepherd cares for you and me
Protector, guide, and great provider
God’s words spoken since time began
To prophets and kings who guided the sheep
Near Bethlehem town that starry night
A host of angels brought good news,
To humble shepherds who watched their flock,
Of a new ruler born to shepherd us all
They quickly went and found him there
The Christ Child born to humble home
Departing then they joyfully told
The amazing story… He’s here, he’s come!
Follow the Good Shepherd, source of all life
Who brought us hope to share with all
Shepherds we too, now care for His flock and
Remember the story of that first Christmas night
Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/25/2021
Heading home one November evening, I pass the yard with the purple flashing lights of a Halloween skeleton which had been left up. As I turn into my driveway, I see that my neighbor has set out his Santa figure and manger scene. Have you noticed a trend too? As the seasons move forward towards year’s end, decorations are being put out earlier and left up longer. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas…
There is a positive hope in these simple and familiar decorations, despite the challenges our world is facing and adjustments to a “new normal.” They reflect a strength of spirit and make room for happier times. I love the positive celebration of life! This time-of-year is a good opportunity to offer encouragement to others, to realize anew the value of family, community, work, church, giving to others…
As we go about our daily routines, what are we doing to strengthen and help each other? Everyone appreciates encouragement and recognition, or a listening ear. The lighted decorations make me think of the verse that says, “Let light shine out of darkness” (*2 Corinthians 4:6). Think of all the workers, the medical community, educators, transport services, and more who have struggled to keep things running. They have truly been a source of light. How are we impacting others and how have we been impacted by loss and a changing economy? How are we celebrating the good and coming together in our shared humanity?
May the flashing lights of the seasons’ decorations or the quiet humble manger scene be reminders. See through the darkness, give thanks for what we have, and remember the Christ child come to earth. In this journey I pray that we will grow stronger, wiser, more caring… trusting and serving God. May His light shine through each of us.
• Waiting for when times are ripe is an exercise in patience
• Develop good and savory aspects of your heritage
• Preparation can be a long process
• Choose that which will build up and strengthen
• Discard that which is not productive or nourishing
• Consider the many ways your interests and gifts can be used
• Be careful of what you surround yourself with
• What you surround yourself with will influence all that you are
• Careful pruning develops better fruit and stronger character
• We project our true character through our words and actions
• May the scent of our actions draw and not repel
• Act compassionately so others may taste of goodness and hope
• Take nourishment through the Son’s light
• Draw wisdom and knowledge through God’s Word
From “Reflections from the Everyday” by Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Watch what you touch as it may stick to you
• Accumulated experiences shape and form us
• Heated words can burn up friendships
• Act wisely and think to avoid spreading harm
• Pain and struggle can contribute to unhealthy buildup
• Uncontrolled anger spews hurt upon all around
• Miscommunication causes frustration and estrangement
• Covering up mistakes reflects insecurity
• Honesty and humility help to clear the air
• Tough things in life require hard work to overcome
• Uplifting music covers encourages and soothes
• Caring acts grow from compassionate hearts
• Daily prayer is like a good cleaning
• God is our chimney sweep
From “Reflections from the Everyday”
– Charlotte-Anne Allen
The Still Small Voice 