• A good foot rub relaxes body and soul • We often take things we use daily for granted • Comfort is bare feet on the cool grassy ground • Bringers of good news are like sunshine after a cloudy day • Be mindful of where you go and whom you walk with • Travel brings new discoveries and renewed relationships • Stand firmly for goodness and justice • Consider possible consequences to avoid slipping • Some paths are full of rocks, roots, and washouts • Wisdom speaks from experience • Heed words of wisdom to avoid stumbling • It’s good to put your feet up and breathe after a busy day • Walk through life seeing interruptions as positive opportunities • Follow the feet of our Shepherd
–from “Reflections from the Everyday” Charlotte-Anne Allen
I wrote this poem several years ago. It is still so applicable to us each day … a call, a remembrance, a celebration, an affirmation of God’s Spirit and love for us. May it bring us peace and hope.
Surround us, oh Lord Guardian protector Father Wrap us in Your holiness Surround us, oh Lord Strong sure eternal
Surround us, oh Lord Refresh renew restore Nourished by Your Spirit Surround us, oh Lord To grow in wisdom and stature
Surround us, oh Lord Great One mighty and present Strong and sure deliverer Surround us, oh Lord That we too may stand
Surround us, oh Lord Wrapped in Your breath Sustained and filled Surround us, oh Lord Satisfier of our souls
Surround us, oh Lord Our firm foundation Shield and defender Surround us, oh Lord With the cloud of Your being
Surround us, oh Lord Your comforting presence Banish our fear Surround us, oh Lord Abba Father and King
——————————————————————————————————- Thanks to God, who surrounds us each day “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22
• The good that we create lives on to nourish others • Live in consideration of the legacy you will leave • Things left behind are windows for memories • A little preparation helps prevent unforeseen situations • Commitment results from warm embers and brings about change • Developing strong character and integrity sets one apart • Judging worth by appearance is speaking without experiencing • Seeing ruins may bring both sadness and wonder • Releasing negative thoughts and emotions is not an easy task • When trust is broken relationships can crumble and blow away • A spirit of renewal lends strength to rise above adversity • Humility is not weakness but is gentle strong compassion • A quiet presence during grief brings comfort • God takes the ashes of our lives and creates masterpieces
From “Reflections on the Everyday” Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Giving does not divide, rather it multiplies and nourishes • Generosity in sharing what you have grows blessings for all • Disregarding the value of others brings heartache and misunderstandings • Gather together what is needed to guide you • Our lives are a rich mosaic of colors and patterns • Look for the beauty in small things as well as grand displays • The beauty of a life brought to wholeness gives us hope • God will comfort us in our brokenness • We often struggle when we cannot see the whole picture • Looking at all perspectives and options can help gain clarity • Receiving memories shared by others is like finding missing puzzle pieces • Apply yourself to learning and to gaining skills bit-by-bit • Trying new things adds color and interest • When all is dashed to pieces, there is God to gather us
From “Reflections from the Everyday” – Charlotte-Anne Allen
Memories awakened Stories told Contentment reigns When good scents unfold
Indoors and out Eyes shut Breathe deeply Open mind’s door, and smile
Bold cinnamon and apple pie Minty goodness and lemonade Bubbling stews and filling soups Herbal teas and fragrant coffee
Rain on earth and garden’s care Freshly cut grass and flower’s bloom Sharp freshness of new-fallen snow Ocean breeze and mountain stream
Clean laundry and sheets on the bed Suds in dish water and lotion for hands Sweet smell of a child snuggled close Scents to comfort and renew … Good scents!
“Yaaay!!!” I joined the mob of other kids streaming from the school. Faces were excited and energy was high. The beginning of summer vacation was a long-awaited event! Thoughts of free time, lazy mornings, and summer events filled our minds. Visits to relatives, camping trips, fresh garden food, and (for me) frequent travel to the local libraries to keep my summer reading stack replenished were welcome plans. I still look forward to the warm weather and the change of pace that this season brings. Each season in life is a time of new beginnings.
The Bible is full of stories of beginnings. Some of them were very hard and others were most welcome. What do I do with my beginnings? Times change and events impact our lives, with my family (births, farewells, deaths) … in my work (saying good-bye to a child I have worked with and their family) … my church (as I move from one area of service or commitment to another) … and in the changing responsibilities and seasons throughout the year. Endings mark beginnings.
What thoughts do you have about your own beginnings? As in the excitement of summer, resolve to enter with a positive attitude and assurance of God’s presence and guidance for whatever may come. Whether our beginnings are marked with anticipation or with anxiety, we can take courage.
Ecclesiastes chapter three begins with acknowledgement that “for everything there is a season,” times for beginnings and endings… and new beginnings, and so life goes on. The writer continues with,
“What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time. Moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds… I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. Moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.” *
As we move with intent in our work and in our rest, I hope that we can look with anticipation and interest. My prayers are that we will take comfort, even excitement, and be strengthened as we face new beginning through our more challenging times. May we remember and know afresh God’s presence with us. As we come to Him in prayer and give thanks for His gifts each day, may we be blessed through our beginnings.
The Still Small Voice 