Sunlight streaming
Through the panes
Casts a glow…
A wondrous light
Colors bold
Or soft and gentle
Life statements
… holy spaces
From ancient days
Of olden lore
History reaches
Out its hand
Speaks of faith
Of family and beauty
Determination, battles
Loss and gain
Natures touch
Through shining light
Built through stains
And earth’s embrace
Come settle before
Its silent illumination
Ponder meaning, mystery
Heaven’s quiet presence
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Light is warmth and comfort
• Who we truly are is revealed in our words, thoughts, and actions
• Devote good works for each day, through sun’s rising and setting
• Summer’s warmth and sunshine lend energy
• It is very satisfying to rest after our labor
• Shadows cast can both cool and warn us
• There are times for movement and times for quiet stillness
• We are rejuvenated by positive faith, support, and encouragement
• Our eyes are drawn to points of light…
as to moon, sun, and stars of night
• Darkness flees in the presence of hope and security
• Positive growth and life emerge from the light of God
• We are like colors in the grand spectrum of God’s holy light
Charlotte-Anne Allen
– from “Reflections from the Everyday”
Spring forth oh glorious morn
Now touch the light of day
Speak of cool rising mists
Of soft golden light
And quiet hush of dawn
Nature’s yawn
Soft indrawn breath
Upon night’s slow release
Of muted chirps
And curious inspections
At the rising of earth’s inhabitants
Stretch, turn, and wing aloft
Lifting, calling, gently reminding
Speak peace and hope and life
Spring forth in promise
Of God’s power and eternal love
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Filled up
To the brim
Full measure
…Complete
To the top
Not wanting
Nor lacking
…Abounding
God’s Fullness
Wide long
High deep
…Vast
His love
Surpassing
Immeasurable
…Fulfilled
Complete
Abounding
Vast
Fulfilled
Charlotte-Anne Allen
– Ephesians 3:14-21
• Holes can be both helpful and hurtful
• Be mindful of what surrounds the holes in life
• Rich earth yields healthy harvest
• Being accepted and cared for helps fill us
• Emptiness grows with suffering or lack of hope
• Sometimes we feel torn open and lost
• As time goes by, worn out clothing reveals use and life
• Repairs may come slowly and in part
• As a key turns in a keyhole so positive actions can bring much good
• A nurturing home is a refuge and a sheltering burrow
• Small accomplishments are encouraging and fulfilling
• Take notes of the diligent woodpecker seeking food and shelter
• The planting of new things and ideas first requires digging
• A small seed planted yields much through struggles and trials
• When digging and growing, contemplation and prayer are of great importance
• God fills our holes with goodness, purpose, and compassion
Charlotte-Anne Allen
A blink
A nod
Now time has passed
A glimpse
On screen
A lightning flash
A feathered wing
A wind-blown leaf
And another day gone by
Thankful days
Wishful dreams
Riding upon light moving steps
Or perhaps
A whispered sigh
Of love and mourning and rest
Sit back now
And cast your eye
On shady porch or sunny vale
Precious moments
Quiet and still, fast and racing
Of God and faith, all beauty… in a flicker
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Hey Bud
Poking your tender head
Above soil’s chill grasp
A reflection of sun’s glow
Shining golden in delight
Proud challenge to winter’s hold
Hey Bud
Bringing hope and promise
To an earth held in its tight grasp
Welcome life
Hidden among brown leaves
Rising forth… resolute in faith
Charlotte-Anne Allen
For an excellent meal, now leave no crumbs
A testament of preparation well done
Consumed with great appreciation
Coming together after contemplation
Now evidence of great worth and clout
We see crumbs that brought much help about
Good news perhaps or spoken words
As a symphony of music from joyous birds
Come together generously with our crumbs
Sharing, offering, giving whatever sums
Our bread, our cake, all morsels humbly given
Bring strength and encouragement for all the living
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Things that are hard can both protect and crack
• Our lives are like icebergs, holding much beneath the surface
• Change, whether slow or rapid, requires many adjustments
• The support of others covers many difficulties
• Use caution when navigating slippery situations
• Calmness can be cool and refreshing when things get hot
• A heated temper needs space and time to cool down
• A cold heart is an unhappy heart
• We can become numbed through adverse conditions
• Preservation of positive character helps bring and maintain lasting relationships
• Like people, frozen water comes in many forms and varieties
• Homes are formed in our very diversity… we penguins, polar bears, and seals
• Refractions through these prisms bring forth amazing results
• The shining Light of God displays beauty within
Charlotte-Anne Allen
All creatures
Great and small
Created by God’s own hand
Looking now upon tender child
So too at wisdom’s touch
And silvered hair
Life’s stories
Like a swirl
Of colors
Shadowed depths and
Golden sunrise sunset
Upon us all
So beams His Light
Pray, fall gently
Upon unseeing eyes
To warm hearts
Breath life
Grant sight
Bring healing
Speak joy
We give praise
Charlotte-Anne Allen 1/10/2026
