growth

July 26, 2026

Reflections on Moss

  • We absorb much from our surroundings
  • Our actions and reactions affect others in our lives
  • What comes out can build or tear down
  • A soft touch can heal wounds
  • Firm resolve with discernment will drive outcomes
  • Reaching out to others can be difficult
  • It is possible to thrive through challenging situations
  • Diversity opens the doors of creativity and innovation
  • Being in the limelight brings greater responsibility
  • Keep your cool so that you don’t leave behind ashes
  • Quiet growth comes in nurturing environments
  • We can make things too complicated
  • Recognize the treasure of simplicity
  • We draw nourishment from where we are planted
  • Be a sponge to support good things
  • Draw upon God each day and night

Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 10, 2026

Reflections on Holes


• 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

October 4, 2025

Fruitful Harvest


Possibilities and hopes
Looking forward
For what may be
Though yet unknown

Time to grow
With soil and sun
Roots now seeking
Nourishment and place

Stretching can be so disquieting
Challenges to thought
Fragile buds bathed
… in grace

God’s light shine
Upon our face
Sweet rich soil
We embrace

To till and tend
To weed and water
For fruitful harvest
By His hands

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

May 25, 2025

Dandelion Wishes


A puff, a blow, and away they go
Dandelion puffballs are a child’s delight

Sunny days, clear skies, and lifted face
Sending wishes floating, lifting, soaring

Bright yellow faces reflecting springs bright sun
Transformed to orbs of wonder, sending hope aloft

What is it we hope for? … Love and family dear
Rising each day to dandelion brightness

Encouragers they are, to ever persevere
Growing where they find themselves

So, send your dandelion wishes
Prayers for beginnings and life

Reaching, stretching, giving
God’s transforming breath

Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 3, 2025

In Seeing and Hearing (A Prayer)


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