growth

August 4, 2024

Kindling


“Careful. Just a few more sticks and paper right there.”
“How’s that?”
“Yay! …It’s going now!”

Anyone who’s built a fire may know the importance of laying a good starter. Bits of dry tinder and small pieces of kindling, which easily catch flame, are essential. As the wood is ignited and the bed of coals grows, larger logs can be gradually added. From a small beginning, a useful fire is drawn.

Little by little, using good kindling that is ready and at hand and with careful tending, the fire grows. That image makes me think of how we approach life, and especially our faith. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said that faith is given to us by the Spirit (God). That sure helps me when I sometimes struggle with faith during challenging times!

That also makes me more aware of the need to be and to prepare “good kindling”. Staying in prayer, reading the Bible, sharing with a community of faith, friends and family, and serving and caring about others all contribute to building faith. Keeping ourselves, that “kindling”, ready to receive God’s guiding presence is a daily need, isn’t it?!

I’m thankful for the fire of God’s word, even as Jeremiah spoke of God’s word “in (his) heart… like a fire shut up in (his) bones”. My prayer for us all is that God will help us to know and to hear his words, to be mindful of Him in all things through every day, and to welcome that fire. May we be good kindling ready to receive Him.

*1 Corin. 12:9, 2 Corin. 12:9, Jer. 20:9
Charlotte-Anne Allen

June 16, 2024

Reflections on Crabgrass


• Life’s achievements are like flower clusters growing from tough situations
• Thrive where you are planted, where you find yourself
• A worthy goal is to grow and produce good seed
• Nourish a noble and good heart to make positive results
• Keeping a low profile can help avoid pain and conflict
• Lean on one another, persevere, be tough when needed
• Stars shine out best when surrounded by darkness
• Learn to bend and be flexible when we get stepped on
• Spread out and enjoy the small moments
• Don’t reject something simply because others perceive it as worthless
• May you be encouraged on those days when you feel worn
• When we cling to God we won’t be ground down in defeat
• Take time to be refreshed, especially when in high-traffic areas
• Peace grows from learning yourself and releasing all to God who planted you

From “Reflection from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen 6/15/2024

September 2, 2023

Reflections on Tree Knots


• Where there are knots, there is growth
• Wisdom grows from our experiences
• See the beauty that is drawn from our imperfections
• Character is reflected in how we shape our lives
• Rugged places can build depth and empathy
• Hold on to positive values to avoid holes
• We are stronger when we come together
• Enjoy the quirky things in life
• Build a strong base connection to meet each day
• Surround yourself with positive influences
• There is beauty in a life well-lived
• Stand tall and support and learn from each other
• Sink yourself deeply in God’s Word
• God is our secure connection to life and being

– from “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 3, 2023

From Dry Bones


When the Hebrew people were in the land of exile, home of the Babylonians, God first spoke to the Jewish priest named Ezekiel. He was only thirty years old! … God had allowed the people to be taken into exile because they had turned from Him, worshiping idols, offering their children as sacrifices, living immorally, violently, and selfishly.

God gave words to his new prophet Ezekiel to call them back to Himself, hard words and difficult messages. There were some really weird visions!

In one vision, there was a valley full of dry bones!
“Ezekiel, can these bones live?!”
“Only You know sovereign God!”
“Prophesy, speak to these bones. I will restore them and put breath back into them.”

And so, Ezekiel obeyed, and God did as He said He would.

Wow! Dry bones. Dead. Without life. Unable to stand. To walk.
God spoke, breathed on those dry bones, and restored life.
Sinews. Flesh. Bones knitting together.

I’ve had times, and perhaps you have too, when I felt like those dry bones. Like the Hebrew people, we can be drawn away from the true source of life, God eternal. Life experiences, disappointments, unfulfilled expectations, tragedy, and pain shape us and can skew our perspective and understanding.

Yet, like those dry bones, the breath of God’s Spirit will fill us. He raises His children to stand in that dark valley of dry bones. God’s breath! Within us! Ezekiel’s story is an amazing one, one of promise and of hope for us all, isn’t it?! The breath of His Spirit moves within us when we follow God. We begin to take on more of His character, not perfect but striving to serve Him and to care for others. Examining the areas we need to grow in or change is a lifelong process.

We are redeemed. We are restored. We are given new life.

Edited and re-posted

September 3, 2022

Green the Grass

Green speaks of living things
Renewing, filling… growing from

Vibrant color cool with dew
Verdant pastures beckon, “come”

Of health and wealth some would seek
But beware the green of envy now!

And when the stomach heaves and surges
A greenish face will take a bow

But do not fret upon your way
In life comes hope with thoughtful shifting

From deserts spring the green of life
Shining glistening, shoots uplifting

Breathe slowly deeply and feel things ease
Surrounded by some calming green

from “Of Colors” – Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 14, 2022

Unfurl

Tiny frond
Essence of spring …Safe
In its underground seclusion
Stirs within warming abode

Tight coil
Slowly stretching… Pushing
Through covering protective layers
Awakened from winters slumber

Fiddleheads
In feathery company… Emerging
Adding beauty to moist shade
Tucked among woodland passes

And so do we also
Stretch and reach to warming light
Gather strength and determination
Draw nourishment… Unfurl

May 7, 2022

Transformation

Oh! Wow! Look! Look! … Here it comes. Here it comes! It’s coming out!

Have you ever watched a caterpillar forming its chrysalis (cocoon) and then waited … and waited … to see it finally emerge? What an amazing transformation from a creeping crawling caterpillar to a graceful soaring butterfly!

Before the caterpillar enters its cocoon, it’s not just lying around or curled up in a ball somewhere, is it? Think of all that goes on during the long wait. It’s busily moving, finding just the right dinner table… and eating, eating, eating. It needs its nourishment to grow and to prepare for the future. I wonder if it is aware of the coming time of transformation.

What if that caterpillar, in its eagerness for that final vision, decided it wanted to skip the period of eating and growth? Or what if there was no time spent in the cocoon? It seems crazy to even consider that!

So many times in my life, like all of us, I set my sight too much on a final desired outcome. Like the caterpillar, we need nourishment to grow and to prepare. Like the developing butterfly, we surround ourselves with the presence of things that help us to become what we are meant to be. We need time to develop both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Learning new skills, gaining in knowledge and wisdom, and developing our faith are all vital pieces. They are the stuff of life, aren’t they?!

It’s easy to grumble about the need to wait, isn’t it? We impatiently shuffle our feet and are eager to be done with whatever we are waiting for… or to finally participate in a long-anticipated event, achieve our goal, or acquire some possession.

How often do we consider the process of waiting as our success and our purpose? Like the caterpillar busily eating and exploring, we take time to taste life. That reminds me of the Psalm that says, “taste and see that the Lord is good!” * We live the best we can and find contentment in Him. Even God waits! He waits for us to respond or to complete our tasks here. He waited for Noah to finish building the ark! *

I don’t often read in the book of Titus but came across a verse that says “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait…” * Through the goodness of God, we are being transformed as we prepare for our final great transformation.

My prayer for us all is to live life fully and with contentment in our waiting.

* Psalm 34:8, 1 Peter 3:20, Titus 2:12
Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 2, 2022

“As… so” Proverbs for Springtime

  • As the soil is tilled, so are we made ready to receive
  • As seeds are planted, so are our thoughts guided
  • As creatures emerge from winter shelters, so we step out to discover and grow
  • As flowers rise from the earth, so life is reborn
  • As the sun warms and draws new life, so kind words bring healing and hope
  • As spring rains soak in and nourish, so the sharing of knowledge and wisdom betters our lives
  • As wind tears and roars, so ill-spoken words tear and hurt
  • As weeds are cleared to make room for desired plants, so removal of harmful relationships or habits encourages healthier lives
  • As bushes are pruned and stronger growth results, so we gain wisdom and strength through trials and experience
  • As flowers brighten and green buds burst forth, so music and laughter express joy and peace

– from “As… so Proverbs”
Charlotte-Anne Allen