Hope

March 31, 2024

YET


A word has recently been popping into my mind and so I have returned to it to see what it is saying to me. 🙂 That word is “yet” …Have you thought about this small but powerful little word before? It’s one of those words that we use a lot. Some ways we might use this small word are:

Are you finished yet?
I don’t know yet.
I have yet to see that happen.
He was yet a child.
Is she here yet?
Yet they were still able to come.
Are we there yet?

Are those any you find yourself saying? …“Yet” means that we have expectations. When we haven’t finished something, called someone, or done something we’ve been asked to do … adding “yet” can make a difference! There are still plans or hopes for the future. “Yet” can spark both anticipation and concern.

Now, the hard part for me, and for most of us, is staying motivated and encouraged. Keeping a positive attitude and persevering can be challenging, can’t it? I still well-remember and appreciate my mom reminding me to take one thing at a time. I’ve also learned to work on my perspective, to trust God for direction, and to focus on the small and “do-able” steps needed. And then there are times to give up our own “yet” and re-examine expectations and life’s journey.

Look how God leads us to adjust our own “yet” as he modeled his own:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NASB

God didn’t wait for us to be perfect examples (That’s impossible anyway, isn’t it?!). His help with waiting, reminding me of the need for patience, and adjusting expectations knowing that He with us through the long haul… that’s what keeps me going. God has gone before us and is waiting and preparing for us as we travel to the “yet.”

My prayers for myself and for us all, is that God will surround us with people, and will create us to be people, who help during all our “yets”. I am so thankful that he came to us first, during our greatest “yet”. Be encouraged.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 23, 2024

If Time Could Speak


If time could speak
What wonders would it tell?

Of love and riches deep and true
Or weary roads and much to do

Wisdom’s path, hard-won but strong
Short hard days and nights so long

Facing great storms’ fierce gale
Then in gentle breeze rest well

Of steps taken, eyes ever gazing,
Ears attuned, and hearts amazing

Seconds and minutes, now hours proceed
Seek wants and labors, provision for need

Life’s highs and valleys low…
Faith hope and mercy know

If time could speak…
And does it not?

Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 15, 2024

The Sun Rises Again


Golden glow bids farewell
to day’s journeys

Twilight ‘s dusky presence eases
toward night’s greeting

Stars sparkle and luna’s face shines,
Ever gliding onward

Cool darkness touches gently,
A shroud for troubled minds

And so, we draw breath
and ponder anew life’s wonders

Resting. Closing our eyes.
Voicing thanks and casting cares

To One who knows and loves us
Bringing hope and renewal

Pouring forth God’s light.
For the sun rises again

Charlotte-Anne Allen
Psalm 143:8

March 9, 2024

Wishes


“Starlight, star bright, first start I’ve seen tonight.
Wish I wish; wish I might, get the wish I wish tonight!”

“Make a wish! Make a wish!”
we’d say excitedly as someone blew out their birthday candle.

Have you ever thought about “wishes” and how they are a part of our everyday life?! Whether intentional or not, they slip into all areas, both great and small. We wish for nice weather, for time to rest, and for a loved one to be well. We wish to go to a certain event or for help with something. We wish for things to happen (or not happen),

There are a lot of long-held traditions that reflect our natural yearning for things that seem improbable or out of reach… Wishes express sympathy, expectation, or hope. I know that I have wished for things to be different or better. I have wished, and prayed for, family members to be well and for God to provide for needs. I have wished for times of rest, for warm sunny days, for hope for the future, and for family and others to find faith in God.

I think of all the crowds of people that followed after Jesus and his disciples. They came with a lot of needs and wishes, too. Jesus told the people to do to others what you wish for them to do to you:

“So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,
for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Jesus used the same Greek word (thelō) when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane

‘Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.
Yet not as I will, but as you will.”’ (Matthew 26:39)

Isn’t that so amazing, and so very hard?! …Jesus modeled the ultimate wish, to give up his own wishes (his will) for God’s, to express his love for God and for others above himself. What a challenge that is for us!

As we gaze at the stars, celebrate another year in someone’s life, or just wish for better days and positive outcomes… May we consider what we wish for, what our will is, and release them to God’s care. Prayers that we will find encouragement and rest.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 2, 2024

Up


When upside down
Unhappy frown
A welcome “up” we seek

Cheerful voice and lips uplifted
Encouragement to be gifted
… Bring sunshine to gray days

Listen up and hear
When our hearts feel fear
… To God’s quiet presence within

Don’t hang it up when we are sprawled
On our backs where we have crawled
… Take a breath and be at rest

Offered helping hand
Now we can stand
Wake up, walk up, climb up

Charlotte-Anne Allen

January 13, 2024

Finding Joy in a New Year


Gather now on mountain’s slope
Valley’s vista spread before
In-drawn breath to pause with hope
As sun’s slow rising opens its door.

Growing light quietly warming soft shade
Twinkling touch wakes window pane
Time whispering flowing across glade
Marvel, marvel… strength to gain

Joy-finder mid chaos and fear
Children, laughter, friend, and smile
Elder’s touch and calm wisdom here
Life in full to walk a while

Look and see inside our heart
And for true peace this day embrace
Doubt or grief, new life or start
Another year we lift our face

God reaches out and gathers us up
Opens eyes and ears to know He’s there
… He invites us in with Him to sup
Joy-bringer to joy-finder within His care

Charlotte-Anne Allen

December 23, 2023

In Fullness


“In fullness,” now what does that mean,
When busy or stressed and a way is not seen?

Of God, of time, on earth to show
He comes to us so that we can know

Filled through Christ, God’s Son
In awe and humility before Mighty One

Wholeness, abundance in what really counts
Overflowing through grace in generous amounts

Tired souls can then begin to sing
Fullness in all and everything

Completeness satisfies our yearning
Filled to capacity, overflowing… we’re learning

This is life, breathing that goodness
Living daily in His fullness

Ephesians 3:19; 1:22
Charlotte-Anne Allen

November 18, 2023

Morning


The sun rises and we greet the day
To dread or cheer along the way

What this we think, we look, we see
Of how we’ll live and how we’ll be

As light shines now bright and clear
Or through fog and cloud, from One so dear

To warm the heart and fortify our bone
Lift our faces…We are not alone

A promise renew and peace lift up
For strength and joy to fill our cup

We thank you God for your love and care
For this new day, with us everywhere

Charlotte-Anne Allen