Struggling warring twisting whirling
Cold and warmth do tear and battle
Fiercely roaring, toss and break
Snatching breath and striking ear
Yet sun’s bright shining speaks of promise
Fragile warming growing stronger
Coaxing life from bud and root
Drawing rising filling lifting
Oh, what life now lies within
Drawn from yesteryear’s memories
Midst cold reminders and warmth of hearths
Springing upwards, ever upwards once again
• 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
Icy remnants
Broken, shattered
Crushed by another’s passing
Yet now welcoming sun’s light
To warm and soften
Draw once more to wholeness
Gathering and springing to fresh life
In turn nourishing thirsty earth
Lift glad hearts
Embracing hope and faith
Shedding winter’s embrace
By God’s grace and mercy
The Shepherd cares for you and me
Protector, guide, and great provider
God’s words spoken since time began
To prophets and kings who guided the sheep
Near Bethlehem town that starry night
A host of angels brought good news,
To humble shepherds who watched their flock,
Of a new ruler born to shepherd us all
They quickly went and found him there
The Christ Child born to humble home
Departing then they joyfully told
The amazing story… He’s here, he’s come!
Follow the Good Shepherd, source of all life
Who brought us hope to share with all
Shepherds we too, now care for His flock and
Remember the story of that first Christmas night
Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/25/2021
This special child
Now held so close
Cradled softly in loving arms
Resting, trusting, safe from harm
Compassion born
Full of grace and truth
Heaven announced
Good news, great joy
Peace and goodwill
Now come, make haste
True light’s glow
Awaken our hearts
Cast aside our fears and doubts
Draw us close as tender child
To treasure words of hope
Christ Jesus come to earth
*Luke 2:8-20, John 1:14, 16
A heart beating strong
Not one to give up
Inspired… Enheartened
In fear to step out and
Now do what is hard
Assured in spirit
Raise hope, calm hearts
Be steadfast and sure
Through faith prevail
Standing bold and firm
Courage
From “My Words to Live By”
Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/04/2021
Psalm 31:22a, 24a – “But you [O LORD] heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help… [All you] be strong, and let your heart take courage…“
Heading home one November evening, I pass the yard with the purple flashing lights of a Halloween skeleton which had been left up. As I turn into my driveway, I see that my neighbor has set out his Santa figure and manger scene. Have you noticed a trend too? As the seasons move forward towards year’s end, decorations are being put out earlier and left up longer. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas…
There is a positive hope in these simple and familiar decorations, despite the challenges our world is facing and adjustments to a “new normal.” They reflect a strength of spirit and make room for happier times. I love the positive celebration of life! This time-of-year is a good opportunity to offer encouragement to others, to realize anew the value of family, community, work, church, giving to others…
As we go about our daily routines, what are we doing to strengthen and help each other? Everyone appreciates encouragement and recognition, or a listening ear. The lighted decorations make me think of the verse that says, “Let light shine out of darkness” (*2 Corinthians 4:6). Think of all the workers, the medical community, educators, transport services, and more who have struggled to keep things running. They have truly been a source of light. How are we impacting others and how have we been impacted by loss and a changing economy? How are we celebrating the good and coming together in our shared humanity?
May the flashing lights of the seasons’ decorations or the quiet humble manger scene be reminders. See through the darkness, give thanks for what we have, and remember the Christ child come to earth. In this journey I pray that we will grow stronger, wiser, more caring… trusting and serving God. May His light shine through each of us.
Bright eyes calling you
Awake awake
See the beauty around you
Flash of scarlet shines
Look up look up
A smiling face beam brightly
Heads lifted to sun
Hear now hear now
Sharing caring with bright eyes
“Thank you, God, for this day. Be with me and guide me.” These and similar thoughts and prayers are my daily morning greeting.
Whether we’re someone who awakens quickly, fully alert and moving, or are someone who slowly regains consciousness through blurry eyes and reluctant body where moving is concerned, we all have in common our needs or plans for the day.
With each day’s beginning, we also have a choice about our attitude and our outlook. Our thoughts and responses will likely follow what we have chosen to focus on. Are we dwelling on the negative? Do we make a conscious commitment to see the positive? I am learning to capture the bright spots, to be more aware of them, and to be thankful for those moments.
As I stood at my kitchen sink one day, humming to myself as I washed dishes, I was suddenly aware that I was happy. There had been frustrations earlier with my office work. I was concerned about the health of some family members. There were any number of things to get me down. But “right here, right now” I was happy. I repeated that to myself and smiled, and I thanked God for the “right here, right now” times. I am thankful for moments when I can refocus and trust that God walks with me, and I with him, when my focus turns away from stressful things and rests in Him.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he urged people to think on things that are good and positive. He urged them not to worry but to rejoice and to know that God was near and that His peace would guard our hearts and minds. * These words themselves are cause for happiness and hope.
How many times have we rushed on to the next thing without fully appreciating or acknowledging our spots of joy and happiness? Yes, bad things happen. Yes, some days are exhausting. People die or face pain, frustration, or tragedy… Then too, there are the powerful moments, when we realize in the “right here, right now” that happiness and peace comes from our great and loving God and His presence with us. Memories and moments can burst upon us and make us smile, even through our tears, and laugh and know God’s awesome love in the midst of it all.
My prayers for us all are to gather those moments and smile and exclaim to ourselves, “right here, right now… I’m happy.” God bless.
*Phillipians 4:4-9
– from “Reflections from the Everyday”
The Still Small Voice 