life

March 12, 2023

Reflections on Popsicles

• Approach life with interest, flavor, and zest
• Treasure those memories of special moments frozen in time
• Cold hearts lead to a dreary life but warm hearts provide cheer to many
• True friendship is like a taste of creamy goodness
• Live honestly that your true colors reflect integrity
• Sharing compassionately arises from brokenness
• Do not allow frosty responses to dim your peace
• Be your positive and add color and flavor to life
• When coldness invades, allow warmth to savor goodness
• God can melt the most cold and stubborn heart
• Seek what refreshes and strengthens you and give thanks
• Missed opportunities can result from frozen indecision
• Let go of worries and enjoy good fruits of life
• Your center support is God’s strong presence

From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 4, 2023

Of… Creation’s Voice


Meadows and bees
Song and breeze
Mount and sky
Clouds against blue

Gurgling streams
Splashes and cool
Rustles and song
Rattles and tread

Bursting forth of life
Bud and bloom
Refreshing waters
Nourishment and newness

So, we bask in God’s creation
Soaking in His Wonder
Renewing and resting
His Light warming and filling

from “OF… Songs of Life”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

February 3, 2023

Storm Breaking

In rising wind and slashing rain
Storm breaking, pounding, roaring

Trees do dance… They break and tremble
Whipped by nature’s grasping breath

Do we yet cower… or stand in awe?
We in our weakness before God’s might

Surrendered to those cleansing waters
Breathing in His freshening wind

Look now… A Light is shining
Glowing, filling, warming…

Ever speaking of storm passing
Securely held in its wake

Charlotte-Anne Allen

January 13, 2023

Reflections on Webs


• See the beauty woven into the fabric of life
• Hope is like drops of dew amidst fragile strands shining in the light
• Outward fragility can belie strength and purpose
• When sticky situations rear up, hold on to what is good and kind
• Dishonesty builds tangled webs of deceit
• Nurture that which builds lasting relationships and overcomes storms
• Attend to tremors and shakings signaling significant arrivals
• If caught unaware, we run headlong into that which can trap us
• Know there is still purpose when we are dusty and spent
• Recognizing our smallness builds humility and empathy
• The spider’s mountain is still a mountain
• We are nourished as we are being formed
• Be one who draws others to receive healing
• When ragged and torn, turn to God who makes us new

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

December 31, 2022

Drops

Shining, glistening
At dawns light touch

Life to drink
And hope inspire

Living water drawn
From God’s deep well

Drops to wash away life’s care
To touch those now upon one’s face

Cleansed washed renewed
As rainbow’s promise

Another day and year’s passing
New beginnings made possible

Through precious drops
Of Christ who gave his all

Shining, glistening still
At star’s bright light

Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/31/2022

December 11, 2022

Reflections on Bells

• Joy and peace sound out from the heart
• Words and actions will peal far and wide
• A soft voice, like a carillon, sooths, calms, and brings enjoyment
• A welcome call for meals announces care and fellowship
• What we choose to consume in life brings nourishment or illness
• Unexpected announcements bring excitement or dread
• Be vigilant and heed warning signals when they come
• The tolling of bells draws attention to our own mortality
• Guard your senses and cling to faith to drive away harmful impulses
• Welcome joyful messengers both great and small
• Simple hands and strong cords are each of great value
• Victory celebrations and shouts of triumph lift spirits
• God’s calm strength rings out to all nations
• The ringing bell herds us back to the Shepherd

from “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

October 9, 2022

Citrus Orange

Orange speaks of happiness
Relaxed and friendly, enjoying life

Joining neighbors red and yellow
Warm and comfortable, overcoming strife

It speaks of endurance and of strength
A glowing light in evenings sky

Fragrance wafting, juicy sweet
Tangy goodness sends the spirit high

Persevering ever forward
Creative bright and shining out

From One who knows our fears and joys
May our lives serve to brighten about

Lifting encouraging one another
Shining like that splash of orange

From “On Colors”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

September 17, 2022

Reflections on Rice

• It takes a seed to form ideas to have a vision for great things
• We often underestimate the impact of one life upon another
• The effect of one person will have lasting results
• Fear and uncertainty can blind us or hold us back from taking positive steps
• Sometimes we need to remove things which prevent us from growing and becoming
• Cultivate good qualities and use them to benefit others
• A single skill or interest has endless possibilities for expression
• We absorb attitudes, assumptions, ideas, expectations, and philosophies from everything around us
• It is prudent to keep a clear head and take time for contemplation before making decisions and following a chosen course
• Let experience bring calmer responses and clearer insight
• Offering encouragement and value to others is like water to sustain a body
• Food for the soul comes from God, the great provider and source of life

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

September 10, 2022

What Prudence!

With what prudence, you now say,
Do we live our lives from day to day?!

Give thought give thought
Give thought to your ways
Using good judgment is common sense

…Listen, listen to sound instruction
Gaining wisdom and discernment

From the heart actions will arise
As prudence speaks, do right and justly

Consider knowledge and instruct with care
Refrain from haste before lips fly

And when we fall, for we all do,
We in our prudence welcome God

– From “My Words to Live By”
Charlotte-Anne Allen