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
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
A treasure trove!
What great delight
To re-discover things long forgotten
To dig and rummage
And sift things about
Some wooden matches and screws and tacks
Where’s the thingamabob?
Oh wow, I forgot I had that!
And this will be handy to hang things up
Yay! Here’s the screwdriver
I’ve found my best scissors!
What in the world! Now what is this?…
I’m just not quite sure
There’s really no clue
Can’t throw that away, until I know!
Indeed, one day soon
Surely, before very long
It will all be sorted as I clear some things out!
… Now, what was I looking for?!
Heading toward Jerusalem
He entered it that day
Shouts of acclamation
Cries to be saved
Walking among the people
He spoke lasting words
Showed us servant giving
As storm clouds gathered
Oh, where now is our Savior
Betrayed by those beloved
In agony and prayer
Obedient Lamb of God
Can there be such compassion
In the midst of fear and doubt
Loss grief despair confusion
Striking buffeting death
What’s this now seen in darkness
Piercing light and open way
Speaks of new beginnings
Life rises out of love
Jesus walks among us
Transforms our doubt to joy
Fellowship for all who come
Hear see eat with him… Believe
Can it be so simple
Toddler’s first wobbly step
God’s strong hand and presence
Direction faith and hope reborn
Light’s rays to guide us
To lift and reassure
Life’s purpose now before us
There is a better day
– from “As… so Proverbs”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
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
Oh, that time would stand still!
In those moments of bright clarity
Treasured in our hearts and
Seared in our memories
Of those we hold dear
For life and love and family
Friends and church gathered ‘round
God’s holy ground, simple and true
We open eyes to brilliant color
Ears to laughter and tears
A gentle touch and helping hands
Life’s essence … caught in a fleeting moment.
Charlotte-Anne Allen 2/25/2022
In this life of ours
It’s those unexpected things
That make us scratch out heads!
What’s in, is now out
What’s up, is now down
We wonder what’s to be done!
We turn ourselves this way and that
Full of worry and of fret
To focus on the ills and strife!
Oh God, remind us Your ways are straight
Through ups and down and ins and outs
When we turn our eyes toward You
“It’s good to see you!” “How are you doing now?”
“See you soon!” “Stay in touch!”
Our desire or need for connectedness is expressed in many ways. It can be challenging to build and to maintain relationships with family and friends when separated by distance or circumstances! Those times when we can talk or correspond with each other bring us closer together… for encouragement, for enjoyment, to share, and to support each other. Working or serving together with others provides opportunities to deepen friendships and to develop new ones.
When my cousin and I get on the phone to each other, we usually talk for at least an hour… catching up, sharing thoughts, and lending support. We do not often get to see each other, as we live in different states, but when we do get together then we talk for hours. Close relationships are special! I am reminded of a verse in the book of Proverbs that says, “A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.” Relationship rises above differences and hardship.
Can you imagine building a positive relationship without staying in touch with that person? What if we rarely or never really talked to them about things that matter? How would they know that we care? Without desire and commitment, there would be no way to develop lasting friendships.
The same is true with our relationship to God, isn’t it? Jesus told his disciples, “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” Can you imagine that?! I’m so glad that God wants a relationship with us! As we build closer connections to God, through prayer, our faith community, and by studying His Word, we learn more about Him. We grow in our own faith and our words and actions let others know that we care.
My prayers for each of us – busy, stressed, struggling, thankful – are that we may rise each morning and lie down each evening knowing that we have a faithful friend in God, who is always by our side. Stay in touch!
*Proverbs 17:17, John 15:15, Luke 11:2
The Still Small Voice 