life

August 11, 2025

Reflections on Children


• Inquisitive curiosity feeds discovery
• Play is the basis of learning
• A place of security brings rest to our soul
• Nurture tender life and watch it grow
• Learning and growing is greatest when navigating challenges
• When seen through the heart, each day is a wondrous exploration
• Newness and change need time for adjustment
• Fresh eyes can bring great enlightenment
• May our words and actions encourage and uplift
• Imagination opens possibilities and delves into solutions
• Small things can loom as great mountains
• Speak encouragement and express value for others whenever possible
• Joy speaks through skips, song, and bright faces
• God loves us, His children, beyond our greatest imagination

Charlotte-Anne Allen

July 13, 2025

With


Rain forming in a cloud
Joining with each other

Ingredients in today’s dish
Blending, mixing until just right

Special people surrounding us
To laugh and cry together

A furry companion by my side
Happy and contented

Child cuddled close and warm
For comfort and laughter too

Words upon a page a line
Bringing forth new meaning

Forming, gathering, making
Bringing all together

Wondrous in creation
God always by me… with me

Charlotte-Anne Allen

June 29, 2025

Forge


Moving forward
Slowly, steadily

As boats navigate
And butterflies migrate

Forge now ahead
Times a changing

Storms grasp
Tossed and tumbling

Sun rising, rays golden
Gently rolling on, softly lifting

Crystal clear blue depths
Or reefs raising grasping fingers

As a skilled smith creates their craft
So does God forge us carefully, beautifully

Through mist and fog, churning and stillness
Fresh and real… in his loving and mighty ways

Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 25, 2025

Dandelion Wishes


A puff, a blow, and away they go
Dandelion puffballs are a child’s delight

Sunny days, clear skies, and lifted face
Sending wishes floating, lifting, soaring

Bright yellow faces reflecting springs bright sun
Transformed to orbs of wonder, sending hope aloft

What is it we hope for? … Love and family dear
Rising each day to dandelion brightness

Encouragers they are, to ever persevere
Growing where they find themselves

So, send your dandelion wishes
Prayers for beginnings and life

Reaching, stretching, giving
God’s transforming breath

Charlotte-Anne Allen

May 18, 2025

What Is It?


What is it?, they said,
as they peered at the ground.
There were thin flakes like frost
shining white all around

What is it, this ‘manna’?
For they did not know
That it was bread of heaven
Food they couldn’t sow

Born of dew
by God’s great hand
It filled their bellies
and gave strength to stand

When we’re in the wilderness
With fear high and hope dim
It’s hard to cease our grumbling
Though in trials we can trust in Him

God is our provision
Daily providing all the stuff
When we gaze and say, What is it?
His manna is enough

Charlotte-Anne Allen