Look ahead to what is needed
What may be coming and should be heeded?
Be it home or work or play
What will be done by end of day?
Now, do not stress, for we can make do
But acting wisely is important too
If notes are needed, then jot them down
Put on a smile and do not frown
Not caught up with worry and in a big rush
Take time to see beauty, open ears, and hush
Then do your best and show you have cared
Draw a breath, take one step, and as able… be prepared
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Towering giants
stretch their bare arms
To cloudy sky
Weekend dreamers
Slumber in warm cocoons
As quiet reigns
Soft breeze
Gently stirs bushes…rustling
In morn’s dim glow
Feathered residents
Silently huddle in chilly patience
Winging fleetingly aloft
Footsteps sound
Crunching on dry grass and leaves
Delivering morning meals
Nipped nose
Draws in crisp fresh air
This mid-winter morn
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Ripples… Ripples spreading across the surface of the water. We kids laugh as we challenge each other to see how far we can skip our rocks, chosen with the greatest care for shape, size, and weight.
… Dad and mom smile as we enjoy our afternoon at the local lake. We race along the shoreline and then gather at the table for our impromptu picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, perhaps with some chips or apples, maybe some pickles, and something for thirsty throats. Thinking of those happy days makes me smile.
My mind travels ahead through our growing years and into adulthood. I think of all the ripples that have been set in motion by each of our lives. All that we have said, done, and thought echo through the waters of time. Through joy and pain, peace and tumult, life and death… new birth grows around us and through us.
And do we live in contentment? May it be so! For there is One greater than us all, who travels with us and looks after us. They are daily reminders of wonder and awe, if we but see it and hear it, listening fully and resting in God’s awesome presence.
I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” [Philippians 4:8b, 12b-13]
When discontent churns in me, I have discovered that finding that calm place is a great challenge and sometimes a long road. I cling to God like a young child. His patient love fills me. The psalmist must have had a sense of this as well when he said, “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” [Psalm 131:2]
So, from this racing world and anxious hearts… for good or harm, the ripples of our being spread. May we turn to God for quiet, compassionate hearts and lips.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Ripples… Ripples spreading across the surface of the water. May God’s light shine.
Be encouraged.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
A childhood game of joy and fun
Reaching out to touch someone
…Can call to mind on any day
Of what we do and what we say
Are we choosing to extend a smile
To be courteous and go that “extra mile”?
…Social media says, “Look at me”
Consider now just what we see
Whether in passing or sharing deep
This world around us, may God keep
Value each other, recognized, known
Let’s tag someone… We’re not alone
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Life is a miracle in form and spirit
• There is beauty in the simplest of things around you
• The fragility of life can be daunting
• When you are shattered much is revealed about yourself
• Embrace positive thoughts and healthy ways
• Ideas and inspiration give birth to greatness
• Change happens when cracks form in life
• Transformation and change can be painful
• There is growth and potential when we persevere
• Sometimes growth can be messy
• Rolling with situations can reduce stress and avoid crashes
• Renew, refresh as each evening you rest
• Much amazing good can come from single small beginnings
• God is our source of nourishment and strength
– From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
With childlike mind
Embrace each day
I’m a dinosaur…
Climbing a mountain…
Or a cuddly kitten
Dreaming freely
Opens wide vistas
Things that could be…
Pathways more sure…
Positive contentment
Touch it now
Mind’s eye wide open
Curiosity, resolution, excitement…
Imagination unfurled
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Softly spoken
Words in care
Music drifting
In the air
Beaming face
And tender touch
Reaching out
Is not too much
Spread some joy
In this new year
Share some laughter
And good cheer
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Season’s leaves now brown and blown
Insects retreating from wind’s cold embrace
Autumn stretches, reaches into nooks
Touching questing noses wishing warmer place
Plip-plop, plip-plop of sky-chilled raindrops
Encourage hurried walks and blow upon uncovered face
Sun shines bravely, a reminder of summer growth
Gardens’ offering now gathered, leaves and yard tended
Rest, rest and breath in deeply
A pause as the year is soon to be ended
Contemplation upon this year’s past
Looking forward, awaiting… Time briefly suspended.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Finally finished it!
It’s been so nice getting together.
That was a really good book.
Ahh, I was so thirsty!
You did a great job with that.
Don’t thoughts like these make you smile?! … Whether it’s busy care with family or finishing something for work, that feeling of completion and accomplishment brings great satisfaction. A full stomach after a meal or a cool drink of water when thirsty satisfies the needs of our body, as well, and may sometimes be taken for granted.
The book of Psalms offers a lot of praises and thanks to God. This one reminds me of the celebration of Thanksgiving here.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:8-9
It made me think of satisfying different kinds of thirst and hunger… like thirst for knowledge or more faith and hunger for friendship, peace, or rest. It’s a daily giving and receiving, fulfillment through God’s provision and presence.
Paul put this well in his letter to the Philippians:
And my God will meet all your needs
according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
As you go through each day, may you bask in God’s great love. May you be filled and satisfied. May it be all and more than enough, as we rest in Him.
And in this satisfaction we rest
Hope and life through each day is best
Through God’s Spirit sent from above
Grant laughter and be filled to live and love
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Waxing waning
Nighttime’s herald
Growing learning
Tasks to do
Reflecting thinking
Drawing forth
In season’s call
With solar dance
Labor completion
bringing forth
Looking seeing
Strengthening resting
So is life
In bright parade
Charlotte-Anne Allen
The Still Small Voice 