I see you coming guest and friend
Greeting you now to enter in
Open door and open arms
Welcome now. Be safe from harm
When we comfort others, we offer hope
Hospitality and acceptance to heal and cope
Shining soft light that comes from God
Bears testimony of love with a welcome nod
Charlotte-Anne Allen
“The islanders showed us unusual kindness.
They built a fire and welcomed us all
because it was raining and cold.” Acts 28:2
Petals open
Velvet touch
Born from buds
Opening to morn’s light
Scarlet red bloom
Speaks of life and hope
Jesus’ blood freely shed for us
God’s great love
Arose at day’s dawn
Mid sunrise’s soft glow
In power and awe
Opening to new life
Charlotte-Anne Allen
A blink
A nod
Now time has passed
A glimpse
On screen
A lightning flash
A feathered wing
A wind-blown leaf
And another day gone by
Thankful days
Wishful dreams
Riding upon light moving steps
Or perhaps
A whispered sigh
Of love and mourning and rest
Sit back now
And cast your eye
On shady porch or sunny vale
Precious moments
Quiet and still, fast and racing
Of God and faith, all beauty… in a flicker
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Petals open
Heads lift up
Color springing
Landscape brightening
After long and patient waiting
Joy now building swelling
Releasing
Flowering
Laughing
Growing
Opening
Loving
Living
Blooming
As moon flowers close
And morning glories open
Daily moving
So we bloom
Charlotte-Anne Allen
We search to know
And want to grow
To do the right things
Whatever life brings
How do we back a fact?
Make sure the source is accurate
The real, the truth
Now that is sooth
When we don’t know how
In the here and now
God sees that which is
Know that we are His
We behold this creation vast
Knowing little of future or past
Only God who carries us through
To show love and kindness in what we do
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Glowing hot
Beneath the ashes
Smoldering there
Pondering, waiting
Guard it well
With wisdom and care
A thought to encourage
Is goodness there?
Look now for warmth
For deep compassion
In flame’s sparking
Bring not destruction
What is kind
And wholesome true
Will guide the calling
To know what to do.
Embers resting
Beneath the ashes
Charlotte-Anne Allen
All creatures
Great and small
Created by God’s own hand
Looking now upon tender child
So too at wisdom’s touch
And silvered hair
Life’s stories
Like a swirl
Of colors
Shadowed depths and
Golden sunrise sunset
Upon us all
So beams His Light
Pray, fall gently
Upon unseeing eyes
To warm hearts
Breath life
Grant sight
Bring healing
Speak joy
We give praise
Charlotte-Anne Allen 1/10/2026
Maker, Creator
Lord God Almighty
Powerful, Omnipotent
Redeemer most Sovereign
Savior and friend
Merciful forgiver
Loving Father of life
Adonai, our great ruler
When in doubt, you offer faith
When afraid, you bring comfort
All-knowing omniscient
Seeing me true
Bringer of hope
Joy even in sorrow
Lifting us up
For every tomorrow
Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/27/2025
Softly falls the drifting snow
Harmonic music lifts and inspires
Quiet presence in time of need
A sleeping child held gently close
Softly touches the cooling breeze
A warming blanket snuggled close
Comforting touch conveying compassion
Misty rain’s light kiss in early morn
Softly comes the light tread of feet
Loving gaze to empathize
Wafting aroma of a simmering meal
Whispered words in hushed voice
Trusting animal’s light kiss
Golden glow of rising sun
Twinkling stars ‘midst clear dark night
Softly embraces our God’s mighty arms
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Clanging cymbals, loud and rude
Turning heads where we stood
Noisy gongs now awaken
Ending rest that we have taken
Clashing shaking now vibrating
Look at me, they seem to say
At all I know, or have, or do
… Is all for show and our own way?
Where is joy?
Where’s faith and hope?
If in all of these it’s just for gain
As, looking within us, …our hearts are vain
God, help us together as we pray
Dispel the clamor as we seek the way
A decision each day to lift and care
To offer love’s great gift … Nothing will compare
Charlotte-Anne Allen
1 Corinthians 13
The Still Small Voice 