Hello, I see you
Standing there
Unsure and shy
Face full of care
Peeking from
A lowered head
Ready to run if
Unkind words are said
I pause and smile
Speak with gentle voice
Offer kindness and love
It is a good choice
A timid step forward
To a welcome… receive
Now quiet touch
Acceptance believe
Charlotte-Anne Allen
“I need a break. Come on. Let’s take a walk!”
Growing up in a small town, it was very common to see our neighbors strolling down the sidewalks in front of our house. As we greeted each other they would occasionally stop to chat for a few minutes. It was a place and time of closer communities and greater security. We kids were always racing up and down, our shoes pounding the ground as we played and talked with friends in nearby yards.
Walking. Wearing shoes… Even with our occasional disagreements or upsets, we valued those friendships. That makes me think of another kind of “walk” and “shoes.”
What do we do when we see real or perceived differences in others, whether big or small, that we disagree with? I know that, for myself, these are especially important times for me to step back and try to see and understand things from their perspective. We have probably heard or said, “Put yourself into their shoes” or “You haven’t walked in their shoes.” For some things it’s just a simple and easy adjustment or a matter of miscommunication. Other things may be big challenges.
A neat word for being aware of and responding to something or someone is “sensibility.” It makes me think of “the ability to sense things” about situations or others. Considering things from the perspectives of others is key to empathy and compassion… or just plain dealing with the stressors of life. It reminds me of Jesus’ words to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:28-34)
So, let’s take a walk, in community, and nurture our sensibility. My prayer for us all is that we continue to grow in wisdom and understanding. May we learn to love better and to see others through God’s eyes, uplifting each other in prayer and grace.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
With “stone of help”
Give thanks to God
May we remember
His care and strong rod
Proclaim to all who see
That they may know
He brings us through
Where we are, where we go
These memorial stones
Raised in awe and love
Speak of God’s power
His gifts from above
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Flashing forth boldly
Not one to ignore
Bursting with energy
Life and death, love and war
Prosperity and fortune
For some weddings a fashion
To welcome and protect
Living life with great passion
Fire, danger, and fury
Sun’s glow in the morning
When anger arises
Heed now its warning
With life it flows…
Full, open, and free – is red
From “On Colors”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Of summer tastes
We can delight
In crispy apples
Or juicy melons
A teaspoon of honey
In season or out
Refreshes one’s spirit
In so many ways
Flavorful berries
Freshly picked
Oh, how wonderful
To eat by the gallons
Sweeter than these
Are kind words spoken
To encourage and brighten
Through nights and days
Charlotte-Anne Allen
To go beyond
And give your all
Without complaint
A challenging call
To show up lift up
In rain or shine
To set aside self
And what we call “mine”
Extra extra
Is what it’s all about
Beyond the ordinary
That’s without a doubt
Though life may weigh down
Then persist and be true
Gain strength from above
To be faithful to do
Extra extra
Let His light shine
• Soft and light touches lift our spirits
• A child’s love is downy soft
• What you choose to be, to do, to think is a daily diet
• Your daily diet displays as a rainbow of colors for all to see.
• Exercise your spiritual muscles to warm others and withstand enemies
• There are times when we all just want to fly away
• Shedding the old opens room for the new
• Holding things together is often a challenge
• Changing our wayward directions is like refracted light upon shiny feathers
• A strong center stands against much bending and whipping in storms
• We cover and insulate ourselves from outside pressures
• Extend a hand to lighten each other’s load
• We are covered by our Maker’s wings
From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Kind and peaceful
Offering a hand
Soothing and calming
Bringing good to the land
Sensitive to others
Forgiving and strong
Letting go of anger
When others have done wrong
Soft and cozy
Speaks of things sweet
Strawberry ice cream
Smooth cool treat
Bringing happiness and positivity
Optimistic and showing love … is sweet pink.
From “On Colors”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
God who has made us gave us life
Son created in love, surrendered in strife
Believing in Him; open heart to see
He gives us faith; shows the way to be
Entrusted with a special task
He welcomes any questions we ask
What is our purpose, our way, the plan?
Love God. Love others… I know you can!
When one turns to earthly greed
To selfish thought and hurtful deed
The mark is missed; we’ve gone astray
All’s dark as night, no light of day
To serve Him with all our might
With heart and soul, now that is right!
So hard some days, when we are down
Now feel God’s arms as they surround
Holding us with a love so true
Go as salt and light in all you do
Precious, valued, He waits for us
Our reason to be… For all have purpose!
Charlotte-Anne Allen
I was thinking about all the ways I use the word “good” … both positively and negatively!
That’s good.
You need anything? … I’m good. Thanks
Have a good day!
This is no good.
Good morning!
That tastes good.
Be good…
Good Lord!
And what does “good” really mean anyway? Many a debate or disagreement boils down to a different perception or opinion of what is good. We try to teach children to make good choices and to use good behavior and manners. What one person thinks is good may not be good at all to another person. I may decide that something is a good idea, only to change my mind about it later… Changing situations and differences in how we grew up or our current culture, among other things, lead to some differences.
Yet there are many common things for which “good” is very apparent. The Bible sets our standard for goodness using different examples and teachings. I love how it shows real people struggling through life, some failing dramatically and others accomplishing great or positive things for the good of many. Micah said it well!
He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NASB
How do we decide what is good for a given situation or for life in general? What helps us to decide what is good. I find that taking time for self-reflection helps keep me on track. Just stopping, praying, reading God’s Word, listening, and considering recent actions or thoughts and perceptions is a great way to steer back in the right direction! I realize areas where I need to improve and to hopefully consider where I have grown and learned. Do I “do justice” … and what does that mean anyway? It is a high goal – to be founded on love, be honest, have integrity, be true, and be faithful. “To love kindness” is something that attracts, to care for others and to be cared about. When we walk humbly with God, we recognize His sovereignty or authority and our own imperfect nature and we follow Him, secure in His presence and knowing that He walks with us always.
What is good? That which lives out our love for God, our love for others, and His faithfulness and mercy.
Charlotte-Anne Allen 2/25/2023
Related: “Just Justice” (poem)
The Still Small Voice 