thanks

November 17, 2024

Satisfaction


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

July 28, 2024

Now Don’t Fret


I love an old adage
From friends tried and true
If ever there’s too much
to think about and to do

“Don’t fret about it…”
Worrying constantly
and tied in a wad

To be anxious is wearing
A devouring monster
Who seeks to consume

Hear words of comfort
Life’s seasons all pass
There much to give thanks for
Let it go, “Now don’t fret!”

Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 15, 2024

The Sun Rises Again


Golden glow bids farewell
to day’s journeys

Twilight ‘s dusky presence eases
toward night’s greeting

Stars sparkle and luna’s face shines,
Ever gliding onward

Cool darkness touches gently,
A shroud for troubled minds

And so, we draw breath
and ponder anew life’s wonders

Resting. Closing our eyes.
Voicing thanks and casting cares

To One who knows and loves us
Bringing hope and renewal

Pouring forth God’s light.
For the sun rises again

Charlotte-Anne Allen
Psalm 143:8

December 10, 2023

Reflections on Stables


• Smell the sweet, the rank, the rich variety of each day
• Contentment is a choice to be pursued and adopted
• Life is full when surrounded by companions amid the messes
• Warmth and security emanate from care and craft
• Prepare and lay down what is needed for daily tasks
• Work together and receive instruction and assistance humbly
• Dedicated labor brings care and satisfaction
• Build strongly and wisely
• Home is shelter and a quiet place to curl up
• Caring for needs fortifies and feeds minds and bodies
• Give thanks for warm dry shelter
• We are all part of a rich stew – sheep, donkey, horse, cow, cat, dog…
• The seemingly lowest of places can give birth to the greatest of light
• See the Light that pierces through the dust and grime of life

From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

November 23, 2023

Gratitude


For thoughtful words
Help through a day

Show gratia grace
It is a good way

Expressing thankfulness
Fills up our cup

Appreciation
Cheers all of us up

Quiet presence
When we are grieved

Generosity sooths a soul
Is gratefully received

For kindness whether
Things are good or tough

Finding contentment
In having sufficient… enough

Such pleasing gratitude

From “My Words to Live By”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

August 4, 2023

Cosmos


Summer’s bright splash of color
Swaying in greeting to wind’s light touch
Quiet conductors with raised wands

Now trills the songbirds’ joy
In harmony with busy buzzing
Neighbor greeting neighbor and
Workers moving in steady contentment

They lead an attentive orchestra
Turning to hear their voices and
Lifting faces to welcome soft touch

So, we move to quiet beat
Giving thanks for day’s harmony
For splashes of color and gentle touches
Work well done and songs well sung

Charlotte-Anne Allen [Re-posted]

July 17, 2022

Gracious Grace

Crash! “Oh, no! I didn’t know that was there!”
“Goodness gracious! What happened now?!”
Responding with good grace we cleaned up the mess together.

Ever been in a situation like that? … I was thinking about how we use the words grace and gracious in so many ways. Handy for many circumstances! “Grace” is the middle name we gave our daughter and “gracious” is literally “filled with God’s grace”. They are beautiful words rich in meaning.

What thoughts or pictures do these two words bring to your mind? Perhaps you think of love, kindness, goodwill, forgiveness, generosity, and maybe a certain ease or elegance…

Can you think of some positive uses of these words? Maybe you have another saying or proverb. Here in the south, we “say grace” when we offer thanks to God before a meal. We are grateful when we have “gracious plenty”, whether that is something physical, emotional, or spiritual. A person’s “saving grace” is some quality about them that balances or makes up for not-so-great qualities. Responding “with good grace”, with patience and politeness, is a good attribute to pursue! Whom of us have not appreciated a “grace period” for some overdue or forgotten responsibility or chore? “Goodness gracious” fills many a need for expressions of surprise, dismay, or awe… Sometimes there are just no other words.

What about some other phrases that express our needs or mistakes?! “By the grace of God” acknowledges our own need for God, as well as our humility and our compassion for others who are in difficult circumstances. We all “fall from grace” at times, losing favor or the liking of others, whether it is a word misspoken or unsaid, miscommunication, or any number of perceived or real shortcomings.

I can relate to Paul as he talked about grace in his letters to the church in Corinth. He said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” *(1 Corinthians 15:10). He reminds us that it’s God’s grace that brings life and that we need to extend that grace to others. Paul called this the “grace of giving”. Isn’t that a wonderful way of putting it?!

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7

My prayers for us all is that even as we receive God’s awesome gift of grace, we will also excel in this grace of giving.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

Share your thoughts!

February 19, 2022

Weathering

When we awaken to the day
And things are bright and sunny
The sky is fair, and thoughts are clear
We’re eager to get started

Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
He shines His light anew

When there come rumbles warning grumbles
Great flashes crashes gusty tempest
Skies are blanketed and heavy
Hearts fearful searching seeking

Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
His strength and power overcomes

So, when the wind begins to shift
Or dark clouds drift our way
See the shaft of light break through
Be nourished by His cleansing rain

Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
His care for us is true

On those cool morns of cloudy gray
When fog touches with fingers chill
There too is found a quiet peace
As His comforting hands enfold us

Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
A place of rest within our struggles

In winter’s bite and icy dread
There’s beauty in the snowy white
As a joyful child in simple faith
He draws us to His warmth

Stretch our arms and raise our eyes
To the Maker of us all
To God give thanks and offer praise
May He shine on us anew

November 26, 2021

Reminders

Heading home one November evening, I pass the yard with the purple flashing lights of a Halloween skeleton which had been left up. As I turn into my driveway, I see that my neighbor has set out his Santa figure and manger scene. Have you noticed a trend too? As the seasons move forward towards year’s end, decorations are being put out earlier and left up longer. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas…

There is a positive hope in these simple and familiar decorations, despite the challenges our world is facing and adjustments to a “new normal.” They reflect a strength of spirit and make room for happier times. I love the positive celebration of life! This time-of-year is a good opportunity to offer encouragement to others, to realize anew the value of family, community, work, church, giving to others…

As we go about our daily routines, what are we doing to strengthen and help each other? Everyone appreciates encouragement and recognition, or a listening ear. The lighted decorations make me think of the verse that says, “Let light shine out of darkness” (*2 Corinthians 4:6). Think of all the workers, the medical community, educators, transport services, and more who have struggled to keep things running. They have truly been a source of light. How are we impacting others and how have we been impacted by loss and a changing economy? How are we celebrating the good and coming together in our shared humanity?

May the flashing lights of the seasons’ decorations or the quiet humble manger scene be reminders. See through the darkness, give thanks for what we have, and remember the Christ child come to earth. In this journey I pray that we will grow stronger, wiser, more caring… trusting and serving God. May His light shine through each of us.