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
Humming busily
Zooming to-and-fro
Waggle dances
For treasures to show
Sweetness of nectar
Rich and fine
Heading there
Now make a beeline!
Workers buzzing
Warm and sunny
Bringing life
With golden honey
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Crunch of feet upon the path
Step, step along the way
One came teaching of God’s great love
Touching, healing, seeing our hearts
Who are you and why this trek?
Travelers with you, by night and day
Crunch, step, crunch, step
Ever closer to Jerusalem’s mount
Needy arms reaching, faces turning
Who do they see and what do we say?
Shout hosanna… then turn and run
King of heaven enters… to give up the Son
Step, step and one final sup
To pray in the garden and offer the cup
Broken body, abandoned alone
Then filled with new light for us at home
Come alongside Him, this Jesus alive…
Who’s lifting us up when we stumble and fall
Step, crunch, step ever closer to that holy mount
… Walking with Him upon the upward path
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Spread its arms so round and true
Joined together clasping tightly
Firm boundaries to speak and declare
Now look to the center to show us where
Moving turning in ordered motion
Complete and whole so satisfying
Gaze around in awe and wonder
Savoring the vastness of eternity’s splendor
As swirling water released down drain
Wind-chased leaves tightly lifted up
Rain’s swift drops upon mirrored surface
And sun, moon, and planets of glowing hue
A rounded loaf and water cup
In busy pursuit upon bowl’s rim
We meet ourselves upon life’s cycle
Pause and muse on earth and heaven
Our quest in life and the circles we touch
…The infinite love of God enfolds us
Gathering welcoming upon this circle
From “Forms Around Us”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• 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
As a fire in the bones
Crashing waves of the ocean
Roaring wind announcing coming storm
Or bubbles soaring shimmering rising sinking
Rainbow colors that shine their joy
Leaving smiles in their wake
So then do we
Release bring forth
Words poured upon our souls
As wind and wave
With great passion and strength
To uplift encourage challenge share hope
Or as softly soaring spheres
Swinging low and rising up again
Inspiring contemplation communion healing
Guided by our Creator’s touch
• Giving does not divide, rather it multiplies and nourishes
• Generosity in sharing what you have grows blessings for all
• Disregarding the value of others brings heartache and misunderstandings
• Gather together what is needed to guide you
• Our lives are a rich mosaic of colors and patterns
• Look for the beauty in small things as well as grand displays
• The beauty of a life brought to wholeness gives us hope
• God will comfort us in our brokenness
• We often struggle when we cannot see the whole picture
• Looking at all perspectives and options can help gain clarity
• Receiving memories shared by others is like finding missing puzzle pieces
• Apply yourself to learning and to gaining skills bit-by-bit
• Trying new things adds color and interest
• When all is dashed to pieces, there is God to gather us
From “Reflections from the Everyday” – Charlotte-Anne Allen
“It’s good to see you!” “How are you doing now?”
“See you soon!” “Stay in touch!”
Our desire or need for connectedness is expressed in many ways. It can be challenging to build and to maintain relationships with family and friends when separated by distance or circumstances! Those times when we can talk or correspond with each other bring us closer together… for encouragement, for enjoyment, to share, and to support each other. Working or serving together with others provides opportunities to deepen friendships and to develop new ones.
When my cousin and I get on the phone to each other, we usually talk for at least an hour… catching up, sharing thoughts, and lending support. We do not often get to see each other, as we live in different states, but when we do get together then we talk for hours. Close relationships are special! I am reminded of a verse in the book of Proverbs that says, “A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.” Relationship rises above differences and hardship.
Can you imagine building a positive relationship without staying in touch with that person? What if we rarely or never really talked to them about things that matter? How would they know that we care? Without desire and commitment, there would be no way to develop lasting friendships.
The same is true with our relationship to God, isn’t it? Jesus told his disciples, “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” Can you imagine that?! I’m so glad that God wants a relationship with us! As we build closer connections to God, through prayer, our faith community, and by studying His Word, we learn more about Him. We grow in our own faith and our words and actions let others know that we care.
My prayers for each of us – busy, stressed, struggling, thankful – are that we may rise each morning and lie down each evening knowing that we have a faithful friend in God, who is always by our side. Stay in touch!
*Proverbs 17:17, John 15:15, Luke 11:2
“What’s up?” I say in greeting you,
In comfortable companionship.
Just hanging out and sharing life
Now there’s no rush with you and me.
“Oh, nothing much,” …but some days are long,
Going here… Doing this and that.
Just for now, let’s take a breather.
“So, what is up with you?”
With friends who care, we can be ourselves
And share our time and space.
To hear each other and really listen,
Offering support and being a presence.
“What’s up?” we say in recognition,
Doing this thing called life together.
Walk this way. I’ll lead you.
Another journey has begun.
We will be companions
As we tread a common path
Walk this way. I’ll lead you.
Staying by your side
And when the way grows rough and steep
My helping hand is there
Walk this way. I’ll lead you.
Together whatever befalls
Sharing hope or wiping tears
Laughing living praying going
Walk this way. I’ll lead you.
The Lord your banner
The Still Small Voice 