Witnessing Joy (Haiku Series #256)

Heartfelt Words

Rescinding harsh tongue

Letting kindness step forward—

Spoken thoughts matter

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Appreciation

Always one by one

Each day shares discoveries—

Lifetime of blessings

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Making a Difference

Overcoming noise

Words beautiful and caring—

Inner peace colors

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From His Heart

From Psalm 105:3-4:  “Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.  Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

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Quiet morning minutes

Sharing from His heart

Rendezvous with Father

Blessing day’s fresh start

 

Reading from God’s own Word

Peace fills from His heart

Replacing all darkness

Light’s mercy imparts

 

Master’s most tender touch

Moving from His heart

Blessed hymns freely praise

Singing every part

 

Painting nature’s landscape

Visions from His heart

Offering perfection

Creator’s fine art

 

Father’s trusted wisdom

Speaking from His heart

Righteousness leads faith’s path

Guiding light’s head start

 

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From Psalm 51:10-12:  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your holy spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”

Edmund Burke Quote

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Patience achieves more than our force.

From James 1:12:  “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation.  Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was an Anglo-Irish statesman, economist, and philosopher.  He served in the British House of Commons from 1766-1794.

Monday Memories: Witnessing a Foretaste

Looking outside from the kitchen table offers a view each morning of how our Lord presents each day as a precious gift.  Here is a mini sonnet which witnesses a foretaste of the feast to come.

photo of red flowering trees beside body of water

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Viewing the early morning

Welcoming each libation

Peering from kitchen’s window

Witnessing God’s creation

 

Growing greener, grass below

Blooming, flowers spelling love

Witnessing creative hands

Working each day from above

 

Taking in this peaceful scene

Witnessing each day’s foretaste

Blessing each feast, more to come

Tasting moments, without haste

 

Witnessing God’s daily Grace

Making life a happy place

wood light vacation picnic

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From Lutheran Communion liturgy, Christ’s people sing:  “Grace our table with Your presence, and give us a foretaste of the Feast to come.”  

Originally published May, 2020.

Rejoice with Praises

From Psalm 118:24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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Rejoice with praises

Feeling Father’s love

Trusting in His name

Hope stirs from above

 

Rejoice before God

Writing hope’s new song

Praising His mercy

Days never be long

 

Rejoice in answers

Rising hope greets thee

Blessing one more home

Darkness always flees

 

Rejoice with new day

Walking in God’s grace

Surrounding mercy

Hope’s faithful birthplace

 

Rejoice with praises

Hope’s lifelong quest seeks

Rising from heaven

Flowing waters speak

 

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From Psalm 33:22:  “Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You.”

Morning Wakens

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Predawn countdown

Night shift ending

Morning wakens

Sunrise pending

 

Tender blossoms

Open to light

Melody plays

New day takes flight

 

Harmony shines

Dew-covered grass

Nature reflects

Treasured stained glass

 

Quietness reigns

Early hour waits

Tiny breeze calls

Foreshadowed fate

 

Scene fills with love

Creation sings

Postcard painted

Blessed heartstrings

 

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Gift of Family

From Proverbs 19:21:  “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.”

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Gift of family unfolds

Relationships healthy and blessed

God’s love covers this home

Leading this grace-filled nest

 

Imperfections reverse tide

Frustrations fill with discontent

God witnesses each tear

Reshaping what is meant

 

Time healing deepest trauma

Days, weeks—sometimes months travel by

God breathes, never silent

Wiping every tear dry

 

Faith speaks, better days ahead

Hope generates from cherished love

God welcomes members home

Blessing life from above

 

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From Joshua 24:15:  “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Precious Blessings

From Galatians 5:25:  “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”

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Life may look sweeter

Across every street

In another town

 

Avoiding comparisons

 

Success comes and goes

Stay focused ahead

Take Father’s high road

 

Counting life’s precious blessings

 

God’s only scoreboard

Looking from heaven

Called to accept Christ

 

Receiving His redemption

 

Walk with humbleness

Keep boasting at bay

Challenging oneself

 

Lifting others up with grace

 

Jesus restores faith

Spirit brings guidance

Give thanks to Father

 

From whom, all blessings flow

 

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From Galatians 5:26:  “Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.”

Emma Thompson Quotes

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Children are the most wonderful audience.

I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.

Emma Thompson (born 1959) is a British actress who has received countless honors for her film work.  She has been honored with two Academy Awards, three BAFTA  Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and one Primetime Emmy Award.