Monday Memories: From Her Window

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Peering out from her window

Times changing much, much too fast

Being alone many years

Husband and friends having passed

 

Small home meets her meager needs

But, the neighborhood has changed

Folks come and go, few she knows

Life blurs by, as if arranged

 

Sheltered from the outside world

Homebound most days by herself

Family in distant states

Ignored like books on a shelf

 

Watching some television

Staying away from the news

Remembering old classics

Dreaming of Julie Andrews

 

Reading occupies her time

Local newspaper connects

Crossword puzzle smiling back

Novels thrill with their suspects

 

Peering out from her window

Another sunset draws near

Unfamiliar car drives up

Grandchildren bring happy tears

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Originally published August, 2020.

Fellowship’s Refreshment (Elfchen Series #224)

Peace

Singing

Worship hymns

Praising Father above

In His Holy name

Gathering

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Love 

Gathering

Congregation’s joy

Honoring Father’s Word

Faith nourished with grace

Blessing

 

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Faith

Blessing

One Body

Father’s welcoming place

Uniting voices with hope

Togetherness

 

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Mary Oliver Quotes

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Instructions for living a life.  Pay attention.  Be astonished.  Tell about it.

In this universe we are given two gifts:  the ability to love and the ability to question.  Which are, at the same time, the fires that warm us and the fires that scorch us.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work.  Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Focused on Christ

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From Philippians 2:3-4:  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.”

Encouragement in Christ

Sharing love-filled grace

Witnessing humility

Heart’s very special place

 

Of one mind with Jesus

Sharing selfless love

Caring first, for others’ needs

Led by Spirit above

 

Every breath mirrors Christ

Sharing mercy’s joy

Walking with unselfish thoughts

Honest actions deploy

 

Each step follows Jesus

Sharing Spirit’s light

Taking obedient path

Humbleness guides faith’s sight

 

Always focused on Christ

Sharing fresh outlook

Living within dignity

Tomorrow’s quiet brook

 

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From Philippians 2:14-15:  “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.”

Harriet Beecher Stowe Quotes

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Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.

Love needs new leaves every summer of life, as much as your elm-tree, and new branches to grow broader and wider, and new flowers to cover the ground.

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an American author and abolitionist.  A native of the state of Connecticut, she was born in Litchfield.

 

Benjamin Disraeli Quotes

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The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.

From Hebrews 10:24-25:  “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on two different occasions (1868, 1874-1880).

John Ortberg Quote

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For the soul to be well, it needs to be with God.

From Matthew 22:36-37:  “‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’  He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'”

John Ortberg (born 1957) is an American pastor as well as a Christian author and speaker.

Peace Descending

From John 14:27:  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

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Faith’s treasured bouquet

Running short of petals

Once filled with brilliant colors

Now fading away

 

Another day stirs

One more petal succumbs

Little color to witness

Darkness closes in

 

Mercy knocks at door

Savior shares timely grace

Fullest, colorful petals

Light rises again

 

Daily bouquet breathes

Everlasting goodness

Heavenly peace descending

Hope singing with joy

 

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From Numbers 6:24-26:  “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Father’s Rising Son (Elfchen Series #213)

Always

Prevailing

With courage

Jesus, thy helper

Shall never leave thee

Faithfulness

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Together

Triumphing

Over challenges

Christ, always near

Thee, no longer afraid

Confidence

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Evermore

Defeating

Calvary’s darkness

Savior, everlasting light

Resurrection forever restores thee

Love

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