‘God, Thou Art Love’ by Robert Browning

God, Thou Art Love If I forget, yet God remembers.If these hands of mine cease from their clinging,Yet the hands divine hold me so firmly, I cannot fall.And if sometimes I am too tired to call for Him to help me,Then He reads the prayer unspoken in my heart and lifts my care. I dare …

Continue reading ‘God, Thou Art Love’ by Robert Browning

In the Center of the Circle

"John Cornelius Stam and Elisabeth Alden 'Betty' Stam were American Christian missionaries to China, with the China Inland Mission (CIM), during the Chinese Civil War. The missionary couple were executed by Communist Chinese soldiers in 1934." -Wikipedia Their story (with photos) can be found at Wheaton College’s archival collection: Remembering John and Betty Stam A …

Continue reading In the Center of the Circle

Safe in His Hand

Sovereign Ruler of the skies,Ever gracious, ever wise,All my times are in Your hand,All events at Your command! His decree, who formed the earth,Fixed my first and second birth;Parents, native place, and time,All appointed were by Him. He who formed me in the womb,He shall guide me to the tomb.All my times shall ever be,Ordered …

Continue reading Safe in His Hand

Holiday Haiku

Memories linger Drift around and settle down  In an empty chair Photo: Josef Nolywaika Precious Memories - Lyrics by J.B.F. Wright Precious memories, unseen angels, Sent from somewhere to my soul; How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfold. Chorus: Precious memories, how they linger, How they ever flood my soul; In …

Continue reading Holiday Haiku

Sorrow, God’s Plowshare

"When sorrow comes under the power of Divine grace, it works out a manifold ministry in our lives. Sorrow reveals unknown depths in the soul, and unknown capabilities of experience and service. Gay, trifling people are always shallow, and never suspect the little meannesses in their nature. Sorrow is God’s ploughshare that turns up the …

Continue reading Sorrow, God’s Plowshare

Walk, Don’t Run.

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3 When you are sitting there alone and you are weeping, and the longing for your child is a thick and expanding heaviness in your chest threatening to erupt from your throat in silent, choking grief. When …

Continue reading Walk, Don’t Run.

“The Altar” by George Herbert

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7 George …

Continue reading “The Altar” by George Herbert

A Villequier by Victor Hugo

Inconsolable: “A Villequier” by Victor Hugo

Nothing cheery about this rather long poem but I love how the words are put together to describe the depth and complexity of the pain of child loss. "Do not be irritated that I am like this,O my God! this wound bled for so long!The anguish in my heart is still the strongest thing,and my …

Continue reading Inconsolable: “A Villequier” by Victor Hugo

God, Thou Art Love

If I forget, yet God remembers.If these hands of mine cease from their clinging,Yet the hands divine hold me so firmly, I cannot fall.And if sometimes I am too tired to call for Him to help me,Then He reads the prayer unspoken in my heart and lifts my care. I dare not fear since certainly …

Continue reading God, Thou Art Love

Let it Come

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3 When you are sitting there alone and you are weeping, and the longing for your child is a thick and expanding heaviness in your chest threatening to erupt from your throat in silent, choking grief. When …

Continue reading Let it Come

It is Raining

It is rainingAs if nothing has happenedIt is raining And the trees stand thereAs they have for centuriesWatching  me and rememberingSympatheticBut unhelpful They've seen this sort of thing beforeA motherWeeping There are little leaves on the rose bushesWho will graduate into adult leavesThat will never rub shouldersWith your passing boyhoodNever Tiny flowers struggleTo become lucious …

Continue reading It is Raining

The Solace of Thy love

Sweet is the Solace of Thy Love by Anna L. Waring I, even I, am He that comforteth you. Isaiah 2:12 Sweet is the solace of Thy love, My Heavenly Friend, to me, While through the hidden way of faith I journey home with Thee, Learning by quiet thankfulness As a dear child to be. …

Continue reading The Solace of Thy love

Holding Fast

 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: Job 13:15. For I know whom I have believed, 2 Tim. 1:12. "In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." This, Christian, is what you …

Continue reading Holding Fast