In His Service.....

Some days I don’t feel like facing
The toil of another day
But the minutes and hours are racing
And soon will have melted away
I linger in the warmth of the covers
For another minute or two
As I begin to think over
All the work I need to do
And I start to feel quite weary
Before the day has begun
The sky, still dark and dreary
In a sunless dawn
Then Someone reminds me gently
Of His tender love and care
There is no load so heavy
That He has not promised to share
He reminds me that He never leaves me
And He will provide for today
Wherever I go He sees me
And walks with me all the way
There is no task too futile
No matter how small it may seem
If we remember, we’re His child
And doing it all for Him

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

This was a little poem in the Daily Bread last week…..

God often uses lowly things
His purpose to fulfill
Because it takes a humble heart
To carry out His will. D De Haan

Come to me all you who labor
And are heavy-laden
And I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28

Free....

We cannot purchase the light of the moon
Shimmering on the night deep
We cannot purchase the voice or the tune
That asks ‘mommy, are you asleep?”
No money or gold can purchase the joy
Settling into the heart
As we gaze at the face of a wee girl or boy
That is asking, ‘When does daytime start?”

Money can buy us a plethora of things
Beauty to appease our gaze
But eventually the fleeting charm that it brings
Is lost in a weary haze
But never will we tire of the lass or the lad
Who snuggles at dawn in our bed
And tries to stir slumbering mom or dad
To ask, “Is it morning yet?”

We simply may borrow the bud as it bursts
Into a glorious bloom
But we cannot own the things of this earth
Planted in God’s living room
Money will buy endless things man can see
But never the needs of the soul
The best things in life, like God’s love, are free
And the best things in life make us whole

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Somewhere, faintly through a haze
in my 4:00 p.m. snooze I heard it...
"Mom, are we leaving soon?"
In disappointment I realized my
brief nap was over,
then I pried my eyes open and was greeted by
eager, luminous blue eyes brimming with expectation....

and I couldn't help but think....
the best things in life are free!!!!

Flash-back....

Forced-casual,yet purposeful stride
She 'strolls' toward me,sweet and bright-eyed
Friday night with the week-end in view
Grand delight, another school-week through
Calm and collected, smooth as butter
Carefully rehearsed, the speech she would utter
I smile as I ask her, “What is it honey?”
She smiles in return and says, “I need money”

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Janet Martin

Yes indeed!!!
I have come to recognize certain 'walks'

She had no idea as she 'strolled' to where
I was mowing the lawn tonight, that I was laughing
inside because I recognized 'the walk':):):)

My Garden

It takes time and work and patience
Tender loving care,
Pruning, weeding, lots of loving
To grow a garden fair
It takes sunshine by the hour
But it would be in vain
For if we would see the flower
Then we need the rain

Yes, a truly lovely garden
Never happens over night
But with time and kind direction
Oh, what sweet delight
Eventually the pruning, weeding
Painful though it be
Will bring the flowers of His creating
To maturity

Lord, as I work within my garden
Guide my hands I pray
These buds are still so soft and tender
Hear me, Lord I pray
In the hearts of my dear children
Plant Your love so true
Won’t You help me tend my garden
So it will bloom for You

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Mom's Not Jolly Anymore

Mom’s not jolly anymore
I heard them state outside my door
She doesn’t laugh and joke as much
Or sing those silly songs and such
She smiles a little now and then
But it just isn’t quite the same….
She’s not as ‘crazy’ as before
Nope. Mom’s not jolly anymore

Mom’s not jolly anymore????
Their verdict I could not ignore
As I review my attitude
I concede, perhaps I am slightly subdued
As the duties of a mother and wife
And the cares of this earthly life
Seem a little heavier right now than before…
But…Mom’s not jolly anymore????

Am I wearing my cares upon my face?
Instead of leaving them in His tender embrace
Am I trying to carry it all inside?
Perhaps if so, I have denied
My precious troop of smile and song
Or patience when things turn out wrong….
I’m still the Mom I was before
Right? Am I not jolly anymore?

Lord, help me to be bright and cheery
Even when I’m tired and weary
Help me. In spite of life’s wee troubles
To remember that moments are brief as bubbles
Help me to trust and hold Your hand
Someday I know they’ll understand
Til then let me laugh, let it roll, let it roar
So they won’t say, “Mom’s not jolly anymore”


All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin


Sometimes a child’s casual remark
REALLY HITS THE MARK!!!!
and its time for some honest evaluating!
OUCH!!!!

'out of the mouths of babes....'

Mother Dear

When you were an itty-bitty baby
Did your mama rock you, did she?
Did she sing a lullaby?
Hush bitty-baby hush-a-by
Did she kiss your little ear?
Whisper words like ‘baby-dear’
Did she feed you when you wept?
Smile and watch you as you slept?

When you were a little-bitty child
Did she scold when you were wild?
Tell you what to do; what not
Did she pat your bottom when you forgot?
Did she gladly bake your favorite treat?
Cooking yummy meals to eat?
Did she scrub behind your ears?
Hug you tight and dry your tears?

When you were almost tall as she
Did she still watch you carefully?
Reminding you to do what’s right
Did she pray for you each night?
Did she say ‘I love you’ over and over?
Did you ever tell her first that you love her?
And now, all grown up, whether far or near
Do you go to visit your mother dear?

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

The Love-lined Face

Oh, the love-lines on her face,
Time has left its tender trace,
Subtle touches on her brow,
In life’s ceaseless ebb and flow,
Some folk dare to call them wrinkles,
I say they are Heaven’s twinkles,
Living proof of a full life
As a mother and a wife

The brow that furrows in concern
For those who from God’s guidance turn,
The face that lifts to Him in prayer
Seeking strength for constant care,
The smile that lights the darkest soul
As from it glorious laughter rolls,
But also through life’s loving years
The traces of a mother’s tears

Oh, the love-lines on her face,
Who would dare try to erase
The beauty of a life well-spent,
Where time its tender touch has lent,
Oh, the smooth and flawless face,
I am sure it has its place,
But I say it can not compare
To my Mother’s beauty fair

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Happy 67th Birthday Mom!!!

She speaks with wisdom
and faithful instruction
is on her tongue. She watches
over the affairs of her house-hold
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed,
her husband also, and he praises her.
Many women do noble things but you
surpass them all.Charm is deceptive
and beauty is fleeting; but
a woman who fears the Lord
is to be praised. Prov. 31:26-30

Thanks Mom, for exemplifying this woman!
I love you!!!

Sons, be kind to your Mothers

Dear sons, be kind to your mothers
They love you so very much
Make sure your words are gentle
And loving is your touch
For you may search the whole world through
But you will find no other
To match the depth of love for you
Like that of your dear mother

I know she isn’t perfect
But she does the best she can
She’s just a human mother
Trying hard to raise a man
Love her and forgive her
If she mistakes your needs
She loves as if she’ll answer
For your choices and your deeds

She’ll love you son, forever
In spite of your mistakes
She forgives your error
Though sometimes her heart may break
Be kind sons, to your mothers
For until that Home above
You will never find another
Who will match your mothers love

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

My son, hear the instruction of the father
and forsake not the law of the mother. Prov.1:8

Thank-you Matthew, for being a kind son.
God bless you.

Do We Pray?

Mothers, dear Mothers on life’s busy way
As we’re caring for others, how oft do we pray?
Do we pray with thanksgiving as we toil at our duties?
Glad to be living as we drink in life’s beauties

Or do we simply see ‘dishes’ in life’s soapy bubbles?
Though we have fed wishes and vanquished wee troubles
As the last ‘dish’ is dried, do we see our wealth?
And thank our Lord for the blessing of health

As we kiss our wee babies on their tender cheek
Do we pray for their dreams and the words they will speak?
Do we pray as we’re washing their tiny hands
That God will guide as they heed His commands

Do we pray as we calm and turn strife into song?
That the will of our child is neither too weak nor strong
As we tidy the tumbles of life’s busy day
Do we do it midst grumbles, or moms, do we pray?

Pray for their dreams as so quickly they’re growing
As the restlessness gleams in their bright eyes glowing
Then as we hug them as they go away
We’ll kindly release them for we know we can pray

All Rights Reserved Aug.2009
Janet Martin

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
How much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts
to those who ask Him? Matt.7:11

I Turn the Page

Dear little baby, so precious and new,
Sent down straight from heaven, oh, how we love you,
So pure, so angelic at this innocent age,
Time moves on, I turn the page

Dear little child, how fast you are growing,
With sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks glowing,
You’re so curious, so naughty, so sweet and so brave,
Time moves on. I turn the page

You’re a young man or woman now, my how time flies,
May God give you purpose, may He make you wise,
Life beckons to you in your youthful age,
Time moves on, I turn the page

You’re a daddy, a mama, so busy each day,
The hours are minutes as the years tick away,
You wish for discretion of a great, wise sage,
Time moves on, I turn the page

Your hair now is silver; your step is slow,
Days of childhood now seem long ago,
May God be your strength in this sunset age,
Time moves on, I turn the page

And gaze to the sky where sunsets are glowing,
Gates to a kingdom where someday I am going,
Where a day is forever and there is no age,
And time stands still…..no more turning of page

All Rights Reserved Aug. 2009