IF HE LEADS YOU TO IT . . .

 

 

HE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH IT!

*

“You can never cross the ocean

until you have the courage

to lose sight of the shore”

― Christopher Columbus

*

 

By Martha L Shaw ©2015

 

 

FEELING THE LOVE . . .

The old quilt . . .

Its softness is enhanced

By age and use.

Its colors faded by the light of many days,

And its fibers show wear

Yet its beauty is all I see,

All I feel,

And all I know.

Its story is one of patience

And of time and effort.

It  contains both pain and pleasure.

The fabrics of many lives intertwined

To become one . . .

It is not one story,

But rather generations of stories

Shared by the fire,

Told over tea,

Revealed as fine thread

Wove scraps of many lives

Into something too beautiful not to share.

By Martha L Shaw – © 2013

 

Columbus On Faith

“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”

― Christopher Columbus

Paris

 

At the sidewalk café I sit by myself

Yet realize, smiling, that I am not alone.

I enjoy the company of decades . . .

No, centuries of those who’ve passed this way

And oh the stories they can tell!

I have only to listen!

By Martha L Shaw – © 4-4-2014 Words and image

 

 

 

Love Is Like

The old quilt . . .

Its softness is enhanced

By age and use.

Its colors faded by the light of many days,

And its fibers show wear

Yet its beauty is all I see,

All I feel,

And all I know.

Its story is one of patience

And of time and effort.

It  contains both pain and pleasure.

The fabrics of many lives intertwined

To become one . . .

It is not one story,

But rather generations of stories

Shared by the fire,

Told over tea,

Revealed as fine thread

Wove scraps of many lives

Into something too beautiful not to share.

By Martha L Shaw – © 12-16-2013

This lovely quilt, subject of the symbolism in my poem, goes back multiple generations in my family and is approx 150 years old.  Oh, the stories it has to tell me are many!

About Faith . . .

“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”

― Christopher Columbus

Copyright 1995-2013 by Martha L Shaw all rights reserved

9/11 A Day To Change The World

Most of us are thinking many things today as we remember what happened not so very long ago on this day.  I am at this moment preparing to teach a one-hour creative writing class for 4-7 year olds.  I’m sure they’ve been hearing things which are scary to them.  Those things we’re hearing scared us,  and we are a lot more able to understand such things than the wee ones . . . yet in this case it is hard to comprehend.  It is harder still to be unafraid, to be without anger . . . but in my heart I can’t help but think that if the tragedy that happened doesn’t make us try harder to care about all around us, then surely those many many folks will have died in vain.  So, what I plan to teach my wee ones today to how to change the world.  They will be asked to tell a story of doing kindness one for another.  If each one of us focuses on doing something extra and positive to impact the life of just one other living soul in this world, do you realize how huge an impact it will make?  Do it.  Change the world.  We can – just one heart at a time!

Saint of the Day – February 25

Today is the feast day of St Walpurga, and English missionary.  It is said that she traveled with her brothers and uncle and evangelized among the Germans.   She was a nun at the monastery of Heidenheim am Hahnenkamm which had been founded by her own brother and upon his death she succeeded him as the abbess.

Jesus and Teddy Roosevelt

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
     —  Theodore Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt was onto something!  Hmmm . . . Was Teddy thinking of me when he said those words?  No, while family folklore may lay claim to our being related, he couldn’t possibly have been thinking of me.  However, I find those words packed with practical information and wisdom.  How often have we heard (or said) “but what can I do?”  However, in Christ, we have all we need.  He equips us for the work He has for us.  He places us where He wants and needs us to be.  He speaks to us, holds us close and hugs us while surrounding us with His grace and blessings.  He desires to make our burdens light, if we’re willing to hand them over to Him.  He leads us in all we are called to do.  Popular magazines may try to make me feel like I lack much, but in Christ I lack nothing!  As I see it, Jesus and Teddy Roosevelt are telling us the same thing! 

Yes, Lord.  I’m listening and I’m ready to serve!  Lead on!

Gardens at Mepkin Abbey