It always seems so difficult
to have lost the ones you love
even though we know that they
are pain free up above.
But oh the happy memories
that come back with a start!
For I know that they are nearest
When I look inside my heart.
By Martha L Shaw ©2018
2 Comments | 
inspirational | Tagged: encouragement, holidays, joy, loss, love, poems, poetry, sadness, SORROW, Spirituality, strength, weakness | 
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Posted by Martha L Shaw
LORD, thank you for taking residence in my heart and soul and for never giving up on me even when I weaken and am tempted to give up on myself! Strengthen me to see beyond the darkness where there is Light and to shine Your light on those whom you place in my path. Your glory IS my joy now and always! AMEN
3 Comments | inspirational | Tagged: Christianity, encouragement, faith, glory, healing, prayer, Religion, Spirituality, strength, trust, weakness | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
I stand on the shore.
Low tide twinkles like diamonds!
When the time is right,
The tide comes in – high, mighty . . .
Yet beautiful just the same!
By Martha L Shaw – © 2018
Other writings you may like:
2 Comments | inspirational | Tagged: art, CHANGING TIDE, creation, encouragement, environment, faith, haiku, IN GOD'S IMAGE, Inspiration, nature, poems, poetry, Religion, Spirituality, strength, tanka, Water, weakness | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
I sit at the water’s edge
hearing the music of the droplets
tumbling over the rocks at the shore . . .
sounds of strength and hope.
By Martha L Shaw – © 2015
Comments Off on Tears of Joy | inspirational | Tagged: attitude, encouragement, gratitude, hope, joy, nature, perspective, poetry, strength | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
The Gardener
He prepared the soil,
pulled the weeds,
gave the seed
all it needed.
“It is good” He said.
Does the flower know it’s beautiful?
By Martha L Shaw © 3-9-2015
I wonder if we realize, deep within us, that the Lord intends us to love ourselves? Be with that. Do you? Do you really? Do you, instead, focus on societal or familial expectations or false beliefs? Do I . . . can I love the one theLord intended me to be whether or not friends approve of my choices? Is not His will alone my top priority? Can I accept or truly reflect His love if I do not love myself? I believe our society can negatively affect our priorities but I also believe living in Him surpasses all else, if we listen and follow. He’s got this.
1 Comment | inspirational | Tagged: appearance, beauty, confidence, follow, God's plan, HIS IMAGE, Jesus, love, poetry, strength, trust | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
As the choir sang
In my personal sanctuary
I heard the last bits of the rains of yesterday
Drip from the roof deck above.
Tiny bits of pollen in the air
Caused an itch
Or the occasional twitch,
But brought as well a reminder
Of the coming of spring.
It won’t be long, now.
By Martha L Shaw – ©2014
Comments Off on ENCOURAGEMENT DURING THE STORM | inspirational | Tagged: change, creation, encouagement, grace, hope, journey, motivation, nature, peace, poetry, seasons, Spirituality, storms, strength | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
I always thought of vigor as strong arms, strong legs, athletic ability, amazing muscles, physical strength strangers see and gasp and whisper as I pass . . . the dictionary depicts it that way. It is nothing like that!
I do not have that physical prowess of which I still desire, but . . . this heart of mine, no longer mine, holds all I need. I gave it over to the lover of my soul and He gave me His. This weak and broken human needs no strength of her own if she trusts in Him . . . my vigor is His heart and hand in me/mine.
The more I surrender, the more I become in Him. I know a love beyond defining. It is His for me and mine for Him. Through His heart – His eyes – His strength, I can do all things, and the view from there? Amazing!
#faith #love #spirituality #God #peace #mountaintop #strength#FAMILYLIFE #GREATGIFT #GREATGIFTS #Advent#baby#Christianity #Christmas #faith #God #GREATGIFT #Jesus#manger#Motherhood #poetry, #Spirituality
7 Comments | inspirational | Tagged: faith, God, Jesus, love, MOUNTAINTOP, peace, Spirituality, strength, The Daily Post, VIGOR | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
I was strong . . . or so I thought.
As the mighty oak in my yard,
Yet it was taken by the storm
While the seemingly fragile pine survived!
Perhaps we define fragile wrongly . . .
From Whom comes your true strength?
By Martha L Shaw ©2016
4 Comments | inspirational | Tagged: Christianity, daily post, encouragement, Faith, fragile, God, Inspiration, Jesus, lifestyle, love, motivation, nature, photography, poetry, Religion, Spirituality, strength, trust, weakness | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
Replace my weakness with Your strength
Comments Off on Six Word Saturday | inspirational | Tagged: Inspiration, poetry, Six Word Saturdays, Spirituality, strength, weakness | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
You! It can happen! It’s true!
I know, the thought of something like that, to many of us, is ‘OH, yeah, but . . . ” However, I am merely stating facts here. You have it in you to have your very own Olympic GOLD metal around your neck. It’s there. You – you’re already a winner and you didn’t have to get sweaty. You didn’t have to fly to London, work through the crowds in the London airport . . . Jesus Christ won the GOLD for you. He’s holding the prize in His hands and it’s got your name on it. YOU = Winner of Olympic Gold?
Sounds crazy, but what sort of Olympic event are you facing right now? For what BIG challenge are you trying to find strength? In which event are you thinking “not sure I have it in me”
\”13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
FACE IT, MY FRIENDS – YOU’VE GOT IT IN YOU!
2 Comments | faith, Uncategorized | Tagged: encouragement, event, God, gold metal, gold metalist, image, Inspiration, inspirational, Jesus, jesus-christ, lifestyle, London, Olympics, quotations, quotes, Spirituality, sports, strength, winner | Permalink
Posted by Martha L Shaw
Martha L Shaw, Author
Martha L Shaw - Poet, Writer, Author, Artist 