Wednesday January 11 2017  MY LOVE STORY TOLD

 

MY LOVE STORY TOLD

Kathleen Martens

January 11, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Sitting alone

In an atmosphere of friends,

In silent solitude

Distant sound lends.

 

Rows upon rows

In stately array,

My companions sit

Throughout each day.

 

With proprietor air

My view commands,

And comfortable chairs,

Sitting demands.

 

A favorite place.

No passage of time,

Suspended, subdued,

My world sublime.

 

Patiently waiting

And generous beyond measure

My friends long to be

My next treasure.

 

And so I peruse

Touch and inspect.

Each has a tale

On which I reflect.

 

Though many are strangers

Some I take home,

And dozens and dozens

I’ve already known.

 

In quiet pleasure

It’s so nice to realize

I can take what I like

Without any guise.

 

My love story told

From deep in my heart.

I’ll go check out a book

And a new read I will start.

 

The above poem was inspired by my visit to the library this afternoon.  The library was my destination with full intent to sit in solitude, with no distractions, no phones, no work looking me in the face, and with intent and purpose to just go there because I could.  Wednesday is my day off and I like to do something during the day that is a treat to me.  Actually I planned a short interlude so I could sit in a different environment to write my daily poem.  I ended up reading the newspaper and a magazine before I wrote my poem.  I was gone just under two hours.  It was a treat! 

Our library is two miles down the highway from where we live.  The state of the art building was opened in June 2010.  Until then we had to drive several miles to go to a library.  I was overjoyed to find out we were building a library here in our own community.  Our community is quite spread out.  The area we live in has a moratorium that you can only build a house on 40 acres or more.  That moratorium was put into effect after our development was built in the early 1960’s.  The homes built around us are on about two to 5 acres each.  So to have a library come as close to us as ours did was quite a triumph.  There is very rarely a week that goes by that I do not go to the library.  It is truly a love story for me.

I have loved libraries from the time I could first read.  We lived in a little town in the San Francisco bay area and we even had a library there.  It was a small house converted into a public library.  I visited that library from the time I was 6 years old.  It was my favorite place in the world.  When I passed through the little town in 2015 I stopped by and went inside the tiny building.  It was as if I was visiting a long lost friend.  Very little had changed except the little tables and chairs.  Once they were made of sturdy wood.  Now the tables were covered in Formica with metal legs and the chairs were the colorful molded seats and backs with metal legs.  I sat down in one of those little chairs with my favorite childhood book in hand.  I went to the same shelf it had been on years before and it was in the exact the same place, but in an updated version.  It was Beverly Cleary’s, “Henry and Ribsy”.  The librarian snapped a picture of me using my cell phone.  However, I am not using my cell phone this week so I cannot post the photo.

Libraries are wonderful friends.  When I walk inside our local library it always amazes that every single book in there belongs to me!  A bit egotistical, but that is how I perceive it.  I simply walk over to a shelf, choose a book, put it through a scanner, and walk away without so much as saying hi or good bye.  It makes me feel so rich.  What opulence! 

 

Thank You God for words.

Thank You especially for Your Word.

Thank You too that I have the capacity to read.

Thank You that I have vision.

Thank You for audio books as well.

And thank You that I can hear.

 

My prayer for today:

Lord, my thanks to You never ends.  Lord, let me never take for granted what is available to our population because of the fact that we live in the United States.  Let me never take for granted my vision or my hearing.  I pray that I am always thankful for all things that are so often taken for granted each day.  Thank You that I can walk, and talk, and touch, and feel, and think, and sing.  Thank You that libraries are available as well as education.  And especially, thank You for Your love.”

 

GOOD NIGHT!  I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BOOK TO READ!

Tuesday January 10 2017  “NEVER SAY NEVER”

My friend Marilyn writes a column for a newspaper.  She sends it to me each week and this week I was flabbergasted at what I read.  The day before she sent it I had already decided to write a short blog about the very topic of her newspaper column.  If that wasn’t enough, even some of the sentences she used had flittered through my mind as I was contemplating what I would write.

Marilyn recently had reminisced about a time when she was younger and walked past a couple of elderly ladies walking slowly down the sidewalk.  As she viewed these elderly ladies she promised herself that she would NEVER look like they did.  Well, guess what, almost three quarters of a century later she realizes she has arrived.  Marilyn is 85 years old and one would supposedly say that she is in the ballpark of “old age”. 

The day before I received Marilyn’s column, the exact same thought skittered through my mind about what I had said to myself when I was younger.  When I was a young mother I picked up a passenger each day to ride with me to work.  Day after day I remember seeing the loose abundant skin jiggling under her arms and thinking to myself, “I will never let that happen to me”.  Well guess what, I’m about the age of my former passenger AND MY ARMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN JIGGLING FOR A FEW YEARS.

Both Marilyn’s mom and my mom said the same thing years ago to their young inexperienced daughters, “NEVER SAY NEVER!  It just may come and bite you back”.  Our mothers were right; at least when referencing the old.  I’ve said many “nevers” and just as many have bit me back.

Recently Marilyn’s great granddaughter pointed out to Marilyn, “You know all old people look just alike”.  Oh, how astute are the young!  Many old people do have a tendency to look alike.  However, I find it interesting that when I am with the older generation that I knew when I was kid, or as a young adult, they always appear to me to look as they did in their hey-day.  Those I am not acquainted with are more easily grouped into the “look alike” group.  Not only do we tend to look alike, but we also become anonymous to the younger generation.  They just simply look past us and choose to not see us.  I noticed this years ago, even before my wrinkles, whenever I went someplace with my beautiful young daughter.  I spied the ogling eyes of dirty old men undressing her as she passed by.  They never even gave me a courtesy glance.  And so the baton was passed.  I had a few choice comments to say under my breath as I passed by these dirty old men, which always caught them off guard, creating an embarrassing flush of red to spread up their necks.  I did receive some satisfaction from that. 

And now I am old; one of the “white hairs”, nondescript, out to pasture, an over the hill has-been!  And oh, it is so wonderful!  I love who I have become as I have aged.  I know I have been more fortunate than many others by marrying well.  And by that I mean marrying someone who truly loves me, has treated me with the greatest of respect our entire 43 years, treats me like a queen, and allows me to love him back in the same way.  I also know who I am in the family of God, and I have a Heavenly Father that loves me more than I can comprehend.  How is that for a great family! 

Our children are grown, are grandchildren will someday be grown, and we’ll be gone from this earth.  I will say that I have no regrets in aging or knowing that my remaining time on earth is in its winter season.  In that too I have been extremely blessed.  Not everyone has had the honor of living the years I’ve lived and many young people alive today will not attain the years I have had.  I am so thankful for each year I have lived, each moment I am living, and for all the hours, days, months, or years I may have ahead. I look ahead with joy and anticipation in spite of the fact that I have flabby arms, white hair, failing vision, and a body that is slowly showing signs of the old age stoop.  I hope to enter into the Kingdom of God with a graceful exit from this stunning world.  I hope I will leave a legacy of love, and a remembrance of beautiful memories for those left behind in my wake. 

Yes, I may experience aches and pains into the future but I hope to enjoy the journey until God’s numbered days for me are spent.  Then I will be rejoicing with my Lord.  Until then I choose to be joyful, living life to the fullest and enjoying each moment I have.

Thank you Marilyn for graciously allowing me to quote you, use your story and add my own thoughts as well.  You helped make my blog better than it would have been.

 

NEVER SAY NEVER

Kathleen Martens

January 10, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Old age has a way

Of sneaking up.

Like an uninvited guest

Sitting down to sup.

 

Slowly, ever so slowly

The face I see

Changes imperceptibly

And becomes a different me.

 

Every day when I look

At my mirrored face

I look exactly the same

As in yesterday’s race.

 

Why is it then

Those portraits don’t lie

And they show the passing time

Those days belie?

 

All of a sudden

I just look old,

As if my younger body

Was just simply sold.

 

My hair is white,

My skin is wrinkled,

And I must be careful

To not inadvertently tinkle.

 

I bounce around

On the gym floor

And the jiggling skin

Seems to daily be more.

 

And it seems memory’s pockets

Become deeper and deeper.

New facts unimportant

To bag as keepers.

 

My specs ever present,

Thankfully my teeth are too,

And my bunions keep growing

And calluses are new.

 

Crooked hands all bent

And pain seems to linger

And it always appears

I’m giving “the finger”.

 

But my smile is present

And my love unending,

Though now one of “the anonymous”,

My love I’ll keep sending.

 

So when you pass me by

And I smile at you,

NEVER SAY NEVER, because…

You’ll wear the same shoes.

 

Thank You God for the years I have lived.

Thank You too for all the enjoyment of Your beautiful creation that I have been able to experience.

Thank You Lord for loving me.

Exodus 20:12 

“Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.

Proverbs 16:31

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!  MAY YOUR DAYS BE DAYS OF WONDER AND ENJOYMENT!

P.S.  I want you to know that even after knowing Dave over 44 years when he walks into a room I still see the face of the man I walked down the aisle to.  He hasn’t changed a bit!

Monday January 9 2017  ULTIMATE DESTINATION

 

THAT I BECOME YOUR RESTING PLACE *

Kathleen Martens

January 9, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I am here Lord

Inviting Your presence come.

My deepest longing beckoning

That in meeting we are one.

 

Allow my spirit open

That I become Your resting place

So Your glory shines

That I reflect Your amazing grace.

 

And that Your love flows through

My vessel where You live,

That I will be filled to overflowing

So Your living water I may give.

 

Fill my heart with Your presence

So wherever I may go

I will listen for Your voice

And Your love to others show.

 

Lord, allow Your presence to be known

When we meet throughout the day.

It is a most important matter

As I long to hear words You say.

 

But even when silence prevails

Amidst cacophony of worldly infection,

I will always be aware that my heart

Is Your ultimate destination.

 

* P.S.  The above poem was inspired from the Sunday’s sermon (January 8, 2017) preached by Pastor Tom Flaherty at City Church, Madison WI. Some wording may be snippets of quotes from his message.

Sunday Sabbath January 8 2017  A PLACE FOR GOD’S PRESENCE

 

MAKE A PLACE WHERE THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAN DWELL

Kathleen Martens

January 8, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

In days of old the ARK was built

Where Gods presence rested.

No longer does He need that place

Because in believers He invested.

 

God’s manifestation no longer dwells

In an inanimate dwelling place.

He now abides in His children

When they meet Him face to face.

 

Though He will not force His presence

Into those who turn Him away.

He must receive an invitation

In order that He stay.

 

God chooses to be good to everyone

Though some choose not to believe.

And when they turn their back on Him

His presence they do not receive.

 

And when His presence does not abide

Hearts are never fed,

And those who choose to walk alone

They are the walking dead.

 

Make your life a destination

A place where God can go,

And the manifestation of His presence

Will be friend and never foe.

 

Asking God into our lives

Is when we truly become alive.

We belong no longer to ourselves

Because in Jesus we now abide.

 

And when we seek His living Word

We must follow His directions.

All His teaching is for our benefit

And is given with great affection.

 

Seek God’s presence and honor His Word

That other lives too will see

So they too desire to be God’s destination

So even others will choose to be freed.

 

So remember to make a place

Where the Spirit of God can dwell.

When He lives within your heart

His glory to others you tell.*

 

God, thank You for choosing to live in my heart.

Thank You God for providing salvation through Your Son Jesus.

Thank You that I am Your daughter.

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS DAY OF REST!

 * P.S.  The above poem was inspired from the today’s sermon (January 8, 2017) preached by Pastor Tom Flaherty at City Church, Madison WI. Some wording may be snippets of quotes from his message.

Friday January 6 2017  WHO IS IMPORTANT?

 

While at the gym today I listened to a sermon preached on May 3, 2009 by Jon Weece entitled “Everybody is Important”.  Hence my title for today’s poem.  The speaker gave short biographies of everyday people about the significance they had in the lives of others.  He told one story of a mom who delivered a premature baby girl who was very critical for several months after her birth.  She had a three year old brother named Michael who was so excited about his sister being born.  Michael was not allowed into the neonatal unit but he begged his mother from the day she was born if he could go to the hospital and sing over his sister.  Over and over again he wanted to “sing over his sister”.  Over and over he was denied the privilege of going into the sterile environment. 

After about three months the parents were told that their little girl would probably not live through the remaining week and that they should plan for her funeral.  This saddened the brother who had not been able to see his sister.  He begged once again to go into the hospital and sing over his sister.  So the parents decided they were going to take him in.  They scrubbed him up, gowned and masked him and marched into the neonatal unit with their son in tow.  The nurses were somewhat astounded.  As the big brother was held over his sister’s cubicle he immediately tore his mask off and began singing over her these words:

“You are my sunshine

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are gray.

 

You’ll never know dear

How much I love you.

Please don’t take

My sunshine away.”*

 

You see, every day Michael had sang that song close to his mommy’s tummy during the months his sister was growing inside.  Before the song was completed his sister’s heart rate began to increase, it became strong and steady and her breathing evened out and became stronger.  By the next morning she was so improved that she was actually released from the hospital.

You see, even Michael, at three years of age was an important part of God’s plan.

 

EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT

Kathleen Martens

January 6, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Who is invited

To the greatest party of all?

Who is important enough

To even be called?

 

I suppose it depends

Who sends the invitations.

Perhaps it would be

Only close relations.

 

Perhaps only the rich

Would be invited to come.

And the smartly dressed

Would have all the fun.

 

Maybe only the educated,

Those of grand position,

Or those with doctorates

Such as lawyers, and physicians.

 

What makes one important

Enough to be born?

What value is given

That their life adorns?

 

Everybody is important

Because God made all,

With personal intent

Every heart He calls.

 

Everyone has a reason

For being placed on earth.

In God’s plan

Each has great worth.

 

And EVERYBODY is invited

To the greatest party of all

Because everyone is important,

Whether big or small.

 

God presents an invitation

By offering life changing love

That everyone have an invitation

To the greatest party above.

 

Jesus sends invitation to the rich,

The poor, broken, or lost.

The party is free.

There is no cost.

 

Jesus already paid

For all to come,

And He even invites those

Who some call scum.

 

Regardless what color,

What language or tribe,

He invites all to the party

And there’ll be no divide.

 

Victory in death

Is what He gives.

As well as victory in life

He offers all to live.

 

EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT,

Each woman, each man.

Every life is significant

BECAUSE OF GOD’S PERFECT PLAN!

 

Thank You God that You made me for a purpose.

Thank You God for Your invitation to the greatest party of all!

 

“I’d like to RSPV:  I’LL BE THERE”

 

*Songwriter Paul Rice wrote “You Are My Sunshine”.

He sold the song rights to Jimmie Davis.

 

P.S.  Jon Weece’s sermon “Everybody is Important”  can be accessed by going to www.southlandchristian.org  May 3, 2009.

Thursday January 5 2017  CHRISTMAS CARD LETTER

 

Dear Family and Friends:

CHRISTMAS CARD LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

January 5, 2017

 

Belated Christmas Greetings, our New Year now in gear.

So in place of greeting cards I send a letter of good cheer.

 

It seems no matter how I try, cards I never mail.

So this year I didn’t try, that way I would not fail.

 

If I plan to send Christmas cards in 2017 I need to start preparing them now.  Somehow the season always gets away from me before I have full hold of it.  I did do a bit better this year however.  We even had a Christmas tree!

 

A year passes too quickly and never is enough accomplished.  It’s as if I desire to pack so much in a day because I realize how fleeting the hours are.  As I look back over this year I realize the highlights of the year are all the little every day routines of life.  The simple pleasures of being together as husband and wife for almost 44 years, making pots and pots of soup to share with others, exercising faithfully so my body feels good, meeting with friends on occasion, spending time with God, reading, writing, and working on a myriad of projects I hope to finish some day.  But being with family is always my favorite activity.

 

Dave and I traveled in the spring and enjoyed the long drives through Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.  We stopped several places both going and coming and had the opportunity to visit with friends and family along the way.  The actual purpose of our trip was to spend time in Florida with our daughter Rebecca and her husband Neil, as well as our grand-dogs, Coal and Jackson.  We had an amazing time in Florida.  Trips are always too short but the memories linger.

 

Rebecca accepted a new job in management this year.  Neil is remodeling property that they landlord.  Both are extremely booked and over worked. 

 

Courtland and Amy both work full time, parent two active boys, and Courtland will finish his last year of law school this year.  Needless to say we do not have opportunity to see them as much as we would like due to their schedule.  More than likely there is no amount of time that would be “enough”.

 

Our greatest joy about being in Wisconsin is our nine and five year old grandsons, Zachariah and Alexander.  We actually enjoy their parents too!  I remember riding home from Courtland and Amy’s wedding about 15 years ago and expressing to Dave how delighted I was to finally have family in the area.  Courtland lived with us until the day he married.  I remember remarking that now we could go someplace else for Thanksgiving dinner.  And so we have, many times, many dinners, lots of fun and lots of laughter.  And we love having the boys over for weekend and holiday sleepovers. 

 

Dave and I are diligently preparing to downsize everything in our house.  We still have a ways to go but we have made some great inroads.  The journey of going through boxes and boxes of memorabilia is often times an overwhelming task.  I decided to take my time, take joy in doing it, and to do my best to part with as much as possible.  It is easier said than done.  However, I have discovered so much through this experience.  Aging truly is a season of life, one of which many do not look forward to exploring.  I am finding it quite fascinating, however debilitating it may be on certain days.  It is a peaceful time of looking back and enjoying through memories many wonderful experiences.  It is a time of ridding oneself of all the baggage of “what ifs”, and looking forward to what is yet to come.  I choose not to waste any time allotted to me by worrying or regretting, but rather to do all I desire do and all that my body allows me to do in any given day. 

 

Life is exciting.  The past is behind us, the future unknown.  But I know who holds my future in His hands.  Through my God I find reassurance of hope and confidence of what is yet to be when my numbered days are over.   I love life here on earth, yet I fear not death.  Life excites me and for every moment I have I am thankful. My greatest joy and thrill is knowing that God is real and lives within me. 

 

Dave and I both enjoy traveling, receive great pleasure being with our children, love and enjoy each other, and delight being with our friends and extended family.  We would love to once again see everyone we cherish.  We encourage you to make memories with your children and grand children and leave a legacy of love when you are called “home”. 

 

I hold in my heart all the memories of seeing so many friends and family two years ago as I traveled through the United States.  Now I wish that you would all come traipsing to Wisconsin and stay with us for awhile.  Our home is open for guests and we would love the company.  Be sure and call ahead as you can never count on us being at home unless we know you are coming.  From the end of May through September is the best time of year for traveling through Wisconsin.  You can never count on good weather the rest of the year.  Wisconsin is truly a beautiful state and I think whoever ventures here will not regret it.

 

Two years ago I began writing a blog before I left for my long trip.  I have continued writing it daily.  I have no other mass media accounts so I don’t follow or know what is going on in the cyber world.  I much prefer to connect personally via email, letters, or phone.  You are more than welcome to read my blog if you enjoy it.  I cover many different topics and they may or may not interest you.  You can find my blog at: www.visionsofpoetry.com 

 

I wish you a wonderful year filled with love, family, and friends.  May God bless you bountifully.  Count this letter either as a late Christmas card for 2016 or an early one for 2017.  It might be the only one you receive from us for awhile.  I write a blog daily but I never seem to be able to get my cards posted.

 

Sent with love,

Dave and Kathleen 

Wednesday January 4 2017  MY PLACE OF SACRED ROMANCE

 

MY PLACE OF SACRED ROMANCE

Kathleen Martens

January 4, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

 

Standing in my library

An amazing view I see.

Years of accumulation

Is staring back at me.

 

A photo of my mama

Reading a Bible on her table.

Her memory long left behind,

Her body no longer able.

 

A little plaque high on a shelf

Has spoken daily to my heart:

“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”

With these words each day I start.

 

Lots and lots of journals

All written by my hand.

I figure that in the future

They won’t be in much demand.

 

My life written on the pages

But who in this world will read?

I wrote them for my growth

So I could become a better me.

 

A little house of handmade paper

Makes me smile each time I think

Of my little boy who proudly gave to me

This piece of art in grey and pink.

 

My eyes travel to a shelf

Filled with favorite books.

Many varieties of Dictionaries

If you but take a closer look.

 

Kaleidoscopes and a paper pig,

A unicorn in stately white,

An interesting bowl filled with quarters

For placement they all fight.

 

Love letters in a box

Words of love and words of hope.

Written during World War Two

As a groom helps his wife to cope.

 

Vases and angels scattered about

And baby albums of daughter and son,

Priceless little treasures found,

On each self there is at least one.

 

A folded flag with memories

Folded to the sound of taps.

Was presented to my sister

When it was placed upon her lap.

 

An empty bottle with no purpose

Stands by  the flag.

It is one of the unnecessary things

That visually is beginning to nag.

 

A ceramic bowl with a lid.

I wonder what I’d find inside?

Even if I took a peek to see

I might not want to confide.

 

And I forgot to mention the lotion

And scotch tape and scissors too.

And even more importantly

Are the books which are quite a few.

 

Books, books, and more books

Line most shelves two rows deep.

And I know where each title is

Because the same place they always sleep.

 

Constant companions looking at me,

They are longtime favorite friends.

Books are on the floor and line the wall,

Because my collection does not end.

 

A closet full of must-reads,

And bags and bags yet unknown.

Some were purchase at library sales

And their titles yet un-shown.

 

Hundreds of books already removed

For the new library which is planned.

But many will be given away

Since I have too many on hand.

 

I will choose carefully which ones I give

For my books seem alive to me.

But I will look for the silver lining

Because from clutter I hope to free.

 

My chairs are full from sorting.

Manuscripts are piled by.

And a lofty hoard of poetry books

On my sofa stacked waist high.

 

My beautiful old secretary

In regalia proudly displays

A full assortment of angel stories

And old Bibles of yesterdays.

 

And there are hundreds of other things

But I’ve no time to mention each one

Knowing my sister will be in distress

Reading this poem until it’s done.

 

But for me it is nostalgic

To view before dismantled.

Just think of what I’ve left to do

Before everything is handled.

 

I bid farewell to my library.

Many hours spent in this room.

My place of sacred romance

With Jesus, the coming Groom.

 

Solitary moments of comfort

Wrapped in God’s loving arms of grace,

Sharing my most intimate thoughts

As our spirits sit face to face.

 

Years and years of heartfelt solace

As I penned words from my heart.

And I will soon have a new nest

Where my morning with Jesus will start.

 

 

The above poem was inspired this day because I have been carting books out by the box load and wanted to remember what the shelves looked like before I begin dismantling them.  The New Year’s rush is on!

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Tuesday January 3 2017  THOSE DAYS ARE LONG GONE

The following is yesterday’s good morning from my friend Marilyn who is a young 85 year old.  Her note inspired the poem that follows.

“Good Tuesday morning,

Yesterday was a busy day for me.  It was my turn to serve treats at coffee hour. I had picked up mini-muffins, and two different kinds of coffee cake.  They were super delicious.  Once upon a time I would have made the treats myself, but those days are long gone.”  Marilyn

 

THOSE DAYS ARE LONG GONE

Kathleen Martens

January 3, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Life has a way

Of seeming chaotic

With sick children

Needing antibiotics.

 

Wiping up peanut butter

And spilled milk

Seems a forever task

In quicksand silt.

 

And time passes

And children grow

And crises change

And time becomes foe.

 

Lunches and dinners

You diligently make

And for celebrations too

Everyone’s favorite cake.

 

And off kiddos fly

To worlds unknown

Graduate from college

Your youth is blown.

 

Grey hairs creep in

The house is quiet

The sounds of squabbles

No longer riot.

 

And time gets lost

Amidst all the doing

And less time left

For dreams ensuing.

 

Retirement looms

And you are so ready

To just slow down

Because you’re no longer steady.

 

Tasks become difficult

Rest interrupts the day

It takes longer to do things

And you find new ways.

 

And when it is treat day

Though you wake up at dawn

You no longer do the baking,

“Those days are long gone.”

 

Off to the store

To pick and choose

Now that you have time

The strength you lose.

 

But it turns out just fine

Friends are in the same boat

And they love what you bring

Though you can no longer gloat.

 

GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS.

January 2 2017   A NEW YEAR BEGINS

This past week has been a wonderful break from my usual schedule.  I think I learned more than I expected by taking the days off from writing. 

The first unexpected benefit came when I realized that after an entire year of being “retired” that this was the very first week I actually experienced the “feeling” of being retired.  And what exactly is that “feeling”?  I suppose it has different meanings for each one who retires.  For me it was permission to not have a schedule, a deadline, or the necessity of purposely setting time aside to come up with something coherent to write.  I experienced a bit of euphoria over this past week of retirement that I had not yet experienced over the course of the past year.  It was exhilarating to actually have a few extra hours in my day to pursue other adventures.

And these new escapades brought to light another interesting fact about the week.  Regardless how much or how little time I have to fill, it all gets used up.  And that led me to the third insight of my week “off”.

My third “lesson” was that it caused me to take a look at the overall picture of my day.  I pondered what  I had or had not accomplished with the extra hours.  Did I have anything to show for those extra hours?  I also asked myself the question, was I more satisfied with the extra hours off, or more satisfied using my hours to write?  I also wondered if my life is better off when I take the time to write and compose poetry, or better off using those hours elsewhere?

All of the above thoughts gave me pause to then wonder, does my writing make a difference in anyone’s life?  Do I write for myself, for others, or for God?  If I am doing it for myself is that enough?  If I am doing it for others, is it in some way touching lives that I otherwise could not reach in a positive way?  Is that enough reason to write?  Or am I doing it for God?  And, if I am doing it for God do I continue to write a blog or just a poem?  That is the question that I ultimately ask myself.  My purpose is to reach out to others with God’s message of love and eternal salvation using the gift that God has given me.

Poetry is the gift God bestowed on my life.  Without His gifting me in this area I could not write.  Are the poems spectacular; perhaps not in the eyes of the world.  But, if even one poem touches one life in a positive way and turns another’s heart toward God, to me it would be worth all the hours I spend on the computer.  Even during this past week my poems were recorded daily in my journal as my gift back to God.  Perhaps no one will ever see them written, or hear me read them, but they were written as my commitment, to give back to God on a daily basis the talent He bestowed upon me.  I can’t take credit for this gift but I do desire to use the talent he has placed in my care.  If you have a talent that is tucked away and unused, take time to get it out in the open and offer it back to God.  You may be surprised at where it will take you, who you bless, and the doors that God will open before you.

So, overall, I know that I will continue to write poetry, and have decided to also continue my blog on a schedule that will work for me.  I find that the things I need in my life are purpose, direction, and a bit of a routine.  These keep me me persevering as well as focused.  The result keeps my mind alert and my body active.  And this causes me to use the rest of my hours more profitably, knowing that I expect certain accomplishments of myself.  Also, writing gives me pause to know myself a bit better.  So, as I have said in the past, even if no one reads my blog, I will write it anyway.  I do not plan to write as extensively or perhaps even three days a week.  But I will write it.  My poetry will be written daily but some days may not allow for me to publish due to my schedule.  I have some desires that I must fulfill and it will take hours for me to accomplish them.  And then perhaps you can hold my finished book in your hand.

 

A NEW YEAR BEGINS (2017)

Kathleen Martens

January 2, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

EIGHT THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY HOURS

Is what this year holds.

And if you count a leap year

Add 24 more to the fold.

 

So many hours, yet so few,

Every day given, twenty four new.

How you chose to live, is your decision,

What you accomplish, done by precision.

 

Do not waste your hours available.

Hours some day, no longer accessible.

Take time to live, laugh and dance,

Joy does not come just by chance.

 

Where you are going, plan ahead.

You are now alive, someday you’ll be dead.

Hours are precious, take not one for granted,

Be a strong tree where you are planted.

 

Weather the storms which are bound to come.

Enjoy with gusto your hours of fun.

 Be good to your body, such a personal friend,

That it not betray you, at your end.

 

Love your family with all your heart,

They are the ones who will not depart.

Make room for God, for His creative hands

Molded you, to walk this land.

 

Your Heavenly Father, take time to know.

Either heaven or hell, you’ll eventually go.

You have a choice while here on earth,

Choose salvation for eternal worth.

 

You never know throughout this year,

If you will see 2018 come near.

So use every hour to fully live.

Your hours are numbered, which God gives.

 

Thank You God for this New Year!

Thank You God that You are omnipotent.

Thank You God that You are omnipresent.

Thank You God that You are omniscient.

Thank You for this day!

 

Praying God will bless you in 2017