Tuesday April 4 2017 FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE
Tuesday April 4 2017 FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE
MY INTENTION IS…
Kathleen Martens
April 4, 2017
Footloose and fancy free
That’s what retirement is supposed to be.
But on the horizon I do not see
That that is what is meant for me!
I dream and hope, and hope some more
That someday I’ll achieve that score.
However the space upon my floor
Has a thousand books, and maybe more.
Boxes and boxes I must sort
And with my past I will cohort.
I don’t intend to come up short
Because I’ll be an exemplary sport!
I enjoy my own company in quiet space,
In silent enjoyment my past I’ll trace.
For what I’ll keep I’ll make a case,
And then the future I will race.
If an item is beautiful I will keep.
And some nostalgia will be my treat.
That which is necessary I’ll make it neat,
And all the remaining, others will reap.
Easy words that I can say
Perhaps forgotten some future day.
But my intention is that I may
Have a great time doing it my way!
Don’t ask me where that poem came from because I don’t know. Perhaps it is because this is the statement of my life at present. Just to have our shelves moved to another room has made great inroads as to what I can now accomplish. I do not complain for all the work ahead because I am truly enjoying the journey.
“LEARN AS IF YOU WERE GOING TO LIVE FOREVER, AND LIVE AS IF YOU WERE GOING TO DIE TOMORROW.” Quote by John Wooden
Thank You Father that I AM GOING TO LIVE FOREVER!
Thank You God for allowing me to live this long on your awesome earth.
Thank You God that You are preparing a place for me in heaven.
Thank You God for my health this day.
Thank You too for our children, their spouses, children, and dogs!
Thank You God, that when I seek Your plan, it is good.
Thank You Lord for all I learn each and every day.
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU
Monday April 3 2017 QUOTES AND MORE QUOTES
Monday April 3 2017 QUOTES AND MORE QUOTES
TALENT, FAME AND CONCEIT
Kathleen Martens
April 03,2017
When God gives a talent
It is a gift.
We should be humble
As our thanks we lift.
When fame happens
From others it’s given.
The accolades of man
For the life you are living.
But self importance
Comes in the form of conceit.
So you must be careful
And not repeat!
The above poem was inspired by the following quote:
“Talent is God-given: be humble.
Fame is man-given: be thankful.
Conceit is self given: be careful.”
Quoted from:
“Quotable
Wooden
WORDS OF WISDOM, PREPARATION,
AND SUCCESS BY AND ABOUT
JOHN WOODEN, COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S
GREATEST COACH
Copyright 2002 by John Reger
The following quote is from the same book:
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”
The following quotes were sent to me by my friend Marilyn:
“Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.” Author Unknown
“I have learned that being kind is more important than being right.” Author Unknown
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
Quote from: 1 John 2:15-17 NLT (New Living Testament)
Thank You God for the protection of our children and grandchildren in this world we live in.
Thank You for a husband that is not a complainer.
Thank You for the encouragement I receive from Your Word.
Thank You for opening my eyes to something new every single day!
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU! REMEMBER TO BE THANKFUL!
Sunday Sabbath April 2 2017 YOU ARE THE REASON
Sunday Sabbath April 2 2017 YOU ARE THE REASON
YOU ARE THE REASON
Kathleen Martens
April 2, 2017
http://www.visionsofpoetry.com
God longs for His children.
Intimacy He desires.
But the question, can we allow
God to be our sire?
Jesus gently knocks
On closed doors of pain.
Do you feel worthy to be loved?
Or perhaps like a bane?
Jesus is our Guardian Redeemer
Who willingly laid down His life.
He offers water from His living well
To sooth and calm your strife.
Will you open up your heart?
He offers to save
By giving salvation and unending love.
You are the reason His life He gave!
Thank You Father that You desire a personal relationship with me.
Thank You for being my Guardian Redeemer.
Thank You God that I am Your child.
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!
Saturday April 1 2017 NO FOOLING!
Saturday April 1 2017 NO FOOLING!
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
Kathleen Martens
April 1, 2017
The circle of life is but a journey
And we each live our own.
For some it is a long time;
For others a hop, skip, and a stone.
In early years the future seems
Forever in distant time.
Milestones are slow to come
And the years seem so confined.
Perspective is different when looking back,
The clock seems to tick so fast.
The years seem to whiz right by,
Zooming days no longer last.
And you realize all too soon,
Just like a tornado that seems to fly,
Your lifespan is ebbing away,
As ruthless as the restless tide.
And while living this circle of life,
Isn’t it wonderful to experience God’s love?
Knowing our future lasts forever,
When beckoned to heaven above.
I don’t quite know where that poem came from, but that’s it folks!
And it is not an April fool’s day joke!
Thank You God for the years I’ve lived and the hours I have left.
Thank You God that my heart speaks when I’d rather keep it quiet.
Thank You for the realities of life that You continually bring to the forefront.
Thank You God for the joy that lives within me every single day!
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!
Friday March 31 2017 JUST MARK MY WORDS!
Friday March 31 2017 JUST MARK MY WORDS!
Just mark my words. March 2017 is officially over as of midnight tonight. And you know what that means! Yes, yes, I know, I’ve said it many times. It means Christmas is right around the corner. Whoever it was that coined the phrase “that as we age time seems to speed by more quickly” was right on the mark. Not only do the months fly by but the days seem to dissolve before they really get started.
YOU MUST BEGIN WITH SELF
Kathleen Martens
March 31, 2017
Time is short
Live it well.
In the blink of an eye
A story to tell.
When we begin
And when we end
We have no course
Our life to lend.
Life is accomplished
As seconds tick by,
So worry not
How quickly it flies.
We each have purpose
For our numbered days,
Live with intention
And not in a haze.
What is our worth
In eternity’s plan?
To share God’s love
With our fellow man.
Make your life count.
Help those in need.
Give comfort to the hurting.
And the hungry feed.
When you see wrongs
Look first on your shelf.
To make any changes
You must begin with self.
Enjoy this last day of March. Spring is on the calendar and the hope of it coming to Wisconsin is budding in my heart. I am beginning to smell it in the air. If weather is predictable it is still six to seven weeks before I can plant perennials and set my pots of geraniums outside. The geraniums are such a joy to me during the winter months as they silently grow in our sunroom. It is with reluctance I relinquish them to the outdoors.
Each day I go into the sunroom, touch a few leaves in each pot and stroke their velvety texture. I speak to my geraniums as I caress them; and a bit of spring comes alive in my heart regardless the cold that surrounds our dwelling. This year’s batch did not bloom much through the winter.
The fall before I left on my trip two years ago I finally retired the pots of geraniums that I had taken into the house for about nine or ten seasons. Some of the pots were large and set on the floor. The foliage literally grew as high as my chest. The leaves were huge and the blossoms were the size of a large man’s fist. It was constant upkeep as we have light carpeting and the spent, deep red blossoms would fall. I would carefully snip back the blossoms before they passed their prime. One particular day the room was an entire bower of red from all the huge blossoms. Remember that this was in mid winter and once I bring the pots into the house I no longer feed them until spring. I just water sparingly and defoliate spent leaves and blossoms. On this particular day I had a large brown paper grocery sack and as I broke each blossom off and dropped it into the bag I counted them. All total I snipped off 206 blossoms in about one hour. And there were dozens more in stages of blooming. I have photos but they were taken so many years ago I do not remember on what hardrive they are stored.
When I arrived home in July of 2015, the geranium bug bit me again. It was late in the season and I had to look long and hard to replicate the color of red that was a close match to my faithful plants of the past. I found the color but it was not the same variety. They did not bloom nearly as profusely that first summer. I cared and nurtured them but it was to no avail. I faithfully brought them in for the 2015/2016 winter season. In April of last year we were gone for several weeks so I carted the plants over to a friend’s house and instructed her to not over-water them. Some were quite large and all were bushy with lots of leaves. When we arrived home my friend was embarrassed to give them back. All that was left of the geraniums were the branches of the plants WITHOUT ANY LEAVES. Literally, some of them did not have any leaves at all.
I brought them home at the end of April, cut them back, and coddled them by allowing their oversaturated soil to dry out. My friend told me she watered and watered them and the leaves still yellowed and browned and dropped off. Oh well, after allowing the roots to de-saturate those little stems perked up, the leaves sprouted, and the geraniums bloomed all summer. And now those same little plants have weathered another winter indoors and as of right now they are healthy, hearty and huge. It is about time to cut them back and it always pains me to do so. I so look forward to their blooms this summer. They have become my friends. And I think they like me too. They always remind me of my mama’s gardens.
Thank You God for blossoms in winter.
Thank You for the texture of a geranium leaf.
Thank You for the pungent, identifying fragrance that geraniums exude.
Thank You for memories of gardens past.
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! GOD BLESS YOU THIS SPRING DAY!
30 March, 2017 12:05
This is what the shelves look like today. I won’t show you the room where the books are stored.
Thursday March 30 2017 A BIG JOB!
Thursday March 30 2017 A BIG JOB!
MOVING THE LIBRARY
Kathleen Martens
March 30, 2017
http://www.visionsofpoetry.com
Shelves packed to overflowing
Oh what an eyesore!
Now they stand empty.
The books are no more.
One by one each was touched
Caressing each one with longing,
Knowing many will soon be gone
No longer belonging.
Box after box packed so full
Because all must be moved.
So many books to handle,
A cause to be behooved!
Now all is done, shelves are bare
Awaiting their new home,
A quiet place of solitude
Without electronics or a phone!
Now the shelving must be handled
Strong muscles needed for the task.
And I wonder just who will be
The one I find courage to ask.
Remember the wisdom of one so old
Younger friends are quite an asset!
Muscle and brawn are sometimes needed
To help with certain facets.
Thank You God that the packing up of all the books is completed.
Thank You for providing someone to help us move the shelving even though I don’t know who it will be.
Thank You for all the dedicated writers that put so much study and effort in order to write their books.
Thank You Lord that I have the ability to read!
HAVE A GREAT DAY! GOD BLESS YOU.
Wednesday March 29 2017 TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
Wednesday March 29 2017 TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
COMPUTERS!
Kathleen Martens
March 29, 2016
http://www.visionsofpoetry.com
To have such access
At my fingertips,
Faster to write
Than speak from my lips.
Either friend or foe
But never the two,
Smooth sailing
Or headaches ensue.
A mind of their own,
They balk and scream
When you most need them,
Often they’re mean.
When files are missing
It’s as if they’re a phantom
And when things go awry
You’d like to throw a tantrum.
The world is right
When all works well.
But let the computer hiccup,
Life is no longer swell!
When they crash
The story is told.
In desperate measures
Grief unfolds.
But thankfully today
I was rescued again
By the Geek Squad
And connect with friends.
And then my blog
Went helter-skelter
And once again
I looked for shelter.
Not certain it works
But I’ll give it a try.
If I don’t get published
Tomorrow I’ll try.
Thank You God for being with me this morning. I really needed Your peace and calm.
Thank You Lord for loving me unconditionally.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
GOD BLESS YOU!
Tuesday March 28 2017 MY FAVORITE STORY
Tuesday March 28 2017 MY FAVORITE STORY
MY FAVORITE STORY
Kathleen Martens
March 28 2017
Sometimes I search
For the right words
But in my heart
They are not heard.
Sometimes I wonder
And continually ponder,
What story to speak
Interest to peak?
Full of thought,
New ideas sought.
Who will listen?
What words will glisten?
Must my poems mean
Something new and keen?
Or do I express
What I love best?
Because my favorite story
Is to tell of God’s glory
And His everlasting love
He sends from above.
So I will say
On this beautiful day
Know that God loves you
And always pursues.
Thank You Lord for continually pursuing me with Your love.
Thank You God that you are my favorite story.
Thank You for all things beautiful and lovely.
Thank You for your everlasting love.
HAVE A GREAT DAY! GOD BLESS YOU.
Monday March 27 2017 THE PREFERRED LIFE
Monday March 27 2017 THE PREFERRED LIFE
Oh how I long for March 31st to not come along. When I cross over the threshold into April my mind tells me that a quarter of this year has already disappeared. It seems it always passes too quickly. And the rest of the year just disappears in a blur.
I’m currently reading the book “WRITE FROM THE HEART/Unleashing the Power of Your Creativity” by Hal Zina Bennet. I came across the following quote and it seemed to capsulate so well my thoughts about living in the moment.
“If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly in those moments.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh
How eloquently Lindbergh captured exactly how I perceive my life as the accumulation of individual moments. Not only do I live the moments to the fullest but I also try to absorb all the cues surrounding me so as to remember a bit more acutely the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings I experience as the moment ticks by.
Another quote I will pass along was sent to me only this morning by my friend Marilyn. It too connects and reverberates in my heart. Marilyn sends out a “Thought for the Day” each morning. I always look forward to her thoughts, quotes, or rambles she forwards because they give me pause for thought.
“Thought for the Day
Each new day is an opportunity to start all over again.
To cleanse our minds and hearts anew and to clarify our vision.
And let us not clutter up today with the leavings of other days.” WINGS OF SILVER
The above quote from Wings of Silver (A book that has been around for years) not only resonated with me, but to some extent, that last sentence of Marilyn’s quote is my silent mantra. As I look at things that need to be done I always try to think of a way I can do them today, therefore, when tomorrow arrives all that is left undone will not be on my platter. I don’t always accomplishing finishing in one day what I start out to do, but I always have hopes to do so. Is there such a thing as finishing?
Today I also received an email from Marilyn. One of her comments to me was, “You have a very regimented life, and I admire you for it, but it is not for me.”
After giving that comment some thought I more or less agreed with her statement. I do regiment myself quite a bit. I think I do it out of fear. I know that may sound a bit odd but I believe I fear if I do not regiment my schedule I will become slack and lazy or perhaps allow old age creep up too quickly. When I shared Marilyn’s comment with Dave he agreed with my assessment and suggested that perhaps what I might rather do is to set my life up in a way that I live a “preferential life” instead of a “regimented life.”
After looking up the synonyms for “preferential” I didn’t think I wanted that life either. Synonyms for “preferential”; “special, forward, privileged, superior, better, and partisan”. I didn’t really like those meanings. The meaning of preferential seemed to refer to someone as haughty. I hope I am never perceived in that light.
I looked up “prefer” and here are its synonyms; “favor, have preference, likable, rather, wish, fancy, desire, and choose.” I rather liked those definitions. So perhaps I shall learn to be a bit more lenient on myself and allow myself the latitude of thinking and planning on what I “PREFER” to do with my time rather than be so regimented and strict about what I MUST do.
However, there is one place in my life in which I may need more regimentation. And that is becoming more aware of what I am doing in relationship to what time it is. When I start talking with someone, it as if there is no clock ticking. I have an aversion to wearing a watch and it is as if time stands still when I am absorbed in a task or recreation. Time seems to no longer exist, each moment is its own priceless pearl to be savored and devoured regardless where I am or what I am doing.
Regimented? Yes, I suppose I am to a certain extent. Especially as to when I schedule things which must be accomplish. Perhaps that is my panacea to make certain that what must be done gets done. But who is to say “what must be done”? Perhaps that is the regiment I need to wean from life.
“Preference”? That is the other question? Would that mean I only “hope” to get something accomplish or that it really will get done? Does it mean that I only do what I want to do? Are preferences just wishful thinking or a fancy I might follow? Or, does it mean I chose to do it because I desire to do it and I give myself the choice to either do, or not do it?
Does anyone else’s brain work this way? I feel normal, but maybe we all feel normal. But then again, who is to say what is normal?
THE PREFERRED LIFE
Kathleen Martens
March 27, 2017
To be less in charge would relinquish chains
That binds my strict control.
To give up my tight reign
Of this disciplined, well ordered, mold.
But who am I to say I can change
When God made me the way I am?
I’ll try to follow the path He leads
While changing the best I can.
“Preferential” is a word that means special,
Forward, privileged, and superior too.
As well as, better than thou,
And partisan to name just a few.
Oh my goodness the description above,
Is not one I’d want to own.
Perhaps “Prefer” is a better choice
So by others I not be stoned.
Prefer means to favor and like,
To have preference, and rather do.
To have a fancy or wishful thinking,
And choosing what you ensue.
So perhaps I shall take the challenge
And give up my regimented stance.
I’d much rather enjoy the moments that tick
Than be a marionette with a rigid dance.
We all have a choice to experience insight
Of ways we can better become.
As well as try to simply improve,
Hopefully, before our days are done!
Thank You God for friends who offer insight.
Thank You God for opening my heart to become the best me You made me to be.
Thank You Lord for my love of words.
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! GOD BLESS YOU!
Sunday Sabbath March 26 2017 MY HOURS WERE SWEET
Sunday Sabbath March 26 2017 MY HOURS WERE SWEET
MY HOURS WERE SWEET
Kathleen Martens
March 26, 2017
On this day of Sabbath rest
I did what I do best.
I worked the afternoon away,
But went to church to start my day.
A little bit turned into a lot.
It is just so wonderful to clean a spot.
Hundreds of books once again packed,
Then moved to another stack.
Remember a little, culminates a lot
And idle fingers I’ve not been taught.
And so these hours languidly passed,
The pile of books now greater massed.
And it feels good to see progress
That even on Sabbath does not regress.
With much joy my hours were sweet
Alone with God was my treat.
For a treat today I am including a poem I wrote on March 7, 2013. I thought it befitting as a Sunday Sabbath Poem. I hope you enjoy it.
NEVER ENOUGH OF YOU
Kathleen Martens
March 7, 2013
http://www.visionsofpoetry.com
Lord, You have more than enough
And yet, I never have enough of You.
Your mystery enshrouds me
And my eyes cannot see
The ALL of You I conspire,
The oneness with You I desire.
Lord, You have more than enough
And yet, I never have enough of You.
More of Your love that set me free
More of life lived for thee.
More beauty that Your creation holds,
Such beautiful handiwork to behold.
More time with You to give You praise,
In quiet prayer, my heart ablaze.
Our private hour melding soul,
Spirits intertwined, ultimate goal.
To be one in the intimacy of love,
More of You on wings of a dove.
For Your Holy Spirit, within me dwells
And my attitude my life tells
That I never have enough of You
As I seek Your mystery, forever new!
Lord, You have more than enough
And yet, I never have enough of You.
Thank You God for solitude.
Thank You for a leisurely Sabbath of slow movement and leisurely occupation.
Thank You God for all the books I have yet to read.
Thank You God that on Sunday I am not interrupted by telemarketers.
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!
Saturday March 25 2017 THREE LITTLE WORDS
Saturday March 25 2017 THREE LITTLE WORDS
I learned from a very early age that if I didn’t want to work I better skedaddle from underfoot so to speak. Mama always had some chore or activity (usually what a kid would consider work) that would keep us busy. I did a lot of reading and that kept me safe most of the time; out of sight, out of mind.
When I went to school I threw myself wholeheartedly into learning and absorbing all I could. To me the world was a fascinating and curious place. My mother fed my thirst for learning by taking my sister and me to many awesome places as I mentioned recently in another blog. My mother also instilled a strict work ethic within me whether I wanted to learn it or not. If I did not do the task thoroughly the first time around she would see to it that I did the entire job over. I tried hard to be a quick learner. I wanted to please and that made it a bit easier. However, I must admit that it was unusual to feel any passion or desire to do the work assigned.
One task I absolutely detested doing was scrubbing the walls and ceilings of our kitchen on Alvarado Street in San Leandro, California. Our kitchen stove had a wood burner my mama used for cooking and the soot would escape when she fed wood into the stove top. Over time, the walls and ceiling which were made of bead board painted with a glossy pale blue paint, would darken and become quite dirty. It was my job to scrub the ceiling and walls. The room was small but it seemed like a great big room to me. I was in my early teens and tall enough, when standing on a chair, to reach the ceiling with the soapy rag and scrub off the soot. My younger sister’s job was to have a fresh clean rag squeezed out and waiting for me when I needed to replace my black sooty rag. Somehow in my adolescent mind it just didn’t seem fair that my little sister couldn’t scrub the ceiling. Of course she was about half my age at that time and not very tall. But it still made no sense to me.
I’ll never forget the first time I “scrubbed” that ceiling. When I was finished there were swirl marks of leftover residue on some parts of the ceiling. My mama did not accept my job as satisfactory. And to teach me a lesson about doing a less than acceptable job, “I could just get myself back up on that chair and scrub the entire ceiling all over”. And so I did, under her watchful eye. No shortchanging my task. She said to let that be a reminder that when I did a job I was to do it right on the first go round.
I must admit, that was a difficult lesson to learn because even as a kid, scrubbing a ceiling is not easy on the shoulders. I definitely learned my lesson, at least when it was my mama giving the orders. And that lesson has followed me throughout my life. When I do something, I purposely set out to do a good job. Do I always attain that: probably not. But it was a life lesson I learned and I have been forever thankful to my mama for instilling it within me.
My mama was a hard worker and her time was never idle. She never complained about what she had to do but with five daughters she was an excellent delegator. You learned very early to stay out of earshot of mama if you didn’t want an assignment. And what kid wants an “assignment”?
I don’t think I appreciated all my mother did until I had children of my own. She had six children, I had two. She lived in hard to clean shacks, old apartments, and during the ceiling scrubbing years, a cramped, dinky house in an industrial area. Everything inside was always put away and scrubbed clean. She always had a garden of vegetables growing on whatever plot of soil she could claim around our dwelling. And our dwellings were always surrounded by colorful flowers she planted and lovingly tended. When I had to do the hoeing I can truthfully say not much love went into the rows. Mama sewed all our clothes and taught me to do the same. Her teaching was a gift to my future because I often made garments for myself as well as for my own family.
So much that mama taught me did not come to full fruition until I lived the parallel times in my life corresponding to the years she lived. By no means was my mother perfect, but with her limited schooling and the hardships she faced to keep life and limb together, she tried her best to rear her children to the best of her ability. She was resourceful, hard working, strict, kept dwelling and kids spit shined, a good money manager with her meager fare, and she loved God and she loved her children. Somehow she always had something for us to eat by rationing what we had available. We each had a gift each Christmas as well as an old sock filled with unshelled nuts and an orange.
My mama taught me endurance, perseverance, honesty, to be a hard worker, to never give up, and to love God. However, the one thing I regret in her parenting is that she did not teach her children how to say “I love you”. And that was probably my biggest lesson. It was only when we brought our daughter home from the hospital that I fully comprehended the lesson she taught me in the absence of hearing her say those words. From that day forward I knew I did not want to parent in her footsteps. As I held Rebecca in my arms as we walked into our family room that very first day I looked down into our two day old daughter’s face and said to my husband, “I will not parent as my parents did. Never will there be a day when I am with my child that she will not hear me say I LOVE YOU”. Dave looked at me and responded, “Then I too will say those words to her every single day”. And we did.
Many of the life lessons I learned from Mama have been forwarded on to our daughter and son. But the one thing I love most when I am with our children, and now grandchildren, are the words I say to them, “I LOVE YOU”, each and every time we are with them. Those three little words are even included in our telephone goodbyes. Our parting words always being: “I LOVE YOU”!
As I have mentioned in an earlier blog, before my mama died I taught her to say “I LOVE YOU”, and she finally said it to me on several different occasions. I could tell she was always a bit uncomfortable to say, “I love you too”, having probably never heard it from her parents, but say it she would. Years later when I told my sister that story she thought it had been herself who had taught her to say it because she too kept telling mama the same thing I did. I guess mama finally just let those three little words come out (be it ever so tentatively) since she was being confronted from more than just one of us. Good job sis! I’m glad that you heard those words too!
THREE LITTLE WORDS
Kathleen Martens
March 25, 2017
Three little words
With such a punch
Don’t think others know
Believing your hunch.
Others need to hear,
To understand their worth.
Let others be aware
They are valued on earth.
Three little words
“I LOVE YOU”
Not just sweet to say,
But nice to hear too!
“LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST AND ONE DAY YOU ARE BOUND TO BE RIGHT!”
(A quote remembered but can’t remember the source.)
Thank You Lord for the life lessons I have learned.
Thank You Lord for a mother who loved me, though she didn’t know how to say it.
Lord thank You for the opportunity to live until my children grew to adulthood.
Thank You for the words “I LOVE YOU”.
Thank You God that You are LOVE.
Have a great Saturday!
GOD BLESS YOU!
Friday March 24 2017 WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU LIVING?
Friday March 24 2017 WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU LIVING?
“How small a part of the boundless and unfathomable time is assigned to every man? For it is very soon engulfed in the eternal.” Marcus Aurelius (121-180)
WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU LIVING?
Kathleen Martens
March 24, 2017
What questions are you living in your life?
Have you ever asked yourself that question?
What are the unknowns? What answers do you seek?
Where are you going? Where are you destined?
My first line of this blog was written as a sentence, not as the beginning of a poem. However, it became the poem. The above four lined poem opened my eyes to the fact that I often spend too much time being concerned about what is going to happen in the future. The unknown is always lurking before us; sometimes to the extent that we forget to live in the moment. Perhaps instead of struggling to find the answers we should regress in our endeavor of searching and instead simply live in the question(s) and allow the moments you live to reveal the answer(s).
Often we get so caught up with the “what ifs” of life which allow worry and stress to beleaguer our present. Perhaps the best thing to do is to step back, enjoy the moment, and allows the answers to be revealed to us as we journey through our present. We should never be willing to give up living in the precious moment by worrying and stressing about the unknowns of tomorrow.
And so I choose to live this day to the fullest. It is the only day I have to do so. I choose to allow the questions of my life to be part of the enjoyment of now. The main question at present is should we sell our house or should we stay in place? I choose to not worry or stress or lose sleep over it. I will turn it over to God and allow Him to guide us through this question; to the plan that is best for our remaining years. Only God knows the beginning and the end. My job is to live in this moment; not stress about the future. The questions will be answered as we live in the moment.
Thank You God that You have all the answers to any question I am living.
Thank You for opening my eyes to live in the present moment You give me each day.
Thank You for Peace.
I PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
GOD BLESS YOU
Thursday March 23 2017 SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT
Thursday March 23 2017 SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT
As we age there are many changes to consider. Where one lives is one of the greatest questions. And that is what we are contemplating at this stage of our lives; to stay in place or go out into the unknown. We have lots of opinions given freely. We listen, we ponder, and we still are not quite sure what will ultimately be best in the long run; and so we ponder some more.
ULTIMATELY WE MUST DO WHAT IS BEST
Kathleen Martens
March 23, 2017
To adjust is rarely easy
With the thought of a new home.
We are so content with where we live
We have no need to roam.
So what to do as years go by?
To stay-put or downsize?
Our hearts are torn to say the least
If to smaller space we must compromise.
Is it because everyone thinks
We no longer need a place so big?
Perhaps we should stay in place
Until others our graves dig.
We must ponder long and hard
The value of such an endeavor.
Downsizing can take place in the heart
Giving us much more pleasure.
To stay or go is the question,
Headaches abound by either decision.
Ultimately we must do what is best
When we contemplate such a revision.
Thank You God for the home You have provided for us these past 30 years.
Thank You God that You have our future in Your hands.
Thank You for watching over us each day.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
GOD BLESS YOU
Wednesday March 22, 2017 EVERY LITTLE BIT ADDS UP TO A LOT
Wednesday March 22 2017 EVERY LITTLE BIT ADDS UP TO A LOT
In January 2016 I decided to print each blog and poem on a daily basis. I write a little bit each day, usually three to six pages. I searched for all the available three ring binders in the house and used them to hold my printed copies. Just a few sheets of paper to store; that is until month after month rolled by with two more binders being filled by the end of each month; one for the blogs and one for the poems.
Then I decided I might as well print the blogs and poems from 2015; more paper, more binders, and more space needed to house them. I now have stacks and stacks of binders of various color and size. I’ve long since used up the previously used ones we had in the house. I purchased many more at garage sales and they too are now full. I’ve have now resorted to buying NEW ONES! But when garage sale season begins I’ll again be scouring the sales for three ring binders. The dilemma I have is, where do I store them? And the question I now ask myself is why do I want to store them?
I write a little bit each day and “wa-la”, by the end of the year I have a plethora of words all captured on hundreds of pages. My estimated calculation is that in one year I create over 1,825 pages of blog print, and more than likely over 1,460 pages of poetry which equals about 365 poems written yearly. And those numbers do not include the poems I have written previously for many years. One a day (and sometimes more) add up to at least 365 poems a year, times however many years worth I have. Hundreds and hundreds of those poems are hand written in journals of years past and are not yet transcribed or printed.
So, a little bit goes a long ways when it comes to writing. I suppose I could have printed several books by now if what I have already written was published. But the first book is not yet printed. I had so hoped by last Christmas to have it finished. Making headway is slower than molasses with all else I have on my platter at present. You would think that the fact that they are already written would make it a breeze. Not true! The writing is easy for me; the selecting, organizing, cataloging, editing, correcting, spacing, etc…are the time spenders. Not complaining, just looking back over last year and wondering how the year escaped so quickly. And now it seems the same is happening to this year.
So, I will continue to write a little each day (my favorite thing to do), work on moving all the rooms around a little each day, put a few hours into the album each day, and I figure sooner or later each of those little bits will add up to a lot.
I’m behind today but still plan to do a little bit of moving books, a little bit of album work, and still get to bed on time. I am hearing my body clock tick and she “ain’t what she used to be”. Why does my big sister always have to be right?
EVERY LITTLE BIT ADDS UP TO A LOT
Kathleen Martens
March 22, 2017
“The old grey mare
She ain’t what she used to be”
And I just want you to know
The same is happening to me.
Life passes too quickly!
I won’t take it lying down.
I refuse to give in easily.
I’d rather gallivant around town.
Though my “clip-clop”
May slow a bit,
I’d certainly rather “DO”
Than give up and quit.
My hair is thinning,
My wrinkles protruding,
But my smile is in place
And love I’m exuding.
So even if I’m slower
And can’t do quite as much,
I can do a little bit each day
And choose not to rush.
I won’t become discouraged
Because I have been taught
Every little bit
Adds up to a lot!
Thank You God for this day of being able to accomplish “A LITTLE BIT”.
Thank You that all my little bits add up to a lot.
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS EACH ONE!
Tuesday March 21 2017 THE DAY AHEAD
Tuesday March 21 2017 THE DAY AHEAD
THE DAY AHEAD
Kathleen Martens
March 21, 2017
Lord, give me guidance to create
That wherever I may go
Others will see peace and grace
That from You abundantly flows.
Direct my steps as You will,
Help me to be what others need,
Outstretched hand with gentle touch,
Through smile or kind deed.
Open the eyes of my heart
That I will see what You want me to see.
Open my spirit to Your will
That I will be what You want me to be.
Thank You Father for this day of wonder to behold Your creation.
Thank You for the paths I walk that I may touch another life.
Thank You for giving me strength to face each day as it come.
GOOD MORNING AND GOD BLESS YOU.
Monday March 20 2017 MEANINGLESS VERSES MEANINGFUL
Monday March 20 2017 MEANINGLESS VERSES MEANINGFUL
Another day, another week; the blank unknown. Oh, I have several different kinds of appointments but at this moment I have no guarantee that I will show up for even one. My intentions are to do so, but between now and my appointment date any one of several events could happen. Ultimately I could die, or perhaps have a heart attack, fall down and incapacitate myself, a nuclear attack could happen, an airplane could hit my house, or, or, or and so on. But even with all that hanging over my head I do what I do each moment, anticipating only the best outcome.
And then when I think about what I am doing I wonder about the scripture verses in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes spoken by Solomon.
“Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” Says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?”
So I sit back and I ponder this dilemma called life. Is all I do really meaningless? What am I doing and accomplishing that is meaningful? Will anything I am doing now have a lasting effect in years to come, in future generations to come, or even tomorrow? If my life ended today how important would it be to have what I’ve started, finished? So many questions: yet so few answers.
And I think back to a few days ago (March 16, 2017) when I wrote a blog as to why I was born. I believe I was born to worship the amazing God who created me. And my worship toward God spills out around me, affecting all I do, all those I meet, how I live, as well as my reason for living. And I realize, that it is only today when I can impact those around me to know and love God, as well as build my own relationship with the One whom I will spend my forever. So perhaps for the believer life is not meaningless, but full of purpose and reason for being created. And the best part is I need not worry about a heart attack or a plane falling out of the sky or any other situation I may face in the future. When it is my time to go God will take me home and then I will know and understand His full majesty and the meaning of true life. To know God is to know peace. And to know God’s peace is to know unspeakable joy. And there is nothing in this world that can take that away and make me feel that all life is meaningless even while here on earth.
When Solomon, who was considered the wisest man in the world, walked away from God, even his life became meaningless. God created us for fellowship with God and when we choose to go our own direction there is often a great feeling of emptiness, or a hole that needs to be filled. One successful athlete with millions of dollars to spend felt his life was meaningless and was quoted as saying, “I feel like there is a god-sized hole in me that needs to be filled but I don’t know how to fill it.” Well, perhaps that God-sized hole needs to be filled with God. We are made in God’s image and when we ask Him to come into our lives and be our Savior He has already designed that “hole” as a perfect fit for His Spirit. If you ever have a time when you feel empty, think about turning to God and asking Him to fill up that emptiness that only He can fill. Your life can turn from feeling MEANINGLESS to knowing it is MEANINGFUL.
MEANINGLESS VERSES MEANINGFUL
Kathleen Martens
March 20, 2017
http://www.visionsofpoetry.com
Meaningless equates to emptiness
And perhaps even fallow.
Worthless and pointless is the one
Who lives a life so hollow.
Meaningless is insincere,
Insignificant in what it portrays.
Inconsequential and without effect
Is life without God in your days.
But when life lived full of love
Deposited from worshipping our Lord,
It carries great weight for those they know
Because it’s where God’s love is stored.
Momentous importance follows the one,
Consequential he lives life forward.
And so important is the effect
Because en route to heaven he goes toward.
Thank You God that it is You Who causes our life to be meaningful.
Thank You God that Your Word is so full of meaning.
Thank You Lord for the opportunity given to me while on earth to know You personally.
Thank You Father for allowing me the opportunity to share with others about Who You Are!
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED DAY!
Visions of Poetry 