Grace-berth/Birth

Yesterday's sunrise So often so little distance seems to lie between dawn and dusk, doesn't it?!! Yesterday's sunset Days seem to fly by! So does life!!Just a blip between the dawn of birth and the dusk of death!(two visitations this week for friend's parents were a vivid reminder!!)...and not one of us can see how near that Dusk is!It can fall in the twinkle of an eye to young or old alike!Thus, often much of life's focus seems to be on making every effort to 'Make (fond) Memories'which really are precious! ...like picking pussy willows 😊 Canning sausage Spending time with (aging) more precious-than-ever parents... Because there are 10 children in our family, for mom and dad's Christmas giftthis year, each child is given a month to extra-bless them (not counting December (Christmas) and September when we hope to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary all together)March was our month. On Saturday we took them to my brother-in-law's sugar bush to watch modern-day maple-syrup making... ...and then we dropped by my mother-in-law's house where my sister-in-law served us supper; the best bean soup I ever tasted served with Vidalia onions, summer-sausage, fresh bread and cheese! A five-star meal!!) ...but, as dear as these memories are there is somethingfar more sacred in life to make, than memories...We are called to 'make every effort' for something far more lasting! 2 Pet.1:3-10His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.Therefore, my brothers and sisters  make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In light of this, Awareness beckons us behold today with more thankful, thoughtful, sacred soul-searching! Behold the berth/birth where God’s grace is extendedWhere Life runs rife with holy beck and callDaylight dissolves heaven’s star-studded blanketFrom mercy’s fount hope-forged stepping-stones fallFrom He whose love cannot be comprehendedToday is bestowed by God, to one and all Though want and woe’s what and wherefore may varyThough no two roads of life are quite the sameNo matter what composes cares we carryRest and redemption are found in One NameFor the deathless soul, none can burn or buryJesus, the Way, Truth and Life all may claim Today is a common-ground charge, all must weatherLike a barge drawn over sky, sea and sodWhere soon the Harbour at Twilight will tetherSome to the slumber that morning will prodSome through a gate that parts, light as featherOver that last lowered gangway to God Who can afford to be calloused and carelessWhen no one knows where time’s curtain will closePity the passenger, faithless and prayerlessUnready for what Last Breath will exposeCome, bid Today reawakens awarenessTo behold berths/birth where God’s grace overflows © Janet Martin So off we go on a new Today!How many remain, only the Giver knows!