Internal Exhale...

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Phil.4:4-6(read the whole glorious chapter )Rejoice in the Lord always.Again I will say, rejoice!Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. O, I have ceased the need to rush as if my life depends on itContent to watch the hush of dawn dissolve the darkness once again... O, I have ceased to strain on reins that once vexed youth's audacityContent to bask in the delight of little children, starry-eyed... To marvel at a world a-thunder with God's creativity... (I would love if someone could ID this bird! It fluttered/ ran ahead of me,a bit curious at the intruder 😅)forgive my blurry zoom lens Content to learn from weightless wings, unhindered by tomorrow's careTo be taught by Child's innocence is to be astonished by joy... 'o-h--h! I can't wait till three o'clock, snack time!!!' sighedMiss Sweet as sweet-can-be at two-thirty.'Oh my! replied I, completely at a loss as how to live up to her anticipation/expectation.'Do you like popcorn?' I asked, relieved I had one snack staple on hand.Her pause suggested a 'no'. 'Actually, what I am really wishing for is fresh bran muffins' (NOT what I was expecting at all, but so relieved. lol!)'Guess what?!" I said. 'This very morning I was wishing for fresh bran muffins!!' So, fresh bran muffins it was 💖😋 The day before our snack was  (click link) and Little Helper's verdict; so YUMMY!They are the perfect mid-afternoon slump snack O, I have ceased the need to rush as if my life depends on itContent to watch the hush of dawn dissolve the darkness once againTo light Time's face with God's kind grace outpoured for our benefitTo tune the countenance of hope with love and joy and peace. Amen O, I have ceased to strain on reins that once vexed youth's audacityContent to bask in the delight of little children, starry-eyedTo marvel at a world a-thunder with God's creativityTo linger in November's dusk; brusque blush and blue-bathed countryside O, I have ceased the futile quest of clinging to what none can claimContent to let the gauze hemline of seasons slip through unclenched willTo be still and know He who fills boundless firmaments with His NameAnoints each moment with His brush, as Today's Masterpieces spill O, I have ceased to Want for things, whose ownership death will destroy Content to learn from weightless wings, unhindered by tomorrow's careTo be taught by Child's innocence is to be astonished by joyAs meeker gratitude enriches happiness beyond compare O, I have ceased to be encumbered by Bygones I cannot wrest Content to concentrate on faces and favours still within reach To let the sorrows of this world be comforted by Heaven's BestAnd wonder at the holy pleasure only God, through grief, can teach O, I have ceased to pursue answers for His higher thoughts and waysContent to know thatThan I can think to think; then, with nothing but humbler, purer praise To take up faith's cross like a child, and trust God for what lies before O, I have ceased the need to rush as if my life depends on itContent to watch the brush of dawn undo the darkness once againAnd light Time's face with God's kind grace outpoured for our benefitTo tune the countenance of hope with love and joy and peace. Amen © Janet Martin While I was wrestling with the second last stanza of this poem my daughter, Victoria sent me a message, simply this;Enjoying this collection of hymns this morning 😊(and suddenly, as I listened, like a little miraclethe words fell into place!) Thank-you God, for 'faces and favours still within reach' !Thank-you for my family and friends, pouring out/in so many precious waysto comfort me 🙏Bless each one today!