Patience

Not the most unique/original metaphors here, I suppose, but I hope you enjoy and are encouraged by this little poem, which was written for myself, mainly.


"Patience," said the old oak tree.
"Soon, little acorn, you'll be big like me."
"You'll have to dig up through the dirt.
It'll take some work, but then up you'll spurt.
Look up to the sun and drink it in,
And take some showers till you're quenched within."

"But, oh! It will be so hard to wait!
The trees tower o'er me and I feel so late."

"Do all that you can not to stay in the shade.
Stretch out your leaves and don't be afraid.
The more you take in the faster you'll grow.
Thank God for each inch; shake the bugs off below.
God knows every season, they're in His command,
So trust in His wise, omnipotent hand!"

-M.A.M. (7-16-11)

Psalm 33:16-17

Psalm 33:13-15

A Mother's Place

A mother's place
Is in the home,
Watching o'er the
Ways of her own;
To work and care,
Provide and teach,
Extend her hand
Far as can reach.

A mother's words
Are wise and kind,
Her children all
Are on her mind.
She fears the LORD
More than can say,
And we all praise
Her on this day!

-Melissa M., with love to her mom
(Based on Proverbs 31)

Quotes

From The Treasury of David:

'God deserves blessing with the heart, and extolling with the mouth--good thoughts in the closet, and good words in the world.'

And to go along with it I recently read these verses in the Psalms:

'I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.'
(Psalm 34:1)

'I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise You among many people.'
(Psalm 35:18)

'And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.'
(Psalm 35:28)

Painting is from poster.com (Promenade by Monet)

Jane Austen Tour Blog Contest

Here is my entry for the contest. Just in time! I wasn't planning to enter at first, but I had fun painting this today with watercolors. It shows up a little grainier than in real life, as I had to take a photograph of it. Click for larger image.

And here's a shot of the painting as it was in progress, and the two pictures I based it on:

The Winner of the Art Poll Is...

orman Rockwell! He is one of my favorites, too. His paintings evoke the charm of yesteryear, with closer-knit families, outdoor playing, etc. And the detail of his paintings are stunning! Not to say every one of the paintings is perfect in subject matter, but a vast number of them are good.

Since he won the poll (3 votes), I decided to share some of his pictures here. Click Here for more of his work.


Coming in second on the poll were Monet and "Other"....Third place is tied between Van Gogh, Waterhouse, and Cassatt.

Coming Home

Coming Home by Melissa M. (9-18-09)

So many things take our hearts and affections,
Distractions abound.
But nothing fulfills like the Word of God,
His grace will surround.
When wandering to wells deep but broken,
We drink empty foam.
Learning about Jesus, God in the flesh,
Is like coming home.

From Another Sore Fit by Anne Bradstreet

In my distress I sought the Lord 

When naught on earth could comfort give, 

And when my soul these things abhorred,

 Then, Lord, Thou said’st unto me, “Live.”

Thou knowest the sorrows that I felt; 

My plaints and groans were heard of Thee, 

And how in sweat I seemed to melt 

Thou help’st and Thou regardest me.

 

My wasted flesh Thou didst restore, 

My feeble loins didst gird with strength, 

Yea, when I was most low and poor, 

I said I shall praise Thee at length.

 

What shall I render to my God 

For all His bounty showed to me? 

Even for His mercies in His rod, 

Where pity most of all I see.

 

My heart, I wholly give to Thee; 

O make it fruitful, faithful Lord. 

My life shall dedicated be 

To praise in thought, in deed, in word.

 

Thou know’st no life I did require 

Longer than still Thy name to praise, 

Nor ought on earth worthy desire, 

In drawing out these wretched days.

 

Thy name and praise to celebrate, 

O Lord, for aye is my request. 

O grant I do it in this state, 

And then with Thee, which is the best.

 

' “ Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the LORD, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the LORD. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.' -Jeremiah 2:9-13

(Paintings by Benjamin Leader and James Tissot)

Independence

Our country has fallen in many ways, and was never perfect, but I am thankful for it and the freedoms that God has yet allowed us to retain.

'How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!' ~Thomas Jefferson

Titus 2 Women...Links

"The Clothes Line" by Helen Allingham

Womanhood has changed over the years. Today most women seem to want to throw off the old norms of staying home and raising children. Even some who stay home are not becoming the best homemakers. I see more and more how I fail in this. Can this change? I believe it can, if I trust God and earnestly desire and seek His molding of my heart. He alone can change me. Please pray for me.

So, as I am not really qualified to write about this as of yet, I will post links about it.

This is a wonderful little article by the Serven Clan about the ways you can be a spiritual mother and daughter:
Spiritual Mothers and Daughters

Here is a daughter whom, I believe, has been well-occupied in her time, and seeks to improve daily. She seems to take delight in cooking and does beautiful work. Please take a look at her two articles:
Women Who Have Gone Before Us

Never Underestimate the Significance of...