New Year's Day

So the year begins again.

Last year wiped away,

with all its highs and lows.

Births, weddings and funerals
counted out.
Statistics to some;
great wonder,

joyous celebration,

or deep tragedy,
to others.

Successes and failures
surfacing in the melting pot of life,
to be scooped off
and observed temporarily.

Trophies placed on shelves to gather dust.
Pain and disappointment
compartmentalized
by coping mechanisms.

Jobs gained and lost.
Friendships found and faltered.
Books read
and movies watched.

Snippets of significant conversations
lodged with vivid memories.
Thousands of others
wrapped in forgetful fog.

Goals accomplished.
Some still pending.
Dreams fulfilled,
or badly broken.

Last year was full of these things.
Each year is,
and always will be,
until the end of this world.

We only truly understand another's journey,
when we have been touched by life in the same way.

Yet let us be there for each other,
even in our part understanding,
as this New Year is ushered in.

Let us trust the One

who gives us such a grace filled opportunity

to see a New Year in again.

New Year's Resolutions

Will I be resolute in my resolutions, precise in my planning?

Will I set achievable goals, or will they morph overnight

into impossible hurdles?

Will I create a perfect picture to step into,

or a particular pickle I will have to be extracted from?

So many options and so few lifetimes to achieve them.

Only one in fact, so I better get serious and stop this dilly dallying,

and procrastinating performance,

and actually get on with something that really matters to me,

and maybe to someone else,

if it's ripple will go out at least a little way.

Not enough time to accomplish great things,

but maybe enough to act in some small way,

that will make a difference on the Earth.

Grand schemes have a way of stubbornly sticking to the paper 

they were written on.

Better a post it note worth of idea achieved,

than a compendium of unrealized dreams.

Life has a funny way of rushing onwards when you are not noticing,

and you find yourself looking back wondering what might have been,

if you had been willing to take one step.

One giant leap is not necessary,

a good idea that leads to something, however small, is enough.

Life cannot contain too many extraordinary feats by noteworthy individuals,

but it is plenty big enough

for you and for me.

Hurry up and come inside

 Hurry up and come inside,

or you'll be caught in the storm,

wondering why no one warned you.

There's a storm coming,

just saying,

and we haven't seen such a big one

in our generation.

Flight or fight,

or maybe both responses,

will happen,

without you saying a word.

I put my hand on your shoulder.

Hush now.

There is no more time for preparation.

The storm will have its way,

and destruction will be seen

in its wake.

But then the dawn will come,

and we will see clearly.

Now come inside before it's too late. 

Fulfilment

There is a sense of fulfilment that people search for their entire lives
but can never find
because they are looking in the wrong places
at the wrong times
with the wrong people.

Life is full of tragedies that come from this
frantic
destructive
searching.

Some seek fulfilment in noise
some in pleasure
some in hard work
some in fame.

We look at the richly famous,
the very attractive people,
ambassadors for all that is desirable in the world.
We hang on their every word,
until the day they fall from their shiny pedestal,
leaving others to rake through the ashes of their lives.

There is a fulfilment
so simple
so profound
that everyone can receive it.
It's the fulfilment of a promise made to the first of humankind.

Grace and truth lived among us.
It's what we celebrate at Christmas.
God was born as a baby.
His name is Jesus.

Welcome

 I was intending to write a book of poetry, but then I thought I could share my thoughts further afield through a blog. So here it is, and I hope "Words For Your Journey" will be a blessing, and help wrap words around our shared experiences of life. Many blessings, Sarah.