A Heart That Ponders #1 . . . 11/03/09

Dear Holy Friends,   It is a cloudy day in Pennsylvania. The mild warmth yesterday was replaced with chill this morning. As I start this series this year I want to share the poem that initiated it years ago. It's nice to have you on the advent journey once again.   In His Grip, Chandra     A Heart That Ponders   There are within my mind, words and phrases, things my heart holds deep. I take memories, problems and consider them, often I lose sleep. My head is full of questions to ask, many thoughts to ponder. Mary pondered things in her heart, that fills me with wonder. I think of people we read about in the life of our Lord. I wish to chat with each of them and write down every word. And, as I start this season of love and prepare for the Savior's birth, I think I will ponder His birth to resurrection how in me God sees such worth.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, The Pondering Heart, pg 1~

The Pondering Heart . . . #1 . . .11/29/09

Dear Holy Friends,       Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Later I will send out my first Pondering Heart Poem. I will break from the Just For Today poetry and each day during December post a poem about this amazing time of year. years ago I read a book titled Mary's Journal. The author wrote the book as if it was a journal Mary kept starting with the angel visitation. While we know that wouldn't happen, we also know that Mary pondered things in her heart.     Writers are ponderers, I believe. So, for the month of December, you are invited to take a journey with me into Advent with a collection of poetry- some old, some new- about our Savior's incarnation, titled, The Pondering Heart.   In His Grip, Chandra Lynn Smith     The Pondering Heart     By: Chandra Lynn Smith     But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19                 When I was a child I marveled at the newborn baby lying in the manger and the wonder of what God did. As a teenager, I became filled with awe at the fact that Mary was my age when she birthed my Savior. Marriage brought new meaning to the responsibilities Joseph and Mary struggled with daily. But, motherhood taught me the true meaning of treasuring things and pondering them in my heart. The scope and breadth of Jesus' birth and life becomes more powerful when examined through the eyes and heart of a mother.             This book is a compilation of several years of my Christmas Poetry series, A Heart That Ponders. Advent is the season of waiting. As we wait a mere few weeks for our Savior's birth we can learn from the hearts of those who experienced it first hand and their ancestors who waited years for their Savior. May the miracle of Jesus' birth bring new grace into each of your lives. Thanks for inviting me into your season. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless you this year and in the years to come.                                                                             Chandra Lynn Smith                                                                         InHisGrip59@aol.com                                                                         ChandraLynnS@gmail.com

Just For Today . . .the short list . . .11/26/09

 

Dear Holy Friends,  Happy Thanksgiving! I love this day of family. I also love the way my house already smells like a feast at 6:00 am! Have a great day, and keep focused on the things you are thankful for this day!   In His Grip, Chandra   The Short List sunrise, sunset     rain, wind         and snow clouds, storms     thunder and         rainbows flowers, trees     grass, dirt         and weeds corn, tomatoes     things grown         from seeds hummingbirds     songbirds, tadpoles         and frogs hawks soaring     cats, deer         and dogs friends, family     house full         of love blessings     abundant         thanking             God above.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~

Just For Today . . . nothing unknown . . . 11/24/09

Dear Holy Friends,   I got an email yesterday from my college roommate. Now, while I had a bunch of them the four years I was in college, Becky is the one I really call my college roommate. She and I are still close though miles separate us. It seems that one of the sweetest, strongest men I have ever known is dying. Her father. How difficult this holiday season will be for them, knowing it is his last. Goodness, he's such a dear man. No matter how long it had been since I saw him he always welcomed me as if I was his other daughter . . . and in some ways I guess I was.   InHisGrip, Chandra   Nothing Unknown you face a trial     don't know what to do         nowhere to turn             no way through you suffer loss     the pain is so great         no way to see             past this day his body hurts     cancer, chronic pain         no way to feel             normal again uncertain life     feeling all alone         scary future             all unknown nothing's unknown     in His loving care         run to Jesus             He's waiting there .   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~

Just For Today . . . Run Like I Was Washed . . . 11/20/09

Dear Holy Friends,   We are watching our old best friend dwindle. Jasper is only eleven, which is not old for a Labrador Retriever. However, he has a liver condition that causes seizures. That has aged him faster and he is an old dog. He's losing weight, not eating well, weakening. Yet, he still goes outside and runs and plays frisbee with joy. It is so hard to say this slow good-bye to him. But I am thankful for his loyal companionship over the years. I dug this poem out of my files today because of how I enjoy watching him run to catch the frisbee.   In His Grip, Chandra     Run Luke I Was Washed The dogs run with joy abandoning stress only moments ago   they looked a mess.   They got a bath something they hate the process of cleansing a terrible fate.   But now they are clean run happily around I could learn a lesson from the dogs on the ground.   I want to run like I was washed abandoning stress Jesus cleansing my soul when life becomes a mess.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith~