Christ in the Wilderness

Christ in the Wilderness by Stanley Spencer

Christ in the Wilderness

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

Larger than life am I, thy Lord, and yet

I too must wander in the wilderness,

must wield the crushing weight of man's distress,

must cleanse the fallen earth in blood and sweat.

Until my vow to save and bless is met,

such godly power in me I do repress

as would escape the pain and wretchedness

that summon me to pay my brother's debt.

There is no gentler sacrifice for me;

of my own will, I drink the bitter cup.

For I must conquer death to set men free,

that all the world, through me, be lifted up.

My life I lay down gladly to this end

and hope that every soul might call me Friend.

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Birthday Blessings

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Jenny Matlock's Warm Heart Wednesday is here again, and these two little rascals are always good for inspiring that warm and fuzzy feeling in Grandma's heart. They are a year old today, and what immeasurable joy they have brought to our lives!

I hope you'll agree that these munchkins are just about as cute as they come! (In the event you don't agree, feel free to fake it.)

;)

Away and Away

photo by Caroline Knopf

Away and Away

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

Away and away to the black-bottomed sea

sailed her man on a whim and a wave.

"No creature above or below escapes me!"

was the promise his blushing bride gave.

Harpoon in hand, she stood vigil by day

and by night cast a net in her dreams.

Her veil was the mist, trimmed in fine ocean spray,

and her tears ran in saltwater streams.

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Thine Arm Is Ample

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I am really enjoying Jenny Matlock's new Warm Heart Wednesday meme. Last week I shared the poem I wrote for my mom when she and my stepfather were having a rough time with their health. Today, I am sharing the words I wrote for him. The poor guy has been having some atrial fibrillation ablation complications, along with an autoimmune anemia that has been pretty resistant to treatment. Thankfully, he is improving at last, but I was happy to find this image to warm his heart and mine, reminding us that the Lord really is there for His children when we need Him most.

image credited to LDS Church

Thine Arm Is Ample

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

When I am weakened by the pain,

the sorrow every life must bear,

I reach out for thy steadfast hand

and feel a sacred presence there.

Thine arm is ample for the load;

my burden does not weigh thee down.

Thy loving kindness lifts me up

and carries me through rocky ground.

My strength is ever in thee, Lord,

and I shall offer up my part:

a humble mind, a seeking soul,

a constant and believing heart.

∞§∞

"And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of the earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."  D&C 78:18

In Weather

Adolphe Valette

In Weather

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

I went to England once.

London, not Manchester.

Rained cold, a bit sideways.

Dark, dreadful, dingy.

Under the weather.

I ran watered streets.

Unbooted, blithely undone.

Up, down, willy nilly.

Slowed through Piccadilly.

Magic.

Steve Lavelle 2015

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