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Ashen Sky
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Soaring silhouettes on ashen sky
A backdrop painted grays of grief
Risen above trials to treasured respite
Burrowed between storms and calms reprieve
Time does not tarry until our death
Fast forward it flies unrestrained
Until today is but muted memories
for tomorrow’s tempestuous clouds of rain
to pour down drops of distilled wisdom
collected from life’s lessons learned
from pools of pain from pilgrims past
who’ve gleaned by grace they have not earned.
Wendy/2013
These bald eagles were soaring above our neighborhood. I took these photos from in our garden.
Respite Blessings ~ Wendy
If you are not presently in a valley you are either on your way out of one or on your way into one. Remembering that life ebbs and flows helps us to enjoy the up moments and not be overwhelmed by the down ones. This too shall pass.
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; Isaiah 40:31
Beautiful Wendy. Love the line, “Risen above trials to treasured respite.” I wish I could soar in to that place too.
Thank you, Don! Some respites are not very long; but, however small, we are wise to treasure them. It might just be a lovely sunset, a child’s smile, or a good cup of coffee…
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
These are beautiful and evocative words. Blessings.
Thank you! I wrote this from my heart.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
rich words … healing words … they pour into the soul … eagles … yes, they must be on God’s-favorite-list… gloomy days and grey skies, I love them … they reflect my homesick heart the best … Wendy, thank you for sharing your beautiful gift 🙂
Heidi, thank you for your kind words! You have me wondering what you are homesick for? I have been, years ago, for my hometown; however, now I look forward the ultimate Home!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Yes, homesick for Heaven!
I love the poem, Wendy. Well written and inspirational. 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer! We had some blue skies here today in place of the usual winter gray. I spent some time in the sun. I’m glad to hear that your latest storm was short-lived on the East Coast. 🙂
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Wonderful, as usual. This year in Ontario bald eagles have stayed through winter. Unusual. The Ojibwe here say it is a sign of good luck. I just think, `Neat!`
Your comment makes me smile. It always amazes me how differently people interpret the same piece of evidence.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
I *love* this poem, Wendy! Incredibly beautifully written!! 🙂 Hugs my friend
Thank you, Calee! Hugs. Bald Eagles always stir my heart. I never saw them until we moved to the coastline and away from my hometown.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Beautiful, Wendy. I pray for you today, whether you are going through a valley, or coming out of one. Thank you for your uplifting attitude and always pointing us to the One who walks with us through the valley.
Thank you, Daisy! I needed a prayer today as I struggle to find the help one of my teens needs. Doors are starting to open. Hug of appreciation to you!
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
It’s not easy parenting teenagers… I remember well many challenging days when my kids needed prayer for certain things they were going through. My kids were great, they love the Lord, but that doesn’t mean they don’t go through challenging times when their faith is tried and temptation is right in front of them. I’ve always prayed for my children that God would, “give them a heart that loves Him and seeks after Him and His Word.” I will be praying for you and for your teen today. Blessings, my friend!
Thank you, Daisy! It’s been a lot tougher before now – we’re dealing with the aftermath of a much deeper valley we went through with this lost sheep of the family… I am so thankful we got through that previous valley in one piece! Even God sometimes has trouble with his children. 🙂 Meantime the the other two have observed that it does not pay to leave the path.
What a wonderfully redemptive and encouraging message in verse, Wendy–just lovely, thank you! God bless you and your family–love, sis Caddo
Thank you, Caddo! Hugs. It is hard not to write melancholy poetry when it’s so gray out… The weather is definitely improving and I find myself spending more and more time outside. I hope you got some of the blue skies today.
Blessings dear friend & sis ~ Wendy xo
Lovely poem, carried me through it with you. Regards from chilly England. Ian
Thank you, Ian! I hope that you are not having snowfalls. We had a tiny bit earlier this week.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy 🙂
Beautiful picture of what soaring is really like – caught between the storms and the respite! Isn’t that a great way to describe how we are caught between now and glory?? There is a bit of tension there, the not-yet and the could-be and the now, all jumbled together…
Melody, I agree that ‘we are caught between now and glory’. This is our only taste of darkness that we will know… For this and other reasons we can persevere.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Hi Wendy-Lee. It’s comforting to know it will pass. Have a great weekend! Hugs Paula xx
Yes, Paula, I agree that it’s a comfort to know that storms have an end. I wish for you a peaceful weekend. Hugs!
Blessings dear Aussie friend ~ Wendy xo
You pour so much into your poems, Wendy . .so much beauty, grace and wisdom. I am reminded often that ‘fast forward it flies unrestrained.’ That really touched me, especially added with knowing we are either heading into a valley or out of one. God bless you and your special ministry to us!
Thank you, Debbie! For years I tried to avoid valleys or rebel against them. Denial or the flight/fight response just does not work. The Serenity Prayer is the best potential shortcut out of valleys.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
I felt like reading something refreshing…*searches for Wendy’s blog*…
Amazing! I really believed that your first photo was a painting..hehe Amen I am currently running out of a valley..running with joy at that:-)
I am praying for you and your family. God bless you all!
Lele, I am so glad that you are ‘running with joy’. It is crucial for me to find joy moments in the valleys too. They are the stepping stones of hope through the bog lands.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo
Yes, trials and rests alike ebb and flow. There are nudges in my heart that tell me of greater trials to come in the world…and in my own life I know that grace alone has brought me through. I long to tell others about these things, so that they’ll know all the valleys in this life can end in the most perfect glory and joy if their hearts are sealed now!
We saw a bald eagle recently in our neighborhood, too! Majestic! I reminded my dear V. of those verses in Isaiah often during his residency–quite a valley there!
My daughter has all but given up on naps, unless I snuggle her up on my lap in the chair in her room. It’s not always practical, but I have to say we both are happy and refreshed when it’s time to get up! Sometimes it’s good to be stuck and be still!
Blessings as you head into the weekend, friend–Alison
Alison, I remember well the break of having little ones nap. I’m glad to hear that you are finding a way to get a rest while helping her to nap.
Being still is a good thing.
Blessings dear friend ~ Wendy xo