Believe...

Awaiting in space and time
With everything around without rhyme

Just standing in the blackness and smoke
Remembering Faith is not seeing but stands in Hope

Hope and promises of things unseen
Believing in Him and walking free

Free of fears and what is known
Free of bondage which once did tightly hold

"They say many things.."
However "they" go on what they see
Yet I choose to stand firm on thee

All is not lost just because it looks dead
For in the winter the life is restoring in grounds bed

We know that spring will come
Though we don't see it..life soon will be sprung
From the hard, cold, broken ground
After time and His hand has strengthened roots all around

Even in the quiet pain
Here I am standing in faith

Stand in the rain
Of hardship and change

Going beyond what you see
For in the winter roots are set free
To grow stronger and deeper
By the hand of the Creator

And when Life springs forth
You'll know that your Faith helped you stand the coarse.

He does not lie
He is Faithful in deed
He is the Master of all
He is HE

So here I stand
Beyond what I see
Standing in Faith
Believing in HE.

Restoring Me (March 15, 2009)

Restored, renewed, reminded what's true!

What no man can see or fathom, God can absolutely do!
Know Who has complete control
Stands in fullness with strength untold.

Time is not a bondage
Faith is belief in action
Not to what is seen or heard
But upon the One who gave it for the undeserved.

The darkness come and waves mount high
My eyes are lifted to the Creator of the tide.
We dance upon the beach without fear
As he draws and holds me near.

I am His desire
And forever He is mine.
He knows the inner workings of me
Before I was even in the womb to be seen.

He created every detail, personality, gifts, limits ... all
He knew and knows when I will walk tall or fall
Yet still He longingly waits to pour out His grace
And draw me into His saving embrace.

So I'll not cry because what I have lost
Though some tears may come, it shows my heart is still soft.
And soft is exactly what one's heart should me
To be molded more like Him and less of me.

Continue restoring me, oh Lord,
One layer at a time.
I love you everyday even more.

Triumph in the darkness

Triumph in the midst of these

Every breath to eternity 

Will sing His praise regardless of what's seen

For my eyes are placed upon the Unseen.

I've got the victory

For He has set me free

Though I walk through the fiery furnace

No more tethers binding me.

Trusting Him 

Loving Him

Seeking Him

Remain in Him

for there is my Fortress 

Which will long withstand

The trials cast by the enemies hand.

He allows them for greater purpose unseen

Drawing me ever deeper into Him and not of me.

I am NOT alone

Heartbreaking 

Soul aching

Loud shattering crack

every essence 

of all with in

has felt as if it was never coming back

none of it is meant to be

handled on my own

life is not such a simple task 

where you walk the path alone.

it's in the hands of the the One who knows

through his humiliation, thrashings, and scars

all the pain, sorrows, and unknowns

for he knows our every part

from beginning to end

he knows no bounds

to stop him or contain

so i release it all 

my love, tears, and pain 

for him to restore, redeem, and renew again

my everlasting saving grace.

though the storm keeps crashing down 

as i lose all that I have held so dear

he will take good care that I do not drown

for he can see things more clear

no doubts consume the broken halls

no trial do i run from him again

i've done that once and had my fall

never do i desire that same abyss 

so hope and longing 

are hung like stars

with unconditional love the sky

for he created all of it

and hears my every cry

so i cry....broken at his feet

huddled in his arms of grace and mercy

i am not alone.

Heart of Openness (March 21, 2009)

Open heart,
mind,
and soul.
All is Yours the I may be whole
(and not mine)

Not pieces,
all broken
mourning for all
the broken,
weary,
lost....
all those that are closing you off.

May he seek You.
Long for only You.
To draw closer to the Light that is You.

I release it all
within my brokeness
That you may heal
And draw him closer hence.
To Your freedom
Glory be to You.

I am nothing without all of You!
You are my completeness
You are faithful too
All I am is found only in You!

You've granted me mercy
Poured on your grace
All that I may walk fully
to you

My heart is open.

Cojourner...

On the path we need not stray

For we are not alone as it may seem

We look forward in to the dark unknown

A light gives hope

And a hand throws a rope.

So walk be for me

Light the way

Gliding along the rope

The line of Hope for me today.

--jeanette mayhew 1/4/2009

in response to a piece written by my friend jlo at Zany life + Crazy faith.

Sanctuary of Grace

Do you ever have one of those "Cozy-Comfy" days?

You know.. the kind where all you really want to do is enjoy the sweet comfort of plush blankets, over sized chair, a cup of warm yumminess, and gentle "take me a way" read (or in my case relational mystery with heart racing intensity). When there is not a clock or alarm in sight. The house is nearly empty... maybe a resident or two that have the same intentions as you, to embrace the grace and simply be. For my home that would be Max... whose purr could soothe the most restless of souls.... and Moki.... who responds to the spirit of those around once he has had his needs (outside necessities) taken care of.

The kind of day that has a blanket of gray, with silver, lining the sky. The kind of day where there are no "to-do's" and "have-to's". They may exist but you choose to let them wait one more day. The kind of day where you turn off the ringer on the phone and turn the volume down on the answering machine. The kind of day that encourages you, and you concede in the weary battle, to TURN OFF the cellphone and computer.

This little place of sanctuary simply set up to have all of your "needs", such as chocolate, fruits, nuts, water, tissues/hankie (depending on the book), journal, pencil, and other fun commodities, within arms reach. Acoustic styling of coffee house types are filling the air with embracing tones of smooth lulls while the remote is close at hand if you choose to change the "mood"from guitar to piano or saxophone. In my space of tranquility I would also have close my bible and snail mail paper. Whatever happened to simple writing a letter and sending your jots of yesterday down the way?? I tend to keep mine collected ... needing only to be put in the mail. Silly isn't it, but it is what it is.

Such a day that you wonder why they don't come around much. Yet, in that succulent stillness, you hear a tender whisper ... "Where have you been? I have missed you and awaited so longingly for you to return." You turn to find that whisper ... and it is the gentle voice that can not be seen but heard on these wondrous days. It is accompanied by the sigh of our heart and a sense of belonging.

I desperately need those days. He calls me to them and longs for the moments.Yet ... there are times I catch myself rushing by and yelling back, "I promise to come another day." No... no more. I must begin to slow my self down and take in these days and these moments within the busy days. Take time to rest and find what I've missed in the fast pace of things... grace.

In my days I will choose to saunter,

to take my time and learn to wander.

not always on a "have to" deed

but choosing more of a "need to" lead.

Tomorrow will come without our help

So today just stop and rest a spell.

Get going a little earlier to conquer the "musts"

This way you can prop up those barkin' pups.

If in your day you find "there's not enough time"

What is it that is sucking you dry

from all your creativity,

joy

rest

peace

because nothing is worth the death of me.

We have many things to help "simplify"

So since when did we allow them to run our life?

These are not only questions for you but me

Because I am choosing my Grace Sanctuary.

--jeanette mayhew 11/19/08

May each of you find your day and moments in the Sanctuary of Grace. :) I have truly enjoyed the delicious joys of such a gift in this new journey of my chapter. :)

Sitting in my Abba's Chair

I sat at the Lord's feet today
Enjoying my daily bread
And as I feasted generously
This is what He said:



"My Child, My beloved, your care is mine
There is no fear,anxiety or no need to hide.

I've treasured our moments,
this time with you and I.
Please do not forget,
You need this quiet time.

You lose yourself in the people
yet your heart I know is mine.
So while we sit
nourishing a bit
I'ld like you to hear the heart of Mine.
Tuck into your sweet memory
the freedom and rest you have now.
You are not ment to carry
such heavy burdens alone
and "fix the world".
That is my job dear one.
My plans intwined, detailed, and not clearly understood.

So as you are nurished
being rebuilt in your heart and soul,
Remember what these moments are like
so you do not go out Alone.

This is my plan for you everyday
To sit with me and sup'.
Then WE will strike out together
Reaching the world in Love.

Your Security, Strength and Value
will not lose it's way.
For the One who has sanctified you
Will remind you each moment of your day.

So remember, My dear, how this feels
How truly effortless it is
To sit right here in your Creator's lap
Recieving all I have to give.
I love you."

So in the moments
when life becomes
simply to much to bare
Ask yourself
"Have I eaten to day?
Have I rested in my Abba's chair?"

He is there with you in each new step,
for Him they are old.
For He is now and will forever be
The beginning and end, the one who Created your Soul.

You are Loved.--- 11/04/08 jeanette mayhew

**************************************************
This poem came bubbling out of my heart as a bubbling brook created as the clean winter melts from the mountain tops.

(picture "Chair under tree" by emile on flickr)

Let Me Lead

There are things I wonder
but do not show
like how to be me
but do not overflow
people with to much
for that is always said
"you are just to much"
"you try too hard my friend"

It is such a balance
each step you take
to be kind to others
and yet be true to the wake
of emotions that rise
and boundaries that cross
how do i "do this life"
without creating a cost?

A cost to my heart
as it breaks into pieces
a cost to my true self
as it gets lost in the seasons

So much to learn
but all i have is time
so I'll just sit at His feet
and allow Him to sort my life.

It's an interesting thing
to simply stop and rest
to not try so hard
and just learn from the best

He created this being
so all i need to do is be
He makes no mistakes
as He created you and me

There are choices we make
lessons we learn
sometimes we run to fast
we leave the Coach at the turn
heading the wrong direction
we run deeper in the dark
not knowing where we are heading
without His light to illuminate as we embark
on new territories and some times old
it is in those spaces
there are wounds we've left alone

So in these travels
I will learn to walk slow
trusting His grace and mercy
to unfold
to light the darkness
lead me on my way
I have know idea how to deal
with much more than today.

There will be times
He will call me to sit
to rest a while
simply listen
no need to ask "why?" like a child of three
just sit and listen
for there is much to glean

Then He'll take my hand
in the gentlest way
and say
"It's okay, I've got you. Let Me Lead"
And you'll begin again
in this dance we call life
but not alone in the darkness
no...
with the Lover of your Soul and Life.

(pictures shown here are from flickr. 1st picture is by FLUK ... 2nd picture is by queen'slace. Thank you to both for sharing your art with us.)

Ready to Move

Standing

Watching

Waiting

Pondering

Uncertain

At Peace

Heart pacing

Like a new father in a waiting room

Mind rushing

Like the anchor of a 300 sprint relay

Still I wait

"Peace that surpasses all understanding" *

As I wait on Him

Positioned for action

Anticipating to move

Still I wait

Knowing I would take off

Like a Cheetah on the hunt

Focused

Determined

Striving my utmost

He whispers "wait"

To run too far ahead

Lost, I will be

For the Light would be behind me

So I wait

Then...

amidst the gentle, quiet thunder

"Move"

(*Phillipians 4:7a NIV Study Bible)

Beauty in Pain

there is beauty in times of pain

when we step back and see what is gained.

never forgetting the lessons learned

a heart that has been hurt yet still has passion to yearn.

taking a moment to assess the risk

leaves you still waiting on that perfect bliss

there is never a good time to take the leap

the fact that there is yearning means the pain may cut deep.

one must not fret, for you are not alone.

there is a healing touch that will ease the scars you own.

they will not fade as if to not exist

they are meant to remind you how to truly feel a simple sweet kiss

for without pain how do we know joy

and without that knowledge... life would be a ploy

offering nothing more than the mundane

with no adventure and nothing to gain.

so do not fret if a tear you shed
seek out the hidden treasures instead

they are there and not always easy to see

once you've learned to look, it will be more than it seemed

back in the day when all you saw was darkness

making such discovery will bring out the brightness.

it is never easy to take that step

allowing your heart out there once and again

yet watch as a child gets hurt in a day

a few minutes later they invite to play.

so simple and sweet a gesture...bringing adults to their knees

remembering what it was to have such innocent peace

they don't have to remind themselves "tomorrow's a new day"

they simply let it all fall away

let's make an effort to have that child like care

and use the wisdom of age to leave selfishness there

in the wake of yest er year.