Forest Retreat

On the pine-needle carpet through dappled light
They walked through tall trees
To where water shone bright
Old woman, young child, their hands held tight.

Mosses, lichens, bright green ferns
Bordered their path as it downward turned.
In that mystical realm of beauty and peace
They looked in awe and their talking ceased.

In the haunting quiet they heard a faint cry
“Please will you help me, or I’ll die!”
Looking down they saw a tiny fern man
Holding an acorn cup in his hand.

The small boy went down the stream with the cup
Dipped in the water and filled it up.
“I’ll always remember what you have done.
Thank you so much,” Fern man said and was gone.

They continued to sit in enchantment and wonder
Until they heard rumbling of distant thunder
It was time to leave this ethereal place
Reluctant return to the human race.

Ruth Jessup

Bow & Arrow

Today is the day that you release
Your child to the care of another
Of course it will be difficult
You love him* so much, you’re his mother.

But today you must remember this
That a child is a gift from the Lord
And if you want to see him thrive
You need to loosen the cord.

He has His plan for your young one
And though it’s very hard today
In love you need to release the string
To let the arrow go on its way.

This is the first of many times
You will have to say goodbye
Surrendering your child is really loving him
Even if he needs to cry.

And you too will feel wretched
Even have tears too
But give him into God’s hands
Keep praying for him as you do.

He will then grow up to be an adult
Who can stand with God’s help on his own
And you will have done a good job
For God only gives children on loan.

Psalm 127:4

Ruth Jessup

*’he/him’ can be replaced by ‘she/her’

Stones

Stones are neither good nor bad
It all depends on use
They can be made into a house
Or thrown in abuse.

Stones can cause people to trip
Hinder plants from growing
They certainly need to be removed
From the ground before there is sowing.

Picked up one by one from a field
They can become dry stone walling
Each one fitted to the next
In such a way that stops them from falling.

People are really like these stones
Except that they are living
And each one needs to support the next
By accepting and generously giving.

The first and foremost Living Stone
Is Jesus Christ, God’s Son
He is the true foundation
The most important Cornerstone.

Ecclesiastes 3:5

Ruth Jessup

Release

An empty nest?

Having done my best
I must let go
Continue to care
But not caretake
This will make
The fledglings fly
Say goodbye
Yet not forever.

By releasing my hold
I break the mould
So that each may find
The person they are
Away from my care.
Once secure
On their own
They will return
With mature love
The tables will turn
When I need care
They will be there
For me.

Ruth Jessup

The Special Bond

There’s a bond of love
A very special bond
Between grandchildren
And their ‘grans’*
Who have so much time
And love to share
They become each other’s
Biggest fans.

So parents be willing
To share with your parent
Your children who can bless
Bring new life into ageing ones
Reason for living and great happiness.

*‘grans’ = grandparents

Ruth Jessup

Parenthood

Are you willing to pay the price?
The price of being a parent?
It takes more than money and time.
It takes long-term commitment.
Sacrificial dedication.
Provision, not only materially, but emotionally.
Security and constancy are essential if a child is going to grow
Into a well-rounded adult.
Above all, a child needs to know and experience
Faithful, consistent love
And affirmation at all times.
Are you willing to do this?
Are you willing to pay the price?

Ruth Jessup

Baby Lessons

So many lessons I’m learning
From my tiny new born grandson
When he’s hungry he’s fed
Distressed he gets cuddled
Tired he gets tucked up in bed.

He receives all he needs
Without ever asking
His parents are always there
They don’t ever need to be told
Just give tender loving care

And I have been thinking
I am much like that babe
God provides for me every day
I don’t have to ask He knows what I need
Yet loves to listen to me when I pray.

Ruth Jessup

On The Seashore

A very small boy with his whole life before
Today so enjoyed being on the seashore
He was watched by his gran nearer the end of her time
Who rejoiced to see such excitement sublime.

Such enthusiastic anticipation
With screams and shouts of jubilation
As each gentle wave rolled in and got near
The very small boy gradually lost his fear.

At first with caution, tentative toe-dipping
Then as the water touched him, backward skipping
Till eventually he became quite brave
Exuberantly chasing and kicking each wave.

A gran quietly sitting on her chair
Watched her young grandson so free from care
Prayed that such irrepressible joy
Would stay with him when he’s no longer a boy.

That as a man he would always keep this elation
When the ripples in time become an ocean
That he’d never lose this gladsomeness
But retain all his life this ebullient zest.

Ruth Jessup

The Scan

Today I saw a three month old baby
Completely hidden from sight
Being formed in utter seclusion
In the dark, yet in God’s light.

Each delicate part being formed
Woven together in the womb
For in the darkness where no one can see
This baby’s in God’s waiting room.

Awaiting the day when all is complete
We humans call it the birth day
But for God the day was nine months ago
The creation of His new protegé.

Each moment he recorded in His book
Every part knitted one by one
Carefully watching as each was formed
Until the complex work was done.

God knows everything about this baby
Has already charted its way
At such marvellous revelations
I stand in wonder, awe and praise.

Psalm 139

Ruth Jessup

Pure Love

Why does my small grandson bring me such joy?
How does he fill me with hope?
Because his love is unconditional.
In his innocence he does not judge me.
He always accepts me as I am.
The radiance of his face and beaming smile are never fake.
His whole, small body emanates pleasure when he sees me.
His love is not made up but is totally real flowing from a pure heart.
At his young age he has not been tainted by cynicism or distrust.
He gives of himself sacrificially in a humble way with no realisation of his giving.

I am so grateful for his exuberant zest for life.
I pray God will restore in me that pure, unjudgmental love and the joy of life of a small child.

Ruth Jessup