Time

No time to count stars or to make daisy chains
To wait on bridges to watch the trains

No time to just sit and admire Grandma knit
To enjoy baby’s smile, watch sheep jump a stile.

No time to sit beneath the trees
Delight in sunlight filtering through leaves.

Listen to grasses gently swaying
Whispering as if they are quietly praying.

No time to smell roses along the way
Or admire the sunset at the end of the day.

It is certainly sad if I don’t have time
To count the seconds till Big Ben chimes.

Reminding me that time’s passing by
And so much to savour before I die.

So many good things, completely free
Before I pass out of time to eternity.

And no time to hear what God has to say
“I’m just too busy.  Go away!”

Ruth Jessup

My Times

What happened in the past is gone
It will never come back again
I may be regretting something I did
But what happened remains the same.

Nothing I can do will change the past
No matter how hard I may try
So I leave the regrets of yesterday
Forget all the “what-ifs” and “why?”

I will move into the present
Seizing every minute afresh
God is giving me a second chance
Promising He will bless.

Bless as I give back to Him
With confidence, each new day
Trusting He will always be with me
Showing me what to do and say.

He’s fitting the past and present together
Into a glorious tapestry
Gently weaving the threads in and out
With the future I cannot see.

All my times are in God’s hands
I would never wish them elsewhere
For He is faithful; never changing
I’m secure in His loving care.

Psalm 31:15
Jonah 3:1

Ruth Jessup

A Gift

It’s early morning
I have a gift to unwrap
What will I find within?

This gift is especially for me
Even before I see the contents
I am curious and excited.

This is no ordinary gift
It’s not Christmas or my birthday
It’s a gift from my father
My father who loves me
Knows me so well
Gives me so much.

The wrapping removed
I discover my gift
Hundreds of minutes
Too many to count
For me to have and enjoy.
I turn to my father
“Thank you, Thank you,” I say.

With eager expectation
I jump up to use my gift
Enjoy my day.

Ruth Jessup

Colours to the Mast

Ruth Jessup

My Horizon

God knows my name
Where I am
How to find me.

I am in time
God is in timelessness
I only know the present and past
God knows the future
I am on earth
In one place at a time
God is in heaven
Yet everywhere at once.

God is intrinsic love
My love is responsive
I am human
God is divine
God is holy
I am not.

God sees me
I only see
Through a glass
Darkly
But I do see.

God
Be my horizon.

Ruth Jessup

Time To Eternity

Time inexorably moves along
Never waiting for anyone
But there was a time when it stopped for me
The day I realised you were gone.

Gone forever leaving me on my own
Engraving deeply on my mind
That from that moment on you would never return
Unlike past absences we had left behind.

So many hours in retirement of being together
So much time to spend when we could be
Loving, working, playing, memory building
To guide and sustain from time to eternity.

Ruth Jessup

NOW

Enjoy today
This NOW in time
The track you are on
May be narrow
Long
Very entangled
Overgrown
But
Live in the present
Keep walking on
Look about
For very near
There are things to delight
Excite
Thrill
If you only take time
To appreciate
People
Places
Little things
Perfumes of flowers
Butterfly wings
That fill each moment
NOW.

When the track ends
Surrounded by friends
All the ups and downs
Twists and turns
Will have enriched
Refined
Enhanced your life
And looking back
You will say
God blessed my way
And now I can see
What happened to me
Was all meant to be
For my good.

Romans 8:29

Ruth Jessup

Day and Night

God knew that humans could not comprehend
The eternity concept… no beginning or end
So He devised portions of time, day and night
Years, months, weeks; hours; darkness and light.
Now if we follow His plan of sleep, work and rest
Our rhythm of life He’ll abundantly bless.

Ruth Jessup

Time

Time is chasing us all
Will some time catch up
So embrace every day
Treasure each moment
Life is precious
Death comes fast
Never waste a second
Consider each day your last
Share love extravagantly
Always part amicably
Then when time catches you
There’ll be no regrets.

Ruth Jessup

Slow Down

I didn’t have any time; I didn’t have any space
My everyday life was moving at such a pace!
But now Holy Spirit has convicted me
I need to slow down and be still
If I want to have real joy in my life
Feel God’s love; know His peace; do His will.

Ruth Jessup