While going over Mom’s poems and stories I came across this letter to the editor published in our local paper in the early 70’s.  It may be 30 something but it carries a truth that stands the test of time.

Cleaning Up The Environment

(published in Times West Virginian 1970 something)

We have heard so much talk these days of the need to clean up our atmosphere, environment, etc. The rush to gain healthy bodies seems to fill the air and a necessity to seek ways and means whereby we may become a group fit to run a race.

That race we seek to run is often many things to many people, yet in essence, the hope of a better way of life rings out loud and clear from one end of the Earth to the other. This race for life is but a mere symbol of that which goes on within the inner man, a desire to fulfill a promise.

The promise which so long ago was but a whisper upon the lips of the feeble (not the feeble through age or disease) but rather a fear which is characterized by a weakness generated from a time of men’s minds being imprisoned by doubt and misunderstanding, whereby this age which we are now leaving has proven that indeed man does not live by bread alone, for we have been made witness to the fact that love is able to conquer all.

And via our desire to be free have we brought forward to the door of this new and fast approaching age, our hope and belief in all that is good, true, and beautiful for the whole race.  We have not, as some might think, been asleep, regarding the heavy toll which has crept in among us due to our inability to handle aright the misgivings of a former age.

For whilst we were in a shadow we held fast to our beliefs and have been listening to the wee, small voice inside and have learned much of the ways wherein man in his ardour to rise to greater heights, hath been as a spoiling to the very heart of his soul. As the tree with its roots spread wide in the preparation of its stability, so have we been silently growing in strength, wherein we shall not be moved.

Now that we are established, having been grounded in faith by the love of that one life in whom we chose to place our trust, do we as a tree full grown, stretch forth our branches in a Heavenly manner awaiting the rain of our refreshing. Unto this end were we born, that man out of the weakness of his heart sought a better way, wherein dwells righteousness — a living strength as of a man mightier by the virtues of his knowledge of the things pleasing to his Father.

We see then that things pertaining to the flesh are indeed things which man is capable of changing and things pertaining to the spirit are of a truth, things which by their very nature cannot be changed or moved.  It is for this cause that we have run daily, the race whose goal is fast approaching.

Indeed many are saying even now that the end of the promise draws near, or the culmination of a long awaited day is presently in our midst.  Surely it is for those yet asleep, as pertaining to mysteries, concerning the word, appearing as an end to all things, yet for those whose spirit dwelling in an undaunted, changeless faith in things Eternal, these trials are but the stepping stones bridging the waters of life, the hope of a new day, just a step away from the rains of refreshing.

He in whom we have chosen to place our trust has said, “Let not your heart be troubled.  It is for this end that the son of man has come into the world, that all men might have life and this life in abundance.”

Now for this reason do we look up and cry Abba, Father.  For that which was once seen in a vision dimly is now being revealed.  The tree that was once green is now become the dry tree, to show that in age doth mankind become full-grown.

And in this are we certain, that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, in whose name we have become witness to these things, that the One life having risen on the third day, being yet a symbol of a day yet to come, are now witnessing this day which was aforetime made mention.

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”  This branch has now become the dry tree and recalling the words of our lord, “If they have done this in the green tree, what shall they do in the dry?”

We can only attest to that which we know.  If the meaning of these words had been known, “I will have mercy and not sacrifice,’ that which was done in the green tree would not have been .  Yet have we faith that the dry tree will be spared if only in a remnant, for God has promised that He would never again destroy the entire Earth for man’s sake, but would indeed save a remnant.

If so be that, we have at last learned that God does not wish to have sacrifice as meat for his table, and in preference does indeed desire a better, of  the which we read in Isaiah 58:  A fast, suitable to the Lord God, is to deal bread to the poor, to care for the oppressed and to hide not ourselves from our own flesh.

And indeed if we are one as a family of man, we are surely to the whole of the race as one, in the eyes of the ONE Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God, who now advises us to be merciful, lending ourselves to the working out of the ONE Divine Plan, of the which Christ being the forerunner, has provided us the way, the truth, and the light, which leads to life eternal.

The way being the covenant that God has so provided, that life is eternal.  The truth being that all things created are created for a purpose.  Whose purpose?  God’s and ours, to prove the effectiveness of the Divine Plan.  The light being the word whereby we have access to that knowledge which leads the understanding of the Plan, whereby faith is our key to the unlocking of all doors, which lead into life.

Let us pray, but let us remember that it is faith which leads to the answer of all prayer and in our patience shall we preserve our souls.

Martha Martin
Fairmont, WV

Do you get forward emails from friends and family? I’m sure you do. Most of the time I don’t bother reading them because I don’t particularly care for scrolling through hundreds of previous readers. But sometimes something about the message will capture my attention.

This passage from just one of those emails is one of those. You may have read it before because I figure it has been around the world a few times. At least if you judge by the amount of readers who received it before me:)

But the story of “I Wish You Enough” fits perfectly in with Heart Knowings. I think you will agree. If this is your first time reading, then I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It reminded me of my mother and the special bond we’ve always shared.

Enough

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, ‘I love you, and I wish you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom.’

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?’

‘I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is – her next trip back will be for my funeral,’ she said.

‘When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?’

She began to smile. ‘That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.’

She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. ‘When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.’

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hello’s to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

For me these words seem timeless. To all those who chance to read this:

I Wish You Enough

Blessings,

Sally

If you enjoyed this little story, you may also enjoy Poems About Mothers

Purple Clematis

O come see the flow’rs in my garden
Behold beauty where there is no guise
Where rapport abounds in fabulous rounds
But beware lest you lose your eyes

O come sup with me in my garden
Sweet nectar I will lay out for thee
Where time has no toll, take rest for your soul
Come, if you dare, walk with me

O come lie with me in my garden
Soothing ointment for thee I’ll prepare
Where burdens are lost and there is no cost
Come take my hand if you dare

I shall garnish your fears
And erase all your tears
Free you from hunger and pain
I shall make light your heart
And when you depart
You’ll find sunshine replacing the rain

O come sit for awhile in my garden
But before you come in I must state
Prepare not to stay, make haste, don’t delay
For there are others who await at the gate

Thank You,

Martha Martin

Mom’s garden was always her favorite place to be.  Every spring you would be sure to find her on hand and knee pruning and planting with love and care.  She doesn’t get out much now and sadly, her gardens have pretty much gone wild.  But they will always be trim and beautiful in my heart.  This poem is just one of many written from a lifetime of love and caring.  Watch for the release of “Gifts From Spirit” coming soon.

And so it is with great pleasure I present to you this note from a child’s heart.

A Note to Mr. Bunny

I found a scribbled note
Beneath my small boy’s head
Addressed to Mr. Bunny
And this is what it said
Dear Sir, I’ve got a favor
I’d like to ask of you
But first I’d like to know
If you are real and true
You see my bigger brother
Says it’s really Dad and Mom
Who hides the Easter baskets
For me and little Tom
Anyway I lost two teeth
So if you’re really you
Please bring me something soft to eat
Cause it’s so hard to chew

by Martha Martin

This is the first of many poems and stories you will see here. These samples are from Gifts From Spirit by Martha Martin with photos by Sally Stoneking. Watch for new release coming soon.  This book of poetry that Martha says are gifts from God will surely inspire you.

As children we believe our mother is the center of the universe.  After all they are the ones that give us food and shelter.  As life goes on and we get busy planning, doing and being, it’s easy to lose track of the wonder.  New wonders are coming into our lives and roles are changing.

Mother

God created a creature of great fitness,
Then branded the sweet thing, Mother;
He gave her a heart to withstand great stress,
And a foresight like no other;
He commanded her spirit to emit great love,
So we cannot help but love her;
When with one sweet kiss she can soothe our woe,
Thank God for the dear, we call Mother;
Her strength and character will quickly emerge,
When our needs stand out the greatest;
She comes to our rescue with wisdom divine,
Tho’ she may not be first with the latest;
The tempest she stills within our souls,
When we have a tiff with a brother;
Strengthens and helps us stand up tall
Thank God for the love of Mother;
For her equal’s not found in another;
And I’d like to take time out now to say,
A special thanks God, for my Mother

Martha Martin

Now doesn’t this want to make you run out and give your mother a big hug.  I think I’ll take a moment to call mine.