Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Beyond, Beyond!


Psalm 121:1
I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?

I write the poem penned here toward the beginning of last year, before we had the exceedingly great joy of taking our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, for her very first visit to witness the awe and splendor of God's creation.  You can read all about our adventures beginning here.

I glimpse the mountains
When I dare
To take my eyes
Off the road
En route to fetching
Granddaughter, precious
The ridge traversed
Offers sights
In treasured dreams
Horizon promised
Met and longed for
I say, upon return
"Look to your right,
Virginia - mountains!"
"I see them, Gammie.
I want to be there!
Can we go?"
"Not today,
But someday . . ."
Lift your eyes
Unto the hills
Beyond, beyond
Salvation's come

Amen!

36 comments:

  1. Wonderful thoughts. Virginia will be proud one day to have been mentioned in your poem. You're a wonderful grandmother.

    God bless, Martha.

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    1. Thank you, Victor, for your kind and caring words here - they touched my heart!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. As I get older those thoughts become more frequent. One of these days I will be beyond those mountains.

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    1. Amen, Bill, as will all of us one day . . .
      Love and blessings!

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  3. I love mountains. They are so majestic and comforting at the same time. A lovely poem.

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    1. Mountains are absolutely as you've described them here, Kathy. Thank you!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Very nice... I too love the mountains, though I will never live in them, I will enjoy them when I visit.
    They do remind me of how BIG God is... How majestic

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    1. I always feel closer to the Lord when we're in the mountains, Ryan. Perhaps it's because they make us marvel once again at His incomparable creation.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Wonderful! I'd love to live in the mountains again … but being near to family's most important. You've reminded me of a favorite song from a favorite movie: "I go to the hills when my heart is lonely...."

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    1. Oh, my, "Sound of Music" is one of my all-time favorite movies, Myra! And you are so right, though, about being close to family - it's all important, no matter where we end up living.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. that photo calms my heart and reminds me again of how God's creation has the power to heal, recalibrate, and offer hope. i'm so glad you shared this shot with us today, friend ...

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    1. I love this photo, too, Linda, and it is a soothing vista to behold. Glad I chose to share it!
      Love and blessings!

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  7. You do have such a way with words!! Love this...and the photo is so majestic and beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us. I want to be like Virginia, filled with the wonder of it all again!

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    1. Oh, yes, Pamela, nothing like seeing things through the eyes of a child! Virginia's presence made that summer mountain trip so very special for us. I'll tell Danny that you loved the photo!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. What a treasure for your sweet granddaughter to have, not only the wonderful memories of the trip, but of this beautiful poem. Worthy of being framed and hung in her room!

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    1. Oh, Terri, your kind words mean so much to me! I do think Virginia will always remember this one-of-a-kind trip, and I hope she will cherish it always.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. I love this poem, Martha. But even more, I love the story and precious relationship that inspired it.
    You have such a gift!

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    1. I'm so glad you loved the poem, Beckie, but yes, the relationship that inspired it is beyond description. Virginia has been such a blessing to us all, and I can't begin to express the love I have for her and my other grands.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. How wonderful! She's going to have this all her days... She'll remember how God used her sweet Gammie to help mold and shape her into the person He's designed her to be.

    There is no better investment.

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    1. Oh, Floyd, that is my prayer, that I've been God's instrument to mold and guide Virginia to grow in love for and trust in Him. And you are so right - there is no better investment! Eternal life is at stake.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. I love the mountains, too, Martha. I have been to the Swiss Alps and the Canadian Rockies and loved both trips. I have been in the Blue Ridge Mountains and in the Great Smokey Mountains and have never regretted those trips. I would love to go again, but doubt that will happen now. At least I have photos and memories of God's majestic beauty while I have the here and now beauty right where I live even though there are no mountains.

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    1. Wow, Diane, you have seen some mountain ranges I can only dream about at this point in my life. The mountains we visit are at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, and we often have views of them from the cabins we rent. I love to "go to the hills when my heart is lonely." God always reassures me that He is present and working in my life, no matter how I feel.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. What a sweet poem, Martha! I love the mountains and could never, ever get enough of them. They draw my thoughts to the Heavens and make me feel so close to the Lord.

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    1. They always, always have that same effect on me, too, Cheryl. Glad you liked the poem!
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Beautiful poem, Martha. The imagery is lovely. Bless you and your writing.

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    1. Thank you, Nells, for your kind and thoughtful words here.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. This is so hope-filled, Martha. Both the photo and your poem. And I love the awe and wonder with which Virginia faces life. And I know you have such a nurturing part in that.

    These lines especially move me to tears:
    "Lift your eyes
    Unto the hills
    Beyond, beyond
    Salvation's come"
    Thank you for adding a lift to my spirits today. :)
    Love and blessings to you!

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    1. Oh, Trudy, how your beautiful words and thoughts have blessed me today! I might have lifted your spirits, but you have, indeed, lifted mine at a time when I truly need the encouragement, something I will probably be elucidating in upcoming blogs. Thank you for being such a loyal and loving blogging friend!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Beautiful poem, Martha! Fetching grandchildren can give us time to think such deep thoughts. Our hearts are light and easily lifted to God.

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    1. Grandchildren do have a prophetic way of helping us see beyond ourselves and lifting our eyes to God's promises. Virginia has blessed all of us in so many ways by her simple, pure observations, and she always reminds me not to let the ordinary pass by without seeing the miracle in it all. Glad you liked the poem!
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Martha, This is a sweet poem full of hope and promise.

    I've never seen the mountains in person; perhaps some day I will see the mountains. (I have no desire to actually be in the mountains or hike--seeing them would be enough!)

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Seeing them, just abiding in their presence, is more than enough, Kim. Many years ago, when Danny was much younger, he traversed many trails with heavy pack, bracing winter's cold. He has fond, and not so fond, memories of those times, and we both know we're well past the age of doing such strenuous adventures. Just the experience of being in the presence of mountains is more than enough! So glad you liked the poem, my friend!
      Love and blessings!

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