Silently

Silently it happens - not a sound is heard,
though its happening cannot be ignored.
This noiseless event is welcomed;
wordlessly brought about by the sun.

Though quite tranquil,
it's never still
because in its own way it can't keep quiet
as it awakens each year from its long respite.

To see it happening, even I am hushed.
To witness this miracle, my soul is touched.
A peace of mind begins
from someplace deep within.

The worries of the day
quietly melt way.
My soul is more serene
by this silent scene.

What is it that silently gives birth?
From its slumber awake?  The earth!
You won't hear a thing
but soon you'll know it's spring!

For silently bulbs start to preen
popping up with leaves of green,
then colors of the rainbow seen
amidst the grass which is green.

Bees quietly make their way
to sip from flowers that sway
in the soundless breeze
that filters through the trees.

Silently the trees bud out with flowers or leaves.
though not so silent, there's returning birds which please.
They can't keep quiet.
Not even if they tried it.

The sound of silence has ceased.
The mirth of music is increased.
Heard in each song sung,
spring has now begun.

* * * * *

In each day of constant, noisy commotion
or even the turmoil of confusion,
it's hard to find quiet
or serenity in it.

Worry or anxiety gives way to fretting,
of which there seems to be no up letting,
coupled with everyday concerns
compounded with unexpected turns.

There's not a moment of silence,
sometimes in a world that's lost all sense.
"Just a moment of quiet," you often wish.
But wait!  God has given you a promise!

As Zephaniah 3:17 reminds us
it's in God we place our trust - for He is with us,
He will deliver us, He delights in us,
He loves us, and He rejoices over us.

God's love will quiet you
and give blessed peace too.
Because God delights in taking care of you
you can be sure His promises will see you through.

Bask in God's love at the beginning of each day
then be reminded at the end of the day,
that it was God's abiding love that sustained you
to be able to accomplish all you had to do.

Please know that whatever it is that burdens you,
God already has a plan to deliver you.
Tell Him now.  He's waiting to hear from you.
You'll find His loving faithfulness will see you through.

The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

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Party Time

Yeah!  It's almost party time!

When there's more days of warming sunshine
instead of snow on the ground, it's party time.

When robins on earthworms dine,
you'll know its here, it's party time.

When daffodils look so fine,
it's time to celebrate with party time.

When you see buds on bushes and vines,
you'll know it's definitely party time.

When you see cardinals nesting in the pines,
you'll know the wait is over - it's party time.

When you see bees have come to dine,
you'll know it's again party time.

When you see the greening chives and garden thyme
have wintered over one more time, it's party time.

When one feels inclined to design
a new garden bed, it's party time.

When you find you don't mind your fingers covered with grime
from working in the soil, you're glad it's party time.

When you dig in with the fork tine
and find earthworms, it's party time.

When the church bell chimes
"In the Garden," it's party time.

When days and days are sublime,
get ready, it's party time.

When it's hard to stay confined.
Yes, it's finally here - spring time!

Come on over.  It's party time!

* * * * *

Past years come to mind
when spring did change its mind
being somewhat delayed when snow storms return one more time.

So bear in mind
this peace of mind
may be delayed, but one day soon it will be party time.

For, lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone,
the flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (KJV)

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Gestation

After 11 months
we're happy to make a fuss
as it's been a looooonngg wait to see
something that will please you and me.

All through long days or weeks when toooo much snow came
and other weeks when there wasn't enough rain
they wait and wait as we count the months down
when this delivery is seen in our town.

For each new birth is something to be celebrated
after we wait and waaaaiiiit through the gestation period.
All through long weeks when it was toooo hot and humid
we impatiently waited as they silently hid.

Hidden in a dark cocoon,
morning, night, and noon, a womb
protected them
during gestation.

And still they waaaaiiiited
activity bated
as it wasn't time
for them to shine.

Through the final months, though,
they waited under snow.
The waaaaiiiit seems like it is taking too long.
Each new day feels like a week prolonged.

This incubation
or hibernation
continues through January
and all through February.

Will this long pregnancy ever eeeennnnd?
Everyone's counting the days until when
this new birth
arrives on earth.

Then one day, through the snow,
new life begins to show.
The 11 months is nearing completion.
It's almost time for their presentation.

Who will be born
one chilly March morn?
Who waited 11 months
and arrives with a fuss?

Tiny white snowdrops
and daffodils will pop,
crocus' add to the array
when spring gives birth this glad day!

Their debut
creates a view
that is worth the wait
no matter which state.

Look for hyacinths,
followed by tulips,
alliums
also blossom.

Celebrate
spring's due date.
A time of rebirth
on planet earth.

* * * * *

What a long wait it seems to see spring born.
What a long wait it is to see the newborns!
Each season winter follows autumn
then it begins all over again.

After winter is past
spring begins with a blast,
a parade, a show, a gala
of brightly colored flowers.

See!  The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth.
Song of Songs 2:11-12

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Gone

What happened?  It's gone!  Where did it go?
It looks strange to see it gone, you know.

For weeks the ground was covered
with something lacking color
as white is not a color,
but rather an absence of color.

For weeks it looked like frosting,
sometimes fluffy, sometimes icing.
Now it looks like mud pies
that arrived on the sly.

For weeks it gave one shivers
when one wore scarfs and mittens
so they wouldn't catch the sniffles -
or worse, with flu stricken.

For weeks it piled higher.
For weeks we fought the mire
as snowbanks piled higher
and one quickly tired.

For weeks we longed for sunny days.
For weeks we stayed inside for days.
For weeks we suffered from the cold.
For weeks we complained, if told.

Not it's gone.
Forgotten.
Somewhat missed?
Winter's kiss.

After a few days of sun,
we're glad it's now gone.
But...we still complain
about the mud that came.

* * * * *

Did you know your sins can be gone?
No longer under the weight of wrongs.
No more guilt, no more condemnation, no more disgrace
because you're now covered by God's wonderful gift of grace.

God's gift of grace, not deserved,
but so willing served
on the cross that Good Friday
when Jesus washed our sins away.

Jesus took our place,
a substitute, that's grace.
He bore our guilt, our condemnation, our disgrace,
because His love for you and I is so great!

If you simply believe it's true
then your sins are gone.  Yes, it's true.
As white as wool,
whiter than snow.

Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends,
John 15:13

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Scents

Ahhh!

The spring-fresh scent of daffodils
will our noses fill.
Yellow with their center frill
or even white, pleases still.
Enjoy today for it will be 11 months until
they bloom again - their scent reminding us of spring, it will.

The spicy aroma of lilacs
Alluring and liked by most a lot.
You must plant one in your garden plot
then water before it gets too hot.
In white, lavender, and purple; pots
are found in the local nursery lot.

The sweet fragrance of pink peonies.
You won't need to get down on your knees.
Their fragrance is known, you see,
by you and me and the bees.
Pick a pink bouquet then invite me
to come over for a cup of tea.

The perfume of blooming roses
delighting everyone's noses.
Do they realize their sweet message in prose,
of saying "I love you," or so the saying goes.
Think of that tonight as you doze
next to a vase containing a rose.

The heady smell of tomatoes.
A seasoned gardener just knows.
Each year they hoe a row
then late summer stow,
perhaps into canning jars goes
tomato sauce for pizza dough.

The essence of pepper plants.
To have too many, you just can't.
To wait, you just do not want.
A salad or a sauce will enhance.
Some are too hot, you pant.
Milk might reduce your rant.

What was the whiff?
It surely reeks!
It's a (p-u) skunk!
And it stunk!

Ahhh Choo!

* * * * *

God made many scents for our enjoyment
as He gave us common sense for discernment.

Most garden scents are pleasant and make lifelong memories
for when you get a whiff you'll recall bygone memories.
Some scents warn us of danger, to beware.
If you're not aware, a skunk's scent you might wear.

Common sense also tells us to be sensible,
to make good decisions, to avoid trouble.
Those without much sense make errors in judgment.
Those with sense are known to be intelligent.

God's Holy Spirit, which does dwell within,
will guide us in making right decisions.
The Holy Spirit is our conscience,
our voice of reasoning that makes sense.

...have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:14

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Green Thumb?

Have you ever seen a gardener's green thumb?
I haven't yet.  I tend to have a brown one.
A brown thumb will the dry brown earth comb.
No weeds will escape from a brown thumb - none.

A brown thumb will plant seeds and seedlings.  Green plants will come.
When this gardener is working, you might hear her hum.
She's planning for harvest and thinking "yum yum."
She knows that blessings from the Lord will soon come.

You'll receive a brown thumb when you plant flowering mums.
A brown thumb divides transplants to share with someone.
How do you clean your well-earned brown thumb?
Scrubbing it and washing dishes helps some.

I also tend to have two green and brown-stained knees.
I don't intend for this to happen to me
but each year another pair of jeans
ends up sporting green and brown-stained knees.

It's so much easier to weed down on your knees.
You can pull out the tall grass and little weeds wee.
You can listen to the bees
and grubs in the soil see.

When you're done with the weeding, you'll be pleased.
Take a moment to stand back and look, see
your hard work paid off and thankful you will be
you're able to get up off your knees.

A brown thumb and green knees are a sure sign
of a dedicated gardener like me.
Next time you're at the nursery, find
those who sport brown thumbs and green knees.  You'll be pleased.

* * * * *

You and I are fearfully and wonderfully made -
for on the 6th day of creation plans were laid
to create male and female,
to be born without ails.

When sin entered in
so did aches and pains.
Sin was the original cause of pain.
It has been said there's no gain without pain.

Gardeners know this to be true
for at the end of the day
when they finally sit down to survey
they creak and snap and have a few aches new.

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27

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For Such a Time as This

For Such a Time as This (from Esther 4:14)

Everyone you know
has heartache and woes -
physical,
emotional,
financial,
spiritual.
Heavy burdens
and real concerns.

Everyday someone
loses someone -
fathers, mothers,
sisters, brothers,
husbands, wives -
from their lives.
Their tomorrows
are filled with sorrows.

Rather spring, summer,
autumn or winter
every season
there's someone
who needs Christ
in their life.
For such a time as this
you can be like Christ.

Be a Barnabus -
an encourager, yes -
someone needs you
to be like Christ, to
hold a hand,
send a note,
to give a gift,
or spirits lift.

Someone encouraged you
so be an encourager to
your neighbors,
and strangers,
your old friends,
and new friends.
Today don't miss
such a time as this.

Refrain:
For such a time as this
God has you on His list.
There is someone you know whose wish
is "please, someone care," so don't miss
this opportunity to be like Christ.
God has appointed you for such a time as this.

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Robins

In editing Vol IV this afternoon, I found this one regarding spring.  Spring will officially arrive in two weeks!  Wonder if green grass will then peek as mounds of snow make it feel like below zero.  In the meantime sunny, blue sky days are the norm (yeah!), despite temperatures below norm.

Springtime brings hope of a new tomorrow

for sometimes our winters are filled with sorrow.

It’s possible winter will end

when the promise of spring begins.

Springtime is filled with optimism.

Enough to bridge any chasms.

For the wintertime of our hearts

freezes optimism’s hopeful start.

Springtime can be heard in the robin’s chorus -

hear their trill - a reminder to all of us

that better days are ahead

if we do not lose our head…

for sometimes we are at wit’s end –

not just us, but also our friends,

for we all go through seasons

of heartaches beyond reason.

When you see the robins, it’s a sign

that ahead there will be better times.

Optimism is like that too -

promising a new view for you.

Invite your friends for a hike

to look for robins at first light.

Being with others, enjoying God’s creation, spotting the robins -

your heart will surely bubble up and overflow with optimism.

May this little lesson from the robins

restore the joy wintertime was robbing.

Do begin today anew

with an optimistic view.

* * * * *

A little optimism

leads to enthusiasm.

Soon hope will spring

with the new spring.

Cheerfulness that’s heard

from the singing birds

will be yours again

when the spring begins.

You’ll find happiness in turn,

once illusive, has returned.

For, lo, the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of the singing of birds has come,

and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II
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To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I
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Unrecognized Blessings

To be posted in a future volume under a chapter entitled Life Lessons.

Lord, I know in my heart prayer changes things
but what I really need more than anything
is a new appreciation for burdens
for they must have been sent for a reason.

Lord, today may I come to realize
my burdens are meant as blessings in Your eyes
for that's when I've come to rely on You
and know without a doubt You will see me through.

Lord, I give You the glory for teaching me,
through burdens, to be all You want me to be
for burdens grow my faith and teach me to trust.
I'm learning You only want Your best for us.

Lord, I give you this burden I have carried.
It's only left me at wit's end and worried.
I know you'll send a solution in your time.
Now help me to recognize your perfect time.

Lord, I thank you before I receive an answer
that you are working for my good for sure.
Thank you for teaching me that my burdens
can be blessings as on You I will depend.

Refrain:
Our burdens are unrecognized blessings.
So instead of being worried and stressing,
today I'm giving my burdens to the Lord
and I'll thank Him for the blessings He will pour.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19

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