Grow

As many in the north are planting their seeds for the new season,

here's a story re a seed that becomes a seedling,

soon to fulfill its life's purpose -

miraculously, for our use.

Grow

A tiny seed planted in a peat pot

to grow under a heat lamp, not too hot,

and sprinkled with water wet

will sprout with two green leaflets.

In a few weeks this seedling

will need careful transplanting

then will daily mature under the sun

and from a needed rain that weekly comes.

By inches it will creep

and soon blossoms will greet

in a yellow array

imitating the sun's rays.

Bees will unerringly seek

these pretty blossoms which greet

as this plant now matures

though hardship it endures.

Yes, buffeted about

by wind and/or drought

it grew despite

life's unknown plights.

For its life is filled with hardships whether

from too much sun or from stormy weather.

These hardships will harden the plant to endure

and most likely a sweeter harvest ensure.

On summer afternoons the plant will wilt

as the sun over the horizon tilts

but the plant will survive

for its roots keep it alive.

This plant that started life as a seed

now produces enough to feed

ones family through the months of winter

as it soaks in the goodness of summer.

This seed grew

with life anew

for inside each seed is a miracle

waiting to be let out. Grow little plant, grow.

* * * * *

And so it is with us

as we grow in faith and trust.

We mature through hardships

for hardships equip us.

One day our hardships may another encourage

as others see us prevail and take courage

as our roots have grown deep

in God's Word, which we seek.

God's Word assures us that God is with us,

and in us, and will never forsake us.

We are assured that God loves us

and through His Son has forgiven us.

Hardships are meant to refine us,

as we learn about God's faithfulness,

and in the end, we find, teaches us

to give glory to God who blesses us.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:2-3

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God has said, Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.

So we say with confidence,

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:5-6

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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Sunshine Yellow

 Sunshine Yellow

A test of patience each spring is yearly instilled

as we wait 11 months for the daffodils -

some bright yellow with trumpet frills

or maybe the white ones will thrill.

Though these yellow blooms last for up to three weeks

their green leaves from the flower bed will peek

for several more weeks,

looking messy, not neat.

How soon these bright sunshine yellow daffodils are over and gone

but do not fear, yellow dandelions are soon coming on...

and on...

and on.

Dandelions test our patience

seemingly beyond our endurance.

Many neighbors yearly apply "weed and feed"

as dandelions are filled with endless greed.

You'll find my yard filled with an abundance

which remind me of God's faithfulness

for that's what dandelion happens to mean -

these sunny blooms among jagged leaves of green.

For many weeks on end, over and over again,

you'll find me (impatiently) digging out dandelions

as last year's dandelions went to seed

growing thousands of dandelions to weed.

I'm reminded of God's patience

and everlasting faithfulness

daily toward me as I weed -

a needed reminder indeed.

In the meantime, yellow forsythia bursts into bloom,

though if you're impatient you can force their yellow blooms

by cutting a few canes to bring inside.

Just a week it takes for flowers to betide.

Forsythia, another springtime bloom,

that we patiently await to bloom

bursts into color, a bright sunshine yellow,

reinforcing spring is here – hello!

Let's not forget the sunshine yellow sun

that each spring brightens and warms

the barren, colorless earth

causing new life to spring forth.

Bright sunshine yellow,

such a cheerful color.

Much happiness it brings,

painting the earth each spring.

* * * * *

Patience is a hard lesson to learn,

though often needed at every turn,

for everyday something unforeseen goes awry

causing unwanted suffering, why oh why?

Yet God's Word says those who persevere are blessed.

Something to contemplate during the next test -

and you can be sure one will come

though hardly ever welcomed.

Instead of worrying,

simply start praising.

The peace of God will again calm your spirit,

then perhaps you'll see God's solution in it.

And you'll find an attitude

of unceasing gratitude

will peacefully surround

through life's many ups and downs.

Asking for God's "hedge of protection"

will allay many daily problems

showering us with blessings instead.

Just pray this simple prayer before bed.

Focusing on the positive

instead of the negative

will change your perspective.

A blessed way to live.

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering,

take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job's perseverance

and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:10-11

Have you not put a hedge around him

and his household and everything he has?

You have blessed the work of his hands...

Job 1:10

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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March 20

March 20

It's here! Finally! The day we waited for.

The day anticipated by gardeners.

According to the calendar, there's a birth -

as the first day of spring is March 20^th.

Birds should ring in

the first day of spring

with songs they sing

each new morning.

A day when the sun should glow

and you see spring flowers grow.

A day when temperatures warm

and you don't need your mittens.

A day when winter is past

and the snow is gone, at last!

A day of mirth

over the earth.

For everyone can't wait

for this dividing date

when spring is scheduled to begin.

A date when gardeners dig in.

But apparently the weatherman doesn't abide by

the calendar, unless the calendar is a lie.

This morning the sun didn't rise

so the birds didn't sing their lullaby...

instead of the sun ascending

there were snowflakes descending,

instead of a carpet of green grass appearing

there is a blanket of white snow in the clearings...

Winter's hanging on,

and on and on and on.

Each new spring seemingly waits and waits and waits.

Did, perhaps, my calendar have the wrong date?

* * * * *

What do you find yourself waiting for?

Something that you've forever endured.

Perhaps a way out of financial debt?

Maybe a child gives you reason to fret?

Perhaps you're waiting for employment

or maybe it's time for retirement?

Is there a health problem that lingers?

Do you want to change your figure?

Maybe the birth of something new?

That seems to take a long time, it's true.

Waiting is difficult to endure

and can take forever, that's for sure.

Whatever it is you're waiting for,

waiting, we find, has good things in store.

It's in waiting that patience is truly matured.

Perseverance builds character by its nature.

Waiting patiently – seems to be an oxymoron -

though simply waiting solves many problems.

Waiting patiently – two opposites that attract -

and in the end is God's best for us. How about that!

God made his promise to Abraham...

I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.

And so after waiting patiently,

Abraham received what was promised.

Hebrews 6:13-15

We consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job's perseverance

and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:11

Hardy Magnolia

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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Celebrate Spring!

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

 Crocus

 Hellebore

 Hyacinths

 Bleeding Heart

 Hardy Magnolia

 Forsythia

 Daffodil

 Weeping Cherry

 Dogwood

 Wisteria

 Lilac

 Allium

 Lily of the Valley

 Crabapple

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

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Morning

Morning

Yesterday a rain shower watered the earth,

early this morning you can see new birth

for pretty flowers and green grass appear

after yesterday's shower disappeared.

Yesterday's falling rain worked its magic.

Listen, there's water babbling in the creek.

This morning the bright warm rays of the sun

chased away the gloom from the wet rain.

Together they work in harmony

to grow pretty flowers and greenery.

If you take a deep breath,

you'll smell earthworms in the earth.

Ones spirits lift

as the fog lifts

for creation in all its glory

seems to be somewhat in a hurry

to get another day underway

as the darkness quickly slips away.

The sun removes the remaining shadows

as morning peeks over the willow.

Yesterday rain everything fed.

Today a cloudless sky overhead.

It's the dawning of a new day today

seen in the morning's waking sun rays.

Morning brings

many blessings.

Is that why birds sing

early in the morning?

Perhaps they don't want to forget a one

for their song is one of thankfulness all day long.

Do they have a lesson

to teach to humans?

To look for blessings

instead of stressing

over what they have no charge of

but to trust in the Lord above.

* * * * *

Whatever a given day may bring

God is there with you in everything.

You are not meant to carry your burden alone

for God will be there with you, by your side all along

to comfort, strengthen, guide

when you in Him abide.

My devotions this morning were from I Corinthians 13

where Paul talks about “faith to move mountains”.

That means believing faith to trust God to meet whatever our needs.

God is waiting to lift whatever burden when you in prayer plead.

If your mountain is physical, financial, or relational,

let God move your mountain for with God all things are possible.

He is like the light of morning at sunrise

on a cloudless morning,

like the brightness after rain

that brings the grass from the earth.

II Samuel 23:4

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

...faith that can move mountains...

I Corinthians 13:2

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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Birth

 Pregnant daffodils about to give birth.

Awakening tulip after long winter's nap. 

First crocus of the season - 3/8/16. 

 Winter crocus surprised me a couple of weeks ago.

 Yellow primrose filled with the promise of spring's return.

Forsythia ready to welcome spring!

Planted lettuce and spinach today here in upstate NY.
Lettuce and spinach are cool weather vegetables.

To order Life Is a Garden Party,Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

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Welcome Spring

 Welcome Spring

Spring has come when:

woodchucks

pop up

from their burrows

to see their shadows.

Spring has come when:

robins

sing

a happy song

all day long.

Spring has come when:

skunks

dump

the junk

in their trunks.

Spring has come when:

the air smells fresh

and flowers dress

after spring showers

everything covers.

Spring has come when:

red-winged black birds

are daily heard

announcing springs' return

early every morn.

Spring has come when:

temperatures warm

as the shining sun

rises earlier

and sets later.

Spring has come when:

gardeners cheer

and gardens are cleared.

It's a date;

they're not late.

Spring has come when:

the sun rises

and surprises

await to be found

and miracles abound.

* * * * *

It's spring

when everything

is new again!

Something else is new every day and not just in passing.

It's God's great love, his mercy, for us – His compassion -

daily, each and every day the whole day long it's lasting.

Yes, the Lord is faithful

even when we're unfaithful.

God forgives when in prayer we call.

Something new will surely spring

when to the Lord you bring

your afflictions and wanderings.

So pray, hope, seek, and wait

and you'll find God is great

and He will never be late.

Wait for the Lord to deliver you

from whatever you're going through.

He will remain faithful to you.

You can start new again.

Your heart will again sing

joyful songs of thanksgiving.

I remember my affliction and my wandering,

the bitterness and the gall.

I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:19-26

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

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Reviews

Thank you all who take time to read this blog.

Appreciate your encouragement.

Feel free to write a review at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, more.

All of you are a blessing to me.

I always have flower seeds to share, for the price of postage.

If interested, send your address to my facebook private account,

Judy Janowski.