Sunshines

SUNSHINES

Sunday I saw the very first one.

I did think to myself, “how fun!”

It reminded me of being young.

Monday I did not see a one

as we had an all-day rain storm.

We needed the rain more than sun.

Tuesday I saw a few. I could count one plus one.

They looked like little smiley faces – little suns.

I told someone about them when I talked on the phone.

Wednesday I wasn’t at home.

Didn’t pay any attention.

I had spent the day on the run.

Thursday I thought, “where did they all come from?”

They were seen in the grass, the beds, the garden.

I needed to start removing one by one.

Friday more yellow than green did abound.

How come one was fun, but more was wrong?

It looks like they’ll add up to a ton.

Saturday they were finally mowed to the ground.

Green grass appeared for a few minutes when done

before they popped up again, these little yellow suns.

Little yellow sunshines in the grass are dandelions.

Irregardless of what you might think, they can be fun.

What are your thoughts about dandelions? Work or fun?

- - - - -

I don’t mind dandelions in my lawn.

I just think their season is way too long.

When you toil to manicure your yard,

dandelions make for more work – it’s hard.

Please reconsider before yearly buying

chemicals to eradicate dandelions,

for dandelions provide nectar for honey bees.

Honey bees are beloved to me and a delight to see.

* * * * *

Perhaps we should view dandelions as our blessings.

We can never have too many of God’s good blessings.

For each dandelion write down a blessing

to put in a jar you’ve labeled “blessings.”

It will be a reminder when life is confusing

and you are prone to give in to stressing from testings.

The reminder jar will keep you from stressing

during the times you’re experiencing testings.

Instead of living in much strife and guessing,

you can review your blessings and be resting

in God’s promises – His many blessings,

for every day we receive more blessings.

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,

and he adds no trouble to it.

Proverbs 10:22

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalm 128:2

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Silver Lining

SILVER LINING

Fluffy, white floating clouds set sail high in the blue sky.

They cruise where the wind blows, tonight catching my eye.

For as the sun sets westward

a silver lining jets overhead

from behind this snowy white cloud formation.

It's a cumulus cloud, for your information.

There, just on the fringe lies

a silver lining in the sky;

so bright it hurts your eyes.

In a moment it will be gone by

as the sun slowly ebbs

on its daily voyage.

Should you see a cloud's silver lining

take a few minutes to watch it shining

as the cloud's outline adrift furls and changes

while the atmosphere sways and rearranges

then sets sail way up high

in the sunset sky.

It's like the cloud

is wearing a crown.

Sparkling, this tiara ebbs and flows

delighting those who watch from below.

A moment in time enhanced

by the sun's last dawning dance.

A silver crown

on a mound

of snowy white fluffy billows

at the close of day, before tomorrow,

as the sun descends

westward again.

Take a moment tonight to watch alongside

others from coast to coast who view this tide,

this silver lining found,

as beautiful as a crown.

A stowaway haven

windward toward the heavens.

* * * * *

Today hold your head high

for the Lord God on high

has crowned you,

yes, it's true.

He has crowned you with love

from His heaven above.

His love and compassion will not fail you.

That's a promise you can count on, it's true.

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion.

Psalm 103:1-4

Blessings crown the head of the righteous.

Proverbs 10:6

...to bestow on them a crown of beauty...

Isaiah 61:3

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Party Time

 PARTY TIME

The forecast promised a sunny Saturday

so let's plan a garden party for that day.

Let's decide on a color scheme.

How about sunshine yellow and green?

Who all should we invite?

Butterflies always bring delight.

The birds will provide music for free,

while buzzing bees hum along with glee.

Every sunny day these guests

delight me, I confess,

as they smoothly navigate

then quietly pollinate.

The sun puts on its happy face.

The yellow decorations are in place.

The garden guests can't wait to party.

Here they come. They're not tardy.

What should we serve our guests?

Something cool to sip is best

and something sweet

is always a treat.

Flavored herbal teas taste just right

as they sip to their heart's delight.

This afternoon new decorations arrive -

white bouquets in bunches of four or five.

Those yellow decorations are now white blooms.

They look like miniature bouquets of balloons.

In fact there's way too many to count.

More white, than yellow, decorations mount.

Those sunshine yellow decorations have gone to seed

filling the landscape with countless balloons that feed

more party guests that arrive this afternoon

filling up on dandelion seed in June.

Come on in.

We're glad you came.

There's plenty to eat.

Enjoy the treats.

(The yellow decorations turning into white balloons were dandelions,

providing a treat for bees then for birds.)

* * * * *

Looking for the positive

in what appears negative

will not only change our outlook

but will change our countenance – look!

We're have fewer health problems, for instance,

when we learn to look at our circumstance

with a positive attitude -

and a much happier mood.

The heavy weight of depression will lift

when we possess a positive spirit.

Peace will invade our soul,

seen in a contented glow.

Each day will be filled with blessings

instead of mindless stressing.

So stop dwelling on what's wrong

and fill your heart with a song.

Your attitude will have a positive effect on others.

In fact, contagious as it's passed on to one another.

Today, be a good example in word and deed

and start sowing positive, life-giving seeds.

A merry heart

makes a cheerful countenance.

Proverbs 15:13 (KJV)

A happy heart

makes the face cheerful.

Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)

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Happy Resurrection Day!

The angel upon the tombstone said:
He is risen!
He is risen,
just as He said!
Quickly now, go tell His disciples
that Jesus Christ is no longer dead.
Allelujah!
Allelujah!

At Last

At Last

After days of below freezing temperatures

with no sun to illuminate the picture,

after donning boots and gloves and scarfs

as cold snow blankets the frozen earth,

after huddling around the wood stove

as the winter winds continue to blow,

after cold noses and cold feet

when perhaps a cold settles deep,

after winter does its dance -

it's time for a happy prance!

Why? Because the sun again shines

after the season's wintertime

when it nipped our nose

and froze our toes.

The sun warms the earth

bringing with it mirth

for the long days of winter

are finally over

when at last the early morning sunrise awakens

and at eventide the sunset hovers over the horizon.

At last, the winter snow has gone

and with it you'll hear a new song

for at last, birds return again

and with them springtime rains.

At last, the grass turns green

painting a pretty scene.

At last, snowdrops are in bloom

and you'll see crocus' soon.

At last, you'll see daffodils

over the landscape spill.

Although it seems winter lasts too long

winter is needed, it is not wrong,

for bulbs and perennials,

every year to return will,

need this time of frozen hibernation

as they use it for rejuvenation

before they burst on the scene

with spears of delightful green

soon followed by a rainbow

of colorful blooms just for show.

At last, spring has come

under the ground from

buried bulbs and roots

when hope again shoots

as at last flowers appear

and you'll see returning bees steer.

At last, the long winter is over

as each new day the sun hovers.

At last.

At last.

* * * * *

As bulbs yearly need a time of hibernation

to store up energy for rejuvenation

we too need a time to rejuvenate

as we study scripture when we awake

for each day will bring a burden, a care,

that God did not intend for us to bear.

God did, however, intend

that we search scriptures often

for answers to help us fend

when daily troubles offend.

You'll find that scripture often

comforts and relieves burdens.

Scripture also instructs and corrects,

our daily decisions direct.

It gives hope

to help us cope.

It tells us of God's love

sent from heaven above.

Discovering you are loved

is like receiving a hug.

Love will warm your stone cold heart

when it finds its target -

the life-long wrong impressions

that keep you in a prison.

Begin today to discover

what's under the Bible's covers.

You'll be delightfully surprised

as each day you can't wait to arise

to read about God's love for you.

You'll find God's love will see you through.

I will instruct you and teach you

in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Casting all your cares upon him

for he careth for you.

I Peter 5:7 (KJV)

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86:5

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5

You are precious and honored in my sight...

and I love you...

Isaiah 43:4

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,

says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

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Between Storms

 Between Storms

There goes another storm...

heard when thunder roams

across the hills

then raindrops spill.

Passing through

the air cools

then humidity rises

when the sun surprises.

What does the sun bring with it today?

A burst of spring flowers in a bouquet.

Pinks and purples and whites

always bring much delight.

Each flower adds to the bouquet

emitting springtime fragrance today.

Daffodils which smell spring-fresh

or spicy scented hyacinths.

Today the hardy magnolia burst into bloom

as the morning's sun warmed the earth before noon.

Unfortunately this week's forecasted rains

will cause its snowflake blooms to downward rain.

Can't wait to see pink bleeding hearts on a stem

intermingled with purple globe-shaped alliums

in the same bed with white lily of the valley

identified by their tiny bells so wee.

The dogwood will bloom soon.

Can't wait to see its pink blooms.

Will two robins build a nest here this year?

If so, I'll be awakened with morning cheer.

Soon the white crab apple will blossom.

Beware! A hive of bees will descend.

Do take a moment to watch them,

a study in pollination.

Should another storm pass through

the dormant grass will change its hue,

while robins search for breakfast

after the storm is past.

In the meantime pictures are taken

for when another thunder storm threatens

many springtime blooms will be seen raining down

while others lose their color, turning brown.

* * * * *

Spring storms bring many welcome changes

though life storms bring life-altering changes.

Yes, life is full of change

so we should not think it strange.

Though change is seldom ever welcomed,

in the end the result is welcomed.

Think of it as one door closing and another opening

or endings giving way to necessary new beginnings.

Life's many surprise storms,

in the form of problems,

will mature us in the end

as they teach us to depend

on God who already has the solution worked out -

to have believing faith and trust, to not give in to doubt.

It's doubt that sees the situation as impossible

forgetting that with faith in God, all things are possible.

So next time the winds of change storm in

remember that God is with you, He's within.

Your storm is not yours alone

but God's time to perfect, to hone.

Change is meant to grow your faith

as you rely on God's grace

and faithfulness

through each test.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials,

These have come so that your faith –

of greater worth than gold,

which perishes even though refined by fire -

may be proved genuine and my result in praise, glory and honor

when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I Peter 1:6-7

He must believe and not doubt,

because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,

blown and tossed by the wind...

he is a double-minded man and

unstable in all he does.

James 1:6-8

All things are possible with God.

Mark 10:27

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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