Out of Hibernation

OUT of HIBERNATION

Yesterday a winter wonderland

as snowflakes piled up like white sand.

Creatures hibernated outside

as people hibernated inside.

Too cold to venture out.

A snow day so stayed put.

Traffic minimal.

View sensational.

Everything’s covered in white -

a pretty, peaceful sight.

Looks like a white Christmas

has descended on us.

Tree limbs frosted white.

Evergreens now iced

like frosting on a cake,

while creatures hibernate.

Quiet and still.

No movement spills.

No birds are seen

in the evergreens.

Today, though, many black birds flock

in the crab apple tree out back.

Ravenous from yesterday’s fasting

they feast then are seen sharing.

For more birds wait their turn

this sunny winter morn.

Hundreds seen descend

to sup and then lend.

They seem to share this offering

found under the snow’s covering.

Listen? Joyous chattering.

No longer hibernating.

Ever thankful they sing grateful praise

to their Creator as songs they raise

for God provides their daily bread

as each and everyday they are fed.

Crows are now heard cawing in the distance.

God must have provided them sustenance

for God’s eyes are on each sparrow,

blue jay, cardinal, black bird, and crow.

As God is concerned about the least of these,

then certainly He will your needs and wants appease.

In the meantime, thank Him for His faithfulness

and in His daily blessings everyday rest.

* * * * *

Thank you, God, for the beautiful snow.

It comes as a blessing bestowed.

Thank you, God, for the birds that teach me

everyday your faithfulness to see.

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow,

'Fall on the earth.'

Job 37:5-6

Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

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January Saturday

January Saturday

Haven't seen the sun in a while.

Seeing it today brings a smile

and causes yesterday's snowfall to glisten

this morning as daybreak has risen

over the hill

where sunlight spills.

The snow sparkles

like a twinkle

as the sun shines upon

this fluffy white down

though too cold to be out and about.

The sun, though, erases any pout.

The sky is blue today

instead of laden gray

when the sun didn't shine

upon the evergreen pines

where white snow drapes

and decorates.

Today a bird chirps a melody.

It's a cardinal in the locust tree.

Like the sun, he too was missed

this month after Christmas.

Just three weeks ago Christmas was

as time quickly ticks away, it does.

Soon the sun will be overhead.

It will be noontime instead

for the morning has quickly passed

for, you see, time doesn't last

and neither will the sun.

Soon it will be gone.

It will slip down over the western hill

where the sunset will beautifully spill

in pink and rose and orange hues -

a breathtaking view.

Be sure to enjoy this afternoon

for the sun will be gone from the sky soon.

* * * * *

Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Each day also has many delights for us to own.

Take a minute right now to enjoy

whatever it is that brings you joy.

Don't concentrate on your troubles

but concentrate on and savor

something that brings delight -

like sunshine shining bright...

or the cold, sparkling snow

or the grass beneath your toes,

the rainbow after the summer storm,

or talking to a loved one on the phone.

In truth, there are more delights to be had

than troubles that might make you feel bad.

Don't be sad.

Be glad.

There's much to be thankful for.

God has many good things in store.

Start today. Learn to look

then write them in a book.

A diary of God's many blessings

instead of daily worry and stressing

will change your countenance and outlook.

You'll be smiling. Now go look.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

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Winter Wonderland

WINTER WONDERLAND

Evergreens seen wearing powdery poufy gowns

for snowflakes piled during the night in my town.

No winding black ribbon streets seen

for the snow makes everything clean.

And silence settles

over the meadows.

Everything’s covered with a soft blanket

like the inner batting of a warm quilt.

A stillness can be heard –

earth being comforted

with this snow-white soft blanket spread

over the garden’s winter beds.

It’s quiet, no songs heard

from winter-time birds

for creatures are hibernating

hidden under this covering.

The sky’s heavy laden.

No bright sun peaking.

There are snow cones

on fence posts formed

and flower pots

wearing cone hats.

A party awaits.

Don’t you be late!

Out comes the scarves and mittens,

warm boots and woolen leggings

for a day of fun is planned.

Don’t forget the toboggan.

Snow cones are sampled.

There’s snowballs ample.

Soon Frosty takes shape.

With a bright scarf he’s draped.

He oversees his kingdom

until the temperature warms

then he disappears

until next year.

Someone else does appear

with two pink cheeks dear,

and a cold

red nose,

without a hat, and clothes soaking wet

demanding a cup of hot chocolate.

Silence returns to the garden

now overseen by a snowman.

The undisturbed covering

now with footprints trampling.

A fun memory was made today.

That makes the cold of winter okay.

* * * * *

A snow day!

Hooray!

Rather you consider snow a trick or a treat

whichever you might choose – it still is neat!

Little frozen wisps of snowy white fluff

piled high might cause you to get stuck.

Created by God for our enjoyment

while others find extra employment.

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, “Fall on the earth”…

The animals take cover;

they remain in their dens…

The breath of God produces ice,

and the broad waters become frozen…

Job 37:5-10

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Well-Watered

WELL-WATERED

Have you noticed a garden grows much better

from rain poured down from the clouds

then it does from hand watering just so?

Have you noticed your day seems to turn out better

when you spend time in God’s Word

then when you are too busy to do so?

Being well-watered,

with sun and soil mixtures

causes every garden to flourish.

Being well-versed

in God’s Word, the Scriptures,

causes the gardener to flourish.

Every garden needs sun

and good ground to grow in

as well as being watered from above.

The gardener needs the Son

and God’s Word to stand on

and He will be blessed from the Lord above.

* * * * *

A well-watered garden produces abundantly.

A life well-watered from scriptures lives abundantly.

For a well-watered garden will flourish

as a life honoring God does flourish.

Now don’t compare to the world’s definition

of living abundantly - their equation.

Living abundantly in the world is possessing more and more.

Sometimes it might even be building more in order to store more.

God’s definition of abundant living

is peace and joy and contentment with thanksgiving.

Contentment that God knows what is best

and that He will take care of all the rest.

One way to know God will take care of you

is to seek His kingdom for God says

all these things will be added unto you –

what you eat and drink and the clothes you wear.

You’ll find your cup will be overflowing

for you will receive God’s many blessings

all from seeking God truly

for your every need daily.

As God supplies rain and dew for the gardener

He will always guide or protect the gardener.

That is a faithful promise from God’s Word

for God says He is WITH us in His Word.

One characteristic of God is His faithfulness

meaning He faithfully will protect and provide for us.

Now never compare yourself to someone else –

that’s called envy and jealousy – it’s prideful self.

Let God satisfy you personally

with His best for your personality.

You’ll have a storehouse of God’s faithfulness to recall

when sometimes it seems you are up against a hard wall.

Did you notice Isaiah said sun-scorched?

That doesn’t sound like sitting on a porch.

That sounds like problems in our tomorrows

and possibly days filled with more sorrow.

It’s the hard times that strengthen us

for adversity teaches us

that God will remain faithful

even when we’re unfaithful.

So God who is our guide will protect us always,

He will amply provide for our needs everyday,

while at the same time He will preserve us by making us grow stronger

so that we will be productive – like a well-watered gardener.

Productive in giving God all the glory

for we are part of His continuing story.

Our spring will never run dry

for God is with us, that’s why!

The Lord will guide you always;                                       Protector

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land             Provider

and will strengthen your frame.                                        Preserver

You will be like a well-watered garden,                             Productive

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58: 11

Do not worry, saying, What shall we eat?

or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?

Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness

and all these things will be given to you as well.

Do not worry about tomorrow.

Matthew 6:31-34

For this God is our God for ever and ever;

he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 48:14

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Catalogs

CATALOGS

Today the mailbox is stuffed with seed catalogs –

there’s Gardens Alive, Burpee, Gurney’s, and more.

Despite a blizzard outdoors

over their pages I pour.

Every year I seem to want more, more, more.

Seed catalogs have more than the store.

Whenever I receive a seed catalog

my hopes and dreams for my garden does soar

for I want more, more, more.

Seed catalogs are a lure.

If I were to buy more,

I forget I will be sore.

For digging in the dirt makes me sore.

There are stones buried in the ground’s floor.

Though digging is good for my core

and I’m thankful for garden boots wore

to me gardening is never a bore.

Especially if I were to buy more, more, more.

So today I’ll pour

over these catalogs.

An enchanting tour

each year seems to lure.

My yearly quest for more, more, more

will leave me financially poor

but, oh, the allure

of this catalog tour.

Did I order more?

Unfortunately no

for neither my checkbook nor

my rainy-day fund had in store

enough lucre

for more, more, more.

* * * * *

Contentment:

a word meant

to be gratified

and satisfied.

Serenity comes to mind

though it’s often hard to find.

To be happy with what is.

To not want is the quiz.

Did I pass?

Not while life lasts!

I want more, more, more.

Something always lures.

Keep your lives free from the love of money

and be content with what you have…

Hebrews 13:5

Godliness with contentment is great gain. I Timothy 6:6

The fear of the Lord leads to life:

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 19:23

There was no end to his toil,

yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

This too is meaningless - a miserable business.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances...

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.

Philippians 4:11-12

If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

I Timothy 6:8

 

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