Raking

Raking

Raked yesterday.

Rain late today

makes for more raking another day.

Actually for several more days

for more leafs fall everyday

to be raked one sunny day.

Last night there was a freeze.

Plop, plop, plop, plop, plop more leaves

join the pile of fallen leaves

of golds, rusts, and browns which please.

Listen: the skyward honking V's

of south-going geese tends to please.

Something we can count on

every spring and autumn

are the geese honking - heard overhead, then gone

as they wing their way to greener pastures - so long.

Talking about colors, do notice the sky is the bluest blue

this time of the year (orange opposite blue on the color wheel), it's true.

It feels good to stretch when raking these fallen leaves

though the pile is disturbed if there's a breeze.

This afternoon's breeze

is just a tease

as one rolls up their sleeves.

A-choo!!! is often sneezed.

Before you know it the afternoon is over

for daylight savings time on the calendar

makes nighttime come earlier

and fortunately bedtime earlier

for many gardeners go to bed earlier

as they can't wait to get up earlier.

Not just because raking waits

but because it seemingly takes

much longer to do less when awake -

every gardener seems to contemplate.

So early they rise every morning so they're not late

for much work awaits for them beyond the garden gate.

* * * * *

After much raking

comes Thanksgiving -

a time to recount our blessings

with thankful hearts we're celebrating.

A time to give thanks to the Lord,

for Whom without we cannot afford,

for His faithfulness to us each day.

"Thank you, Lord," we should often pray.

For God's unconditional love to us

despite our lack of faith and waning trust

for His love never, ever wavers.

That's why He sent us a Savior.

For His grace that enables

when it seems we're unable

to remain strong

in the face of wrong.

For God's comfort in trials,

troubles and physical ails

while learning that God can use our troubles

to encourage someone that God is able.

For His forgiveness

when we confess

we've chosen wrong

and made the wrong turn.

For God's patience with us time after time

for God knows we often have fearful minds

yet waits for us to come to the end of our self

then finally call on Him for needed help.

For His continual mercy though undeserved,

knowing there's nothing we can do to deserve

which teaches us to be merciful to others

as God reminds us to “bear with one another.”

For God's compassion

new every morning

ensuring us we are loved

and teaching us how to love.

For these and so many more,

Dear Lord, we are thankful for

our abundant blessings

new every morning.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

Because of his great love for us,

God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions -

it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort

we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-4

You are a forgiving God,

gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love.

Nehemiah 9:17

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin...

You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:19

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.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Life Is a Garden Party

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