February 28

Been having some health issues this month.  Will update when have a definitive diagnosis.  Sixteen years ago when had similar issues, it was fixable.  Praying "I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living," from Psalm.

This morning read Exodus 33.  Verse 2 states:
"I will send an angel before you
and drive out the
Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites."

These "ites" were God's peoples "enemies" living in the promised land, Canaan.

Was thinking how to personalize to apply to our lives.
I will send an angel before you and drive out:
C - cancer
A - anxiety
H - heartache
P - problems
H - headaches (physical and literal)
J - judgmental people/slanderers.

Will think on this some more to expand on the "ites."

Whatever your "ites" are, remember what the Lord promised in Exodus 3:7-8:
The Lord said,
"I have indeed SEEN the misery of my people...
I have HEARD them crying out...
and I am CONCERNED about their suffering.
So I have come down to RESCUE them..."

One of my favorite verses:
The guide 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.                                    PROMISE
Isaiah 58:11

May God bless you

as you ALL have blessed me.

Winter's Gift

Winter's Gift

One by one they float

like large white dust motes

from up high

in the sky

tumbling down

like soft down.

Though silent

they come, wet,

cold and

frozen -

this white

delight.

One by one they pile

mile after mile

upon the frozen ground

where a carpet is found.

Soon mounds

abound.

Children take delight

in this playground white

for something they will create

from these white frozen flakes.

Soon they put on mittens and boots,

bundled up snug in their snowsuits.

Snow angels are made

and snowmen parade

in many back yards

like a stiff frozen guard.

Children now cold and wet

come in for hot chocolate.

Winter's gift

now adrift

as wind blows

the cold snow.

Others plow

this snow now.

Another day the sun will come out to shine.

The snowmen will disappear over time.

Winter's gift will be gone

except for memories fond

and pictures taken

of snowflakes falling.

* * * * *

These flakes, a gift,

through the air shifts

fluttering,

tumbling.

Piling high

then still and lies

in quiet quest

and final rest.

A winter wonderland

perhaps was God's plan

for snow is a wonder.

Is anything funner?

"Marvelous"and "great"

is what the Bible states

when it talks about snowflakes,

though, for some, that's up for debate.

Dependent on what part of the country you reside in, I suppose,

is this gift of snow that causes extra employment and cold noses.

Those who see this gift infrequently are delighted.

Those who see this gift daily are wearied.

A gift is what it is and does remain

as long as the temperature refrains.

Do look for the delight found in this gift,

even if it means a day to stay home adrift.

Winter's gift doesn't last long

for when sun beams finally dawn

these flakes are long gone

as if had never come.

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Job 37:5-6

He sends his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

He spreads the snow like wool

and scatters the frost like ashes.

Psalm 147:15-16

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Dance

Dance

Spinning, swirling

twisting, twirling.

Floating, drifting

while fluttering.

Lovely, quite ethereal

sent from the celestials.

One by one more appear

dancing together near.

These gossamer tu-tus

catch ones attention, they do.

Light as a feather

they now gather.

Performing their art

in mute, soundless parts

for no music is heard,

not even a chord.

Spinning, swirling

twisting, twirling.

Floating, drifting

while fluttering.

As if chased, they run

in a waltz of fun -

graceful, poised -

bringing joy.

Not one misstep

for each step

is orchestrated,

as if conducted.

Who is it that dances away

yesterday and again today?

Fluttering down from the heavens

are dancing snowflakes from heaven.

* * * * *

May your spirit dance

despite your circumstance.

My joy abide

whatever betides.

May there be a song on your lips

that will cause a smile to lift.

May thankfulness be a part

of every beat of your heart.

You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19-20

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Valentine's Bouquet

Valentine's Day Bouquet

I'm sending you a bouquet

filled with flowers today

that in their own shy way say

you're loved each and every day.

Your bouquet is filled with

these flowers I chose to give:

as orchids mean beautiful lady,

I chose these for you, beautiful lady.

Red roses that ensure you're loved

by me and by God in heaven above.

These zinnias mean thinking of you

which I find is always nice to do.

A hydrangea to say thanks for all you do.

You are a blessing to others and to me too.

Some daisies for I know you'll act innocent

when someone thanks you for the gift of your presence.

These hibiscus

mean filled with grace

which is seen on your beautiful face

and bestowed on all you embrace.

Tiny blue forget-me-nots do remind me of you

and your faithful friendship to me through the years, so true.

A sunflower to bring sunshine

even when the sun doesn't shine.

Yes, blue and yellow

go well together

whatever the outside weather

as we are friends through whatever.

Sweet faced pansies for remembrance

of your gentle spirit and sweet fragrance.

Surrounded by lily-of-the-valley bringing happiness to you

as I know from time-to-time circumstances make you feel somewhat blue.

Accented with ferns that signify sincerity

and ivy that indicates friendship between you and me.

May this little nosegay

bring you much joy today.

Be sure to give your own bouquet

to those near and far away

for they all need a bright ray

to remind them they're loved, okay?

* * * * *

Flowers in my yard remind me of someone kind

for many were given to me once upon a time.

My friend, Connie, gave me lily-of-the-valley.

Thinking of my dear friend makes me happy.

Pansies were my gram's favorite which I yearly purchase

even though I don't need pansies for remembrance.

A package of zinnias is planted to attract monarchs each year.

You'll find me chasing with camera in hand when they appear.

Next time you see these above-mentioned individual flowers,

may you be reminded of their sincere meanings, thereafter.

Not only do flowers beautify planet earth yearly,

they provide nectar for bees producing honey.

Flowers please our senses - our sight, our smell, our touch;

they also speak, silently that is, with an unspoken flounce.

Flowers speak to our hearts with a message of love

direct from God, the Creator, who loves you. Hugs.

We love because he first loved us.

I John 4:19

Let us love one another,

for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God

and knows God.

I John 4:7

How great is the love

the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called

children of God!

and that is what we are!

I John 3:1

Awake, north wind, and come, south wind!

Blow on my garden,

that its fragrance may spread abroad.

Song of Songs 4:16

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Waiting

Waiting

For the beauty of the snow,

piling high in valleys low...

decorating trees and earth

with a cover of new birth...

Yes, there is beauty in the snow

but there comes a time, you know,

when it seems "enough already"

as for spring we're more than ready.

Enough of the below zero temperatures.

Enough of being frozen to the core.

Enough of shoveling.

Enough of sniffling.

We're tired of sunless mornings.

We're tired of long, dark evenings.

We're tried of the wait for warmer weather.

We're tired of the wait to feel better.

We can't wait to put away our boots, scarfs, and mittens.

We can't wait to be rid of this weather that sickens.

We can't wait for spring.

We can't wait to garden.

We're quite antsy

which is funny

for we couldn't wait for winter either.

Our minds quite often are helter-skelter.

Though come February

we can't see snow's beauty.

We are weary of this weather.

We seem to think spring is better.

We forget weather is temporary,

though it sometimes makes us contrary.

When winter does give way to spring

we forget there's more work to begin.

Then there'll be something else to complain about.

It's a wonder we don't wear a permanent pout.

Are we ever content?

Or do we just vent?

Enjoy the beauty of the snow

for it's temporary, you know.

In a few weeks the birds will again sing

when they announce it's here – finally:  spring!

* * * * *

Bottom line, though,

snow is a gift for

its an insulator

to the plants below.

Without the freezing snow

many bulbs wouldn't show

their brilliant beauty each coming spring

for bulbs need this time for hibernating.

Yes, beauty is found in the snow's offering.

Take a moment to watch it quietly falling.

See it covering the trees,

that is, until there's a breeze.

On sunny days it melts

then puddles come out

to water the earth

wherein lies new birth.

Next month it may be gone

then you'll have to wait long

for snow to return again.

You'll find you'll be welcoming!

So enjoy it today.

Make today a play day

for snow is a gift, a present,

then gone when spring is present.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'...

so that all men he has made may know his work,

he stops every man from his labor.

The animals take cover;

they remain in their dens.

The tempest comes out from its chamber,

the cold from the driving winds.

The breath of God produces ice,

and the broad waters become frozen.

Job 37:6-10

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower

and bread for the eater.

Isaiah 55:10

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.