Respite

Respite

In a few minutes

I'll continue yard work,

but for right now I'll survey

seeing hard work does pay.

In blossom today

providing a bright array

are orange turkscap, purple phlox, purple coneflowers,

yellow lilies, heliopsis, sunflowers,

daisies, coreopsis, rudbeckias,

hydrangea, ladybells, hostas,

oregano, borage, red bee balm,

blazing stars, rose campion.

There's even vegetables in blossom.

My pots of gold – squash blossoms:

zucchini, buttercup,

summer squash, butternut.

There's a rainbow of delights

here at Rainbow's End tonight.

Something else that pleases me

is the drone of busy bees.

A swallowtail investigates

what's behind my garden gate.

Though he visits turkscap lilies and phlox,

it's the purple cone flowers he likes a lot.

There's a hummingbird in the yellow lilies.

A garden without lilies is just plain silly.

Now she's in the red bee balm

sharing with the bees without alarm.

A buzz close to me, an arm's length away,

is my special surprise of the day.

Around and around like a corkscrew

she sips refreshing afternoon dew.

The red geranium

had caught her attention.

It's a female hummingbird.

All to soon she's off, she soars.

Oh my, a chase ensures then a cry.

Two hummingbirds for flowers vie.

One is gone. One remains.

Seen in the bee balm again.

Another chase. Another cry.

"There's more than enough, you guys!

See, the red trumpet vine is in bloom now,

as well as the bonfire begonia."

If I hadn't been taking a respite,

I may not have noticed the fight.

Other birds are seen traveling on their journey through

together, not vying, as a general rule.

Yellow finches, wrens,

cardinals, robins.

All bring delight here at Rainbow's End.

And I find delight as I tend.

So this respite of writing is over for now.

Work before play was bred into me somehow.

Though I'd rather be writing,

must get back to the weeding.

Ta

Ta

* * * * *

Respite. A time to simply breathe and enjoy.

To forget about everything that annoys.

To rest body, soul, and spirit

of the problems life brings with it.

A respite

despite

stress

which tests

our faith,

but grace

enables

us able

to continue

to pursue

life's challenges

with a knowledge

that God is with us

and will grow our trust.

With Him

we win.

Don't quit.

Respite.

Through prayer

let God bear

your daily worries

and anxieties.

Meditate on God's promises

which are His assurances

that God has a good plan and purpose,

God's very best solution for us.

Until the day God calls us home

life will be filled with problems

but the Lord, who is with us,

simply invites us to trust.

And when that day finally comes

when our work on earth is done,

when God calls us to our heavenly home,

when we hear Him say to us "well done,"

on that day when we rest from our labors

our loved ones will recount God's gracious favor.

Daily came away and rest awhile in God's grace

as you allow God's faithful Word to worries erase.

God's faithfulness will encourage others, too,

when you testify of God's goodness to you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in our own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plan to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

You whom I have upheld since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in my weakness.

II Corinthians 12:9

They will rest from their labor,

for their deeds will follow them.

Revelation 14:13

Life Is a Garden Party

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