The Day Before Thanksgiving

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving

in this blessed country we're living

our kitchens are a-flutter.

Don't forget the butter.

The day before Thanksgiving

there are pies baking in the oven

with cinnamon and allspice.

Doesn't it all smell nice!

The day before Thanksgiving

the turkey's still defrosting,

butternut squash is ready for roasting

when the pies come out of the oven.

The day before Thanksgiving

there's day-old bread for cubing

to mix with poultry seasoning

causing some to be sneezing.

The day before Thanksgiving

celery and onions are sauteing

to be added to the stuffing

or do you call it dressing?

The day before Thanksgiving

the refrigerator's stuffed with everything.

In fact, each one's favorite foods for eating,

as everyone is preparing for a day of feasting.

The day before Thanksgiving

the pretty company dishes need a quick washing,

perhaps the tablecloths or linens need pressing,

and there doesn't seem to be time for everything.

The day before Thanksgiving

our country is preparing

for a day of feasting

with much thanksgiving.

* * * * *

The day before Thanksgiving

with thankful hearts we're intent on giving

a prayer of gratitude overflowing

for much more than the food we're busy cooking.

We're thankful for our loved ones,

those near and those far from home,

for those added to the family

and those now in eternity.

We're thankful for everyone's health

irregardless of what has been dwelt -

for adversity teaches us to trust,

growing our faith, which is God's good plan for us.

We're thankful for freedom to worship

with others in like fellowship,

to pray for one another,

and encourage each other.

We're thankful for God's Word

which helps keep us moored

in choosing to do what's right,

to stand firm in faith, not sight.

We're thankful for God's Word which keeps us nourished

so that our faith will grow strong and flourish

as God's Word is food for the soul -

sustenance to keep us well and whole.

We're thankful for ...

(be sure to discuss what you're thankful for).

Foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving

by those who believe and who know the truth.

For everything God created is good.

I Timothy 4:3-4

Let us come before him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Didn't have a photo of a pie to share

but did find this bridal shower cake

that seems appropriate.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Gathering

Gathering

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing

as friends and family join in one big union

around the table abundantly laden

with the garden's yearly colorful offerings.

But before we partake by dining

we'll offer up heartfelt thanksgiving

by coming together with a connecting

of everyone's hands around the table joining.

There's the large calloused hands of those who labor,

rather fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers,

co-joined with the frail, soft hands of one's great grandmother,

who may join hands with a pudgy-fisted toddler.

There's the hands of the ones who prepared dinner,

perhaps roughened and red from cold weather,

linked with antsy teenagers

who can't wait to eat dinner.

Hands that create

and others that bake

something for dinner tonight

which brings diners delight.

Other times two loving hands connect

though this merging is often too quick.

Fingers wearing rings engraved with "together forever"

and other fingers with scars and stains worn forever.

There are hands dotted with age spots,

lined hands that have seen a lot

of sorrows and joys

as their hands employed.

If only these hands could talk

they'd tell tales that you'd never thought.

Sometimes this familiar joining

is meant to stop fidgeting.

Hands with short fingers still growing,

slender fingers of one blossoming

wearing nail polish expressing

one's individuality often.

Hands that lovingly care,

hands that often share,

hands that burdens bear,

hands daily pressed in prayer.

Hands in all shapes and sizes, eight fingers, two thumbs,

in various shades, belonging to a loved one,

held together for a moment in time -

a familiar tie in which love binds.

Hands joined together with thankful hearts

that one day will no longer park

around this table any longer,

replaced by hands of a stranger.

Yet this stranger one day invited in

becomes family now known as kin.

This gathering around the table becomes

to new family members a heartfelt welcome.

May tonight as you gather together to eat

become a time when hands reach out to greet,

to connect with a loving heart

before dining begins to start.

Holding hands in prayer,

thanking God for His care,

then God's goodness share

through abundant fare.

* * * * *

Have you ever thought about God's hands?

Every day they uphold men and women

and care for His beloved children

for in God's hands there is a saving plan

to sustain and protect all humans

across all countries and distant lands.

He's got the whole world in His hands...

He's got you and me brother in His hands...

He's got you and me sister in His hands...

He's got the little tiny babies His hands...

He's got the whole world in His hands...

Here's some selected verses from Psalms

on which to quietly reflect on

about God's awesome hands.

Hands which fill us with songs

with grateful thanksgiving on our tongues

giving praise to God to whom we belong.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

You give me your shield of victory,

and your right hand sustains me;

you stoop down to make me great.

Psalm 18:35

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6

My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15

If the Lord delights in a man's way,

he makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;

let your right hand display awesome deeds.

Psalm 45:4

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

You hold me by your right hand.

You guide me with you counsel...

Psalm 73:23-24

Your arm is endued with power;

your hand is strong,

your right hand exalted.

Psalm 89:13

For the Lord is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The seas is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:3-5

Help me, O Lord my God;

save me in accordance with your love.

Let them know that it is your hand,

that you, O Lord, have done it.

Psalm 109:26-27

The Lord's right hand is lifted high;

the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!

Psalm 118:16

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:12

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,

with your right hand you save me.

Psalm 138:7

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your love, O Lord, endures forever -

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Crunch

CRUNCH

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

not popcorn for lunch.

Outdoors underfoot

when a stroll you took

snap, crackle, pop, crunch heard

on the earth's carpeted floor.

Carpeted in red, orange, gold

before turning into a brown load

to be raked one sunny afternoon -

autumn's last bouquet of blooms are doomed.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

into a pile a bunch

of leaves raked

then relocate.

Leaves recycled into free mulch

put on the garden to produce much

for over the winter they'll decay.

You'll find composting does well pay.

Late summer you'll hear snap, crackle, pop, crunch

when green beans are prepared for lunch

or snow peas eaten under the sun -

a snack straight from the garden.

For autumn's dead leaves became

nutrients for the garden's gain.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

decomposed leaves add a punch.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch!

Rather raking leaves into a bunch

or fresh vegetables for lunch,

enjoy today as you crunch.

* * * * *

There is no waste in God's economy.

He planned earth to renew itself, you see.

Leaves are given new birth

when decompose into the earth.

These nutrients are then fed

to grow our daily bread.

There's a more wonderful new birth

waiting for all humans on earth.

We have the opportunity to be born again

when we believe Jesus came to die for our sins.

This new birth becomes our eternal salvation

that God provided for all men and women.

Just believe

then receive

God's plan of salvation.

It's our regeneration.

Your new birth awaits. Just pray.

Don't delay. Do so today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe

and right now I pray to receive

your gift of salvation that's free

because you died on Calvary for me.

You made a way

for me that day.

Thank you. Guide me to live your way

as I seek to live for you everyday.

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:21

Putting the vegetable garden to bed.

Life is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Still

Although November at the time of this posting, it looks like winter outside.

Still

In the still of the night they came

as a hush lay over the land;

silently they came, though not motionless,

causing more work for many of us

and fun for some of you -

rather young or old, it's true.

They came fluttering,

a silent spiraling,

orbiting round and round

then lay still on the ground

silent, their journey ending,

though employment is pending.

A frozen orb caused this fuss,

though it creates a hush,

in the meadows and woodlands,

the countryside, towns, and lawns

as it falls silent and still

while stirring up a chill.

Silent, yet sparkling, effervescent before becoming still,

then children in multi-colored snowsuits and mittens spill

dispelling the quiet born

from these orbs cold and frozen.

Laughter fills the air

from children playing there.

The stillness of the landscape becomes tracked

as snowmen appear from snowballs packed.

These snowmen, still, like guards

made from snow packed hard

survey the snowflakes that descend

from someplace up in the heavens.

Other people get out the shovels,

or noisy snow plows and blowers,

interrupting the still silence

as they seek to keep their balance,

though they might not giggle and laugh

as they work at scooping out a path.

However you view

this cold, still view

a photograph - a still,

will freeze this moment, it will,

of snowflakes falling...

still, silent, calming.

And still they come with a certain solace

as they flutter down from outer space

a serene,

tranquil scene,

silent and still now,

though cold and how.

Still...they lie after their journey,

still...they come every January,

still...the hush heard in February,

still...to some quite contrary.

Now lying still...

through tomorrow...still.

* * * * *

Our lives are rarely still.

We tend to make ourselves ill

with busyness from sunup to sundown

all around our homes and even around town.

Ill as in physically drained

and even emotionally drained

for we take care of everything

but sometimes forfeit one thing.

That one thing is time with the Lord.

Where we should go to be safely moored.

Where peace is found despite difficulties.

When God enables with grace, plenty.

God desires that we learn to be still.

To hear from Him we need to be still

for God speaks to us in a still, small voice

which surely gives us reason to rejoice.

His voice gives us comfort and hope,

gives us direction when we can't cope,

brings us peace in the midst of our troubles,

making our impossible, possible.

Be still and know that God is the Lord

who longs to carry our heavy load.

Don't make yourself ill.

Learn to cease and be still.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

...a still, small voice...

Then a voice said..."What are you doing..."?

I Kings 19:12 (KJV/NIV)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

Cast all your anxiety on him,

for he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Hoary Frost

HOARY FROST

Hoary frost last night.

This morning's sunlight

dissipates the frost.

Summer's flowers now lost.

Icy chill in the air

though sky clear and fair.

No clouds interrupt.

Blue skies from morn to sup.

As the sun streaks

through trees tall peaks

streaks of white frost disappear,

leaving behind a path clear.

The sun highlights the hill

where crayon colors spill.

Above the hill

clear blue skies thrill.

Hillside rust, gold, and green

though every day less green.

Orange appears opposite blue on the color wheel.

To leaf watchers, October skies are a big deal.

Hoary frost on tops of trees.

Trees seen dropping their leaves

like rain drops.

Leafs float then plop.

Listen, you can hear them plop.

A gentle rustle as they stop

atop the blanket of leaves

later stirred up by a breeze.

Each leaf floats down like a wave goodbye

bidding summer goodbye, autumn is nigh

though autumn doesn't last long at all

you'll realize each every fall.

When autumn comes there's much to do

for Jack Frost comes with much ado.

Gardeners hurry for the days are short

as they deadhead and perhaps plant in the dirt.

A perfect autumn day

for the sunshine's bright rays

warmed the air by noon.

Deadheading now looms.

Or maybe plant spring bulbs.

Something gardeners love

for bulbs hold a promise and a wish

when spring arrives with a flourish.

In the meantime a day to enjoy the sun.

A day to get fall cleanup over and done.

The hoary frost

once cold, now lost.

* * * * *

From sun up to sun down

a gardener is found

laboring all day under the sun

for nothing is more satisfying, none,

than harvesting the fruits of your labor

then sharing with friends and neighbors.

Do not forget to do good and to share with others,

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.