Ode to Rose

Ode to Rose

How lovely a blooming rose.
It's beauty comes from within, it shows

as its petals open and pose.

Spiraling around it goes

one petal at a time, it grows

full bloom into a lovely rose.

How fragrant this blooming rose

delighting everyone's nose

as most everyone knows.

How beautiful it grows.

Covered with dewdrops, it glows.

Yes, how lovely a rose.

It's the object of many poet's prose

who often pen heartfelt tributes to a rose

one day quoted as romantic words sowed.

You'll find this perfect rose from thorns arose -

as joy from sorrow one day will be bestowed.

Yes, hope deferred is born - as time will show.

It's the thorns in life that eventually sow

internal beauty grown from heartache and woe,

the end result being lovelier than a rose.

Long-time gardeners know a rose

will endure a lifetime of woes

for roses attract many foes.

Not only are poets romanced by a rose,

so are aphids and green worms, and black spot grows.

These insects might be knocked off with the water hose.

Even deer are know to nip off rosebuds by their nose

often tattle-tailed by the tell-tale print of their toes.

Yes, roses are know to attract many unwanted foes.

Despite the woes

that roses pose,

lovely is a rose.

This ode to a rose

written in prose

now comes to a close.

* * * * *

This ode refers to "hope deferred"

as in when our dreams are on hold

or when prayers are seemingly ignored.

As we all know, waiting is hard to do,

even though patience is bestowed, it's true,

as a diamond in the rough turns into a jewel.

Yes, waiting has much to teach everyone of us.

It ultimately grows our faith as we learn to trust.

It's meant to be a time of rest instead of stress.

As we grow in faith and faithfully trust

we realize God has a good plan for us,

our prayers are heard and therein we place our trust.

So we wait for our prayers to one day be answered

then often realize God had a better answer

for it's in God's time wherein lies the key to the answer.

Sometimes when God doesn't answer your prayers when you'd like him to,

it's because He has something much better in His plan for you.

In the meantime, continue to give God glory because He loves you.

In God's time, in God's time...

God makes all things possible in His time.

May the prayers I offer Him

bring glory to my King

as God makes all things possible in His time.

(Deviation of “In His Time”.)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:2

Thy will be done.

Matthew 6:10 (KJV)

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Likes

LIKES

I like lilies the best

I most often confess.

Oriental and Asiatic lilies deer seem to like.

I wish those unwelcome deer would take a long, long hike.

The roses are really nice this year.

To me they have become somewhat dear.

Deer like roses I’ve found.

Now no blossoms are found.

Black caps with berries forming

in the midnight breeze honing

now bear no sweet berries for deer

ate them without an ounce of fear.

Sundrops yellow blooms will brighten everyone's day.

Like seeing sunshine even on a rainy day.

Deer ate the bright yellow blooms

one night under the midnight moon.

Evening primrose full of buds tight

ready to open tomorrow night

but deer ate them tonight

in the dark of the night.

I like big hosta leaves.

They seem to please me.

Deer also like hosta leaves.

I’m not at all pleased!

Sunflowers growing tall

beckon to one and all.

Deer will eat tender sunflowers

if you have them in your bower.

The grapevine no longer wears leafs

for deer ate when I was asleep.

If only I knew when they came

I’d go out and call them names.

I like phlox,

a lot.

Deer also favor phlox.

Deer are sly, as a fox.

Brown-eyed susans are a favorite.

They also are the deer favorite.

The perfect solution would be if they only ate weeds.

If so, they and their kin would be most welcome, indeed.

- - - - -

Of deerterrants I do not lack

yet deer seem to keep coming back

to see what I’ve concocted for them out back.

I don’t know if they are does or wear a rack.

Though I've tried to outsmart them,

they are sly like a fox, ahem.

Smarter than I am, for sure.

They keep returning for more.

More snacks, and definitely to see what I've devised

to discourage them from returning, because they're wise.

I imagine they snort and laugh

at my silly, lame antics.

If you would like to bring a nap sack

and stay the night out back

with a bow and arrow packed,

I wouldn’t say no to you, Jack or Zack.

* * * * *

Deer do serve a functional purpose

just as all animals have a use.

They are good in soups and stews

and tasty in meatloaf too.

The Bible even gives you permission

to dine on these bucks and does called venison.

Hooray for the hunters in our nation

who help decrease overpopulation.

These are the animals you may eat:

the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer,

the wild goad, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep.

Deuteronomy 14:4-5

Didn't jump the neighbor's fence as I was in the yard.

Life Is a Garden Party
is available via Amazon.

Vegetarians

One of the mothers the day two fawns were born in my yard.

Vegetarians

Daniel loves to eat vegetables.

He doesn't wait to set the table.

He eats what he wants

as often as he wants.

Daniel likes sweet green peppers the best.

He eats them before he eats the rest.

He hasn't tried hot peppers at all.

Perhaps he's too smart, that Daniel.

One of his favorites is snow peas.

Green pole beans also seem to please.

Daniel has never said no to beets either.

He likes butternut squash when its tender.

Daniel will try potatoes

and nibble on tomatoes.

Green seems to be his favorite color,

though he wears a tan coat and collar.

Yes, Daniel loves to eat vegetables.

This is a true tale, not a fable.

Then again, the eater might be Danielle, who knows

for they come in the middle of the night, you know.

Daniel or Danielle are unwelcome guests.

Who are these midnight guests? Can you guess?

They are deer

who are not dear.

But they do have a lesson to teach us:

vegetables are very good for us.

They give us strength to jump up high

and endurance to run fast, bye bye.

* * * * *

The Bible tells us a true story about another Daniel.

This Daniel asked for vegetables to be served at the table.

Daniel and his friends were healthier looking

and God gave them all a keen mind for learning.

It is a good idea to follow Daniel's example.

Daniel, God's servant; not Daniel the deer's example

because Daniel the deer steals his vegetables

and you know, of course, that stealing is illegal.

Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink...

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished...

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding

of all kinds of literature and learning.

Daniel 1:12, 15, 17

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love.

Proverbs 15:17

You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Empty Nest

Empty Nest

Someone's growing up too fast.

Ready to leave home at last.

Their heads peek out the door.

They can't wait to explore.

Their parents are busy this morn

feeding their big babies worms.

And how they talk up a storm!

Their babies have lots to learn.

Are these parents saying "stay"

or encouraging "go play"?

Will today

be the day?

One leans too far out.

Suddenly he's out.

Or was he pushed

for two more heads push...

out the door

to explore

the great outdoors

where fun allures.

The first one

air born

spreads his wings

in the wind.

He's free! He's free!

There's much to see.

He calls "follow me"

to his siblings with glee.

There they go

down low

then up high as the breeze

blows in the trees leaves.

Spreading their wings

they glide on the wind.

Free!

Free!

Are their parents happy or sad?

Are the fledglings glad?

Their parents did their best.

All too soon there's an empty nest.

* * * * *

Do you feel empty, void, useless?

Do you feel you've lost your purpose?

A job ended unexpectedly.

Maybe illness came suddenly.

Perhaps the loss of your spouse

or foreclosure on your house.

Life the way you know it has changed.

Your time is now rearranged.

Sometimes this rearranging

is God's way of preparing -

opening the door for a new opportunity,

turning a dream into a possibility.

Instead of dwelling on the past

get busy and have a blast.

Turn your negatives

into positives.

An adventure awaits.

You won't want to be late.

Many, O Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us

no one can recount to you,

were I to speak and tell of them,

they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:5

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Psalm 139:17-18

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

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Rain

RAIN

Rain greens the grass like a can of paint,

like applied fertilizer can't.

There's a luminous brightness

greening the grass with a freshness.

Aglow

it grows

overnight,

leaf green bright.

Blooms reach heavenward to receive

the rain falling on blades and leaves.

Rain welcomed

in gardens

where there's a colorful rainbow on the ground -

red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple found.

More will be found tomorrow, you'll find,

when their petals unfurl in the sunshine.

Birds singing in the rain shower.

Their tune as bright as the flowers.

Cheerfully they take a bath

before the rain shower does pass.

Others hover

under cover.

Some cover their little ones

when the rain comes down on them.

Rain cools the air

and scents the air

with a freshness

and cleanness

while clouds pass over

so that others

to the east will receive

as a breeze stirs the leaves.

When rain comes in the middle of the night,

rain becomes a lullaby tonight

for this shower

passing over

is like a blessing

everlasting

sent from God above

with abiding love.

Even though rain grows more weeds

it's still a blessing, indeed,

for a free exercise program awaits.

Everyday there's an expected date.

Weeds call my name

after the rain

softens the earth making easier weeding.

I find the end result is always pleasing.

This week rain is forecasted every day.

Between the showers you'll find me, today,

putting on my gardening boots

for it's a good time to uproot

those weed seeds that sprout overnight

pushing their way into sight.

The birds are singing.

It's time for weeding...

* * * * *

Sunshine, rain, and the brown earth

are needed to give birth

to seeds

and weeds.

God's Son made a way when He came to earth

to ensure those who believe a second birth

when we believe

then receive.

In this second birth we become children of God

who dwells within to guide us on the path we trod

for earth is our temporal home.

Heaven is our eternal home.

Our journey on earth will be full of difficulties,

disappointments, sorrows, troubles, and a lot of worries,

all of which are temporary,

seemingly making us contrary.

The Bible tells us to expect

life to be less than perfect.

But the Bible also gives us abiding hope

for Jesus has overcome, to help us cope.

So when a little rain rains on your parade

in the form of troubles, which sometimes cascade,

remember adversity builds faith

which in turn will grow us more Christ-like.

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God

unless he is born again.

John 3:3

We live by faith, not by sight.

II Corinthians 5:7

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

For our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an eternal glory

that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

II Corinthians 4:17-18

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:1-4

(Yes, there's a purpose in sufferings.

Character means Christlikeness.)

I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

for you saw my affliction

and knew the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 31:7

This morning's daily verse:

I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Isaiah 45:3

Note to self:

If you feel that you're in a dark place

(unanswered prayers, terminal illness, tight finances, more),

bear in mind that God is there, alongside.

You are not alone. God knows your name.

He knows you personally. He knows what makes your heart heavy.

Those dark times are meant to build your faith and trust.

Faith and trust are the treasures, the riches,

drawing you closer to God, to know Him (heart and head knowledge).

Learn to view your difficulties from God's perspective.

Ask God to teach you what you need to learn.

Strength will come, blessings will flow, prayers will be answered, joy will return -

all in God's time.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.