Of Lions and Lambs

 

Of Lions and Lambs

Snow atop dandelions?

It's true. Really. I'm not lying.

It's the last week of April, no less.

Going out like a lion, I'd guess.

It makes sense for it came in like a lamb

as the warm temperatures were above norm.

Everyone was excited that winter was past.

This week, though, winter came back with a surprise blast -

of snow, sleet, rain, and freezing temps.

Is that what the poet meant?

Was his quote from experience?

Is it from a trick of science?

"Out like a lion, in like a lamb"

for April did come in like a lamb

now snarling like an unhappy lion

leaving snow behind on the dandelions,

the daffodils, forsythia, wild violets,

grape hyacinths, dogwood, weeping cherry, tulips.

The fruit trees in blossom endure

this week's freezing temperatures.

Thermostats are grudgingly hiked back up,

again wearing long pants instead of shorts,

winter hangs on and on and on.

Everyone seems to grumble and moan.

So as the saying goes

and this year again proved so:

“In like a lion, out like a lamb”

or vice versa throughout the land

proved true once again

no matter what one plans.

* * * * *

Revelation 5 talks about the Lord as both a lion and a lamb.

The Old and New Testaments refer to God by the name “I Am.”

Those these thoughts do not coincide with the above chapters

they could be thoughts to ponder or consider.

As many have thought and asked,

how could God ever allow that?

Meaning, why do bad things happen to good people?

Or why do good things happen to bad people?

A paradox, it seems.

Is God good or mean?

God is righteous, which is the key

to understanding plenty.

The Lord as a lion who rules over us wisely, Amen,

and also a lamb who sacrificed His life for our sins.

The Lord as fierce as a lion or as gentle as a lamb.

He's both and so much more besides. He's the great "I Am."

They are the one and the same.

A righteous judge is His acclaim,

Who knows us all by name

and loves us all the same.

One day all is right in our world and we might boast.

The next day God seems silent when we need Him the most.

Life seems unfair.

Does God even care?

A loved one is diagnosed.

A surprise unemployment.

No money in the bank.

Endings bringing heartache.

Though the end result is not always what we would chose,

God has a plan for us to lean on Him, if we chose.

God waits to hear our unspoken prayers,

even the ones that question if God cares.

God wants everyone of us to daily repent

and He desires everyone to be obedient.

Sometimes troubles come to draw us closer to God,

to teach us God is faithful when times are hard.

Sometimes God decides to test our faith

while always bestowing unlimited grace.

Most times we will never know the why.

Why God allowed our dreams to die.

Maturing will show us by and by

that God works for the good, that's why;

and so that His plan and purposes be ordained

benefiting His loved ones, though sometimes causes pain.

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah

Revelation 5:5

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!

Revelation 5:12

The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and loving toward all he has made.

Psalm 145:17

Godly sorrow brings repentance

that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.

II Corinthians 7:10

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace

to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

...to humble and to test you

in order to know what was in your heart,

whether or not you would keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 8:2

We know that in all things God works

for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Life Is a Garden Party

Vol I, II, III, IV

are available via Amazon.