SUNFLOWERS

Look what's blooming this week!

I haven't purchased sunflowers in years as birds plant here and there -

in both strawberry beds, in the compost pile, in the vegetable garden, and more.

SUNFLOWERS

Sunflowers face east in the morning

then turn toward the west by evening

following the sun

providing much fun

to birds and bees

and even me

as blue jays and cardinals,

yellow finches and sparrows

know when the seeds are ready to eat

giving many birds and me a treat

as birds are seen eating upside down.

Every year seeds fall to the ground

where next year bright sunflowers will grow

then continue to put on a show

growing tall up toward the sky

with a happy face that says ‘hi’.

These birds will return again,

but never in the pouring rain,

to entertain those who daily watch

wearing red, yellow or blue thatch.

Those blue ones don’t always share –

though their cawing can be heard tear

from their perch in the nearby tree

calling attention to me.

Hey guys, I’m the one who willingly shares

so be thankful for sunflowers that bear

black seeds that you love to eat

each year when you return to greet

with your family and new friends

to my garden at Rainbow’s End.

Perhaps blue jays cawing

is their way of thanking

God, their Creator,

for free sunflowers?

* * * * *

When you hear blue jays, do you think they are thankful

or do you think they are greedy and ungrateful?

Hebrews 13:15-16 offers tips for daily living:

let your life be continually filled with thanksgiving.

Always be in a thankful mode

which makes a testimony bold?

Do your words come from a thankful heart?

If not, it’s never too late to start.

A sacrifice of praise is giving God glory.

Let this sacrifice be known as your life’s story.

Always make choices that are right and good

in word, in deed, in thought – we always should.

Be careful of the spoken words you choose

because your testimony you could lose.

Let your every deed be kind

to bring others peace of mind.

Control your thoughts

which come from the heart

for out of the abundance of the heart

comes much good and/or every evil thought.

Those who are caring

will end up sharing.

Those who only care for themselves

will not share with someone who needs help.

Be the former

not the latter

for the Lord will bless you abundantly

when you hold your possessions loosely.

This principle of giving

results in God’s blessings.

God’s arithmetic is multiplication.

Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise –

the fruit of lips that confess his name.

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

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16

And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do I all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

Out of the heart come evil thoughts.

Matthew 15:19

Just as you excel in everything -

in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness,

and in your love for us -

see that you also excel in the grace of giving.

II Corinthians 8:7

God loves a cheerful giver.

II Corinthians 9:7

God is able to make all grace abound to you,

so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need,

you will bound in every good work.

II Corinthians 9:8

Life Is a Garden Party

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