GOLD BLANKET
Yesterday's surprise snow storm
covered the ground like a white blanket.
This morning under the maple tree's crown
spread out all around is a gold blanket
for the snow-weighted leaves piece-by-piece drifted down
as if quilting a gold blanket on the ground.
One-by-one the gold leaves float
like stitch-by-stitch quilters poke
a quilt to one day comfort someone
after many day's work is done,
piecing together the seams
ensuring corners are reamed.
An autumn breeze might rearrange,
like a quilter who rips out seams,
but in the end the quilt will please
as the leaves are teased by the breeze.
This breeze also makes the quilt of leaves fluffier,
almost as soft as a downy comforter.
Soon the maple tree will be bare.
The grass covered with angled squares.
The tree's limbs stretching upward toward the dark sky
where the full moon will play peek-a-boo by and by.
Quilts also are known to play peek-a-boo
as they shelter one from the winter blues.
On a perfect autumn day
this gold blanket will be stowed away
when leaf rakes are busily employed
raking a pile to be enjoyed
for someone to jump in
this pile of bedding.
Then it's time for the quilter's quilt to be enjoyed
perhaps with a bowl of popcorn to enjoy.
Piece-by-piece one feeds themselves
as piece-by-piece the quilt was stitched
with a bit of love in every stitch
as the quilter quilted this gift.
*
* * * *
Rather an afghan, a quilt, or a comforter,
we know these coverings provide comfort.
We also know that kind words provide needed comfort.
It costs nothing to be an encourager, to relieve someone's hurt.
Everyone is facing battles unimaginable.
You can encourage them even if you don't know their troubles.
Make it your habit to find something positive in everyone you meet.
Compliment them on their attire or simply smile when you greet.
Perhaps send a note in the mail "just because"
to someone needing encouragement - it does.
A basket of fresh garden vegetables shared
will show someone you know that you care.
Be there as a comforter
or an encourager
through life's many ups and downs.
Turn someone's frown upside down.
Above all, go to God for comfort
when life has caused you troubles and hurt.
If there is a purpose in our troubles,
II Corinthians 1:3-5 contains the solution, for God is able.
You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly...
Ruth 2:13
...a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25b
...how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23b
Their father...mourned for them many days,
and his relatives came to comfort him.
I Chronicles 7:22
...heard about all the troubles that had come upon him,
they set out from their homes and met together by agreement
to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.
Job 2:11b
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you.
Isaiah 66:13a
Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion
and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
II Corinthians 1:3-5
...live in harmony with one another;
be sympathetic, love as brothers,
be compassionate and humble...
be a blessing, because to this you were called.
I Peter 3:8-9
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