GESTATION

 

Gestation

After 11 months

we're happy to make a fuss

as it's been a loooonngg wait to see

something that will please you and me.

All through long days or weeks when too much rain came

and other weeks when there wasn't enough rain,

they wait and wait as we count the months down

when this delivery is seen in our town.

For each new birth is something to be celebrated

after we wait and wait through the gestation period.

All through long weeks when it was too hot and humid

we impatiently waited as they silently hid.

Hidden in a dark cocoon,

morning, night, and noon, a womb

protected them

during gestation.

And still they waited,

activity bated,

as it wasn't time

for them to shine.

Through the final months, though,

they waited under snow.

The wait seems like it is taking too long.

Each new day feels like a week prolonged.

This incubation

or hibernation

continues through January

and all through February.

Will this long pregnancy ever end?

Everyone's counting the days until when

this new birth

arrives on earth.

Then one day, through the snow,

new life begins to show.

The 11 months is nearing completion.

It's almost time for their presentation.

Who will be born

one chilly March morn?

Who waited 11 months

and arrives with a fuss?

Tiny white snowdrops

and crocus' will pop,

daffodils add to the array

when spring gives birth this glad day!

Their debut

creates a view

that is worth the wait

no matter which state.

Look for hyacinths,

followed by tulips,

alliums

also blossom.

Celebrate

spring's due date.

A time of rebirth

upon planet earth.

* * * * *

What a long wait to see the newborns!

It seemed like spring would never be born.

Winter’s temperatures and snows repeatedly reappear

despite the calendar’s proclamation year after year.

But after winter is past

spring will begin with a blast:

a celebration, a show, a gala

with brightly colored flowers.

They couldn’t wait to unfurl

from under the earth’s furrow.

They couldn’t wait to bring forth hope

for spring is a season of hope.

A season of hopefulness, of new beginnings.

A time of anticipation and expectation.

A confident assurance that God keeps His promises.

Biblical hope is much, much more than simply a wish.

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth.

Song of Songs 2:11-12

I went down to the grove of nut trees

to look at the new growth in the valley,

to see if the vines had budded

or the pomegranates were in bloom.

Song of Songs 6:11

We have put our hope in the living God.

I Timothy 4:10

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

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GONE

 

Gone

What happened? It's gone! Where did it go?

It looks strange to see it gone, you know.

For weeks the ground was covered

with something lacking color

as white is not a color,

it's an absence of color.

For weeks it looked like frosting,

sometimes fluffy, sometimes icing,

now it looks like mud pies

that arrived on the sly.

For weeks it gave one shivers

when one wore scarfs and mittens

so they wouldn't catch the sniffles -

or worse, with the flu stricken.

For weeks it piled higher.

For weeks we fought the mire

as snowbanks piled higher

and one quickly tired.

For weeks we longed for sunny days.

For weeks we stayed inside for days.

For weeks we suffered from the cold.

For weeks we complained, if truth be told.

Now it's gone.

Forgotten.

Somewhat missed?

Winter's kiss.

After a few days of sun,

we're glad it's now gone.

But...we still complain

about the mud that came.

* * * * *

Did you know your sins can be gone?

No longer under the weight of wrongs.

No more guilt, no more condemnation, no more disgrace

because you're now covered by God's wonderful gift of grace.

God's gift of grace, not deserved,

but so willingly served

on the cross that Good Friday

when Jesus washed our sins away.

Jesus took our place,

a substitute - that's grace.

He bore our guilt, our condemnation, our disgrace,

because His love for you and me is so great!

If you simply believe this is true

then your sins are gone. Yes, it's true.

Whiter than snow,

as white as wool.

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

Greater love has no one that this,

that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

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COUNTDOWN

 

Countdown

Countdown to spring!

It's March 15th.

Temps are warming up.

Spring bulbs popping up.

In five more days spring begins.

Can't wait to finally dig in!

Countdown to spring!

It's March 16th.

Resume yearly walk

around the country block.

In four more days spring begins.

Even my dog seems to grin.

Countdown to spring!

It's March 17th.

After walking around the block,

anticipated spring yard work starts.

In three more days spring begins

fulfilling an inner yen.

Countdown to spring!

It's March 18th.

After cutting a forsythia bouquet to force,

planted a row of lettuce - and spinach, of course.

In two more days spring begins.

So glad to see winter end.

Countdown to spring!

It's March 19th.

Temperatures are chilly again.

Working inside not as much fun.

Tomorrow spring will begin.

There's much to do in the garden.

It's finally here! March 20th again.

According to the calendar - spring!

Wonder what this coming year will bring?

Can't wait to see flowers blooming.

Can't wait to see trees flowering.

Ah, wonderful, exciting spring!

According to the calendar - spring!

It's March 21st. Birds heard singing.

Though still cold, it’s sunny and bright.

Good to see the birds in flight.

Happy to see spring bulbs

point to the heavens above.

According to the calendar spring!

It's March 22nd. Crocus' blooming.

Weather forecasters say snow.

They've been wrong before, you know,

‘cause it's spring

once again!

According to the calendar spring!

It's March 23rd. When will spring begin?

Snow covers the trees.

I'm not at all pleased!

Where did spring go?

It's covered with snow!

When will spring begin?

When will winter end?

* * * * *

What are you counting down? A birth?

Maybe a reduction in girth?

We find there's always something to look forward to.

A celebration? Maybe the end of the flu?

The end of the workweek?

Weekends to catch up on sleep?

A concert? The end of car payments?

Annual vacations? Retirement?

Paul had another view of what to count.

Not at all measured in how we might count.

It's a continual practice.

An inner quality, not selfish.

It's your spirit growing,

a faith that's sowing

outward to others -

your friends and neighbors.

A kind word, a good deed.

A sharing instead of greed.

A willing, helping hand

offered to those not clan.

A being there

when life's not fair.

A love through example

where others had trampled.

A testimony of faith

so that another's faith

will grow stronger

and they'll hunger

and be satisfied

with all God does provide.

A love personified

where God does reside.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6

I will show you my faith by what I do.

James 2:18b

His faith and his actions were working together,

and his faith was made complete by what he did.

James 2:22

We continually remember before our God and Father

your work produced by faith,

our labor prompted by love,

and your endurance inspired by hope

in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 1:3

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March

January,

February,

then it’s March – finally!

It seems to march in slowly...

after short days marked without seeing the sun,

after long days bogged down with a cold and less fun...

after many days of freezing temperatures,

then when you think you can no longer endure...

the ground hog again marches in for an appearance

to see if spring has finally made its forecasted occurrence,

though just a quick glance

under the circumstance,

for snow still covers,

so he again cowers

and will hibernate

until another date.

The ground hog’s short, quick march

may parade later in March

when winter is past

and spring’s here – at last!

But don’t count on the ground hog

to keep an accurate log.

It’s the birds who ring in

the first news of spring.

When March is here

just listen, you’ll hear

their chorus each new morning

of songbirds returning.

Yes, birds herald in the coming of spring

with many joyous songs they sing.

Will the bulbs under the earth

hear the birds then march with growth?

Do bulbs wait each year

to hear this song of cheer.

I know I do.

Do you too?

Take time to listen

to the song they send

then check your flower garden

for green shoots just now peeking.

A most welcome greeting

under the snow was waiting:

snowdrops and crocus,

daffodils and tulips.

They can’t wait to march out.

Gardeners want to shout.

A shout of glee is heard

in each gardener’s heart.

Marching to the beat of a ticking drum

under each day’s beaming, warming sun

chasing away winter’s doldrums

March has finally begun...

but don’t put your boots and mittens away

for March has to be persuaded to stay.

More snow may fall

surprising all.

Strange creatures that we are:

We can’t wait to see the first snow fall,

then we can’t wait to see it gone

and want spring to hurry before long.

March is here:

everyone cheers

as spring begins in March.

Ready? It’s time to march.

* * * * *

Check out this verse below from Psalm.

It should give you a sense of calm.

It says God goes before us.

So all we need do is trust.

God has already marched through our wasteland

where our troubles, disappointments, and fears stand.

He is there ahead of us,

waiting to refresh us.

Yes, life is certainly weary, as this verse states,

but God is already there and will not be late.

Trust that God has a good plan and purpose for you,

then put on your marching shoes and march on through.

When you went out before your people, O God,

when you marched through the wasteland...

You gave abundant showers, O God;

you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Psalm 68:7, 9

I will refresh the weary

and satisfy the faint.

Jeremiah 31:25

It was awakening dawn.

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