" x " = inch by inch

 

“ x “

(INCH by INCH)

On Memorial Day beans, peas, beets, carrots

planted down the hoed row “ x “ apart.

Each and every seed pinched

before planted “ x “.

“ x “ each seed with grow

after planted in the row

for sun and rain will soon sprout

what's inside waiting to get out.

Perhaps this week's forecasted rain

will wash the seeds out again.

If so, the seeds will attract the finches

before I poke the seeds back in “ x ”.

“ x “ vines

will one day twine

up the garden fence -

snow peas, pole beans, hence.

Soon it will be time to rinse

then cut those beans “ x “.

After blanched, into the freezer goes

for rainbow soup or with meatloaf goes.

“ x “ down into the ground

beets and carrots will grow round

to harvest after Jack Frost comes around

for frost makes root vegetables sweeter, it's found.

Traveling “ x “,

inch worms cause me to wince

for they will lynch

unless I pinch.

“ x “ my middle increases

while unfortunately my height decreases

despite bending and weeding “ x “.

In the morning you'll hear me grimace.

“ x “ the hands on the clock go round.

In 24 hours a new day is found.

Another day will be dispersed “ x “

filled with blessings from God, I'm convinced.

* * * * *

Growth is a process that takes time

and will not be hurried one finds.

" x " we grow physically

as well as mature spiritually.

Though we struggle to, we never completely arrive

at complete spiritual maturity in our lives.

Three steps forward, two steps back it seems

for each day there's a battle that screams.

Our good intentions to please the Lord

are left on the side of the road

for busyness creeps in

and the Lord is forgotten.

There's much to do and places to go

our days are scheduled which overflow.

Much gets accomplished, but are our accomplishments

achievements that bring God glory or disrespect?

We might remember to pray when we need help,

but spending time developing relationship

by reading God's Word

is often ignored.

It's relationship with the Lord

that is pleasing to the Lord.

It's spending time with Him

that grows us up within.

"x" we should want to daily read

a few verses in the Bible which will feed

our mind, heart, soul

as we inwardly grow.

We'll learn the right way to live

as each day we seek to give

the Lord His rightful place

in what's commonplace.

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

II Corinthians 4:16-17

“This is the resting place, let the weary rest”;

and, “This is the place of repose” -

but they would not listen.

So then, the word of the Lord to them will become:

Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule;

a little here, a little there -

so that they will go and fall backward,

be injured and snared and captured.

Isaiah 28:12-13

Life Is a Garden Party

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VIM & VIGOR

 

VIM & VIGOR

(Exuberance and Endurance)

A gardener starts each year with vim and vigor.

This year his vegetable garden will be bigger.

Have you ever meant a gardener who’s a kidder?

He gets out his gardening tools, including his digger,

but not too early in the morning or all the neighbors

will let him know when they telephone and (perhaps) holler.

The gardener attacks his plot with vigor

for this year he has plans to plant much more, so

this morning the gardener’s full of vim and vigor.

Is anyone more ambitious than a gardener?

Before the day is half over

he’s run out of vigor

for he has plowed a quarter

of an acre,

go figure!

Tomorrow his vim has returned bigger.

He’s now bursting at the seams to ensure

his garden is bigger

and better -

for sure.

At the end of the day he heads for the back door

for vim and vigor has left him for awhile, but be sure

it will soon return - for a gardener has learned to endure.

Behold, the gardener needs more vim and vigor

for when weeding, be assured, there’s always one more.

His gardening exuberance will boost his endurance for

he is going to get each and every weed outside his door.

If only the neighbors

had his vim and vigor

for weed seeds blow over

from the neighbors next door.

A dedicated gardener invites you for a tour.

You will realize he’s full of vim and vigor to the core.

The gardener relies on common folk lore

when he catches bad insects with stinky lure.

Of insects, there always seems to be one more

just waiting to be lured outside the back door.

Everyday the gardener does more

and to do everyday there is more.

Fortunately the gardener’s vim and vigor

returns during the night with dreams of better

ideas for his garden plot that grows bigger

each year. Now where will he find room to store?

Life is certainly not a bore

outside the gardener’s back door.

The gardener realizes he is not poor

because on him God’s blessings continually pour

and because of the gardener’s vim and vigor

he has many good-for-you fresh vegetables to store.

Vim is restored and so is vigor

every passing year for gardeners.

And very thankful are his neighbors

when they receive from the gardener.

It is neither one or the other.

It will always be vim and vigor.

* * * * *

Vim and vigor is needed in your spiritual life too.

Sometimes we all need exuberance and endurance anew.

When you’re under attack

and it’s wrong to fight back.

When prayers are not answered

when you’d like them answered.

When life isn’t fair

and sorrows you bear.

When the way is not clear

and each day seems more drear.

When God seems silent

and fears won’t relent.

When no one is there

to say they care.

When hardships come

though not welcome.

When there is no money

or your heart is empty.

Take heart. Be of good cheer.

The Lord is always near.

There’s no need to fear.

The Lord will fight for you

for He is with you

and on your side too.

Often when God seems to be silent

He’s working through others He has sent

to be ministering angels met.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say life would be fair.

The Bible does say we are not meant to burdens bear

for God is our burden bearer when we ask through prayer.

This is the day the Lord has made,

let us now rejoice and be glad.

There’s always something that makes one glad.

A spirit of fear is from Satan.

He only spoils and makes rotten.

Trust in the Lord. You’re not forgotten.

God loves you personally and unconditionally.

Others may not say to you “I love you,” unfortunately,

but you are loved by Jesus Christ the Lord daily.

Troubles, problems, hardships are part of everyday life

and have a purpose - to teach us to be more Christ-like.

Be at peace today. Everything will turn out all right.

Instead of counting your worries, count your blessings.

You’ll be richer than you can ever imagine.

Your heart will be full when you count your many blessings..

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-7

The Lord...turned the curse into a blessing for you,

because the Lord your God loves you.

Deuteronomy 23:4

You are precious and honored in my sight...

because I love you.

Isaiah 43:4

You whom I have upheld since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you

and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

I am the Lord our God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:17

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test,

he will receive the crown of life

that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

We consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job's perseverance

and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:11

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

MORNING TOUR - MAY FLOWERS

 Ferns:

Solomon Seal:

Trillium:  flower and leaf

White Crabapple:

Surprise tulip this morning:

Yesterday's humidity turned buds into blossoms.

Azalea:

Dogwood:

Euphoria: 

Bleeding Hearts:

Will be harvesting spinach this week.

Lily of the Valley adding to the springtime fragrance this week:

Alliums beginning to open:

Ajuga didn't like it under the pine so spread into the yard:

Forget-me-nots in blue and white:

The Lord will guide you always                                                  PROTECTOR

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land                        PROVIDER

and will strengthen your frame.                                                    PERSERVER 

You will be like a well-watered garden,                                        PRODUCTIVE

like a spring whose waters never fail.                                            PROMISE

Isaiah 58:11

This happened here today.  Did not take a photo.

Plowing

The sharp edge of the plow

cuts through the sod now

as it will be time to plant soon

according to the phase of the moon.

The plow turns under the earth

as songbirds sing with mirth.

They know a free dinner awaits.

Or fisherman might collect bait.

The turned-back sod does expose

earthworms from their quiet repose.

Assisting the gardener by irrigating,

they’re a welcome sight to see this spring morning.

A myriad of stones are also exposed

from the bowels of the earth while winter dozed

silently heaving, like contractions,

giving birth to more stone picking.

Back and forth,

north to south,

each year the plow makes neat rows

followed by the gardeners toes.

Brown furrows are the plow’s accomplishment

welcoming a spring-fresh earthy scent.

Fertile.

Fruitful.

The plow prepares the earth

to get ready to give birth

while aerating the soil

to make for less toil.

As the warm sun

warms the loam

seedlings will start to shoot

their underground roots.

Weed seeds, that is, for these seeds live on and on,

seemingly for many generations.

Hopefully the hot sun will nuke

many of these weed seeds that sprout.

Once the hardened earth is prepared

the plow is cleaned from its wear and tear

before being put away, then the gardener takes time to survey his work –

finding satisfaction in his little piece of heaven on earth.

* * * * *

I’m sure you’ll agree with me

you’re as happy as can be

when your work is satisfying.

A creative way of playing.

Perhaps gardeners

never outgrow

the pleasure making mud pies brings

as they’re always planting something.

How precious to me

when I yearly see

miracles giving birth

when planted in the earth.

Another joy of gardening,

is yearly dividing and sharing

my garden’s overabundance.

This gardener’s happy dance.

When the plowman plows and the thresher threshes,

they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

I Corinthians 9:10

That everyone may eat and drink,

and find satisfaction in all is toil – this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Proverbs 13:4

The Lord will guide you always; PROTECTOR

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land PROVIDER

and will strengthen your fame. PRESERVER

You will be like a well-watered garden, PRODUCTIVE

like a spring whose waters never fail. PROMISE

Isaiah 58:11

Trillium

Purposely chose to share a trillium

as good soil, sun, and rain 

produce an abundant harvest.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SUNLIGHT

 

SUNLIGHT

The day's first light streams

when the new day's sunbeams

brighten the sky

then morning is nigh.

There's a brightness over the hill

where sunlight awakens and spills

its light and warmth

over the earth.

Morning with all its rush

comes in with a hush

before the birds announce it's a new day:

come on everyone - get up, let's play.

Quietly rising,

though song birds vying

for the first glimpse of light rays

to announce a brand new day.

Then you'll hear the day announced

from birds who you'll hear loudly mouth

through chirps and trills

and cheeps which thrill...

that morning has come -

everyone, come on,

get up, let's have fun

under the sun.

Perhaps you'll get up tomorrow

to view the sunrise that burrows

up over the hill

where morning spills.

It's a glorious sight to see

for it's God's awesome might you'll see

since the beginning of creation

when God spoke the sun into creation.

* * * * *

The Bible says Jesus is our light:

“I have come into the world as a light.” (John 12:46)

With Jesus for us our future is bright

as He desires to bring us delight.

Yes, there will be times when finances are tight.

There will be temptations you'll need to fight.

Life on earth was never promised to be always alright.

From time-to-time there will be many a long, dark night.

But, remember, you are not alone in this fight.

Jesus has an answer to whatever is not right.

He is teaching us to live by faith, not sight,

as we learn to abide in Him, so sit tight.

Jesus is our light.

Everything will turn out right.

Your future is bright.

Look for God's delights.

At the beginning of the day it's His sunlight

reminding us that Jesus is our light.

At the end of the day it's the starlight

reminding us Jesus will keep us through the night.

All through the day look for God's many delights,

even during the times you pray with all your might

to overcome the temptations you fight

for those are the times that bring God delight.

It's when we seek God whatever the plight,

when we give Him whatever we fight,

when we go the source which is our Light,

that our troubles change and turn out alright.

And God said,

...and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day,

and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth.

And to rule over the day and over the night,

and to divide the light from darkness:

and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Genesis 1:14-19

He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning,

like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.

II Samuel 23:4

I have come into the world as a light,

so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

John 12:46

If I rise on the wings of the dawn...

even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:9

(The wings of dawn = the rays of the sun: poetic!)

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.