Raking

Raked yesterday.

Rain late today

makes for more raking another day.

Actually for several more days

for more leaves fall each day

to be raked on sunny days.

Another morning there’ll be a freeze.

Plop-plop, plop-plop-plop more leaves

join the pile of fallen leaves

of golds, rusts, and browns which please.

Listen: look up - the skyward honking V’s

of south-flying geese each fall tends to please.

Something we can count on

every spring and autumn

are the geese honking – heard overhead, then gone

as they wave goodbye, on to greener pastures – so long.

Talking about colors, do notice the sky is the bluest blue

this time of the year (orange opposite blue on the color wheel), it’s true.

It feels good to stretch when raking these fallen leaves

though the pile is disturbed if there’s a breeze.

This afternoon’s breeze

is just a tease

as one rolls up their sleeves.

A-choo!!! is often sneezed.

Before you know it, the afternoon is over

as daylight savings time on the calendar

makes nighttime come earlier

which usually makes bedtime sooner

as gardeners need sleep for restored energy

for tomorrow’s various activities.

Not just because raking waits

but because it seemingly takes

much longer to do less when awake,

every gardener seems to contemplate.

So early they rise every morning so they’re not late

as much work awaits to do beyond the garden gate.

* * * * *

After much raking

comes Thanksgiving -

a time to recount one’s many blessings

with thankful hearts we’re celebrating.

A time to give thanks to the Lord,

for Whom without we cannot afford,

for His faithfulness to us each day.

“Thank you, Lord,” we should daily pray.

For God’s unconditional love to us

despite our lack of faith and waning trust

for His love never, ever wavers.

After all, He sent us a Savior.

For His grace that enables

when it seems we’re unable

to remain strong

in the face of wrong.

For His forgiveness

when we confess

we’ve chosen wrong

and made the wrong turn.

For God’s comfort in trials,

troubles, and physical ails

while learning that God can use our troubles

to encourage someone that God is able.

For God’s patience with us time after time

for God knows we often have fearful minds,

yet waits for us to come to the end of our self

then finally call on Him for needed help.

For His continual mercy though undeserved,

knowing there’s nothing we can do to deserve,

which teaches us to be merciful to others

as God reminds us to “bear with one another.”

For God’s compassion,

new every morning,

ensures us we are loved

while teaching us how to love.

For these and so many more,

Dear Lord, we are thankful for

our abundant blessings

new and true each morning.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

Because of his great love for us,

God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions –

it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

You are a forgiving God,

gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love.

Nehemiah 9:17

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 1:3-4

He is patient with you,

not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin...

You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:19

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Life Is a Garden Party

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