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.

This 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.

Remember God’s definition of hope: confident assurance -

for God works in the background, despite outward appearance.

Partnered with faith and trust, hope inspires our spirit and soul.

Spring is the season of hope, where both plant life and our soul grows.

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 wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:18-22

Those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

Isaiah 40:31

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...

plans to give you hope...

Jeremiah 29:11

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

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 3:21-23

O prisoners of hope,*

even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

Zechariah 9:12

Be joyful in hope,

patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

*Notice Zachariah 9:12: “prisoners of hope,” which means those who have hope in spite of circumstances that seem hopeless. Hope is a confident expectation of what God has promised, based on trust in God’s goodness. (Both definitions paraphrased from google.)

As a prisoner is kept captive, a prisoner of hope is kept dedicated to a positive outcome in relation to God’s promises.

Believer, hold onto the promises of God. God is always for you, with you, your rear guard, going before you, your faithful provider. Remember, when God seems silent he is working in the background.

Hope involves patiently waiting. Waiting includes peaceful resting. Hope is both a noun and a verb. (Hope as a verb is active; as a noun hope is realized.)

As you know, waiting is not easy. Years ago my friend, Karen, taught me “thank God before receiving.” That puts a positive focus on waiting, as waiting comes down to “in God’s time.”

Thank God before receiving.

Life Is a Garden Party 

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AWAKENING

 

Awakening

Soon the garden will be awakening

but in the meantime its a-sleeping

under the blanket of snow falling.

Through January the garden's hibernating.

Asleep while the temperature is below freezing

though comfy under its cold, white covering.

The white February garden still slumbering

burrows deeper under its downy protection

while many gardeners continue shoveling.

Though March finds the garden still barren

many gardeners start a-counting

the days until spring finally begins.

Each day of winter is one day closer to spring.

Soon we'll see the return of songbirds and hear them sing.

Everyone can't wait for the return of a new spring.

Finally, the bright sun returning

melts the white blanket protection.

Soon little green shoots will be sprouting.

You'll see an awakening

in your flower gardens.

Your face will be smiling.

Perhaps the songbirds sing,

“awake, awake - it's spring!”

Do take the time to listen.

Snowdrops are the first to appear one morning.

A sure sign of the garden's awakening.

They'll bring hope even if it's still snowing.

Next the crocus' are seen awakening.

On sunny days there will be bees buzzing

in these gold and purple blooms so endearing.

Take time to notice the flowering trees budding

as they reach toward the sun awakening,

soon in their glory with spring flowers blooming.

The grass will be seen greening,

other trees will start leafing,

daffodils then tulips blooming.

The whole earth is awakening,

a miracle in the making,

experienced each and every spring.

* * * * *

Stop to think about it: life is a constant evolving -

where we experience more of our soul's awakening.

It seems the more we learn about ourselves

the more there is to be changed about self.

Sometimes we react, instead of enact our faith,

when surprise circumstances come to test our faith.

When we doubt

worries mount.

Some days it's one step forward, two steps back.

If only we could take our actions back.

Will we ever learn

that God is in the storm?

It's that discovery, though,

that ends up teaching us "whoa."

To trust before we act

when believing faith we lack.

You may find you're never where you want to be

for there's always more to learn, you'll see,

but faith grows with each test

when in God we rest.

You'll find it's our soul awakening

that increases our faith believing.

Awake my soul.

God is in control.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

Psalm 62:5

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.

Proverbs 13:19

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed.

Psalm 103:1-5

Life Is a Garden Party

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NEW

 

I read a devotional yesterday referencing NEW.

Reminded me of:

See, I am doing a NEW thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way.

Isaiah 43:19

In which SPRING also caught my attention.

Spring as in the season, which is forecasted on the calendar this very week.

"Springs up" as in action - ready and willing to be active: a new beginning, rebounding, growing, developing, revealing, discovering...

Yesterday's sunny day caused the crocus' to bloom. This morning they were covered in a snow white blanket of insulation. Snow is not only insulation, but also provides nitrogen, a fertilizer producing growth. We, being weary of winter, are eagerly anticipating spring’s return. A resurrection. Yet, March snow does have its benefits.

Crocus' are a welcome, anticipated spring flower. Honeybees seek out crocus’ saffron (pollen) on sunny days. (Plant crocus bulbs in the fall to witness this springtime miracle of blooms and honeybees return. I know you’ll be smiling.)                                                                                                                              

Crocus' and other bulbs are buried underground for 10 months of the year. Buried as in a pit of mud and sludge part of the year or barren dried dirt during the dog days of summer, unbeknownst to others except to whomever planted. 

We all go through periods in life that feel like we’re buried. Perhaps no one knows of our experience in the pit. We cling to hope, all the while fighting hopelessness.

Until...unexpectedly - one day a green sprout springs up. An indication of hope – tiny, but seen and felt physically perhaps through someone’s encouragement or felt in our soul. Green represents reNEWal in the Bible, i.e. as spring is a season of renewal.

Look for the hidden benefits of that long season of burial or being in a pit. Quite often God uses it as a turning point in our lives to teach us His faithfulness. It’s helpful to daily focus on the blessing in each day vs the trial at hand. Bear in mind, God is working out the details in His time.

Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis. He was “buried” in a pit in the ground by his jealous brothers then later in the pit of prison for years. But (turning point) in the end, God had a plan for good. It took years to unfold. It benefited generations and is still a reminder to encourage us when we feel like we are in a pit.

May hope “spring up” in you in this NEW spring season.  May this NEW season be one of NEW  beginnings, growing, developing, revealing, discovering.  Be on the lookout for the tiny green sprout of hope in your soul. As a poet wrote long again:  Hope springs eternal.

P.S. Regarding "spring up" being an action word, today's Scripture which goes along with the date is I John 3:18:  "Let us not love only with words or tongue but with action and in truth." Love is an action word.

COUNTDOWN

 Appropriate for this week:

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

One March morning...

Life Is a Garden Party

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Chorus

What’s this I hear?

Pleasant to my ears.

One instrument starts,

though it’s not a harp,

than another joins in -

soon it sounds like singing.

Another member joins

this joyful chorus line.

A new composition

is being written.

It’s an original opus

which seems to greatly please us.

One member of the choir, late

joins this original debate

richly enhancing the song

with his A Capella long.

Confident, he’s not at all shy

as his voice floats through the sky.

Another member who felt sick

now feels better for the music

lifted its woebegone spirit,

now he feels better for it.

He now joins in with song

while tapping his toes along.

This chorus sings without instruments

for their voices express their sentiments.

Finely tuned they sing,

morning and evening,

songs of thanksgiving -

a heartfelt offering.

You’re met these chorus members before.

They were welcomed outside your door

when the first robin of spring

with other joyfully singing

songbirds

are heard.

Take a minute to lend an ear.

Which bird sound did you hear?

Or maybe it was a cricket you heard,

even though they never say a word.

Nature creates a beautiful synchronized harmony

as all God’s creation comes together in unity.

* * * * *

Music can lift our spirit

whenever we hear it.

Not just from constructed musical instruments,

but also from nature and all it represents.

The buzz of bees is sweet to hear

when to flower blossoms they veer.

The singing of birds

is joyous music heard.

The lapping of the ocean’s foam,

the rushing of the river’s drone,

the wind that blows,

the cattle’s low.

The bleating of sheep,

a chick’s peep-peep-peep,

the rooster’s er-er-er-er-errr,

the drip of a passing rain shower.

And quacks and clucks and gobbles and honks

all add to the music that talks...

in fact, shouts for joy to the Lord

for nature is never bored.

It celebrates with music.

Don’t be shy, join in it.

Make any joyful noise.

Your spirit will be buoyed.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn –

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together with joy;

let them sing before the Lord.

Psalm 98:4-9

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people,

the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

A neighbor raises hens. They too have organized their own opus. It seems one starts with a verse then the sisters join in with a refrain, like a chorus; which is actually celebration when an egg is laid, known as an egg song. The entire hen house of sisters celebrates with an opus. I look forward to their harmony. Being serenaded makes tedious chores enjoyable.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

 Spring rains have begun, melting snow - at last. Thanks to spring rains, bulbs are beginning to sprout.

At Last

After weeks of below freezing temperatures

with no sun to illuminate the picture,

after donning boots and gloves and scarves

as cold snow blankets the frozen earth,

after huddling around the wood stove

as the winter winds continue to blow,

after cold noses and cold feet

when perhaps a cold settles deep,

after winter does its heavenly snowflake dance –

at last, it’s time for a happy celebratory romance!

Why? Because the sun again shines

after the long, cold winter confines

when it nipped our nose

and froze our toes.

The sun warms the earth

bringing with it mirth

for the long days of winter

are finally over

when at last the early morning sunrise awakens

then at eventide the sunset hovers over the horizon.

At last, the winter snow has gone

and with it you’ll hear a new song

for at last, robins return again

with a happy musical refrain.

At last, snowdrops are in bloom

and you’ll see crocus’ soon.

At last, you’ll see daffodils

over the landscape spill.

At last, the grass turns green

painting a pretty scene.

Although it seems winter lasts too long

winter is needed, it is not wrong,

for bulbs and perennials,

each year at last to return will,

need this time of frozen hibernation

required for their yearly rejuvenation

before they at last burst on the spring-time scene

with spears of leaves so delightfully green

soon followed by a multi-colored rainbow

of colorful blooms at last, just for show.

At last, spring has come

under the ground from

buried bulbs and plant’s roots

when at last hope again shoots

and at last flowers again appear

then at last you’ll see returning bees steer.

At last, the long winter is over

as each new day the sun lingers longer.

At last.

At last.

* * * * *

As bulbs yearly need a time of hibernation

to store up energy for regeneration,

we, too, need a time to rejuvenate

as we read scripture when we awake

for each day will bring a burden, a care,

that God did not intend for us to bear.

God did, however, intend

that we search scriptures often

for answers to help us fend

when daily troubles offend.

We’ll find that scriptures often

comforts and relieves burdens.

Scripture also instructs and corrects,

our daily decisions direct.

It gives hope

to help us cope.

It tells us of God’s love

sent from heaven above.

Discovering you are loved

is like receiving a hug.

Love will warm your stone-cold heart

when it finds its target -

the life-long wrong impressions

that keep you in a prison.

Begin today to discover

what’s under the Bible’s covers.

You’ll be delightfully surprised

as each day you can’t wait to rise

to read about God’s love for you.

You’ll find God’s love will see you through.

I will instruct you and teach you

in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you.

I Peter 5:7 (KJV)

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86:5

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5

You are precious and honored in my sight...

and I love you...

Isaiah 43:4

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord,

who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Bulbs are beginning to sprout, thanks to spring rains.

Life Is a Garden Party

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