I'M BACK

 A friend posted about how birds singularly start vocalizing in the mornings.  Reminded me of bird stories I've written.  Here's one:

I'M BACK

Oh what a beautiful morning,

Oh what a beautiful day...

everyone’s waking up singing –

the robins, sparrows, and blue jays,

the mourning doves, red-winged blackbirds,

cardinals, chickadees, cowbirds -

all tweet to their heart’s content,

their chorus heavenward sent.

Swallows, finches, and wrens

also have a song to send.

Warblers and nuthatches,

thrushes and thrashers

vocalize proudly.

Crows chime in loudly.

Rather red, blue, black or brown

everyone joins ‘round.

There are chirps and tweets,

not always sounding sweet,

for newborns seem to learn

very early in the morn.

There are coo coos and caw caws

mixed with a wren’s a Capella

A barnyard’s clucks and quacks and gobbles and honks chatter

after hearing Brewster the Rooster’s er-er-er-er-errrr!

Canadian geese overhead

honking, northward bound, early heard

add to the morning chorus

sounding like a loud ruckus -

for when you try to catch a few more winks

the glee club is heard exercising hi-jinks*

announcing “I’m back”…

the long winter is past.

*"Hi-jinks" refers to boisterous, mischievous fun, playful antics, or rowdy merrymaking.

* * * * *

Aren’t we glad the winter is past,

to hear the birds singing - at last!

Birds announce spring is here

for each low coo coo you hear

or every loud caw caw caw

is a reminder to all

that spring has finally sprung.

With it new hope also comes.

Hope is a confidence,

a promised assurance,

that God does have a solution

to all of our earthly problems.

So when life seems upside down,

instead of wearing a frown,

be assured that the One you hope in

has all the answers to strife within.

Sometimes hope seems lost

when life seems like dross

but the hardships of life,

sometimes bringing much strife,

teach valuable lessons to us –

growing our faith and teaching us to trust.

Spring brings hope of a brighter tomorrow

and through all of life’s stresses and plateaus.

Hope = assurance/confidence

Hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:5

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

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

We have put our hope in the living God,

who is the Savior of all,

and especially of those who believe.

I Timothy 4:10

Put your hope in God,

who richly provides us

with everything

for our enjoyment.

I Timothy 6:17

We have this hope

as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

Return to your fortress,

O prisoners of hope;*

even now I announce that I will restore

twice as much to you.

Zechariah 9:12

*"Prisoners of hope" comes from Zechariah 9:12 in the Bible, describing God's people, even when outwardly captive or struggling, who remain inwardly anchored to the hope of God's future restoration, promising to repay them double for their losses and calling them to return to their stronghold of faith. It's an oxymoron: outwardly confined but inwardly liberated by faith in future deliverance, signifying steadfast belief in God's promises despite present despair. (Copied)

Seems to me Papa Cardinal sings Cheerio-o-o, 

which means Godspeed.

HIBERNATION

 

Hibernation

Winter, seemingly a time of hibernation,

but actually it's a time for rejuvenation.

It's a time of incubation

for most of plant creation

when in collaboration

with the winter season

plant life begins quiet preparation

for a new season of anticipation

continuing generation after generation

as miraculously planned from the beginning of creation.

It's not necessarily a time of relaxation

but an edifying season of fortification

for bulbs and plants begin their restoration

in earth's protected womb where unification

of temperature fluctuation

and frozen precipitation

will end in excitement and joyous exclamation

after a long-awaited-for expectation.

There'll be a gleeful celebration,

a non-containable jubilation,

causing one's soul much elation

when with joyful admiration

and heart-felt adoration

this period of silent hibernation

finally gives birth, always bringing inspiration.

A miracle springs forth, an utter fascination.

After this time of hibernation

there'll be a two-fold flirtation

for flowering bulbs and plants attract humans

and bees happily begin pollination,

an affirmation

that this season

of hibernation

is now in cessation.

After the flowers put on their show, you'll note a multiplication

of springtime bulbs or flowering plants increasing their population.

In the plant world it's called naturalization,

a reproduction, a propagation.

Upon investigation

you'll find an accumulation

coming to the realization

that it's time for a division.

So after listening to the weather station,

to ensure a period of no precipitation,

you'll prepare another location

for the over-population

of bulbs or plants needing division -

or maybe you'll share with relation

and gardening friends whose inclination, or perhaps fixation,

is to make accommodation for your accumulation.

After digging in preparation

you'll be ready for hibernation -

a much needed vacation -

for the gardening vocation

causes unwanted activation

of aches and pains in concentration.

But oh, the joy, the elation, the appreciation

of colorful flowers after winter's hibernation.

Earth's rebirth - rejuvenation -

giving God glorification!

* * * * *

Everyone's so excited for spring

to finally, at last, begin.

There's an excitement in the air

as days turn sunny and fair,

then bees return

when flowers bloom.

Each year we see rebirth take place in the earthly realm,

there is also a rebirth in the spiritual kingdom.

Rebirth or spiritual birth as in salvation,

Jesus forgiving our sins offering redemption.

A free gift when Jesus paid the way

upon Calvary's cross on Good Friday.

Jesus redeemed us – He paid the way.

Sin's penalty was satisfied that day.

Yes, it was for us Jesus died

on that cross with His arms open wide.

Arms outstretched in everlasting love

as if enveloping us with a hug.

And it was for us Jesus arose again

ensuring everlasting life would begin

the day we confess in our heart

then rebirth will give us a new start.

Each spring brings rebirth or earth's revitalization.

Spiritual rebirth is conversion bringing salvation.

I will send you rain in its season,

and the ground will yield its crops

and the trees of the field their fruit.

Leviticus 26:4

The Lord will open the heavens,

the storehouse of his bounty,

to send rain on your land in season

and to bless all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 28:12

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,

miracles that cannot be counted.

He bestows rain on the earth;

he sends water upon the countryside.

Job 5:9-10

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:14

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done,

but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing or rebirth

and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

whom he poured out on us generously

through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by his grace,

we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

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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.

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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

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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...

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