Mother's Day - 5/10/26

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KEEPING YOUNG

 

KEEPING YOUNG

Not only is gardening fun

when outside under the warm sun,

gardening will help keep one young

for every year one looks forward to

springtime and its colorful view.

I do. Do you too find that's true?

The gardener might plant bulbs in the fall

then looks forward to spring for spring is when all

the colors of the rainbow blossom; for all

the snowdrops, crocus', daffodils, tulips,

alliums, jonquils, narcissus,

bluebells, grape and fragrant hyacinths,

await to spring forth when finally the spring

rains begin to ping and birds are heard singing

to awaken the flower bulbs and bring

much joyous mirth

to all the earth

with each new birth.

Who isn't happy to see the rainbow

of spring bulbs and flowers – one's face glows

and there's a happy song, you know,

in gardener's hearts when they see

spring return in all its glory.

Gardeners have a youthful glee.

Yes, looking forward to springtime keeps one young.

Days spent out under the sun having fun

for the gardener's work is never done.

Fun returns everyday with songs to be sung.

Songs of joyful thanksgiving under the sun.

Those with joy in their hearts are forever young.

* * * * *

How to keep young?

One way is fun.

Another is joy,

smile, laugh, enjoy.

Plan something fun for yourself,

even if all by yourself.

Enjoy your time alone,

rather away or at home.

Smile for no reason.

You'll feel young and it's fun.

Don't you feel better?

And even healthier?

Have you had your Vitamin L today?

Vitamin L chases the blues away.

Vitamin L is laughter.

It's free to all, remember.

Find someone to laugh with for laughter

eases the pain when you suffer.

Anxiety and pain will abate

when there's daily laughter on your face.

Being worry-free will keep one young

for worry keeps one from having fun.

Fun is depleted and robbed

when worry becomes our job.

Find something you enjoy

then live a life of joy

for joy will abound

where happiness resounds.

* * * * *

There's a deeper joy than doing.

It's a joy found in knowing

the One who created us.

Knowing God is a must.

Quite often life beats us down.

We end up wearing a frown.

Outward joy is gone.

Absent every dawn.

But when you know God,

life isn't as hard

when you believe His promises.

Here's a few of God's promises:

1. We shouldn't ever fear

for God is always near.

He will never leave you

and will guard you through

whatever your situation

when you give Him permission.

Just ask in prayer.

God will be there.

2. We shouldn't be overwhelmed

with whatever comes around

for God is in control

when life seems out of control.

God is still on the throne

in heaven, His home.

He desires to be Lord of your life,

to give you peace when life brings about strife.

3. God will give you daily strength

to last each day at length.

We can be strong in the strength of the Lord

when life gives more than we can endure

for God's grace is sufficient,

make perfect in weakness.

Just ask for God's power

right now, this hour.

4. Envision God's arms around you

embracing you, sustaining you,

helping you, upholding you

whatever you're going through.

Doing what is fair, just, and right

for in you God does delight.

Never forget, you are loved

with an everlasting love.

Everlasting joy is found in knowing

the Lord God who gives blessings unending.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

I am the Lord, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

...they will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 35:10

My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.

II Corinthians 12:9

Life Is a Garden Party

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Race

When spring finally comes

green grass springs up among

the returning perennials and bulbs,

the spring flowering trees and shrubs.

It’s like there’s a race

in the yard at my place

to see which will grow fastest,

what will become tallest.

Will it be the weedy grass

or the blooming flowers that

win this race

post haste?

There’s flowering tree’s pretty array

above spring bulb’s blooming bouquet,

alongside green grass covering like a rug.

You might even see a buzzing bee, but don’t hug!

Will flowers supersede

or the grass filling in with weeds

as the cool spring rains rain down

refreshing what’s growing underground.

To look out the window

at the flowering rainbow

the view is tranquil

with daffodils and jonquils.

Soon tulips will dot the scene

adding to the serene.

You wouldn’t know a race is on

as there appears to be a calm.

Bouquets are picked,

lawnmowers fixed.

Soon gardening homeowners will weekly race

against dandelions growing at their place.

Though it seems the grass has won this race,

it’s the flowers that gardeners embrace.

After the grass is mowed then trimmed,

gardeners sit to enjoy their undertakings.

On your mark:

it’s time to start

as gardeners are in a race

to keep up at their place.

* * * * *

Spring brings with it renewal,

a time of renewed hope for all,

and also a rainbow of flowers which please

from fall-planted bulbs and flowering trees.

Spring brings with it more to do

as each year there is much ado.

The race is on each spring

becoming quite dizzying.

Another race we are involved in

is the race to share our faith often

so others will know

the God you know.

Tomorrow may be too late.

Make it a point this date

to share your hope

with other folks.

He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors...

II Corinthians 5:19-20

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

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

Don't dandelions and wild violets make a welcome sight!

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

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

                                                                Life Is a Garden Party

                                                                is available via Amazon.

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 

is available via Amazon.