Planting tomato and pepper seeds tomorrow.  Grow, little seeds grow!  Excited to see miracles come forth.

Grow

A tiny seed planted in a peat pot

to grow under a heat lamp, not too hot,

then sprinkled with water wet

will sprout with two green leaflets.

In a few weeks this seedling

will need careful transplanting

then will daily mature under the sun

and from a needed rain that weekly comes.

By inches it will creep

then soon blossoms will greet

in a yellow array

imitating the sun’s rays.

Bees will unerringly seek

these sunny blossoms which greet

as this plant now matures,

though hardship it endures.

Yes, buffeted about

by wind and/or drought

it grew despite

life’s unknown plights.

For its life is filled with hardships whether

from too much sun or from stormy weather.

These hardships will harden the plant to endure

and most likely a sweeter harvest ensure.

On summer afternoons the plant will wilt

as the sun over the horizon tilts,

but the plant will survive

for its roots keep it alive.

This plant that started life as a seed

now produces enough to feed

ones family through the months of winter

as it soaks in the goodness of summer.

This seed grew

with life anew

for inside each seed is a miracle

waiting to be let out. Grow little plant, grow.

* * * * *

And so it is with us

as we grow in faith and trust.

We mature through hardships

for hardships strengthen/equip us.

One day our hardships may another encourage

as others see us prevail and take courage

for our roots have grown deep

in God’s Word, which we seek.

God’s Word assures us that God is with us,

and for us, and will never forsake us.

We are assured that God loves us

and through His Son has forgiven us.

Hardships are meant to refine us,

as we learn about God’s faithfulness,

then in the end, we find, teaches us

to give glory to God who blesses us.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:2-3

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge –

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials,

These have come so that your faith -

of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire –

may be proved genuine

and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I Peter 1:6-7

Last year's sprouts.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

AT LAST

 At Last

After weeks of below freezing temperatures

with no sun to illuminate the picture,

after donning boots and gloves and scarfs

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 noses

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

and 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 scene

with spears of leaves so delightful 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 restoration,

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

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.