Rain

Rain greens the grass like a can of paint,
like applied fertilizer can't.
There's a luminous brightness
greening the grass with a freshness.
Aglow
it grows
overnight,
polished bright.

Blooms tip heavenward to receive
the rain falling on blades and leaves.
Rain welcomed
in gardens
where there's a colorful rainbow on the ground -
red, yellow orange, blue, green, purple is found.
More will be found tomorrow, you'll find,
when their petals unfurl in the sunshine.

Birds singing in the rain shower.
Their tune as bright as the flowers.
Cheerfully they take a bath
as the rain shower does pass.
Others hover
under cover.
Some cover their little ones
when the rain comes down on them.

Rain cools the air
and scents the air
with a freshness
and cleanness
while clouds pass over
so that others
to the east will receive
as a breeze stirs the leaves.

When rain comes in the middle of the night,
it will become a lullaby tonight
for this shower
passing over
is like a blessing
everlasting
sent from God above
with abiding love.

Even though rain grows more weeds,
it's still a blessing, indeed,
for a free exercise program awaits.
Everyday there's an expected date.
Weeds call my name
after the rain
softens the earth making easier weeding.
I find the end result is always pleasing.

This week rain is forecasted every day.
Between the showers you'll find me today
putting on my gardening boots
for it's a good time to uproot
those weed seeds the sprout overnight
pushing their way into sight.
I hear the birds singing.
It's time for weeding...


* * * * *

Sunshine, rain, and the brown earth
are needed to give birth
to seeds
and weeds.

God's Son made a way when He come to earth
to ensure those who believe a second birth
when we believe
then receive.

In this second birth we become children of God
Who dwells within to guide us on the path we trod
for earth is our temporal home.
Heaven is our eternal home.

Our journey on earth will be full of difficulties,
disappointments, sorrows, trouble and a lot of worries -
all of which are temporary,
seemingly making us contrary.

The Bible tells us to expect
life to be less than perfect.
And the Bible also promises abiding hope,
for Jesus has overcome and will help us cope.

So when a little rain rains on your parade,
in the form of troubles which sometimes cascade,
remember adversity builds trust
which in turn will build ones faith up.

I tell you the truth,
no one can see the kingdom of God
unless he is born again.
John 3:3

For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us on eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen in temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
II Corinthians 4:17-18

In the world you will have trouble.
But take heart!  I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:1-4

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy:
for thou has considered my trouble;
thou hast known my soul in adversities.
Psalm 31:7 (KJV)

Hours

Yellow butterflies flutter overhead
while bees sip from blooming clover heads
where - surprise - green grasshoppers leap
and other creatures creep on silent feet
in the flowers
where they spend hours.

Hummingbirds visit for a minute
when they sip from red flower trumpets
amidst the black ants crawling
and striped bees pollinating
in the flowers
where they spend hours.

Crickets are heard at night loudly strumming
while bees are at work all day humming.
This gardener enjoys their music
everyday when she goes out to harvest
in the flowers
where she spends hours.

There's the caw-caw of the blue jays
adding to the music made
while other birds sing along
in joyful chorus all day long
in the (sun)flowers
where they spend hours.

Pulling weeds makes its own music
as the clock goes tick, tick, tick.
Weeding is never done, there's always one more
to pull, under the sunshine in the outdoors
in the flowers
where I spend hours.

* * * * *

How fast time goes
when outdoors
under the sun
having fun.

How slow time goes
when indoors
waiting,
praying...

at the hospital
where time seems to stall.
When time almost stands still,
but emotions won't sit still.

Casting down imaginations
should be printed on a sign
to remind all of us
to have faith, hope and trust,

to not let our imagination run away from us
but to have believing faith and hope in God whom we trust
to work all things together for our best and good
even though the present circumstance may not be good.

Cast down whatever you are imagining
and put your trust in God with faith believing.
Peace will replace the unrest
and your spirit will be at rest.

Time will tick by
as the minutes fly.
Waiting.
Praying.

Praying for God's peace
to replace the unease.
Waiting for miracles
to help your faith grow.

Casting down imaginations...
II Corinthians 10:5

We know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Passing

When the sun sets
it paints its picture best
in the western sky
announcing night is nigh.

Shadows lengthen
as night beckons
stretching eastward
on the grass floor.

Golden yellows and rosy pinks
changing quickly then gone in a blink
as the sun sinks beyond the hill
where the last glimpse of sunlight spills.

The sun has gone down.
Twilight has come.
Everything is golden
as the temps are cooling.

Twilight disappears
for dusk is near.
Time to call it a day
as day passes away.

Colors crisp
now eclipsed
and fading fast
for day is past.

Shades of night are cast
as shadows creep past
blurring the lines
through passing of time.

The last cheeps and coos fade away
at the passing of another day.
Nature's lullaby
as twilight sighs.

Quiet settles in
for night brings
the passing of the day
with its joys and disarrays.

Good nights said by the birds,
now crickets are heard.
Can you hear their strumming?
It's time for slumbering.

** * * * *

Twilight gives way to dusk
as the sun rotates west.
Though not in a rush
it seems to be pushed
as if on a quest
for creation to hush.

Our days are busy from sunup to dusk
with important appointments and such,
with hurrying about always in a rush.
Maybe today there was corn to husk
or you spent the day chasing down the dust.
Tomorrow's to-do-list will bring more fuss.

The day has passed and it's dusk.
A minute to rest from the rush.
But in today's quest
did you shove and push
or did you simply trust
that God has a plan that's best?

Don't let another day pass
without knowing it's a must
to lean and trust
on the Lord much.
Remember, God knows what is best
and has a plan that doesn't rush.

Trust in the lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him
and he will bring it to pass.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Outdoors

Overhead sky-blue sky
and puffy clouds floating by
as the sun dons
a bright new morn.

A breeze stirs the treetops
rustling the leaves atop
where last night's raindrops
are heard plop, plop, plop...

for thunder heard during the night
brought cooling rain to delight,
and sound sleep.
Now sunlight peeks.

Can't wait to get outside
where so much delights the eyes.
A rainbow of flowers
in crayon colors,

fresh vegetables to harvest
will fill a big basket.
Birds serenading
early each morning.

Butterflies come to sip,
hummingbirds seen dip,
bees humming -
it's something!

You won't want to waste a minute,
so let's get right into it.
Get out the wheelbarrow and let's roll.
You know overnight more weeds did grow.

Who would want to stay inside
when there's so much to see outside?
There's so much more in store
in the great outdoors.

* * * * *

I pray you are able to enjoy some time outdoors today.
Hopefully, visiting with some friends you've met along life's way.
Or maybe taking a ride to see
your localities scenery
for God's creation is a wonder to behold -
more awe-inspiring than can ever be told.

Be sure to read the below scriptures from Job
then look for God's whisper, simply behold
the wonder of God's majesty in creation
created throughout each and every nation.
You'll be filled with awe
over what you saw.

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon,
spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
for a boundary between light and darkness.
By his breath the skies become fair...
and these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?
Job 26:7-10, 13a-14

Music

Weeding under the shade
rhythm is now made -
rip and tear those weed blades -
"good riddance" is bade.
My work is well paid
for the next few days.

There's a certain tempo as I weed
pulling these weeds full of untamed greed.
The sound is relaxing,
in some strange way calming.
Soothing to my ears, seems so,
but not so for my muscles.

Blue jays keep the beat -
caw-caw, caw-caw greets -
for a yummy treat
in sunflowers awaits.
Caw-caw, caw-caw not pranks
but their way to say thanks.

Bees buzz in harmony,
a welcome melody,
for bees work peacefully
while buzzing happily.
They add to the chorus
while entertaining us.

Overhead yellow finches in flight
on their way to sunflowers bright
add to the song now wrote
though not a word was spoke.
Songs wrote in G clef
attract many guests.

Under the sunshine
the melodic rhyme
of the wind chimes
sings a song
"ding ding dong"
all day long.

Tonight crickets will come out.
They're not quiet. They shout.
Always heard strumming loudly in Bass clef,
seemingly without intermission to rest.
Down by the pond
frogs sing along.

Come winter I will surely miss
the sound of nature's music.
Though other music is heard,
it's not as calming as the birds
or as weeding under the shade -
rip and tear, "good riddance" now bade.

* * * * *

What type of music do you listen to?
Easy listening, jazz, or the blues?
Classical, gospel, hymns?
Rock, operas, show tunes?
Have you taken the time to listen to nature?
Take a few minutes today.  It will nurture.

Let it ease away your fears
as you listen with your ears
to creation celebrating
with joyful and glad singing.
Don't you feel better?
Somewhat calmer?

...David would take his harp and play.
Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better...
I Samuel 16:23

Tease

Extra-ordinarily hot spring days budded out the trees.
Unfortunately this may cause some people to wheeze.
Fortunately a little breeze does tease these leaves
as a breeze blowing through the trees might somewhat relieve.

Those hot days produced little rose leaves
and flower bulbs opened, which please.
The bright blooms brought in the bees.
You might watch them, but don't tease.

Some gardeners are scrambling to plant their peas
and lettuces in April, down on their knees.
Beware, though, there still might be a freeze to tease
which causes the earth to thaw and then heave.

In the meantime, these spring days are met with ease
for it's too hot to work down on one's knees.
A glass of iced tea in the breeze
will tease one's tongue and certainly please.

This gardener might go shopping then pay a fee
for new plants, for she's found new plants always please.
When she pays the bill and leaves,
she sees more plants to which to cleave.

Were the plants placed just so in order to tease?
Will she buy more today or leave?
She leaves to sip a glass of tea
in the breeze - a life of ease.

But never fear, she's dreaming, you see,
of where to plant more plant with leaves -
variegated, spiked, fuzzy, wee -
one sunny day down on her knees.

Spring does somehow tease
with flowers the please,
with budding green leaves,
with a sunny, warm breeze,
with buzzing bees,
with new growth to see
from seeds the grow free,
viewed when down on one's knees.

Beware that while some bees
sip afternoon tea,
others will seek sun tea
in the afternoon breeze.

The tea drinker might wheeze
while the glass is heaved.
Be aware or you won't pleased.
The bees do not mean to tease.

* * * * *

Bees
wee
make sweet honey
for you and me.

The words we speak can be like honey.
Words encouraging everybody.
"Thanks for your help," to the cashier.
A note of thanks to someone will cheer.

It's never too late to say "thanks."
"Please" is another word that ranks.
Simple courtesies
as sweet as honey.

Let the words you speak be
as sweet as honey from bees.
Smiles you will guarantee
and someone's heart will be happy.

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103

Sunshine Yellow

A test of patience each spring is yearly instilled
as we wait 11 months to see the daffodils -
there's bright yellow with trumpet frills
or maybe all white ones will thrill.

Though these yellow blooms last for up to three weeks,
their green leaves from the flower bed will peek
for several more weeks,
looking messy, not neat.

How soon these bright sunshine yellow daffodils are over and gone
but do not fear, yellow dandelions are soon coming on...
and on...
and on.

Dandelions test our patience,
seemingly beyond our endurance.
Many neighbors yearly apply 'weed and feed'
as dandelions are filled with endless greed.

You'll find my yard filled with an abundance
which remind me of God's faithfulness
for that's what dandelion happens to mean,
these sunny blooms among jagged leaves of green.

For many weeks on end, over and over again,
you'll find me (impatiently) digging out dandelions
as last year's dandelions went to seed
growing thousands of dandelions to weed.

I'm reminded of God's patience
and everlasting faithfulness
daily toward me as I weed -
a needed reminder, indeed.

In the meantime, yellow forsythia bursts into bloom,
though if you're impatient you can force their yellow blooms,
by cutting a few canes to bring inside.
Just a week it takes for flowers to betide.

Forsythia, another springtime bloom,
that we patiently await to bloom
bursts into color, a bright sunshine yellow,
reinforcing spring is here - hello!

Let's not forget the sunshine yellow sun
that each spring brightens and warms
the barren, colorless earth
causing new life to spring forth.

Bright sunshine yellow,
such a cheerful color.
Much happiness it brings,
painting the earth each spring.

* * * * *

Patience is a hard lesson to learn,
though often needed at every turn,
for everyday something unforeseen goes awry
causing unwanted suffering, why oh why?

Yet God's Word says those who persevere are blessed.
Something to contemplate during the next test -
and you can be sure one will come,
though hardly ever welcomed.

Instead of worrying,
simply start praising.
The peace of God will again calm your spirit,
then perhaps you'll see God's solution in it.

And you'll find an attitude
of unceasing gratitude
will peacefully surround
though life's many ups and downs.

Asking for God's 'hedge of protection'
will ally many daily problems
showering us with blessings instead.
Just pray this simple prayer before bed.

Focusing on the positive
instead of the negative
will change your perspective.
A blessed way to live.

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job's perseverance
and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:10-11

Have you not put a hedge around him
and his household and everything he has?
You have blessed the work of his hands...
Job 1:10