Scribbling Spiritual Sand…
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Psalm 98:5
My heart dances with
a thousand spring peepers,
as droplets settle deep
upon the skin of earth.
Their comforting tune
tells of no real words
or poetic expression;
just music to a mate.
A mirrored image of
tree and sky reflects off
weedy surface, hidden
thick beneath their call.
I cannot see, just hear,
their greedy plea as
sun warms water with
focus on spring peepers.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:8-9
I’ve been researching my Polish heritage in order to write a book. I’m stuck in the 1950’s, a post war world era which was changing life in America rapidly. There was victory and rejoicing in the lives of many. Others dealt with the scars of war, even here in America. Life was slower after the war, but that was changing for both men and women.
My heart goes out to the men and women who placed the lives of others before themselves, as they sat in the trenches of many foreign places. The devotion of those who stayed stateside also amazes me. Women filing into the workplace, while men fought for freedom. Sixty percent of produce was grown in “Victory Gardens”. Many people purchased war bonds; money used to help war efforts. Rationing also controlled the distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services. Civilians also received rationing books. These were some of the rationed items in 1942: typewriters, gasoline, bicycles, shoes, rubber footwear, silk, nylon, fuel oil, and stoves. In 1943 other things were added: meat, lard, shortening and food oils, cheese, butter, margarine, processed foods (canned, bottled, and frozen), dried fruits, canned milk, firewood and coal, jams, jellies, and fruit butter. To think, we complain about gas prices going up!
Where’s the application in all my pondering! “Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.” That is what WWII was about; stopping evil and holding on to what was good. The same lesson also rings clear for today in everyday life. May your love for those around you always be sincere, as you serve in your families, churches, neighborhoods and communities.
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
Hebrews 6:11
The wren is back, just a few days ago,
I’ve watched him/her build several nests
about the yard in hopes to find a niche.
The wren is a busy fellow, fluttering about
stopping often to twitter a long song.
It brings back memories of spring days.
The wren is ever so watchful wondering
what is happening in its surroundings;
people passing, predictor preying about.
The wren, whether working or nesting
sings the sweetest tune which fills
the balmy springtime air with great joy.
The wren is a perfect model of gladness:
in work, in caution, in diligence and in
responsibility of all which God has given.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Nature tells stories. I remember a few years ago, the frost came in May and destroyed many of the apple blossoms. Despite the loss, some blossoms remained. God’s great power was revealed. His mercy shown during times of difficulty.
The call came last week, of a reoccurring cancer. My family had almost forgotten, several decades ago, how the claw of cancer had affected us. But now, the shadow of gloom seems to be encompassing our lives again.
How will we handle it? What will become of things? Who will we look to?
I remembered I had prayed, years ago, asking God’s intervention to allow my sister to see her children grow. God honored that prayer request, and filled us with years of togetherness.
None of us know what the months ahead will carry. But we should know, who carries us through each day. It’s God Almighty!
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
Ezekiel 17:23
Wind whistles through stately pines,
as a red-tailed hawk cautiously soars
spring gusts, blowing from south winds.
Whistles a distance train trailing country
rickety roads bound on souther paths;
as spring peepers day-in-and-out whistle.
Pines sway, swing, sweep; perched hawk
rest for a minuscule moment mesmerized
by shadow dancing in solemn, stately pines.
The wind will whistle through pines,
the mountain in Israel will bring forth
the throne of the anointed Son of God.
It was planted in good soil beside abundant waters, so that it would produce branches and bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.
Ezekiel 17:8
The marsh is filled to its brim. New rains have poured life back into it. Last fall’s drought, seeped energy from the springs of waters which bubble from beneath the earth. By September, no water could be seen in the parched marsh. I wonder what would become of the wildlife.
There’s an old willow which is rooted deep on the marsh’s edge. It was replaced three times when my son, Ryan, was a child. Bought with gift money from his grandfather, he was determined to one day climb its drooping branches. But year-after-year a willow failed to grow, until the third tree finally took root. Now, the massive tree towers nearly as stately as our pine trees.
Though the marsh has dried up several times in the past 30 years, the willow seems to have flourished despite the weather. It’s roots are deep within the earth grasping the nourishment needed to stay healthy.
People’s habits are like the dried marsh and thriving tree. There are times we ignore what is best for us physically, or spiritually. It takes determination to live a healthy life; a nutritional diet can bring fuller life. How is your spiritual life? Is it like an empty marsh which lies dormant? Or is a flourishing tree whose roots are deep within the ground?
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Some days we wake up to disappointments. The holiday was interrupted by an urgent care visit. A coworker is out to eliminate your job. Or the green grass is ladened with a fresh blanket of snow in the middle of April. Disappointments can be wearisome. If only we could take our eyes off the problem and fix them on God’s perspective, perhaps, we could find contentment.
I’m still considering the visitors at the empty tomb of Jesus. In their grief they had to be devastated to find the body of Jesus missing. It was a heartache, upon already hurting hearts, because of the events in these people’s lives.
We will all face problems and disappointments today. If these challenges can be met with the merest mind of God’s plan, we can have a peace despite the situation. Weather is controlled by God. The urgent care workers can start healing in the patient. As for the obnoxious coworker, perhaps there is a better job waiting for you. Sometimes we will only make a change when events prod us along. Remember those events are controlled by God.
Yes, the tomb was empty because something better was about to happen.
The morning was still,
I was wrapped in grief and
draped in a worn shawl.
Not a single song bird could
cheer this dismal morn.
I pondered the last several
days; some brought victory
others defeat yet,
both mingled together
like vinegar and water.
I washed my face with cool
spring-water remembering
He said, “You shall never thirst.”
Still tears streaked my cheeks
and I left home feeling defeat.
Confusion filled my mind, I
thought He was One; that
He had come to save mankind.
He would rescue us from sin.
It did not play out that way!
I walked the dusty trail to visit
His tomb. To my surprise when
I arrived, the great stone,
had been moved away. My grief
turned to confusion, then anger.
Two stood there; I wept!
“Where have you taken Him?”
“Whom are you seeking?”
My eyes then were opened,
“I have seen the Lord!”
Repent, receive, and rejoice for Jesus’s death brought eternal life for those who believe!
I will praise You, for You have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Psalm 118:21-22
If rocks could talk,
one would tell a tale
of sorrow and of might.
It would recall heavy steps,
weighty words waning from
hope and endless tattered tears.
If rocks could talk,
one would recall that
three days can transform
the week, the year and eternity.
The sullen soldiers stood as sentry,
the heavenly host ministered quietly,
while women came in grief and adoration.
If the Rock could have talked,
He would have declared again,
“It is finished,” Breathed last breath!
He may have said, “Peace be with you,
and peace I give to you. For it was for you
I came and died so for eternity you may live.
It’s spring and the waters swell across the land. The tricky fox saunters through the marsh. One step-at-a-time he draws closer towards a nesting goose. Her mate is nearby waiting to lunge, if necessary, to protect the next generation.
I no longer can stay uninvolved. Stepping out on the deck I cause a clamor. I throw insults towards the predator. He stands staring looking indifferent. Goose remains settled in an awkward position, waiting for the results. What will become of her welfare?
Madness in the crowd swells. It’s Passover once again. Days before, a timid donkey arrives carrying a Precious Package. The people roared with great cheers. Then, within a short time, the cheers turned to jeers. The donkey is gone, along with people’s worship. The multitude have been swayed. Waters of deceit washed over the only One innocent of sin, Jesus.
Several confrontations took place. False accusations were hurled, whips were flung and punches were thrown towards the Son of Man. Step-by-step He dragged the cross down dusty streets which had once welcomed Him.
He had wept for the people. Spent long days of pouring out compassion on them, which left Him exhausted. He healed body and soul, to anyone who was willing to hear His great message.
Then out of complete obedience towards His Father He sacrificed Himself for the crowd and all of mankind. Was He concerned for His well-being? No, it was the people He came for and would die for.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Patti Wolf