Today I saw nature’s tear drops
They were piercing through the hard earth
Delicate, small, glistening bells
Symbolic of a new birth.
I’m reminded that when my life seems hard
I can still shine through my tears
To bring encouraging joy and hope
Removing long, cold winter fears.
Yellow trumpets of happiness and hope
Dazzle us with their display
But too soon they bend and wither
Then sadly die and decay.
Yet all is not for ever lost
For deep down in the earth
All the goodness pours into the bulb
Preparing for next year’s new birth.
As I look at the small forget-me-not
I’m reminded of heaven’s blue
And the one who sits enthroned on high
Who is faithful, loving and true.
Sometimes I feel God is far away
That He has forgotten me
That I’m of no significance
A passed over nobody.
It is in these moments, doubting myself
I turn to God’s Word and read.
That God has a special plan for my life
That I’m just the one He needs.
Jesus gently shows me his nail-pierced hands
Reminds me how much He loves me
Yes, more than a mother’s love for her child
He willingly died for me.
Though a mother may forget her child
God has promised He never will leave
But be beside me every step of the way
All I have to do is believe.
So today I bring Him my thanks; my love
Hear what He has to say
“I love you; I want to hold you close
Walk with you; show you the way.”
“So look again at the flowers I made
To remind you I’ll never forget
I have got so much to share with you
You’ve hardly seen anything yet.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Isaiah49:15-16
Ephesians 3:20&21
A tender green shoot
Grown from a root
In dry ground
Now crowned
By a rose in full bloom
Extravagant beauty
Radiance sublime
Glorious symmetry
Lovely perfume
Now deliberately stripped
It’s petals plucked
Discarded
One by one
Is crushed
Bruised
No beauty left
Bereft of life
What sorrow
Jesus Christ
Human perfection
Sweeter than the rose
Petals of liberty
Identity; Reputation
Honour; Dignity
All are stripped
Ripped away
A man of sorrows
So marred
Scarred beyond desire
We look away
We do not care
We leave Him there
Naked
To die
Alone.
Isaiah 53:1-3
Mark 15:16-39
Today
I picked a rose
It had so many thorns
That pricked
And hurt my hand
But the colour of the bloom
And the wonderful perfume
Made the picking so worthwhile
For when I placed it in my room
It stood firm and beautiful
And the whole house was filled
With its fragrance.
Now my rose
Has helped me see
That when I’ve suffered for a while
The God of all grace
Will Himself pick me up
Set me firmly in place
Will support, restore, make me strong
And though my rose will die away
God has promised that one day
I shall share in His and Christ’s
Eternal glory.
1 Peter 5:10
Walking early morning a well-trod path
I saw a beautiful trailing throw
Across a glistening bed of green
Small crocuses, purple, white and yellow.
Tiny corms that for months had hidden
Out of sight, were now shining through
Heads held high, braving wind and cold
Shining with diamond drops of dew.
With the arrival of the longer spring days
They escape from the darkness of winter long
Push up through the earth quietly emerging
Miraculously burst forth into silent song.
Concealed all winter receiving in secret
They are then, at the right time, able to bring
Hope and joy to rejuvenate me
A new zest for life. It’s Spring!
Barron earth
Nothing there
Emptiness
Totally bare
The gardener comes
With gentle care
Tills the soil
So prepares
For the seeds
That in time
Once grown
After watering
Careful tending
In the wind
Sometimes bending
Will produce
Wonderful flowers
Beautiful; bright
Silently bringing
Great delight
To anyone
Who takes time
Contemplating
With admiration
The varied wonders
Of God’s creation.
Every walk toward God must begin
At the crossroads called Calvary
For it is there on a cross that Jesus died
Opened the door to God’s garden for me.
Once through the door I find myself
Walking along paths of grace
With goodness and mercy following me
As I advance at God’s own pace.
My path passes through beautiful flowers
Of very many perfumes and hues
Along streams of gently flowing water
And in the distance magnificent views.
All is at peace and I walk on with joy
Blue skies and sun brighten each day
Quickly, without warning, black clouds form
The weather breaks; I’m scared I’ll lose my way.
The weather of life is always changing
But God promised He will walk with me
I feel His Presence even more when it’s dark
He holds my hand; He guides; through His eyes I see.
God loves to meet me in His earth garden
He has so much to share with me
About Paradise His special walled garden
Where bright flowers bloom eternally.
Yesterday I received a gift
A bunch of daffodils.
They bring such joy
But at what cost?
I felt their pain
When I snipped their stalks
And saw them crying sticky tears
Trying to retain some moisture.
The buds were tightly closed
Colourless and sad.
In the vase today
They are thirstily drinking
Bravely flowering
Yet I’m thinking
Wouldn’t they be happier,
Wouldn’t they have lasted longer
Joined to the bulb
Nodding and dancing in the breeze
Eventually fading
Returning goodness to their life source?
I ponder this anomaly
Of intermingling sadness and joy.
