Afterward

We have experienced a lot of rain recently in the area of California where I live. I must confess that I’m getting kind of tired of it, and as I was looking out the sliding glass door in our bedroom, this limerick came to mind, which I entitled Afterward.

Afterward

 

It’s easy to gripe and complain

when it seems there’s abundance of rain

but superfluous showers

give way to sweet flowers

and loveliest hues of terrain.

When it seems like it has been raining for a long time, I enjoy when it stops, and I appreciate the after effects.

_ the clean look of the outdoors around me

-droplets of water that look like artwork on plants

-the fact that the sun is out again

- I can be outside doing things

There is an application to this spiritually, but I’m not going to write about that here. Do you see how this can relate to somebody’s walk with God? Do you know what Bible verse came to my mind and gave me the idea for this title? I would be interested in hearing from……………………………………………..you.

 

The Miracle Of Spring

I love this time of year. Spring just never ceases to amaze me. There is just something special about seeing little buds and blossoms break forth on trees that looked so dead or seeing a little plant sprout up in a spot where it seemed there was nothing but dirt. It makes me realize that there has been activity going on inside the trees or underneath the ground that our human eye cannot see. God has been busy doing a work.

So it is in the spirtual realm too. I love springtime in the Spirit. I love seeing “the buds and blossoms” break forth in a life that was once dead in trespasses and sins, as the person experiences being born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38) There is nothing like it. I love seeing saints of God begin to bud and blossom into new areas of service to the Lord. It could be teaching Bible studies, playing an instrument, singing in church, befriending new converts, ushering, helping people pray at the altar, going doorknocking or even a changed attitude.  Growth is just…………………………..exciting!

As you go through your day, may God open your eyes to behold the miracles of spring around you, and may His wonders make your heart rejoice.

 

Death To Life

Year after year, the wonder of spring never ceases to amaze me. I can be driving down my street, and all of a sudden I realize that trees which looked so dead just a short time ago are now alive with buds and blossoms. How does that happen? I don’t know, but God does. He’s the designer of the trees, and He is faithful to cause them to bud and bloom when the time is right.

Even more thrilling to me is when God causes things(or should I say people)to bloom and blossom in the spiritual realm. There are people who walk our streets with a look of “deadness”. Looking at them from the outward appearance, you might never be able to guess that something is happening down deep in their hearts. There is a hunger for something more, a hunger for a God that is real. I’ve been blessed to see some of those people who looked so hardened come to life as they began to pour out their hearts to God in true repentance, follow in obedience to the command to be baptized and gloriously receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The outward appearance of a person is not an indicator of what is going on inside their hearts, and God used the blooming trees in our neighborhood to remind me of this once again. Even after we are born again as the Scripture teaches, we may go through periods of seeming “deadness”. Maybe we can’t feel the presence of God like we once used to or it may seem like we are not growing spiritually. However, just as there are seasons in the natural, so there are in the spiritual, and if we keep holding onto God and seeking Him, He will cause us to bloom when the time is right.  I just want to be in tune with His seasons. Don’t you?

Ecclesiastes 3:1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 

 

 

Spring In Our Yard

I love this time of year!

Big fatty ol’ rose in the front yard.

I think this is jasmine. It smells fabulous.

Up in the left corner is our family of mourning doves. I was wondering if they were going to come back this year. I first spotted one in the nest on January 19. They came early.

Section of the front yard with some rose bushes.

 

A Tree For All Seasons

Every year around this time, our crape myrtle tree comes into bloom, producing the beautiful fuschia colored flowers that are seen in this picture. 

 

 

It’s almost hard to believe that this photo is the same tree.  The only difference is the season.  Perhaps in your walk with God, you’re feeling more like this tree.  Sometimes when we’re going through trials and difficult circumstances, it’s easy to feel like we are in a long, long winter season.  However, seasons do pass and God is faithful to bring us out of our winter as long as we continue holding onto Him.

 

  Lord, help us to continue to abide in You during every season that You in Your wisdom and love allow in our lives, knowing that You are working all things together for our good!

 

 

Psalm 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

 

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

 

 

 

Sign of Spring In My Backyard

This isn’t very profound, I know, but I am just so happy to see signs of spring in our backyard.  There is just something about blossoms and budding trees that fill  me with a sense of hope.  Am I weird, or can anyone else relate to this?

(Click to enlarge)

 

Winter

It’s

winter,

and the trees

now look barren.

Branches are cut back,

giving a look of death.

Even so, we in this life

may be slashed by tests and trials.

Our spirits seem wounded and lifeless.

Yet, no one season will last forever.

Sap is still flowing beneath the bark.

Spring will come; the buds will break forth.

And so we know that burdens

appearing to crush us

shall lift in God’s time.

This too shall pass;

in its place

God gives

hope.

12-9-07

 

True Tribute To Spring

A couple of posts ago, I wrote a mock tribute to spring involving the wonder of icecream.  However, I do really enjoy this season, so hopefully this will tell a little more of why I do. 

Spring

breaks forth

in the buds

and the blossoms.

God uses His paintbrush

to give color to lilacs

and frame fields with gold poppies;

glorious arrays in every shade

awesome talent of their Maker displayed.

 

Sure Fire Signs Of Warm Weather

I was so inspired by the beautiful pictures and the post that Ronda did about spring, that I decided would write a little bit about this wonderful season as well.  Most people can tell by the budding branches, shoots coming out of the ground and blossoming trees that spring  has arrived.  At our house, however, there is something that takes place indoors that signals the arrival of warmer weather.  Let me see if I can explain.

When spring time weather comes along,

it surely is a pleaser.

Yet, the sure fire signs of warmer weather

abide within my freezer!

 

Yes, in our house icecream is the indicator that spring has come.  Seems like we can never have too much of it, which of course means there is too much of us. (stomach, double chin, etc.) Y’all pray that we don’t revel in Spring too much.   Do you have a favorite flavor of Spring?