Ah spring
fancy dresses are shaken out
girl’s eyes flutter there’s no doubt
waiting for the the band to begin
*
the dance floor full of hope
hard work of building complete
so the weary can get off their feet
moves come naturally
*
fluttering wings of all sizes
white and yellow butterflies flit
bright red cardinal zip
nature energized by the sun
*
poppies, begonias, pansies
wave their fancy fans
like dowager aunts
they approve of the flurry
*
so many reminders
of springs now passed
new life here at last
makes everyone giddy
While I was planting my garden and enjoying the ritual of spring, I thought about the verses in the Bible that talk about birds and flowers. The birds don’t concern themselves with what they are to eat; they also have no need to practice or lay out a plan for their mating ritual.
The flowers don’t need to worry about their clothing but they also aren’t concerned with how and where they are planted. They are confident, when it is time, that they will be watered, the sun will shine and they will grow.
Today I saw a bigger “value” to those verses: nature doesn’t (even on dire days) plan or worry about the next ten years of wind, snow, sun, rain, hurricanes… They know they are cared for!!!
When my children were young and we were urban missionaries, the money we raised was enough to pay the rent and the utility bill. But what about food, bandaids, and clothing?
- Each month we received anonymous certificates to buy groceries.
- On occasion, I would find an envelope with money on my desk from a volunteer (paid for stuff like bandaids.)
- The clothes for the children were hand me downs and my husband had plenty of clothes and shoes. I on the other hand had enough clothes to fit in a small luggage. I never thought “what will I do when my clothes wear out?”
What I did notice, when we left ministry, was that all my clothes sprouted holes. I realized that clothes that are worn every single day rarely last for 10 years. A secret: I was never better taken care of then when I had nothing!!!
We need to be reminded that we have a God with great big loving hands who shelters us from more than we know and provides for us in unseen ways. Lean on Him when the days are stormy be thankful to Him when the days are good.
Luke 12:27-28
Psalms 103:13-18
“Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.”
Job 38:41
“Who prepares for the raven its nourishment When its young cry to God And wander about without food?
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”
P.S. All of the above applies to our needs. If the birds of the air decided they wanted steak rather than seed, they would be disappointed. If the flowers wanted to wear Vera Wang, they would be forlorn.
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Beautiful images and wonderful message! We have known this amazing providence in so many ways, especially in these last two years. So much we have been given, even those small things you’d think were of little consequence. So grateful to our God who sees, knows, and cares for all. 🙂
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The poem gives a beautiful and thought-provoking message ❤
Loved the pictures and the wonderful video as well 🙂
xoxo
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Indeed a wonderful message in these lines.
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