first snow...

temperature drops
clouds gather
grayness fills the day

people hurry
grocery shelves empty
be ready~come what may

home at last
everything sealed up
better drip the faucets just in case

dinner blessing
includes "please send lots of snow"
bringing smiles to every face

fireplace roars
hot cider simmers
weather channel predicts where & when

kids check the windows
look for the first flake
hope for "school closings" to begin

quilts & afghans
pj's of flannel
all settled snugly in bed

anticipation
hard to fall asleep
visions filling each head

then about 2:00 AM
something awakens
look out the window & view

world of whiteness
silently covering
all things being made new

storehouse of snow
angels shoveling
transformation only You can bring

beauty
purest beauty
in my heart do the same thing


*jb*

job 37:6a
He says to the snow,'fall on the earth'

ezekiel36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

*photo~www.topnews.in/files/SnowFallss3.jpg

what to do with hurt feelings?

like icicles gleaming clear
oh my heart would be!
examine every motive
test my thoughts and see

am i walking in Your way
or is there something deep inside
that needs examination?
Oh,Father,be my guide

so hard to discern
when emotions get involved
show me,Father ~ truth
for my thinking may be flawed

i want to assume the best
yet it's judgment i perceive
i'm willing to be wrong
let me not be deceived

relationships get messy
we're all human ~ that's for sure
so take my sinful condition
and help me to endure

the times my understanding
is put,Lord,to the test
help me to be quiet
and in Your comfort rest

*jb*


proverbs 17:9
disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends

but at the same time...

proverbs 27:6a
faithful are the wounds of a friend

i will wait on the Lord to give clarity & in the meanwhile, i will trust that He is working all things together for good!

content in the present...

we have an old pine chest where every year we set out all the Christmas cards from years gone by ~ it's so fun to look at them and remember what life was like "back then". if someone asked me which one is my favorite, i think almost every year i would say, "this year" ~ and it's true once again ~ God is so good! it's a blessing to be content in the present ~ to embrace what He is doing & where He has me NOW. for all the talk of the challenges & difficulties of teenage years ~ i say "bah humbug!" i love my teenagers & their teenage friends! this time is a gift from God ~ they spend time with us, share their thoughts & feelings with us, their struggles & victories because they choose to now and that is a blessed Christmas & everyday gift that gives more joy than my simple words can express...i love my children TODAY!!

beauty...

frozen beads pitter~pat against the pane
walkways sparkle 'neath the frozen rain

every light reflects in a blur
like looking through old glass windows at the world

frozen branches begin to twinkle & shine
holly berries glisten & remind

that we the best decorations cannot buy
just look at the stars in the sky!

this season is His & His alone
may the beauty of it turn hearts to His Son

*jb*

psalm 19:1
the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.