Crayola Garden

Luke 12:25-28
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest. “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!

I had no idea how much I missed growing a flower garden, until I planted tulips about a month ago. When we moved to our home, five years ago, I left behind two sizeable flower beds and a few plants growing around the yard. I decided that I didn’t have time to tend flowers at our new house. Despite my neglect, peonies, day lilies, touch-me-nots and a few daffodils bloomed each year. Even though I gave no effort to the existing “garden”, the plants flowered and added color to my day. Now that I’ve started adding a few new plants, I’m excited to see more of God’s splendor blossom.

Seeing the beautiful shades of Crayola colored buds reminded me that God dressed the patch in all of his glory. He provided sunshine and rain and an amazing photosynthetic process that fed the green stems. He supplied everything the plants needed. Jesus reminds me in the book of Luke that God not only cares for the flowers, he cares for me. He offers grace for my sins, he gives me what I need, and he loves me no matter what. As yards and gardens fill with color, I pray that they be a reminder of God’s eternal devotion and mercy.

New Birth

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Wobbly goats
born before midnight—
spring renewed

Signs of spring surrounded us as we hiked up the hill. Dogwoods bloomed and fresh ivy tendrilled down the rock walls. At the top of the trail, Hannah and I set eyes on Carl Sandburg’s house. Before the home tour started the guide encouraged us to visit the barns. Mrs. Sandburg was a goat farmer and the farm still bred and raised her lineage of goats. What a pleasant surprise to find two baby goats that were less than twenty-four hours old. The mama goat let us pet them even though she protected them from the other goats. One of them rose on her little legs and wobbled about. The freshness of spring kissed their skin. So sweet and innocent yet full of life.

Spring brings renewal as life begins again. These new baby goats reminded me that God’s grace pours refreshment over me and restores my Spirit. This spring as I celebrate Easter, I thank God for Jesus. He not only died on the cross, he rose again to give us a new life. He took on my sins and poured out his blood, so that I might have hope. He died a gruesome death, yet was raised in the beauty of life. I don’t know about you, but I am humbled to know that God loves me so much. Praise God for new birth through Jesus. 

Rooted in Him!

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

I stepped onto a smooth, paved path as I walked around the lake at Look Up Lodge. Without concern about stumbling or falling, I gazed at the beauty of spring. A blue heron sailed across the lake, white dogwood trees waved among the fresh green leaves. A few early butterflies joined me on my journey. Then about a fourth of the way around, the pavement stopped and I found myself stepping over roots on a well-worn dirt path. A bit more cautious, I took my time and avoided the ones that might trip me up. I picked my way along the rough terrain, until I found straight, even pavement at the end of the trail.

The roots made me think about how often the devil lays a stumbling block in my path. I may be walking along, fine and dandy, and he rolls out in front of me like a snake and tries to trip me up. Paul reminded the Colossian church to live their lives in Jesus and be rooted in him so that they might not slip into Satan’s snares. Being in his word and praying fertilizes the roots that are planted in Jesus. Those roots strengthen my faith. I am thankful that God guides me on my path!

Roy G. Biv

Genesis 9:12-16
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

As a child in elementary school, I learned the colors of the rainbow by associating them with Roy G. Biv. R-Red, O-Orange, Y-Yellow, G-Green, B-Blue, I-Indigo and V-Violet. I remembered the colors and recited them to the teacher, but I did not see every color together in a rainbow until today. Each color shined bright and clear across the sky. From the glowing red to the lovely violet, the bow shimmered among the clouds.

As Tim and I enjoyed the sight, he said, “How can people see that and not believe in God.” I agree. Our amazing God created so much incredible nature. Every spring, when the daffodils, forsythia, tulip trees and redbuds bloom, I am humbled by God’s amazing creation. His presence surrounds me. I thank God for the beauty that covers the earth.

Happy Spring!

My Name

Psalm 147:3-5
He heals the brokenhearted 
   and binds up their wounds. 
He determines the number of the stars 
   and calls them each by name. 
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; 
   his understanding has no limit.

My grandson, Eli, has been trying out a variety of names for me. Over the last few months he has called me Babaw, the name my granddaughter, Dylan, and her brother, Zeke, call me.  A few times he’s called me grandma or mama. Last night he looked at me and said “Hi, Grammy Penny.” That name rolled off his tongue like sweet sugar. Whatever my grandkids call me pleases me, because they say my name with love.

As much as my grandchildren love me, my heavenly Father loves me so much more. I cannot begin to comprehend how much God cares for me. When I read in the Psalm that he knows every star by name, I am astounded. So many twinkling lights, and he knows every one of them. When I am out and about and see all of the people that I do not know and think about the huge population of the world, I wonder how God keeps track of everyone. But, he does. He knows and calls me by name. He hears me when I pray and recognizes my voice. Praise God for his love and his desire to know me by name.