Hope makes you see God’s guiding hand not only in the gentle and pleasant moments but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness.
From Psalm 37:24-26: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
I feel so fortunate to have so much of nature’s treasures not far from my front door. Two metro parks are a short drive away, and their endless song always beckons me to return. The photos used with this poem were taken in central Ohio at various times of the year.
Nature will never sing the blues
Her beauty sends out blessed clues
Walking with her in tranquil woods
Sharing her soul, always feels good
Moments cherished, singing with joy
Her spirit brings much to enjoy
Spending endless hours in her care
Filling with melodies to share
Life’s journey follows nature’s tune
Her endless smile reaches the moon
Smelling the essence of tall pines
Tasting better than vineyard’s wines
Cycle of living never fades
Nature coyly playing charades
Changing seasons bring new décor
Hearing symphonies, voices soar
Autumn sets up winter’s game plan
Spring fading into summer’s tan
Composing its endless, ageless song
Hearing nature, singing along
Originally published June, 2020.
Tempting much too early
Overflowing thoughts stir
Life’s background music plays
Traveling to Big Sur
Remembering darkness
Transforming to moonlight
Memories play again
Rising from calmest night
Filling empty bucket
Pondering this new day
Distant dawn now teases
Opening mind to play
Feeling heartbeat’s rhythm
Leaving shadow’s twilight
Wisdom’s timeless travels
Scaling forgotten heights
Harmonizing sunrise
Glowing horizon beams
Sweet morning refreshment
Waking from blissful dream
From Isaiah 41:1: “Listen to Me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.”
Waking to morning’s silence
Praying to Father above
Faithful headwaters of strength
Renewing hope, filled with love
Energizing day’s journey
Tapping into Father’s grace
Coastlines reassured of strength
Offering peace to embrace
Joining in togetherness
Reciting from Father’s Word
River’s swift transforming strength
Navigating from what’s heard
Waiting with patience of Job
Seeing now through Father’s love
Each tide arrives with His strength
Restoring joy from above
Leaving wilderness for good
Fulfilling Father’s delight
Hope’s thirst quenched from water’s strength
Rising Son harbors faith’s light
From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Life is accepting what is and working from that.
Not only is your story worth telling, but it can be told in words so painstakingly eloquent that it becomes a song.
Gloria Naylor (1950-2016) was an American novelist.
My wife and I are starting up our second day of travel as we drive west to Montana’s Big Sky, where family and friends wait for our arrival.
During the next three weeks, my posts on Big Sky Buckeye will be taking a vacation as well. I will stay in touch when I have a free moment, and when my tablet has an Internet connection. My mother’s home doesn’t allow me to communicate on the World Wide Web, but time will definitely be filled up with catching up with family and sampling a taste of Montana once again.
We are planning to visit one of my blogging acquaintances while in Montana. There will likely be more written about this rendezvous in a later post.
In the meantime, enjoy some previous photographs from Montana, also known as the “Treasure State.”
Mountain stream’s birthplace
Creator shall lead
Treasured, flowing grace
Winter’s snow feeds
Journey downstream flows
With patient pursuit
Valley waits below
Douglas fir salutes
Tiny creeks joining
Green landscape ahead
Filled with rejoicing
River’s growing thread
Water’s quiet poise
Nature’s faithful love
Rainfall adding joy
Strengthened from above
Around every bend
Timeless spirit’s fate
Welcome dearest friend
More surprises wait
Impulsiveness
Trap’s set
Leaping without looking
Ignoring God’s trusted light
Darkness
Patience
Nourishing faithfulness
Resisting enemy’s temptations
Walking with benevolent Father
Comforted
Illuminating
Spirit’s breath
Hearing Savior’s truth
Evil’s voice fades away
Disciplined
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
On our own, we can accomplish nothing. But with God, we have access to power beyond our comprehension.
From John 15:4-5: “Abide in Me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in Me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Time is the longest distance between two places.
There is no pleasure in the world like writing well and going fast.
Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) was an American playwright and screenwriter. His written contributions to dramatic productions are evident in classics such as “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Big Sky Buckeye 