April 4, 2015 = Poem #4
Smile
What makes you smile
As you go through your day?
Is it lots of power
Or a high rate of pay?
A fancy car, designer shoes
An argument you know you can’t loose.
Maybe, though you’re more like me
A country kind of girl.
Who’s frown is turned upside down
At the sight of a frisky squirrel.
A goat on a hill, a calf in the hay
These are the sights that brighten my day.
Ducks on the pond, lambs in a pile
It’s the simple things in life
That make me smile.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. “ Isaiah 53:5
For me, one sure sign of spring are the daffodils in my yard that burst forth each year from the dormant earth and open their petals like little faces lifted to the sun. I anticipate their arrival and wonder at their simple beauty. I found the daffodil pictured above while still in bud, laying flat on the ground. A victim of a neighborhood dog I suspect. As Paul Harvey used to say “Now, for the rest of the story”…. I couldn’t just leave it there, so I cut its stem and lifted it from its makeshift grave. On closer inspection I realized that in the process of being beaten down and crushed, a pine needle had pierced the tender blossom. I didn’t have much hope for the bruised and punctured bud to bloom but I removed the needle, took the limp flower in and put it in a vase of water anyway. Much to my surprise, a few short hours later what was once a seemingly lifeless bud had lifted its head and spread its petals to become the flower you see in the picture, the flower it was meant to be. It may seem silly but it brought me such a sense of joy to see what was once left for dead to now be full of life and beauty! As I admired that daffodil, I noticed the holes in the delicate petals left behind by the piercing it had endured, and for a moment I just stood there, breathless….staring……it was as if the blinds in my heart and mind had been lifted and the “Son” was brightly shining in. I had no idea that when I bent down to pick up a fallen daffodil, my sign of spring and renewal, it would so vividly remind me that Jesus was beaten, bruised, and pierced. He was then put in a makeshift grave left for dead. Just a few short days later He lifted his head, walked out of the tomb, and spread His arms to show the holes in His nail pierced hands. Jesus, risen and full of life and beauty had endured the unthinkable for one reason and one reason only, so that you and I can be renewed and become the people we were meant to be. The miracle of Easter shown to me through a daffodil. Hallelujah! And now you know the rest of the story……..
Pierced
Put on a cross
Innocence ignored
Endured torture and pain
Ridiculed
Cursed
Encumbered by my sin
Died so that I may live
“Why did you do all this for me?” he asked. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you” “You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing” ~E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been very blessed in my life with wonderful friends! Over the years some have come and gone, but they’re still part of who I am today. Some friends live and work close by and we’re in touch regularly. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without them. And then there are those special, priceless few who almost know me better than I know myself. They are the ones who get me. They understand my weaknesses and encourage my strengths. We laugh together. Grieve together. Celebrate together. We experience life together. They are my life preservers, my sounding boards, my voices of reason, and I know that they will always be there when I need them. Whether we’re near or far my “heart friends” and I share an abundant friendship and today I rejoice in those relationships through this poem:
Abundant Friendship
Friendship. Abundant, strong. Rare, lucky to be found. Time and distance don’t dim the heart. Precious.
April first and I made it through the whole day without being fooled once. I have to admit I kind of missed the silly attempts my students used to make to try and trick me. “Your shoe’s untied, Miss Cindy”, “There’s a spider in your hair!”, or their favorite rubber snake on my desk trick. Of course I always had to act the fool for them (it really wasn’t too hard), but I didn’t mind because the sound of their “April Fools” and laughter filled this foolish ole teacher’s heart with joy.
It’s hard for me to believe but April also marks the year anniversary of my writing this blog. The journey began last year at this time with my involvement in Kevin Cordi’s Poetry Box Project and has continued to be an avenue for me to do what I love, write!
April is also special because it is officially designated Poetry Month. In honor of that, a storyteller I admire, Granny Sue, posted that she was going to write a poem a day throughout this month and not only that, she also challenged her readers to do the same. I have decided, foolish as it may be, to accept her challenge. Maybe you’d like to join us “April Fools” too, and let your inner poet shine! I hope you do!
April 1, 2015
Unexpected Blessings
A card, a gift,
A wave or a smile
Lift our spirits
For quite a while.
A touch, a wink,
A warm embrace
Help to ease
The trials we face.
A photo, a prize
A laugh or a tear
Unexpected Blessings
Wish us to persevere.