Once upon a time
He sent
fifty degrees
in January
and in February
three days in a row
neighbors drifted
out of houses
to build
tinker toy forts
with shouts of triumph
Wonderful husband
cleaned muck
out of the garage
and hung the rug
on a tree
We laughed
as Spring
interrupted winter
once
upon a time
it will happen
again
Life isn’t always rosy. I try not to blog like it is. Sometimes we get sick around here. Sometimes giants get the best of us. Sometimes we hurt with those who are hurting. I write about those things too.
But sometimes we find ourselves knee deep to chest high in blessing – it’s an equally important part of the picture. And today, I could go on and on…
Rejoice with me?
I’m receiving all these good gifts, tucking them away for a day when I need them – maybe a day like David’s:
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying,
“We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me. - Psalm 13
“I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”
Tuck a few away for yourself, next time you’re able…
8 comments
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February 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Janelle
We’ve had some beautiful weather as well! It can be a bit messy but I’ll work with puddles and muddy dog prints on the clean floors!
As you pointed out, life isn’t always “sunny” – how true that in life, we experience different types of weather: sunny, cloudy, stormy, cold, downright miserable don’t-want-to-be-outiside days…but then there are the beautiful days like the ones you describe in the middle of it all.
Thankful to God for letting us experience all sorts of days.
February 9, 2009 at 4:11 pm
L.L. Barkat
Funny, I’m running a writing project right now that begins with “once upon a time.” I’m thinking there’s little chance you saw that and that this is a wonderful coincidence. Nevertheless! I shall link to you on my blog and also at High Calling Blogs later this week. : )
February 9, 2009 at 4:12 pm
L.L. Barkat
Oh, I just saw your tag “Random Acts of Poetry.” Maybe you did see?
February 9, 2009 at 8:29 pm
nancy
cool fort
February 10, 2009 at 8:00 am
Erin
I’m here via LL.
I love the sunny days spent with my children! It’s true too, how all the neighborhood seems to spill out of their homes when the nice days peek through the winter doldrums.
Your giant TinkerToy set reminds me of the one my brothers and I had as kids back in the 70′s. We played with that set all. the. time. What a great investment in creativity and imagination.
Happy soon-to-be-spring-for-real!
February 10, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Annie
Love the way you tied together the words and the pictures. Here in Michigan, it has been in the 50′s. I like to think Mother Nature is giving us a break and a reminder that Spring is just around the corner.
February 11, 2009 at 8:58 am
laura
I am smiling at these glimpses of joy.
Lovely.
February 15, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Rebekah
I love that you’re tucking your blessings away for a day that you may need to pull them out again..isn’t that what good and wonderful memories are for!! How lovely…thank you for this!