The Snapshots of Summer

As summer winds down, let’s rewind mentally and take some mental snapshots of the joys this fun-filled season bestowed. For each of us they’ll be a little different while at the same time being much alike. May my latest poem help you recall the scenes of your own special summer!

Summer Snapshots

As the waning weeks of summer slip by
Its snapshots drift through our minds,
Classic moments, favorite memories
Keepsakes of the carefree days.
Toes painted for flip flop season,
Poolside parties and ballpark nights,
The grill fired up and ice cream churning
All part of the rhythm of summer.
Playing in sprinklers, drinks from the hose,
The Fourth filled with fun and fireworks,
Friends and fishing, bike rides and berry-picking
Each day holds hope for adventure.
Zoo days and picnics, gardens and flowers,
Loading the car for road trips,
Mountains and beaches, sunblock and shades
All leaving the gift of memories,
All captured in summer’s snapshots.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3 NIV

*What are your favorite snapshots from this summer?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by Daniel Ray, Creative Commons License

Ever-Ready Refreshment

Have you noticed how we set our sights on the summer months for periods of rest and refreshment, for times to recharge? We take breaks from regular activities and make efforts to get away from home for a while, whether to a vacation destination or a trip to see family or friends. We long for a change and a chance to catch our breaths.

Sometimes that works for us and sometimes it doesn’t. Life may have other plans. We may not get to go on that getaway. Or sometimes we go, but for whatever reason, it doesn’t provide the rest and refreshment we desired and needed.

Whether our plans to refresh and recharge work for us or not, we can take comfort in the fact that nature’s ever-ready refreshment is within our grasp each day. And that, my friends, is a truth that inspires poetry. Hope my latest blesses you!

Ever-Ready Refreshment

Just outside my door I find it
nature’s own remedy,
a ready retreat
an instant vacation
the ever-ready refreshment I need.
When my body needs fresh energy
or my spirit needs a lift,
when my soul cries for God’s own touch
the great outdoors soon beckons me.
A few steps and moments later
the very air around me changes
as I pass from indoors to out,
as I breathe in nature’s tonic.

The miracles in God’s world around me
never disappoint,
as I listen for the song of birds
or hear the wind sashaying through the trees.
The sights, the smells, the sounds, the feel,
and yes, the taste of God’s ever-ready refreshment
set my weary heart to singing,
re-energizes me once again.
And I found it all
just outside my door.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25 NIV

What aspect of creation particularly refreshes you? The ocean? The mountains? Maybe the wide-open fields or the forest? Perhaps flowers? Do tell!

The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out tomorrow. It’s not too late to receive it (though you won’t be eligible for the giveaway until the next issue.) Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*My photo

A Peek at Spring

8601580968_eb015e0fc2_zNot long ago, we got our first real taste of spring here in our corner of Kansas this year. Sunny skies and temps climbing well into the 70s left me inspired to flex my poetic wings. After all, if spring doesn’t inspire a writer to dabble in poetry, what will, right? So, friends, here’s my latest—hope you enjoy!

A Peek at Spring

Savoring it, that’s what I’m doing,
the preview of spring
that came our way.
Winter pulled back
for a few delightful days,
and we frolicked with Spring,
we promised her our hearts
if she would but stay.
“Not quite yet,” she said, “but soon.
I’ll leave some calling cards
to remind you of hope,
to remind you I won’t be long,
for I’ll be back in all my glory
after Winter heaves another breath,
after Winter punches his time clock.”

And with that she was off,
but true to her word
she left behind buds
bursting through winter’s branches,
she dotted dry landscapes
with the redbreasts of robins,
she pushed early miracles through the soil
with a crocus here, a daffodil there
and spotty green evidence of life
to spruce up our yards of straw.

This peek at spring
what power it holds
to refresh and recharge
to give life anew
to remind us that hope
is not far away but always in reach,
to remind us that glory is on the way.
Thank you, Lord, for spring,
thank you for hope never-ending.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5

*What part of spring’s preview do you most enjoy?

*Flickr photo by anneheathen, Creative Commons License

Christmas Poem 2013: When Christmas Changes

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My tradition of writing an original Christmas poem lives on, friends. After losing my mom unexpectedly on October 21st because of injuries she sustained in a car accident, I didn’t know if I’d be able to write a Christmas poem this year. I usually write my poem in October or early November to help take the pressure off closer to the holidays, but could I do that this year? I could write a poem about grief, but one about Christmas? I wasn’t so sure about that.

God is good, though. When I turned to him for help, he graciously gave it. Just eight days after Mom went home to heaven, God helped me write the poem below. I pray it holds just the message that someone needs to hear this holiday season.

I’ll be taking a blogging break until the first of the year—unless I hop on here to share a photo. May you enjoy sweet times with loved ones and have a truly blessed celebration of our Savior’s birth, my friends. Enjoy the poem—and see you in 2014!

     When Christmas Changes

Christmas looks different to me this year
Maybe to you as well,
Life’s changes have me looking back
Have me caught in nostalgia’s spell.

Yearning for sweet times gone by
My memories become treasure,
I’ll savor and safe-keep them
For future joy and pleasure.

And though my heart may ache with loss
While looking back today,
I’ll turn my eyes to Jesus Christ
I’ll look to Him and say:

“Christmas on earth may change, my Lord,
But You are forever the same,
My Savior, my Friend, my Comfort, my Guide,
Ever worthy of worship and praise.”

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV

*In loving memory of my mother, Charlene Hoy.

*Have you gone through a year when Christmas changed for you? How did God help you?

*Flickr photo by State Farm, Creative Commons License

Sometimes We’re Fragile

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Fragile

A wave larger than me
hits from out of nowhere,
crashing over me
engulfing me
but I’m not at the beach.
The only wetness I feel
is that of my tears
flowing as from a faucet
triggered by the tiniest
memory or thought,
brought on by the barest hint
by just a glance of the familiar.
With quick hand to my face
I try to catch the sob,
try to soften its effect
to hide my vulnerability
to protect others from the wave,
from the grief that’s now my portion.
The unexpected loss overwhelms,
I’ve never felt so fragile
not knowing when the wave
will wash over me again.
I’d be in despair
crushed without hope
if not for the Lord
if not for his love and peace.
But he’s with me
giving strength for each step
lifting my face to his light
holding my fragile heart
in his hand
supporting my frame
with the love and comfort
of family and friends.
Life is fragile
and sometimes so are we,
but that’s okay—
that’s when love swoops in
and carries us,
that’s when the Lord
tenderly wipes our tears.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

*How has the Lord upheld you when you’ve felt fragile?

*Flickr photo by jenny downing, Creative Commons License