Birds of winter.....

When the winter landscape becomes dull and dreary, I look for some hope of warmer temperatures.  It is a comfort to see new growth or wildlife.  On a neighborhood walk, I saw two Cardinals sweeping through the leafless trees.  Their bright red bodies dramatic in contrast to the brown earth and dormant grass.  They showed no care of the season as they winged their way across the yard.

Interesting, how a touch of color can brighten our lives.  And if the color appears when we least expect it, somehow our day becomes better. "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" P.B. Shelley.

Life is a circle, full of surprises.  Sometimes they occur when we don't expect them and other times they come to us with the hope of a better tomorrow.

   

"Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches." Psalm 104:12.

Great Love of Books...

“An ordinary man can surround himself with two thousand books and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is always possible to be happy.” Augustine Birrell

What a wonderful quote this is for readers!!  There is definitely something special about opening a book and losing yourself in descriptive words.  My grandmother took me to the local Carnegie library as a young child and it was with great joy that I could select a few special picture books to carry home.  Later when I could read for myself, I became more selective about authors and topics. 

Library books, newly purchased books, Nooks, or Kindles.  The power of the written word can do wonders in a lifetime.

It took me many years to read the Bible and learn to understand the instructions for living.  Every chapter contains wisdom for life. Today the Bible is available in many different forms, but God's love and commandments for our lives continues to be a bestseller.

         
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4.

Untrimming the tree...

As a youngster, I remember my mother's reluctance to take down the Christmas decor.  She usually waited until Twelfth Night to get the most out of our tree.  I must have inherited her sentimental gene.  Our tree usually goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving and shines brightly each evening until some point during the first week of the new year. 

It is a sad time when the first ornament comes off the tree.  The beginning of the untrimming.  There is no turning back.  In come the boxes and tubs for the ornaments and soon there is not a trace left of Christmas....

...or is there?  We carry the joy of Christ's birth with us throughout the year.  Even though we no longer have a tree in the room, Jesus lives within us.  He lives in our daily deeds and in the way we live our lives.

Luke 1:46-50:  "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for  He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation."

This year begin each day with God.  Your life will be a blessing.