ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

April is a mix of every kind of weather. It may start out with some snow. It slowly progresses to warmer temperatures, but not without a fight. Rain comes to nourish the new life beginning to pop through dormant soil. There might be a tornado or strong damaging winds. It’s as if those things can’t make up their mind about what they should do. Much like us, we struggle through adversity. We push ourselves out of a long winter’s nap, hoping for new beginnings and challenges. We anticipate change for the better, but something different makes its way into your days. Change is not easy for most of us. We like to have things in order and consistent. Like the weather, our emotions, our mindsets, our dreams, our goals can all turn on us with the breath of God. Instead of fighting those stumbling blocks, turn them over to the One who never changes. He will gladly carry our burdens.

Howling, whistling, streaming through a patch of aging trees,

The wind surprises and upsets and strips them of their leaves,

One day a lush green canopy, another turned to gold,

Soon withered, dry and sapped of life, they waiver in the cold,

The signs of life are all but gone, the snow will soon be here,

The days grow short, the sun subsides, but still we do not fear ,

Beneath that cloak of white shall rise, new life again in spring,

Like we shall someday rise from death, when new life God does bring.

We all are swept by winds of time, our days are very short,

We live, we dream, we try, we fail, the problems we can’t sort,

We’re pushed and tossed, and crushed it seems,

The blood of Christ redeems,

Our sins have been forgiven, our life is guaranteed,

God promises us His Kingdom if we only will believe.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!