A Singing Bird

I read a Chinese proverb on a calendar recently that appealed to me. "Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come."

I like the "perhaps" part in this proverb. Did you know that a proverb is a meaning with a promise? Now it doesn't mean that if you do what the proverb says, than you will always have positive results or negative. It just means that your chances of obtaining good or bad results are more likely. It's a probability, but not a certainty.

Most of us want a sure thing, but I was reminded this week that the only sure thing we can expect in life are problems. After countless things going wrong, I realized that nothing is certain except problems. Things and people fall apart; relationships may suffer and need to be repaired. What I like about this proverb is that it reveals a secret to a happy life. Cultivating a positive vibrant attitude will attract positive vibrant people. I got to thinking. How does one grow a green tree inside our heart.

By living in thankfulness. In Thessalonians 5: 18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The writer of this verse (the apostle Paul) said to give thinks in everything. No matter what happens. Why? Because this is God's will for us. But how can we do that when bad things come our way. It's not easy, but Jesus Christ, God's Son, offers the gift of salvation to every single person on this earth so that everyone can find God. Jesus' death and suffering on the cross was for our sins, and is the reason we have hope and life. And this is certain, not a probability.

So remember, keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come. Here's a little poem I wrote a while back.

Morning Greetings


The sun yawns each morning
and rubs its sleepy eyes.
Then, slowly misty ghosts
whisper, good bye and rise.
Then birds greet the morning
like a lost and cherished friend.
And earth feels right again
from beginning to end.

Today

Have you ever started the day wishing you could stay in bed and not bother with anyone? Sometimes I feel like that. Usually the best remedy for fixing that problem for me is to ignore that feeling, get out of bed and keep moving. Soon, bad feelings disappear and you feel great again. Move your body, move your brain, speak positive words and soon negative feelings are drowned out. It's really up to us.

Today I will laugh more
Not take life so seriously.
I'll throw out garments of fear
I’ll wear clothes of simplicity.
Today I’ll run through the rain
Feel raindrops on my face.
And later I’ll count the stars
From inside my hiding place
Today I’ll stop and listen
Consider the words of a friend
And if we have a conflict of view
I know our joy won’t end.
For friendships will grow sweeter
When kindness is given a chance
And watered with the passage of time
That starts and ends with a dance.

Light A Candle

There's a proverb that says--You may light another's candle at your own without loss. How true. When we share joy and happiness with others we don't loose anything. In fact, we gain much more in return.

If you light someones candle
Your flame can't grow dimmer.
Your candle will keep glowing
And retain its light and shimmer.
It's the same with happiness.
And if you smile to those around
Your happiness keeps growing
And new friends will be found.

Just do it

I saw him standing in the rain.
His eyes were filled with fright.
He looked so cold and lonely
In the blackness of the night.

I tried to think of pleasant things
As I hurried down the lane.
I paused to listen to my feet
Dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

His ragged arms so shamelessly
Held a dish, chipped and frayed
I glanced and saw his broken eyes
I paused, then rushed on by, afraid.

Oh why had he been standing there
It made me feel so sad.
Still, the party at my sisters
Would make me feel so glad.

This weekend the world summit is being held right here in Canada. I watched the news and heard about all the protests going on in Toronto. That got me to thinking. We need to notice people that others overlook. It's so easy to do that because most people tend to gravitate towards people who can offer them something in return or make them feel good so they can move ahead. We all want to be connected to the stars of life. But really, didn't God create all people with the same need to be loved and appreciated. It's universal. That includes women in poor countries that don't have adequate health care when they give birth. Or, children that go hungry either because there is no food or they don't have proper parenting. There are so many people that suffer in this world because no one cares about them. But if we want to make a difference in how people are treated we need to start in their own backyard. Take a look around you. There might be someone that needs a helping hand or a word of encouragement. Don't think too long about it though. Just do it.

Leave Your Cares

In case you've been wondering why I haven't posted anything in the last 8 weeks it's because I'm preoccupied with a new hobby called sewing. I have found that I really enjoy creating something from scraps of material. I'm even taking a sewing course. Writing has taken a back seat unfortunately, but, maybe I needed a vacation from it. Hopefully writing this short poem will encourage me to give it another go.

Don't forget me when I'm gone
I'll not be far away.
I've simply found another song
To occupy my day.

For as shadows rise and fall
My heart will never wane.
And someday I'll return
To write a poem again.

For now the scent of cloth,
Of aprons, purses, bears,
Takes me to another place,
Where I can leave my cares.

The Search for God

A game my kids loved to play when they were young was 'hide and seek'. It gave them hours of fun. It was a good game for developing patience and searching skills. This weekend I read an article in our paper entitled "The Search for God" that tried to explain why some people put faith into a god that no one can see. It stated some schools of thought believe some people may be hardwired to believe in God. They might have what is called a God spot on the brain. It also mentioned Dr. Richard Dawkins, an atheist and author of 'The God Delusion' who had spoken at Oxford University on why there is no God. At the end of his talk he was asked "What if you're wrong?" by a young student. Instead of giving an answer he gave the same question in reply. Not the most brilliant answer from a brilliant man.
One thing I know is that life hold many mysteries we can't fully understand. It also appears that the higher a person climbs the academic ladder of success the more prideful they become in themselves. But if God is who He said He is then their achievements are small potatoes in comparison. It must be frustrating for those exceptionally bright people to compete with God. It's interesting that humbleness has been the formula God uses in revealing Himself to us. He first appeared as a babe in a cow's feeding troth. Then he grew up as a carpenter's son making wooden tables and chairs. After wandering around the country side with a motley crew of simple and rough men as followers, he died a criminals death in front of his enemies while they mocked Him.
I got to thinking. I have a God spot on my brain. It was built in when God designed me. God wanted me to search for and to find Him. And He gave a lot of clues to help in the search. But the amazing thing is He did the same for Richard Dawkins. For all of us really. It's just too bad Richard Dawkin's Pride spot grew larger than his God spot.

Jesus claimed to the Son of God
Yet, they nailed Him to a tree.
Then flower blossoms of love and hope
Grew from the blood He shed for me.

Make Butter

I came across a story or a fable about two frogs that had fallen into a barrel of cream. They both struggled awhile trying to get out, but the cream was thick and soon one frog gave up. "Good bye cruel world," he said as he sank into the creamy ocean. The other frog kept on swimming. "Maybe a miracle will happen and I'll find a way out," he said to himself. Can you guess what happened? As the frog churned his arms and legs the cream became thicker and thicker until butter was formed. The frog climbed onto a lump of butter and jumped out of the barrel. He was free at last.
I thought of how our lives are a lot like these frogs. Sometimes it's easier to give up as the first frog had done when we are confronted with a problem. From the frogs point of view it sure looked like his situation was hopeless. The second frog looked at things differently though, and he never gave up trying to get out. He didn't even know if he'd receive a miracle, but thankfully his efforts were rewarded. He kept on trying until his circumstances changed. I liked this story and I hope you do too.

Two little frogs in a barrel of cream
Swimming with all their might.
One stopped swimming and so he sank
Into the cream, out of sight.

The other little frog said to himself,
"A miracle might pass my way."
He churned his legs til' butter was formed
And he jumped out to freedom that day.