Dear April
Dear April
your moods switch so soon
One minute you part clouds
and shower down sunshine
upon petals open in bloom
A moment later you stop
and tug curtains tightly shut
to rain down torrents
of melancholy drip drop
and broken trust
~
Dear April
I understand your way
the need to shut down
and hide behind the gray
where smiles fade
to melancholy drip drop
while we hope and wait
for our faith to trade
these tears and thorns
for jewels on a crown
transformed.
~
Wendy ❀ 2015
~
~
They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy , our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
Revelation 4:10-11
~
~
I live in a temperate rainforest region.
It’s a temperamental place
where the weather changes its mind
in the time it takes me to don my walking shoes and coat.
Life is like that too.
But grace rains down on us—lots of it.
And God is so good—always.
~
What’s the climate like at your place?
Keeping a personal journal helps me sort out
the moodiness of life.
~
Here’s my latest vlog about keeping a personal journal:
~
Showers of Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
~
~
Sounds and looks beautiful where you live Wendy. Calgary has a drier climate. I am a fan of dry heat. Loved the climate of Kamloops and could easily live in Arizona. <3
Diana xo
Diana, I have my moments when I miss the extra sunshine of Kamloops. <3 But the ocean and the mildness of summer and winter has won me over. I'm a West Coaster through and through now–plus my babies were born here and they consider themselves islanders too. One must keep active here or moss will grow on you. ❀
as opposed to being smacked in the face with a tumbleweed? 😉
Oh my, you’ve brought back memories. I mention tumbleweeds in the first line of one of my writing projects. I remember watching them cartwheel down the road. It seems like a whole different world now. ❀
When I first landed there, Wendy, and saw the tumbleweeds, I thought I had entered the set of a western movie!
Kamloops has lots of cowgirls and cowboys. Even I had a pair of western boots once upon a time. I miss the friendliness of my hometown–so unpretentious. <3
Kansas is tempermental, too! And, boy, it can affect my moods, too! Lol But so right, one day we trade the tears and thorns for jewels, and His grace is ever present! Blessings, dear friend!
Thank you, dear Marisa. Yes, it’s amazing what we can endure in the presence of grace. I can’t imagine life without this blessed hope. My before picture was colorless. ❀
Beautiful post Wendy and those photos are stunning. Here in England this month we can have three or four seasons in one day; April is definitely in a crazy mood. 😊 Hoping May will be a little more sane!
❀ April was a shrew that needed taming–that’s for sure. 😉 Christine, we’re just a day or two away from May–my favorite month of the year. <3
Sweetness, Wendy. We’ve been getting lots of rain here in Texas. Unbelievable. The back property is mushy … have to definitely walk in boots. And you amaze me … before a word is on my tongue, you have “50 bloggers like this”!! 🙂 I think I need your blogger help. 🙂
Dear Shelli, some of my older posts have zero likes. It took time to get noticed–my 3rd blog anniversary is coming up soon. Tagging my posts with poetry, nature, photography, and Christian helps people find what I like to share–it’s also what I like to read too.
I wish I was an editing genius like you are. My dear husband still managed to find weak writing in a chapter I’d gone over a zillion times. But I am so glad he offered to help (Having a 3rd agent request to see my MS has stirred up his interest too). ❀ I love your writing, your photography, and your heart. Count me in as part of your tribe. <3
Aw … you are definitely part of my heart tribe, Wendy. My husband is really good at connecting missing links, too … when I read my story to him on the way to Disney, he helped me so much. I took a hundred notes on the way there for ideas to improve it. And he helped me with a sub-plot. That was fun. He doesn’t often dig into the weeds with me, regarding the book, but when he does, I benefit. 🙂
One of my favorite inspirational authors, Catherine Marshall, reluctantly married an editor. I’ll bet she was glad she did. She didn’t want to start a new family–she wanted to write. But she managed to do both so very well. I would love to have met her in person. ❀
Another great post, Wendy.
The ever-changing weather really is a lot like life. I’m thankful that God helps us through the storms.
Thank you, dear Bill. Storms drive us to our Father. Gotta love that about them. ❀
Wooooow Wendy wonderful flower photo’s.
Thank you, Marylou. I always appreciate your nature photography. ❀
I think I had a few years that contained nothing but Aprils…thank God for the blooms that follow.
Bless you, Gene, for allowing God to sow within your sorrow. I need to read your memoir. Your words always touch the heart. And you’ve inspired a haiku:
Blooms will burst open
when we allow God to sow
within our sorrow ❀
Thank you Wendy, I’d be happy to send you a copy, It is a raw and honest account of what its like to lose a child and struggle with faith as a result.
Gene, I downloaded a sample portion days ago but only just read it last night. I got hooked and have already purchased the e-book version. You amaze me with your ability to make me laugh in one chapter and then cry in the next. Your writing is too poignant to resist. I’m hooked on memoirs now. The novel I was reading will just have to wait… Thank you for the offer–but the postage would have cost you way more than it cost me for the e-book. Bless you, friend. ❀
Thank you Wendy, I would welcome any comments you might have after finishing it. I have benefited greatly from following a few select bloggers like yourself and highly respect your work.
Gene, if the rest of your book is anything like the first few chapters I’ll be saying some 5 star words–like wonderful. I’ve been drawn to memoirs lately. I’m a slow and savor reader, but I’ll let you know when I’m done. ❀ The “Chicken” cacciatore story had me in stitches. 🙂
Wendy, I not only like your writing, and savour your photos, but the wonderful dialogue between you and the readers can inspire also! April has been a little cooler than normal here, but the flowers still bloom. Some mornings they are flattened to the ground from the cold night, and then they spring back (pun intended). Weather so often affects us, but that metaphor does no service to the presence and grace of God Who holds us at all times. Though I am consciously working on it, I still find the early apostles’ attitudes truly something to strive for – they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ! So whether the weather is wet, warm, wild or wonderful Jesus never changes. So why worry, eh? (I’m working on that, too, and my wife is my tutor supreme on that lesson).
Peace
I agree that our goal should be to “rejoice for being counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ”. It sure beats the pain brought on oneself by plain old stupidity. But even our mistakes can be woven into the tapestry of grace. Your wife sounds wise. You’re the second husband I’ve heard this week hold his wife up as a good example. 🙂 There is no higher praise than that of a spouse (in my opinion). Blessings. ❀
Lovely as always. Refreshing 🙂
Thank you, Linda. I’m hooked on your Friday posts (you may have noticed). ❀
Your vlog was inspirational Wendy. Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear that. Journaling has been a very healing hobby of mine. Thank you. ❀
Beautiful post and pics as always, Wendy. <3
I am not sorry to see the end of April here in Newfoundland. This past week has been steady rain and fog, and I'm sick of it. Bring on the May flowers, please!
<3 I'm with you, Jennifer–May is marvelous. ❀ But would you believe I'm a tad sad we didn't get a token bit of snow here in our valley? Call me crazy.
I live in England, in the north, where we experience all the seasons in one day. It can even snow in June! But I love it and thrive on it. I am proud to say I live in an intemperate region!
Snow in June sounds intemperate alright. Blessings on your weekend, Frederick. ❀ I admire your positive attitude.
Hi Wendy, your flowers are so beautiful. And you really are a gifted writer. I journal too, first thing in the morning where I talk to God about my fears, dreams, passions, etc. Similar to what you suggested on your vlog. 🙂
Thank you, Tracy, for taking the time to watch the vlog. I’m glad to hear you also journal with God. It’s my favorite part of the day, and I feel out of sorts when I miss it. ❀ I’m curious if you ever sketch in your journal–your art is so beautiful.
It’s my favorite part of the day too…and it’s so quiet. I feel out of sorts too if I miss a day. I do jot down my art ideas by way of messy doodles (for my eyes only). LOL Have a lovely weekend, Wendy. 🙂
What beautiful thoughts and amazing pictures, Wendy! Soul-moving. 🙂 I was just thinking about how quickly my boys change moods. I love that they are still transparent, though it is sometimes hard to get a read on how they are when moods switch so fast.
Our climate is high plains-like. We’ve had a temperamental April as well. Snow, sun, 70 degree days and 30 degree days. Rain and sun and rain and sun within a few hours. But I wouldn’t trade it. They say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 20 minutes. It’s bound to change.” Great post!!
Thank you, dear Jeanne. One of my sons is especially perceptive to anyone’s mood change in our home. He notices if I’m hiding something or feeling a bit off. My daughter thinks he’d be a good counselor–I agree.
I’ve really enjoyed seeing the winter, spring, and ocean pictures you’ve been posting (and those charming doors). Blessings to you and your beautiful family. Enjoy the weekend. ❀
Wow, what gorgeous photos, Wendy and as always your content was wonderful. And I loved the scripture verse from Revelation. I live in north central Texas, but then you know tha already. And from October to June, it’s a fairly nice place to live. But July, August, and often much of September are AWFULLY HOT, HOT, and HOTTER. Then I wish I lived elsewhere and after coming in from trying to doing anything outside, I often tell my husband that if I show up missing he should only start looking for me farther north. Love and hugs, N 🙂 <3
Dear Natalie, you always make me smile. <3 Maybe we could meet halfway and have tea together and go on garden tours. Enjoy the mild weather while you have it–I don't enjoy desert conditions either. ❀
You are such a blessing!
Gracie, it’s been a pleasure getting to know you over the last three years of blogging. ❀ Hugs.
Wendy beautiful words and images. Its getting cold here so I savour the wonderful flowers you capture and wish you a brilliant day.
Thank you, Kath. Spring has definitely sprung here. The birds have taken over our garden–it’s such a delight to watch them. ❀ I love your bird drawings.
oh my! your pictures are stunning Wendy. And such beautiful verse. You are so right, April is moody! and fickle. Glad we’re into May!
Thank you, dear Linda. May is my favorite–enjoy. ❀
Thank you for the mention, Angie. ❀