Dandelions*

Spring seems to be arriving slowly in our valley - there is still snow on the hill across from our house even at this late date.

 

We are all looking forward to those first flowers of Spring; the crocus, daffodils and tulips.  But there is another flower that will soon show itself, and it's not welcomed with the same amount joy - the dandelion.  Yet, even this lowly flower has some lessons for us:

 

 

Dandelions

 

 

 

 

                       Unwanted,

                        unappreciated.

 

                       Appearing

                        like clockwork

                        each Spring.

 

                       Unfazed

                        by criticism;

                        emerging,

                        celebrating,

                        returning.

 

                       Dandelions

                        know how to live!

 

*from Fields of Grace, Everyday Encounters with the Holy,

  by Cathy Scherer Stubbs (c) 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Crocus*

Even though there is still some snow left here, it's time to think about Spring! 

 

Crocus*

 

 

 

 

                    Just when I'd

                     nearly given up,

                     you break through.

 

                    Stunning

                     testimony of

                     Spring's return.

 

*from Fields of Grace, Everyday Encounters with the Holy

  by Cathy Scherer Stubbs (c) 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Winter Sunset*

 

   I had hoped to be writing about crocus and daffodils by now, but winter seems reluctant to leave this year.

   Since the ground is still covered with several inches of snow, I thought I would use one last poem of winter.

 

 

Winter Sunset*

 

 

 

 

                          Not for winter

                      the raucous colors

                      of other seasons:

                      no blazing reds,

                      oranges and yellows.

 

                    Cold, brittle

                      days demand

                      classic elegance.

 

                          Muted tones

                      invite quiet

                      contemplation,

                      whispering of

                      Love's subtle Presence.

 

         * from Fields of Grace, Everyday Encounters with the Holy 

            by Cathy Scherer Stubbs, (c) 2011

 

 







Cemetery in Winter*

 

 

 Cemetery in Winter*
 

 

 

                            

                            Lives valued               

                      and remembered;

                      brief moments in time

                      marked by stone.

 

                     A holy place

                      of quiet reverence

                      where fragile,

                      sacred vessels

                      are laid to rest.

 

 

* from Fields of Grace, Everyday Encounters with the Holy

    (c) Cathy Scherer Stubbs, 2011





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Breath of God

The Breath of God

      At this time of year there is often a fog that forms overnight and in the morning everything is painted with a thin layer of frost.  The smallest branches and pine needles are coated one by one - there are no clumps. 
 
     When I find it difficult to believe that God could possibly be mindful of so many individuals, I think of the fog and picture it as the Breath of God surrounding each of us and covering every aspect of our lives with Love.

Fields of Grace - Rainbow

Rainbow

 

 

 

                        Passing through

                          water droplets,

                          sunlight scatters

                          into colors;

                          a streak

                          of vibrant hues

                          crossing

                          once-threatening skies.

 

                       A promise of faithfulness

Christmas Cactus

 

 

Looking out the window at the bare trees covered with snow, my eyes came to rest on my Christmas cactus now in full bloom.  I spent a long time just looking at the plant with its bright red flowers and felt a sense of peace.

At a time of year when everything else seems to have gone to sleep until spring, the Christmas cactus responds to the shorter, darker days of winter in a different way.

It doesn't ignore the darker days, but embraces them and finds a way to bring beauty when it is least expected.  Buds appear, and burst into full bloom not on separate stalks, but at the end of the leaves; as if the blossoms were pouring forth from the innermost part of the plant through the leaves.

A reminder, that in the dark and cold of winter, the power of Love continues to move through us, blossoming even in difficult times.