It’s the time of the year to head out to find a springtime favorite, trillium. So, on this snowy April morning in Michigan I ventured out. This is what I found.








Unexpected delight. Today’s gift.
Low in the grave Christ lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave Christ arose;
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
-Robert Lowry
Golden Daffodils
Creation’s Spring miracle
Cloudy day sunshine
Here’s what I saw on this morning’s walk…
Snow!
Lots and lots of snow!
And deer!
Lots and lots of deer!
Dressed in the morning snow
Melting away into a white trailside cathedral
And birds!
Lots and lots of birds!
… a flicker, hugging a tree trunk
… downy woodpeckers, flitting about
… chickadees, darting from snowy twig to snowy twig
… a pileated woodpecker, the avian prize
And tracks!
Lots and lots of tracks!
Dog-like, but not a dog’s
A coyote! A gray ghost, ahead, watching, then trotting away.
And me!
… alone on the snowy path, but not alone
If you know what I mean
This is my Father’s world…
If you know what I mean…
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it … even snow.
Today’s gift.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because his compassions fail not
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3: 22-23
Hope for the new year.
Today’s gift.
This is where I walked the other day.
This is what I saw.
Nothing noteworthy, really.
Except…
… for the ability to walk
… for the ability to see.
Today’s gift.
Sometimes there are none.
Sunny days. No shade. Cold winter nights.
Sometimes they are quite ordinary.
Sheets of gray. Nondescript. Hiding what’s behind.
Sometimes they provide interesting backdrops.
To enhance the ordinary.
Sometimes they bring what we need.
To fill creeks. To quench thirst. To water the earth.
Sometimes they’re a gift.
… If we pay attention…
To dazzle. To delight. To make us smile.
Today’s unexpected delight… Today’s gift.
I couldn’t resist posting a few more pictures after taking my camera for a walk on this Christmas Day afternoon.
This is my Father’s world.
Today’s gift.
Infant holy, infant lowly
For His bed a cattle stall
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging, angels singing
Bells are ringing, tidings bringing
Christ, the child is Lord of all!
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story
Tidings of a gospel true
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow
Praises voicing greet the morrow
Christ, the child was born for you!
Christ, the child was born for you!
Today’s Christmas Gift!
Text: Edith M. G. Reed, 1921