SPRING RAIN

A  purple-blue pouch spreads overhead.
When God unzips it,
diamonds spill out
and clatter to the earth.
A ribbon of color spreads overhead
as the sun pierces the empty pouch.
Arches of shades of red, yellow, and blue
glitter in the sun's rays.

Darlene Estlow©2016

CLOUD WATCHER

I have become a cloud watcher enjoying God’s presence as he performs his artistry in the sky. A few days ago, the sky was filled with large white marshmallow clouds, drifting west, small patches of blue accompanying them. And then, a few small wispy clouds, closer to earth, moved rapidly to the south across the background of the large clouds. Then a large cloud joined the wispy small ones on their journey south. After awhile, the wind dissected it and it became several small clouds, all while the bank of clouds in back of them continued west.

Tears Tell the Tale

A poem from my book Fears and Tears

Tears tell the tale of sorrows' time
that took the joy from yesterday.
I weep for loved ones gone in death.
It has swept them far away.

But God is near, he holds my hand.
His comfort and His praise descend.
One day there will be no more tears,
All earth and heaven He will mend.
(2018)

SNOW

Our snowfall a couple nights ago reminded me of a poem I wrote from several years ago. The snow is so beautiful, but has the power to rearrange our lives! I hope you enjoy my memory!

Like a blanket of light,
It fills valley, large and small,
with icy cotton, and
dresses hills and mountains
in shimmering gowns of white,
making that which was crass, pure.
It lures children from the warmth
of home into the chilly playground
where snow angels flourish,
battles are fought with snowy cannonballs,
and snowmen wait for the sun
to warm their cold bodies.
With silent, frozen breath,
it blows aside our schedules,
rearranging our lives,
keeping us helpless
in the face of all we have to do,
demanding our surrender to its will.
2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

God as human

This morning I was listening to a post by Dutch Sheets. He asked some interesting questions to ask Jesus about his coming to earth to be human. What did it feel like to be hurt? What did it feel like to lose his father? What did it feel like to be rejected by his brothers and his people? I was reminded that Jesus went through all the things we go through. God came to earth and experienced all the hard things we do. Praise God, He loved us enough to come and show us the way to God–to be that way–bringing us peace and good will!

MESSIAH ACCROSTIC
Man and God
Eternal
Sent from God
Savior
Immanuel
Almighty
Holy
(2021)

May God bless you with His peace and joy this Christmas and New Year as He draws your heart to His.

BORN A BABY

What hope Christmas brings. Life is scary and bad things are happening. But this is not all there is. God, in His love, sent His Son as a human being to give us hope.  

BORN A BABY

Born a baby
Born a king
Through the skies
Glories ring.

Peace with God
the angels say
He is bringing
Freedom's day

Worship Him
the worthy one
for the baby
is God's Son
  Darlene Estlow 2021

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

MESSIAH HAS COME! LIFT UP YOUR HEADS!

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
The fullness of time has arrived and the grace
of God is revealed for all of mankind.
His arms are wide open to give His embrace.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
The angels deliver the message of peace
for God has sent Jesus from heaven to earth
to deliver from death--its power will cease.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
True life has come for people on earth
The promise is given for those who will seek.
Messiah has promised for each a new birth.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
One day we will stand in his presence in heaven,
free from life's sorrows and sickness and pain,
free from the hold of sin's old nature's leaven.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
Let rejoicing begin and our praises ring out, 
for Jesus has come to show us God's love.
Messiah has come! Of this we will shout.
(2021)

I am back

I haven’t been on my blog for awhile. Too many things interferred! But I am going to try again and do some posting. I have missed it. To start the process, here is a Thanksgiving poem, late for Thanksgiving Day, but never too late for life!

BLOOMING FLOWER.
Like a flower blooming
in arid place,
thanks will turn the desert
into a land of grace. 
(2019)

FEARS AND TEARS

We have just celebrated Easter! Praise God for the Resurrection. Now through Jesus we have peace with God and can live in peace. He is near in our trials. When we hurt, He hurts with us. He is worthy of praise.”

I TALKED TO GOD
The other day I talked to God
while driving down the road.
He sat beside me on the seat
and listened as I drove.

With heavy heart, I told my tale
of trials in my way.
When all was said, I felt His hand
reach out to mine that day

He dried my tears and I saw His;
He walked my path with me.
He took the load that I had borne,
and traded it for peace.
(2018)

THE ICE STORM

Winter is here with its cold and snow. Well, not so much snow this year, just lots of cold. I am reminded of a time many years ago of experiencing my first ice storm. I remember how beautiful it was, with everything coated in ice. It was not fun to be out there in the danger of tree branches giving way and ice threatening every step. My thought was: stay home and drink a hot cup of cocoa.

THE ICE STORM

Snow falls, the trees wear their blanket of white.
Rooftops are covered in canopy bright.

How lovely the sight of the new fallen snow.
Everything’s white and so clean. How it glows.

Winter winds blow; there’s a chill in the air.
Look all around; there’s ice everywhere!

Tree branches creak at their cold, icy guest.
The air cracks, the limb falls. They could not resist.

Roads glow with dark patches of glass no one sees
Until it’s too late. Drivers skid on the freeze.

Houses and cars become icicle farms,
Plying the world with diamond-like charms.

Sit back and relax as the snow keeps you home.
There’s nothing to do for once more winter’s come.
2004