purple carpets

by Elouise

crocus-carpet-at-longwood2-mvg222-blogspot-com

purple carpet waves
soft lavender on cold ground
golden eyes twinkle

***

I’m just back from a morning walk through my neighborhood. Birdsong filling the air, lazy sounds on near-deserted streets, sun bright, cool air breezy, and several lovely carpets of crocus.

My eyes filled with tears, and I recalled one of my favorite college choir choral pieces. It seems fitting for this time of year and this time in world history. The words come from Isaiah’s vision of arid ground blossoming and flourishing in every possible way. Spoken not when things were going well, but when they were going downhill at breakneck speed.

I’m heartened by these words. Encouraged not to give up, but to keep my eyes and my heart focused on what matters most. And, like Isaiah, willing and able to stand before God and speak truth to corrupt power. Isaiah’s vision comes as a stark contrast to the corruption he spoke against and lived with day and night. It’s a promise to each of us who’s willing to listen, live through and with the hard times, do what we can and must, and keep our eyes on God’s larger picture. God has not forgotten us or rainbows.

Isaiah 35:1 (New International Version)

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy….

Praying you’ll have an encouraging, revitalizing Sabbath rest.

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 25 February 2017
Photo found at mvg222.blogspot.com; taken at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Arid