God's Gifts

Psalm 18: 30 "As for God, His way is perfect."

An empty white canvas...her brushes nearby,

"I want to paint God's love, " she said.  "At least try."

A portrait of Jesus might be the way

but how to get started was so hard to say.

To start with the stable, the temple, the boy,

or paint His compassion, love, service and joy?

Perhaps with the healings, or miracles done,

the teaching, the wisdom, the followers won.

But then when His ending came into her thoughts

she felt such a hurting as answers she sought.

"It's too hard to do this...it's so very sad

for someone so perfect to have ended so bad."

So, she got out her Bible and read in her room

of that first Easter morning and of that empty tomb.

She read of the sightings, the proof that He lives

 and then saw the reason for all that God gives.

He gave us His son and the gift of His grace

to show us He loves us. And then, just in case

we still fail to see that His love's everywhere, 

He gave us all nature with beauty so rare.

So she picked up her brushes, giving thanks she now knows

she can paint one of God's gifts...a perfect white rose.

Dear Lord:

The beauty of nature surrounds us.  Help us accept and appreciate that it is an expression of your love.  During this Lenten season, guide our thoughts toward your constant presence and loving care....remembering that you are always there for us.  We only need ask.

Amen

Wilda S. (former member) for St. Mark Presbyterian Lenten Devotional, 2002