TRACKS IN THE SNOW

A glistening dell,
white-clad and temple-like,
a line of fresh-made tracks
beneath a spruce’s spike,
where winds have not come in
to shake the boughs of snow,
and in a winter’s blue,
the sunlight shimmers low.
 
It’s here we see a pattern,
while breathing crisp air,
the prints of whitetail deer
preserved in snowy care.
The pointed toes had followed
the ones before them made,
and dainty ones, too,
had crossed the frozen glade.
 
The wisest and the learned
trust in established ways
through cold and drifted trials
to kinder, warmer days;
So, let us raise a prayer
and speak our human need—
to step within the footsteps
of Sovereign-made lead.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

Happy New Year!

God With Us, Emmanuel!

God was there in 2021. He is still with us in this new year, too. This is the DAY the Lord has made and this is the YEAR the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Jesus said He will be with us to the end of the world. He keeps His promises.

With the 2022 new year comes a new word at the end of every blog post here on my Poems and Prayer blog. So, at the end, you will see it!

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

When I used to teach music to kindergarten students, they mimicked my motions to a song. They marched around the music room feeling the beat in their step, clapped the rhythm of the melody with me and arched their arms to show musical phrasing, like I did.

Jesus promises the light of life to those who follow Him. What does the ‘light of life’ mean? I think it’s an opportunity to feel the beat of the Holy Spirit, responding, sometimes, with a march in our step due to clear purpose in heart. Or, slow walk to attentive listening. It’s singing a song from sensing a presence near. Light of life enables vision to wave our arms in joy due to long-awaited answered prayer.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18

God is the Creator. He makes the rules of His creation. Since He is the Designer, He knows His design. The vision of spiritual eyes is connected with faith. Honor Him in faith and He can envision. Without faith, the way becomes dark and drifts from the light of life.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3

Through prayer, we can directly call upon our Heavenly Father. Let’s not turn down such an opportunity or forget it exists. Or, let other things steer us off track. Remember prayer. Prayer is proof God wants a personal relationship with us. (Of course, one has to believe this.) And then, trust Him. It’s okay (best!) to put all your eggs in His basket.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 9:9

Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Jesus calls us to follow Him. I’ve discovered over the years that to be a good follower means to get out of the leader’s way. I’m still only a work in progress. But, I know to be a follower of Jesus Christ means to trust where He leads. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But I know who holds tomorrow. If we live by the Spirit, then we walk in the Spirit.

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Deuteronomy 13:4

Like most animals, deer take the path of least resistance. They follow a path already broken from the one who went first. Creation reminds us to trust God’s lead and that it will be for our best. God leads us into the new year. He is here with us and already in the year to come. Follow His tracks into 2022.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jeremiah 6:16

We learn from scripture that some people chose not to follow. They chose not to walk therein. It happened then and today. It is to be concluded, then, that non-followers will end up not getting rest for their souls. The Great Heart Reader knows the human heart He created, whether for or against. I encourage you to choose wisely. Unto us, salvation is given. Receive. Follow. It is the BEST.

Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:133

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

1 Peter 2:21

If things aren’t clear when standing in the crossroads, ask God for clarity. If we don’t ask, God granting our request is much slimmer, if at all!

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

Psalm 65:11

With tracks set before us by Jesus Christ, the promised ‘light of life’, let us walk in our integrity in the new year knowing God’s ongoing goodness.