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 crispy 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 to You, Forest-Dwelling Reader!

May the Lord richly bless you in the year 2025! May God’s mighty hand be at work in our lives as we pray throughout the year! Jesus said He will be with us to the end of the world and we know He keeps His promises.

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

With this new year comes a new word at the end of every blog post, here on my Poems and Prayer blog. I completed all the beautiful attributes of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit in the past years and, after thought and prayer, I have chosen this year's highlighted word. It is: REPENT. This word is mentioned many times in the Bible and is crucial for eternal life. What does it mean? Does the church preach it? I hope you will join me in delving into this essential condition more fully over the course of our new year.

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

Jesus promises the ‘light of life’ to those who follow Him. Following in Jesus' footsteps involves turning away from darkness, turning from wicked ways. 

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Acts 19:4

And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:45-47

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:5

Jesus gave a warning that all who do not repent will die. Repentance is of extreme importance. So, what does the word 'repent' mean? To repent is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about a wrongdoing or sin. It is to feel sorry for something bad you've done, to be ashamed of a type of life you've lived. Repentance is to turn away from sin and turn to God for forgiveness. Repentance involves a commitment to not sin again, a resolve to be obedient to God's commands, motivated by love for them because they came from God.

If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Turn from their wicked ways. Wicked ways still exist today. I'm sure that's not new info for you! But in the church, is repentance taught? Jesus, the Son of God, came to die for our sins. Remember the words Simeon declared when the baby Jesus was placed in his arms? The devil wants to lessen any need for repentance, to deceive, to make people think they are not in need of saving. People and even vile "pastors" who live and showcase their sexually immoral lives to attentive audiences place no emphasis on repenting. They make Jesus out to be a liar, both by their words and by the way they continue sinful living.

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

Thank God for good pastors who humbly preach repentance and remind us to stand in the crossroads and pick the better way. Saved people envision because the vision of spiritual eyes is connected with a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Without faith, the walk is void of the light of life. Without repentance, there is only death. Without the remission of sins, sins remain. Cling to the work Jesus has done and submit to His authority in your heart and mind.

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. Ask to see His tracks into 2025 and then follow.

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

Psalm 119:133

Remember that GOD LOVES YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE! He, alone, gives out-of-this-world help at any time, including to turn from wicked ways and repent.