THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

The daffodil stands by the edge of the wood,
near a slumbering red maple tree,
and He picks up his trumpet of finest, pure gold
to announce the beginning of spring.
 
He’s early to wake from the long, bitter cold,
and his yellow suit coat is a joy,
which can heal the long, worn-out expressions of old,
and soothe the dark ages of yore.
 
He stands on a knoll which will carry the tune,
where sun shines a-warm on the dew,
and he plays out a “Toot, Ala Toot-ti-ly Toot!
Wake up, trees and critters, all living things, you!”
 
His song wakens others and soon there are many
to proclaim the renewal of life.
Their horns call out brightly; the woods, they are waking—
away with worries and strife!
 
The daffodil smiles in the light of our Lord,
and declares our dependence on Him,
and reminds us of joy only Christ can give,
and life coming only from Him.

 

Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Psalm 24:7                                                       

 

THE DAFFODIL’S TRUMPET

Forgiveness is sweet! Grace is splendid! In Veery Glade, the blooming daffodils, dark red trilliums, and the innocent white trilliums remind me of the reason for Jesus Christ's death on the cross—forgiveness and grace, which is all-sufficient. Payment was made for our sins. In the hearts of believers, the King of glory reigns.

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:5

As I continue writing this year about Heaven, I would like to write about Heaven's light. We read in the last chapter of the Bible a verse giving us a glimpse of the kind of light and lack of night that citizens of Heaven will experience. We know every word in God's Word will come to pass, and having light provided for us without the sun, even though we may certainly struggle with how this might possibly happen, we know God is able, most able, to execute this given glimpse. He is THE Giver. He is the gracious One. When He says He will give us light, He will give us light.

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

Genesis 1:3

How cool is this! Way back in the first chapter of the Bible, the very first words recorded that God spoke were 'Let there be light'. Wouldn't this make a great title for a poetry book? But another time, Lord willing. God spoke and it was. Just like that! BAM!

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:12

Jesus, who is God incarnate, declared that He is the light of the world. John wrote that down for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus makes a statement about Himself, the listeners or readers must decide whether the statement is true or false. It can't be both. Unless you're Satan. He masquerades as an angel of light but he is the father of all lies and doomed. His divided house won't stand. This statement Jesus made echoes back to God's first words of 'Let there be light.' Our Creator chose to provide a way to Himself, and that Way is Jesus Christ.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

Matthew 5:14-15

We are called to be shining lights to the world so that others might see good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We are called to be in the world but not of it. When my father was alive, he did not like the idea of students being taken out of the public school to be homeschooled. He had said that if all the Christians leave, then there wouldn't be any in the public school anymore. It's a good point. Our public schools should work hard for all tax payers, including the Christian tax payer. But persecution and Christianity go hand-in-hand. I have been a public school teacher, like my father was. When a student asked me, "Mrs. Belknap, are you a Christian?" I replied, happily, "Yes!" The student then said, "I could tell." (This warmed my heart, not because I'm any good but because of Christ's light in me. And I'd be happy to talk with that student any time.) Can homeschooling be a good option, and sometimes, a necessary one? I think yes. Can homeschooled students be lights in the world as well as public-schooled students? I think yes.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

Do we dwell in the land of the shadow of death? Without Jesus, yes. Without Light, yes. But thanks be to God who gives us light, His Light—Jesus! As prophesied, Christ, the Child, was born. Immanuel, or God with us.

We also read in the verses in Exodus chapters 25 and 27 about the lampstands in the tabernacle and special anointing oil. All was to be fulfilled and constructed according to the plans God gave Moses. We know in Hebrews that the earthly tabernacle in Exodus, which God filled with His glory, is a copy of the Heavenly one. Then, in Revelation, again, we read about golden lampstands, of which Jesus stood in the midst.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Psalm 97:11

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

Jesus is THE Light. Light is included in the inheritance of the faithful heart whereas darkness is for the non-believer. And Light resides with God in Heaven.

FOR THE JOY

Since my last posting, I was able to write a poem about Mary anointing Jesus in Simon the Leper's house in Bethany. It's still sitting on the back burner in my mind. Then, I discovered I painted a scene to a different poem wrong so I'll need to repaint that. I've thought about when to publish and next January or February for this Easter collection sounds best.

HUMPERSTEIN HUBERT FISH

I found this picture book story I wrote eons ago and I'm dusting it off. It's a children's story under 1000 words about a starfish. I'll have to see if and where the Lord wants me to go with this.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:12

Please pray for Christian teachers and students in public school systems. Pray they would be encouraged and stay strong, especially if they are being persecuted. Pray for students, either in public school or homeschooled, to be lights reflecting the true Light of Jesus.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Veery Glade is shaping up, here in the spring season. God's marvelous works are seen when He allows the return of springtime daffodils and all the other woodland life awakening. Smile like the daffodil who declares our dependence on Christ, His Word and joy, and every word spoken and written about Heaven.