by Jonathan Phillips
The innocence in the smile of a child, compassion in the eyes of the kind. Like the sunrise, chasing away the shadows after a long and dark night. Pure as the driven snow, gentle as the summer rain. Like dogwood blossoms in the spring awakening from their winters sleep, and bringing new life into world. It’s the blue of the sky and the green of the grass. The mocking bird’s song, in the morning, as he thanks God and welcomes another day. Like a ship out at sea, wild horses running free. The kindness of a stranger. The laughter of a friend. The silent prayer of a sinner received by a loving and merciful God. Like childhood memories of the best days gone by. A letter from your sweetheart. The selfless and unconditional love in a mothers embrace. Wisdom and instruction passed down to the next generation in a father’s strong but understanding voice. The milky way in the midnight sky. The stillness of a summer night. Like the leaves in the fall, as creation runs its course, and once living things slowly die, and let go as they return to the dust from where it all began. The birth of a first born child. A grandfathers story, of a life long ago in a world that seems so different, and so very far away. Like the tears of forgiveness as the hurt long held inside is let go, and the rush of relief, as the lifeblood returns to a heart so long cut off from the rest of the body. Its long shadows in the cool breeze of the evening. The morning dew on the grass. The smell of pine and honey suckle in the backwoods. Wild berries on the vine. The midday sun as it looks down from its vantage point on a world so far below. Raindrops on the water, whispers in the wind…”The earth is FULL of the GOODNESS of the Lord.” -Psalm 33:5
by Jonathan Phillips