If Not for the Bird Songs
If not for the bird songs
My mind would be lost
With all the changes
With all the strangeness
If not for the fairy fireflies
I would have lost the wonder
My mind torn asunder
I would have gone under
If not for the thunder
I would make the blunder
Of sinking in sadness
Being blind to the gladness
If not for your smile
I would have dwelt a long while
In a pit of despair
Might have torn out my hair
If not for your kindness
I’d live only in blindness
A desert of dryness
So listless and lifeless
If not for God’s comfort
My life would be forfeit
My joy would be dormant
My thoughts tending morbid
O, the greatness of God
Who lifts up the lowly
Who brightens our story
Let us give Him the glory!
clarakatalin 
Warmth in the Cold
Warmth in the cold — how often do we take it for granted?
A fire, a heater in our home, a warm jacket, a cap that covers our head and ears, a warm scarf, socks and shoes or boots, blankets, quilts, or comforters. And how about the warmth of a smile, a hug, a gentle voice, a forgiving or encouraging friend?
I once stayed a weekend at a cabin in Grass Valley, California. All the heating, cooking, and hot water was produced by burning wood. On mornings there would be a designated person who got up first and got the fire going for heating the cabin. People took turns because it wasn’t so pleasant getting up in the cold. Then, if you wanted to get clean in the shower, water had to be heated by burning wood. Cooking was a lot more work, too. In the United States and other places, we take our electric or gas heaters and ovens for granted.
So today, let’s be grateful for warmth. And Lord, help us to offer your warmth to someone today.
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