Literature should please even as it instructs, instruct even as it entertains.

Roman Poet Horace

Book Giveaway–Win a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Wives found in bookstores September 10, 2013. Even if you’re not a wife, it will make a great gift. My devotional “We Always Have Spring” is included and follows, so you’ll get a sample of some of its encouraging devotionals.

To Enter: Comment on this blog’s page, my Facebook page (private or public message) or email site, sharing in one word up to thirty words what you like and/or expect in a devotional. Two names will be drawn on August 31. If you prefer for privacy’s sake, I will repost your comments without your name listed.

We Always Have Spring

The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ~Genesis 1:12

I love all the seasons, even winter. Well, at least the holiday months of winter. January and February could easily be dropped from my calendar as what seems like a needless dormancy period.

One Saturday morning as spring heated its way into summer, I struggled. It was one of those days when my list of chores seemed endless. Already exhausted, I said a simple prayer, “Lord, help me see your beauty in this day, the simple pleasures of life in you.”Thirty minutes later, my husband Bill called me outside. His clothes were covered with dirt and flecks of leaves from raking.

“Come with me, Ann. I have to show you something.”

We edged down the slope behind our house to the stand of bird feeders.

“Look,” he said, pointing to the ground. Covering the hill were tender green lines of leaves, gently caressing tiny wild strawberries. They were a painting of life, lovely and delicate.

“Now come see this,” Bill said, catching my hand to guide me around the shrubs behind our patio.

There before us was a thick row of irises — curling pink velvet petals with stems long and leaning, most regally posed. We stood quietly at first. For the thirteen years we’d lived here, this was the first year those irises had ever bloomed.

“I’m guessing the bulbs were rearranged last summer when the irrigation system was placed,” Bill reasoned.

“I can’t believe all this time,” I said in awe, “this whole area possessed immense beauty. And it was lying dormant, simply needing to be repositioned for such a time as this.”

Bill and I stood arm in arm, receiving the sweet gift of God now revealed.

Do you remember what has been planted within you and your husband, both individually and as a couple, that has yet to bloom? These gifts may have been evident years before but just need to be stirred up and repositioned for your spring to arrive.

My Prayer

Thank you, Lord. Even after the coldest of winters, you stir up and reveal the beauty you have planted within us. Help us to realize how each season in our lives is an opportunity to dig deeper and grow stronger. Even when we’re weary, keep our eyes and our actions focused on you, faithful, as you are faithful. Amen.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6: 9

The art for this month is a collaborative piece I created with an up and coming artist. Check it out.

A 90-Degree Life

There will be another book giveaway September 6, so be sure to check back.