It was a cloudy, grey day, but my heart longed to hear the early spring birds that were gathered at the lakeside, so we drove again to our favorite spot.
What a difference
there was at the lake this week!
The Park District
had managed their
"controlled burn"
over most of the land there.
The Land Cries
The burned over land
aches in chagrin, wait and see
New joy will grow soon.
--Bettie Gilbert
It's certainly not a pretty sight there now. But those controlled, or prescribed burns are so necessary to steward and manage the lands for conservation. According to the Wisconsin DNR's site, "State wildlife officials conduct prescribed burns on public lands
throughout Wisconsin in the spring to improve wildlife habitat, control
invasive plant species, restore and maintain native plant communities
and reduce wildfire potential."
Did you know that many native grasses and wildflowers develop deep roots that can withstand the high heat of the fires, while the invasive plants are shallow rooted, and give way to the heat?
So, where does that leave my heart
when the fires rage inside?
The Fire Within
Burned over heart, the
Chagrin of it all, bubbling
Joy is now set free
--Bettie Gilbert
"We went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance."
but you brought us to a place of abundance."
Left to myself, I would choose clear skies and balmy breezes every day. But just as necessary as rain, the fire serves its purpose also.
May I learn to wait and watch
for the joy yet to come
After the fire
and after the rain.
These #Haiku are prompted by the #Poetry Challenge put forth by Ronovan Hester over at his site:
where the prompts this week are "Chagrin&Joy."
Join me there, and give it a try!
I am linking today with:
Meg Weyerbacher, #TeaAndWordTuesday
Jennifer Dukes Lee, #TellHisStory
I am linking today with:
Meg Weyerbacher, #TeaAndWordTuesday
Jennifer Dukes Lee, #TellHisStory
Dear Bettie, I love the thought of a plant's deep roots helping it to withstand fire's heat, because it reminds me of being deeply rooted in God's living stream, so that we can survive dry seasons and the searing fires of adversity. Your words here find an answering "Amen" in my heart:
ReplyDelete"May I learn to wait and watch
for the joy yet to come
After the fire
and after the rain."
Yes, indeed, may God prepare us for any weather to come and each and every circumstance we need to go through! We seem to have been thinking along related lines this week, sweet poetic friend, though I've been more focused on rain and storms. Let's aim to watch and wait with anticipation for the joy to come. Blessings and love. xoxo
Dear Joy,
DeleteI love how God moves us in complementary directions, along His path! The storms, and the fires, both shake us up. But truly He is rooting us there by His living stream. Stillness and Rooting, both contain such thoughts of waiting on Him. Yes! May we watch for His Joy that is yet to come. Blessings and Love to you too, Dear Friend. xoxo
I never knew that a controlled burns served such a purpose. And I love what you brought out, that certain types of roots withstand them. Glad to learn something new today. :) #TeaandWord
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't it fascinating what is happening in those controlled burn places that we pass by? I'm so thankful for God's grace to us, as He roots us deeply in Him! Blessings to you!
DeleteI love this hope-filled post, Bettie. Those grasses even come up greener and healthier after a burn. I never knew though that the invasive plants have shallow roots and don't survive. Such a spiritual lesson, isn't it? We need the purifying flames, don't we? I love how God works to set "bubbling joy" free after the fire and the rain. Psalm 66:12 struck me in a deeper way, too. That "place of abundance" after we go through the fire and the water. Thank you so much for encouraging my heart, my friend. Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteDear Trudy,
DeleteYes, God truly does bring us beautiful object lessons all around us, doesn't He? I love how you've seen the grasses come back even healthier after the fires! Without the purifying work of the fire, and the rain, I wonder if our joy would be more limited and shallow also? Thank you for the encouragement and thoughtful comments you bring here, dear friend! Hugs and Love to you too!
Bettie, I love your take on the prompt words this week! I love how you brought out how the invasive plants have shallow roots that can't withstand the fire. And in our lives, I guess that's why we need the fire sometimes, so God can burn away what is shallow. This is my prayer, too - "May I learn to wait and watch
ReplyDeletefor the joy yet to come
After the fire
and after the rain." Many blessings to you! xoxo
Dear Gayl,
DeleteThank you for your kind words, my poet/sister/friend! When I saw the prompts this week, I thought this would be the time that I would bow out! :-) But God had a different idea, and gave me these thoughts, especially after we had just been to the lakeside the day before! Yes, I think you have a good point: I believe He does burn away the shallow things in our hearts, and makes room for healthier and deeper rooted truths to grow! Thank you for sharing such encouraging words my Dear Friend! Blessings, Love and Hugs to you! xoxo
Chagrin. I'm going to have that word in my heart when we finally (it's snowing outside my window) get to the burning stage here on this hill. I always appreciate your perspective, Bettie.
ReplyDeleteDear Michele,
DeleteYes, we have snow forecast for tomorrow again, here, also! But spring is on its way, still. Thank you for your sweet words, friend! I would love to see the "after" pictures when the burning stage is finished on your hill!
I remember as a child watching the controlled burns in the fields. What a spectacle. They were necessary to get rid of insects and vermin before planting again. The burned stubble acted as a fertiliser too.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dear Victor,
DeleteWhat a sight that must have been, to observe those burns as a child! They do serve their purposes, though, don't they? Yes, I like that thought of the fertilizer from the stubble--new growth!
Hi Bettie,
ReplyDeleteOh I can relate since here in Florida they are always doing prescribed burns and I just can't over the thought of it killing all the vegetation to avoid future damage -- it just doesn't seem right somehow. But I have to believe that the experts surely know better than I do how to care of the land and I know that new growth comes from difficult seasons. Even if all looks dead now, surely life will come again, won't it? There is a purpose and we have trust that God will renew! xo
Dear Valerie,
DeleteSince I've never lived in Florida, I didn't realize that prescribed burns happen there also! But I guess it makes sense, since the land needs to be managed everywhere! It is a difficult lesson, isn't it? It's just one more way that HE makes sure we can see the HOPE that lies in resurrection thoughts! And He is so trustworthy to renew us! xoxo
Your haikus are beautiful. Thank you for these words -----> May I learn to wait and watch
ReplyDeletefor the joy yet to come
After the fire
and after the rain.
May God continue to teach you through His beauty!
Dear Mary,
DeleteThank you for your kind words and for stopping by here today! I'm grateful that you found beauty in this corner. God is so good to bring His truth to our hearts, isn't He? Blessings to you!
Hello Bettie! Both haiku are lovely and meaningful. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vashti! And thank you for stopping by here! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Delete