Buds of Hope From Leaves of Despair

Autumn leaves fall from trees

Like joy in life slipping away

Dry leaves sway, drifting down

Like sadness piling by my feet

Barren tree exposed to cold

Sorrowful emotions laid bare

Darkness of night moves on in

Nothing to see but despair

Flakes of snow tumbling down

Freezing cold numbs the mind

Pure white snow blankets it all

Frost-bit body feels the pain

Morning light pierces the dark

Squinting eyes see some hope

Melting snow drips away

Warming light eases the pain

Buds appear on barren branch

Soul renewed by God’s own hand

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11