Walking
Camera in hand;
Watching my kids running
for the school bus
Copyright 2008 – Neil E Johnson
Winter to Spring
I notice how desolate things seem right before spring at the end of winter. There is no longer any snow to cover the nakedness of the trees and shrubs. The grass is brown and tan, with many longer grass matted down. Yet, among all of this, the chill is gone from the air. The warmth I feel on my skin and early buds showing on the trees tell that this will fade soon, replaced by the bright multitude of green leaves and flowers. How much more when we are at our ends, that God is able to revive us; Through Him, we become a new creation through His Son. So, in the midst of the change, newness of life is coming; All we need to do it wait.
Bare branches
warmed by hidden sun;
Peeking buds
Copyright 2008 – Neil E Johnson
Dragonfly on Bamboo
I just added a couple of new brushes to my collection. One in particular was very helpful with the details on the dragonfly, and another on the bamboo.
Title: Dragonfly on Bamboo
Support: Rice Paper
Medium: Sumi ink ground from ink stick
Size: 15.5″ x 11″
Copyright 2008 – Neil E Johnson
The Measure
I put the nozzle back into the gas pump. “Excuse me”, he says. He is looking for a few dollars to fill up his car. He is helping his friend get home, but forgot his debit card. He tells me of his embarrassment; he only needs a few gallons. I take out my wallet; I am quite happy to oblige him. I look at the four ones in my wallet, knowing that I have a ten behind one of the receipts. I hand him the 4 ones and wish him well. “God bless”, he responds. Yet, on the way home I wonder. What measure generosity have I shown him? The four dollars will give him a mere gallon, barely more. How do I measure my generosity? Is it by what I have or what I can give? Certainly these are different things. If I have the power to provide more richly to him, am I truly generous? By what measure have I received? I can use the argument that I have all because of myself, yet I know this not to be true. I did not give myself the health I have. I did not give myself the teachers or the job opportunities that I have. By what measure has God given to me? Surely greater than I hope for, and demonstrated by what I have received. Thus, an opportunity for good turns into a sobering moment for learning. Did I put the gas cap back on?
Night’s chill
upon a dark road home;
Dashboard’s glow
Copyright 2008 – Neil E Johnson
Warm Spring Day
I wrote this after walking past some trees outside my office on the way to a meeting last year.
Crimson pods
sleeping upon branches;
Walking in the sun
Copyright 2008 – Neil E Johnson
