make mine...dandelions

lilacs
sedum
magnolia
white

hawthorn
dogwood
cherry tree
pink

crabtree
weigela
viburnum
snow

honeysuckle
lily
petunia
gold

fragrances sweet, colors splendid, blossoms beautiful...

4 feet tall, little hands, brown with earth, smiles wide, joy bubbling, flowers for me!

when they come to the back door, pleasure lighting their faces with their flower find, I am flooded with love...it hits me like a force, a swift lovely wave that washes over my heart. I reach out and accept this gift of flowers, I find a vase, I add water, and I smile at these yellow treasures...

yellow
green
sunshine
spring

of all that might be offered, make mine dandelions...

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

~Fanny Crosby, lyrics

~W. Howard Doane, melody