The Magpie and the Vine

Posted on 12 March 2026 by Gineke van Keulen

From my bedroom window, I can see two magpies making a nest high atop a tree. Every branch is neatly put in the right place by the male and female magpie. They work together meticulously.

At some point, one of the magpies throws a branch out of the nest. The branch is not good enough to build the nest.

As I am watching this, I am thinking about the words Jesus spoke in John 15 which says,

“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit.”

How beautiful that God presents His work to me so clearly.

God wants His kingdom to be perfect. Just like the magpies with their nest. A bad nest cannot hold the eggs, and it will not allow the magpies to have chicks in the spring. Only when a nest is well constructed, it can hold the eggs and keep them safe and warm. The chicks can grow up well, and in time become strong enough to leave the nest. So, only when God’s kingdom is strong, it will be able to allow God’s children to grow up, strong in their faith.

What this display of the magpies also showed me is, the importance of strong faith. God prunes us, Jesus said. He takes away the bad in us, and He will leave the good, so that we become strong in our faith. When I leave my faith in the hands of the Gardner, He will prune and take away the bad branches. Meaning, He will take my bad habits and change them for good ones. He will take my heart and make it new. He will create a new spirit within me. That is what He does. Our Heavenly Father makes us new. He makes us better. What a blessing!

It amazes me how God can use nature to teach me. I am mesmerised at the works of His hands. He made this world so beautifully, and meticulously. God is the greatest Artist, and I am so grateful to be His daughter.

What moment in nature taught you something about God? Please share it in the comments below! I cannot wait to hear your stories!

*These words and all the poetry and content on this page belong to Gineke van Keulen!*
*Do not use without permission! Thank you!*

Christmas in a Snow-Covered World

Posted on 10 December 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year, especially as a child. I would wish for snow, which never came, and long for time with my family, remembering the birth of Jesus. Now I am an adult, it is a joy to frame these memories in poetry and share with you. I hope my words awaken your imaginations when you live through snowless Christmases like I do. I hope the birth of Jesus fills your heart with joy, love, and unimaginable peace, as you sit around the Christmas tree with your family. And I hope you will enjoy these words, as much as I did when I wrote them! Merry Christmas!

Pine trees covered in snow.
The cones have already fallen,
and holly grows between its branches.

My footsteps on the ground,
leave a trail in the fresh snow,
and I look up at the clear blue sky,
where my breath makes new clouds.

As I close my eyes,
I can hear angels singing in the distance.

Instantly recognizing the melody,
the words engraved in my soul,
easily find their way out of my mouth,
and when I open my eyes again,
I can see them all around me.

Praise God in the highest,
and peace on earth for all mankind.

The Messiah has come,
and the whole world needs to know it.
So, I keep on walking,
through this snow-covered world,
until I find the stable,
and I can sing my Christmas song,
to a baby in a manger,
that one day becomes my beloved Savior.

*This poem and all the other poetry and content on this page belong to Gineke van Keulen!*
*Do not use without permission! Thank you!*

Bloom

Posted on 29 September 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

A rose,
that bends her head,
to look at other roses,
will never be able,
to lift her head again,
and bloom herself.

To become,
the full potential,
of my true self,
I must lift my head,
away from others,
and towards God,
who lovingly,
fills me with His light,
and makes me grow.

Because only,
when I face my Maker,
I can bloom in a garden,
full of roses.

The First Day of March

Posted on 1 March 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

The first day of March,
I notice the first buds,
on the dead-looking plants.
The first signs of spring,
waiting to bloom,
in all her colors.
It reminds me that,
even when life seems hopeless,
when the days are grey,
and my heart feels dull,
there is new life waiting to grow,
and new chances waiting,
for me to find them.
It reminds me,
there is always hope!

*This poem and all the other poetry on this page belong to Gineke van Keulen.*
*Do not use without permission! Thank you!*

On the Wings of a Robin

Posted on 6 December 2024 by Gineke van Keulen

Out of control are the thoughts,
which cannot be controlled.

I search for peace in a chaotic world,
and cry myself asleep at night,
in the darkness of the earth.

I long to rest on the wings of a robin,
and lean against her orange chest,
listening to her heartbeat,
that so easily rocks me to sleep.

Snow falls unexpectedly,
and I enjoy the silence of the world.
Only the echo of God’s voice,
reflected in the roots of nature,
released by the greens leaves of spring,
find their way to my mind,
and loosen the endorphins,
that have hidden for so long.

Once again, I sleep underneath,
the safe wings of a robin,
and listen to the music of her heartbeat,
echoing through this messy world.

In the silence of the moment,
when the walls close in on me,
and I hear my own heart scream,
I listen to the heartbeat of the Holy Spirit,
and the fire of His love,
finally sets me free.

Gineke van Keulen

Creative writer – My Poetry, My Journey

Tag Archives: nature