The Sanctuary

Iridescent pink glowed across the morning sky and mirrored on the lake. The magnificent painting, amid total silence, offered a wonderful, unexpected gift.

Awestruck, I stared at the splendor of the new day. For a few minutes, the sky dressed the lake in elegance. Gradually, colors changed to muted pink, followed by yellow and finally, a grayish blue.

Like children playing under a quilt, two frisky squirrels jiggled hanging gray moss. With endless energy, they bounded up and down the towering, bald cypress.

Tiny visitors nibbled at the feeder and flung seeds to the hungry squirrels on the ground. Tweets, chirps and caws mingled to compose a morning tune.

Trees shifted from black to hues of green as the day brightened. A flapping V formation swept across the sky. Ripples danced on the lake.

Camouflaged by shoreline flowers, a stately blue heron prowled along the shore. As a trio of ducks circled him, the bird continued to fish for breakfast. His long orange beak struck at the water. With a head shake, he swallowed his prey.

Reality returned. Cars roared on the highway. Squeaking brakes and crashing glass announced empty garbage cans. Dogs yelped.

For a few minutes, distractions and problems vanished. Black turned to wondrous colors. Then imperfections appeared and noisy chaos returned, but the sun remained constant-a reminder of God’s light.

Though every morning won’t produce such a glorious display, quiet time with God offers strength, hope and peace for the day.

Psalm 68: 35 “You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God.”

Creator, thank you for your beautiful gifts which offer a sanctuary. Amen

Too Late for The Senator

Caw! Caw! Perched at the top of the highest limb, an annoying blackbird squawked at the world. Silhouetted against the pale dawn sky, a cardinal hopped from branch to branch. A tangle of leafless limbs and branches towered over the other trees. Gray, Spanish moss dangled like an old timers’ beard. A frisky squirrel played hide and seek in the fluttering moss.

Nothing about the bare tree was attractive. But my eyes were drawn to its tall, skinny slightly curved trunk set amidst a clump of smaller trees. Winter starkness contrasted with surrounding greenery. 

Like an old woman the gray shawl protected her from the cold. Her height showed longevity but she didn’t reveal her age. Clumps of cypress knees knelt at her feet waiting to hear decades of stories.

My stately cypress made me think of the recent tragedy of The Senator. For 3,500 years, he lived in Central Florida. Surpassing all but four other trees in the United States, his long life spanned a huge chunk of history.

Wildlife lived and played in his branches. Throngs of people rested and picnicked within his shade. He was nature’s tourist attraction long before Disney.

Though partially damaged years ago, the gigantic tree lived through natural hardships of rain, drought, winds, hurricanes, and even avoided bulldozers. Surrounding him a serene park offered a place of peace in the midst of a hectic world. 

However, his old bones couldn’t fight off the ravages of an intense fire. For hours he burned as firefighters valiantly fought to save him. Dragging hundreds of feet of hoses and dropping water from helicopters didn’t stop the fire. With his strength sapped, he toppled. Leaving only a charred stump, the proud Senator crumpled. 

Conflicting theories try to prove the cause of the fire. Was it lightning, internal friction, a campfire or arson? Investigations continue. Maybe the cause will never be known. Unfortunately, the natural treasure will never be replaced.

Miss Liberty, over 2,000 years old herself, laments the demise of her companion.   Will she be next? 

The loss of The Senator and watching my own cypress remind me to love and appreciate the treasures around me. No one knows when they will be gone.

Ecclesiates 11: 7-8   “... Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light filled hour remembering that there will be many dark days...” The Message

Creator, thank you for your creation. Help me to see and appreciate each blessing in my life. Changes come, often unexpectedly.  Amen

Remaining on Course

Overnight my garden shrunk. Walls closed in on every side. Trees
disappeared. No lake shimmered. An eerie, unnatural tranquility isolated me
from my usual world as heavy fog hovered.


Magnified sounds crossed the visual barrier. Cars and trucks rumbled on
the interstate. Like cheerleaders with megaphones, birds sang and chirped
loudly.


Oblivious to the intense fog, Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal swept to the feeder.
One at a time they nibbled on seeds. Somehow they managed to navigate to
their familiar spot.


Sunshine began penetrating the gray cloud. Blurry ducks cruised the lake.
Along the shore a lanky, white egret looked for breakfast. Turtle heads
broke the surface of the mirrored lake. Finally, warm light completely
chased away the unwelcome intruder. A bright new day appeared.


Because the birds knew the way, they could maneuver to their goals in
spite of the obstacle. Instead of a blockade, the fog was only a hindrance.


Some days seem lost in a heavy, debilitating fog with no way out. However,
when we know the destination, we can maneuver through it. With Jesus as our
Guide, we can make it.


*Ephesians 1: 18-19 “... ask the God of glory-to make you intelligent and
discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear so that
you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do. Grasp the immensity
of the glorious way of life He has for Christians. Oh, the utter
extravagance of His work in us who trust Him-endless energy, boundless
strength.” The Message*

**

*Dear Lord, lead your children through the fog and despair of life. Amen*

**

More and More Waiting

Time is confusing, complicated and mysterious. When an event is eagerly awaited, time drags. But when a dreaded occasion is looming, time flies.

Much of life is spent waiting for one thing or another.
Traffic light to change Someone to answer the phone Baby to be born Doctor to come Test results to return Tomato to ripen
Guests to appear Child to come home Pain to cease
Body to recover Interviewer to call Job to begin
Waitress to return Repairman to finish Flower to bloom
Storm to end Retirement to begin Letter to arrive
Sun to rise Night to fall Winter to end

From seconds to years, people wait. Insignificant waits often bring more stress and frustration than truly important ones. Impatience increases. Tempers rise over trivialities accompanied by wasted energy, hurtful words and bruised feelings. While some holdups just happen, others are consequences of certain behaviors. Unwelcome interludes can cause heartache, anxiety or anguish. But they can also bring relief, joy and renewal.

The Bible is full of people who waited. Noah waited for the rain after building the ark. Abraham and Sarah were old before having a son. Joseph waited in prison for years before becoming a leading citizen in Egypt. Moses waited forty years before leading the Israelites. They waited forty years before entering the Promised Land. Many never made it including Moses. Paul languished in prison for years but didn’t abandon his ministry. Anna and Simeon waited for years to see the Messiah. Jesus waited for thirty years before starting His ministry.

Periods of waiting help prepare for coming opportunities. Instead of fuming and complaining, embrace the interruptions. Not all waiting is wasted time. Patience increases. Plans change for better ones. Productive activities fill pauses. Rest occurs.

Enjoy the New Year with its periods of waiting.