Return Visitor

The magnificent visitor returned. His royal blue coat glistened like a diamond along the lakeshore. My garden shrunk into the shadows next to his brilliance.

He swaggered from the lake to the patio and dipped his head to my orchid collection. Realizing there was no food, he strutted to the bird feeder and rummaged for seeds at its base.

While he ate, I studied his body. Beyond the luminous blue head and body, a sweeping tail caught my eye. Instead of a tapestry of colorful beauty, ragged points jutted.

No longer could he produce the signature peacock display. He had been damaged but not defeated. He didn’t hide or slouch but proudly paraded around the yard like a king. His attitude and remaining beauty overshadowed his loss. In fact, I didn’t even notice his tattered tail until the second visit. He remained a stately peacock and embraced his remaining strengths.

Romans 4: 18 “When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.” The Message

Heavenly Father, strengthen those who are damaged and discouraged by life so they can embrace what they can do. Amen

My Nonstop Valentine

After having lunch with friends, I met Alan in our kitchen and began telling him about our delicious meal. Suddenly, my eyes stopped. On the counter a lovely bouquet and large card waited for me to notice them. He grinned. What a sweet Valentine’s surprise.

On February 14 people profess their love with flowers, candy, cards, and romantic dinners. Fortunately, my Valentine doesn’t only give gifts on one day a year.

Each day his actions show me his love. He brings the newspaper in and takes the trash out. He dusts, mops, and cleans windows. He washes dishes and compliments me on my cooking. He mows, edges, and trims the yard. Other tasks include paying the bills and organizing important papers. Prodding isn’t needed.

He spends hours and hours planning trips. Each year we go somewhere special for my birthday. Our travels have taken us around the world.

Even though he hates hospitals, he’s visited my ailing family members. He has learned to enjoy granddaughters when children were an alien species to him.

His enthusiasm and dedication have allowed him to help people around the world through his eyeglass ministry. He delights in assisting those who can’t see well.

After his recent surgery and recuperation, I was reminded of how much he does for me. Though it was difficult to see him in pain, I felt privileged to be his caretaker.

My Valentine shows his love in countless actions which sometimes include lovely cards and beautiful flowers. Instead of only one day, I have a year of valentines.

Whoever is in your life, let them know they are loved. For many years, I had no Valentine living with me but have always had people who loved me.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

The Royal Visitor

Clothed in a brilliant blue robe and topped with a sparkling crown, he
strutted by. His colorful train swept along with each practiced step. Alan
and I watched in awe.


Ignoring us, he stopped at the edge of our patio, turned, and continued
his parade. Admiring his beauty, we followed. The exquisite peacock
commanded our attention.


Never had we seen that type of bird in our yard. *Where had he come from?
Was he alone? Would he stay? *In the fading light, we walked, watched, and
took pictures of the splendid creature.


His trek took him to our neighbor’s lawn and back to ours. He detoured to
our feeder where lowly ducks circled. With his entrance, they quickly
departed. He nibbled at the fallen seeds. Then he silently marched away.


For a few minutes, our private presentation displayed one of God’s
magnificent creations. The perfect designs, form and colors seemed like
royalty. Next to the ordinary ducks, he appeared out of place.


However, God created each one for a specific purpose. As much as I loved
watching the peacock, I cherish the daily duck shows too.


Though certainly not flashy or royal like the peacock, I can swim along
like my ducks performing daily tasks and trying to follow God’s plan for me
not someone else’s.


*Philippians 4: 11-13 “... I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to
have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” NIV*

**

*Creator, thank you for what you have given me and done for me. Help me to
know your plan and to make me content with it. Amen*

Droopy Sunflowers

    I had such high hopes for the yellow sunflowers in my garden.  When they appeared on their own, I was thrilled with their beauty and smiling faces in the middle of my lakefront garden.

    Today as I glanced at them, I did a double take.  They were droopy and forlorn as their bright heads edged toward the ground. I hadn’t planted them but felt that they were mine since they grew in my garden. I wanted to prop them up and tilt their blooms to the sky.  That would be futile. There would be no beauty or growth—only dead blooms held up with stakes.

    Those sagging flowers are like children God allows us to raise. They appear bright, shining, and full of life. We have high expectations. Unfortunately, for some there is addiction, depression, unplanned pregnancy, or open rebellion which demolish joy and contentment. Dreams are extinguished.

  We try to prop them up and hope that everything will go back to normal. That doesn’t work. Nourishment and encouragement may help for a time. But only God makes lasting changes. We must relinquish control. When they decide to depend on Him, they will bloom and be transformed into new creatures.

My wild sunflower seeds will nourish birds and produce more flowers.  If God does that with wild flowers, imagine what He can do with the lives of wayward children.


II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJV

Our Father, take each wayward child and bring them to you. Comfort the waiting parents. Amen

What do I do now?

Beautiful weather beckoned. Armed with three types of clippers, a couple of shovels and an empty container, I attacked my yard. From tiny weeds to long palm fronds, yard debris filled my container.

On my knees, I pulled unsightly weeds from flower beds. Up and down I went clipping tree branches and overgrown bushes. Digging and yanking stubborn vines kept me going from one mess to another.

Even after Alan told me I should stop for the day, I continued. More cans filled. Finally, heat and exhaustion set in. Reluctantly, tools and garbage cans returned to the garage.

Ankles cried out. Knees creaked. Shoulders and neck yelped in pain. What had been enjoyable the previous day became agony the next.

Years before, I would work all day in the intense sun and still be able to go again the following day. Those days are gone.

As difficult as it is to admit that the body can no longer keep such a strenuous schedule, it is true. Circumstances alter life.

When children run, hop, jump and skip, they unconsciously celebrate their youth. No thought is given to what they can do. Few appreciate good health and active bodies until age, injury, or disease attack.

Though I can no longer keep up with my younger self or the one my mind thinks I have, I feel blessed for what I can do.

Each day I can learn to celebrate what can be done. When I can’t run, I can walk with my husband. When I can’t hop, I can sit with a friend. When I can’t jump, I can read a new book. When I can’t skip, I can encourage someone who can. For each part of life that is lost, there is an opportunity to pursue something new.

Proverbs 20: 29 “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” NIV

Father, give wisdom and strength when life changes. Amen