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

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.