God's Handiwork

Blackness of night faded. Waves of gray blue clouds sprawled across the lightening sky. 

Flapping wings interrupted my devotions. Like an angel on a Christmas tree, a blue heron adorned the towering cypress. His slender neck and elongated beak were silhouetted against the dim sky. Like an arrow, he pointed me to the spectacular display.

Florescent pink transformed the dull sky from gray to an exquisite masterpiece. I stared at the unbelievable beauty pointed out to me by the solitary heron from his unusual spot. The brief exhibition disappeared as heavy clouds covered the sun but not my memory.

Life is filled with people and situations that point us to God’s handiwork--even in the midst of dark, foreboding clouds. 

Be watchful. Someone may be directing you to Him. Perhaps, you are the one to do the pointing for someone else. 

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 

1 Thessalonians 5: 11

Father, help us to see you and to be your hands and feet. Amen

Discovering Comfort and Beauty in Change

On the far shore, a speck of white glistened against the dark water and trees. Matching great white egrets tiptoed along the bank. One upright and the other upside-down. Wings lifted and flapped furiously as a blue heron aimed and pursued the frightened bird. All disappeared.

After a three day absence, the large alligator returned. Emerging from water plants near our shoreline, he slid silently into the glassy lake, submerged, and reappeared in the middle. 

Tiny splashes broke the dark surface creating rings of waves. Turtle heads peeked from the water. A red ball rose from behind the trees and became a blinding, white light. 

On the far shore, the egret returned to scan the lake for food. Familiar cardinal clicking joined humming crickets and melodious bird songs to produce a beautiful symphony.

Shimmering cobwebs crisscrossed the patio screen while an adolescent lizard scrambled to the top. Water diamonds glittered on the grass.

Breezes from the fan tickled my skin, kept me cool, and blocked highway noise allowing me to enjoy the sounds of nature. 

Each day our new house, seems more like home. My new retreat brings memories of my cherished old one but introduces gifts of its own. 

Life is filled with changes--both welcome and unwelcome. We can choose to accept them and find blessings or continue to lament what has been lost and miss opportunities.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, thank you for what was given in the past and help me look forward and accept what is ahead.  Amen

Keep Moving On

Another step. Today Alan and I sign the papers to close on our present home. Next week, the buyers finalize their part of the transaction. With all of the bumps in the process, we won’t feel finished until that is done.

The past year has been a series of trials, setbacks, and heartache combined with victories from the mountain top to the valley and back up.  Trudging up the slippery slope, one step at a time, I would rise and slide backwards. Unsure of my footing, progress was often excruciatingly slow. Then sunshine dried the trail, clouds disappeared, and I climbed higher for a magnificent view. 

Just as I felt confident about the climb, a thunderstorm or blizzard overtook me. Ground was lost--again. But through the wind, rain, or snow, a cave offered refuge where I sat and rested. Safe and protected. 

Renewed and hopeful, the journey resumed. The struggles seemed less for a while. The top of the mountain was still elusive and shrouded in clouds. I wondered if it was even there. Some days the summit seemed unattainable and a useless goal.

However, during the constant struggles, my perspective changed. Aiming for the peak each day became overwhelming. I learned to look for small victories and teeny blessings at each level. Every step took me above the depths. Some days I could breathe fresh mountain air, explore plateaus, and run in the flowers. 

At other times, fallen logs, scratchy limbs, and exposed roots bruised and battered me but also kept me from tumbling over cliffs. Though painful, they helped in unexpected ways.

With every step, God walked with alongside. He offered strength, direction, rest, and hope. When I could barely move, he gently lifted me. He stood as a shield to protect. He also served as a beacon and place of refuge in the storms. 

Looking back, I am amazed at the progress. Peering ahead, the trip seems too difficult. Examining what is near, I am thrilled with the possibilities. I am thankful for God being with me and giving hope for an uncertain future.

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; for He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

Blessings Even in the Gloom

A gray curtain blocked the sun. Leaves rustled. Dark, shadowy reflections painted the lake. A single bird twittered and stopped. After leaping across the grass, a solitary squirrel planted an acorn. Like a leaky faucet, water trickled from the roof into a bucket filled with last night’s rain. A solemn scene to begin the day. 

Cheerful tweeting broke the silence. At the foot of the bird-feeder, a surprise sunflower lifted its head with a nod and grin.

A layer of clouds broke away brightening the sky a bit. I smiled at the stalwart, persistent flower. What a lovely reminder of blessings that are wrapped in sorrow and despair.  When trials and difficulties choke and shatter, even tiny blessings can lift spirits and give joy to open eyes, hearts, and minds.

 And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.  Philippians 4:7 (The Voice)

Loving Father, thank you for being with us and lifting us up from the gloom. Amen

God's Timing

Pulmonary fibrosis determined that we should downsize. Our large home was too much so we signed a contract to build a smaller house in a nearby community. 

Soon after our decision, my parents became ill. Months and months of hospitals, surgeries, rehab centers, Hospice and then my dad’s death kept my life in turmoil. Through it all, I grabbed for God’s hand and often could barely hang on. But He held tight. His grip secure.

After signing the contract for the house, mother’s health declined and then so did dad’s. With an already overwhelmed life, I just couldn’t handle one more thing. Moving had to be put on hold.

As the new house rose, Alan and I knew we had to sell our present home. Reluctantly, I agreed to put it on the market. More stress to clean and straighten the house before each showing. Several people looked. Feedback was positive, but no one made an offer.

Then for weeks, no one came. Alan’s standard answer was, “It’s all in God’s timing.”

I didn’t want to even think about moving but knew we didn’t want the upkeep of two houses. Alan’s assurance kept me calm. 

Friends prayed. We prayed. My prayer asked for the right buyer at the right time for the right price. 

We waited. Finally, a call came for a showing. The couple liked it. Another call and a return visit. After the third showing, they made an offer. We countered. Within two weeks, a contract was signed. 

My life had returned to a more normal one. Our new house was almost completed. The buyers wanted a closing date a month after the closing for our new home. We had plenty of time for a leisurely move. The price wasn’t far from our asking price. 

Prayers had been answered. God knew the right time. I could not have handled a move along with my parents’ illnesses.  When the situations stabilized, our home sold. Alan was right. God knew the right time.

Moving and leaving the familiar will be stressful. However, I have the assurance of God’s perfect timing and provision. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. then you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 11-12 (NIV)

Loving Father, thank you for answering my prayers at the right time in the right way. Give me patience to wait. Amen

Remaining Peaceful Out of the Sanctuary

Mounds of deep purple crepe myrtles dominated my garden. Blooms of Mexican petunias sprinkled color near the lake. Sunlight illuminated the bright blue sky. 

Cardinals chirped. Crickets played their songs. Under a tree, a white duck preened. Lizards raced up the screen. The mirrored lake reflected peaceful scenes from the shore. Calmness and tranquility surrounded me. 

If only I could remain secluded from discord, conflict, and hostility of the world. Especially today. On the other side of town, miles away a trial ends. The world has watched, formed opinions, and taken sides. 

On that horrible night months ago, lives were shattered. Hearts broken. Nothing can erase the pain and consequences of that event.

For days and days, the jury listened intently. Today they begin deliberations to make an extremely, difficult decision. The world waits.

Throughout the trial, Sanford has remained calm--despite the influx of media and outside groups. Police, pastors, and ordinary citizens have come together to bring peace and further understanding. 

When the verdict is announced, no one will win. Too many lives have been shattered. Life will go on but much differently.

I pray that the jurors have wisdom as they deliberate. After the verdict is read, I pray that sanity and reason prevail and people remain calm. I pray that the media and outsiders refrain from inciting violence and allow the families to privately rebuild their lives. I pray for increased strength, faith, and forgiveness to bring about restoration in the families and our community. 

If only the peacefulness of my sanctuary could enfold each person at the courthouse, in Central Florida, our nation, and the world. 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in peace! 

Psalm 133: 1 (The Voice)

The Hidden

A heavy cover of slate clouds darkened the dawn. A blue heron’s gray feathers fit in with the dreary morning. As he waded on the shoreline, dark water concealed his spindly legs. He stepped beneath thick overhanging foliage.

Normally he preened himself in the bright sunlight. Often he bellowed to announce his presence and tiptoed along the water’s edge to search for food. But on that gloomy day, he hid.

With only a glance at the lake, he would be overlooked. By sitting quietly and studying the area, I noticed the large camouflaged bird. 

Perhaps the somber, windy morning kept him from his normal activities. Maybe he just needed a rest. Whatever his reason, he remained hidden.

Like the heron, people also try to escape during dark times. Some may just need time to relax and refresh. However, others isolate themselves because of depression, sadness, fear, anxiety... Perhaps they feel that no one cares.

Because I searched, I saw the heron. I also need to do a better job of searching for the lonely, sad, fearful, anxious... What a difference could be made if all Christians followed Jesus’ teachings.

“I tell you this; whenever you saw a brother hungry, when you saw a sister weak and without friends, when you saw the least of these and ignored their suffering, so you ignore Me.” Matthew 26: 45 (The Voice) 

Jesus, help me to see the lost and lonely. Guide me as I search. Amen