In the Garden Alone

I blasted out of the house early this morning after a sleepless night praying and asking for eyes to see beauty in the paths I am being led down lately. Caretaking is not an easy task, and when it comes in multiples it is quite draining. I needed to take myself out to the country and be in the garden alone. My camera found, to my delight and soothed spirit, some amazing things. I knew God was opening my eyes to receive energy, love, mercy, compassion, and peace.

The first thing I noted was the waterfall of light spilling through the dark morning clouds. It was as if God was throwing a bucket of light through the darkness to get my attention. It was like getting a wonderful dousing of cold water after a parched walk through a desert.

Then I found myself looking down a country road I had passed a hundred times, but this morning it was lined with thousands of sunflowers. I was reminded in the spirit that the French word for sunflower is 'Turnasol', which means 'turn to the sun'. They literally turn their faces towards the sun. Likewise, as we turn our faces toward the Son, His light shines on our faces, and we bask in that gift. We lift our eyes to the Son from whence comes our help.

As I was turning around I noticed a spot of red down at the head of the creek. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was a beautiful red dragonfly. I had on my short lens and thought, since they are incredibly fast, that I would not be able to get close enough to get a good picture. However, it allowed me to get only a foot away, and stayed in place. What a gift!

Then, while driving along a creek, I noticed a few single sunflowers. This one, with the leaf to the side, caught my attention. Upon closer inspection I saw the green bee at its center.

Miraculous things all in one morning, as I went out to encourage myself in the Lord, trusting that He would shine His light on me and give me what I need to travel on down the road. God is Good all the time! My ever present help.

Without Grumbling

Our pastor talked last Sunday about serving without grumbling. I have been focusing on that task for the last couple of days. I love to do little things for people. I like to surprise someone who is not expecting it with a little gift or encouragement. So you would think that this would not be a problem for me. However, sometimes I find myself in positions of necessary service that are painful and cost a great deal emotionally and financially. And I find myself GRUMBLING!

Sometimes hospitality and giving grace are causes for us to suffer. But in the midst we can rejoice that His glory is being revealed. We also know that if we are insulted because of the name of Christ, we are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on us. (1 Pt. 4:12)

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I set this table pictured above to remind myself of the gift of hospitality and grace I am called to give to others. The tablecloth and metal vase I found at garage sales. The ceramic vase was on clearance at Walgreen's. The stunning goblets were a gift from my wonderful Colorado friend. I dare say that anyone who sat and was served would feel special. Isn't that what serving is about? It costs us something, and it is God working through our gifts to single out and let others know that they are precious. I think I will serve my husband some homemade peach cobbler (made from peaches my friend Lynne grew!) on a fancy dish when he gets home today.
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Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
1 Peter 4:7-11

Freedom

I have seen many beautiful sunsets lately in north Texas. It has been a double blessing to see flights of birds streaming through peachy skies at dusk. I imagine myself popping out wings from my shoulder blades and joining them to their destinations.

Sometimes my daydreams of flight come from wanting to run away from my circumstances. Other times they are quite joyful as I stretch unafraid for a flight on a current of wind, trusting God to guide my path across the uncharted skies of my future. I see how much I become less free when I am trying to work things out 'my' way. I know God wants us to be free, for he said in his word, "If the Son, therefore, has set you free, you are free indeed!"

Take flight, expressing your freedom under His wings. He is leading by His love and Spirit, to where He would have us go.

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Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Cor. 3:17

Entertaining Angels

I have seen some amazing dragonflies in the last couple days. The first ones were in the backyard of my friend. The others were in some gardens. I have become increasingly attracted to dragonflies even more than butterflies. Their gossamer wings are sometimes so glittery and transparent that I think of angels. They are sometimes so fast that I wonder if I imagined seeing them. Then I get that occasional gift of one staying close by, giving me an audience of sufficient time to go outside of time and let the love of God just consume me with its beauty.

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Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by doing some people
have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2

The Cleansing Rain

When visiting a nursing home one comes across many smells that are not so pleasant. We have spent much time in the last few months with a friend who is now in hospice care. Sometimes when my husband takes him out to smoke I exit to the outside to catch some fresh air. I have, at the last two visits, been able to fill my lungs with cool, fresh air following wonderful rain. As I walked around I entered a magic tour of tiny planets. Each watery orb became its own universe of wonder. The limbs, leaves, and blooms each held onto the moisture until gravity won and the drops fell away. The droplets ministered to my parched spirit. The Lord strengthened me and satisfied my unrest with the tiniest raindrops. Amazing God we have that stirs up the breezes and makes the skies release the cleansing rain. Amazing God that knows when one of his children needs but a raindrop to pierce a heart.

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He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain...
Ps.147:8