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.

~~~

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.

~~~~

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.

~~~~

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

God Bless America

So here's a little patriotic fun. Match the descriptions below with the pictures above.

1. Directing the choir singing, "God Bless America"
2. Saluting the flag
3. yelling at daddy to grab her a hot dog
4. Looking for her torch, it's there somewhere...
5. Wow! Look at those fireworks!

We are so divided in this country right now about what is good for America. No matter what, we need to thank God for our blessings and go celebrate our independence!

Water of Life

During the storm last night we went to visit our friend in the hospital. When my husband took him to smoke I went outside to enjoy the storm and the rain drenched crape myrtle. It has been so dry that I found myself dancing in the rain. I saw the birds fly overhead through the dusky sky as the rain subsided. The cleansing of the air and the saturation of the vegetation brought a deep breath of appreciation for the gift of water.

~~

To the thirsty I will give water
as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 21:6