Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” That’s awesome, Paul
Philippians 4:11
I didn’t fall off the edge of the earth. Although, that little wren has disappeared. The one that cheers me awake in the morning. The house is unusual quiet as I’ve spent July battling sickness.
Covid came first. Frankly, it wasn’t as bad as my first round a year and a half ago. I had a five day reprieve and was able to enjoy grandkids at the park. Then over the weekend I encounter a case of shingles. Yuck! This is worse than covid! I’m sleeping 18 hours a day.
Yesterday I was reminded of Paul’s attitude of contentment whether in prosperous times or times of suffering.
Whatever you may be facing today, you don’t need to do it alone. Live a life for Christ and reach out for His help.
As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1
Hidden deep, drenched in marsh grass, under a dense tower of prickly pine; against a summer sun-shade sky, stuck in a sticky mallow of muck saunters twin fawns out for a munch.
Hidden deep, enclosed by covered deck, under waiting wonder of curiosity; against a child’s inquisitive imagination, stunned at the scene still unfolding stares four curious children of nature.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelations 3:20
An early summer sky stretching at sunset. The lengthiness of daylight has reached its full capacity. Spring peepers make-way for throaty bullfrogs as they serenade in baritone voices. Slick-back crickets, in their ebony tuxedos, fiddle away along grassy tuffs. Even the summer moon seems more robust as it hangs in sweltering sky.
It’s summer.
Children drip from pool water and popsicle juice; smiling for there are no studies today. Just sun and fun drinking in memories which will linger a lifetime. Barefoot toes wiggle in the grass as giggles pour into the summer air. The easy-going summer days are well suited to a child.
Though summer vacations are fun, there’s something simple and impressive about empty days at home. A book and blanket in the backyard, building stick forts in walkways or chalking the driveway with a latest creations are all simple things to fill a summer day. Time to loaf and let the imagination stretch, like the summer sunsets, is so important. Everyone needs to learn how to occupy down time or to be comfortable in one’s aloneness.
I still remember sitting in a field, as a city girl of eight, studying the prairie flowers before me. Butterflies fluttered about sipping nectar. Ants marched by tiny pebbles with their new found treasure. Motor noises and people’s voices had vanished, though they were near, for I had entered a world of imagination where only the busy prairie was before me. Solitude can be embraced in our non-stop world.
God gives us all times to reflect. Often those times are misused with clutter of the world. To enter a time of solitude in order to let the mind rest from daily duties is a choice.
I’ve spend less time in open prairie fields as an adult now. One of my favorite places to find solitude is in the endless adventures the Bible reveals. It’s alright to sit in the garden while busy hummingbirds fly by, holding a popsicle on a sweltering summer afternoon, paging through the Word of God. One only needs to make the time.
Then the moon will be ashamed and the sun be put to shame, for the Lord of armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and His glory will be before His elders.
Isaiah 24:23
I sit still… Amidst hollow landscapes the air breaths spring tunes, as ancient from days.
I sit still… Watching sun blushing early morn; day passes beneath the moon settles, as aged earth lingers and groans.
I sit still… Exalting the King of Zion, whose name is to be praised; for He has done wonderful things.
It was planted in good soil beside abundant waters, so that it would produce branches and bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.
Ezekiel 17:8
The marsh is filled to its brim. New rains have poured life back into it. Last fall’s drought, seeped energy from the springs of waters which bubble from beneath the earth. By September, no water could be seen in the parched marsh. I wonder what would become of the wildlife.
There’s an old willow which is rooted deep on the marsh’s edge. It was replaced three times when my son, Ryan, was a child. Bought with gift money from his grandfather, he was determined to one day climb its drooping branches. But year-after-year a willow failed to grow, until the third tree finally took root. Now, the massive tree towers nearly as stately as our pine trees.
Though the marsh has dried up several times in the past 30 years, the willow seems to have flourished despite the weather. It’s roots are deep within the earth grasping the nourishment needed to stay healthy.
People’s habits are like the dried marsh and thriving tree. There are times we ignore what is best for us physically, or spiritually. It takes determination to live a healthy life; a nutritional diet can bring fuller life. How is your spiritual life? Is it like an empty marsh which lies dormant? Or is a flourishing tree whose roots are deep within the ground?
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Some days we wake up to disappointments. The holiday was interrupted by an urgent care visit. A coworker is out to eliminate your job. Or the green grass is ladened with a fresh blanket of snow in the middle of April. Disappointments can be wearisome. If only we could take our eyes off the problem and fix them on God’s perspective, perhaps, we could find contentment.
I’m still considering the visitors at the empty tomb of Jesus. In their grief they had to be devastated to find the body of Jesus missing. It was a heartache, upon already hurting hearts, because of the events in these people’s lives.
We will all face problems and disappointments today. If these challenges can be met with the merest mind of God’s plan, we can have a peace despite the situation. Weather is controlled by God. The urgent care workers can start healing in the patient. As for the obnoxious coworker, perhaps there is a better job waiting for you. Sometimes we will only make a change when events prod us along. Remember those events are controlled by God.
Yes, the tomb was empty because something better was about to happen.
You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made the summer and winter.
Psalm 74:17
Spring is slowly waltzing in down Wisconsin’s country roads and busy city streets. The snow came and went yesterday leaving pockets of dripping snow upon the ground. They look like scars from old acne groaning to be smooth again. Branches are adorn with drops of frozen water. Confused, whether to melt or turn to ice. We are between the seasons.
The sun is out this morning (Sunday). It makes everything glisten, and becomes a mirror to look through with fresh eyes. The air is filled with sounds of spring. Crows announce their presence, cardinals sing their mating call, mourning doves are grieved over the cold, and robins nestle in any warm place that can be found. It is the woodpecker who is at his diligent work. Taping, tapping, tapping, until he finds his food.
It’s a lazy spring in Wisconsin. One can feel the tug of the seasons battling between who will win. I often wonder if our faith is like that. Our moments of devotion and then those of turning our backs towards what we know is right. Even our morning devotional seem to melt away as the things of the world enter in. I can’t help but cheer for spring to truly come in all its glorious beauty. Whereas, I would love to cheer on each morning with time spent in the Word of God. Knowing that each day is more difficult without hearing what He has to say.
Shall we be like the diligent woodpecker seeking spiritual food from the Word of God?
Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.
Like 18:17
Having taught children about who Jesus is for almost 4 decades I have come to admire their childlike faith.
From a five year old who utters in prayer, “I love You God. Amen.” To a nine year old who adds a bit more, “Dear Almighty God I know you are with me.” I stand amazed at the simplicity of a child’s love towards God.
As children grow into teenhood something begins to change. Worldly life has so much to offer, it appears, often time with God diminishes. And then as adults the prayer too often becomes a plea, “God are you REALLY there?”
I wonder why such a change occurs from the moments of a trusting child to the doubts of an adult. Perhaps, people become syndical as the disappointments of life creep in. Maybe one has forgotten we live in a sin cursed world in which only God is the answer to life’s problems. Often, there has been no spiritual growth in a person’s life, reading of the Bible or church attendance to help build one’s faith.
May we each nurture a childlike faith until it’s our time to leave this earth.
Patti Wolf 