Monday, April 29, 2013

Wait on the LORD

 Last week was a stressful time for me.  I am trying to prepare for my summer road trip, and that means tying up all the loose ends of my finances. One of those loose ends is the mortgage on my home.  Up until now, I have always paid my taxes and homeowners insurance separately from my house payment.  That meant coming up with large sums of money in August and again in October.  It has not been a problem, since I was paid twice a month as long as I was working.
Now that I am retired and am receiving payments only once a month, it has become problematic. 
Long story short, I applied for a refinance with money put in escrow for the taxes and homeowners insurance. Anyone who has gone through this process can sympathize with me as to the minutia needed to make it all happen; appraisals,credit reports,closing costs etc.
Those details are all taken care of now, but a week ago, I was stressed ,not sleeping and definitely, NOT trusting God!  How silly of me, but if I am being honest, that's the way it was.
Then one morning in my daily Bible reading, I came across (accidentally? I think not!) a couple of verses God had given me a long time ago, when  my husband was dying of cancer.

Psalm 27:13-14
"I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take Courage; Yes, wait for the LORD."(NASB)

Why does it take us so long to turn to the LORD in times of stress or worry? God has seen me through so many trials, and He has never failed me, yet still I worry.  I was reminded of this passage in the New Testament.

Matthew 6:26-27
"Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because you heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not."(NLT)
                                                                                                      
Father, let me be like this little Chipping Sparrow and always look up, before I look around!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Images of Spring

I think Spring is finally beginning to reach Michigan.  At least I thought that last week, when the temps reached nearly 70 degrees.  Today?  Not so sure. When I got up this morning to let the Abby out it was 34 degrees!! Not at all what I wanted to hear.  

             I have been waiting for my Daffodils to bloom so I could get some good photos, and this week they finally began to do that. So, this morning the plan was to get out early with the morning sun to do just that.                             
                                                                                                                      


I was so afraid the cold had gotten them overnight, but lo and behold, they weathered the frosty night.  They do look a little water-logged, since we got 8 inches of rain this week, but they aretough little guys.



Isn't it wonderful how God's creation knows just what to do and when to do it, even when we think the circumstances are against it?  Those little blooms just seem to hunker down in the cold, and stand up tall when the sun comes out to catch all the warmth they can during the day. I makes me realize that when the cold winds blow in my life, and the storms rock my world, I can hunker down in God's love and wait for the sun to come out, then stand tall,stretch my arms out to catch all the blessings He has for me, to strengthen me for the next storm to come.

"When I said, "My foot is slipping." your love, O Lord supported me.When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:18-19

...The Lord has become my fortress and my god the rock in whom I take refuge." Psalm 94:22

 Another  sign that Spring has finally arrived are, of course, the birds that begin showing up in my yard. Some of them have been with me all winter, like the showy male House Finch.



Others  welcome the Spring  with new summer outfits, like the American Goldfinch, seen here.



 And then there is the Ambassador of Spring, the Robin.Though he  is around most of the Winter it seems, he still says 'SPRING' to me.
He is usually the first one in the bird bath.....not just drinking from it, but actually bathing in it.  What a mess he makes on my windows with his splashing around
When I hear his 'Song of Spring", I want to sing right along. Join me  in praise to God for His wonderful creation, and more than that, His salvation.

Come, let us sing for Joy to the Lord;let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation." Psalm 95:1