Saturday, May 2, 2009

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been raining since Thursday.  Steady rain. Light rain.  Driving rain.  Soaking rain.  Blowing rain.  Rain, rain, rain.  I'm ready for the sun to come out and cast its magic on my soggy rose bushes that are loaded down with buds.  I want it to quicken the grass seed we sowed in the back field, so it can hurry up and grow.  

A week ago I wanted rain, not sun.  It was dry and the ground was hard.  I wanted softer ground to sow the grass seed.  I wanted to stop wrestling cranky water sprinklers and have the garden and flower beds watered from the sky.  I want, I want, I want.
Isn't it just like we self-centered, sin-centered humans to want what we want, when we want it?  And right now, thank you!  Who am I to think that the weather itself should revolve around my wants and needs?  We need rain and we need sun.  God knows what we need when we need it, even if it's not on our schedule, in our plans, or anything we would ever choose of our own accord.  It's humbling.  We have to stop and admit that we don't see the Big Picture at all, even though we think we've got it all figured out.  We want to think that we're god-like; all-knowing, all-understanding.  But we're not.  We can rarely even see the Little Picture in correct perspective.  So, let's humble ourselves before the Lord, who sends us the sun and the rain in its time, who sends us all things in its time.  Help us, O Lord, to dance along according to your leading, according to your times, and not our own.  
"For everything there is a season, 
and a time for every purpose under heaven:"  ~ Ecclesiates 3:1

Friday, May 1, 2009

Here We Go a'Maying

On May Morning
By John Milton

Now the bright morning Star, Day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and lead with her
The Flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth, and warm desire,Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Cakes on Fire!

Our grandson, Gilbert, recently had his 3rd birthday!  It seems like only yesterday that our lives changed with the arrival of this first grandchild, and here he is today, a 3-year-old Thomas the Tank Engine fan.  He had a Thomas cake, Thomas gifts, Thomas all the way around!  
"Oh, no!  Mommy has set the cake on fire!  Thomas might be burned!"
                                                     "Hm.... fire's pretty cool."
Gilbert makes a valiant attempt to blow out his candles.  This fire thing is really kinda fun!
Gilbert begins to unwrap the first of his Thomas toys while Daddy and Patrick look on.  Happy Birthday, GK, we love you!

Monday, April 27, 2009

First Fruits

This evening we sat down and enjoyed the first fruits of this year's garden!  We had a salad of lettuce, spinach, arugula, and the mildest little radishes.  Just tangy enough to go along the arugula.  Yum!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Psalm 42:1-5

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
     so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night,
     while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"
These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
     how I would go with the throng and lead them 
     in procession to the house go God
     with glad shouts and songs of praise
a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, 
     and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
     my salvation and my God.