Restoration

 

Well, it's time for me to get out of the city and back to nature. I don't know about  you, but after a while in town, I need the respite of a place by water.  This setting came to mind as I have been reading/memorizing Psalm 23.  It's a familiar Psalm to most., often read at funerals, but it holds so much life for everyday living.  

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul... those are just the first 3 verses.  Wow!  Great reminder that we don't need to worry.  God supplies all of our needs as we trust Him.  He provides the rest and refreshing as we abide in Him.  He even leads us to quiet waters, but, like the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."  

Maybe we need to take that drink and rest in Him, remembering that whatever comes our way, He's got us in His care.  With all of the storms that have befallen me and our family this year, He has been faithful, provided and even given peace beyond understanding when the world would have me "freak out."  Make it a great day!

 Hmmm....when your artificial tree sheds more needles than any real tree at the time of removal, there may be a problem.  I'm thinking it's time to move on and finally get a new tree.  I planned on getting a new tree last year as I was fairly certain that the time had come, but I think there's that part in me that is just plain being a rebel.  I miss the fresh trees we got until moving to the desert.  

Our adventures weren't quite like the Griswolds in that my father and mother were always prepared.  Maybe that's why I always felt growing up that I could do anything. There wasn't the fear that I'd be left hanging or that a mishap could be catastrophic.  I ran down the road of life taking every challenge as an assured win at the end and every sideways path as an adventure that might lead to new and amazing things.

But, you weren't raised by my parents and I know that they weren't raised in such assurances, except the assurance we can all get from our Heavenly Father - "for I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

Remember, whatever you are going through - whatever road or detour you are on - He's got your back and His plans are greater.

God bless you.