Aha! Chickadees! by Susan L.

  I've discovered the culprit who enabled the same kind of sunflowers my neighbour planted to grace my back garden. It had me wondering all summer if it had been a squirrel who had decided to stash the seeds in the soft, dry, sandy soil. Thank You Lord, You make all things clear.
  This morning I watched chickadees taking plump and ripe seeds from the blooms. One bold fellow flew over to my small, bonfire ready wood pile, searching for the perfect crevice to stick the seed in. Once held tight, he pecked away at it to get to the tender part inside. I won't be surprised to have some growing in that area next year.
  The sunflowers are beneath a seam in my eaves trough. It must have provided a perfect, nut cracking gap. Except for the ones that got away to bloom in a stunning array of reds and oranges.
  I knew woodpeckers did this with sunflower seeds but am surprised that chickadees know how to do this as well. Maybe a woodpecker taught them!
  Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised. Animals are smarter than we give them credit for.
  It's amazing how such a simple answer fills me with the gushy, ear to ear grinning knowledge of  how much the Lord loves us and how willing He is to answer our every question. Mostly, it's simply a matter of waiting for the truth to be revealed. What makes it even better is I didn't really pray about it. The sunflower puzzlement was only a thought that rambled through my head on a few occasions since I first saw sunflower leaves poking out of the earth.
  That and He made sure I was in the right place at the right time to witness His creation's brilliance.
  Praise God!
  "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Rom 8:31-32

 

 
 

Another Check Mark by Susan L.

  The painting is done at the centre. Another item off the to-do list. It looks so much better, more peaceful and inviting. I like it so much I just might re-do my bedroom the same colour. Or maybe after painting at my Mom's, it'll be time to take a break. That's okay too. I'll have more time next month anyways because I'll be given time off in lieu of the hours spent painting.
  It's a lovely day. The gardens are in desperate need of weeding and deadheading. Time on my knees so to speak. I've lots of battery left in my iPod so the worship music will accompany me as I putter, rest often, and enjoy being outside.
  I confess I am struggling about returning to church. The anxiety issues I had earlier this spring and into the summer have made me a bit wary of placing myself in such a busy and loud environment. It's probably all in my head (ha-ha) but still...the thought of returning makes my stomach churn. Lord? I need Your guidance in this matter. I'll leave the where and when up to You.
  Yes, I've done "busy" for the last six weeks or so recognizing that it isn't a pace to maintain indefinitely. Never mind the fact I wouldn't want to. Sleeping in this morning is a gentle reminder that the body needs time to restore the batteries. Mind you the barrage of adrenaline that usually flares up in anxiety ridden situations has served me well. It's given more than enough energy to complete big projects.
  Hmmm, thank You for showing me the full half of the glass.
  "But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." Mk 10:27

Storm Watch by Susan L.

 Around seven thirty last night the sky grew dark. I went outside with a primordial sense of impending doom to watch the storm roll in. At first the air was still: thick and heavy with the kind of humidity that makes taking a shower redundant. The earth was full of muted, nearly suffocated anticipation as the clouds first inched their way in from the south. Three crows swept past, followed by a flock of starlings racing east. A seagull and a turkey vulture joined the exodus. Sparrows and goldfinches flitted past in the blink of an eye to find shelter in the pines at the side of my yard.
  A slight rustle touched the treetops, their leaves upside down in pleading supplication to the growing intensity of the wind. The soft, inviting cloud blanket from the south hovered overhead, stonewalled by the force from the north. It was overpowered and swept away in a matter of moments. The freshening air felt wonderful on my sweat dampened skin.
  The clouds were roiling and boiling with the colours of a blackened eye. Ragged, dark fingers reached down, swirling and twisting but not a drop of rain fell. I could see it coming, a small glimpse of nearly winter white hidden in the distance by the trees. Except for the wind, the storm was eerily silent.
  The first drop fell. A distance rumble of thunder announced the storm's arrival. I hightailed it into the house to watch from the safety of a window.
  God's fireworks lit up the heavens. Thunder booms and eye wincing cracks put Chinese rockets to shame. Pumpkin nudged my hand for reassurance as he joined me at the window before disappearing under the bed like the last time. Poor fellow. I almost wanted to join him.
  I live right on the edge of tornado alley. It makes me watch the heavens carefully during our notorious summer thunderstorms. Just in case.
  "The Lord of hosts is with us." Ps 46:11

Going Well by Susan L.

  The ceiling and trim at the centre are finished with two coats of paint. I stayed late last night, only a couple of hours, because I worked and was on my own so working on the front room was not an option. Hopefully it will be possible to start on the walls today then finish off tomorrow and it will be done.
  Despite the aches it creates in my neck, knuckles and knees, it's a job I thoroughly enjoy doing. It helps too that I am in better shape after the big build.
  The centre is finally getting new doors at the back and front. Last winter we had to hang a blanket over the ancient wood door at the back to stop the bitter, icy wind from whistling in. The double metal front door also has built in air conditioning because the bottoms are nearly rusted through. We've been trying to have that done for a few years now to no avail. It'll sure help the heating bill!
  The landlord had someone paint all the outside trim around the windows, another task that was badly needed. It'd be nice if he'd paint the entire building especially since there are patches where the paint is peeling but we'll see. (Lord, I am sending a request Your way.)
  We've maintained a small patch of garden out front which will get some tweaking next spring. It's nice to have a bit of colour. The landlord's handy man cleaned up all the shrubbery and weeds from around the place and took out the small jungle that was growing in the eaves trough.
  What with the new paint, the new doors, the Krasman Centre will look a whole lot more inviting. I'm glad because I am sure the building's exterior appearance was off-putting. So many people are surprised to find the interior so nice once they came inside.
  All we need now is a new sign. Again, a job I would enjoy doing.
  "A lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Prov 16:33

Guardian by Susan L.

  I was working in the garden yesterday and bent over to dig up a currant bush that had made a home where it wasn't wanted. I am usually very careful when working around bushes or trees but the awkwardness of digging up the bush from a chaotic hedgerow had me focused on trying to find the roots and dig them out. A thick-as-your-thumb, cut off branch jabbed me hard in the eye or rather, my eye lid. Either I was looking down or had blinked at the right moment. The end result was a bit of a bruise and slight tenderness. It could have been so much worse.
  Someone, a most marvelous, awesome Someone is definitely watching over me.
  How very reassuring.
  How many times in a day do we have near misses that we are totally oblivious to? Perhaps that person who is driving too slow in front of us is there to stop us from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps the huge lineup at the grocery store where only one cashier is on duty saves us from a catastrophic event.
  Perhaps all those things that make us frustrated and sometimes even angry are God's way of protecting His children.
  I can forget that sometimes and allow situations I have no control over to get under my skin. It takes events like an eye poking to remind me to keep an eye open for the visible Hand of God working in my life every single day. Wonderful miracles can come in teeny tiny packages.
  "Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it." Lk 10:23-24
 
 
 

Genesis by Susan L.

  There's pockets of yellow, red and orange beginning to appear in the lush greenery around the house. It's not due to lack of rain but are the forerunners of, gasp, autumn. This is the first year I can ever remember the grass didn't turn brown in late summer. Quite the opposite, it's still growing as if it were May!
  Some of the perennials blooms are about done and need dead heading. The bee balm is well past its prime although the occasional hummingbird still checks it out in case there's a bit of nectar left. I watched a pair squabble last night. Quick as lightening they swooped and dove, weaving in and out of trees and flowers cursing each other in their tiny, angry voices. It makes me laugh every time.
  The crickets darn near drown them out.
  I've gone out on clear nights this week to look at the stars. There's something absolutely awesome about looking skyward hoping to catch a glimpse of a shooting star. The sky is so massive and I am so small. I wonder if God created the heavens from a pocketful of stars that He scooped up in His hand and blew into the darkness.
  "Then God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; He made the stars also." Gen 1:16
 
 

Adjustment by Susan L.

  It'll take a couple of days for the adrenaline to calm down, the git 'er done Drive that enabled me to put in a few long days to finish the shed. I feel a bit lost this morning although there's plenty on the 'to do' list. Not just at home but we are going to paint the front room at the centre.
  I say 'we' but I'd like to get it done this week even if it means going in on the weekend. I gladly volunteer my time. It's a fairly big job. Not the walls so much but the centre is in an old house that still has original trim and baseboards. It's beautiful and big. The three window wells are deep which means a lot of brushwork. That takes time.
  I enjoy painting be it creative or utilitarian. It's satisfying work because there is such a difference when the work is finished.
  Next week I'm heading down to my mom's for a few days to paint their main hallway. It's the least I can do. I'd forgotten about another gift that the big build brought out that will come in handy: I can cut in around trim and windows using either right or left hand. It sure makes it easier. Hallways have a lot.
  Where are You going with this my Lord?
  It is not pride when we acknowledge God's gifts: the skills and talents that make us who we are. It fills His heart with joy to see us using them as they were meant to be used. It makes the Lord smile when we find abilities we never thought we had. It is not pride when we acknowledge the Source of these blessings that are meant to be celebrated.
  Thank You so very much for that.
  It isn't all about creativity either. Some of us have the gift of numbers, or organization and structure. Others with children or animals or the elderly. Some can grow plants. Perhaps those who can't see that as a gift as well. There is the gift of conversation and its partner listening. It's such a gift to learn and retain what we learn. Always remembering dates and names isn't something everyone can do. The list is endless. What's yours look like?
  "Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you."" Jer 1:5