Friday, June 5, 2009

Hope

Good mid morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! David was here mowing this morning, so I was delayed in getting to the PC. It has been raining slightly and is nice and cloudy, so that makes the grass grow even faster. But David does a good job. We are blessed to have him.

Yesterday we went to Sawgrass, where I hoped to see Francia for her next to last day. Since she was not there yet, I went ahead and took my walk, stopped to see Mama gator at her usual spot beside the first shelter, and then on to the tower, where I watched an osprey soaring round and round over the lake. I was hoping to see it hover, and , sure enough, he hovered twice. I am always excited when I see one hover.

So I came on back and saw Francia with Mark W., one of the former staff, They were wheeling out a large aquarium with a large snake in it. Mark put it in the back of his truck to care for it until Francia needs it again. I gave her a retirement card and told her she would be missed. She had an emotional day the day before, cleaning out her desk and taking a last walk around the park. Things are ever changing, but God never changes. God is good!

A short benediction today from one of my favorite verses:

Romans 15:13 NKJV
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power
of the Holy Spirit.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Patience

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside before dawn this morning, I saw lightning in the southeast and a little later, a dark cloud was hanging right over our house and sprinkled a little, but now the sun is shining, the wind is blowing and it looks like a wonderful day ahead! God is good!

We had a good rain last night and that helps the grass to grow, so it will probably need mowing again next week I drove through the park yesterday afternoon...the first time we were out..and it still has not been mowed, but , at least, it is green. Francia was busy packing up the last of her things, so no one will be at the park full time during the summer. But we saw a beautiful great white heron busy preening and getting ready for fishing, and an anhinga was drying out on a dead tree, so life goes on.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Where do I find the resources to be patient?

Galatians 5:22 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

The Holy Spirit produces patience in our lives. As we relax and trust in him, we release our need to control life's circumstances.

We also pray that you will strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.

Prayer infuses patience into our lives. When we admit a need in prayer, the Lord begins to meet that need.

Psalm 37:34 Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

Patience comes from simply trusting God day by day. Even when we don't think we can last very long, Christ gives us the strength to "travel steadily." Our commitments to faith and obedience will keep us on God's path for longer than we thought possible.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving. joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis