Thursday, May 27, 2010

An Open Door

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! Another beautiful dry day in Paradise! No rain in sight and the sun is shining, and David C. is coming to fertilize and mow the yard.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and even though I make lists, I nearly always forget something. Just trying to gather what I need for the potato salad. I already have the ingredients for the banana pudding, That's very simple.

On the way back, I drove to the park and walked to the first bridge to see if the water is still green. It is, but a beautiful white egret was stalking his lunch and quickly snatched it while I watch. Then he had to manuever it so that it was pointing down so it would go down his gullet. Lot of work for a tasty fish!

Meanwhile, a turtle was sunning on the large tree trunk that is in the water, while another one was waiting close by. I stopped and looked at the hawk's nest again, but no activity. I would like to at least see the ma and pa on the nest. Guess I'm not there at the right time. But God is good!

From the devotional Quiet Moments with God for Teachers;

I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

One warm summer afternoon, a woman was attending the baptism of her grandniece in a great old stone church in the English countryside. The massive doors of the church were flung wide to allow the warm sunshine into the chilly stone structure.

As she sat enjoying the ritual, a small bird flew in through the open doors. Full of fear, it flew backward and and forward near the ceiling, vainly looking for a way out into the sunshine. Seeing the light coming through the dark stained glass windows, it flew to one, then the next, and finally back toward the ceiling. It continued flying about in this way for several minutes, quickly exhausting its strength in frenzied panic. The woman watched the bird with concern and frustration. How foolish he was not to fly back out the same door through which he had entered!

Nearly ready to fall to the floor, the bird made a final lunge for one of the large rafters. Realizing he was in no immediate danger, he hopped a little on the beam, turned around, and suddenly saw the open door. Without hesitation he flew out into the sunshine, loudly singing a joyful song as he went.

Thr e bird had captivated the woman's imagination. Suddenly she realized that she was like the bird. She had flitted about, trying to live a "good" life of noble works without recognizing that the door of salvation had been open to her all the time. she suddenly undeerstood that to avoid flying errantly into places that offered no hope of eternal life, whe need only stop flapping and be still in the Lord's presence. From that vantage point, she could better see the door of grace that He had prepared for her.

During your break today, let your spirit fly up by a high place and sit with the Lord. He will show you how to fly out of your current problems.

God gives the shoulder
according to the burden.
German proverb
.

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

Love and hugs,
amaryllis