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 went out to rescue the dumpster and pull it back up the driveway, it was very warm and humid already. I have a feeling it will not get better as the day goes on, but this is my city and I think of the days when I was growing up and no one had A/C. We used to go to the movies to get cool. For a dime admission, we got a double feature, a cliff hanger, cartoon, and newsreel. Those were the days!
I accomplished some goals over the weekend...Brian came over and took down some sheers, so I could wash them, and then came back so they could be hung back up. Nice to have clean curtains! I also did some more closet cleaning out. Next to tackle all the drawers that are overcrowded with keepsakes and stuff. Maybe in my lifetime that is left, I will get that done!
The subject today is "Landscapes" and I have been admiring the lawns in my neighborhood that always have flowers, and are well groomed. Obviously, the owners love working outside and cultivating beauty, and it pays off! I used to do that, but am not able to do that any more.
I noticed the gnarly, twisted limbs of the oak trees at the park and the gray, hanging moss swaying in the breeze yesterday. Not much is blooming this time of year, except the butterfly bushes. Speaking of that. my beauty berry bush is just about to have lots of purple berries on it. The birds love that! That's how it started; from a seed a bird dropped, and now it is really big. God is good!
From Quiet Moments with God:
My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB
The landscapes around a home are usually very personal and reflect the individual taste of the homeowners. Making the outside reflect the owner is a unique talent landscape architects and novice gardeners have in common. Their work is so admired that friends and neighbors drive by, take pictures, and try to copy what these talented landscape artists create.
Landscaping is indeed an art, but it is also much more. These eye-catching scenes say something about the owner. They express the preferences of the owner, giving insight into what is appreciated and worth all the effort to create.
Most gardeners will tell you that even though they love gardening, it's still work. It involves investing money, time, and hard work to create the desired results. For the first year or two, a well-landscaped yard requires just about as much work as a new baby does. But, if you are willing to follow the directions, invest in the necessary materials, feed and water the garden plants, and battle the weeds, you can expect a lovely garden. It takes preparation and commitment--and a lot of hard work.
The way we live our physical lives also expresses who we are and what we appreciate. It takes preparation, the nourishment of the Word, and constant attention to the weeds in our daily lives in order to create a beautiful and satisfying spiritual landscape.
One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.
James Russell Lowell
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
