Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Storms of Life

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! This is a glorious day already with the bright sunshine and no wind. The sunrise was so pretty with the oranges and pinks. I am thankful for eyes to see!

Speaking of seeing, I saw hundreds of robins flying in a group and landing on the wires around the neighborhood the other day. Looks like they finally came down from the frozen north. I also saw the baby osprey hanging on for dear life in his perch high above the field at Sawgrass Elementary, during the last two windy days. I marvel at how God takes care of his creatures. Yesterday, the gator was back on his muddy bed at the lake at the park. The water is very high after all that rain, but will soon drain off, I'm sure. I watched two graceful ibis flying together down the canal and a tri-colored heron gracefully waiting patiently for a fish to come along. The maple trees are shedding seeds already, so one of these days, spring will be here before we know it! God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
One cold winter day in the 1960s, a major ice storm hit central Georgia. Power outages were rampant throughout the area. Some people owned fireplaces or gas heaters, but others who were less fortunate were forced to seek shelter in the homes of their neighbors.

One particular family didn't have any source of heat except for the gas stove in their kitchen. For days, while they huddled together around the kitchen table, the heat from the oven kept them warm.

They could cook, while some of their hapless neighbors could not. Many nearby residents brought over cans of soup to heat on their stove-top. Hospitality intensified as a bitter cold spell set in.

Sitting around that table in the glow of a single candle, the family laughed and shared stories and events that were important to each of them. They hadn't done that in months! While the television was out of order, they put their lives back into place. As a result of that storm, the family grew closer. Each one of them remembered the light from that candle for years afterwards. Sometimes we don't realize what's missing in our lives until we cease all our busyness. Spending quality family times together is important to God. But you don't  need to wait for an ice storm or some other crisis to draw your family close.

God is always faithful to show goodness in every situation. Just as the glow of the candle provided light during the storm, He lights our way through the darkest and most difficult days of our lives.

God is so good that he only awaits our desire to overwhelm us with the gift of Himself.
   Francois Fenelon

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


Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis