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! It is a beautiful Memorial day for ceremonies, remembering and enjoying the day however folks will celebrate.
Brian and I went out to Bay Pines National Cemetery Saturday, to place flowers on Louis' grave, and, as always, I was so moved to see thousands of flags waving in the wind over the large cemetery. The Boy Scouts put out all of the flags and then pick them up afterwards...a huge job, but one done with precision and caring.
I was watching two Air Force men in full dress uniform underneath the small shelter , preparing for a funeral service which was coming. One of them was practicing with his hands, the folding of the flag. Both were very solemn and before we left, they were standing side by side in the hot sun, perfectly still, with one of them holding the folded flag. Then the procession came in, and we left, so there would be more room for parking. I think these men volunteer for this duty, and I am sure think it is a great honor.
Louis and I watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown, many years ago, when we were in Wash. DC. I was so touched in my heart by the preciseness of each move. It was a memorable sight. God is so good!
From the devotional book 'Quiet Moments with God"
My times are in your hand.
Psalm 31:15 NRSV
How we handle delays tells us a lot about ourselves. How do you handle a traffic jam when you left the house already late for work? What do you do when your flight is delayed because of mechanical difficulty or bad weather? How do you respond when the register in your checkout lane runs out of tape just as you get to the head of the line? Can you take a deep breath and enjoy a five-minute break at the railroad crossing when the guard rail goes down to allow a train to pass?
Consider how one man handled a delay. Just as the light turned green at the busy intersection, his car stalled in heavy traffic. He tried everything he knew to get the car started, but all his efforts failed. The chorus of honking behind him put him on edge, which only make matters worse.
Finally he got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to get my car started. If you'll go up there and give it a try, I'll stay here and blow your horn for you."
Things rarely go as smoothly as we would like, and we don't usually schedule ourselves any extra time just in case something goes wrong.
The ability to accept disappointments, delays, and setbacks with a pleasant , generous spirit is a gift of graciousness that comes from one who has received grace from others in pressured circumstances. Life is a series of choices, and no matter what situation we are in , we always have the freedom to choose how we are going to respond.
Refuse to get out of sorts the next time your schedule gets interrupted or turned upside down. Pray for strength to remain calm, cheerful, relaxed, and refreshed in the midst of the crisis. And always remember! God's plans for you, are not thwarted by delays!
Never become irritable while waiting; if you are patient you'll find that you can wait much faster.
Unknown
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
