I went to the park yesterday afternoon and walked into the building to see what was new. Nothing, except the aquarium is gone and just a bare platform where it used to be. Mike was in his office, so I did not bother him, but I know he is distressed at the changes. He is always upbeat and has been a good friend for over twenty years. I went for a birding walk with him one October and the first bird we spied was pictured on the cover of the Peterson guide! That was exciting!
I stopped to watch a tri-colored heron sitting on a dead branch in the water of the canal. He was almost invisible amid the grays of the dead wood, but reminded me of a painting. I think Christopher Still, the painter, has done scenes like that.
Then we went to Weedon Island park and noticed quite a few cars parked at their educational building. The launching place at the end was busy, also, with fishermen and kayakers. I remember going to Weedon as a child and it was wild and very little traffic. The old original Florida! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What happens to us through times of crisis?
Spiritual strength can grow from physical weakness. Being physically weak teaches us thaat we cannot rely on our own strength to see us through-we need God's strength.
Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that is is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Times of crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes, like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for the strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
