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! The sun is shining and the air is full of the scent of orange blossoms. My north bedroom window lets in all the fragrance of the blossoms from my neighbors fruit trees..gets really strong in the afternoon, but that is one sign of spring!
While I was sweeping windrows of oak tree seeds off our front porch yesterday, I happened to pause to watch two squirrels sitting on the ground eating acorns and noticed a fluttering of leaves up above. I looked up and saw a bird upside down pecking at leaves. When it turned right side up, I could see the red head. A red headed woodpecker! I had no idea they could hang upside down! Fascinating! That was a whole lot more interesting than sweeping, so I watched until it was out of sight.
I went to the park yesterday and enjoyed the wild look of the brush and water. Saw an immature ibis by itself for a change, but did not see the gator. However, I saw the peacock once again on the way in. Beautiful, as usual. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where does joy come from?
Nehemiah 3:17 Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on circumstances nor on our performance. When we trust in his love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of heaven, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of this life.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( Happy Birthday, Daryl!)
