Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Happy April first and Maundy Thursday! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Our weather has been so perfect the past few days, it is an incentive to get outdoors and enjoy it! Cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon..doesn't get any better than this!
Well, the gator was in his usual spot yesterday, curled up on the bank of the borrow pit. Two cyclers were ahead of me on the road and when they spied the gator, decided to ride over and look at him up close and personal. I was glad because they were taking up the road and I hate to blow the horn at people for fear of startling them. Anyway, I continued on and saw that the big maple tree is still in the canal. Back in the old days, before budget cuts, the tree would have already have been sawed up and disposed of back in the mulch pile.
The big turtle was still in his favorite sunning spot across the canal on the point and a beautiful white egret was letting its feathers blow in the breeze while waiting for a fish to come along.
After Sonnie and Sam had raked up and bagged my leaves yesterday, apparently something attractive to birds was uncovered, because several mockingbirds were hopping across the yard enjoying treats. Also, while the guys were working, a gorgeous cardinal was overhead just twittering his little heart out. First I have seen this spring. A tiny wren was also in the tree last night nervously flitting from branch to branch. In contrast, huge black crows have been coming around with their raucous caws. God's creation is marvelous and He is good!
From Hymns for the Family of God:
Father, help me to talk like a Christian:
to speak in such a way that I build up another person's confidence in himself,
instead of tearing down his reputation.
Father, help me to drive like a Cristian:
to be watchful and careful lest I cause harm to someone else
on the highways.
Father help me to give like a Christian:
without thought of return, without anyone knowing what I do,
and with Your approval as sufficient reward.
Father, help me to dres like a Christian:
by not attracting attention to myself for being too fashionable
or too casual; and help me to show by my appearance
that I want people to know me for what I am inside myself.
Father, help me to sleep like a Christian:
at peace with myself because sin is forgiven; and at peace
with others because I do not allow my anger to last through a day.
Father, help me to eat like a Christian:
to eat healthily, to eat moderately, to eat gratefully, giving thanks
to you who provide my food, and for the one who prepares my food.
Father, keep me from being so pious that I keep You out of the practical
areas of life. Be with me when I am alone, and when I shed my inhibitions.
lest in those moments I cancel out all that I seem to be when I'm on my best
behavior.
Father, I ask this because I follow a Master who was never guilty of the
slightest wrong-doing, and who always showed His love in the small
details of living.
Amen
Bryan Jeffery Leech
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
