The end of Patience

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

When I stepped outside this morning, I felt the cool wind blowing and I would have had to get a sweater if I had stayed out longer! Fall is here for a little while! God is good!

The moon was a thin crescent and Venus was shining more brightly, since there was no competition from the moon. It promises to be a gorgeous day!

I had a great walk yesterday, but didn't see any baby gators anywhere, so either they have gone from their nests or something took them. On my way back I watched a big bull gator, just beyond the first shelter, and he let out a roar that was really loud! He did it several times and switched positions in the water...sounded like he really had a bad case of indigestion! That was a real gator growl!

We went back to the park at noon, to take part in another retirement party and had BBQ under the big oak tree in back of the shop. It was sad in a way, because it was also a goodby to everyone who works there. They are all being reassigned to other parks and duties. Sigh. Nothing will be the same. After over twenty years of walking there, and getting acquainted with everyone, I feel like friends are leaving, which they are. But God is constant, and I am blessed!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What happens when I am patient?

Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Waiting reveals our need for God's strength and gives God the opportunity to exercise his might on our behalf. As an athlete regains strength from sleep and time away from the contest, so we find strength by curtailing our own efforts and trusting the Lord to work. He will bring what we need when we need it.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

Delays and difficulties are not signs that God is ignoring us. We can have hope and confidence in the knowledge that he hears our prayers in those hard times.

Habakkuk 2:3 These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Our patience gives God time to work out his plan. God may seem to delay, but he is never late. His promises will come to pass in his perfect time.

Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.

Hebrews 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. then you will receive all that he as promised.

Those who give up, lose out. They are not being punished for giving up, they simply are absent when God works.

1 Peter 2:19,20 God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment .

Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the blows, God is patient with you.

When we refuse to take things into our own hands, God takes them into his. God brings justice and vindication to those who wait on him.

I allways give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Patience Part 2

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! When I stepped outside early this morning, I was bathed by the cool air, with the wind blowing, reminding me that this is really fall. The half moon was hanging brightly in the eastern sky, with stars twinkling around it. God is Awesome!

Well, I had an adventure with a rental van yesterday. After delivering my Odyssey to the body shop, we waited for the rental company to get us to take us to the office to get a car, which turned out to be a 2008 Grand Caravan. Not being familiar with late model cars, the mgr. showed me the doorlocks, window controls, air and radio, and then left me to learn the rest.

Long story short, she never checked me out on the ignition "key". When I got home and turned off the car, not looking at the "key", I came in and laid it on the counter, and when I went to get in the van again, discovered no "key". After calling the rental co. and them telling me the outrageous cost of cutting another key, I looked everywhere for the missing "key". I called AAA and had an amusing conversation with the agent and after two hours, the Lockman called me and told me the fob is the "key". I put it in the ignition and the car immediately started. Duh! I felt so stupid! Just shows you are never too old to learn something new!

BTW, I needed patience yesterday!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

If God loves me, why do I have to wait patiently?

Daniel 10:12-13 He said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to our prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I lift him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia."

Daniel prayed expectantly but had to wait because there was spiritual interference. We may not understand why God's response to our prayer seems delayed, but we can be assured that the Lord will overcome all opposition. Remember that from the time we begin to pray, God hears us.

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

The world is God's waiting room. While we wait, we learn better how to live. We gain composure, strength, humility, and a deeper appreciation for God's care in our lives.

1 Peter 1:6-9 Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance , and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.

Patience is like a chisel, shaping godly character. It is like the Potter's hands, molding us into a vessel the Lord can best use, teaching us patience is one of God's purposes in our lives.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Patience Part 1

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! Well, the first day of fall is finally here, although the temps don't show it much. Still, the high seventies in the early morning, is cooler than the middle eighties we have had.

I hope some of you were up early enough to see the gorgeous sunrise! Pinks, and touches of peach and just beauty. The moon has moved over to the eastern sky, now and it continues to slowly wane.

I didn't walk over the weekend, but wish I would have had time. The maple leaves are already falling and turning color and lots of birds are flying and zooming around nowadays. A great time to be out! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I find the resources to be patient

Galatians 5:22 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

The Holy Spirit produces patience in our lives. As we relax and trust in him, we release our need to control life's circumstances.

Colossians 1:11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.

Prayer infuses patience into our lives. When we admit a need in prayer, the Lord begins to meet that need.

Psalm 37:34 Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

Patience comes from simply trusting God day by day. Even when we don't think we can last very long, Christ gives us the strength to "travel steadily." Our commitments to faith and obedience will keep us on God's path for longer than we thought possible.

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

PS. please pray for me to learn to handle the rental car easily, as I take the van into the shop for body work. Thanks!

Prayer

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful, fallish day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the sky was clear and the three quarter moon was shining brightly, but the stars were also visible and looking awesome. The cool breeze was blowing and it really feels like fall with the temps in the seventies. There is hope, yet, for cooler weather!

It wasn't quite so cool yesterday when I walked, but I enjoyed it anyway, I didn't see any sign of the gators at the first nest, but the ground is still freshly trampled and boggy. I looked under the bridge, but did not see a baby, so walked on to the big oak and no sign of life there as far as animals are concerned. So, I went on to the old nest and looked and looked and finally found one baby almost hidden under some bushes. 

I went on to the tower and as I came back, I looked once again for the babies and finally found three. I talked to Mama gator as if she were there, when all at once, there was a great splash right beneath me, under the boardwalk, so I knew she was there. I went to the other side and, sure enough, there was her head resting in the mud, directly below me. I have a feeling the other babies were under there with her. God is Good!

When I went back to the first shelter, I looked again for a baby gator, didn't see one, but heard the grunt, so I know the baby was under the shelter, out of sight. The gator grunts are unmistakable. Speaking of that, I hope the Gators win tomorrow!!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Why is prayer important?

Matthew 7:7-11 Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents--if your children  ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! IF you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

There's more to prayer than just getting an answer. God also does a work of grace in our own hearts through the act of prayer. As we persist in asking, seeking, and knocking, we gain a  greater understanding of ourselves and of God.

How will God respond to my prayers?

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

We experience freedom  when we give a burden over to the Lord in prayer--even before the prayer is answered. The assurance of God's love and concern refreshes us and renews our hope.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful thank the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

There's no limit on prayer. Big requests, small requests, and all sizes in between are welcomed by God. If something botheds us, it should be brought to God.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Night Driving

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! When I stepped outside this morning, the moon was mistily shining through the light clouds and the air was  a little bit cooler.  So, with the acorns falling and the temp. down a little, fall must be just around the corner! 

When I walked yesterday, I thought I would not be so warm, but by the end, it didn't feel like fall! I noticed the raccoons have been busy eating berries, from the looks of the "scat" on the first bridge...lots of berries! I once again, stopped at the first gator nest and saw signs of many trips back and forth, so I decided to look under the  first covered shelter and, sure enough, there was a baby swimming under the bridge to the shelter! I only saw one, but I don't know if it was from the second nest or the first.

Anyway, I walked on to the big nest and counted six little ones, three huddled together and the others swimming and climbing on the nest. No sign of Mama, though. She may have been under my feet, but I'm sure she was nearby.

I went on to the tower and looked down at a green heron, who was looking up at me, then my eye was caught by an osprey circling lazily around and around. I was hoping to see it hover, but instead, after coasting five times around, it suddenly dived straight down with a great splash and came up with a good-sized fish in its claws, and took off! God is great!

From the book Quiet Moments with God for teachers:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV

A woman confessed to a friend her confusion and hesitancy about an important life decision she was facing. She professed to believe in God but could not bring herself to rely on her faith to help choose her path.

She asked her friend how she could possibly believe her decision would be right when she couldn't even see tomorrow.

Her friend thought and finally said, "Here's how I look at it. You know when you're driving down a dark country road  with no streetlights to give you any notion of where you are? It's a little scary. But you rely on the headlights. Now, those headlights may only show you ten yards of road in front of you, but you see where to go for that little stretch. And as you travel that ten-yard stretch of road , the headlights show you ten more yards, and ten more, until eventually you reach your destination safe and sound.

"That's how I feel about living by faith. I may not be able to see tomorrow, next week, or next year, but I know that God will give me the light to find my way when I need it."

When you come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown. Faith is knowing one of two things will happen. There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.
Barbara J. Winter

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

The Big Picture

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!  When I stepped outside this morning, there was the moon, still round and very bright high in the western sky. When the moon is so bright, the stars are dimmed and are difficult to see, but the sky is glorious! God is Awesome!

Because I had a late start, I didn't get to walk yesterday, but did go through the park, and saw a peahen on the way in. All was still and quiet on the water, with the sun shining brightly on it. The squirrels are busy, as always, running back and forth. Speaking of squirrels, our trees have many and the acorns are now falling, so Fall is definitely on the way. Lots of acorns to sweep up daily...

From Quiet Moments with God daily devotional:

During World War ll, parachutes were manufactured in many factories across the United States. From the worker's point of view, it was tedious. They had to stitch endless yards of fabric, which did not look anything like parachutes. They worked eight to ten hours a day to make a formless massive heap of cloth.

The management in one factory held a meeting with his workers each morning, to keep them motivated and concerned with quality.

The workers were told approximately how many parachutes had been strapped onto the backs of pilots, copilots, and other "flying" personnel the previous day. They knew just how many men had jumped to safety from disabled planes. The managers encouraged their workers to see the "big picture" on their job.

As a second means of motivation, the workers were asked to form a mental picture of a husband, brother, or sons who might be the one saved by the parachute they were sewing.

The level of quality in that factory was one of the highest on record!

Don't let the tedium of each day's chores and responsibilities wear you down, so you only see the "stitching" in front of you. Keep your eyes on the big picture. Focus on why you do what you do, and who will benefit from your work, including those you don't know and may never meet. You may not have all the answers to the question, "Why am I here?" but you can rest assured the Lord does!

Ultimately, the Bible tells us we will be in Heaven for eternity--and that is the biggest picture of all! God is preparing us for Heaven, just as He is preparing Heaven for us. He is creating us to be the people He wants to live with forever.

I go to prepare a place for you.and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also..
John 14:2-3

It is our best work that God wants, 
not the dregs of our exhaustion.
I think he must prefer quality to quantity.
  George MacDonald

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

 Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Future, Part 2

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!

Once again, when I stepped outside this morning, the full moon was beaming brightly , but seemed a little farther away than yesterday. Tomorrow, I think a piece will be missing out of the side as it starts to wane.

Because I thought fall had come a little, I walked yesterday, in the couple degrees cooler air. I wish I could see the #1 mama gator just before the first covered shelter, because the underbrush is quite trampled and the path she travels is really muddy, as she goes back and forth. I didn't see the babies, which I thought might be at the shelter, but not there, either.

So I went on to the big oak and nothing there, but I did  enjoy seeing a couple of anhingas with wings spread wide, airing and drying off, for another dive into the water. As i walked on to big Mama's nest, I didn't see her, but after looking intently, spied the babies at the back of the nest and to the right, all huddled together. I counted about eight or nine.

Terry called last night and invited us to another retirement party that he is giving as he leaves the Park. He and his wife have been packing up so they can be out by the 26th. I asked him what will happen to the aquarium and the snakes and he said they will have to be turned loose and the aquarium emptied, unless the volunteers will be able  to take care of them and feed and clean.

Things seem to be up in the air, as far as maintenance goes, lots of changes, but God is in control!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can hope for the future help me live today?

Romans 8:18:25 What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.l And even we Christians although  we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.

We have strength and courage to face the trials and suffering of this life because we can look beyond them to the glory that God has in store for us.

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

Love and Hugs,
 Amaryllis