Prickers or Pretty?

This lovely tree has been here a while as you can tell by the thickness of it's limbs. And it has lovely new pink flowers blooming.

Hubbie and I went to the contemporary service at church last weekend. I love the contemporary songs with the band as much as I love the traditional songs. (Our church has both types of services.)

Of course at my age, uh hem not saying I'm that old, I bend my knees or sway a bit and clap my hands to the music. Out of the corner of my eye a few rows down to my right, I noticed a "distraction." I bent over to look. You know of course, one must be discreet when staring to appear not to stare in church. After several attempts to sway in between peoples heads, I saw her. A mid-aged adult jumping, clapping and beating air drums to the songs.

Huruumph. My "spiritualness" just pricked right out. Yes, "pricker" is a word that is a cross between a prick and sticker, which means both. She distracted me from my worship.

Then the Lord's Spirit sent a pricker into my spiritual attitude. He spoke to my soul, "With whom do you suppose, I am most pleased?" Ouuuch, Lord!

"Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-song at the top of your lungs." Psalms 47:1 (MS)

Father, may this old pricker help support and encourage young growth, as we all lift our hearts up in praise to You.

PS-Does anyone know the name of this tree? (It was at Busch Gardens.)

Photos:karenrevans

Blessings and Work

In the sunset of life some things are not clearly seen or understood.

My Mom has ongoing memory problems. Both she and Dad eat frequently at our house. I try to prepare enough food to send some home with them. Sooo, I buy the inexpensive containers so they don't have to worry about returning them.



Dad holds a Sunday church service in their mobile home park, and many wonderful folk bring over food for them, too.

Anyway, the other night they came over and Mom brought a bagful of food containers that had my name on them. "Here, these are all yours," she said. I opened the bag and saw unfamiliar containers with a post-it notes written in Mom's handwriting.

"Mom, these are not mine."

"Yes, they are. See your name is on each one."

"But Mom, you wrote my name on them."

"See, I told you they were yours. If you don't want them, just do whatever you want with them."

Sometimes, it's hard, but this gave me the giggles. I removed the sticky notes with my name and gave them back to Dad after supper.

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said; 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

Will I continue to send home extras in containers? Yep. Will the Lord notice when we serve others? Yep. Therein is the blessing. May I remember this verse in difficult times.

The Odd Couple?

During one of our visits to Busch Gardens we caught the Cheetah exhibition. Here are two unlikely friends. Both are youngsters. Cheetahs like family groups and this one, for some reason, found himself alone. When Busch took him in with the other cheetahs, they knew they needed a go between. And wouldn't you know, they rescued this dog.They play and eat and live together.

The handlers brought out a stick with feathers on it for the cheetah to play, but the dog kept grabbing it instead. In fact cheetah didn't seem a bit interested.

So a ball was thrown out for them to chase. Boy, could that little one run!

But in the end, it was just companionship that they wanted. Acceptance and love.

"If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love." 1 John 3:17-18 (MS)

This year Father, may I "see" and then "do" for others as You have blessed me.

photos:karenrevans

Watchers

Ever feel like some one is behind you, watching?





Or really looking over your shoulder!

Or even from afar, just get that feeling?

Well, it happens all the time.

The other day, I was the watcher. I was stopped at a red light and a nice truck with a fancy trailer hauling all the top-of-the-line landscaping equipment pulled up next to me. His logo read, "No Short Cuts Landscaping."

Clever, I thought, until he threw his truck in park, (I only noticed because it came to a jerky stop) and saw him hurry to the back. He quickly grabbed a portable gas can (the kind used to fill your mower) and ran to fill up his truck before the light turned green.

No short cuts, huh? I'm sure he knew we were all watching. I didn't think too highly of his logo, then.

"Walk as children of the light." Ephesians 5:8

Ooops, may I live what I say I am. You never know when others are watching.

Photos:karenrevans