This morning is one of those I’ve longed for over the winter months. My deck overlooks a glorious forest of evergreens, purple mountains and vast blue skies. It’s almost heaven, to mimic John Denver a bit. To sit in my rocking chair, sipping hot coffee, reading the Psalms and talking to my Father is the best day I could ever hope for. I can hear in the distance the sounds of my girls laughing, some rather strange bird calls down the hillside somewhere, and the sizzling of bacon as my husband prepares it.
Oh yes, and the smell of bacon wafting out onto the deck is pretty nice too. Yesterday I began my annual gathering of flower pots and found some marvelous lilac petunias to initiate the flowering of the deckside. Now, if only my little hummingbirds would make their return, all would be in place. It’s my perfect picture of peace….for today. Maybe for only this morning.
This was a rough week for us. We got the dreaded phone call from the doctor that my husband’s cancer had again reared it’s ugly head. We have been down this road with melanomas in the past, and now will face it again as he goes in for more surgery. We, of course, just pray over those lymph nodes and believe God all the way. One day at a time, one hour at a time.
I don’t know about you, but I am at a place where as I lay my head on the pillow each night, if we’ve had a day where everyone is in their beds, breathing normally, and the house is still standing, I am praising God with my whole heart. We never know what a day will bring. My friends and acquaintances all over the world send prayer requests each day for one traumatic event after another in their lives. I don’t think I know anyone who isn’t going through some hard things. We no longer take for granted the precious blessing of a non-eventful day, a healthy body, or an intact family.
Yet, in the midst of the crazy world we live in, our Father grants us peace. He comforts, strengthens, encourages and often even reveals His higher purpose for our trials. Sometimes we don’t get to know the reason, but He still gives the peace. It comforts me to know that He is in control, and at the age I’ve reached, I am also comforted in realizing that His purposes are far more important than my momentary comfort. I am reminded of an old saying, “every flower that ever bloomed had to push through a lot of dirt first.” I just keep pushing through the dirt, toward the Son who shines with healing and hope, knowing I’m going to bloom out of all my trials. So are you.
Be encouraged dear ones. Take time to go outdoors, breathe the fabulous spring breezes, look up and rejoice! He has it all under control, and we don’t have to have the answers. We only have to trust and relax, entering His rest and looking forward to what is ahead. In the end, it will prove to be good.