Blessed Sunshine

If you are in Iowa for the week you are excited about the promise of a week-long stretch of 60 degree days and mostly sunny! Guess that doesn't mean much if you life in a warmer climate where 60 degree days are the cool ones. It is all a matter of perspective. Iowa has been under a gray cloud with snow and really cool temperatures all spring and we are tired of it!

Everyone and his/her dog was outside yesterday enjoying the weather. There were bikes and strollers everywhere you looked. Runners and walkers in short sleeves; balls bouncing and hitting the basket; laughter and yelling as kids played. John and I walked; me in my jeans coat and gloves. It was glorious to experience the warm breeze in your face.

The best part of the warmth is the sunshine. What a blessed gift sunshine is! Sun makes the icy water of the lake call to the boaters and fishermen. The warmth fills every car. Sun draws the plants from the cool earth - just down the block tulips were up about two inches - showing how far behind we are. The power of the sun warms up the house through windows - the furnace takes a break during the daylight hours.

The suggested memory verse this week from our pastor is one that fits well with our mild weather. It reminds me of faithful farmers who trust God for their livelihood. They work hours and hours planting the seed, then wait faithfully for the sun and the rain to nurture the seed to open and thrust forth plants that eventually cover the land like a warm, green blanket.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody," (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV)

I love a quiet life, preferably mixed with sunshine, of course. I long to get my hands in the soil - (when it warms up a little) and care for the plants. There is a life in the soil that awakens my soul to produce some of our food for the summer and into the winter. Though I don't have a garden that requires hours of labor, I'm able to raise tomatoes and green beans with enough surplus to put some in the freezer.

I also use my hands to write. You use your hands also, be it at work - teaching, caring for babies, accounting, laboring, knitting, building, crocheting, feeding livestock, fixing fence, planting seed, pouring concrete, playing the piano or cello, driving truck, managing staff, coordinating items for sale, serving customers, riding horses, studying, governing, preaching, planning or cooking meals, or bagging groceries.

Whatever we do, we are to spend our time in a way that wins the respect of non-believers. Only then will we be able to win them over for Christ. So, be faithful and positive in all that you do. Care about others with the love of Jesus, but don't meddle or gossip. Lead a quiet life of dependence on God alone and glow His love to others.

Quietly live in sunshine or gray;

Work with integrity;

Earn honor and respect.