The Mighty Oak

When we moved to Ankeny six years ago we had a new yard with nothing in it. The sod had been neglected so was in terrible shape but that's another story. We went tree shopping and found a nice young oak tree ready to transplant. It has grown slowly, as oaks do, in the front lawn. It now has a healthy growth of leaves that even make a little shade.

The leaves of the oak tree hold strong to the branches throughout the winter snows and rains. While all other trees are stripped bare of their leaves, the oak stands strong, keeping its leaves. The fiercest wind doesn't loosen the leaves until spring. So they hang boldly through whatever the winter brings.

"The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan," (Isaiah 2:12-13 NIV). 

Bashan was the northernmost region of Palestine, east of the Jordan River. It was known as a very fertile area, great for the mighty oak trees.

I'm anxious to see when the oak leaves fall this spring. They probably become loose when the new leaves begin to sprout. We will need to rake in the spring or our neighbor will be out picking up each leaf that falls or blows onto his lawn.

Can you find any oak trees in your neighborhood? God makes all things different in their own way, even oak trees.

A Cat Named Angel

I grew up on a farm where the animals stayed outside. (Except for when Mom decided it was too cold for the dogs to sleep outside and she let them into the basement.) On the farm, there were many farm cats that would come and go and some stayed in the barn. Once a black cat came to the farm and stayed around the house. She waited near the door of the house and rubbed around our legs, and let us pet her.

I fell in love with her and named her Angel. Most farm cats scampered away when we tried to pet them but Angel stayed. We fed her and loved on her. It was clear that Angel was here to stay. After a while Angel began to get a belly that got bigger and bigger. Mom predicted babies. I was delighted! Mom was not. But, Mom even found a box and layered old clothes in it for Angel to nest in.

I was so excited to watch Angel give birth. She allowed us to stay close and she delivered three or four babies in our mud room. It was a miracle to watch as the babies found their way to mama for milk, and opened their eyes, and how carefully Angel cared for her babies. It was a great learning experience for me as a preteen.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"" (Luke 12:22-24 NIV).

God cares for you, too. Whatever the day brings, God cares about you as He cared for a cat named Angel. He led her to our farm where she found a home. Do not worry, God will take care of you.

Lean in to God

It is Monday again. How are you feeling? Do you have a difficult day ahead, an easy day or a combination of both? Whatever lies ahead today, take the time to lean in to God. Build a relationship with Him and learn all about Him. Get to know Him like a Father and a Friend. Become so familiar with God that you follow Him because you know His voice.

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice," (John 10:3-4 NIV). 

When we had sheep on the farm John would call the sheep and they would come bounding across the pasture up to the shed. They knew food would be waiting. They recognized his voice, his call, and they would come to him, trusting.

It is a beautiful morning to wake up and put our trust in God, walking side-by-side with Jesus. If the day is challenging, lean in to God. He will catch us and hold us up, giving us strength to make it through the day. If we lean in to God, our day will go better than expected.

Snow Birds

On this blustery winter day I'm thinking about those snow birds who retreated south to Florida or Texas or Arizona. I can't imagine what it would be like to awaken to mild temperatures every morning. To walk out the door in a sweater or light jacket instead of a coat, boots, gloves, and a stocking cap. I am feeling jealous. It has been a long winter already, though there have been a few mild breaks in the winter weather. 

I'm ready for spring but it could still be a month away. Most of our snow melted, except for what falls today. I wonder if the weather person missed the mark on this predicted snowstorm. It was supposed to be a four inch snowfall by morning and all I see is a light covering on the outdoor surfaces. It is snowing sideways rather heavy so guess I'll have to wait and see.

"It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter," (Psalm 74:17 NIV).

God made Iowa full of variety in the weather. We have four distinct seasons to enjoy (yes, enjoy). So today I'll look out the window and watch the snow come down. I'll bundle up and make my way to the pool for Aqua Fitness. And I'll try to smile as the snow deepens as I walk through the parking lot. It is beautiful when everything is covered with snow. Think positive, I tell myself.

God has given us another day to enjoy. Let's do our best to use this day to His Glory, even if it means trouncing through snow. Snow birds, you don't know what you are missing!

My Valentine

Sometimes I am the wife I should be, but more often I fall short of the definition of love that the scripture gives. Though John and I will celebrate 50 years of marriage later this year, he has been a saint to put up with my shortfalls. This scripture was read at our wedding so I have no excuses.  

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails," (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV).

If only I could be the person who lives these words. Instead, I married that person. John follows this scripture faithfully. His love never fails. He is patient and kind. He does not envy or boast. He is not rude or self-seeking, nor easily angered. He does not remember my wrongs. His love rejoices in the truth. His love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. His love never fails.

I have been blessed with a wonderful, loving husband. He lifts me up when I am down, and gives me a hug when I need it most. He is thoughtful, caring, and wise. He knows what I need before I have even figured it out. He makes me laugh and smile. He is understanding of my weaknesses and supports me when I feel like the world is against me.

John is my Valentine and I love him very much.

May you have a blessed Valentine's Day!

Writing Letters

I write letters. I know there aren't many people who still write letters. People are too busy.  It is faster to send a text or an email message - a quick note. Stamps are too expensive. I think there is benefit in writing letters. Both for the writer and the reader.

For the writer it provides the time invested in writing a letter. During the time it takes to write a letter to someone, the writer is spending time thinking of the receiver. I often spend that time in prayer for the letter recipient. I think about what that person enjoys, what that person does, and what I can say that will be of interest or of comfort.

For the letter recipient it involves finding the letter in the mailbox. It's not a bill or an ad! There is curiosity until the letter is opened, wondering what it says. There is the time of opening the letter and the time spent reading the letter. It relieves loneliness for a moment, giving the recipient something to think about.

Daniel was recruited to read the mysterious writing on the wall that appeared for King Belshazzar. 

"Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lamp stand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way,"(Daniel 5:5-6 NIV). 

The King couldn't read the message on the wall so Daniel was brought in to interpret the writing on the wall. It read: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. The message wasn't good for the King. You can read the meaning of the inscription in Daniel 5:25-26. 

Is there someone you know in need of a letter this week? Maybe you can find the time to write a letter to that person. Give them a surprise in their mailbox and make their day.

Grocery Shopping

Every week we go through the same process of shopping for groceries. You probably do, too. During the past year the task has become very expensive. Almost painful! 

For some the task of grocery shopping is dreadful. Some people don't mind it and a few really enjoy it. During the past year John became the sole grocery shopper because my hand was useless. I admit I didn't accompany him on the trips very often and that was nice. But now that I have two working hands I go with John most of the time. He hasn't given me the task back yet. So, I think he enjoys it.

When I shop I like to use a list that is sorted by the layout of the store I'm shopping in. We have a list posted in the kitchen where we write down what is needed. I locate the item on the list appropriately. John, not so much. That makes shopping that much harder when the items are mixed up on the list.

Having a list helps prevent some of the temptations in the grocery aisles. I try to avoid the bakery department completely. The cookie aisle is also bad and the candy aisle should be avoided. Temptations lurk everywhere. Especially on the ends of the aisles.

"Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare," (Isaiah 55:2 NIV).

""Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive." (1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV).

The Bible offers several suggestions regarding what we eat and they are all good advice to accompany us to the grocery store. Good luck on your next visit to the store; may it be a delightful experience!

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God," 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).

Hello February

Welcome to the shortest month. The daylight is getting longer, minute by minute. We are getting closer to spring with each day that passes. That means there are fewer days of winter left to endure. It is time to turn the calendar page to a new month. It is Groundhog Day. When we find out for real how many weeks of winter are left. Punxsutawney Phil will or will not see his shadow. How exciting! The anticipation! The drama! What a month!

We can also anticipate the arrival of Valentine's Day in February. And wonder what the month will hold as far as weather goes. I remember one February that every day of the month was below freezing. I'd prefer we didn't repeat that kind of record.

"Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration," (Jeremiah 8:7 NIV).

Though it is still too early for the birds to migrate, God has a plan for us each month.

Thank you, God, for the changing months. We're leaving January behind and moving on through February. Help us to cherish each new day and to follow Your will for our lives. Amen.