Needle and Thread

I bought a pair of pants recently that I love, but they were just too long.  (I never used to have that problem - either they're making pants longer or I'm shrinking!)  I have a sewing machine and I used to sew from time to time, but I haven't gotten it out in years.  So I went about hemming my pants the old-fashioned way - with a needle and thread.  It took me about an hour so I had a lot of time to think.  And I thought about how back in the old days women used to have to sew everything this way.  I just can't imagine the time and the work involved in that.  Needless to say, we've got it easier these days, but it felt good to know I could still sew by hand when I need to.  Okay, maybe "sewing" is stretching it; but I can at least hem pants!  Anyway, I was very happy when I was done - both with myself and with the pants.  I found God today in the good old-fashioned needle and thread.

Angel Face

I know  a lot of people actually enjoy yardwork, but I doubt there are many adults that enjoy it as much as children do.  I was on my way back from voting and drove past a mom and her young daughter working in the yard.  The little girl - who couldn't have been more than three or four years old - had a small rake in her hand, and just as I went past, she turned to run toward her mom.  I can still clearly see her adorable little face lit up with pure joy.  I guess she had just finished whatever task she'd been given, because she had a look of accomplishment about her.  One of those "Look what I did!" expressions that lights up a kid's face with such pride.  It was a cloudy day, but that child's face beamed straight at me like a ray of sunshine; it filled me up so that I actually caught my breath and laughed out loud.  I found God today in the sweet angel face of a child beaming from a job well done.

Morning Chat

Marlayna is living in the apartment over our garage temporarily.  She's only been there a few months, but I've gotten quite used to having her around - especially in the mornings.  Every now and then, she has a little extra time before work, and she'll come down and have a cup of tea and chat for a bit.  Nothing major, but it's nice to hear her talk about what's going on in her life, and it emphasizes our friendship.  Friendship is something I've strived for with both of my children, and I'm happy to say I've succeeded.  I still need to be in my parental role now and again (mainly for advice), but more and more, we just get to be great friends.  I know I'll  still talk with Marlayna on the phone when she moves on, just like I do with my son, but I'll miss the face-to-face talks... and the hugs before she heads out the door.  I thank God for the special relationship I have with my kids, and I found Him today in my morning chat with Marlayna.

Psalm 121

One of my devotionals today referred to Psalm 121.  I've read it many times before, but for some reason today it really struck me.  Maybe because I've been feeling both overwhelmed, and "under-energized". (I know that's not a real word, but it fits how I feel!)   These lines specifically, "I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth... he who keeps you will not slumber."  How those words lift my spirits!  To know that my "help" is always there when I need it.  A little while after I read the psalm, Jeff and I drove out to look at the ocean. It had just barely started to sprinkle rain, and the words, "...the Lord, who made heaven and earth...he who keeps you will not slumber" seemed particularly appropriate for the scene in front of us.  I found God today in Psalm 121 - in both the spiritual and physical sense.

The Little Frog

I was about to head out our front door today when I saw what I thought was a bright green leaf.  Looking closer, I saw it was a little frog.  I ran to get my camera, snuck back quietly, and took a picture.  Then I moved in a little closer for a better picture, and he remained perfectly still.  I got right up close to him, and he still didn't move.  I realized there was something wrong with him.  I called Jeff because I'm allergic to anything outdoors - plants, trees, wildlife... you name it.  We decided that maybe he was too cold to move.  Our front porch is very shaded, and it was a cold morning.  Jeff scooped him up and took him to the back deck where the sun was shining brightly.  Within a few minutes, little froggy had hopped onto the wall of the house.  About half an hour later, Marlayna came down, and I told her to go out and look at him.  He was gone.  I was sorry he didn't hang around a little longer because he was so darn cute!  But I was happy that he had found the strength to hop away.  All it took was some sunshine, warmth, and a little TLC - a good prescription for whatever ails you.  I found God today in bringing some warmth to our little froggy friend and getting him hopping again.

Contrasts

Jeff and I went to the "tea park" this morning.  Once or twice a week, we'll get hot tea from Starbucks, then drive to the park and just sit in the car and drink our tea and talk.  There was a cold breeze this morning, but the sun was shining brightly so it started to get a little warm in the car.  I opened the windows part-way and the cold wind felt wonderful.  It was such an enjoyable contrast - the warm sun and hot tea contrasted against the cold breeze.  I realized it's the contrast that makes so many things enjoyable.  A rainy day after a long stretch of sunny days or vice versa.  Spring after winter, and fall after summer.  Having everything the same all the time would just get boring, don't you think?  I found God today in the refreshing contrasts of warm sun and cold wind at our tea park outing.

The Pink Fuzzy Hat

I had to stop by Betsy's house this morning, and there was a couple getting ready to leave just as I was coming in.  The woman (I can't remember her name - I'm so bad with names!) had on the cutest bright pink, fuzzy hat.  And I mean fuzzy - almost to the point of furry.  I just loved it!  I wanted to tell her but we had some confusion as I was parked behind them, and they were leaving, and I was rushing...  So I never got to say anything.  It's the type of thing I would have never worn a few years ago, but as I've gotten older, I've decided to loosen up and have a little more fun with clothing, accessories, hairstyles and whatnot.  I never really cared about fitting in, but I also didn't want to stand out in any particular way - or especially in an unusual way.  But now, I just don't care.  If I like something, I'm going for it.  Like the pink, fuzzy hat.  Maybe since I've learned to crochet, I can make myself one!  Today, I found God in that fun little hat that stood out like an exclamation point on an ordinary day.