Surprise Sunflowers

I love sunflowers, and have for many years. Even though I have lots of sunflower decor in my kitchen, I haven't been able to grow real sunflowers (I suspect some woodland creatures enjoyed the seeds I planted a few years ago!). ~ This past week I had a delightful surprise---glancing out my largest kitchen window, I noticed some lovely tall flowers with cheerful yellow petals. For a second I thought some kind of weeds had sprouted; but after looking again I realized they were SUNFLOWERS! I was thrilled, because there are quite a few that are growing in the perfect spot for me to view them out of my window. I have decided that some of the sunflower seeds I've been feeding the birds and squirrels on my deck must have fallen and taken root, producing these lovely sunflowers for me to enjoy! (Or perhaps the squirrels that I feed so well decided to plant the seeds so I could enjoy the flowers...but I'm not too sure about that idea). ~ So however my sunflowers got their start, I am thanking the Lord everyday that these lovely blooms are in the perfect spot for me to enjoy. I also thank Him for these nice "surprises" He gives us---just when we need them! ~ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.  Psalm 19:1

Cheer for a Dreary Day

It's the middle of January, and although many Winter days are lovely here in Georgia, today is not. It is definitely the kind of day that could be called dreary. With a capital D! With an overcast sky, absolutely no sunshine, fog, damp chilly air (with light rain now and then) and bare trees, it's the kind of day that makes many folks long for Springtime. However, I keep reminding myself that days such as this one help us appreciate beautiful days even more. But still....if a person isn't feeling well, this is the kind of weather that seems to makes one feel worse. ~ Trying to stay positive, I stepped onto my front porch earlier to feed our "front porch kitty" and breathed in the fresh (although damp) air. Aware of how "bleak" everything looked today, I silently reminded myself of how these same trees would look this Spring, when those bare branches would have green leaves and the sun would be shining on them. As I stood there on my porch for a few minutes, I suddenly noticed a beautiful bright red cardinal perched on one of my Elm tree's bare branches. He sat there as if posing for me to enjoy his beauty. What a stark contrast! His gorgeous cherry-red feathers against a backdrop of forlorn-looking tree branches on a gray, dreary day. Then I was treated to a sweet chirping chorus of two birds calling to each other. Their chirps and tweets made a lovely melody on this dreary morning. ~ I'm thankful the Lord uses "little things" such as a beautiful bird or the cheerful chirps of birds to remind me that even in the midst of a dreary Winter day, we can find bits of beauty and cheer. ~ This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Trivia Tuesday

I will make an effort to post more Trivia Tuesday posts this year---just for fun! Although I obtained this trivia from reliable sources, I cannot guarantee each statement is completely true. ~ Hope you'll enjoy!

1. Australia is the only country that is also a continent.
2. A chameleon's tongue is twice the length of its body.
3. A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.
4."The Mouse Trap" by Agatha Christie is the longest running play in history.
5.The largest watermelon ever grown was in Tennessee and weighed 262 pounds (WOW!).
6. Almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned in the Bible.

**Hmmmm...unless you count Judas Iscariot**
7. Salt is mentioned in the Bible more than 30 times.
8. When a coffee seed is planted, it takes 5 years to yield consumable fruit.
9.Uranus is the only planet that rotates on its side.
10. The game of volleyball was invented in 1895.

A Brand-New Year

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe I'm about to hang another calendar on my wall---this time for 2013. Wow! I know I'm not alone in often wondering "where the time goes"---lately I've heard many people saying that very thing. ~ Lots of folks make resolutions, set goals, or choose one word for the new year--including me. So as we begin a brand-new year, I want to focus more on how I can serve the Lord. That has led me to choose the word Service as my "one word" for this year. ~ Since I've struggled with time management and being organized, I know I must manage my time and my belongings better. I realize in doing so I will always have time to SERVE the Lord---because I'll have more time to read my Bible, serve my family, and serve others, rather than wasting time looking for misplaced items or feeling flustered because a day went by and I didn't accomplish much. ~ May 2013 be a blessed year for us all, and may I always be willing and ready to Serve in whatever way the Lord allows.

Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.  Psalm 25:4

Mind on the Manger

As Christmas Day quickly approaches, I am amazed at not only how fast 2012 has zipped by, but also how this month is moving at a rapid pace. I've mentioned before that I love the month of December---primarily because that's when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I also enjoy the crisp, chilly air, the colorful lights, and the beautiful Christmas music. ~ Sadly, this December has had a huge tragedy with the horrible shootings in Connecticut. Bad news abounds if I turn on my television or radio. But this morning as I looked out at the gorgeous sunshine streaming across my backyard, and glanced up at the beautiful blue sky, I am reminded of WHO is always in control. Yes, it's terrible when we hear bad news (especially involving innocent children). It's heart-breaking even when you don't personally know the people affected. So I have prayed (and continue to pray) for all those directly affected by tragedies, and then turn my mind to the manger. To that precious Baby born so many, many years ago....Who was sent by God to save the world. There have always been terrible events happening in the world and my heart goes out to anyone who experiences tragedy.  What can I do, and what should I do? I pray, and then must turn my focus to my Savior. And as we celebrate His birth this month, may I keep my mind on the manger and that Holy Babe, and on giving Him the honor and service He deserves. ~ ~ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Luke 2:16

Delightful December

December is such a delightful month! Sadly, many folks might argue that statement--insisting that the month is too hectic, too commercialized, etc.etc. ~ But because December is the month when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, it should be a time of great joy and celebration! Now I'll admit when my children were younger there were quite a few Decembers when I felt frazzled and exhausted--yet I still loved Christmas AND the month of December. There just wasn't enough time in the month for me to accomplish everything AND focus on The Reason for the Season. But now that my children are older (*sigh*) and my life isn't nearly as busy as it used to be, I can really focus more on the TRUE meaning of Christmas. And when I really stop and think about that most wondrous event of Jesus being born so many years ago, it is such an amazing thought! A little baby born in such a lowly setting would be the GREATEST person who ever walked the earth. And just as amazing is the fact that HE lives today!!! ~ ~ May we all take delight in that thought--not only in December, but all year long. ~ ~ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   Luke 2:11

Always Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! Lately I've been reading blog posts and articles about being thankful, and some friends have even been writing down something they're thankful for each day of November. I think this is a wonderful idea---but it got me thinking...Wouldn't it be great if I took the time to do that each day of the year? My list of blessings is endless---the Lord has blessed me so much, and I'll be the first to admit I've done nothing to deserve these blessings. But that's how much my Lord loves me! So I could easily think of something every day to be thankful for. And even though the Thanksgiving season is a wonderful, special time of year, how nice it would be to practice being thankful ALL year, in every season. ~ May I be always thankful, no matter the time of year or how I'm feeling on a particular day. Because even if it's a day when I'm feeling lots of physical pain, then counting my blessings and having a thankful heart is bound to make me feel better! But most importantly, it would please the Lord. ~ ~ My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.
                                                                 Psalm 145:21