Saturday Meanderings

 I titled this post "Saturday Meanderings", and then I thought to myself, "just what does meandering mean, anyway?"  So I looked it up on Google, and here's what popped up:

"me·an·der·ing

/mēˈand(ə)riNG/

adjective

following a winding course."

"a meandering lane"

Yep, that's just what I thought it meant...kind of wandering around from one thing to another, no particular direction, just a little bit here and there...yes, "following a winding course".   That's what I'm doing tonight.  So buckle up and come along for the ride.  

Why don't we start out with a few words of Scripture to give us some guidance as we meander along this winding trail, okay?

Psalm 43:3  NKJV

"3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!

Let them lead me;

Let them bring me to Your holy hill

And to Your tabernacle."

That looks like a good way to begin this journey.  Thank You, Lord, for leading me with Your light and Your truth!   May I be led to Your holy hill and tabernacle...a place of peace and worship.  Amen.

So, where do we go next?  Well, it was chilly enough this morning (67) to "pretend" that it was really cold enough to put a "fire" in the fireplace. Well, it's a fake fire, and there's no heat turned on...and yes, that fan on the right is actually blowing cool air, but it was cloudy and windy and very chilly outside, and this just "felt good" to our minds anyway...

The message on the mug of hot tea says:

Job 37:14 NKJV

14 “Listen to this, O Job;

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

I noticed hubby's bathrobe  stashed on the shelf of his nightstand, and again I felt that little "nip" in the air of my mind and felt the thrill of cooler fall days ahead on their way...

We actually went to the farmer's market and Trading Post at Deep Creek this morning, and I saw this little picture and rustic frame for sale, and the price was right and I couldn't resist...I told the clerk at the check out that it's a picture of my little dream cabin in the woods and it just makes me happy...

So there it is on my counter top above the kitchen sink where I can look at it often and enjoy the "view".

Next week we are taking a little trip to the mountains of N. Georgia with our kids and the grandpups, and we will be staying at a little cabin in the woods. I don't think there will be any snow, but you never can tell...stranger things than that have happened...but mostly we are hoping to see some beautiful fall leaves and get some fresh apples, apple cider, and fresh apple cider donuts while we travel around the hills enjoying the views.  It's a much needed little getaway for us, and we thank the Lord for making it possible. If our kids weren't going with us and taking care of the driving and other arrangements, we would not be doing this.  We are very thankful for them being willing to take us old folks along and giving us a nice little vacation.    I will be taking lots of pictures and will share them with you when we get back home, since I don't plan to take a computer with me and I can't figure out how to write a blog post from my phone.  If you're a FB friend you will most likely see pictures  on FB throughout the trip.

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I believe God arranges these things for us because He knows what we need, even when we may not acknowledge how much we need it.  I pray it will be a time of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment with our family.

And no, Blackie has not yet returned home. He's never been gone this long before, and I am getting concerned. But when it is an outdoor cat that is used to being free to roam and wander and "meander" along wherever he wishes, he may sometimes meander into places he shouldn't, and it may take him longer to find his way home. I pray he is safe wherever he is and that he will come home in due time. There's really nothing else I can do about it but wait and pray.

Sometimes we humans are like that...we wander and meander along, not paying much attention to where we're going or where we've been, and all of a sudden we find ourselves lost or trapped in a situation that we can't easily find our way out of.  And we cry out to the Lord,"Lord send out Your Light and truth and let them lead me..."   We need God's light to shine brightly along our pathway so that we can find our way back home safely.  We need His wisdom to guide us and give us clear directions when we aren't sure which way to turn. I am happy to say that with God, we really don't need a GPS system or even a cell phone...we just need to say (or pray) the words and He will hear and answer us...but we need to train our ears to listen for His voice so that we will know which way to go.

Isaiah 30:21

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

“This is the way, walk in it,”

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left."

I've been paying a lot more attention to Sunshine these days as he still seems quite lonely.  I just noticed that he is curled up on the front porch table, watching the traffic go by and probably watching for any sign of Blackie coming home...

But he caught me looking at him through the window...

And so he started heading in my direction...

He was trying to figure out how to get to me...

So he stepped over to the little table that holds that pretty penta plant...

And got as close as he could through the window...

So of course I had to go outside and give him some love and attention and reassure him that we love him and we are still here for him.   He's been very clingy and if I had a litter box in the house I'd be really tempted to let him come inside...but I don't, and for many reasons it just isn't the right time to do that...(I keep telling myself this, anyway).   But if Blackie doesn't come back we may have to think about these things a little more...(of course I'd have to convince hubby it's the right thing to do as well...)

That face is getting hard to resist...

Back to the Lord lighting my pathway and enlightening my darkness...and leading me in the way that is perfect...

Psalm 18:28-32

"28 For You will light my lamp;

The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

29 For by You I can run against a troop,

By my God I can leap over a wall.

30 As for God, His way is perfect;

The word of the Lord is proven;

He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

31 For who is God, except the Lord?

And who is a rock, except our God?

32 It is God who arms me with strength,

And makes my way perfect."

I will put my trust in the Lord and let Him guide my pathway in this and all matters of life...then I know I can't go wrong.

I hope you have enjoyed meandering along with me on this pathway tonight. Yes, I will keep you posted on Blackie's journey, as far as I am able to know it, and whatever lies ahead.  Meanwhile, I pray that God will "light" your lamp and enlighten your darkness, and lead you along a smooth and straight path.  Perhaps He will even help us all to "run against a troop and leap over a wall",  if needed.  Remember, it is "God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect."  We really can't go wrong with Him as our guide. Amen.

Good Night, and Sweet Dreams.