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.

Wednesday Treasures~"Listen"

Way back in January of this year I decided upon the word "Listen" for my "One Word" for 2023. (You can click on that link if you'd like to go back and read about that.)

These were a few of the Bible verses that God brought to my attention at that time to reinforce this decision:

Isaiah 55:2

"Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance."

and

"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."

Isaiah 30:21

and

Isaiah 43:18-19

18 "Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert."

Well, here we are more than 3/4 of the way through the year, and I must say that I have been "listening" for God's voice in so many places and areas of my life. It has been a year of "hearing" new things and perhaps hearing some old things over again that I didn't quite get the message right the first time.  Life is full of learning and re-learning, isn't it? As long as we are alive we should be listening for God's voice speaking to our hearts and showing us "the way..." so that we will "walk in it", and also so that we will know which way to turn when the road gets confusing.

Well, it may be a little late in the year, but I just found something extra special to help me in this journey of "listening" for God's voice...

You know how I love to sit in my Secret Garden and "listen" for God's Voice among the sounds of His creation...the birds that sing in the trees, the leaves rustling in the wind, the "still small voice" that whispers in my soul "Be Still, and know that I am God"  (Psalm 46:10),

Well, guess what I discovered recently?  My wonderful blogging friend Susie Klein over at her blog Walking Butterfly, not only is an accomplished author as she wrote the book "Walking Butterfly; Comfy Cocoon to Flying Free"

but she has now added to her publishing prowess several lovely little journal books for sale on Amazon.   You can read more about her new "creative venture" HERE. When I saw that she had one entitled "Listen", I heard a voice in my heart saying, "Yes, I hear You, Lord, I need that journal!"   

My journal arrived the other day, and I have been so excited to share it with you!

The cover of the journal is from Susie's own photograph...and the inside is a blank journal with lined pages.  Very simple, and yet profound. I am so proud of Susie for "listening" to God's voice prompting her to expand her creative gifts and sharing these unique journal notebooks with the world. God spoke, she listened and obeyed His voice...and I do believe that God is going to use this new venture to be a blessing not only to Susie as they are sold on Amazon and give her a little bit of income, but also they will be a blessing to others as we open our ears and hearts to God and "listen" for His voice around us and record those messages on these empty pages. May these journals become a blessing to each who use them and those who may perchance read them in the future.

These thoughts for the day are on a little devotional daily calendar that I've had for years. I noticed this one a couple of weeks ago and meant to share it then, but things got busy and it's taken me a few weeks to catch my breath and get back around to following through with my good intentions.

Oh wow! While I was sitting here trying to put this post together I heard something very special outside!

The familiar "honk honk honk" of the Canada Geese flying onto Still Waters Pond for the first time this fall!

Before they were done, there were at least a dozen of these beautiful birds paddling all around and enjoying their breakfast on the pond.

I had been watching for them because I noticed in my writings from last autumn that they had arrived around this time of year! So now the fun begins!

1 "All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
"Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heav'n along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of ev'ning, find a voice,
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(Pictures of the sunset over Still Waters Pond)

3 And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on Him cast your care;
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship Him in humbleness;
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One;
O praise Him, O praise Him!
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!"

Job 37:14
“Listen to this, O Job;
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."

Amen.

So now my challenge is to use this new little "Listen" journal to write down special thoughts that the Lord gives me while I wait on Him in the Secret Garden.  I used to do that back at our last home where I started the "Secret Garden Chronicles".  You can find many of those under the tab for "secret garden" on the right side of this blog page.  The original writings go way back to earlier years.  I need to get back into that habit again, and this little journal is going to help me (please, God?)  Or maybe I don't have to be in the Secret Garden to hear God's voice.  I just need to "listen" more carefully wherever I am.  He could be speaking to me through you, or my family, or random strangers I meet in the marketplace...literally anywhere, anytime.  I just need to "listen".  

Okay, that's my challenge. What about you?  Do you have any special "challenges" on your mind today? I look forward to hearing from you.  Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week.

Wednesday Treasures...From Still Waters Pond

Happy Wednesday evening! Sorry I didn't get around to posting anything earlier today, but, well, the day got away from me. Spent the morning at Dixie Cottage, which was kind of a slow morning...hopefully once we get over the "hump" of "hump day", business will pick back up. We are still in the post-Christmas slump, but spring is on the way and hopefully people will decide to get out and do some shopping again soon!

This sign hangs in the store...but I will apply it to my Wednesday Treasures for today from the porch overlooking  Still Waters Pond...

Actually these pictures were, for the most part, taken yesterday afternoon, when it was a delightful sunny and warm 69  degrees after an early morning start around 39 degrees...so I decided to sit outside on the swing and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine...

(the mug says "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God..." Job 37:14, and so I sat still and considered the beauty around me...all wondrous works of God. 

It was rather extra pleasant because I had inadvertently left my cell phone at Dixie Cottage yesterday, so I had nothing else to distract me and I could actually sit and listen to the sounds of nature and perhaps even hear God's voice in the whispers of the breeze around me. 

Thankfully I still have my "real camera" with a zoom lens, because in the distance I could see some kind of action down in the cove around the bend of the pond...

Mr. and Mrs. Sand Hill Crane were being rather close and intimate, or so it would seem...

Thankfully with my zoom lens I could see them, but hopefully they couldn't see me...yet...

It was so pleasant just to sit there and observe God's creation in their natural state, without concern about man or other enemies surrounding them...

This will give you a better glimpse of where they were...

But soon their actions changed, and they may have caught my scent or saw my movements, because soon they started moving more in my direction...

And so I quickly hurried up on the back porch as they made their way around the bend and up onto the shore. You can see that it was a bright sunny afternoon, so the pictures are not as clear because the color kind of gets washed out by the sunshine...

Here they come! They are seemingly unafraid of me, although at first they started to shy away when they could actually see me, but I started talking softly to them and they came up on the lawn and started eating some birdseed on the ground.

I stayed up on the porch and tried to be inconspicuous so they would come on up ...

You will notice with Sand Hill Cranes that one will usually stand guard while the other eats...

He keeps a watchful eye out for predators or nosey humans...

It was a delightful time of watching them enjoy their afternoon snack and talking softly to them...I love that they seem to trust me somewhat...

But soon I went back inside and they headed back into the pond and over to the island where they usually roost for the night...

However, a little later I noticed that the Cranes were not our only visitors on the shore...

There were four Canada Geese walking along the shore line nibbling at whatever they found in the muddy beach (yes, this pond has a mucky, muddy bottom...no pretty white sand here, but it seems to be teeming with life for the waterfowl and other birds, so that's fine with me...

A little blurry, but it was getting darker and the camera doesn't focus well in the dusk...

And then when I woke up this morning and looked outside what did I see?  Ah! Mr. Bluebird on the birdhouse! And it appears that he and Mrs. Bluebird have started bringing things for nesting in the house already! I am excited to know that perhaps we will be watching another bluebird family develop and grow here! Such a joy to behold!

Isn't he beautiful?  

Oh, and the geese were back out there this morning too!

I had stepped outside to fill the birdfeeders and didn't realize they were there, but they saw me and started getting nervous and soon were honking at each other to get ready to take flight...

And this is the last view I had of them...yep, I missed their actual flight, but you can see their takeoff wake in the water below:

Such a lovely way to start the day!

Oh, I told you HERE last week about our new Ladies' Bible Study in the book of Acts. I mentioned to you about finding my "one Word" LISTEN mentioned already in the beginning of our study guide. Well, this week it happened again...here is a quote from the lesson:

"Acts is a true story. A good story. I pray the Holy Spirit will use this story to intersect with your story and awaken you to see Him at work today!   "Lord, I need Your Holy Spirit to guide me as I study Acts. Help me to learn what it means to sit at Your feet and listen. Help me to apply these ancient truths in my modern context. I can't do it without You. Amen."

I love it when God brings a plan together, don't you?

Well folks, that's it for tonight. I hope your Wednesday has been filled with special treasures as well.

Good Night.