Time for Nature

I should probably save this post for Friday Foto Friends, but when I have a bunch of pictures I want to share, I hate to wait too long!  Summertime is a good time for enjoying nature all around us, and this week has been a good example of that.  So I will share these pictures today, and I have included some kind of link with each picture...either to a site that gives more information about the item in the photo, or a link to a previous post that I have written about a similar item.  I guess you could call this Pam's Nature Academy!  I hope you will enjoy these interesting photos!

https://spiderid.com/spider/pisauridae/dolomedes/triton/  I saw this "six-spotted fishing spider" sitting on top of the water at the pond, resting on a floating plastic lid.

We watched two Ospreys flying about early one morning...here they are in the trees:

 https://www.naturesacademy.org/florida-feature/florida-feature-osprey-nesting-season-begun/

This is a young Swallow-tailed Kite...who was calling from the tree to its parents, who were flying around...https://www.naturesacademy.org/florida-feature/florida-feature-swallow-tailed-kite/

This White tailed deer was foraging for her supper one evening...https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/deer/

We woke up this morning to these Rain Lilies, which popped up after the rain and bloomed like magic!  My hubby called them lilies of hope, because made us feel hopeful...

https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-zephyranthes-atamasca/

I watched this Bumblebee enjoying his breakfast on the Rose of Sharon flower in the Memorial Garden
https://www.sunstatepest.com/fun-facts-about-bumblebees/ 

 This wild milkweed plant has popped up again. Just waiting for it to bloom. See THIS LINK for a previous post about this plant.

 The wild grape vines are quite prolific again this year, and it looks like it might be a good year for the wild grape crop.  Click HERE for a previous post about this. 

While at the pond I noticed this beautiful blue dragonfly again.  Click HERE for a previous post about dragonflies and their significance.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed these little nature lessons.  There is so much beauty around us to explore, if we just open our eyes to see. 

"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:31

How many of you remember this little song?

Words: Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander, Hymns for Little Children, 1848; original title: "Maker of Heaven and Earth." Alexander is believed to have written these lyrics at Markree Castle, near Sligo, Ireland.

Music: "Royal Oak," 17th Century English melody; arranged by Martin Fallas Shaw, 1915

Refrain

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
And made their tiny wings.

Refrain

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden:
God made them every one.

Refrain

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day.

Refrain

God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Refrain

The Secret Garden Chronicles Day 19-Be Still Pam

It's been a busy day, Lord.  We have company (actually family...my brother and wife from out of state!) coming for lunch tomorrow after church, so I've been trying to prepare things ahead today since we have church here in the house in the morning. We are looking forward to their visit as we don't get to see each other very often any more!

So, it is already 4:00 p.m., and I must admit I am a little tired.  It feels good to sit out here in the Secret Garden for a few minutes before I have to go back inside and start supper!  It is very pleasant today...the sun is shining, and it has warmed up into a lovely day.

"Be Still, Pam, and KNOW that I AM God." 

Yes, Lord.  Although I am a little nervous right now, as there is a bumblebee buzzing around out here, and he keeps looking at me, trying to decide if I'm a flower or something to sting!  So, Lord, I hope You will understand if I have to suddenly jump up and get out of here!

The only picture I could get of this bee, as he was in perpetual motion the whole time...that is why it is kind of fuzzy.

"Pam, BE STILL, and know that I Am GOD!"

Yes, Lord...I'm trying...but that bee.....

"Pam, Do you trust Me?"

Yes, Lord, I trust You.

"Then please, BE STILL!  I am with you.

You do not need to fear the bee or any other creature...

or any other circumstance!"

Read what I've told you through the prophet Isaiah 40:21-23 

21.  "Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

Have you not understood from the foundation of the earth?

22.  It is He (GOD) Who sits above the circle of the earth,

and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.

Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,

and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

23.  He brings the princes to nothing;

He makes the judges of the earth useless."

I think I am getting the "bigger picture" here Lord...

Why should I be concerned about this little bumblebee- when I am sitting in the Presence of the Creator of the whole universe?  And why should I be concerned about the future or any other event on the earth...when God has promised to take care of me?

Isaiah 40:27 says:

Why do you say, O Jacob, (PAM!) and speak, O Israel:

"My way is hidden from the Lord ,

and my just claim is passed over by my God"?

28.  Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

29.  He gives power to the weak,

and to those who have no might 

He increases strength.

30.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

31.  But those who wait on the Lord

shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles;

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

Thank You, Lord, for this lesson today.  You know everything that is really on my mind...

You understand my concerns...and You have taken the time to show me that You are here with me...and You are in control...even over this bumblebee!!!

Thank you!  The bumblebee seems to have lost interest in me now anyway...and I know that I can trust You to take care of everything else in my life as well!

This picture was from last summer. So glad these bees have something to occupy their time!

What kind of "bumblebees" do you need to give over to God today?