Shining Spirit

Few things are more beautiful than morning over the mountain.

The first hint of the spectacular is the clouds,

gray, then pinkish yellow, then golden around the edges,

then an inferno of yellow flame.

Rays of the almost appearing sun shoot into the sky,

spill down into the valley and paint the mountain

side like an artist’s canvas.

It is worth the wait to sit on the cool

grass and become part of the unfolding.

No day should begin with less splendor.

But, then, how could it?

One remains.

In the field of death and destruction,

standing in the remnants of a savage fire,

a lone figure testifies.

A child will ask her parent, “What happened here?”

And the answer will come, “Do you see that one, tall saguaro

up there? Someday he will have many friends with him,

trees and grasses and little animals, and the mountain will be

beautiful again.”

“When, Mommy? Soon?”

“Some day, my love. At just the right time.”

Just where the shadows end, light begins.

Just when you think there is no way out, there is.

Once I was blind, but now I see.

You, Lord, are my light and my salvation.

I am the light of the world.

Don’t settle for darkness.

Arise, shine for your Light has come.

   Even though much of the Catalina State Park was burned, life continues and green shoots and sprouts are already visible.  Amazing how the earth replenishes and renews itself after disaster.  Firefighters on the ground and in the air deserve our thanks and blessings for their heroic efforts to save the land.  Be thankful today for brave and dedicated men and women who serve our communities.
Thanks be to God.

I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Sometimes if we just took a wider view, it might make life
a lot easier.  Narrow views often miss the better solution
or the easier way.  Here’s an example.  This poor guy
sees only the obstacle and knows he has to get over it.
So he climbs.  But if he would just take a step back,
examine the broader situation, consider his options,
he might save time, energy and the cost of emergency
room treatment.

Built into the human body, located between the ears,
is a thing called a brain.  The Designer of the human body
included it in the whole package for a good reason.  To reason.
So, when faced with an obstacle, back up, take a broad view,
consider alternatives, don’t turn down good advice,
pick the best option, and then go for it.

But before you go, thank The Designer for that amazing
thing between your ears.  Parents, politicians, and people in general,
would benefit from using it often.

A youngster out for his first flight lesson.
He has never seen a human so close.
I wonder what he thinks about the encounter?
If he were to ask, I would say:
“You, my young friend, are wonderfully and
beautifully made.  You add so much to life:
your beauty, your song, your gracefulness in
flight…when you learn how.”

I am grateful for accidental experiences of
beauty, unexpected encounters,
like it is sometimes with God.
You turn a corner or look out a
window, and there is the revealing
of Love.  Like my little friend on the porch,
the unexpected sign of God’s creative love
in even the smallest of things.

Thanks be to God.

Memo to Self

Subj:  Things To Do Today

1.  Be Kind

2.  Do Good

3.  Learn Something

4.  Remember

5. Reflect

Do these things today as grateful response
to the Source of life’s fullness.

I am thankful for many things in my blessed life,
but perched high on the gratitude list is a special
place for birds.  They come in several categories:
Singers, Acrobats, Comedians, Daredevils,
big and small, and decorated on a scale
from drab to dramatic.

My friend pictured above is a resident of Northern
Arizona, where my wife and I happen to be vacationing at
the moment.  He was among a welcoming committee that sang to
us as we unpacked the car, then did grass-top flight
tricks for our amusement.  Everyday he has stopped by
to check on us and to add another verse to his lovely song.

I am grateful, Present Spirit, for many things.  I am blessed
each day as I walk through this life.  But I wanted to write this
note to you to emphasize my appreciation for my sisters and
brothers whose songs overcome the ordinariness of life,
carriers of carefree joy, delicate creatures who
delight my spirit.
I join them in their songs of praise.
If only I could sing like one of them.
Thanks be to God.