Shining Spirit

Now isn’t this one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen?
He lives in the fire ravaged Santa Catalina mountains, thus a survivor, too.
He looks like a tiny warrior dressed for battle, but when we met he wasn’t
aggressive, afraid or timid.  In fact, he walked up beside me while I was
taking pictures of a fire damaged area, climbed up on a dirt mound
and stayed perfectly still, those dark eyes locked on my movements.

I asked if I could take his picture and he held his head up a bit higher.
Probably his better side.  I asked how he got here all the way from TCU
in Fort Worth, Texas.  Texas Christian University is the home of
The Horned Frogs.  He didn’t smile.  Maybe horned frogs don’t have
a sense of humor.  Anyway, I blessed him, said goodbye, and
walked away.

At first glance, he is a fierce little guy.  What do they say: “Don’t judge
a book by its cover”?  Not everybody is on the inside how they
appear on the outside.  Creation and its creatures can be
very good teachers, if we would only pay attention.
I wonder what lesson is waiting for me today?
And for you.

When the earth is scarred by accident or irresponsibility,

the Dawning Light brings healing and strength.

Like a soft, warm blanket, Light enfolds sharp edges

and jagged corners until all finally enter that

state of quiet rejuvenation. 

No darkness is too dark.

No pain too great.

No fear too intense.

Light heals.

Always

Somehow today, Lord, I’ve gotten myself all tangled up.
I didn’t set out this morning thinking this would happen,
but, here I am.  Help me to sort the stuff in my life,
to untangle the knots, so that I can begin afresh in
the morning.  Show me, too, how to avoid this
predicament in the future.  May I rest in you
this night so that your healing and restorative love
can prepare me for the morning.
I place myself and my life
completely in your hands.

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.