This morning the Lord invited me to sit in the breeze with Him. On the swing that sways lazily on my patio. The sun was filtered by the canopy of hickory nut trees all around while lacy trendily moss hangs down in shades of gray. Do you have the picture in your mind?
I felt Him near me as the leaves performed a quick dance across the concrete. His breath. His wind. His trees. His season.
In my blood I felt the excitement begin to build as the much anticipated season approached. Fall. Some call it autumn. I call it Fall. Whatever it is to you. It is God’s sweet breath bringing a reprieve from the hot humid summer.
I began to think of my thankful cards. You know. The ones for the “last 100 days” of the year. The things I have to be thankful for would fill more than just 100 days.
As the hickory nuts fall to the ground with a distinctive “plonk”, I realize that many blessings have fallen into our lives much the same way. We may not have realized it at the time….but then some are hidden in their early stages of “blessedness”.
As the traffic behind the house begins to pick up, a lone bird makes a lengthy announcement for his fair feathered friends. Perhaps an invitation. Perhaps a weather warning, or a special news bulletin, or just maybe, he is simply singing his given song to his Creator.
A few responding songs and whistles call out, then they are silent. I have no idea what the message was. But their Creator knows. He gave them voice. He wrote their song.
“Plonk”. More hickory nuts fall as the wind stirs stronger. More blessings fall into our lives. The nuts are not “our” blessings. They belong to others who reside on these grounds with us. The squirrels.
While it is true that squirrels can do extensive damage and should not be considered a blessing, they also perform little acrobatic feats—much to the delight of “young eyes”, who are an absolute blessing. These same acrobatic flips, swings and dances through the trees give me cause to pause. I stop, look and listen. I relax. I breath deeper. I lean my head back on the swing and enjoy the show. Provided completely commercial free by the Great Choreographer of life.
“Plonk”. More blessings. I saw the sights. I heard the sounds. I felt the breeze. I felt the love….of the Creator of all.
Jeff & Angie 