The Shadow of Your Wings

We’ve finally gotten a bit of rain! A wee bit! Four little showers over the past two weeks have yielded a pinch more than ¾ inch (total), but humidity levels are high, which helps hold the moisture in the soil, as does the cloud cover that has kept the relentless heat of sun at bay. What a difference a little outpouring from heaven makes.

Our regular water source ’round here is “city.” It comes from a lake about 50 miles north, passes through one or two “supply” companies, which filtrate, chlorinate, fluoridate, ammoniate, and toss in a few more ‘ates I probably don’t want to think about. We run it through two filters in the house before declaring it “potable.”

Outside, however, the green growing things are exposed to it - as is - on a daily basis as we try to keep a few flowers blooming through the dry heat of a Texas summer. I learned years ago that while this water will keep things alive, they will not thrive. Then the tiniest bit of rain falls and the flora and I rejoice in an abundance of bloom. The grass, usually brown and crunchy as burnt toast this time of year, becomes soft and pliable, a hint of living green flowing through the blades. Mexican petunias flourish - the mounds covered in purple blossom, moss rose suddenly bursts into bright color. Perhaps it is only that the gentle showers have rinsed off the dust, but everything seems to be more vibrant, healthy, alive.

As I admire the beauty of the bloom this morning I am reminded of something the Lord once spoke to my heart about surviving versus thriving. How often do we try to keep our spiritual garden alive with treated water? Pastor So and So’s sermons, Favored Author’s writings, a few minutes of “GodTV” or the music of some Anointed Someone. Truth is, no matter how refreshing it is, or how filling it may seem, it is not the real thing; and sadly, we are often remiss in our filtering (through discernment) of the contents. It may keep us going and perhaps even growing for a while but eventually we will begin to suffer from all the additives of someone else’s opinions/understandings/visions. To thrive we MUST have the pure rain from Heaven! Even the tiniest bit of time in the very presence of God, through His Word, in respectful (rather than request-full) prayer, or simply being “still” before Him will cause our souls to open and the Spirit to blossom forth in abundant beauty and fragrance.

Take a moment today to lay aside the garden hose that connects you to your regular sources, turn off all the exterior faucets, and invite the Presence of the Living God to pour upon your life. Let His reign quench your dusty, thirsty soul ~ cleansing, refreshing, flowing as the sweet sense of His nearness washes over you.

What a difference a little outpouring from heaven can make!

What a blessing to be called “that lady who laughs …” OK, the rest of the quote was “at me,” but hey, it was good for me! (Thanks, Frank.)

Years ago my sister and I were having a disagreement - well, actually it was a down and dirty fight - that finally culminated with her yelling “You’ve GOT to lighten up!!! You’re so deep that nobody understands a word you say!” to which I stammered and stuttered until I could come back with a real zinger - “Well, well, YOU are so shallow people can wade through and never get their toes wet!” Brilliant retort, eh?

We stood there nose to nose until we both cracked up. Truth was (and still is) we were both right. We agreed that we would each try to fix our respective “problems” in relating; and, to a some degree, we have.

Anyway - in an effort to “lighten up” and share a laugh I give you my all time favorite joke. You’ve gotta work with me here. You must follow the directions as they are introduced. To skip ahead (and read the punch line) will cost you a chuckle, or maybe even a guffaw! OK, ready?

MY FAVORITE JOKE

Place your hands on each side of your face. (Yes, you. Just do it, nobody will watch, I promise.)

Now, press in and forward. Feel your lips pucker out? Are your nostrils pinched by cheek chub? Good, that’s the pose.

Now, maintaining the position, repeat after me:

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“Bus driver, bus driver, open the door!”

Give it up, I KNOW you’re laughin’!

Joke courtesy of the shallow sister, circa 6^th grade.

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

I choose Life.

* Andrea Brooke ~ August 14, 1990 - July 20, 2004 ... our sweet girl.

ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth

Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference


Robert Frost