Nature's pastels in abundance This has been a very unusual summer down here in Florida. To date there have been no hurricanes but we've been inundated with rain, more than I've seen in one season in my twenty years as a resident of Florida. And it just keeps coming and coming and, at times, seems as if it will never end.
Now Florida is a land of extremes. After we went through a four year period of drought with water tables drained, we now find ourselves blessed with plenty of water, albeit maybe too much. But last night I was reminded of how the Good Lord brings beauty and light to our lives which, if we take the time to notice, makes us realize the frequent folly of our ways.
Yesterday we had another "gullywasher" blow through, dropping another inch and a half on top of the heavy rains the night before. The ground was "squishy" as if floating on water and the aroma of swamp was clearly in the air. After supper, just before twilight, I heard thunder rumbling in the distance and was sure that we were about to be inundated with water again. Walking out on my front porch, I looked into the southern skies as the storm clouds approached. But what I saw was truly amazing. With the sun setting to the west, the clouds varied in color from gray blue at the lower levels to pink, then bright yellow near the top of the thunderheads. My wife came out and took some pictures, one of which is posted here, but it doesn't give justice to the actual visual images I saw with the naked eye.
As I came back inside as the skies darkened and the clouds thickened, suddenly I saw sunshine to the south as the clouds broke apart. And thereafter it was a star studded and beautiful night without more rain. And I was reminded that we humans must accept whatever the weather brings and make the most of it. There is a reason for everything that God does and it is up to us to accept His wisdom.
Dear Lord: I thank you for the beauty that you bring to us every day and the warmth of the sunshine and the cool refreshment of the rains. And I thank you for reminding me of my shortcomings when I sometimes lose patience with the way things are and ask that you help me to strengthen my ability to make do with the blessings that you afford me and to thank you for them. You grace, love and goodness is found all about me and help me to always understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Have a great day, my friends, and appreciate all that you have been so graciously given. We here in America are so blessed compared to most of the world. And our Lord is always nearby to help us as long as we never forget His love.
Now Florida is a land of extremes. After we went through a four year period of drought with water tables drained, we now find ourselves blessed with plenty of water, albeit maybe too much. But last night I was reminded of how the Good Lord brings beauty and light to our lives which, if we take the time to notice, makes us realize the frequent folly of our ways.
Yesterday we had another "gullywasher" blow through, dropping another inch and a half on top of the heavy rains the night before. The ground was "squishy" as if floating on water and the aroma of swamp was clearly in the air. After supper, just before twilight, I heard thunder rumbling in the distance and was sure that we were about to be inundated with water again. Walking out on my front porch, I looked into the southern skies as the storm clouds approached. But what I saw was truly amazing. With the sun setting to the west, the clouds varied in color from gray blue at the lower levels to pink, then bright yellow near the top of the thunderheads. My wife came out and took some pictures, one of which is posted here, but it doesn't give justice to the actual visual images I saw with the naked eye.
As I came back inside as the skies darkened and the clouds thickened, suddenly I saw sunshine to the south as the clouds broke apart. And thereafter it was a star studded and beautiful night without more rain. And I was reminded that we humans must accept whatever the weather brings and make the most of it. There is a reason for everything that God does and it is up to us to accept His wisdom.
Dear Lord: I thank you for the beauty that you bring to us every day and the warmth of the sunshine and the cool refreshment of the rains. And I thank you for reminding me of my shortcomings when I sometimes lose patience with the way things are and ask that you help me to strengthen my ability to make do with the blessings that you afford me and to thank you for them. You grace, love and goodness is found all about me and help me to always understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Have a great day, my friends, and appreciate all that you have been so graciously given. We here in America are so blessed compared to most of the world. And our Lord is always nearby to help us as long as we never forget His love.
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