Category: Challenge

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Listen, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust

Sleepless and Then Blessed

My mind was racing and I was sleepless. I asked the Lord to help me through it and these verses came to me. I looked them up using key words or phrases on the iPad mini, saved them to the i Cloud Notes and was able to get back to sleep after reading a few pages on the novel I had been reading earlier. I thought the verses might be a good reminder to some of you, so here goes. The trouble starts when I think I need to have the answers to the questions that trouble me.

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  singing,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
 and thanksgiving and honor 
and power and might 
be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Rev 7:11-12

Ponder that for a moment. Angels around the throne, around the elders, and the four living creatures – I wonder how many angels it takes to surround that great company of beings? And the words they sing! BLESSING and GLORY and WISDOM and THANKSGIVING and HONOR and POWER and MIGHT be to our GOD. I do not think we can declare this too many times! I need not fret. Wisdom belongs to God first.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    else it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9

Do these sound familiar? Yes, I have posted these before, but I need to be reminded of them often. I am learning to trust that the Lord will instruct me, teach me, and counsel me. That also means the Lord thinks of me as instruct-able, teachable, and able to receive counsel. He has great faith in me. Do we have great faith in the Almighty One?

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, 
your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 
“This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Have I waited? Have I listened? Am I willing to follow the instruction I am given? 

Years ago, when I was first beginning to tell relatives that I was writing Peggy, the wife of my Cousin Art, told me these verses. I was reminded in the night.


2  Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so that a runner may read it.
3 
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
    it speaks of the end and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.
4 
Look at the proud!
    Their spirit is not right in them,
    but the righteous live by their faithfulness. Habakkuk 2:2-4

So when it comes time to give away the printed copies of the poetry, I am trusting that those who do not get a printed copy will be able to use the electronic copy I can send to any email address. As long as they open it in Microsoft Word, it should appear just like the printed copy. The tablets of Habakkuk have taken on a new form!

And this picture also popped up that night seemingly out of no where.

Veteran in a New Field by Winslow Homer

The image shows a man cutting the harvest. One of the first art images the Lord used to speak to me was by Vincent van Gogh, entitled the Sower. There was more than one of these paintings. Here is the first I knew about.

From the sower to the harvest. Wow. Such blessings for us all.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, medical treatment, Trust, Yield

Walkers, Canes and Assistive Devices

Modern society has created a myriad of ways to help us stay mobile while we age. At the Convent there are many Sisters who need those devices to get around. Father David Pfaff has visited the Convent often as a fill-in priest to do a service when Father Tom must be away. This weekend as retreat leader he said he spent more time with the sisters than in the past.

He decided to scrap his Sunday morning homily to speak on what he observed while among the sisters, oblates and associates. Sadly, the sermon was not recorded and he did not make notes for it. It was so anointed and such a blessing to those in attendance! One sister who had seemed serious all weekend broke out into a beautiful smile as he spoke.

Later, I asked him via email for his notes. This is what he sent.

“In a nutshell, walking assistive devices are visible reminders that we all need God’s grace to support in our lives, and watching the sisters manage their walkers in a way that I believe shows something of what God invites us to in the ‘great divine dance’ which is God’s grace and love for us.”

As best I remember, he pointed out that the devices are like a sacrament, “an outward and visible sign of an inward invisible grace.” God supports and aids us in our journey. For some the walker has a seat and a storage box. Some have large wheels, others small ones. Some have places to lean the forearms. A few have fabric laced with ribbon over the front of the frame. Rather than resenting and disliking the walker, we can embrace it just as we embrace God’s care for us.

That is a minimal sketch of his delightful talk. As I recall he also mentioned that he was impressed by how Sr. Hope assisted Sr. Marion when she moved from her walker to her chair. He noticed how each of us yielded to the ones with assistive devices when it came to a narrow path.

I once heard someone refer to her walker as a cage. That is sad. I hope this entry might help even one person re-frame the walker assistance idea. Yes, the walker surrounds with bars and handles, but for a good reason – support. I pray that when it comes time for me to use an assistive device such as a walker I can remember it as David Pfaff painted this lovely portrait last weekend.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Nature, Praise, Rest, Trust, Writing Life, Yield

What Schedule?

I try to write every Monday and Tuesday mornings to post on this blog throughout the week. Many times during the week I will rough draft an idea to work on. Not this week!

I spent Thursday working with my dear friend Dana to begin printing, punching and assembling the poetry books. That took much longer than anticipated. We had completed none of them. Many were in various stages of production. She met me Friday morning with some completed books. I went to the Convent for the weekend retreat delighted to have a few copies in hand. One gal lives in Chattanooga and I knew I would see her at the retreat. I wanted to get a copy to her so we would not have to ship it!

The editor for the book about prayer gave me information about next steps towards getting that ready for publication. I just never quite realized all the work that occurred after the actual writing! I spent part of the weekend trying to plan the order the 31 selections should appear in the finished book. She also wants an “About the author” page and a Preface. I had a rough draft for the Preface, but hesitated on “About the author.” Bob agreed to do the first draft for me and then we can work on it together. I need to decided if the photos I chose can be printed in black and white. The color photos will make the book cost more. Aye yai yai!

And I just needed to get still and quiet. I had asked the Lord on Thursday to help me direct my heart and mind to Him over the weekend. (The editor taught me that capitalizing pronouns that refer to God is not correct, but I have always done it as a way to show respect! I have to decide if I want her to change that or not.) I realized with all these decision and things looming I needed help. The Lord referred me back to Psalm 131 again. I was instructed to write part of it out in longhand, I do not do that much anymore because arthritis has ruined my handwriting.

My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131: 1-2 NIV

I am not to think about things I cannot control. I am not to think about things too wonderful for me. (Thus I hired an Editor!) It is up to me to calm and quiet myself. So I set about doing just that. You might want to copy those two verses and ponder how they apply to your life right now!

Before I left on Friday morning another Psalm came to mind. Years ago I wrote in my bible “Vulnerability, Untd.” next to Psalm 34.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant;
    so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him,
    and saved him out of all his troubles.

It is hard with this Psalm to know when and where to stop when choosing a selection! I made it my business to spend the weekend trying to bless the Lord at all times and continually have His praise in my mouth. It can be powerful to turn to this practice and turn off worries and distractions.

Walking I saw places of such quiet!

Quiet flowers, I just love the sun through the purple petals
Quiet Dogwood

I have promised only a few people a printed copy of the poetry. I realized while in retreat that I can offer anyone who wants it an electronic copy! If they want, they may print it out for themselves, or simply print the selections they desire. What a relief! Bob continues to wonder if I should have planned to have the poetry printed through Amazon Direct Publishing. The way we are doing it right now the material remains free to others though costly to produce.

I was told by reputable sources instead of giving the poetry away for free I should ask for a charitable donation. I am doing that through the West Clermont local school district. The donations will go towards the Paid Student Lunch Charges. Many families today have to decide whether to pay for their power bill or pay the school for the lunch program. There are thousands of dollars of lunch debt in almost every school district. I think the children should receive food. With all of the government cutbacks there is likely to be even more debt. I am asking that donations be sent to the local elementary school down the street.

You can likely tell by now that my brain is spinning in many directions! I was able to get still on retreat. I did get some solid rest, though it is almost a memory today! The 31 book selections are arranged in an order to be reviewed with Bob. These two projects have demanded that I am participating constantly in vulnerability, unlimited with the Lord.

Monday was busy, busy with a funeral in the morning, followed by lunch celebrating mother’s day with our son and grandson and then back to Dana’s house to work on the poetry books. I write this on a gloomy Tuesday morning with fondness that you continue to read and follow my writing.

May the Lord bless you with a renewed sense of His Presence and love for you! Trust Him with your everything.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith

Rorschach Test

Twice the past couple of weeks the term Rorschach Test has come up. You know, that weird thing where you are shown an ink blotch and asked what you see in it?

Pelvic bones with spine? Shadow of bird wings from hands held a certain way?

Why all of the sudden did this psychological term come up? Perhaps you are unfamiliar with this term? Here is information from https://www.rorschach.org/

Contrary to popular belief, the Rorschach Inkblot Test is NOT strictly a projective psychological or personality measure. In the strictest sense, the Rorschach Inkblot Test is a test or assessment of perception.

It is designed to evaluate how someone approaches their environment, In other words, it asks the question, “How does someone view and organize the world around them?”

Through analyzing what someone sees, where they see it, and what about the blot makes what they saw look like whatever they saw, the psychologist is able to make various hypotheses about how that person views and organizes the world.

Furthermore, the psychologist can compare the person’s perceptions to a clinical or normative sample. From this analysis, the psychologist then makes inferences about the person’s approach to the world (which is largely stable and described often as character or personality), insofar as, one’s feelings, thoughts, stress tolerance, relationships, and self-perception shapes and influences how that person views and organizes their world. Thus, the major areas evaluated are:

  1. the person’s emotional world,
  2. the person’s cognitive world,
  3. the person’s ability to deal with situational stress,
  4. the person’s perception of others and relationships, and
  5. the person’s self-perception.

I am certain that those with strong political identification see things quite differently from those with strong christian identification. Think of the late Pope Francis and his conversation with Vice President Vance. Pope Francis referred Vance to an in-depth discussion with his assistant, likely as Pope Francis no longer had the strength or stamina to engage the younger firebrand.

Aljazeera reported: US Vice President JD Vance has met with the Vatican’s top diplomats, discussing the politically fraught issue of migration months after Pope Francis rebuked the new US administration’s hardline immigration stance.

Vance, a Catholic convert, held what the Vatican described as “cordial talks” with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin – the Holy See’s second highest official after the pope – and Paul Richard Gallagher, the secretary for relations with states. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/19/us-vp-vance-discusses-thorny-issue-of-migration-with-vatican

How do you view the world and the things you catch glimpses of? As I age things that used to bother me greatly have moved into the back room of my concerns or off my radar completely. Are there things you cling to as greatly important. Are there things that you have simply let go of? I wonder what VP Vance makes of the Pope’s insistence regarding migration issues now that the Pope has passed to his eternal rest? Does Vance see his audience with the Pope as a great privilege during the man’s last few hours upon earth or his right as an American diplomat? How are his political views reconciled with his new found Catholic faith?

Only God reads hearts. And I am glad. I do not want to know what lies in the hearts of others. Perhaps the Risen Christ offers us regular opportunities to interpret inkblot images in our daily life? At best, I can only hope to reign in my own heart and mind to obedience to Christ. That alone will take all of my energy for the remainder of my life.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Trust

You Are Full of Glitter

As a child visiting the Natural History Museum I purchased a tiny chip of blue goldstone. I was enchanted, taken by fascination. What was this thing?

The experts say, “Blue Goldstone is not a precious stone, it is artificial glass. It is made of glass and copper and its inner glow is very beautiful and popular for accessories. It receives a lot of support from people even though it is an artificial gemstone. It is usually used in jewelry pieces. Goldstone is a stone that can come in several colors, but Blue Goldstone is the favorite.

“This stone comes from medieval times. At that time, a monk was making a glass. And he poured copper chips into the glass by accident. He thought it was a great failure but he made a very beautiful glass. Therefore, this technique continued to be practiced for years until now.

“It is a very interesting and unique stone. https://www.gemstonist.com/blue-goldstone/

Here is the piece that now sits on my desk, no longer just a tiny chip. We bought it some place in our travels.

The photo does not do it justice. The blue is actually deeper, almost black. The gold flecks remind me me of constellations and far flung stars. Guess you might need to shop for a piece of your own to get the true impact.

Then I came across the following quote from Michelle Obama. Can you imagine the wealth of wisdom she has instilled in her daughters?

 The unknown is where possibility glitters. – Michelle Obama

And seeing the glitter is risky, but necessary. Can you discern the glittering possibilities within yourself? Have you dared to even think about that? Would you risk a glance? Another quote.

Risk itself is a process of constant unfolding. And taking risks is the process of peeling back the layers of what you are and who you want to be.

PHOEBE ENG

You are full of glittering possibility. Are you willing to peel back the layers of yourself and expose that glorious creation within and around yourself? This is nothing you accomplished on your own. I believe this is what God placed in you when life was breathed into your being. Your work is “the process of peeling back the layers,” discovering the call of the Holy upon your life. Then walking towards that calling with courage and grace.

Oh Lord, help us to quicken our steps to Your calling and work in obedience to Your Spirit. May Your be glorified in all we do and say, write and print. Amen.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Poetry, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Writing Life, Yield

Rilke Was Onto Something

Ben Palpant in his book Letters From the Mountain quotes Rainer Maria Rilke from the book Letters to a Young Poet saying,

Things aren’t all so tangible and sayable as people would usually have us believe; most experiences are unsayable, they happen in a space that no word has ever entered, and more unsayable than all other things are works of art, those mysterious existences, whose life endures beside our own small, transitory life.

In a recent group Bible study at church the term ineffable came up. God is often considered ineffable. The word means too great or intense to be expressed in words, unutterable. Too sacred to be uttered. Indescribable; indefinable.

My life challenge has been for me to try to put into words my relationship with the Almighty. My goal is to speak about and express the unsayable, the things not readily spoken or expressed in regards to my faith. Oh Lord, I can only do this with Your help!

I agree with Rilke that “most experiences are unsayable.” So how does this happen to be my calling? My first response is, “Truly, I do not know!” Maybe something was handed down in the genes from Grandpa Snapp the Preacher or Grandma Snapp the teacher at God’s Bible School? I just know that from an early age I wanted to write about God. I have papers from 1966 and a few years prior to that when I started to want words around my experiences.

“Most experiences are unsayable,” wrote Rilke. My friend, Dana, is about to print my book of poems with over 100 selections. Perhaps someone will discover this God I adore through reading these poems? I pray the efforts to express my love and relationship with God will pull others into the space where words rarely enter. The space of mysterious existence. Christ in me, Christ in us, the hope of Glory.

25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:25-27 NIV

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Illness and Health, medical treatment, Music, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust

Awoke Singing This

Some days I wonder do my dreams and worries inform my first thoughts upon waking up or is it all under control of the Holy Spirit?

For a few days I have recurrent thoughts about the cardiac surgery they say I will need sooner rather than later. Part of me wonders what if I do not have the surgery? All of that runs underneath the day to day thoughts.

My daughter’s mother-in-law died yesterday. Evidently she was sitting on the side of her bed, getting dressed. It appears she had a stroke? She fell backwards and just lay down on the bed. She was a catholic woman who lost her husband and her mother. While hospitalized a few years ago she was tested and doctors decided she had lost some of her executive reasoning abilities. She had to move into a retirement community. She did not like it very much, but there were so many things she did not like very much! May she rest in peace.

My husband, Bob, had recently taken her to Frisch’s for lunch, always her first choice. She had just seen her family for a celebration Easter weekend.

What does all this have to do with me? Margie was ten years older than I am. My death became a poignant fact with the aneurysm diagnosis last January. No one know when the Lord will call us home. Only God knows the day and the hour.

This morning when I awoke some of the lines from this song were rolling through my brain. Took me a while to wake up and capture it. This is a Catholic hymn based on several Scriptures. I chose to share this version because it provides the lyrics.

I have listened to the song several times this morning. I would be lying if I said that took care of any disquiet I have from the aneurysm I carry with me. NOT. The next scan will be a CT scan in August to determine if the thing has grown. Cardiologist will determine when to refer me to cardiac surgeon. Until then, as I do daily, I must trust in the Lord and walk in obedience to all I am asked to do for the Holy Trinity.

Bob jokes around about cremation which we both have chosen instead of burial. The funeral home down the street has been busy for the last year building a huge garage looking thing on the adjoining lot which they purchased. I called them this morning and yes, indeed, it is going to be a crematorium. The dictionary is so uncouth.

Crematorium: A furnace or establishment for the incineration of corpses.

He cracks a joke every single time we drive past, which is practically daily! I wonder if he thinks the same things while he is alone in the car? I told him he needs to stop or I will have weird flashbacks if he dies first. Yep, at our age these discussions occur with some regularity!

I chose cremation because I do not want any chance that I will get this body back in the afterlife. God knows the wishes of my soul. I told the funeral director I want the box the casket comes in, not some expensive casket.

Yep! There it is plain brown cardboard 🙂 from https://www.thefuneraloutlet.com/product/brown-cardboard-coffin/

I write all this as my daughter and her family go to the funeral home today to make arrangements. I have no idea if Margie had pre-planned her funeral. I hope so. No one wants to make all of those decisions while grappling with grief. Again, may she rest in peace.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Book quotes, Challenge, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Reading, Collecting Prayers

With a study group I am currently re-reading When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd. She wrote in Chapter 2:

Waiting is the in-between time. It calls us to be in THIS moment, THIS season, without leaning so far into the future that we tear our roots from the present. When we learn to wait, we experience where we are as what is truly substantial and precious in life. We discover, as T. S. Eliot wrote, “a lifetime burning in every moment.”

The quote took me back to the Imagine Museum and my fascination with a piece of art called “The Precipice.”

The lighting is not always conducive to a good photo, but hopefully you get the idea. Sue Monk Kidd cautions us not to ‘lean so far into the future that we tear our roots from the present.’ Are you able to stay in the present moment in this way?

About the same time I copied this prayer from some source.

I pray now with the sixteenth century Spanish contemplative, Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582)*:

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, 
always follow Your plans, 
and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will… 
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace, 
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour. 
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity 
by me, in me, and through me.

Yes, Father, that is what I desire most of all! Please Lord, grant this I pray.

HELP ME RESPOND TO THE SLIGHTEST PROMPTING OF YOUR GRACE. Yes, and Amen.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Family, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust, Worship

Prayer for Others

I have been trying to compile a booklet of my writings to publish regarding prayer. I suddenly realized I did not have enough about intercession – praying for others. You are now my guinea pigs as I put these ideas out there first to you!

The dictionary says intercession is offering petitionary prayer to God on behalf of others. Also, acting as a mediator or standing in the gap before God on behalf of another. How often do you go to God on behalf of others? Is there an awkward feeling when someone asks you to pray for them?

Just like other forms of prayer, intercession takes some practice and should never actually feel comfortable. No one can assume to have the mind of Christ in its entirety. However, there are times when we glimpse the glory and power of our Savior. Intercessory prayer is asking for that intervention and movement of God in a given situation.

We ought never to forget that we have a Lord who is also our High Priest, and that this Priest is able to empathize with our weaknesses.*1  Knowing this High Priest, we can learn to come boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace in time of need. Believing and practicing these verses can teach us to trust that we are heard when we pray and that the Lord cares about the needs of His people.

How to begin? Imagine someone brings a request to you. As an intercessor, you are required to listen closely when someone brings a request. Do not assume you know what they are asking for. After listening, start by clarifying what the person is asking for. It is perfectly fine to state something like “ I think I heard you say….” and then repeat back to the person their request.

Prayer does not change God’s mind, but it changes us. With every request there should be in us a yieldedness of being willing to accept that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.*2  The answer from on high might actually be different than what the person requests. We trust the highest and best God has to offer will come as we open ourselves to invite God into the situation. Stating as part of your prayer “Your Kingdom come; Your will be done” is always appropriate. This shows our willingness to come under the rule and reign of Christ.

One of the best teachers I ever heard on prayer demonstrated to his congregation how to put the method into practice. So here goes my attempt. Judy comes to you asking prayer for Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy is slipping mentally and has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Judy tells you the family is upset and does not know what to do with her. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Wait upon God for direction. Listen for that still small voice perhaps giving you instruction, and then begin to pray, slowly and calmly.

“Father, we come into Your Presence with praise and thanksgiving that You are Who You are and You love us just as we are. We lift Aunt Lucy to You now. You know what the doctors have determined about her current state. We ask that You step into the situation and give Lucy and her family Your peace and comfort. Lucy must be frightened by all of this. Help her to cling to You and to trust You.

“Her family is bewildered by the changes that have come over her. Give them patience and wisdom as they deal with this current state of affairs. Guide and direct the decisions they must make on her behalf. You are the God of all comfort, and we come to You seeking Your highest and best in this situation of change and loss. Help each person adapt with Your grace and mercy to what is going on. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in these situations Lord. We look for You to manifest yourself in these various situations. And as You bring these things to pass, we will be careful to give you all of the glory. We ask all of this in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Sit with the person for a moment and ask if there is anything else on their heart. Often your prayer will stir up something else they forgot to mention that is bothering them. If they share something take it right then to the Lord in prayer. Be certain to assure the person regarding confidentiality. We have a mandate on ourselves to lift others in prayer, but not to gossip about their needs.

I have had people mention that they could never be intercessors assuming they would just worry all the time about what happens to the person after they pray. We must learn that when someone brings a request that the request gets lifted to God and we are to leave it on the altar for the Trinity to deal with. We were never meant to carry the burdens of the world. Listen. Pray. Release. Move on.

If the Holy Spirit brings the situation to your remembrance, again then listen, pray, release. There have been a few times when the Lord wants me to pray and keep on praying. Believe me, if that situation occurs the Holy Spirit will not let me forget the instructions to continue! The Holy Spirit has been called the Hound of Heaven. The persistence of this Mighty One cannot be understated.

Intercession requires trust and faith. Trust that God is truly in charge, and we are not. We are called as intercessors to comfort the people of God.  Hebrews 11:6 say, “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” We have faith that God exists and God rewards those who seek Him. We do not dictate how God must answer but we hold as true the fact that God will answer .

Pray on!

*1 Hebrews 4:14-15 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 

*2  Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.  9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Memories, Nature, Praise, Special Event, Thanks

My Treasure

The blog is entitled Treasures in Plain Sight. This day I found mine among many other treasures at Treasure Island, Florida.

(See the red pin on the map above.) Driving along the beaches in Florida, we found a nice place to park and walk the beach without too much exertion. There was a little boardwalk and then acres of flat sand to the water. Again, not many shells there. This was a wonderful sand sculpture someone had made.

We delighted in the sharks around the sculpture!

As you can see the day was glorious with sunshine, though seriously closer to summer temperatures  than what we had left in Ohio.  We walked to the water’s edge and back to the parking lot. While Bob used the facilities, I waited watching the crowd from a little ramp.

We had already seen damage from the recent hurricanes. I was  a little surprised to see one palm tree that was stripped of all foliage strapped to another thriving palm tree. And then, BOOM!, it caught my eye. A little green bird. As I watched it went into a nesting hole in the seemingly dead palm tree. Then out again, to perch right there.

Yes, the young lady is lovely, but so is the tiny bright green bird!

I found it online and here are the details from Audubon.

The https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/nanday-parakeet site says: Recognized by its black head (and formerly called Black-hooded Parakeet), this species was originally found in the central interior of South America, from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. It has been popular in the cage bird trade, and Nanday Parakeets escaped from captivity have established large feral populations around Los Angeles, in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and along Florida’s southeastern coast. Smaller numbers are seen elsewhere, including other parts of Florida and near Phoenix, Arizona.

Of course, I always love a close up!!

What a treasure! I wanted to tell the lovely young lady about it, but then her boyfriend joined her and they were gone! For the remainder of the vacation anytime I saw a palm trunk without foliage I was on the lookout for the Nanday! Was not gifted to see another one. There was mighty praise to the Father for allowing me to see that one single bird! It literally made my day!

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11 NRSVUE