In Smoky Mountain National Park there is an “auto tour” called Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. In one parking lot along that motor trail I spotted this stone. Immediately the Shield of Faith came to mind. I think the rock is a natural formation, but it certainly looks like the finger of God to me!
Last Tuesday night during our Intercessory Prayer group meeting for The Crossing Church where we attend, there was a guest in our group. This child read the Scriptures we were to discuss and pray over the various groups each person was assigned.
Her final verse was Ephesians 6:16 New Living Bible, “In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.”
The lesson was about being childlike with God and having faith. The most precious thing was when she read this final verse she said we were to hold up the shield of faith to stop the feary arrows. Not fiery, but feary.
So today lift your shield of faith to quench, stop, and extinguish all those feary darts the enemy of your soul send your way. We have the power to put out the fires of doubt and fear.
One person in our group quoted from something she had read, “God is not able to work in our unbelief.”
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.
When this bird comes to the feeder outside my office window, he most often flits around on the ground. I see him from above and it looks as if he is wearing a helmet of black and white stripes!
We are encouraged to wear helmets to protect ourselves from injury, especially while riding bicycles and motorcycles. How about making certain your helmet is in place at other times? St. Paul encouraged us in Ephesians 6:17 (NIV2011) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Also in Isaiah 59:17a (NIV2011) The LORD “put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head.”
Then we are also told that since we belong to the day and are of the Light that comes from God, “we are to be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV 2011)
God knows we need to protect our head, and most especially our brain and thought patterns. This pandemic has had me at times, floundering and struggling to keep my head away from depression. Ah! but here comes that sparrow to cheer me on.
It is so easy if you do not suffer from depression to just tell yourself and others to focus on the positive. We are even told repeatedly in Scripture to give thanks in all circumstances. I am one who needs object lessons and constant reminders to stay on the path, stay on the right path, think the right thoughts, look here at the Word and at the Lord.
He blesses me with this bird of the air and reminds me not to fret. Here is the white-crowned sparrow in song for us. In the first stanza, I just love how we can see into his tiny mouth! That tongue is so wee, tiny and small!
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
In 1 Kings 17:8 The LORD told Elijah to go to Zarephath in Sidon. There he found a widow who was down to her last measure of flour and oil. The LORD told Elijah that the woman would supply him with food. And the supplies did not run out!
In our yard we have one lilac shrub. Several years ago it was getting way too tall. My son thinned it, but it was still too tall for my liking. So two years ago I cut at it to lower it to a height where I could reach to cut the flowers in spring. Bob was not certain it would ever bloom again after I took hold of the shears!
A few days ago the flowers were out and the overnight temperature dropped to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. In the early morning the leaves were limp. I worried about the survival of those blooms. I had invited friends to come cut lilacs for their cheer. I, too, had been bringing in branches to cheer our table.
The Lilac this week
Later in the day a friend came and picked bunches. I wondered how many more days we might have lilac flowers Several times I have mentioned to Bob that it seems the LORD’S hand has been upon that shrub this year. Just like the cruet of oil in 1 Kings, it continues and has not yet run out of blooms!
We cut, it blooms. We cut some more, it continues to bloom. I am waiting for the Bachelor Buttons and Columbine to open in abundance for bouquets. Until then, I trust that shrub will continue to bless us and others who may want the sweet flowers to take home for cheer.
Some days the clear sky just can’t be beat! They say air pollution is down worldwide!
The Red Bud against the fresh bright maple leaves, blue sky and wisps of cloud. What’s not to like? Later in the year those same maple leaves will turn a much darker green and look beaten and weary by September. For now, a fresh shout to spring glory.
Then on the way home there was this phenomenon. Perhaps I had seen it before, but it struck me as SO unusual.
At a glance I had to gasp, “What the heck?” And go closer for a photo. Later I realized you would not get the full impact unless I walked back to that particular tree and took a photo of the “larger view.” I got LOTS of steps that day.
Easily the oldest Red Bud tree in our neighborhood. I was amazed at the life springing out of that trunk! Pandemic or not, spring is actively bursting in Ohio!!
My ankles and knees are not pleased with so many steps each day, but they say it is good for our mental health as well as our physical health! Try to enjoy your neighborhood where ever you may be.
My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
So the bluebells gave way to more and more climbing up out of the valley we had dropped into. On a huge boulder we found Miterwort, below.
The flowers are 1/6 inch wide!
At one point walking back we were feeling lost. How long has it been since you took a walk and suddenly, as an adult, (not with dementia) had no idea where you were? You see, we had not brought Bob’s backpack with the compass. Had never been to this preserve. At one point, when I knew Bob was feeling some of the anxiety I was experiencing, I quoted to him “We’re goin’ on a bear hunt, we’re gonna catch a big one! We’re not scared…”
Path was only a narrow area of crushed leaves. But we were totally unfamiliar with it. And in many ways, it was exhilarating to have this much fun, all alone in the woods. Oh. Had we told anyone exactly WHERE we were going?
We took turns walking in the lead. Bob walks a little faster than I do. At one point he was almost out of sight. I knew all I had to do was call to him, but it brought some adrenaline to my system to not be able to see or hear him! Then we were out of the area where the wildflowers flourished. Just downed trees and leaves. Brown leaves, dirt and twigs, occasional rock.
We pushed on. We thought we saw the tree where the trail split. Five minutes later knew, it was not THAT tree. Finally, finally, spent with exertion we were at the place where the trail had split. So grateful for that walking stick. It helped me push up through the trail and helped we navigate my way down in some places.
At the end the Fitbit registered 41 flights of stairs. That is equal to climbing the Carew Tower overlooking downtown Cincinnati! We laughed wondering if either one of us would be able to walk the next day.
Turned out we were able to walk the next day. Chose not to take any long walks and a very long nap! Such fun to have the photos, the memory and an exit from the pandemic fears for a couple of hours.
On the way home we saw a Creamy Whip stand open for business. There was not a line of people, so we stopped. I put on my cloth mask and took some cash. There was a man in the truck next to us. I asked if he had placed his order yet. (I did not want to upset whatever the protocol was there.) He said yes, he was waiting for his order to be prepared. Then I realized there were several cars with people waiting. This placed served foods as well as ice cream. The people in line moved to one side. Oh! there were people on the other side of the building at picnic tables.
I placed our order for two cones. Paid, was given the cones and climbed into the car, shedding mask and getting hand sanitizer. Back to the reality of Corona virus.
Enjoyed our yummy cones and felt not one pang of guilt after that arduous climb! Drove home in peace. Looked forward to seeing how our photos came out. Maybe one day soon I will just post Bob’s photos!
We love to go to the Smoky Mountains and hunt wildflowers. This year we were going to explore the mountains of northern Georgia for the same sort of wildflowers. Well that trip will be postponed for another year.
So Bob started exploring the web for Ohio Nature Preserves and Parks that boasted spring wildflowers. The first part of the adventure was trying to decide if we were in the right place! Found a local resident who told us, “Yep! that is the place. Park on the shoulder.” The shoulder of the road was very small. But on further review we found we could safely park there.
The smaller sign in the background reads “Twinleaf Trail, 2 miles.” We discussed it and decided to set off to see what there was to find. We assured each other if it was too difficult we could just turn back.
Gorgeous day and two bored senior citizens! We took off. The start was fairly boring, but the sky was a stupendous blue and the temperatures were nice. We carried fiberglass collapsible walking sticks. Bob found a deal a couple years ago where two where a bargain price. I rarely use mine, but took it this time, “just in case.” We came to a fork in the trail where the trail began its loop. Bob chose the left side of the fork. We climbed and then the trail began to circle around huge boulders (rocks as big as our living room). Slowly we dropped down. Then a bit more and then a bit more. I kept thinking “Oh man, we are going to have climb back up at some point.”
We did not take our flower identification book with us. (Silly people!) But then that would have been one more thing to carry. I had grabbed a water bottle, tissues, Chap-stick, sunglasses, hat and phone.
Bloodroot
So the first Bloodroot were exciting because they bloom very quickly. We often see the leaves without any flower in evidence. Later on the trail we would see better examples. But you know, the first discovery is often your most memorable!
Then we happened upon yellow violets. They are impressive to me because I have not gotten them to grow in our yard. There was one, then three, then eight, fifteen. I was having a blast! When I got to thirty I asked Bob if he thought I should stop counting? He counted six more and said, “There, an even three dozen!”
I finally stopped estimating at fifty!! So much fun!
One Bloodroot and some Rue Anemone!
(Bob likes to point out that the first wildflower we found on this hike was the Dandelion, part of the Aster family.) Next up after the photo above was the Wood Poppy.
Strange little bristly hairs on stems and seed pods!
There were crowds of them. It the plants had been level we would have called it a meadow! They grew down the hillside in wondrous glory.
And more poppies to come!Like looking for certain shells on the beach!
Often our hunting is in half sun, half shade. The large white flower is Trillium. Not exactly certain what sort. Flower stalk with multiple flowers up and left of that is Toothwort. Then yellow is another Poppy. Center lower leaves will be either Solomon’s seal or False Solomon’s seal when it blooms. At the very top of the frame are more Trillium, not blooming yet. Just below those leaves are more Toothwort. At their base is more Anemone. Ah! Spring 🙂
Virginia Bluebells!
After driving to Texas last year to see Blue Bonnets, it was such fun to find Bluebells growing in our native Ohio! I’ve had several friends tell me they have never seen these. They are a perennial “native that prefer to grow in wet, shade, in clearings and at edges of deciduous woods.” Gee, Bob, perhaps we should try to plant some if we can find them at the garden store? Here they are from above as the trail ascended again.
Look at all of those Bluebells!!
What must the cross, death and resurrection have been for Jesus, my Lord? Walking through land He never knew. Knowing He was led along in obedience by the Spirit. I do not want you to think I take Good Friday lightly. His walk to Calvary was more than I can even comprehend. He found beauty in redeeming our souls. His resurrection was more glorious for eternity than any spring wild flowers. I am humbled.
This is my only primrose. It reminds me of the time we went to London. It was late winter, very early spring. The flower boxes were packed with colorful primroses.
Then there are the grape hyacinths. They spread like crazy. When my kids were little we would pick bouquets to take to the neighbor ladies. In our new neighborhood, some folks have them planted throughout their yards. They make me smile. Ours are planted on the hillside and spreading, much to my delight.
The sweet viburnum shrub is about to burst. They are so fragrant that if I leave my office window open when they are blooming, I can smell them inside!
A friend of mine recently sent a photo of lilacs that she had quilled. When I took this photo the lilac in our yard was tightly closed.
Yesterday there was one tiny flower open. I have not yet looked today! The yellow flowers in the background are forsythia.
And the sweet bleeding hearts! Remind me of years ago (2011) when the Grandgirls came to play. I turned them loose to do whatever they wanted with flowers in the yard. Seeds of some sort in one bucket, (perhaps dandelion?) and blossoms from the Bleeding Heart in the other!
Lilacs have never had it so good as in the hands of a young’n!
They do not come over to play any more! But they are willing to do our grocery shopping and delivery.
For me serendipity is just like snatching rubies out of thin air. Serendipity: “the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.”
I was out walking and overheard two little girls playing in a yard.
“Where are you, Susie?”
“I’m over here at my favorite tree,” she replied, standing at the base of a pink magnolia in bloom. “I am sad. This is my favorite tree. I come here when I am sad.” There was a pause with no response from the other child. Then in a lilting voice Susie answered, “Do you want to see me climb my favorite tree?”
Can we become childlike during this pandemic? Recognize our sad feelings, but then go on to delight in the life we own at this moment? It has long been said that the waiting is the hardest part. Give me something definitive and I will find a way to cope. Leave me without a decision and I flounder and flop around. Perspective of that child? I am sad, but there is a tree right in front of me waiting to be climbed.
“Do you want to see me climb my favorite tree?”
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:1-5 NRSV
Come, Lord, help me climb this tree! Help me to humble myself and change. Help me become like a child.
Help me to be less fearful of the measure of time, and more fully alive in the time that simply is. Help me to live time, not just to simply use it; to breathe it in, and return it in acts of love and presence.
Avis Crowe
We were advised that in this worldwide crisis we would experience the famous stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Allow yourself to feel those emotions as they arise, then release them and let them go. They may overlap. You will go in and out of those various feelings.
Always look for your favorite tree. Climb it and be restored.
Here is where he chose to hide from the rain. I did not dare peek yesterday to see if Momma Bunny had returned for him. This afternoon I decided to look as we are forecast to heavy rains tonight. If she had not returned from him I was fully ready to call an Elder at our church, Lowell, who has pet rabbits at his house. I could house him in a shoe box and take him for a ride to safety away from cats and other critters.
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:14 NRSV
Okay, that is a stretch! But Lowell might have bunny bottles and be willing to have his kids care for a Bunny?
So, I carefully pulled back the nesting material and had my phone ready ….
NO BUNNY! Yes! Momma came back to get him and neatly covered his hiding place.
Whew! What an adventure, in deed!! And I do thank the Lord that I did not harm them when I disturbed them. If she returns next year I will try harder to curb my enthusiasm!
The other day we finally remembered amidst the stress to take a peek at the bunnies. Bob was ready with his camera. I moved the nesting material aside. Still could not see well. I moved it more. Seems the bunnies grew and got a lot stronger! I must have frightened them because suddenly one squealed and they began to run around the garden, looking for a place to hide. Oh my! ALL PHOTOS BY r m dutina – my dear husband.
Prior to this, the only other time I heard a bunny squeal was when a cat got hold of one and was killing it. So this bunny squeal had me very upset. I had just washed off rubber gloves from un-packaging shipped materials. I ran to get them so I could try to get the bunnies back in the nest without leaving my scent upon them.
Two ran next to the drainpipe. One lit out for cover near the hose connection.
Those are daffodil leaves and small pine chip bark mulch.
After trying to move one I realized if I picked it up and covered it’s eyes with my other hand it would not cry out.
So I scooped him up out of the pebbles and placed him with the other two who were huddled by the drain pipe. Took the nesting material and piled it on them for warmth and cover.
Then we waited to find out if Momma Rabbit would claim them as her own. The next morning the nesting material had been disturbed and two out of three bunnies were gone. Did she run out of time before carrying off bunny #3? Did it fight her attempts at rescue. Worrisome.
In about an hour it began to rain. I went out to make sure bunny was protected. He had gotten out of the nesting material and was trying to find a drier place. When I approached he ran behind the conch shell. It leans against the porch concrete wall and is covered on one side by emerging snapdragon leaves and on the other by autumn leaves and a spider web. I placed the nesting material against the side where he had entered, trying to keep him warm from the cold rain.
This morning the nesting material was still in place. I am very reluctant to move it. In these times of global uncertainty, with even a zoo tiger getting covid-19, it is nice to have some living creature to focus upon. I hope Momma Rabbit came back to claim him as hers.
In many ways I wish I had never peeked. Wish I had not wanted a photo for y’all. But as the younger ones say, “It is what it is!”
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 