Friday, October 24, 2008

I Love Texas Falls

This fall has been extra special to me. I have enjoyed the local wildlife more than usual. We have been so blessed to witness nature at her best.

The mornings have been crisp and cool. The sunsets have been extremely colorful at the end of the day. The nights have been so beautiful. The dark skies of Norse have allowed us to view the planets and stars at their most visible. The nights are so peaceful.

During the days, at various intervals,skies are filled with the sound of wild geese traveling south for the winter. It is a blessing to looking up into the sky and see them in their V formations traveling so gracefully against the clear blue sky. Often at night fall seeing them land on local ponds for a rest.

The deer have gotten so use to seeing us around our home that they no longer run from us. They will lay in our yard near cedar trees and watch us as we go about our business. There is a trust of sorts that we will not bother them. The cotton tail rabbits and jack rabbits accept our old fruit; but still run if we approach them.

An old raccoon is thankful for the fruit and vegetables we leave for him; but like the rabbits is not sure of us yet. The local birds come for seed that we have for their benefit as well as enjoying the little water fountain we have for water. There are several Cardinals that are a wonderful scarlet red this years.

If you have not guessed, I consider these days and wildlife as gifts from the hand of God. Watching the wildlife in itself brings peace to one's soul and mind. Seeking God among His creations allows me to be still and ready to listen not just ramble in speech; but to actually sit still and listen.

After 54 years of life, I still find that God can amaze me as much as He could when I was a child. I find myself willing to learn and thankful that there is so much yet to learn. I feel so hopeful and believe that blessings will be revealed in the day ahead: the prayers I pray to be answered in ways that one might know that only the hand of God could have done it.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

This past week we went to Mississippi. We took my mother-in-law and her sister to visit an old plantation sight and to see where many of their ancestors were buried.

The purpose of the trip was to let them see the places that their mother and aunts had spoke of so often We were able to hear from them the family legends as well as glean facts from the locations. It brought great joy to me to see my mother-in-law's eyes dance with delight to see some of the places she had heard of as a child.

It became a bonding time for our family: my mother-in-law, her sister, a cousin, my husband and myself. i was able to see the things that they all had in common as well as the things that separated them and made them individuals. The history of the family was filled with a common string: those who have much, much is required. The thought that you have been given so much, not necessarily financially; but in education, natural abilities and hard work required you to share with others for a common good.

Many served as senators, representatives, judges and lawyers for common people who could not afford legal help. Many started churches in their homes wherever they lived. When coming to a new place if there was not a church, they would open the doors to their home twice a week for services. Often they would leave a son or two behind when moving again to continue to pastor the church they had started. Many of the churches that they started in their home are still active. Such was the church we attended on Sunday for its 150 anniversary.

150 years ago, Peter Parker, travelled from Alabama to De Soto, Mississippi. His family and five other families built the first Baptist Church there. Peter was its first pastor and remained there for ten year. His grandson George Beverly Parker, was the Sunday School Superintendent for over 31 years ,his wife Willie Creagh Falconer Parker took care of the Cradle Roll until her death. Many of their children's families attended the church until their deaths as well.

On Sunday, my mother-in-law and her sister were able to stand there with some of the cousins representing both Peter and George Parker. It was a special time for the past and the present to meet. While there, I felt great pride that God allowed us to be a witness to His ever present hand in the life of this family.

There were inscriptions on the tombstones that reminded us that God was the foundation of a good reputation and home. These were men and women of great character that past down to the next generation a love to God and country, a love for family and community and the character to try even if it means failing and to try again. These were people who early recognized that with an education, one could achieve much and thought it to be every man, woman or child's right to be educated no matter race, creed or color.

These ancestors also played important part in the history of the state of Alabama and Mississippi. No matter what job they had, they put their family first and for this I believe their children grew up strong and confident.

There is so much that could be said or written, but that would take a long time so I will write just a little at a time.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Been thinking

Lately, I have been thinking about King David and his life. He was known as the "Apple of God's Eye". For someone so loved by our Father and Creator, this man went through a lot. He experienced depression, betrayal and great loss.

He was the youngest of Jesse's boys: he had a gentle spirit with a warrior's heart. David was a man of great faith: he trusted that God had a plan for his life and it was good. David was a man who served under a harsh jealous King who accused him of things that David did not do. When he was King, there were those again who were jealous and coveted all David had. They sought to destroy him.

One thing about David, he remain constant in his faith. He believed that if he strayed, like a good Father, God would point out his sin and give him the choice of whether to repent or to harden his heart. Because of his relationship with God, David quickly chose to repent and surrender himself to the mercies of God.

David knew that it was "better to spend one day in the courts of God than a thousand else where". He knew that God's mercies were great and renewed with every dawn. He knew that man was not by nature a merciful being that man would seek revenge or destruction of another.

When he stood up to the Giant. He was certain that he was doing what God required of him. When he played the harp to soothe King Saul, he knew this was where God wanted him. When he danced with great joy before the Lord, he knew this was how God wanted him to enter into His courts: dancing and with great praise. When he chose not to slay King Saul, he knew that God would show him the same mercy. When Nathan spoke to him about his sins, David knew immediately that God wanted him to come in repentance, so he ran and threw himself on the horn of the altar.

Because of the love that David and God shared, David knew that God was always present. David knew that God knew him ever so intimately. Because of this all the days of his life he held fast to God and His word. Even in loneliness, sorrow, depression and confusion of old age, David knew that God had not forsaken Him.

I ask myself: Do I have faith like David to believe that no matter where I am or what I am going through, God is present? Am I willing to run to the altar and hang on until I get a word from God about my life? Am I willing to fight the Giants in my life simply because I know that this is what God says to do? Am I willing to show mercy to someone who has hurt me deeply and seeks to destroy me?

If I cannot answer yes to all of these questions today, I pray that God will be patient with me and guide me to the place where I can answer yes.