Petunias

I got up yesterday at 4:30 to have breakfast with a friend at HyVee and later I went out golfing with him. But, before leaving I was reading my morning devotions and when focusing my mind on what I had just read, I looked out on the deck and noticed the petunias swaying in the wind. Their gentle frailness seemed to protest each time the wind chose to blow them back and forth, but they had to relinquish to the stronger force. This made me think of the other evening when I was talking to Will about the wind. We looked at the tall cottonwoods swaying in the strong breeze on the hills above us. I said to Will that it looked like the wind was caressing the trees, giving them a hug by gently rocking them back and forth. 
  Now this morning when looking once again at the petunias, I noticed something very unique. In the middle of each flower was a perfect five point star.  The strange thing about this was that when walking up close to the petunias, I could not see this unique phenomena, that is the stars in each flower. All these years I never noticed the stars in these beautiful plants. I began to think of how God gives us new eyes to see things differently as well.  
I have found myself struggling at times to get through difficult circumstances, but during those challenging times when asking God to help me, he has always been faithful to show me how "HE" looks upon what is happening to me. Just like when I looked at the petunias up close, I could not see the stars within them.  We sometimes are too close to what is happening to see the outcome of the problem we are facing. God though gives us a new vision to see his will through difficult circumstances, if we choose to seek his guidance.  It seems that the hardest time to relinquish the reigns is when we are struggling the most.  I recall onetime when given training in rescuing drowning swimmers who were panicking, we were told to wait at times until the swimmer stops thrashing around and then retrieve him.  I thought that was awfully strange to wait, he might drown.  The instructor at that point seemed to be reading my mind, he then responded, "If you do not wait for him to give up, he will pull you both down at the same time." At times we are in the same situation in life, we are panicking and can't be saved until we stop trying and wait for God to help us.  Like the rescuer in the water, he might have said, " if you would have stopped struggling so, I could have gotten to you sooner.  We at times are so much like our drowning swimmer, we need help desperately, but because we are struggling so hard, we fail to see that there is help near by.  
Scriptures tells us that Jesus stands at the door and knocks and he waits patiently for us to answer his call.  Have you ever noticed the picture of Jesus standing at the door knocking?  If you look close, you will see that there is no outside door handle.  The handle is only on the inside.  The picture portrays a patient father who waits for us to answer his call to come in and who wants to be apart of our individual lives and circumstances.  In revelation 3:20 it says, "Here I am!  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."  Are you struggling today with a problem that is overwhelming?  He stands at the door of our heart and waits patently to help, we only need to stop struggling and give it to him, then he will be free to help us. 
Augie         

Newness of Sight

 Greetings!  Today I was reminded of how nice it is to have cool days.    Not to long ago I remember hoping for warm weather and at that time, I was tired of waking up to the 30 and 40 degree mornings. What ever happened to the normal temperatures of May when it should be in the high 40s and low 50s at 6 a.m.   After reaching 95 today with high humidity, those cooler temperatures seemed quite appealing once again.  It appears to be a state in our existence that we are always wishing for something that we do not have.  

I look at my 7 year old son who works for his money by doing things around the house, the garden, as well as helping grandma and grandpa with cleaning, raking and picking up.  He dreams of the next Lego that he wants to get and soon after getting it, I notice that he once again is occupied with his older favorite toys.  The newness soon wears off and at times, he dreams of other toys to save for.  

I think if I would admit it, I am the same way, I miss my old 92 Ranger pickup and wish at times that I hadn't got rid of it so quickly.  I was eyeing an SUV at the time, thinking that would make me so happy driving it through out the countryside.  In the end, my dream vehicle brought me high repair bills and my gas mileage went down.  It wasn't as attractive in my driveway as it was when in the Ford dealership lot.  

God though is very patient with us and doesn't want us to be drawn to whims that tickle every fancy that comes along.  He desires for us to be content with the things that he has given us, to see enjoyment with the jewels that he has placed within our grasp.  We have a tendency at times to look across the fence and see instead what others have, things we do not possess.  Discontentment soon follows and we quickly become discouraged as well as feeling empty inside.  

God was teaching me this last week about contentment and where to place ones true values.  Monday, I was planning to see my doctor about something rather minor, though I could have put it off, I decided to take care of it none-the-less.  Just before going to the clinic, I experienced a sudden loss of strength, I began to shake and I was short of breath.  That night I shook violently and sweat profusely.  My doctor diagnosed me as having Lime's disease and so now I am on antibiotics.  It has taken me about a week now for my strength to slowly return, with my balance almost back to normal.  My family became very concerned for me and my children said they would pray for me as well.  Changing bedding daily because of me soaking them with sweat every night was difficult.  Now after several days, I can walk at a normal gate and wake-up with dry sheets.  Today I see where my treasures are, not in the garage, they are in my arms.  I realize now more than ever, how much God has given me.  My thoughts of having my pickup truck back are all but forgotten.  Having health and my family is what is most important.  God is teaching me through this that I shouldn't be counting the things I don't have, I should be counting the minutes I get to have with my family.  Counting the moments of waking up and seeing a beautiful sunrise, birds singing, and the quietness of solitude when looking at his beautiful sunsets.  Seeing, not just looking at, but really seeing the beauty of his flowers he has given me to enjoy. Listening as well to the wonderful sounds of little feet coming up the steps and then hearing the words, "Daddy!"  My eyes have been opened this past week.  Thank you Lord for helping me to see more clearly.  

Have a great week filled with newness of sight.  Augie