Life That God Has Blessed Us With

Today my family is enjoying the long awaited sunshine by spending time outside in the Lake Side Park here in Winona.  The temperature is around 70 degrees F. and the children are enjoying the slides and rides so much.  I look out at the lake and I see couples kayaking along, with others in the middle of the lake punting over the calm water.  I am reminded of the paintings from Norman Rockwell and the scenes that he sketched from around the turn of the last century in American life.  The people here in Winona are for the most part laid back and don’t seem to be in a hurry, that is compared to other places that I have lived.  There are many fishermen either fly casting or using the traditional method of fishing, either in boats or on the shoreline of the local lakes, trout streams or the Mississippi river nearby.   Life seems to slow down even more in the summer in this unique area of the world.  People take everything with a grain of salt and do not get bothered by too many things.  Life here is wonderful and I cannot find fault with this life style that I enjoy so very much.

As I sit on the porch now, my nephews who are 5 and 3 bring wild daisies to my 8-year-old daughter, (Abby).  They just picked them from the meadow and want her to put them in her hair.  We all look up and see at that moment, a grey fox trotting by into the woods heading to her kits.  A couple of days ago as we were looking out into the meadow, the children and I saw a new born fawn staring back at us from about 30 yards away.  The mother deer was close by, but not too close that she would draw danger to her new baby.  Each day seems to bring with it a new adventure with the forest animals coming to visit our meadow. 

Living here where life is slow compared to much of the world is wonderful in so many ways.  Going to Shakespeare plays in the summer, listening to concerts in the park and on campus, or going to car shows, they all bring so much enjoyment for the whole family.  God has been good to my family and I want to praise him for his loving kindness, and his compassion for all that he has blessed us with. 

Our Focus On The Day

As I look out at the meadow filled with tall grass, I can see the benefits of all the rain that we have been given.  It is easy for me to focus on the negative side of cloudy/rainy days at times, and then I find myself becoming sad and down.

By sitting still and lingering yet more in my thoughts, I look beyond the area where I am, and I see the deer feasting on the new grass.  I now look up and can see that there is a blessing in every cloud that passes over.  I am slowly coming to realize that it is in what we focus on that determines our outlook on the day, and on life.

In the New Testament, I read that Philippians 4:8 encourages us to magnify our thoughts on these things.  "Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Working On Being Thankful

Cousin's Eric, Noah,  and Aunt Kaylee Gustafson along with William Thurmer

Though the day is wet and cold, thinking of how not too long ago, it was indeed far colder and whiter.  Sometimes we have to work at being thankful, especially on days when the clouds cover the skies and the rain fills our hearts with sadness.  Praising God lifts us above what is around us, and gives our hearts a peace and joy that goes beyond what we see.  Job 38:1, says, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.”   God hears our voice, and our praises.

Abby and Will Thurmer