Passing By

Will and Abby call him Jack, he and his family visit our feeders everyday.

Summers are always very busy here in Minnesota.  We spend a lot of time enjoying the outside by gardening, walking, hiking, riding and swimming.  In talking to my father-in-law yesterday, who teaches college level students, he spoke of having two pupils from California.  They had told their friends that when living in Minnesota, “One only enjoys three weeks of summer and then the cold weather sets in.”  I chuckled when hearing that.  That of course was an exaggeration, we usually have about 3 good months of summer and then cooler weather starts to arrive.  I imagine coming from southern California where the weather is nice throughout the year, that it must seem like we do have very short summers though. 

Monarch visiting Anne's hydrangea.

In comparison, one enjoys the short season of warmth here in Minnesota, because we have less of it than warmer climates further south.  More people here get outside during the warm summer months than any other time of the year.  They do not take for granted this limited summer season.  

How much more do those with health issues place greater value on what many of us have taken for granted?  Being able to walk, hear or see, knowing that one day soon this ability will disappear for them.  They have learned to place value on what will soon be lost.  Where is your walk today?  Are you taking for granted what has been given to you by God?  Are you passing by and missing out in life?

God has given us a limited life here on earth; we must then use this time to enjoy what he has imparted to each of us.  Do not waste the gifts that are around you, we have only to ask him to open our eyes to the beauty that is so easily missed.  Don’t wait until these things are fast fading from sight to enjoy them.  God will show you what has value, if you ask of him.