The Big Picture

I remember when I was in grade school, there was going to be a partial solar eclipse that we could see in our part of the country. We were advised to take a piece of paper and stick a pin hole in the middle of it. Then we could hold it over another piece of paper and we could watch the image of the eclipse on the paper. Looking at the sun directly was something our eyes could not do without damaging them, but the pinhole allowed us to see what we needed to see.

This week has been filled with bitter tragedy and divisiveness for our country and the world. Maybe we wonder why God has allowed these things to happen. The pinhole story reminds me that our only glimpse of the "Big Picture" of what God is doing can only be glimpsed through the pinhole of our finite minds. We cannot now see all that He is doing in the earthly and spiritual realms, He has shielded us from that which our human minds cannot comprehend or safely handle. I believe accepting God's limitations is why faith is so important. Hebrews 11:1 tells us:

 "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." 

It gives us a secure place to rest when we can't understand the things happening around us or  why they are happening. If we rest in God, we can trust and know that he is orchestrating all things perfectly. Faith reminds us that our understanding the why is not important. Understanding that He is in control, and trusting (resting) in Him is.

I read a very good quote this morning-"If our hearts have not come to rest in God, we will search in vain for any other place that is safe." Resting in God provides the only true rest for our hearts and minds in troubled times as well as in peace.

Spring!

I was never a big Spring person when I was growing up. I lived in the southern New Mexico desert for the first 19 years of my life and spring generally meant big sand storms. Back in the early 1960's when little girls were required to wear dresses to school, a windy day on a sandy school playground meant sandblasted little legs and skirts flying up. We quickly learned to squat down and hold our skirts around our ankles when a big gust of sand and wind blew by. You could hear the screeching little voices echoing around the playground. Okay, maybe a little dramatic, but it wasn't fun and we were expected to play outside whether the wind blew or not. The playground was literally one big sandlot with a couple of asphalt slabs for basketball courts. I guess it's the desert equivalent of the "walking to school barefoot in the snow" story! 

Anyway, now we live in North Central Texas, where Springtime is beautiful. The rolling hills are bright green, the wild plums and redbud trees are blooming and the trees are putting out their leaves or catkins that come before the leaves. The bluebonnets are paintbrushes are starting to come out and we are getting some rain again.  Our rye grass is so thick and lush that our calves think they are in cow heaven! We bought 2 more just to help our 2 Angus calves keep up how fast it is growing!

Even though Autumn will always be my favorite, Springtime is definitely next on my best seasons list!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yep.

 Well, evidently Buc-ee didn't see his shadow last month because Spring seems to have sprung here in Texas. Hopefully it's not just fool's spring or the spring of deception. 

Now, we await The Pollening...

Fyi-for those unfamiliar with Buc-ee, Buc-ee's is a Texas institution and Buc-ee is it's mascot. It's a super-sized travel stop where you can buy anything from pretty decent fast food and Texas souvenirs to gasoline.

The north has Punxsutawney Phil, the south has General Beauregard Lee and some places in Texas even rely on Prairie Dog Pete to predict the timing of Spring. I, however, prefer Buc-ee. He doesn't have to be coaxed from a hole and he doesn't bite. He just stands there 24/7, 365 days a year with arms open wide in welcome and a toothy grin. Even if he sees his shadow he doesn't get scared. That's what I call reliable.

Amazing!

 Spring is getting an early start here and I was out with my phone camera this morning enjoying the teeny, tiny wildflowers (weeds) growing in our yard. They are so small and perfect, they look like miniature versions of orchids, violets and other larger flowers. I'm amazed by their intricacies and to me, they show in tiny "snapshots" the glory and power of God their creator. These are flowers no bigger than the eraser on the top of a pencil, some even smaller yet absolutely perfect. Our God is an amazing God!

Shepherd's Purse

Henbit

Scrambled Eggs (That's the real name!)

Wild Violet