Unrealized but Watching

Monday, September 4, 2023

For me there is nothing better than a fresh cup of coffee to start the day, and a good book by my side.  The Bible is my favorite book.  Today I am reading in Numbers 6: 24-26 which says, "May the Lord bless and protect you, may the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you; may He be gracious to you, show you His favor, and give you His peace."  I wish that for you today and every day.

(Once we fill up a bucket, my husband cans the tomatoes a little at a time.)

Yesterday the grandsons, Papaw, and I were picking the ripe tomatoes from the garden, getting ready to can them.  We noticed a monarch caterpillar on some milkweed near the tomatoes. He was enjoying a leafy lunch. Papaw turned over the leaf, and we all watched him closely. He was minding his own business, doing what caterpillars are supposed to be doing.

This place we call Earth that God created is such an amazing world!  Did that caterpillar know how closely He was being watched?  It is just like you and I. Sometimes we may not be aware that we are safely in the Father's hands. Unrealized, still our Father, God, watches over us and provides what we need.    

I John 4:18 TLB says, "We have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what He might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what He might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us."  Right now we have eight chickens in our backyard so we can enjoy fresh eggs. Through the years, we raised chickens much to our youngest daughter's dismay. When she was small she would not gather the eggs, which is so much fun! 

Our chickens were always hand fed and pretty tame. Yesterday when I was outside with the chickens I began telling her their names and how gentle they were. Suddenly, our daughter, no longer a little girl, decided to face her fears, and perhaps finally believed me when I said, "These chickens won't hurt you!" With courage, she picked up one of my favorite, tamed hens for a picture. The smile on her face reflects how happy she was that instant she faced her fear, and was finally able to overcome it!

Often it has been my observation that often what we worry about and are the most afraid is going to happen, never does.  Instead of all that unnecessary worry; how about a better idea?  Take those fears of what might happen; pick them up, and lift them up toward Heaven!  All those worries and fears of the future are already in the capable hands of the One who loves you the most.