Wow, Just Wow

It's been a year since we've made the move back to Texas.  We've adjusted fairly well to living in a small community and love being closer to The Children and The Grands.

With all of that I must confess that I miss my Oklahoma place. We were at the end of the road in our subdivision. We were on an acre with trees and a special garden place. This time of year flowers (mostly lilies and golden daffodils) were blooming all around the yard. There was lavender in the front flower bed that smelled glorious.  It's also time for the birds to be coming back from their southern homes. Bright noisy blue jays, sleek blue birds, and the regal cardinals with their unusual tweets. And, of course, my woodpecker who tapped on the telephone pole every morning in the lot north of us. It was quiet and secluded, and I loved it.

And, I miss it. I've been talking to Jesus about it the last two weeks. Not complaining, but with a tinge of sadness in my heart. Just telling him that it seems like such a small thing, but the longing is intense. And, there are more important things to miss, yes?

And then this morning as I was sitting at the computer, a movement out the window caught my attention. And I looked, and what I saw took my breath away. There in the still barren crepe myrtle was a beautiful, red cardinal, and his mate with her tawny red feathers and orange beak. The most beautiful gift. Just for me. What a sweet, sweet blessing. Thank you Jesus. For knowing. For caring about the small things.

Whew!

Hi everyone!  I've missed my blog. Truly. I think I would share more if I didn't seem to think it had to be deep and long..... wait! Isn't there a song? Hahaha. I've recently become even more certain that I have adult-onset of ADHD. (and yes, I really know there's no such thing)

As I was cleaning yesterday, trying desperately to get back into some sort of routine, I was also listening to Numbers. I have discovered that I retain or think more about something when I hear it rather than just reading it. Anyway, as I was listening it dawned on me that following the law of the Old Testament is just plain old wearisome. And difficult. And impossible. Have you really paid attention to any of the rules and rituals required for the offerings? And how many different kinds of offerings there were? And there were even offerings for accidental sins? I would have never been able to keep up! I would have never been able to stand before a holy God.

And then Paul comes along in the New Testament and informs us that the reason for the law was so we would KNOW we can't stand before a holy God. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, who covers all our sin, whose righteousness we wear before a holy God. I don't know about you, but I'm relieved.

By Grace Alone . . .

Whew!