TUMBLEWEEDS

   I have been noticing the tumbleweeds this year. Matter of fact, I became so entranced with them, I conned Ray into pulling off the road one beautiful day and picked one up to bring home. I took that tumbleweed and placed it in one of the bay windows, clustered white lights under it, draped sparklies on it, and used it for a holiday decoration. I think it is absolutely delightful-but I am a little 'strange.' :) 

    I always thought that tumbleweeds were a particular kind of weed that grows all summer and tumbles in the fall. Actually, I notice that 'tumbleweeds' are many differing kinds of weeds: some are delicate and frondy, some are more substantial. They all store seeds in little seed packets on their stems, and those seeds are distributed randomly throughout the ditches, along fences,  and (alas!) in the fields that they tumble through. The next spring, there are lots of little weeds that become tumbleweeds that fall. They are quite prolific, thanks to their wonderful experience of blowing hither and yon as the wind tosses them about.

     I must be honest: I sometimes feel like a tumbleweed, blown in directions and situations that I do not orchestrate. I just find myself there, and my job is to make the best of it. I hope that I plant good seeds as I tumble about. I am sure that is God's plan for all of us as we live for Him.  Hopefully, I am learning to relax and 'let go' to plant a seed of hope, friendship, happiness, love, joy and laughter with those I meet and see each day.

 When the day comes, and I am 'in the fence,' I hope I can sparkle with the crystals of happiness to bless those who pass by.
   We had a good day at Lower Brule. Thank you to those who prayed for us today. May God Bless You and grant you happiness and joy in this beautiful season!

THROUGH THE FROSTY WINDOWPANE

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as I am known."  ~I Corinthians 13:12~

   I awoke this morning to a strange stillness for being this close to downtown Mitchell. I could hear the wind whispering around the corners of the house, and the light was diffused as it came through the windows. I raised the blind to look outside: sure enough, it was white, white, white. As a matter of fact, all I could see was white. The windowpane was frosted and glazed. When I came downstairs a while later, I could look out through the windows and see shadowed forms of trees. I had a strong feeling that I knew what the outside was like, but I put on a coat and went outside to experience it. The outside was focused sharp and clear when I stepped out the door, and the few things that were not draped in white were standing in defiant contrast to the snow. Ahh...the beauty of snow!!

   A phone call to a contact person at Lower Brule confirmed that he was just ready to call us to report the weather conditions out there. No church today. We always miss it when we cannot go out to Lower Brule; but we are very aware of the fact that it is the nature of the people with whom we work to contemplate during quiet times, and  we feel that this is a good chance for them to reiterate what they have heard. This is also a good time for us to 'regroup' and worship in the quiet. A day of rest is in the Master Plan of the Creator.

   The above quote is at the end of a chapter detailing the characteristics of our love for each other, as God intended it to be. Obviously, some things in life cannot be understood here; but we keep on keeping on, loving, loving, and loving. We only understand 'in part.' Sometimes, we think we would like to know what is ahead in our lives, what will be the next move, etc. We humans also love to have reasons and explanations, but faith and trust can only thrive where reasons and explanations do not exist. When I step 'outside' to the world beyond this world, I will see clearly. Life will be focused and clear in sharp contrast to the 'whyness' of now. Can I rest in this fact? Can I 'let things be' as they are without fussing, grumbling and trying to 'fix' things? I need to remember, as I pull back the blinds and try to see what cannot be seen, that all will be well when I can see clearly.

     I have not posted for the last couple of weeks; so I will post some pictures of Sunday School during that time.

    Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule. May God bless you!! Remember to trust while you 'see through the glass darkly,' for we all will soon know, even as we are known.