Fading

Today I went out to water my flowers.

Maybe it was the cooler temperature that prompted me to notice

they're starting to fade.

That's just the way it goes.

So, I decided to take some inside and really savor them today.

It was a day for looking and appreciating up close

what I know will be gone tomorrow,

and turning that appreciation to worshiping the Giver of every good gift.

I know a few people who are in the middle of major medical challenges right now,
whose faith is being tested.  They have to decide moment by moment
to focus on what they can see, or trust in God, who they can't see.
So this morning as I examined what I can't normally see, I prayed for them.

Right there in the middle of the zinnias.

I asked God to give them healing and wholeness.
Remember how Jesus would never stop at healing the physical, but also address the heart?
So often we are hurt when God allows us to endure unexplainable trials.
He doesn't stop at healing the medical hurts.

I love the little crowns in the centers of the zinnias.  They're so regal.

But they remind me of the crown of thorns Jesus wore for us, too.  He identifies with our agony.

And that was my little photography/worship retreat today.

Dog Days of Summer

Meet Stella.
She really did come to us in the dog days of summer.

Bethany has been waiting her whole life for her.

She had to wait a little extra long, because she was at marching band practice when Stella arrived.
I couldn't wait for her to get home so I could see the look on her face.

She is about a year old, some sort of mix of terrier and spitz
that we got from a rescue.
I'm not sure why anyone would part with her.

Fun fact:
Bethany picked the name Stella.
It means "star".
The dog days of summer were named that
because the early Romans associated the hottest days of the year
with the "dog star" (that's the brightest of the constellation Canis Major).
Pretty cool since Stella has a white star on her chest.

Stella wasn't very big on toys at her foster home,
but Bethany had picked out a fox for her that she loves!
Stella is such a good mannered, spunky sweetheart.
She is almost too good to be true.
We're grateful that she had a loving foster mom
who helped get her off on the right foot.
Or paw.

I think you'll fit in just fine here, Stella.

Welcome home!