Shadows and Sunshine

 

one of the multi-purpose paths in our neighborhood

It's been a week of Shadows and Sunshine in my world -- probably for many of you as well. 

Of course, the news coming out of the Middle East is a mixture of shadows and sunshine. I won't get into that except to say, "Lord, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10).

the back of my house
as seen from the multi-purpose path

Since I've already shared a photo of the path on which we ride our bikes nearly every day, I'll tell you of an unpleasant encounter (a shadow) that began there last weekend. 

Pedaling along, nearly home after our 45-minute ride, all of a sudden I began to itch on my neck, just under my left ear. Then very quickly it began to also sting. That growing unpleasant sensation progressed down the front of my body for the rest of the way to our house.

At home I quickly disrobed enough to discover that an ant had either flown or fallen onto my skin and then bit/stung me as it wandered about on my person. 

I caused his life to come to a sudden end and then watched as deep red spots began to rise along the trail he had made on my skin. Eleven in all. What a nasty beast he was, although tiny in size. 

Thankfully, I had a tube of anti-itch cortisone cream that I applied daily and by now those spots have faded considerably. 

While I have no hesitation to murder insects, they seem to foresee their future demise from me and take out their vengeance before their death.

signs of a possible stroke

The incident with the ant was followed by news that one of our adult children (who will go unnamed, for reasons of privacy) was preparing to go out for ice cream when some of these signs of a stroke manifested. The spouse immediately recognized these signs and whisked the patient to the ER. 

If you don't already know, when these signs happen, do not sit and debate with yourself as to what to do. Time is extremely important! Better to get a medical evaluation and be wrong than to misdiagnose oneself. With a stroke, the longer you wait to get medical attention, the more serious (even devastating) the outcome can be.

Blessedly, the necessary medication was given very quickly along with fervent prayer. Tests were run and after a couple of days in the ICU, the patient was sent home with minimal effects of the stroke. The word is that the patient may return to work this week! 

The attending doctor said our patient did not "dodge a bullet" but rather "dodged a cannon!" We thank the Lord this happened during the day instead of at night while sleeping. The outcome could have been vastly different! 

Some sunshine came out of that shadow!

this is in our water closet window;
a comforting reminder every day

Now, for more of the "sunshine." 😊

Azaleas in our yard

Spring, winter, summer -- we've had all this week, along with about two inches of much-needed rain for our extreme drought. Both the white and the pink Azaleas have kept up with their blooms through the weather changes. (The pink ones are just a little more showy for today's post.)

Spring cross stitch from my past

It's the first week of March (finally!) so I switched out the cross stitch out on the lanai. On my calendar I've made notations throughout the year to remind me to change out these stitched projects. As I've said many times in recent years, my cross stitch days are behind me, but I've kept nearly every project made 2018-2020 and enjoy posting them seasonally. Many of them include scripture to remind me where my thoughts should be planted.

recently completed reading

Speaking of scripture, this is a book I ordered, featured on Focus on the Family. The main point of this book is how you can use scripture to pray. (the Psalms and Proverbs most easily, but all of God's Word) 

Use passages to articulate what's in the deepest part of your spirit. If you don't know what to pray, read the verses back to God, personalizing them as you go. It's an amazing way to really say what needs to be said and to feel like the Lord has actually heard you!

fountain near my house in Jacksonville

Just being in the Bible is like a refreshing fountain that washes off the stuff that has brought us down, and reminds us of how much God really cares for us.

one of my sons (on the right) with his wife

Scripture is a huge help to me for coping with the shadows (and the sunshine!) of life. Of particular interest to me as I age is how to relate better to people, how to strengthen relationships and how to cope with weak areas.

click here for purchase information

Have you read this book? I did about a year ago and wow, it really helped me to get my head on straight about life. It is true that the bulk of our lives is made up with our response to what has happened to us, and not so much a result of the actual events. 

Internet illustration

The best part of that is we get to control our response, we can control our attitude!!

As my regular readers know, both Gary and I experienced some tough stuff before we met. Some of those hard experiences had a lot to do with our initial introduction and attraction to each other. (as the saying goes, "Misery loves company.")

us

Then love came along.... and in all of that I began to see how my responses to life's events and relationships with others are largely up to me!  

Many, O Lord,

are thy wondrous works 

which thou hast done.

Psalm 40:5

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara