Weeping for Joy and Thanking God for the Years

Wow... Today is my birthday! I thank God for every year given.

My Birthplace

Sixty-one years ago,  a doctor in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland turned to an awaiting father to tell him that "She would had been a nice, little girl." Years later, the father would expressed that it was a sad moment Not to hear his baby girl cry out. It was only as the doctor was placing the small, lifeless bundle at the foot of the bed when he sensed a flicker of life. Years later, the awaiting mother  would comment that if the baby was not dead before, "she should have been after the ice water and 'body slinging' used by the doctor". 

As the baby cried out, the father would weep for joy and thank God for his new baby girl who would remind unnamed for an entire month.  When she was named, the father and mother agreed to give her the name of his beloved mother, "Sally".  

Clockwise: Mother, Me, Father, Daughter

As you may have guessed, I was that baby girl... Sally Shervonne (Sharvonne) Cherry. Needless to say, I will forever be grateful for that attentive country doctor. I thank God for guiding the doctor to do "whatever" it took to revive his small, lifeless patient. I thank God for a mother and father who would love and nurture their "small bundle" until their respective homegoings.

So I embrace each day and experience placed on my path. For God has a plan. Today, I am excited to see what The Lord has planned for my birthday. I pray for discernment, wisdom and strength as I focused on Jesus Christ who loved me even before I was born. God said "I will take care of you!" I hear it... I believe it... End of discussion! He has taken care of me for 61 years and He will not leave me now. So giving all praise to God I go forth on the day of my earthly birth. God is so good!

Miracle of the Sunflowers

As you can see I finally got a closer look at the "Sunflowers of Jarrettsville" this year. In the past, I have driven by the “golden fields” and just admired them at a distance. A couple of years ago, I saw a picture of the sunflowers in a local newspaper and immediately made plans to visit the fields. After reading that the sunflowers would only be good for pictures another week, I promised myself to visit "next year".



God's timing is so amazing.

Although my "next year" did not come right away, the timing was perfect for an intimate outing with God. As I walked among the golden sunflowers, butterflies, and bumble bees, I quickly forgot about a leaking brake line and even an impromptu lawn mowing session after a broken promise. In the quietness of the moment, I found myself reflecting on the beauty and miracles within the unending rows of golden sunflowers. My thoughts wondered to that day's reading from my daily devotional, Sarah Young's Jesus Calling...

"You see miracles happening all around, 

while others see only natural occurrences and "coincidences".

   
As I walked deeper into the field, I was taken in by the overflowing miracles within this golden ecosystem. I am talking about the miracle of providence... co-existence... diversity... and even pollination as the butterflies and bees "danced" among the beautiful flowers as if to music.

I don't even remember what was planned for the afternoon but God's plan was indeed far superior. As I "played"  in the "golden fields", I was able to spend some time in God's presence. Simple pleasures are indeed golden!

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

The Words of Faith Nourish Me

Another day... another step of faith.
The Words of faith continue to nourish me with each step. As I embrace the many life changes, I pray for  wisdom to see The Lord's path for me and courage to follow that path. I don't want to get in His way.

Seeing a butterfly is very uplifting... With each sighting, I am quietly reminded of "The Butterfly Struggle". Life challenges and changes strengthen us for our journey may it be that of a human or a butterfly.

According to "Journey North: Monarch Butterfly", some monarch butterflies from the northern US travel all the way to Mexico for the winter. That's over 3,000 miles! Although it is a long journey especially for a "delicate" butterfly, it is not traveling alone. That's the same with us, life may be a "journey" but we do not travel alone nor unnourished.

As nectar nourishes the butterfly, 

the Words of faith nourish me. 

 So, I feed on God's Word because it strengthens me. When I see a butterfly flying high, I smile because I know that as the butterfly flies strong and free... it is through God's divine plan. And God has a plan for me!

 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." 

                           1 Timothy 4:6 (KJV)