Yesterday morning as I was sitting here writing my blog I heard the birds singing, as always. This time I stopped and looked at my watch; it was 4:45. I remember when I came to the campground in June, the birds started singing at 4:18.
The times, they are a changing.
Stop right now, if you will, and do a mental recap on your summer so far. What have you accomplished since June 1? Have there been any moments worth remembering? Oh, I hope there have been.
You have traveled along with me this summer. We came for a simple two week camping trip starting on June 4 and then had plans to meet up with friends for a few days but all that changed. We were offered an opportunity to be camp hosts at our favorite campground in the mountains. A place we come to every year, a place of many memories.
Then two weeks after that we were evacuated due to threat of fire. Yes, you were with me then too. During our evacuation we met and became friends with other camp hosts. It was an interesting time but we were always on alert that we could be moved from the mountain at a moments notice.
The first bird just started to sing, it’s 4:47. The times they are a changing!
Two weeks ago we were allowed to come back to the campground and resume our duties. Campers came slowly at first but last weekend we were almost full and the same holds true for this weekend.
The rains came and we are still getting rain every day. The wild flowers are blooming, the fish are biting, the elk are grazing in the meadows. It’s beautiful.
And then there were the lightning strikes…just yesterday a large ponderosa pine was felled in one of the campsites because it had been badly damaged by a lightning strike on Sunday.
This is my recap of the summer! Not what I had planned in any way but exciting just the same. I have been able to share God’s word with new friends, and I have prayed with and for others. The thing that never changes is the word of God and the power of prayer.
Each day changes just a little. Plans need to be rescheduled or laid aside completely but the Lord is ever present and those little birds that sing each morning remind me of that.
“ Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 CEV
Maybe your summer hasn’t gone as planned. Maybe things have changed signifcantly. Maybe you don’t know what to do next or where to turn. Be like the birds – start your morning with a song.
“ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV
Trust the Lord. He has a plan and a purpose for you.