Like a Fish Outta Water!

Greetings and Holykisses,

As I started jotting random blessings in my handwritten journal today,.... -- I just felt like I was bubbling over. God reveals Himself in so many ways, and blesses me immensely.

Look at the little moths in the photo above. (You can click the picture to enlarge it.) See their little tongues guzzling their zinnia slurpees? At least that's what it looks like they're doing to me. Witnessing this pair, reminds me how our God provides! He equips a moth to dine on hot pink posies... and He equips us as well. Hebrews 13: 20-21 "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


I'm thankful for time spent with Trent this week, who is our oldest son. Here; he'd worked really hard all day long in our mechanics shop. What did he do at the end of the day? He was hot, sweaty, hungry....-- Did he go home to shower and eat? No... he went fishin! He generally carries a fishin pole on the roof of his jeep, so he's always prepared.*

On this particular day, he'd went to a nearby pond and caught this big bass. Then my phone rings and it's Trent: "Hey Momma, I just caught a bass. In just a minute will you go out and open the gates and I'm gonna drive over there really fast, and we'll take this bass down to our pond and let it go." :) So; out the door I ran, to open gates, and wait for him. I could see him driving up the road, and as he went through, I closed gates behind him. Then climbed in his jeep with him while this fish was dangling from a stringer....and hanging out the window. ;)

At our pond, he put the fish in the water, and took the stringer out of it's mouth. Then he wiggled it around in the water and releasing it, this big bass, ....swam away! I've thought about it all week long. If this fish could think like we can; do you suppose in his wildest dreams he'd have ever thought that one day... his circumstances could change? I mean; seriously... he was carried out of water.... for over a half a mile.... very fast. Most fish, if caught; are eaten, or thrown back. This fish, was caught and life as he knew it changed in an incredible way. -- His life was risked, ... in a whirlwind of change, and yet he not only survived it but is now the king bass in our pond!

When I really ponder it... so many spiritual lessons spring forth. I'm sure if you think about it, you'll get a few yourself. The main one that comes to mind for me is: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 -- Ya know; I'm so thankful for these little things that the Lord uses to encourage me, and... I'm thankful for our son the fisherman! ~ Have you heard the song called "Any Way," by Point of Grace? There's a line in it that says, "He changed the world through fishermen!" He really did! Thanks God!
I'm thankful these fancy zinnias are blooming from seeds sent by my friend Sue!
Seeds of friendship she calls them. I like that! I'm so blessed by her friendship, and all of yours too!

And I'm thankful for protection this week. Had a hairy drive to Fort Smith one day on the interstate!! It was like an obstacle course, with semi trucks galore. I know God's hedge of protection was around my vehicle. Then, this week, I had yet two more snake encounters! One was right inside the door of the chicken coop as I went in to gather eggs. I actually had my camera around my neck, and video'd it, but haven't been able to get it on here yet. And last night as I took our dogs out to potty; just as I had my hand on the picket gate, I saw "it." Right at my feet on the other side of the gate was a very Big SNAKE!!!!! It could have easily bitten me. It was dark out but I saw it by porch light.

I ran inside and called Trent, because he'd just left the shop and Mike wasn't here. Trent came flying up the drive and got out of his jeep with a long belt for a weapon? I didn't ask what it was, but it looked like a long "serpentine belt." I'm serious! What a pun. lol It was the only thing he had in his vehicle and I had nothing. He ended up finding a rock; ... funny; David used a sling and a stone to kill Goliath.* I'm not sure what kind of snake it was; I thought it was a copperhead but later, Trent didn't think so. At any rate... I'm thankful neither of us got bit! I really, really, really do not like snakes.

My journal is filled with many more blessings that I wrote down today, but thought I'd share just a few here at the shed. I hope you too take time in your day to stop and give thanks.

Some of you wrote me and expressed your interest in the Ruth bible study. I actually started it and then stopped because... next week on Tuesday we're starting a lil Ruth bible study at my house! I'm just soooooooo excited! 4 of us, maybe 5! So I'll share more about what I learn with that as time goes on. I'm totally pumped and thankful! To get together with galpals who want to learn more about God over a couple pots of coffee, tea or soda... and share a plate of cookies... sounds divine to me! I could not be happier! Please pray for us and that if there is anyone else who should be there; that God will lead them to the door!

The 23 Psalm has been all over me. It's come to me in emails, books, the word,... and audio books. I've shared here before; times where I've had sleepless nights? One night last week, it happened again. Those What If's crept in. I hate when that happens. So the next day, I wrote down those fears. Those imagined what if's. Then I realized something: "So what if ____ really did happen?" Even if my worst fears ever happened... God will still be with me. He's my Shepherd. And this Psalm says I shall not want.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I'm thankful for these life verses that help me so much in my walk with the Lord.
I'm thankful to be writing them on the tablet of my heart.
And I'm thankful goodness and mercy are following me!

Thanks for visiting the shed today!
<*)))><
holykisses!
Lea