Sweet Summertime-- Shades of Blue and Green

The dog days of summer bring extra time for writing, yet less interest in gathering my thoughts.  It's as if my mind is turning to mush as I enjoy an abundance of time with my girls with little to no schedule ruling our lives.  Oddly, the theme of our quiet and lazy days, besides PJ's and sweet frozen beverages, includes shades of blue and green.  One of my favorite things upon return from vacation is the GREAT BIG TEXAS sky meeting the horizon with unobstructed rolling landscape as far as you can see.  The mountains and hills of Colorado are majestic, but there is an awesome beauty to the wide open spaces with brilliant blues and rich greens overwhelming the eyes.

Just today, I went for a typical walk, wearing my new prescription sunglasses.  This sharp image of glorious blue and green hit me in the face.   My thoughts immediately lifted to the Lord and his tender and merciful care for me.  While summer reading includes more thoughtful study of the scriptures, Romans 1 further illustrates how the creation points me to the Lord.   "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. " Romans 1:19-20

In addition to summer Bible study, where the radiance of God's glory and goodness is revealed and my need for Him is increasingly obvious, home improvement projects are also in full swing.  We are consumed with nearly a hundred shades of blue to select just the right color for Caroline's room.  Several friends serve as advisers and mediators in this long-awaited decision.  It gives me great pleasure to check off overdue tasks from my list.  However, the unusual abundance of July rain keeps our shrubs and beds in constant need of upkeep and I'm finding it nearly impossible to get a landscape company to call me back.  I want to subdue the lush greenery surrounding us!   Once again, the scriptures encourage my soul even as I find myself irritated by these beautiful shades of green.   

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?  Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom and these things will be added to you." Luke 12:25-31

Summertime is sweet in so many ways.   I'm very thankful for the Lord's provision of much rest, thoughtful study and some time to complete meaningful tasks.  Perhaps the greatest blessing during the long summer days is how the LORD restores my soul as he grows in me a desire to walk in the Spirit.  Psalm 23 captures this well. 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."  Psalm 23: 1-3

Wildflowers, Mountain Vistas and Gracious Comfort

As I stare out over the 6th hole of Crested Butte's golf club with the stunning Butte just behind the green, I'm thankful for the Lord's gracious provision of mountain beauty surrounding us while experiencing deep sadness for the first time in months.  The combination of paradise and pain is even more distinct than I imagined.  No doubt, we are abundantly blessed to witness such spectacular sights while on vacation!  The valley of CB is glorious as the wildflowers are at their peak and the snowcapped mountains are majestic and inspiring.

Obviously, we are overwhelmed with reminders of Dad.  However, I'm struck with the randomness of triggers causing the tears to flow; it's not Dad's chair, his closet or climbing the Butte without him for the 2nd time in my life.  Ordering a scoop of ice cream, finding his 4th of July stash and seeing a photo of him atop a raised firetruck ladder from the last 4th of July reminds me of his unusually fun loving and adventurous spirit.   There is a definite lack of energy  surrounding us as we hike, picnic, play games and enjoy lots of time as a family.  As I dug through his box of hats and beads, missing him so very much,  I longed for one more surprising moment with Dad with his zest for life on full display.

While reading Psalm 121 on the porch this morning, I remembered how this passage filled my thoughts during our time in ICU.  I wasn't reading my Bible during those stressful days, but these words of scripture comforted my soul as I considered the possibility of losing Dad.  Today, I lift my eyes, once again, to the "hills" and thank the Lord for his gracious comfort and steadfast love while overwhelmed with memories in a mountain paradise.

Psalm 121
"I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."