ON MOVING TO THE MIDWEST IN SUMMER
A distant cloud, with flashing light.
A soundless thunder, a sense of wonder.
Fireflies flirting; the sidewalk skirting.
The air hangs heavy, hot and wet;
I wipe away the beads of sweat.
The bugs are biting; a little frightening.
Imagining fairies riding fireflies,
In evening silence, their dance delighting.
For quite some time, I forget the biting.
Until I wake at 3 a.m.; the itching has begun again.
My long-gone mother comes to mind.
She prayed for me; her heart was kind.
So many changes; can’t keep track.
Need to recall– God’s got my back.
He comes to fill what I now lack.
Exhaustion is my current test;
In God I need to take my rest.
His plan for me must be the best.
Warmth in the Cold
Warmth in the cold — how often do we take it for granted?
A fire, a heater in our home, a warm jacket, a cap that covers our head and ears, a warm scarf, socks and shoes or boots, blankets, quilts, or comforters. And how about the warmth of a smile, a hug, a gentle voice, a forgiving or encouraging friend?
I once stayed a weekend at a cabin in Grass Valley, California. All the heating, cooking, and hot water was produced by burning wood. On mornings there would be a designated person who got up first and got the fire going for heating the cabin. People took turns because it wasn’t so pleasant getting up in the cold. Then, if you wanted to get clean in the shower, water had to be heated by burning wood. Cooking was a lot more work, too. In the United States and other places, we take our electric or gas heaters and ovens for granted.
So today, let’s be grateful for warmth. And Lord, help us to offer your warmth to someone today.
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