Day by Day, Walk this Way

The other day I was a little frustrated because the "organized" me wanted to be able to--"almost"--put it in my planner that I would walk at 7:30 am. I say "almost" because I don't think I would REALLY write in my planner that I will walk exactly at a precise time every day. I am four years retired, though, and still live by my planner. So it's not completely unthinkable that I could start writing it in as a daily thing at a specific time.

I'm not writing it in my planner, ok? It's a habit now, anyway. 

Seems really silly now, but earlier this week, we had rain in the forecast yet again. This is a weird summer; the rain is usually gone by July, not that I'm complaining about the rain, because I'm not! I LOVE rain. (Read my blog post "The Puddles are Dancing" to learn why). However, it was messing with the daily walk I have become accustomed to. Rain in the morning meant I couldn't walk until evening, because the window is before 9am or after 7pm. All times in between those hours are unbearably hot and humid.

So I was praying about it on my way to the campus where the walking paths are. "I can't find one specific time to always have my walk," I complained. "Every day when I get up I have to check the weather to see if I will be walking as soon as I can get dressed and out the door or am I waiting until after 7pm."

"Or if it's good in the morning, but rainy that night, that day I will walk in the morning, but the next day, it might be just before sunset. It's so frustrating! I'm committed to walking daily, but it's a day-to-day process!"

Then in my spirit I heard "Kind of like trusting the Lord for your daily needs?"

Yes. It's exactly like that. I am daily depending on God's grace to be sufficient for that day. It ALWAYS IS, but it doesn't always come in the way I thought or at the exact time I was expecting. That's how it is. He promised to provide my needs, but He didn't give me a typed itinerary of how and what He would provide.

I know it's not for everyone, but I have found a new enjoyment in a daily walk. Somehow, I daily have the desire to go and the stamina to do it. I have actually walked inside Walmart during the spring when it rained just about every day. I feel like joy it brings me and the ability to do this is a gift from God. Otherwise, I would have already quit. I have tried many times before in my 70 years. It never became a habit, I never liked it, and after a few weeks I had quit because it was too hard.

A couple of days ago I reposted something I had posted years ago: 

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1. 

It's still true today. I may wake up, check the weather app, and see that I can walk in the morning; or I may find that I will have to wait until evening. Possibly, I might even be walking at Walmart. It doesn't matter. He will work it out in His way. 

And I will still bless the name of the Lord. ALWAYS. 

Be blessed, my friends! 

The view above in the forest

The blessed shade!

It's all downhill from here!

Summer Stuff and Some Encouragement

A little over a week ago we had the summer solstice on June 21. This was the longest day of the year; now the days are getting shorter in the northern hemisphere where I live. Onward toward fall! I've included a picture of the sun peeking up over the trees in my backyard, taken that Saturday morning about 7:30. That's the farthest northeast it will rise for a good while. 

We've already established that I'm a nerd about these things. On to other things.

The week of June 15th was unbearably hot, getting to the low 90s in the afternoon. I walked mornings when I could, but even then it was in the low 80s. I've included some pictures of the campus, up by the buildings, and the more wooded trail at ASU, which was a little cooler on those days because it was shadier.

Last week we started having more rain again, so at least it cooled off some. I had to walk at Cooper Park several days because they were getting the ASU campus ready for the annual Red, White, and Blue celebration, held on June 28 and 29. I really missed my familiar trails, but it was good to have somewhere else to walk. 

We had a fireworks display Saturday night, and it was magnificent as usual. Pictures don't do it justice, but I will include some. (All the rest of the pictures will be at the end).

I have pretty much finished the front "porch" refresh. I will eventually buy an outdoor rug, and I am considering painting the front door, but for now I'm content with what it is. It's the best I can do right now, considering it's a rental. I like it. I feel like I'm sitting in a little garden when I am having my morning coffee. I especially like the blue wind chimes with the copper bells.

I'll leave you with some encouragement.

I'm still reading the Bible Recap reading plan for the year, and the passage in yesterday's reading is one of my favorites. In 2 Chronicles 20, where 3 surrounding enemy countries were coming against Judah and King Jehoshaphat, the Spirit of the Lord spoke through Jahaziel and told the king and all the people that this battle was not theirs, but God's. He told them to simply stand and watch the way the Lord came to their rescue. 

They watched as all their enemies turned on each other, and their enemies all killed each other. Every one of their enemies was dead, and it took them 3 days to carry the spoils of war back home.

This is really encouraging to me. Not only did God destroy their enemies, He did it knowing that Jehoshaphat would make a wicked alliance in the future that would displease Him. 

It's so hard to get my head around the love of God. He is kind and good to us even when we aren't. We certainly don't deserve how good He is to His children. We can never earn His love. 

Read 2 Chronicles 20 and the following chapter or 2. It's an amazing account.

Blessings to you all! 

"'You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you."

2 Chronicles 20:17 NASB