On, In and Around Mondays - September begins

The chill in the air has a sense of permanence.

Ripe tomatoes, onions, celery, peppers, and garlic from the garden are cooked into chili sauce to save for another time, months even years from today.

Our two cats are busy wrestling, hunting, exploring the darkness of thick brush, yet stopping by to linger for a moment on the deck, mewing their hellos.

Our prairies skies are filled with geese, departing as they follow an instinct too strong to ignore.

Surely warmer temperatures will come again before we plunge into winter, but the scent of stubble burning off the harvested fields reminds me that there is no denying summer's end.

Written as a sliver of life in this place for L. L. Barkat's On, In and Around Mondays. Stop by Seedlings in Stone to read what others have shared.

Lazy Summer Ramble

Image via Wikipedia

My thoughts are scattered, I submit them to the Lord
I praise Him for this day as the sun burns its way through the clouds
just as I have praised Him through the rains that yet threaten to continue
But He is God, in all things, of all things, through all things.

All things.. yes, that must include the mosquitos
inescapable in this the wettest season we've seen in years
seeming as large as the hummingbirds that hover
fighting for spots around the feeders we provide
I must coat myself in repellents or choose the safety of the indoors
where I watch as they seem to taunt me from the window screens
but.. He is God.. of all things, yes,
even when, particularly when, I cannot comprehend His reasoning.

Okay Lord, I'm not complaining, really,
it's not me You hear, it's the whine of the dreaded insect
as I slap it dead against my bare skin, awaiting the welt that will rise,
repeating to myself, "this is a test, this is only a test...."

At last, I have thought of one benefit of the noxious pests..
they make me forget about the wood ticks.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). Romans 11:36 Amplified

Risk of frost days

While the weather cooperated Rick used his time well and most of the vegetable garden is planted. Monday we planted flowers in baskets, containers and in the beds that surround the house.

This is the last week of May. For most of you, my friends and readers in regions south of us, Spring is now turning to Summer. For those of us here in Manitoba the cold is not quite ready to release its grip.

But we plant, and we pray as we live through the days of "risk of frost". We listen to weather reports, check the skies, contemplate pulling out the old sheets to cover the plants, pondering, yes, even worrying. Shall we bring the baskets into the house to ensure their safety?

We shut the door, exercising our small measure of faith, leaving the plants hanging, the seedlings uncovered as we surrender our dreams of future flowers into His hands. Indeed they are for His glory so will He not care for them?

The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere. Isaiah 61:11 NLT