Day 173 Wonder

 

6/22/2025 

"A man's heart plans his way,

but the LORD directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

It is exceptionally hot and sticky this evening as I struggle to put my thoughts together rationally. The clock keeps ticking, the day is ending, and I am beginning to tire after a day of questionable success. I always enjoy my weekends with Jesus, attending church services, being around believers in Christ, listening to the word being taught line by line, the whole counsel of the word. Today things have been changed around a bit after a night of cat and mouse, trying to sort through the aftermath of chaos in my own life, along with the drama continually enfolding in our world. I can be having a wonderful, leisurely day, even though I'm engaged in prayer for nations at war, when out of the blue, the phone rings, and I mistakenly pick it up, and the atmosphere shifts. Still, I can focus on what I need to say or do, or I can listen for the Lord's clear call. Family drama still seems to follow me no matter where I am, and although I am getting better at setting boundaries, it still is not easy to silence the never-ending retorts of the enemy. I thank God for the gifts of long-suffering and mercy. 

Yesterday I missed my regular Shabbat services, so perhaps a portion of my balanced life was misplaced. It was a relatively calm day, but with the summer heat advancing and humidity rising, even I can have a few bad days, although I've always enjoyed summers. Mosquitoes seem to love me. It must be something about AB+ blood that entices them, because all I have to do is look outside for a second, and I get hit a dozen times or better. I have a very small vegetable garden that needs tending badly, but I am not going to pull one more weed until I can do something about those brute beasts. 

My long haired cat needs a good brushing and trimming too, but every time I go near him with the brush, I end up with more hair on my arms, legs, and face than he has on his body. Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but I do get messy. Alex doesn't seem to care how many tree berries or leaves he has tangled and matted in his fur, his favorite pastime is lounging in the tall grass, on his back, with legs outstretched, and his arms over his head. He's hilarious to watch, and he definitely feels as if he owns the yard. When he first arrived on my doorstep, he learned to let me know he was at the door by pulling himself up the screen with his big claws and hanging there. I had just re-screened that door, had it looking so good, and he destroyed it in one day. Somehow, it didn't matter, so I just let him have his fun. I thought I'd buy my next back door with the screen at the top, but Alex clearly has no respect for metal doors, as the front storm door is metal at the bottom, so Alex will claw it to announce his arrival. I wonder if we lowered the doorbell if we could teach him to use that instead?! That cat!! Inside, Daniel's cat, Mia, becomes jealous, so she starts to scratch my wood on the dining room chairs. Granted these chairs are not expensive, and they are slightly loved, as I purchased them from Habitat for Humanity's shop in Santa Fe years ago, but it's the thought that counts. Even it's old, like I am, I want it stay nice, at least meeting my definition of nice. It must be true that cats rule though, or so my son believes. He calls Mia the Queen of the house.  This is why I've always been a dog person!

In case you're wondering why I haven't picked up where I left off last night, well, I'm not so sure I really want to talk about it. I've been trying to avoid news, because I receive way too many updates from Christian media and prayer networks in my email as it is. I decided that I was going to do what God told me to do, what I've mentioned umpteen times in my blogs...keep my focus on the only one who matters - Jesus, King of glory. Since it was early, I decided I'd tune into Jesus Image Sunday morning service. Michael Koulianos was speaking about the presence of the Lord, a subject very dear to me. We cannot do anything without His presence, His peace, His love consuming our lives. Without His presence we have nothing. Some days, like now, I'll put on music from Jesus' Image softly playing in the background as I read, pray or write. It's soothing hearing the words "Hosanna, hosanna, in the highest...." Many times, after a highly emotional day, I can close my eyes and sing along, tears flowing down my cheeks as I am lifted into His presence. I get lost in the wonder of His love, and the surreal, priceless shalom that permeates my being. I am home in His presence. And at least for a short time, I can forget about the world situation, and simply focus on Him.