Settling Back In

Surely, you've experienced time away from the normal routine of life whether the interruption was due to celebration or sorrow, sickness or vacation. Once the interlude has passed, you find yourself settling back in. Chores and work schedules resume. Laundry, dishes, running errands, sending loved ones off to work and welcoming them upon their return all come back into view once again. Life goes on.

Amidst all the joys and necessities, the most important portion of my day, any day, is the time I spend in God's word, reading, studying, meditating. As much as I tried daily to get into His word during our recent vacation, I wasn't very successful and I truly longed . . . ached actually, for it. So, naturally for me, a big part of settling back in is resuming my Bible study.

Since returning from our fabulous getaway to mountains, lakes and wooded trails I have been blessed to have finally caught up with a very close friend. We spent hours sitting in my yard last evening sharing as the light faded and then disappeared completely. I have been aching for that precious time of reconnecting.

While I've caught up on laundry, my cupboards are pretty bare - a trip to the market is on today's agenda . . . among other things.

Another thing to get caught up on is relaying to you some of our recent birding adventures and sightings. Here's a tease . . . some of the best birding can happen in your own backyard or close by!

Virginia

p.s. we are sorry to have missed the last couple of regular posts on Wednesday and Monday. Please forgive us. And also, we are extremely delighted that our blog is now being read in multiple countries. Thank you!

"Tempus Fugit"

"Two hours just wasn't long enough," I responded last night when asked how my evening was. It was a blessing to spend a couple of hours in the company of three very dear girlfriends and my, how the time flew past. We talked and laughed, sharing and encouraging one another.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about time . . . how much of it we have, the multitude of ways we can spend it, who we spend it with, how precious it is and, ultimately, how little of it we have. Scripture tells us that we are just a vapor, here for a little while and to make the most of what God has given us.

My dad frequently quoted to me, "time flies when you're having fun." My response was consistently, "and even when you're not!"

When faced with the daily, and sometimes hourly, decision of how to spend my time, I need to be reminded to keep God's priorities in view. Don't we all? Sadly, sometimes I squander, make poor decisions, or allow laziness to take the reins. However, I am so grateful that God is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. His patience amazes me!

Virginia