Since I decided to take a personal leave from teaching this year, folks often (quite often) ask me “How do you spend your day?” or “What are you going to do now?”
We all have choices to make in life, and I pray that after you hear my choice for this morning, you will find time to feel and have peace and to be still for a moment. Enjoy.
Well, today this is what I chose to do:
The alarm went off and I woke with one thing on my mind…Go wish my youngest a Happy Birthday! I quietly opened his bedroom door, and gently sang the Happy Birthday song to him. What he didn’t realize was, while I was singing, I was laying my hands on his sweet sixteen-year-old head and silently and intentionally praying over him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLE PARKER SHUFF!!!!
The first song we heard, on the way to school, was “People are Crazy” by Billy Currington. Cole’s late grandmother, Jany, just loved that song. No, she wasn’t a beer drinker or a millionaire, but she like the concept of people just being kind to each other (including your own family). If you listen to the song, you’ll realize…it pays to be nice. We chatted about her briefly, and I told him that she is wishing him a Happy Birthday, from Heaven, via that song.
When I drove into the driveway, a young buck was in our backyard. I ran inside and told Tim. We had binoculars and phone camera in hand. We gently opened the backdoor to get a closer look. I decided to brave it, and Tim soundlessly opened the screen door. I captured ten minutes of this young buck (young is the significant word…do NOT shoot it. Let him mature!) have a standoff with our target deer. He wanted to show his “manhood”, while it is rut season, to our counterfeit buck. The YB would strut around and make a low billowing sound before he knocked the antler and head off the target. Success! Each time he would turn his head, I’d creep closer to seize his every move on video. Eventually, I came within twenty feet of him. We had a stare down, and my presence didn’t seem to faze him.
Poor target. LOL
These ten minutes with nature, enthused me about my prayer walk this morning. I laced up my shoes, read who the families were I was praying for today, (Click here to view “Praying for you”), and began my hike around the perimeter of our property.
I came upon a dozen turkey who were foraging the ground for food. Their keen sense perceived me approaching, and began to scurry away. I chose to halt my prayer walk, climb up our tree stand, and continue praying while perched twenty feet in the air.
Sweet Jesus! If there is one thing that I’ve learned (yes, this is a learned action) is to Be Still. The moments I spent sitting in that tree stand were breathtaking. I observed leaves pirouette to the ground, squirrels perform acrobats in the trees and hoard food from various locations, and various types of fowl glide overhead. The hooting of two owls, crackling of limbs beneath God’s critters’ feet, and birds chirping throughout the woods were music to my ears.
Prayers were going up for many. Tears would come to my eyes as I was counting blessings and praying for much heartache, joys, and trials many are going through. I received notice of a gentle man, whom I knew while growing up in Pinecrest, was called home to be with Jesus and his wife. He was 91 years of age, and loved the Lord. Life is precious…no matter that age or the stage you are in, embrace life and live large and love big. I’d recollect the actual day that Cole was born, how excited Hunter and Holly were to be gaining a little brother, how Cole was delivered just in time for me to request a bacon cheese burger from Wendy’s before they closed, and how Tim, Cole, and I were only in the hospital for less than 24 hours before we requested to go home. GOD IS GOOD Y’ALL!
My tree-top view.
Glancing at the time, I was amazed at how much time had passed. So, I carefully climbed down twenty feet, and wandered back home. On the way, I photograph animal tracks as a reminder that creatures of all kinds walk this land, and how God wants us to take care of this earth.
I hope you enjoyed journeying my morning with me.
Remember to:
PEACE… Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
BE STILL… “Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10a
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS… Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
PRAY FOR OTHERS…Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16
And…wish my boy a HAPPY BIRHTDAY!… May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4
I pray that you will feel peace, seek peace, and know Peace. Take time to simply Be Still in the Lord.
Many blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
