Praise God in His Creation

Time out for a nature break. I can't help it. I'm sitting at my computer but I'm totally distracted by a pair of bluebirds nesting in a birdhouse attached to a pole about thirty feet from my window. There are four little blue eggs in the nest (They resemble the picture below.) and my little granddaughter and I have been going out to check every day to see if the babies have arrived. The house is tiny and I was surprised the bluebirds chose it since there is a bigger one nearby. But I'm glad they did because the other is obscured by tree limbs, but this offers a clear view and a continuous source of entertainment.

Usually the momma is sitting in the nest with her head sticking out the door. I keep a pair of binoculars on the desk and often spend a few minutes watching her. As a matter of fact I can see her head right now peeping out and her mouth is open as if she's yawning. Maybe even momma birds get impatient for the big day. And she is such a good little mother. The daddy often perches outside as if talking to her. "How's it going in there, Hon? Any progress? How much longer?" But babies come when they are ready.

Every now and then a hawk perches in the pine tree overlooking the house. Once I saw him at the door of the birdhouse and ran out to chase him away. Hopefully he will not be back when the babies arrive. I know, I know, he has to eat...but let him catch a field mouse, not the bluebirds.

What did hawks eat before the fall when the world was fresh and new and perfect without sin? Did animals prey on one another then, or did all creatures eat from the fruit of the land? Did the lion truly lie down with the lamb in the garden of Eden?

When I reflect on our beautiful world, it lifts my mind and heart to the Creator and I spontaneously rejoice with the psalmist:

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights;

Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

He established them forever and ever.

(Psalm 148:1-6)

And then I add my own words of praise:

Praise him, gentle bluebird as you sit upon your nest.

Praise him, robin redbreast in the peach tree.

Praise him, happy mocking bird, singing from the top of the flagpole.

Praise the Lord, tiny humming bird drinking at the feeder.

All you winged birds, praise the God who made you!

A snowy meditation

God has a sense of humor. You have a to-do list a mile long? Two feet of snow can change your priorities real quick. The top item on our agenda over the past 24 hours has been plowing and shoveling. Last major snowfall (17 inches) we were trapped because our looong driveway was totally impassable. (A kind neighbor came to our aid fortunately.) This time we decided to be pro-active.

So when the snow began, we went out to plow/shovel every few hours to keep ahead of it. And we have: Friday: 5:00 pm,. 7:30 pm,. 10:00 p.m., 11:45 p.m. (phew!) Saturday: 2:45 a.m., (yawn!) 5:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. (sheesh!)

I've gone through two jackets, three pairs of pants, and three sets of gloves. I found out my rainhat is 100/% waterproof and it kept my head dry. And for the last few trecks out I figured if I draped a poncho (the one in the closet that serves as a chasuble when "Paka" plays Mass with the grandkids) over the back of the tractor and my legs, it would act like a blanket and keep me dry. It worked! No more wet seat and legs. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.

At 3:30 we headed out again for what we hoped would be the last time. The driveway is getting narrower and narrower, but so far is still passable. I have never seen so much snow in my entire life. We've had a fir tree uproot and another tree fell on the trampoline which will disappoint the grandchildren, but we are praising God that the electricity is still on because if it goes we have no water. (On the other hand, two feet of snow is a lot of water. We certainly won't go thirsty! And we have plenty of wood for a fire.)

Dealing with all this snow got me thinking about the virtue of fortitude. Nature gives one lots of opportunities to practice virtue (kneeling in the garden is great prayer time!) and the one uppermost for us at present is fortitude. We prayed a lot while we worked that the electricty would stay on, the homeless would find shelter, that folks who had to travel would be safe, and that caregivers would get to the hospitals and nursing homes to tend to those in need. Now that the snow has stopped, we've checked with our loved ones and everyone is safe and warm. So this evening will be a time of thanksgiving in front of a fire roasting hot dogs and praising God for His goodness. There's nothing like praying the rosary by firelight. And thank you, Lord, that every abortion mill in the area is closed. May the moms who couldn't keep their appointments today, rethink their decisions and let their little ones live.

Hero Mom Saves Baby

Wouldn't it be great if all moms were willing to risk their lives for their babies instead of the millions who hire abortionists? I'd love to have thim mama on the front lines at an abortion mill with me any day. She has a lot to teach women about what it means to be a mother. Go, Mama, go!