Free as a Bird

My feet are dragging through this Lenten List I have made for myself! I think it is time to set myself free and write something new and different.

Tuesday afternoon I watched a baby bird fly into our screened porch through the door my granddaughters don't take time to close. He hopped back out a short time later, evidently not finding anything of interest. The day before I watched a squirrel take a trip around the porch and then leave empty handed! I enjoyed watching the little critters, but I also did not want them to take up residence in MY space!

The experience brought to mind the scripture, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Psalm 37:11a It was as if they were house hunting. I'm glad it did not suit their taste in living quarters and I hope they will not direct their relatives or friends to check us out! Someday my worn out house may be a playground for them and their friends but it is not theirs yet!

I thought about what I could learn from this display of natures wildlife. I didn't recognize myself in the real life picture at first. I was sure God had sent these little friends for me but I didn't think it was because I was Cinderella, though I do sometimes feel that way! Later on as I prayed about my struggles, God reminded me of the tiny bird and squirrel. He told me that I was looking in the wrong place to belong. I want to fit in where I don't fit in. I want to try being someone I am not meant to be. It was time for me to return to Gods' place for me.

I can't be a happy squirrel living in a porch. I cannot be a free bird living in a confined space. The only place I can be happy and free is in God! He is the home I am looking for!

Father, I am coming home to You! I am rejecting the worlds' ideas about where I should go, what I need to be doing and what You have called me and created me to be! You will make me happy and free!

God Bless the U.S.A.

I am the patriotic sort of person who cries easily when hearing our "National Anthem" or "God Bless America" or any other patriotic song. I don't really know how I got that way, but I think I have a vague idea.

As I grew up I was told over and over that the U.S.A. was the greatest country in the world. My parents were grateful for the privileges and opportunities we were afforded here as citizens. Thanksgiving was birthed in me for my native land. I thus took to heart that God had placed me in a place that was rich and built on priceless treasures. These treasures were the God given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

May life flow from the spilt blood of those who gave so freely in service to the people of this great land. May life be valued from its simplest of beginings to its struggling breaths of its endings. May liberty be honored for all. May freedom build its safe and strong boundaries within each self controlled heart. And may the pursuit of happiness never be for ourselves alone but for every people and neighbor.

May our celebration of Country be filled with hope for our future. May God grant us wisdom in seeking the paths to these ageless and foundational ideals we call our own.

God Bless America!