I’m sitting in the porch swing enjoying my morning breakfast bagel and cantaloupe, watching the beautiful morning as it unfolds. A gentle breeze is blowing the wind chime pipes, pinging a soft song, so quiet I have to sit still and listen for the melody. Woke up this morning hearing a bird in the bamboo screaming for Frank. I bet that bird cried “Frank, Frank,” for 30 minutes. Not sure what songbird it was but he’s got a good set of lungs. I bet my cousin Frank could hear him in Prattville. Read a quote today that said, “No matter what yesterday was like, birds always start the new day with a song,” Unknown. I bet those songs are the birds’ hymns of thanksgiving for God’s gift of another day on planet Earth. We should follow the bird’s advice, being thankful for another day.

The beautiful little songbirds are composing their songs to celebrate spring right now. I sat outside and listened to their music all day today perched on the porch swing. I have officially become a porch potato. Porch potato is actually in the dictionary, defined as someone who spends a lot of time lounging on a porch, often relaxed and inactive. Yep, that’s been me the past two days, relaxed and inactive. Retirement has ruint me! No need for Shady Oaks, I’m shady oaking right now.

Late afternoon I watched the sun set as a wildfire burning orange and red across the horizon, the trees silhouetted jet black against the fiery orange background. A V formation of geese flew by, their wings feeling the heat from Mother Nature’s watercolor brushes as she burned down the day’s light. The dusk was beautiful and quiet, welcoming the darkness with open arms holding a luminous moon and twinkling stars.

Been thinking about quotes I can remember that are attributed to God, Bible verses I have learned and recited and I’m ashamed my list is so short. I love God’s quote, “Be still and know that I am God.” I hear that verse run through my mind when I watch Mother Nature’s watercolor brushes color a magnificent sunset. I don’t understand how anyone could see a wondrous sunset and not believe in a living God. The wonderful quiet that comes when twilight sweeps across the landscape ending the day in a glorious work of art is like a contented loving sigh from God, his promise the sun will rise tomorrow.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I relied on this Bible verse when Chief died, trying to navigate the darkness of my grief. I think of this scripture at night as I say my prayers, knowing I can put my worries and burdens in God’s hands, freeing me from the weight of carrying them. The Lord gives us peace through our prayers.

“I am the way and the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened.” I love those verses of scripture. And of course “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.” Listing Bible quotes we’ve memorized, most of us would remember Jesus saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Did a little research and the most famous quote attributed to God is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). That verse brings back memories of going to Bible school in the summers.

Remembering Bible school made me think of these verses, “Let there be light” and “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” from Genesis and “Love your neighbor as yourself” from Matthew.

We need to communicate with God daily, reading scripture, saying our prayers. Communication with God will give us comfort and strength during difficult times. Prayer and talking to God allows us to ask for help and teaches us to trust in God’s plans for our lives.

“Scripture is God’s way of initiating a conversation; prayer is our response.” — Mark Battersoon