Ate my breakfast perched in the porch swing this morning as the organ wind chimes’ tintinnabulations and songbird symphonies sang hymns of praise for a beautiful morning. Today was a peek at spring but Old Man Winter is still grouchy, bringing back the nighttime twenties with his frosty breath this weekend. Father Sky sketched a blue sky morning canvas then lit a Cuban cigar after lunch, sketching an overcast sky of aqua white clouds, his gray cigar smoke clouds veiling the sky till the sun burst through the clouds, quickly heating the earth, kissing my cheeks pink with her warmth. A stout cool breeze would rush through the porch every now and then, reminding me winter is not ready to surrender to spring.

My yard is teaming with cardinals and chickadees, downy woodpeckers and titmice, a charm of purple finches, six pink high heeled doves, and a large flock of American goldfinches, noisily enjoying the glorious morning. A host of fat little sparrows is resting on the bare scuppernong vines beside the porch bannisters, a beautiful painting of nature’s art in watercolored shades of brown. The cardinals, paired up in bright crimson and fawn brown velvet plumage, sit on the power lines, straight and still like rows of metal carnival booth birds, patiently waiting while l fill up the feeders. I love the songbirds. They soothe my soul and bring me so much joy and happiness. I always feel Chief sends the cardinals to cheer me.

Been reading in a little devotional book I purchased at the thrift store, marking pages of favorite quotes with chewing gum wrappers. The first one I marked says, “God can do more for you in a minute and you can do in a lifetime.” Give a thought about the power of a loving God. He watches over us, guides us on our life’s journeys, lights our way in the darkness, gives us rainbows of hope when days are trying. His love is unconditional, his forgiveness unfailing regardless of our sins. He listens and answers our prayers. I always say a short prayer when I wake in the mornings, just a quick prayer of thanks to God for another day on planet earth. Psalm 5:3 states, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”

Been looking forward to seeing the sunset pageant on my little piece in heaven. Late afternoon the sky has been full of fat rounded cotton ball clouds, all lined up across the sky, straight like soldiers at attention, almost covering the blue sky canvas. I was hoping the clouds would stay so Mother Nature could color them with her watercolors but they stretched out into waves and washed away on the blues of sky canvas. The sun, dressed in a silk gown of bright white, took the arm of Father Sky and was escorted down a pale, pink lemonade horizon. Mother Nature had brushed stroked the horizon in beautiful pink watercolors that blazed quickly into watermelon wildfire flames, burning out into a golden twilight, welcoming the day’s gloaming. The shadows of darkness dressed the Earth as Father Sky hurried to wake the moon and the stars to say hello to the nighttime in its blackness. Nighttime’s peace sighs across the landscape.

Ever long for peace in your life, calm assurance of God’s grace and love. “There is nothing better than peace. Peace equals more power in your life,” Joyce Meyer. Scripture in Romans 15:13 reads, “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.” Prayers can bring peace and hope when life is overwhelming. The loving power of God gives us the strength to overcome challenges, teaches us to live with compassion, gives us joy and hope. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

When we feel God’s love we have the strength to face life’s trials and tribulations. We never ever walk alone. When we’re afraid God gives us courage. Scripture in Isaiah reads, “Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When God is with us we are empowered by his love.

“God never said that the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.” — Max Lucado