The Earth was so beautifully silent and still today. Every time I walked on the front porch I was embraced by the sun’s warmth and serenaded by the songbirds’ symphonies. I was reminded of the Bible verse that reads, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10. Never pondered on this verse even though I’ve often used this scripture in my writings. As I sat in the swing, sweat running down my brow, I thought God is trying to tell us, through that verse of scripture, to surrender our worries through prayer, to find the calm in challenging times through our faith. We can’t control everything. We have to trust in the power of God to lead us through the storms. Dearest friend told me many years ago if you can’t control the situation or change the circumstances turn them over to God and quit worrying. Let let him carry the burden. Her advice has served me well many times. There is no burden too slight or too heavy to rest on God’s shoulders. With grace, he will carry us and the weight of our burdens.

Father Sky sketched a beautiful summer blue sky today and hung fluffy white clouds on the horizon’s clothesline. Made me remember happy days hanging my children’s cloth diapers on our clothesline. Mother Nature dialed up the heat and humidity to a sultry summer day. Just too humid to porch ponder for very long. As twilight and its twinkling toes walked across the landscape the sunset pageant began with the sun dressed as a bright red ruby sitting in her Tiffany’s setting on a pale mauve horizon jewelry box. I just stood watching that ruby sparkle as it rolled down the horizon. I’ve never seen the sun dressed in such a deep red. Mother Nature must have painted her with watercolors of taffeta.

As I stood at the porch’s back door watching the glorious sunset, I could see the flock of handsome cardinals and their demure mates, highlighted by the magical twilight of the day’s ending, eating a late supper on the bird feeders. Seeing the beauty of the cardinals during the twilight of the day is like a goodnight kiss from Chief.

My friend sent me this Chinese proverb — “Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” Come singing birds, come. I think that’s a beautiful thought, encouraging us to remain positive in difficult times, remembering a hopeful attitude can bring happiness and joy. Our green tree is a spirit full of love and hope.

Rumi writes, “I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.” A singing bird represents unexpected joy. I know I certainly find the songbird symphonies joyful. If only we were confident enough to let go of the fear and worry of being judged by others, we could find peace in being our true selves. I think true freedom is finding peace in ourselves as we truly are, not needing approval of others. I’ve finally reached the point in my life where I have peace in myself.

Psalm 139:14 tells us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made by God.” God created us in his image. We are cherished and loved by God. We need to live our lives pleasing God, allowing our faith to guide us and our decisions.

“God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27