SUNDAY AND GREEN PASTURES

The small walk in COTTAGE Pantry was worked on yesterday with me scrubbing wood shelves as hubby worked on healing the main house's lawn.  He's been getting advice on what to do with our dying lawn.  He has raked and poked holes in the ground prepping for planting new seeds in hopes of restoring it.  It needs saved from the sad shape it's in at the moment.

Today he may go to the hardware store and purchase a blend of grass seeds with fertilizer planting it in this cooler weather we're having.

At the time, the lawn is a sight.  It doesn't have curb appeal to say come sit on me as I am soft. Aren't I beautiful?  Instead from inside the house as I gaze out onto the lawn, I see a reflection of something being terribly wrong.  Psalm 23 comes to mind as the Lord makes me to lie in green pastures.  The part of the lawn that has died isn't green at all except for a few weeds popping up. Lord, our pasture is in need of deliverance from whatever ails it.  

Grubs, army worms, poor soil, neglect, too much heat, not enough nourishment, bad grass seed, worn out...not sure what destroyed our lawn, but something has.  This isn't the best time of year to plant new grass, but something has to be done.  Looking at this dead grass throughout the Summer months and waiting until Autumn to plant isn't a good option.

My Sunday meditation is Psalm 23.    

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

After planting grass seed, in a few days it should be showing signs of green growth.  Cross our fingers and hope it takes.  Right now the area between the sidewalk and the street is yellow.  No grubs.  We found out that the previous owners had soil poured into the yard to fill in sinking spots.  A neighbor man informed hubby that the soil brought in was high in gravel making for a very poor soil.  He would know as he has lived in the neighborhood for years and has a gorgeous lawn.  

Like everything else, things do not grow well in poor soil.  This is something we have not encountered before nor did we stop to think that the soil in the yard was of poor quality.   Never have checked the soil before a purchase.  duh.

When we purchased the property 5 years ago, the lawn was lush and easy on the eye.  Surprise, surprise, surprise....it hasn't stayed that way.  We have TLC to do.  Shopping for grass seed today and possibly tomorrow.  Will get it planted and begin to water. 

The small washing machine is whirring in the Kitchen this morning. Towels, white shirts, colorful casual tops and some jeans are lined up to get washed.  Not sure all will get washed today, but am working at getting caught up to where the bottoms of the laundry baskets are visible.  I get a sense of accomplishment when I hit the bottom of the baskets.  The phenomenon never last long and I vow to stay on top of it which sets me up for failure.  A laundry basket full of dirty clothing is a sign that a person has had clothing to wear similar to a sink full of dishes indicates that people have eaten and actually have dishes to use.  Not all bad is it?  Because the chores are not completed doesn't mean they won't get taken care of.  There's always a story behind the display.

Housekeeping is an ongoing activity that indicates how many manage to get everything done that needs done.  It's been a very long time since I kept our HOME as tidy as I like.  Health issues, old age, mismanagement of time, too much on the plate, exhaustion, time restraints, obligations, not being home to do it all contribute to the condition of how clean the HOME gets or remains.  Lord, I need help.

Simplifying is what I am aiming for.  This is work to get to this place. 

More to LIFE than always having clean floors to eat off of.  Who does that anyways?  I do like an orderly and clean house and am striving to get there once more.  

Today should be a day of rest.  Should be, but will it be?  We all need times to rest and get refreshed.  Lord, I have to remind myself.  

Psalm 23 reminds us that in life or in death — in times of plenty or want — God is good and worthy of our trust. The psalm uses the metaphor of a shepherd's care for his sheep to describe the wisdom, strength and kindness of our God.

Psalm 23 portrays God as a good shepherd, feeding (verse 1) and leading (verse 3) his flock. The "rod and staff" (verse 4) are also the implements of a shepherd. Some commentators see the shepherd imagery pervading the entire psalm.

David, a shepherd boy, the author of this psalm and later to be known as the Shepherd King of Israel, writes as a sheep would think and feel about his/her shepherd. “The Lord is my Shepherd” implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a person and the Creator and Savior.

Often, when it comes to the Bible, we are referred to as sheep and the Lord is our shepherd.  He is my shepherd and I am to trust Him completely.  I am to have confidence that He is my GOD and I am His beloved.  I am not alone.  He is my constant companion in sickness and in health.  

~d

Day Twenty Three: Rocking and Rolling

Day Twenty Three

Pleasant week-end.  SPRING LIKE weather.  I wasn't able to go for a walk as I am still pampering my foot.  Doing better, but it's difficult for me to stay inside on a SPRING like day and not go walking.  Enjoyed my day though.  When I sit, I still move my arms up over my head and twist and turn them as if handling hand weights.  Wiggle my feet and lift my legs as I sit.  KEEP MOVING.

I believe I need to find one pounders and do a exercise with them while I'm sitting.  Arm curls would be helpful as well.  Later I will do some SLOW and I mean SLOW body stretches.  

I remember the DELANY sisters well into their 90s doing floor exercises including doing the bicycle exercise where they were lying on the floor on their backs with their legs up in the air moving their legs as if to be riding a bicycle.  Saw a television program about them many years ago and it wasn't photoshopped.  I was only in my 30s at the time and admired these two ladies so very much.

Getting caught back up with my LAUNDRY!  I would do back flips if I could, but even when my foot isn't injured I cannot do back flips.  I wouldn't even know where to begin as I am well grounded to the earth at my age and weight.  It is better for my health and well being to stay in place.  It's not nice to fool mother nature.

Ever heard your body has a memory?  Well....I think it does in more than one way.

Since Dad's favorite Bible verse was PSALM 23, think I will share this on Day 23.  How appropriate.

PLEASE GOD,  Help us to do the right things concerning people and having respect for people of all ages and races.  In Jesus NAME I pray, amen.

My Dad was 90 years old when he passed.  I saw things and heard things from others that wasn't expected.  It hurt deeply the hardened callousness that they spoke or commented to me about my elderly Dad.  One of the toughest was this callous comment, "He is 90 years old for God's sakes."  

A different person spoke out loud in his presence when he was still able to move, open his eyes and squeeze your hand, "He's a vegetable."

I replied to this person and calmly said,"My Dad isn't a vegetable."

In which this person said to me, "Yes he is, honey."  As if adding the honey part was to put me in my place.  As we were saying our good-byes, I just had to do it...I just had to say, "My Dad HAS NEVER BEEN a vegetable.  He's not an asparagus."  I was pleasant enough when saying this.  I never raised my voice being emotional.  Just calm.

You see there are medical terms that our fine society likes to use.  Even calling a human that can look at you and wiggle as being in a COMA.  

Geez....I was called ignorant and self-centered by a family member.  Truth be known, what does she know about anything?

I was called an embarrassment to the family.  You know who needs enemies when they have people treat you with such arrogance?  

My Father is in heaven.  He never was a vegetable, a fruit or a piece of meat if you ask me.  Though he was 90 he had to fight to get there.  He was a human being that came into this world a human and he went out as a human.  He may not have been able to speak the human language as he laid dying, but he didn't need to to have my respect.  He was dying and not in a coma.  He was my DADDY and I am his daughter.  My reply to one person was just that.  I am my Father's Daughter and you haven't seen anything yet.  

On the solid rock I stand,

d

Amplified PSALM 23

The Amplified Bible

PSALM 23

A Psalm of David

THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me],

I shall not lack.

He makes me to lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He refreshes and restores my life (myself);

He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprighteousness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death.

I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide],

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my [brimming] cup runs over.

Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,

and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Small Town America

Beloved, ready for some good news?

When was the last time you visited a place of business where the door was unlocked and there was nobody around to assist you with your purchase? Just a hand written note and a container on the counter for your cash.
They were using the Honor System.
We came across this sight in small town America. It was a surprise that I won't soon forget which was refreshing to experience as I go about in a very hectic and hurried world.

We bought some sugar cookies that were used at a Tea Party for the girls when Family came to visit. The cookies were delicious. We were refreshed!

Some would say that it's unwise to leave a container out UNATTENDED.
I have to admit that I wouldn't have been so trusting, but was glad to see there are still those that use the HONOR SYSTEM and there are still people on this ole planet that HONOR the honor system.

I admire people that have integrity and walk up right before the Lord. They are honorable people.

I know someone that you can trust your life to. He desires you trust Him. I know somebody who you can't see who enjoys refreshing your soul. With Christ as your Savior and bowing to His LORDSHIP over your life, you can be refreshed.
Do you need refreshed?

Hope that as you go about your day that you are renewed and enjoy life.

May the good Lord put a smile on your face.
May God bless you real good,
Deanna

PSALM 23
1. The LORD is my sheperd; I shall not want (be in need).
2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leds me beside the still waters.
3. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's
sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and
I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for e v e r.