Word Desert and Oasis

These past weeks have been like a “word desert” for me. Nothing seemed urgent enough to write about. Some days I’m just plain lazy and unmotivated! (There. I said it!) So, it’s been good to have some things to motivate me to action. Having company does that for me. Smiles and good times have dropped into my life.

My eleven-year-old grandson spent 10 days with me, half of which included a 45-minute trip to Vacation Bible School each evening.  He enjoyed seeing his friends from the church I attend, but after a week this grandma was tired. And I didn’t even help with the VBS, just drove him there and back home. It was worth it to help him make memories. We also visited a Nature Center and took a long hike in the woods.

Included in those ten days was a whole lot of painting. My son-in-law and six foot plus grandson had taken down all the window shutters so I could paint them. All 26 pieces!

My sister and brother-in-law came for a weekend. That included a Saturday morning hike and playing games in the evening. The following weekend my younger daughter and son-in-law came to put the shutters back on the house. Thankful for their help. The new paint perked up the outside of the house. Their visit perked up my spirit.

Last week I had cataract surgery for the left eye with the right eye scheduled for this coming week. Already the world is looking brighter and definite improvement in far eyesight. New glasses are in the future, but in the meantime, I’ve had to pull out an old pair in order to read. I’m thanking God for the improvements.

As for the “word desert”. I’ve begun reading the Psalms this month. Such an oasis of words! The Psalms are refreshment for the soul as showers of rain to the parched grass.  The Psalms give many word pictures of who God is. He is our refuge, strength, comforter, creator, fortress, light, salvation, rock, and much more! God fills the need whatever the situation. Why do I not praise Him more often?

Psalm 67

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,

That your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly

And guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God;

May all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest,

And God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.”