This Week at Iten's Acres: Reflections June 24, 2016

Reflections from this week at The Acres:

1. Rain. No matter how faithfully I cart water around The Acres to water what appears to be struggling flowers, God's watering just changes everything. The flowers "stand up" straighter. Those that have been waiting to bloom, burst into beauty. There's no comparison--it's not even close--between the impact of the watering I do, and the rain God sends. God's blessings are so much richer than man's blessings. Always.

2. Honey bees. So few. I have enough clover alone to feast thousands. I'm fortunate to see twenty-five in a day's walking. The hive in The Sentinel is still there. I suppose that's where they come from. But there's not many. It seems we have put stuff on our crops to supposedly ensure a good harvest. And in doing so are killing off the bees whose gift of pollinating makes a harvest even possible. As a kid I can remember honey bees being everywhere. And we still had harvests. Man's brilliance is just amazing, eh? My lawn mower always stops for honey bees. I suppose if my neighbors knew, they'd want to lock me up.

3. I am in awe of Momma Calico. How did she manage to keep those kittens safe and hidden out here in the "wilderness"? Had to have been for five or six weeks. And why did she decide that this week was the week to introduce them to the world? They are still such tiny creatures. Entertaining. Scared to death of me. Fascinated with Homesteader sitting at the doorwindow watching them. They come up--right to the glass--to check her out. The curiosity is mutual. At night they all cuddle in a ball of fur on the patio chair. Mom and the three kids. I am amazed MC.

4. I have spent a lot of time this week sitting on the green throne at the top of the hill. It may qualify as addicting. Quiet. Still in a natural way. Serenading from my feathered friends. Always a breeze. Sometimes I stand up and hold out my arms to try to catch it. Dreams of flying perhaps? Eyes closed listening and being still. One of my favorite places on earth. Serenity. Peacefulness. God has given me such a gift in my old age. Thank You! What? Bring your own chair--my extra one is immersed in fur--and no talking. Just sitting quietly, listening, meditating. That's all that permissible. Anything else would be heresy. And you know what they do to heretics, right? =)

5. Ephemeral. As gorgeous and breath-taking as the beauties of nature are, they are ephemeral. Gone, faded, in what seems like a moment. Beautiful moments that I cherish--but brief. I always contrast it with the beauty of the human soul in love with Him. Mom was a lovely young lady--I have photographs to prove it. But after a lifetime of walking with Him, she was never more beautiful than when she was 99 years old. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. What a lovely promise He gives us that He will one day "make all things beautiful." He will replace the ephemeral with the eternal. Beautiful..