One Green Gift

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.      

James 1:17 

As my sneakers hit the path this early August morning, the clouds of dust that rose from each step I took reminded me that although it was cool at 6:45 am it would soon climb to be in the mid 90's. Dry. Dusty. Hot. I am tired. of. Summer.

*SIGH*

I decide to inspire myself and turn my attitude into gratitude on this new day and pull out my iPhone to try to capture a few signs of fall.

I see leaves on the ground but know they have just given up trying to stay green and have fallen because they are tired of summer too.

I also begin my morning conversation with God. I thank him for a new day, the beauty I am walking in, pray for my family and friends… but as usual, I am so easily distracted. By the edge of the pond, I see hints of fall, yellow wildflowers and fat cattails at waters edge, sunflowers nodding their happy heads.

Oh yes Lord… now where was I?… I talk and talk some more trying to pause every now and then and listen, but the talking; it is always easier than listening. Then familiar thoughts start swarming around my head like flies…

Who am I that He would hear me? Maybe He isn't listening because you aren't listening…

What have you done for Him lately anyway? Maybe He doesn't even see you. You are insignificant in His Grand Scheme of things…

*SIGH*

I stop at a young tree that is holding a nest I had spotted weeks ago, knowing that it was going to end up on my porch, nestled into the seat of a child size chair.

Today is the day.

I make my way through the tall grass, trying not to think about ticks or snakes and lean on the tree until I can reach the sweet little abode and gently lift it out.

I head back up the hill to the path and smile because there are leaves in the nest, they are just brown ones, but is that not what I was looking for? "Funny" I say to myself as I begin to lift them out one at a time. Then…

WHAT???!!!

To my delight I came face to face with this little green fellow! As I stood there in that moment, I felt that if I turned around, I would see Jesus standing behind me smiling...

"Surprise!

" I hear you. I see you. I love you."

My heart was filled with child like joy as I stood there in wonder, at this frog, in MY nest! We looked at one another for quite some time, this little green fella and I, then I gently set him in the grass knowing he would be happier here than my front porch. Every time I walk in my front door, I have a little reminder that I am loved.

Just the way I am.

See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.

Isaiah 49:16