On my last birthday, two of my little great grands sang the happy birthday song to me. They also helped choose the birthday flowers that happily reside in pots on my patio. When I think about how blessed I am to enjoy knowing not only my grandchildren but also my great grandchildren, I feel overwhelmed and thank God for this special privilege. Life is a gift, a blessing that mustn’t be taken for granted. I’m not a Pollyanna, life isn’t always easy. It doesn’t always turn out as you think it should, but in every circumstance I’ve found God is always right there with me. And that includes even when I make a wrong decision. Isn’t it amazing how merciful our Father in heaven is, that he continually forgives and rescues us even before we recognize and acknowledge our sins to him.

Every few days when I open my computer, another beautiful photo of some place in the world appears on the screen. Most of the photos are nature photos, of amazing waterfalls or surreal looking mountain cliffs or mysterious forests. The caption, “Like what you see?” is in a corner of the photos, and I always respond that I like the photos, even though the photo may be of a desolate desert scene. The deserts of this world have their own beauty. The photos are from everywhere, some of the places I’ve visited and some I haven’t, but all are beautiful. God didn’t limit nature’s loveliness to one country or to one continent; he spread it generously throughout the world for all his creatures to enjoy. That realization confirms again God’s love for this world and all the people in it, no matter who they are or where they live. We are all his children. The scientists say earth and nature are running down and will eventually be no more, but God says earth and nature will be redeemed and transformed, just as we are and will be. That’s good news!

The small plane was flying low over the landscape. That’s what I first noticed, its yellow wings looking golden in the sunlight. It’s not uncommon to see personal planes flying here, but flying that low was unusual. As I continued driving, I saw it again, but this time it was even lower, then it banked and flew across in front of me. It’s going to land in that pasture, I thought. Was there an emergency? Then I saw a wide area had been mowed through the field to make a landing strip. The plane landed and taxied down toward some outbuildings. I’ve always wanted to fly a plane, but the closest I’ve been is a computer flight simulator. I’ve flown in a plane many times, from huge Boeing 747s to helicopters, and even in a private jet once, but that’s not the same as being up front at the controls. How freeing that must feel to be up in the air flying over the earth. Someday, in another life!

What’s for breakfast: a boiled egg with wheat toast or yogurt with blueberries and granola or toast with peanut butter and a banana? I’m not a big breakfast person but know I should eat something to raise my energy level. Then I thought of those millions who would appreciate just having breakfast. Their primary concern is not what to eat, it’s survival. Those people live like the wild birds and animals. Squirrels, rabbits, armadillos, possums, raccoons, skunks, bobcats and coyotes and sometimes deer visit my yard, always looking for food and water. While I sometimes skip breakfast, I know in a few hours I will eat again. Every hour of the day, hungry people’s whole existence, like the birds and animals, is spent searching for food and water. God did not intend the world to be this way. His intent was plenty of healthy food and clean water for each of his beloved ones. We can’t feed all the hungry but we can donate to our food banks. Feeding the hungry is being the hands of God!

He was in one of my double kitchen sinks—a spider, legs and all about a half-dollar size. I have nothing against spiders per se, but outside fine, inside not so much. As one of my daughters says, when they’re outside, it’s OK, but in the house, they’re dead. So I tried to wash him down the sink. (Any spider lovers should quit reading now.) Each time I did, he kept crawling back out, so I would wash him down again. This happened at least three or four times until he didn’t come back out. Impressed, I said, “If you survive this, I’m going to let you live.” But he didn’t come out again. Next morning, guess who greeted me? Right, Mr. or Ms. Spider again. So, instead of drowning him, I was just waterboarding him! I felt sorry for him and I had promised, so now to figure out a way to free him from the sink. I used the plastic tube wrapper from my morning newspaper, scared him into it and released him outdoors. Promising and then carrying out promises made to spiders, maybe I’ve been in isolation too long!

When the two fig bushes in my backyard started sprouting leaves this spring, I noticed no figs, just leaves. Usually tiny fig bumps sprout along with the leaves. We had had a stretch of dry weather so I wondered if I would have figs this year. But now, after all the rain in the last month or so the tiny figs are showing up! There’s also an abundance of blackberries on the vines on the back fence, guarded by chiggers that attack every time I pick the juicy berries. As I think of God’s faithfulness to his creation, which he continually maintains in spite of the damage we humans wreak on it, I marvel. I’m not one to talk to my plants, but when I see them growing and flourishing and bearing fruit, I sense the spiritual creative acts of God. God is not a god who creates and then goes off somewhere, leaving his creation on its own. No, he is closer to us than we can imagine, always sustaining, always creating, always there loving us. Thank you, Lord!

When I opened the shutters on my glass door this morning, the sudden movement startled a young rabbit on my walkway. It didn’t see me so it continued to nose around my porch. The little one was exploring its world. I thought it might hop up on the porch, but it stayed below, occasionally peeping up over the side to look around. So young and so bright-eyed innocent. I wish I could have warned it to watch its back. Most rabbits don’t last long in my yard because of coyotes in the woods behind my house. It may look inviting and peaceful, little one, but it’s a dangerous world out there.

Many, including friends and neighbors, are beginning to be less cautious about social distancing. Actually, some aren’t social distancing at all, which bothers me. It’s as if there were no pandemic. This is not a conspiracy or a left or right political issue. Thousands of people are dying every day in this country! I realize not everyone agrees with the CDC safety standards, but I’m still wearing a mask and staying out of public places as much as possible. Not for me, but for those I come in contact with. We don’t know for sure if we’re carrying the virus or not. I realize not everyone can stay isolated, but for those of us who can, let’s follow the guidelines. Let’s respect those essential people who have to be out on the front lines in this crisis. How awful if my lack of cautious concern resulted in someone suffering or even dying from this awful disease!

Someone hit a squirrel in the road by my house. What made me first notice it was its tail waving in the breeze, straight up like a plume. How odd, I thought. Is it still alive? After watching it for any movement, other than the tail, I determined it was quite dead. I should dispose of it, I thought, but maybe one of the guys in the neighborhood will do it. I’m not that squeamish but picking up and disposing of dead animals is not my favorite job. If I just wait long enough maybe someone else will do the dirty work. Before I could repent, neighbor Bill spotted the squirrel and without hesitation picked it up by its furry upright tail and disappeared into his backyard. Good, thought I, feeling a little guilty all the while.

My stimulus check finally arrived. Unlike so many who are out of work with no income, I’m retired and on a fixed income. Though I’m certainly not wealthy, I don’t need the check as much as some do. I’m self-isolated at home, not going out to eat or driving down to church, so I’m doing okay. (Of course, while my gasoline budget has gone down, my grocery budget has gone way up! Have you noticed that?) This check is extra spending money for me. But, something a lot of us are learning in this pandemic is having more things isn’t important when your health is on the line. What good are more things to those gasping for breath in a hospital ventilator? If nothing else, I hope this crisis is making us rethink our priorities. I realize we’re supposed to spend that money to help the economy but maybe sharing some of it with our community food banks is an even better option.