A Blessed Morning

I went out early this morning to start my routine of watering. I didn't find any routine though. Instead I was blessed by a beautiful start of my day and a reminder of the powerful and gracious God we serve. It is so peaceful to be out there before most of my neighbors are up and I can't even hear the traffic yet. The sun is just beginning to rise and nature is waking up around me. God has blessed us so abundantly by creating nature to speak to our senses - I am sure he knew we would think of Him and his ways whenever we look at the world he created for us.

As I water the flower beds I am in awe of the color that surrounds me - the blue Arizona sky (there is no other sky quite like an Arizona sky), the blooms in the beds in front of me, the green grass under my feet and the leafed out trees. Then I notice the hummingbird that is hovering around my head - his tiny wings working so diligently as he satisfies his curiosity about me. He hovers around a couple of minutes and then off he goes.

I start just listening to the birds - the morning dove cooing their good mornings, the Gamble quail calling out to each other and the bird songs I don't recognize, but love to hear. I am reminded of the ending to the book of Psalms - "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." I have an idea that is what I am witness to this morning! The winged creation thanking God for his goodness and his power.

As the sprinklers come on I sit down on the edge of the fountain and watch the birds playing in the water. The quail runs around and around the post for the feeders - it is comical to watch him/her run so fast . Tabitha - our old yellow tabby cat brushes up against me and gets into my lap. The quail keeps on playing so I guess he/she knows that Tabitha is too old and fat to even make the attempt to chase him. Tabitha meows her discontent at not being sleek and young enough to give chase I think. Pretty soon, she hops down and disappears around the corner of the house. This nature show is too much for her ego I think.

I close my eyes and drink in this nature: the smell of the blooms and the morning sounds. What a way for a day to begin!

Thank you God for such a beautiful start to my day!