Looking Up

A slight breeze ripples the surface of the lake this morning and it's quiet 

except for the hum of insects and the sound of small waves lapping against the rocks.

The sun rises and everything—clouds, mist, and and a ribbon of light on the lake's surface—turns to gold. 

As the light grows, a boat is made ready...

...and a solitary fisherman takes his hopes with him out on the water.

What will this day bring?

There will be treasures, if we look for them, and some will show themselves even when aren't looking. 

There may be rain, but after all, we know where rainbows come from.

One thing is certain; God's mercies will be here for the taking.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22, 23 (ESV)

Linking with Skywatch Friday

Morning Gold

There's something magical about a summer morning

just after the whip-poor-will has silenced its strident song

and before the glowing sun has appeared over the hill. 

It's then that we see some of the more reclusive creatures that inhabit our forest,
 like the bobcat that appeared recently.  

Yesterday, at first light, a family of raccoons scrambled down one tree 

and up another, four small masked fluff balls following a larger one, 

their striped tails broadcasting their identity.

It's only early in the morning that we see the big bucks; 

they visit occasionally,
and long before the sun comes up they melt back into the woods.

The Italians have a phrase, "Il mattino ha l'oro in bocca" 

which corresponds loosely to our adage "the early bird gets the worm".  

Literally, it translates, "the morning has gold in its mouth".

I like that thought, and I think it's true.

There's another thing that's golden about the morning.

The ancient Jewish prophet Jeremiah wrote,

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning."

As long ago as those words were written,
they are just as true today,
just as they always will be.




Linking with Camera Critters
and Weekly Top Shot

Changes

Just when it looked like autumn had pulled the curtain on all its finery,

some of the oaks brought their orange and gold garments from the wardrobe 

and took center stage.

Behind the curtains, ladybugs have been looking for warm places to hibernate,

some finding shelter inside nearby houses.

This one, not quite ready to give up summer, 

was taking her last swim of the season in our birdbath.

I fished her out, 

and she gave her head a little shake as if she'd misplaced her Swim-ear.

When she threatened to dive back in,

I moved her to the raspberry leaves,

where she looked much more comfortable.

She's on her own, though, when it comes to winter shelter.

A blue jay's distinctive call can be heard from the bandstand.

Though the birds like to perch on the winterberry trees,

the berries must not be ripe yet,

because nobody's biting.

As surely as the scenes change,

there is one thing that is always constant.

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22, 23

Linking with:
Soli Deo Gloria
Wild Bird Wednesday
Mandarin Orange Monday