The rains are coming in and the streets are glistening

Yesterday was definitely a Summer day and I liked it. It was Clearwater Florida's 100th birthday and so Clearwater had a celebration. It consisted of a parade, numerous beads, wacky floats, interesting people, summer heat, French fries, lots of waving and people interaction (which at times can be entertaining actually), live music, a captivating sunset among the waters and Palm trees, a brief cold shower of rain and a walk, eating cupcakes while sitting by the water's edge, and an amazing fireworks display with reflecting color on the water. The ride home was full of laughter and joy and we came home tired but happy and smiling. The night ended with Gilmore Girls, a show that has got me addicted and I will probably try to watch all seven seasons of in this Summer.

Self-salvation

"For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, a and like a garden without water.
And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark,
And both of them shall burn together,
With none to quench them."
-- Isaiah 1:30-31

We cannot save ourselves. We are not in control. We are not rulers over death and life. We are not miracle workers. We are not able to create human beings and beasts of the land and the sea. We are not strong enough to carry the weight of the world. We cannot nail sin to the cross. We are nothing.

Without Christ.

Self salvation equals self destruction. The people who choose to be oaks without God's water will burn with none to quench them.

Some Days...

Are sick days where you eat waffles and drink coffee and watch Gilmore girls and don't do a whole lot because that's really what sick days are for. And what's funny is the episode I happen to be watching features the main person being sick. I feel your pain Lorelai, I feel your pain.

Sometimes flowers can still grow in briar patches...

Yesterday was a good day. Besides church, it was eating nachos and playing board games. It was a hospitality night at church and eating Military food packages, which was a new experience for me. It may have not been the best meal I've ever had but it's what the people serving our country eat all the time and it made me appreciative. I know they are just happy to have hot meals even though it's a surprise and a meal heated by water in a package that starts off a chemical reaction to heat it up. It was interesting and kind of fun. Then my sisters and I ate pizza rolls and put on face masks and painted nails and it was fun. Today, we had a dessert picnic at the park, ate corn dogs and watermelon and watched a movie. It wasn't anything large but they were good moments and memories. They were flowers amongst the thorns in the briar patch.

For better or for worse

Sometimes things change and all I can do is sit there and watch.

If Today Were a Color

I think it'd be maroon.

And I think the sky would be yellow fog.

And I think my dog would be the proud owner of a baby penguin.

And I think the music playing in everybody's ears would be acoustic music.

And I think the trees would be coffee colored and the leaves would be gray and the nonexistent eyes on the tree bark would be a shade of light blue and my heart would pump blood the shade of stones and my hair would mimic the color of cookie dough.

 

And why I think this, you ask?

Who knows.

I certainly don't.

 

But let red lipstick leave it stains where your memory lies and remember that hellos can be just as sad as goodbyes.

 

And dreams crack in the places where walls crumble,

but you can learn a thing or two from the mess of broken rubble.

 

Remind where I was going with this?

Clear

"The thing is... life isn't always going to be as clear as these waters" says the heavy hearted girl.

"Well, of course not," he remarks with eyebrows furrowed and head cocked.

"But that's what's so great about it.

There's a great new chance tomorrow.

There's possibilities around the corner.

And when you can't rely on what's in front of you,

it's easier to rely on the one who knows every bit of your past, present and future."

For once, the young woman looked closely at the world surrounding her and stopped feeling intimidated by it.

Joy clothed her,

and Hope held her hand.

She glanced upwards as if looking up to Heaven and whispered;

" I am Yours. "

The young man smiled.

He knew she finally understood.