Outdoor work

Yesterday afternoon and evening, we had our first thunderstorm in a long time. It was refreshing, but probably not enough rain fell to make it worthwhile. Now I have to get out and mow the lawn again soon! Keegan stayed over night at a friend’s house, so it was kind of a strange evening with just Michele, Tristan and I at home. I thought it was funny to open my Bible up today and read a passage in Proverbs 24:27, which reads: “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” That kind of sums up what I’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks! While I’ve enjoyed the time spent cleaning up the yard, planting in the garden, etc., I unfortunately got a bad sunburn and am suffering the consequences. Itching and pain! Would that I didn’t burn so easily! A few days ago I was reading one of my all-time favorite devotionals, Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. Part of what she wrote that caught my attention was this: “We look at our burdens and heavy loads, and shrink from them; but as we lift them and bind them about our hearts, they become wings, and on them we rise and soar toward God.” (The full text of that day’s entry may be found at http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/streams/189.)