I am late for a Monday morning hello. Perhaps I can make amends with pictures from the back yard. That’s where I was after seeing my beloved off from the drive this morning. We worked in the yard on Saturday. I have the pink shoulders to prove it. No picture of that. :)

We do not have a show place of a yard – far from it. But we have some beauty there. As is said: ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ 

Take these blooms for instance. To some they are ‘weeds’ good only to be mowed down. To me they are patches of beauty that bring a smile to my face every time I see them. So I transplanted some of these ‘weeds’ from the boundary line between our neighbors and us to a bed beneath the window. When I step out back, they greet me. I am hoping they spread and fill the bed.

Perhaps you will have to look close to see but these are strawberries. Last year’s plants that made it through the winter in a makeshift greenhouse positioned over them. Since adding the cow manure and cedar shavings they are growing great. We are hoping!!

Calla lilies. Purchased them a couple of weekends ago. One of my favorites.  Just about any lily has my attention and appreciation. 2  I am but a rose from the Sharon, just a lily in the valleys.

via Song of Solomon 2:1 KJV;CJB – I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily – Bible Gateway. Song of Solomon 2:1 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

This one is special too. As Daisies run a close second in the race for me as to beauty in the garden. These are also last year’s planting. Oh to be as hardy as these Daisies. You see they came through the winter to bloom again without the protection of a makeshift greenhouse. The cold rendered them dark and curled but Spring came and they revived! Revival is a beautiful gift – oh! that the Christian Church would receive such a gift from our CREATOR.

See the splotches of white in this next picture? Those are orchids. Wild, in a sense. And they grow only in the shade. When we brought them to Sioux Street from a treasured friend in Fairhope, along the fence in the shade seemed to be the only place we had to put them. To my delight they have multiplied! But they are so far from the house. So on Saturday we decided to move a couple to a now shady spot closer in view. 

And this morning I got a glorious surprise while walking in the yard. Oh I hope in a few years they have multiplied as the ones along the fence.

Now for a close up. 

Sorta reminds you of Solomon doesn’t it?

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

via Matthew 6:29 KJV;CJB – And yet I say unto you, That even – Bible Gateway.  Matthew 6:29 King James Version (KJV)

Be Hidden in CHRIST,

Thank You, ABBA, for this beauty right in our own backyard. Help us all to see the beauty in our own backyards – the natural and the supernatural. Help us learn who You are from what You have made and what You have said. Create in us a longing to KNOW You. Really know You and appreciate You. Abba, I am in this moment reminded of an article I read earlier today. It was not pretty. It was as ugly as man gets. It praised itself for hating You. And demanded others to hate You too all in the name of tolerance and patriotism. ABBA, forgive them for they know not what they do – that is what You said, YESHUA. Please help me from my heart to say the same. And, HOLY SPIRIT, protect the minds of young ones who are brow beaten with this hellishness; protect them and provide others with Your Truth to come along side and under gird them. And I dare not pray just for mine but for every Reader with a military loved one I pray for strength to stand and believe the TRUTH. It seems we have a greater enemy within the ranks than across the way. Even so LORD JESUS we trust You and we choose to rejoice because You are alive forever. Thank You for allowing us to live in this time and place. Thank You for attending Jamie, Terri, Lance. We are grateful for every good and strong day they have and even for other days that You still use for their good. Thank You, LORD. Carol comes to mind too. Not sure how to pray or what to ask but Your Will to be made plain. Continued strength and courage for Dori, Kerri and Pam. And thank You, thank You for Josh’s no cancer report! Thank you, ABBA. The morning is nearly spent here, I pray the investment brings a harvest for Your glory and our good. Amen and amen.