Dear Reader:

This is my “listening” spot….when I eat breakfast outside and listen to the birds and the world waking up….when I eat lunch or dinner out here and watch the sun set, while listening to the last coo’s of nature saying good-night.

One of my favorite times is when darkness is descending and the solar lights come up one by one throughout the garden. It is during these moments that I really “listen” and feel closer to God than any other time.

It is important for us to take time out of our day to simply listen to nature and God.

Ever since I heard the words “Hold my Hand” back in 2008-the night before my first surgery for breast cancer- I have come to recognize that inner voice directing me. Isn’t it amazing (watching all the animal shows) how baby animals always recognize their mother’s voice and vice-versus?

Even now…when I take Eva Cate to the parks here in Summerville…I can distinguish her voice from all the other children’s voices shouting, laughing, and crying.

I think this is true, as children of God, we know when we hear God’s voice…sometimes it just takes us a few more moments to admit it to our mortal rational minds. When people ask how you recognized the voice…the response is universally “Oh you know…you know.”

While reading Godwink Stories- A Devotional (Squire Rushnell * Louise Duart) a “listening” story appeared that I would like to share with you.

“The Voice”

(Dean and Sue Beyer)

Dean and Sue volunteered to help a congregational member move from Arizona to Las Vegas. They arrived safely, unloaded her belongings, grabbed supper in a diner and headed towards Hoover Dam.

They found themselves stuck behind an eighteen wheeler on a two-lane road but Dan knew it would expand to three lanes at the 10 mile marker and he could pass then…so he patiently bided his time.

They had just reached the marker and Dan started pulling out into the middle lane and passing the semi when he heard a voice.

“Quickly! Pull over in front of the truck”! 

Dan looked at the radio but knew it was off…Sue had fallen asleep…where had that voice come from?

There was no one behind him and he had plenty of time to pass the truck before the road went back to two lanes…so he shrugged and kept going.

Suddenly he heard it again…louder and more demanding:

” PULL OVER IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK NOW’!

Dan had been in the military and knew that type of command…and quickly obeyed. As he began turning back off his lane into the lane in front of the truck…he nearly missed some object in the dark night that was standing still…not moving.

He swerved the car quickly and barely missed the object. From his car lights and another coming the opposite direction…he saw what it was. A full grown burro standing in the middle lane.

If he had hit that burro going 65 miles per hour he and his wife Sue would have been killed instantly. He woke Sue up to explain what happened. They pulled over at the next rest stop to say a prayer and thank God for their lives. Dan said he would never forget that voice as long as he lived.

Scripture says: Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying-This is the way, walk in it.”

So until tomorrow…Help us Father take time to listen to You as we are guided in the direction intended for us.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

 Some Bunny is sleeping away…like little bunnies do! Hippity Hop Hop little Lachlan!

Eva Cate spent the night with me last night…trying on my earrings, a little lipstick and make-up for some modeling…it’s a girl thing we do!