The Window

Today, there was an ad in my e-mail for replacement windows. Granted, I do not like ads to show up in my box, but this time, it made me instantly think of what I see outside my windows. If I look out one direction, I see the street and the not-so-pleasant looking roof of the neighbor’s house across from ours. Another direction, I can catch glimpses of a New Mexico beautiful sunset nearly every evening. Yet, from another direction, I look out upon my own sanctuary, a yard filled with trees just growing new foliage, green grass and several gardens of flowers. There are the bird feeders, delighting me with a large array of two-winged creatures stopping by for a bite to eat or for a splash of water. This particular window view is my favorite, as you can well imagine. I feel quite blessed to have this vista right beyond the glass, as I sit on the couch or am at the kitchen sink.

Though I have been gifted with this awe-inspiring scene, I do tend to daydream of other window views. It is nice to shut my eyes and imagine a vast and magnificent ocean, casting shades of green and blue as the sun sparkles upon it. If I listen hard enough, I can hear the sound of the breaking waves as they reach the shore. The sand is so very soft as it seeps between my toes.

In another whimsical moment, I picture a rushing river flowing by, creating a splendid, splashing, noise as it hits rocks of all sizes in its path. The water feels so very cold as I fantasize, giving me a sense of how fresh and pure it is.

I love to envision a meadow outside my window of daydreams. It is a beautiful meadow, dandelions admired as wild flowers instead of weeds. There is a small stream rippling through the grass, with a deer or two walking gracefully over for a drink. Beyond the meadow are the mountains with stunning peaks, holding many secrets as they silently share their beauty.

No, I do not believe I want my windows replaced. I am quite content with the ones God has given me!

Water Wonders

While out watering our beautiful, blessed garden the other day, I once again realized just how wonderful water is. Here I am, sprinkling water on all the colors of our garden, while the water itself made its own rainbow of colors. The water was vibrant, letting everything be showered with new life. Yes, new life, as the moisture let everything revive from the baking heat into being strong once again.
My thoughts drifted as I continued to bring my thirsty plants back to life. I began to think of the vast amounts of water our world has. The beautiful ocean is such a spiritual entity for me. Though I seldom have the chance to visit the sea, I love to sit by its edge, imagining all the life it holds,. From where I contemplated with my thoughts about this, I knew I could not actually see all what the magnificent waters held. But I believed, not seeing. I smiled, visualizing activity under the blue-green waters. There would be those rainbows of colors, supplied by God, making each living plant and animal dependent upon one another.
As the days passed, I have still continued to think about what water does for us. It brings my own self back to life when I thirst, and gives me tremendous strength as I feel the sensations of it as I do my daily workout at the pool. I can’t stay away from it. I want to continue to feel the soothing effects it provides me as I glide from one place to another in the water. My smile comes back, as I thank God for giving me the privilege to feel the water upon me, both internally and externally.
While moving in the water, praying and meditating my thoughts to God, I am reminded how my life began with water. I received the baptismal water, which created its own beautiful rainbow of new life for me. I was blessed in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. What joys opened up for me, to know the strength to carry me in my faith and my life began at that very moment. The Holy Spirit resided within me, and through God, Jesus was always there to protect me, to carry me and walk beside me. The world was not black and white anymore, but filled with every color of the rainbow, as I was surrounded with love.
The water is pure and clear. It is silent as it gives life to the gardens, to life in the seas and to my own life. Yet, what a loud resonance it makes, giving all in our world the life God provides for us!

"O God, you are my God,
and I long for you.
My whole being desires you;
like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land,
my soul is thirsty for you.
Let me see you in the sanctuary;
let me see how mighty and glorious you are.
Your constant love is better than life itself,
and so I will praise you.
I will give you thanks as long as I life;
I will raise my hands to you in prayer.
My soul will feast and be satisfied,
and I will sing glad songs of praise to you."
Psalm 63:1-5