Look Around

The last 36 hours have been rather disturbing if you live in the United States.  The Boston Marathon is as American as Apple Pie and Cherry Coke, but yesterday someone or some group committed an evil act against people who were celebrating life and liberty. I can't imagine the heartbreak of those who have lost loved ones, or suffered horrible injuries as a result of this.  The only thing I can offer are my sincere prayers for God to heal them physically and spiritually and to help us all to overcome evil with good.

So after soaking in bad news for nearly 24 hours, I decided this afternoon that I needed to get out and look for something to smile about, and boy did I find it.  Beautiful Bradford Pear trees in full bloom, an array of pink blossoms and red and yellow tulips, but the most fun came when I walked in to my front yard and a mommy robin nearly took my head off as I walked past her nest.

Every year some type of bird builds a nest in my front porch light and this year it happens to be a robin.  Now I've heard a lot of people complain about such things; they even take a broom and knock the nest down before the momma can lay eggs, but I would NEVER do that!  I love the birds living in my porch light.  I know that momma bird will scare the crap out of me every time I walk out my front door and I know that she will poop all over my light, but the babies are so sweet and I love watching them grow up and I'm even a little sad when they leave.  

The budding trees, the smell of freshly mowed grass and even the visitor on my porch light all serve to remind me that spring is a new beginning. Things that have been dormant and lifeless for months are starting to come alive again and I'm so happy to take my mind off of the sadness and fear that seem to be everywhere and look at the beauty all around.  Every bloom is a reminder that even after a long cold winter, spring will bring beauty back to life.  I want my thoughts and my prayers to reflect this newness as well.  I want to keep my eyes on good things and enjoy the view!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.