Living in tropical country, freezes are rare; but like hurricanes they are inevitable. The last one was not as bad as some, but it was a plant killer. Laura came down last Thursday, and in the wind and cold set out to wrap our grapefruit and lemon tree. She also wrapped a number of Ann's plants. (Some I was hoping she would miss!). I later added some more giant tarps. This morning I gathered the residue: A bar-b-cue grill (burned coals in it), two ancient oil-burning lanterns, three spotlights, two sleeping bags, many sheets, rope, duct tape, wire, a chair and several cushions! The two trees survived as did some of the fruit. It was a good effort that paid off. When the next one comes we will do a better job because of the two huge tarps I now own.
It was impossible to hang sheets and tarps over thousands of grapefruit and orange trees in Florida and The Valley. Some of those folks were hit hard. They made our concerns over two little trees in the front yard rather insignificant. They weren't when Laura and I were wrapping the trees, but they certainly are now.
Isn't that true in our Pilgrimage, with many things? We can fret over a lost key like it is a major loss, but when a real disaster strikes life comes into proper focus once again. It is the same way about good things. We receive a little gift, or some good news, and rejoice in it.... then along comes some earth-shaking, exciting, once-in-a-lifetime great news and the little gift is quickly forgotten.
A final word: "If you had been present with the Lord at the feeding of the five thousand and He had asked you to say the blessing, what would you have prayed?" (Remember there are five thousand plus hungry people and a few small pieces of bread and fish!). "Lord bless this food to our nourishment, and help all those hungry people to find something to eat soon. A-men". "Lord, help Jesus to make something impossible happen. A-men", "Lord, keep us from bodily harm as we eat our meal in front of these folks. A-men"...... What would you have prayed in your blessing? Can't we still pray like that to the Father? Have a good day.
