Can I Have Some Cheese With My WHINE??

So as I uploaded these pictures last night to put up a post, I was feeling completely sorry for myself.  We are in such desperate need of rain here that, despite waterings from me, everything is a lovely shade of burnt, and crunches when anything gets near it. .the grasshoppers are taking over. .it's too hot to get outside--even late at night. .my kids are in serious need of returning to school. . and if that weren't enough--some mice (maybe a million of them) took up residence in our home during the 4 short days that we were gone--and I have found their evidence in every place imaginable--all the evidence except a dead carcass that I am wishing to find!!

As I waited on the pictures to upload, I took my bible out to the deck, even though I had to gasp at the intensity of the heat as I opened the door.  I am currently reading through the book of Psalms.  As I opened the book, I prayed half heartedly for some infinite wisdom. .or something to make me feel better about my dying crops or being cooped up inside.  As usual, God provided me with just what I needed!!

Psalm 57:9-11

I will thank you Lord, in front of all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth

So instead of whining about all of the things that seem wrong to me in this very miniscule piece of time, I dwelled on being thankful instead!! I am thankful for the things in my yard that don't seem to mind the heat as much as I do.  The golden rod has been putting on a show for the last couple of weeks.  This particular variety is crown of rays.  The fireworks variety will bloom shortly I think.  The tomatos, okra, and peppers are coming on strongly-and we have several watermelon that are getting bigger.

The Joe pye weed has been especially brilliant (even though it is a little hard to notice buried in some very tall weedy things.)

I am thankful for my family.  Immediate and extended!! Though my children frequently drive me ABSOLUTELY nuts and cause my hair to change color at an alarming rate of speed, I am so glad to have them here--all of them--Life is NEVER dull. . .EVER!! With promises of not becoming dull for a very long time! And I know without a doubt that my other family is always there for me and mine if we were to need it--in a heartbeat--Not everyone is that fortunate.  Oh, even though my own mother forgot her oldest childs 16th wedding anniversary.  You gotta cut her some slack though, she has an awful lot of stuff to try and remember!! :-) And especially thankful for a good man to stand by my side; one that is quick to cook, clean, or help with the kids when needed--who lets me get my way often and only gripes a little when asked to do "just one little thing!"

This variety of zinnia seems to be flourishing right now too, even though my earlier ones look like they have been hit by a nuclear bomb!

I am thankful for good friends--I enjoyed a girls only shopping day last Friday with two of my favorite girl friends.  We enjoyed a day of leisure shopping and good deal hunting (and of course good food and an ice cream splurge on the way home:-) And we have a short camping trip planned this weekend with another set of good friends--we look forward to this laid back weekend every year (for the last 10 or 11 years now!!)

Hosta blooms.  They are sure enjoying their place in the shady yard--not scorching like everything else!

I am thankful for a job.  I realize that not everyone has been so fortunate in this down-spiraling economy.  I love mine, and feel blessed to have such good administration to be flexible for my ever-changing family needs--and a wonderful staff in all locations that are a joy to work with (usually :-) if they aren't busy giving me crap about something or another!! Right Bam??)

I'm thankful for a small but very dear and loving community--where everyone knows your name and what you are doing--sometimes before you do.  There is something very comforting about that to me--and I love being able to stop and talk to everyone like I've known them for forever.  In the same sense, I am very thankful for a good bible teaching church family to look after me and each other.  To have someone at the other end of a prayer chain or across the table in Sunday school to lift up your needs is an incredible feeling.

Finally, I am SOOO thankful for a beautiful home with such things like refrigeration and air conditioning.  I have NOO idea how people used to deal with inconvienences like weeks solid of temperatures over 100--but I think they MUST have been very grumpy people when that happened!! And, while I don't like it hot--the sedum above that Grant planted in my ginormous rock, loves it!! Rock on dude. .rock on!

Sometimes, a thankful party instead of a pity party is so refreshing!!  I hope you all find some time this week to "thank you Lord in front of all people." For His unfailing love is as high as the heavens and His faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  I think that sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of life, and in situations that get us down, we totally forget to thank God--for the big things AND the small things.  And we certainly don't think to thank Him in front of all people!!  Choose to have a thankful day!! You won't regret it!!