Bother or Blessing: That is the question

I recently spent a day with my Mom and Aunt. Our agenda for the day: hang out, enjoy each other’s company and take pictures. 

This trip to Auntie’s house would have picture taking of birds and flowers as

our FOCUS (yes, that is my one word for 2012).

  

  

 My aunt has a haven for birds at her house and beautiful flowers in her yard. She has various bird feeders on her back deck and around the backyard. The rain and chilly weather dampened the flower aspect of the trip. Yet, in spite of the weather, the bird aspect would be attainable.

We perched ourselves in her dining room. The back porch in perfect view, all while we stayed warm and dry. It was an awesome way to spend a couple hours.

"Oh Bother!"

The above squirrel eating his snack was taken during that time.

Here is Mr. Nut’s (yeah, I named this little guy) story. My Aunt had stepped away for a few minutes. While she was away three or four squirrels showed up. Mom was pointing them out to me and I was snapping pictures of the "cute" little squirrels. 

Upon my Aunt's returning, she saw the squirrels and stated, "Dawn, why are you letting the squirrels on the porch!" She promptly opened and closed the deck door and scared the squirrels off. 

"I didn't realize they were not suppose to be on the porch," I replied simply. 

(Confession: this statement was not 100% true…I knew the bird lover code…squirrels are a bother).

"She has been taking pictures of them," came my sweet mother's reply. 

See, my Aunt is not the first bird lover in my life, who dislikes squirrels. 

If you spend a few minutes talking to any bird lover, you will be given a list of why squirrels are the "bad" guy, a 'bother', to bird lovers. 

Squirrels are a bother because they:

 1) They eat all the bird food (plus they are gluttons)

2) They tear up the feeders

3) They scare the birds away

Do you see me as adorable or annoying? 

Want in on a little secret? I like squirrels. Yes, I truly enjoyed taking pictures of all the beautiful birds (you can view some on my photo page here) but I also like taking pictures of squirrels. Ok, you got me…I basically love taking pictures, but I do draw the line at creepy crawlers. NO photos of spiders, snakes, etc. Not this girl!  Oh my, I digress. Shall we get back to the point of this blog? Yes, there is a point.  :-) 

Do I have things in my life, which I consider a 'bother' that God means to be a blessing? Or even the vice-versa things that seems to be a blessing to me that are in reality a 'bother' to God? 

What about you is that thing, person, or issue being viewed as a ‘bother’ meant to be a blessing or is that seemingly apparent ‘blessing’ actually a ‘bother’ to the Father?

Burning Bushes, Writing on the Wall or Fire from Heaven...

Ended a 7-day fast yesterday. Did I see a burning bush like Moses during this time? Or maybe writing on the wall such as in Daniel 5, any amazing sign or wonders? Nope! Disappointed? Yes, at first, but then as I spent time pondering yesterday God revealed the following. Sometimes, obedience is the reward.

The fast had been done as an act of obedience. The church, my family is currently attending called for a week of fasting and prayer. We were not required to participate, but asked to pray and see if God wanted us to partake. After praying, God led me to fast from my Kindle and other books (as I mentioned on my social sites…you can check them out: dawnwhitmore67 or @dawnwhitmore).

This would not be an easy thing…I am a reader. Books, doesn’t matter whether it is eBooks or traditional along with blogs. One day at a time became my mantra. Day one came and went. Truthfully, it was not difficult. Still, my mantra was one day at a time. However, to be truthful, pride had started to creep in a little bit. It wouldn’t stay long though. Day Two & Three were not so easy. I found myself realizing the multiple times throughout my day that I would normally be picking up my Kindle.  God’s grace brought me through those two days. The victory is His…not mine. The ending result became 7-days of fasting. Spending time with my Savior in His Word. This was not my success. On the contrary, it was God’s success. My obedience was not possible without Him.

My lesson, obedience is the reward.

Are you looking for signs & wonders? Burning bushes? Writing on the wall? Fire from heaven? Yes, my God can do all of these things and more. Still at times, we spend so much time and energy running after the next experience we miss the true gift…spending time with OUR LOVING ABBA FATHER.

Are you busy ‘chasing the experience’ or will you play a part in my lesson this week and enjoy time with ABBA DADDY today? 

Storm Preparation....

As everyone was preparing for the storm called Hurricane Earl last week it made me think. It made me wonder how much preparation goes into the storms of our lives. How much time do we spend with the Father and in His Word?

There is one thing that is crucial to remember...just like with actual hurricanes no matter how much we prepare they will come soon or later. Yet, the difference is the damage the hurricane can wreck on the area. Just think of seeing the people putting plywood boards on their windows and those who don't...depending on the severity of the wind the plywood can be the determining factor of whether the windows break.

We are studying Jonah in our Sunday Morning Bible Study class. We saw the great fish is not the only thing that God created during this story. In the beginning, He created the wind for the storm that resulted in Jonah being thrown overboard.

Are you prepared for the storm?

Check out Jonah through www.blueletterbible.com.

Been Awhile....

It has been awhile since I have blogged but I am still here.....Working hard and praising God through it all.

I am like everyone else and have my ups and downs. But I know that I am and always will be the apple of my Father's eye.