Day 187; Footnotes of Considerations and Contemplations

Contemplations and considerations. 

I guess I will find out if that freezing tomatoes will actually work or not as I froze nearly all I had in the house. I didn’t want to waste them as I have in the past. So I followed the instructions that I found online and crossed my fingers. I’m hoping that come cold weather they will make some good soup or chili. Only time will tell.

 I also got my laundry done today. At one point as I was walking out onto my back porch where the washer and drier are located, I arrived just in time for another cat disagreement. They can’t fight as they are on opposite sides of the door but they make a lot of noise. As the not so stray cat jumped from the steps I stepped outside. I stood on the steps and plainly told that cat that I wasn’t going to tolerate that any longer. Cricket was here long before they were even born and I could very easily stop all feedings. I could also prevent any of them from living under my house. The not so stray, stood and listened to my every word. Now, whether it will stop the annoying hissy fits, only time will tell, as with the tomatoes. 

Earlier this afternoon as I was sitting here, I heard something I don’t hear often anymore. Crows, and they weren’t happy. As I turned to look I saw something big and white move silently through the trees. It was either a very large owl, or the woods has a visiting ghost. Once the unknown object had been gone for a while, the crows grew silent and moved on.

 Today has been one of those days where the dark side has tried to drag me down. I’ve had moments of loneliness, even though I’m happy with my life. Being alone doesn’t usually bother me now. Over the last four plus years, people have taught me that alone is better. Right now anyway. Today tried though. It tried to drag me into a pit I haven’t visited in a while and have no desire to visit again. I think part of it is because I know that I can’t do all the things I would like to and be fiscally responsible. For now, the bills are paid and we’re not going hungry, that is what matters. All the other stuff is fluff, but sometimes, in all honesty, the fluff would be fun too. All I have to do is hang on a couple more years, if we have that, and once I start drawing from my late husband’s social security, if we still have that, I’ll be fine. 

I think, as I sit and contemplate, that all of this is a lesson.

Lessons on contentment. Lessons on being satisfied with what I have and not covet the neighbor’s material goods or trips out and about. Lessons on trusting the Lord and relying on Him for my needs. Laying up treasures in Heaven and not here. Being  in a position where I’m not restricted in the things I am able and available to do.

 Today, I worked on storing up summer’s bounty for winter. Amazingly, I even cleaned as I went. I know that, as we go through this journey, we are tempted moment by moment to seek out the treasures of this life. The nice cars, big houses, more money than we would ever need in the bank. Land and jewelry, what ever material things that catch our eye and desires. But none of that lasts. The treasures we should be storing up, are the Heavenly ones. The ones where we were like the good Samaritan, helping others no matter who they are.

Using what we have been given, toward the betterment of the lives of others. Things that may not seem like treasures, but are worth more than anything here. 

While having clean clothes is a good thing, a better things is a clean life. What good does it do, to have clean garments, if we put them on a dirty body? Washing the outside, won’t help much if the inside is dirty as well. A clean heart and mind can help others overlook a stained shirt. If one’s language and actions are clean and pure, showing a compassionate heart, a willing spirit, a loving soul, it is much better received. 

While I didn’t get a really good look at the white object in the woods, I do know that there are owl in the area. I hear them all the time calling out at all hours. I’m not sure, if it was an owl, what it was after. I hope not one of the kittens, but its possible. The crows called out a loud warning to all of the other creatures of the woods. Danger was in the area. Could the emotions that had flooded my conscious and attempted to darken my spirit, been something meant to test my resolve? Something attempting to drop me into one of those pity party events? Something that would have had me headed out to do some retail therapy?

Something that would have me going online and whining or ranting about the unfairness of life? Even though, my life is not unfair? I know that with what I have, I am blessed. I’m not alone. I’m not lonely. I have my son, a crazy, indoor only cat, two spoiled dogs, several not so stray cats and woods full of crickets.

I also more importantly, have a Lord who loves me, and is here for me always. He has given me the ability to consider and contemplate the moments and thoughts, the emotions of the day and work through the lessons they offer. In that, there is peace, comfort and hope. That alone, will heal a hurting spirit.