PHOTO OF THE DAY.... SIMPLY LOVE

This morning on my morning “dog walk”, I saw these little yellow flowers peeking out.

While the material world seems to be churning around us, reports of violence, hatred and cruelty, political instability and corruption garnering the headlines,  how wonderful it is when something comes to view to  remind us of what is important.

In the midst of the weeds and underbrush, these  humble little ”yellow Love reminders” made me think of God’s loving tenderness, gentleness and kindness.  No "horn blowing", no boasting, bragging or loud attention getting, they just reflect loveliness and let the observer feel the love.  

This hymn came to thought, one of my favorite “reminders”!!

How gentle God’s commands,

How kind His precepts are;

Come, cast your burdens on the Lord,

And trust His constant care.

Beneath His watchful eye

His saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears creation up

Shall guard His children well.

His goodness stands approved,

Unchanged from day to day:

I drop my burden at His feet,

And bear a song away. **

And I did!!   I dropped my troubles and a song sprung up in my heart and thanked God for  the lovely gift!!

**Christian Science Hymnal #124

ANIMAL PHOTO OF THE DAY... WASH THEM CLEAN

ANIMAL PHOTO OF THE DAY... 

When I saw this picture of two "freshly laundered" dogs, my heart melted.    Having experienced the joys, challenges and "surprises" we often encounter while bathing a doggie, I could only imagine what it was like bathing two at once.

For Sam, this was his first bath in some years. The lady who rescued him feared that giving him a bath would add to his stress after he was rescued from the heavy flooding in Thailand, and she wanted him to feel safe and secure before getting him wet again. He is understandably afraid of water after his distress in the floods.

His recent encounter with an American skunk led to a "change of plan" and he has just gotten his first bath.

As a guy who loves all dogs, and has participated in the dog rescue process with a local Humane Society, I just wanted to jump in the shower and hug these little ones. 

This sweet picture brought to mind the wonderful appeal to our common Shepherd, the heavenly Father, to support our own efforts to rescue, help and heal all of mankind, written as a poem and hymn, FEED MY SHEEP,  by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Shepherd, show me how to go,

O’er the hillside steep,

How to gather, how to sow,

—How to feed Thy sheep;

I will listen for Thy voice,

Lest my footsteps stray;

I will follow and rejoice

All the rugged way.

Thou wilt bind the stubborn will,

Wound the callous breast,

Make self-righteousness be still,

Break earth’s stupid rest.

Strangers on a barren shore,

Lab’ring long and lone,

We would enter by the door,

And Thou know’st Thine own;

So, when day grows dark and cold,

Tear or triumph harms,

Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,

Take them in Thine arms;

Feed the hungry, heal the heart,

Till the morning’s beam;

White as wool, ere they depart,

Shepherd, wash them clean.**

WASH THEM CLEAN, INDEED!! And thank you Father for giving us loving animals that set examples of what true love and loyalty and forgiveness are.


**Christian Science Hymnal #304