This week we are shoveling out from a large snow storm that showered our area with 12 to 18 inches of snow. News reports predicted the event giving people time to prepare for the temporary changes a large snowfall causes in our daily routines.
The video below of an eagle sitting on her nest during the snow storm makes me think of the bible verse Matthew 6:25-2725… Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26: Look at the birds of the air; They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifespan?…
I wonder if wildlife ever has any moments of fear or dread when facing up coming blizzards that sometimes happen in our life as people do who have lived through difficult days.
What an awesome glimpse at the strength and resilience of wildlife.
As a caregiver who travels to different locations my first action when hearing the storm forecast was begging the garage to fit me in to replace two tread worn tires with a new set to help ensure my safe arrival.
Next step was packing the vehicle with an assortment of safety and emergency supplies so I was well prepared for worst case scenario. The office calls with the game plan of stationing a caregiver at each of our 24 hour care locations for the 24 hour duration. This would help ensure our patients coverage and keep the highway travels to a minimum.
I show up with my “in case” supplies in tow. I was well prepared for possible power outage or lengthy stay. Thankfully my “in case” supplies were not necessary and we were just able to enjoy a relaxing visit watching the snow pile up and enjoy each others company.
My patient commented that I must have been a Girl Scout because I came so prepared. When I had to explain to her “Unfortunately no, I was a Brownie drop out.” we both got a good chuckle.
My preparedness comes from many difficult life events that has taught me to rely on God’s wisdom to give me strength and direction. We all have the ability to survive and thrive independently if we search deep within and find strength from the Higher power. It may not always be easy but it is possible with prayer and Divine Guidance.
Like the verse says “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifespan?”
Thank you Mother Eagle for reminding us to Trust more and worry less.
Pray for strength and wisdom then relax into the Joy and Peace that Divine Guidanceprovides.
Many years ago my heart was awakened to the fact that when you allow God to take complete control of your life and genuinely live with complete trust in God with no fear of the world, amazing things do happen before your eyes. Although it may not always be completely as we would have planned it, when living “In and With The Lords Love” you need not fear!
I am feeling as though I need to tell you of an event that happened to me long ago when some may say that my heart acted with reckless abandon but the Lord “had my back”. I was working midnight to morning hours in a residential care home. This position was an awake overnight in a home where 4 individuals lived who needed support. There was a knock at the door about 1:30 AM and I answered the door finding a person who told me that her car had broken down asking to use the phone. I didn’t think twice about it, when she asked to use the phone to call her husband I left her in.
Soon after leaving her in she began to act suspiciously and raised some red flags to me. My intuition began telling me that she was there to rob the residents. She began telling me that she had worked at the home in the past, asked many questions, and asked to wait inside until her ride got there.
Because I had that internal alarm going off and I was sure she was dishonest, I immediately put all the keys to any money, valuables or medicine of the resident in my pocket. I very cautiously protected their belonging and was very comfortable in her company even though I felt sure she was being deceitful.
While she was making her call a resident woke and joined us. When my attention was distracted from her she went through my purse and took my wallet. She then asked me to use the bathroom. When I escorted her to the location of the bathroom she then commented about the renovations we had made since she was employed there. Asking details what is this door too and so on. This fact proved to me that my suspicions were right! She later came out of the bathroom and continued to chat and visit with me.
She seemed to sense that I was suspicious of her so she changed the story of why she was there. She then when into an elaborate story of how her husband beats her and she used to come there and they would give her shelter. The story went on, she stayed longer, and even asked me to make her a sandwich when she seen the resident getting himself a sandwich. Before she left the house she made one more request of me. She asked if I could get her a sweatshirt or something to put on because it was cold out. I immediately knew this request was simply to get me to leave the room, because my instincts still did not trust her Instead of leaving I offered her the Jacket I was wearing. She tried to put it on but it was to small. She then left. As she left I told her I would say a prayer for her and watched her cross the yard. I truly did say a prayer for her.
The next morning when the AM staff came in I relayed the incident to them being sure to tell them that I was sure she was looking for cash but I kept the keys on me and made sure she was not able to roam freely. I then collected my things and returned home.
Later that day I received a phone call from my bank telling me that someone picked up my wallet that had been thrown out along a nearby street! She had taken my wallet and went shopping at the local 24 hour store and then in the morning went to the bank and cashed a check for the remainder of the funds. She also had my drivers license and even though our appearances were as drastically different as possible they allowed her to cash the checks.
Police were called, and because she stayed so long and talked with me she was very easily identified by those who worked with her previously, and by me in a photo array as well. I had no cash along that night (other than 50 cents in the pocket of the jacket I tried to give her) but because of the way things transpired I was not harmed in any way and all of the money that she had taken through cashing checks was returned to me by the bank.
The bank had her photo, the signature on the checks were not even a close resemblance of mine and they admitted that it was their mistake for not looking at her identification to compare our photos. The police later told me that she was out on probation when she did this and the time before when she stole a check and cashed it she had signed her name to it.
After all of this transpired I was very upset and angry and as I was explaining the story to a coworker I stressed that I waved goodby to her and even went in and said a prayer for her! “Carmela, I think it worked” she said. “All is well ,no one is harmed and everything is coming right back to you!” The Lord “Had my back” 🙂
That was many years ago and although I did come across her picture not to long ago, I have not heard how she is doing. I wish her nothing bad and I truly hope that she has changed for the good.
Be faithful and do not fear-
Isaiah 8:9-10 9. Raise the war cry you nations and be shattered!
Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered!
10. Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted: propose your plan,
but it will not stand, for God is with us .
We can not control what other people do or how they chose to live. The only thing we can do is LIVE IN LOVE and Pray for other people.
Here is one of my favorite songs from The Sidewalk Profits
Carmela Snelbaker 