Down the Garden Path

This week I got back to my “walking” which I had neglected even before the big road trip.  (whew, am I sore!)  It has been wonderful to walk each morning as the American Linden trees that fill our neighborhood are in bloom.  Their fragrance is so sweet! 

It made me think, “hmm what kind of fragrance am I giving off?”  On Monday I think I was just down right stinky.  I was discouraged that so quickly after the Lord’s Day I was struggling with some thoughts and attitudes that I knew were just plain ugly and selfish!  I could not seem to shake them.  Then in my Bible reading I read this…Proverbs 18:1, “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.”  I had to admit, I spend a lot of time on my own…and I kind of like it.  I often determine what I accomplish by, “I don’t feel like doing that today” or "I do want to do this” and then get irked if something else gets in the way. I am ashamed at the conversations I have in my mind with other people that just make me look good or right.  It really is just selfishness!

I’m not sure what the correct Biblical interpretation of the second part of that verse would be. I do not walk around in a rage as though I am angry.  But I do battle with my thoughts!  “Wise judgment” just struck me as being God’s Word or obedience to Him. In bringing my thoughts into alignment with what would please God I engage in the battle!  It is the hardest thing I do, because my thoughts control my actions.

I am so glad God brought that verse across my path. It is always good to put things into the perspective of His Word.  It’s still been a tough week, mind-wise, but recognizing the battle helps me turn to the Lord to be victorious in the battle.  Today is Thursday and I don’t think I’m quite as stinky as I was on Monday!

No, these are not trees and they have no fragrance.  They have nothing to do with what I just wrote… I just thought I’d share a patch of my Rocky Mountain Blue Columbines!

More pretty flowers…and a very pretty granddaughter! Andrea and I took several pictures of Elaine in the backyard the day they returned to New York

The sun was very bright and hard for Elaine to look at us.  But she is still sweet!