Solitude....

      It's 8:24 in the evening and I am enjoying a few peaceful, quiet moments sitting on my porch listening as night sounds begin to sing.  There are birds chirping faintly and the sun is fading behind the homes across the street leaving in its wake a multitude of hues; peach, pink, purple and blue.  A few day lilies remain showing their vibrant colors and the black-eyes susans have begun to bloom.  I marvel that day light lingers allowing me visually to enjoy the beauty around me.
     There are many times of the year I enjoy, but I would probably surmise that summer evenings are one of my favorites.  No sweaters or blankets are needed, only shorts, tee-shirts and flip-flops need to be worn into the night as the smell of newly mowed grass wafts on the slight breeze welcoming the oncoming night.
     As the night sounds grow louder I think about all those nights of summer growing up in Virginia.  So many of my memories of summer were formed there.  As a motorcycle passes by I remember riding with my dad on his Harley.  Seems you can't have summer without a motorcycle ride or at least the memory of one.  Our rural community was one where everyone knew each other and we all basically went to the same community church.  So many great memories...
     I pray that all the people in America will remember how blessed we are to live in this great country.  Whatever agendas being initiated through civil unrest, division, past faults of historical leaders and generally attacking America, I would ask that we pray for all of those who seek to destroy this nation and its people.  There are many vulnerable people being swayed and robbed of contentment which can only be found in Jesus Christ.  As Christian believers we need to pray for them as Jesus did; be an example of love, but hold fast to our faith as we live as stellar witnesses before the world.  
     I would love for all Americans to experience a night of sitting quietly watching as the earth goes to sleep being sung to by night sounds.  There is so much more to life than being angry.  May God lay His mighty hand on this great land and heal us.

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