SPRING AND THINGS

May and June are probably my favorite months of the year. Even though it has been a rather wet and chilly spring, I still love it. The new buds on the trees, the thunder and lightening. 

My husband and I saw 4 orioles at the feeder all at once; and only the day after we had put the feeder up! The familiar sounds of bird songs seem to melt the ice from my veins. 

New life is just a glance away out the windows and the urge to clean and paint is to me like an ancient instinct. Maybe that is the thing that draws me, the feeling of waking up or coming back to life after the cold, dark winter. The feeling that we can come back to try again. That we have another season to enjoy the lakes, gardens and watching things grow. I also have the joy of watching a daughter grow with a child inside her this spring, so it is especially wondrous. The baby is due soon and will be a girl, finally, after many boys. Watching my daughter nesting is an experience I won't forget. Some women are just made to have babies! What will the baby look like? Will she take after her mother or her father? So much to hope for; to pray about; to thank God for! I really love spring!

JUSTICE OR REVENGE?

As an imperfect follower of Christ, I have struggled with the feelings of happiness in the death of Osama bin Laden even as I understand the great gift of life given to each of us. I have trouble killing insects sometimes and feel that my sensibility toward life is not in any way dull. My love of the Lord may need more growth, but I have trouble with those who constantly question others degree of "love for the Lord" when they may have differences of opinions. Only He can see our hearts and only He can or should be the judge of our level of spiritual condition. If we have trouble with someone's behavior or beliefs I guess the best thing to do is take it to prayer and just avoid those subjects with them. 

The bottom line, in my humble opinion, in regards to the death of Osama bin Laden is that his death is not so much "justice" (God takes care of that in the long run) but that with him gone I feel we have made a slight dent in the degree of safety for our country. Those that have loved ones who died on 9/11 must feel some relief. Even though there can be no guarantee that events like it cannot happen again, maybe, just maybe this will be a detriment  to those who are planning them. The killing of Osama bin Laden has also been a victory for those whose job it is to keep us safe and this being one of the few successes we have witnessed, I celebrate with them.

Also, what a strange time we live in that we have to apologize for feeling good when those who want to destroy us and our whole country are punished and or killed. It is truly amazing!