Feb 8 Martha's Musings

There are several benefits to being confined to one’s home for several days. Recently, I had this opportunity, as did most of you, and this is what I learned. First, puppies LOVE the snow and ice. Our puppy, Carlos, is now house-broken, so I worried about his little cold paws. He was not worried. Second, blowing bubbles with your dogs is a great thing. Not only do they enjoy it and get exercise chasing those pesky bubbles, but it is really relaxing watching those colorful circles of soapy water and air just float away. Catching them again is a fun skill to acquire, which I fortunately still had from my long-ago childhood. Puppy Carlos could not quite grasp how I did that, but I could see the admiration in his little brown puppy eyes. Third, you can improve your cooking skills and try some new recipes, a use of my time highly appreciated by Hubby. But by far the main benefit of enforced time off is just the time to appreciate one’s blessings. It was not lost on me that my family has a warm home. I prayed regularly for those not so blessed. And when we could not have all the regular normal church activities, it was only because of the dangerous weather. It was not because someone was threatening to shoot us or hurt our church family. Nothing like it is in some countries, where attending church can be downright scary. My church is where my soul is fed, where I worship with like-minded Christians, and where I find love, trust, and support. My God is everywhere, and how He manages that is a great mystery to us all. But I walk by faith and not by sight, so mysteries do not bother me. My God is in charge, you and I are not, so sleep comes easy. PTL!

Blessings,
Martha Arizpe, St. John’s Prayer Team