A Summer Evening

A summer evening brings opportunity to listen to swirling thoughts growing from seeds planted earlier in the spring. So many ideas. So many challenges and desires to create and accomplish. At times we do feel a weariness and must pause to let things settle into some kind of order. How can we take stock of what God is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us if we have no time to listen? How can we remember and tell others what God has done when we are too busy to even recognize them for ourselves?
It seems a Sunday evening in particular is such a time to be set apart for a time so that we may be reminded of all the things for which we should be thankful.
If we have been blessed to join together with others to worship the Lord, and remember that we are united in voice with all the saints in glory, singing hymns of worship as did the choirs of long ago walk on the ramparts and sing with such joy that the sound was heard far away, then, our mind is focused on our Father, Who created us and Who spares nothing to make Himself known to us in ways beyond counting.
     Perhaps the name of a friend comes to mind. Will I use that reminder to call or write the friend to see if she has a need? Will I invite her for supper, or just fellowship with her over the phone and perhaps brighten her day? Another time, new light of understanding breaks as with the light of dawn, and I recognize the working of His Spirit helping to order my thoughts that I might more clearly understand the character of the Lord; the light of present applications is illumined with growing wisdom accompanied with abundant opportunity to give His love to others. It is in the quiet times that memories surface with awakening of providential purpose for every experience encountered to this date.
   It is good to begin each day with a greeting to the Lord; asking Him what the plan of the day will be according to His sovereign will. Each morning comes with new expectations and anticipation. I love to ask Him what He has in store for me to learn and to give to others in every part of the day, making note when He allows me to see Him working in each situation. Then in the evening, or in an unexpected time of quiet repose, thank Him and ask that He help remember, then respond to the new light of this day. He will never disappoint us when we truly seek this special time of connection to show our love to Him by recounting the wonders of how He has thus far kept us. One day at a time. Let our love for Him retain its luster, the joy born of a relationship with the Eternal Father being made known in ways that are new each morning.
   As I settle in to listen to the evening symphony I am content. I can rest through the night, knowing that He is watching over me the whole night through. I am thankful.

Summer Photos

Nothing evokes summertime to the eyes of the heart more than the lavish forested woodlands where even the tree trunks are wrapped in glorious display.  The bright light magnifies the richness of the scene.

When Trust Is True

I Trust

I trust.

Two simple words encompass the realm of amazing faith.

Enabled to believe, I must choose to trust.

All magnificent glory of God’s creation bears witness.

The order of the universe confirms the Word

            with observable miracles at every turn.

The exquisite fragileness of hummingbird wings allow it to fly

Immeasurably small eyes turn toward me with sight.

Iridescent throat feathers glow red in bright light.           

I trust because light continues to reveal things too wonderful

            to exist apart from the power of Almighty, Holy God.

As a young child my joy overflowed in expressive fountains.

Responses winged upward in the flight of emotions.

Trusting parents and teachers, I was innocent and without care.

Increasingly now I become further aware,

it is God’s words that encourage patience in waiting.

Trust is that bridge between emotion and godly wisdom.

            Trust holds reign over stumbling blocks of confusion.

Circumstances must not be allowed to consume me.

Situations beyond my strength provide opportunity

            to permit witness of the Lords faithfulness,

and uphold trusting confidence in Him alone for eternity.

He confirms His listening ear in a manner I can hear.

In His timing and purpose, answers are certain to appear,

            though often not as my humanness might desire.

He alone knows true requirements essential to ascend 

to mountaintop heights He would lead me to aspire.

Growing confidence flows through practicing this trust

            through obediently taking each step to the fore and

            listening for His leading to lift life far above the dust.

Trust has divine beginning in seeing what He reveals in creation.

I find contentment in responding as a child with full-grown elation.

He allows me to see His love shining through earthly shepherds

            as they discern His will and lead with apt words.

Through scripture’s lens God illumines truth to add purpose to living.

In humble repentance we are given His gift of forgiving.

Trusting His Spirit for wisdom lights the way to persevere.

Faith transforms the nature of sight and makes hidden things clear.        

Ina May Pummill 8/26/10



No matter how difficult our circumstances may seem, no matter how deep the canyon we feel we are walking, for those who trust the Lord and truly seek Him, the light of His love reaches the deepest depths to confirm His presence to those who know His voice and lift their eyes to watch for the working of God in every situation.



Summer Glimpses

These summer days are both mirrors of previous times, and yet the combination of all the parts makes each year stand out in a particular manner as we look back so that we might look forward through the memories of each layer of reflections as a foundation of God's faithfulness in leading us ahead. We see with new eyes that which was once familiar and common. Because of our history with God we may anticipate special moments as a surprise, knowing only that nothing is wasted in the economy of God. It is hard to hear the silence in this season; nature awakens us with treetop choruses, of an evening the nightbirds sing and the cicadas make repetitive callings while the owls cry and the coyote howls pierce the evening with a chill sound. Clouds build into massive columns and lightning divides the heavens with flashes of purple light. We must step aside and listen. Ponder. Reflect upon what we know to be true of God. We must tell Him what He is to us Season upon season arrives with unique presentation of the almighty power of God.