a day at home and a poem

 Morning by morning new mercies I see. Observing the sun rise just outside the dining room's east facing window, though the sun comes up much later these late September days.  I am once again arising and coming down the stairs while it is still dark. 

 This was the first year I was able to purchase from a local nursery a common rue plant, also called the "Herb of Grace".  The plant being young did not yield the spring blooming yellow flowers but the bluish green foliage is beautiful...and tasty nourishment if you are a swallowtail caterpillar! This was a delightful discovery...rue is a host for the black and giant swallowtail both of which I was able to distinguish.

With needle and thread in hand I continue stitching tiny garden flowers on linen of teal allowing quiet moments of creative peace to my day.

There is a day

when the road neither

comes nor goes, and the way

is not a way but a place.

                                                      -Wendell Berry

for who has known the mind of the Lord?

Romans 11:33-36  is one of the places in the Word that I automatically find myself in when I do not understand, but yet I know He is sovereign and whatever He ordains is right. Only the believer can be assured of this doctrinal truth and continue to trust our loving God whatever befalls. 

I sing this hymn as I go about my autumnal days, finally succumbing to schedules once again, and as I am observing the last of the hummingbirds, the last of the butterflies, and the" mental sound" of the swallowtail caterpillars munching on this year's garden parsley.

1 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
his holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate'er he doth,
and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
he holds me that I shall not fall:
wherefore to him I leave it all.

2 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent;
his hand can turn my griefs away,
and patiently I wait his day.

3 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
though now this cup, in drinking,
may bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
and pain and sorrow shall depart.

4 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
yet am I not forsaken.
My Father's care is round me there;
he holds me that I shall not fall:
and so to him I leave it all.

This Hymn was written by German born Samuel Rodigast in 1676 in order to give comfort to a sick friend. 

Psalm 112:1

"Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

Who delights greatly in His commandments."

May this beautiful hymn fill you with His sovereign peace and assurance.