The Lord watches over you - the Lord is the shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. ~Psalm 121:5-6
Summer is not a season that Danny and I ever truly embrace. While I understand that many of you adore the summer months and mourn when they are passed, I'd venture to say that the majority of you live far north of our Georgia locale and ideally, close to the seashore where ocean breezes radically modify brutally hot temperatures. I do recall loving those weeks in summers long ago when we would visit relatives in Massachusetts who lived along the coast. The weather, it seemed, was perfect!
Beginning last Friday, we fall under the wickedly warm influence of a heat dome. Temperatures are predicted to soar to the nineties every day for at least a week. Add to this no significant precipitation during this time, and that's a signal for us to hunker down in our air-conditioned safe space, venturing abroad only to attend church or run errands that cannot be postponed.
Danny, in particular, is extremely sensitive to high temperatures. He thinks it may have something to do with all the heart medication he has to take on a daily basis. But whatever the cause, simply moving across a scorching parking lot to access a grocery store isn't an option for him.
I don't like the sweltering heat, but thankfully, I have a higher tolerance for it. when we go grocery shopping this past Friday (predicted as the coolest day in the string of scorchers to come), we take my little Scion instead of Danny's Subaru as I've never felt comfortable driving the latter. We can pull up to the store front, flip on the hazard lights, and engage in what we used to call a "Chinese Fire Drill" in the days before political correctness descended, then Danny can quickly enter the store while I hunt for a place to park.
When we're finally in the check-out line, I head back out to the parking lot so I can have the car right there at the curb for Danny the moment he emerges from the store. This routine definitely keeps his exposure to the debilitating heat to a minimal. Once we're home, since our yard is so shaded, he can let down his guard and breathe a sigh of relief.
As the Psalmist states above, the Lord is our shade at our right hand. Trusting completely in Him, we know that the sun cannot cause us harm on even the most simmering of summer days. God's plan to place Danny and me together in marriage so many years ago is no random coincidence.
It is an intentional act on His part. Knowing from the beginning and the end of our lives how we could, and would, be of help to one another, in His great love, God brought us together for His purpose and our benefit.
And for that, and so many other blessings, we give Him all our thanks and praise.
Amen!
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We have been living under the same heat dome, but ours has also included crazy storms. High winds, hard rain then sun. And humidity. I enjoy the heat, especially when riding, but this is even wearing me down. I guess old age kicking in is telling! :) Stay cool and stay safe Martha and Danny.
ReplyDeleteI've been keeping up with the weather up your way, Bill, and have been praying for all those who are victims of those terrible floods. Yes, I think that day after day of oppressive temperatures would wear down young and old alike. We will stay as cool as we possibly can.
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Yes, the heat has been terrible here as well, and it is already 80 degrees this morning at 5:30 a.m.!!! Today they say we are under an "EXTREME HEAT WARNING", not just a heat "advisory", so we will take the warning, and like you, hunker down and stay cool indoors as much as possible. And I love what you said about "God's plan to place Danny and me together in marriage so many years ago is no random coincidence." My hubby and I were just talking about the same thing as we celebrated our 57th anniversary. God moved heaven and earth to bring us together and He is the One Who has kept us together all these years. Without His divine plan and intervention, it could have well turned out differently. And like you, "we give Him all our thanks and praise!" Amen. Stay cool my friends!!
ReplyDeleteGod certainly has blessed you both, Pamela, with 57 wonderful years of marriage, and I'm not surprised that you discussed this as you celebrated your anniversary this past weekend. God is the thread that sews us together and keeps us together through good times and bad. Y'all stay cool, too, and don't go anywhere you don't have to!
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We’ve had scorching weather too, Martha, but today offers a bit of reprieve—only in the 80s. However, I will take this over ice storms any day!
ReplyDeleteI hear you about those ice storms, Diana. With all our trees here, we dread those even more than the heat waves. So glad to know you're catching a break in the heat today.
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It's hot all over, including here in St. Louis. It broke a bit yesterday, after a wek of heat warnings. But I grew up in New Orleans, where we had three seasons -- summer, July, and August.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I sure hear you about New Orleans weather, Glynn. Y'all are a hearty stock, for sure, to be able to stand that kind of heat. Stay cool!
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That heat sounds punishing.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't fun in the least, Christine, but we will manage.
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We have had pretty high temperatures for the last two months here in The Netherlands, it has been hot and dry. No AC here :) I enjoy shade in our garden and grass under my feet, thank God.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things European fans raved about when they visited during the FIFA games was American air conditioning, Marja. Sorry it's been so hot for you in the Netherlands, but glad you can find some respite in the shade.
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I just love what you said about you and Danny - and God placing you too together was no random coincidence! Everything our Heavenly Father does has intention. I'm so glad you and Danny have each other. God is so good!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Debby! Everything our Father does is intentional, and I'm so grateful for all He has done for us.
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I tolerate the heat. at best, Ms. Martha but if I had my druthers, I would prefer months with semi-regular rainfall and temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Winter isn't too bad either now that I have a roof over my head and am not working cattle. Hang in there friends. Fall's coming!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that winter was pretty brutal when you were working the ranch, J. D. In both hot and cold weather, it's so delightful to have a roof over our heads, isn't it? I do like that range of temperatures you mentioned here, too, J. D. Perfect!
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God surely planned well when he put the two of you together. Phil and I do the very same thing!! I need a scooter for large stores. So he will let me off, then go park. You have it down to a science. I do not like summer!! Bugs and heat. I do love all the light, though. It is in the 90's here this week, as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful when a couple can work in tandem to the success of both, Ginny. Sounds like God has looked out beautifully for Phil and you, too. Yes, I do love the summer light, but the bugs and heat are definitely a drag.
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It's been super hot here too, Martha! But hopefully our weather is heading your way. We're getting rain today and the temps are topping out in the 80s. I'm hoping it will stay like this for a few days. Thanks as always for a great reminder of God's love and care in all situations. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you've had to suffer in this heat, too, Deb, but I'm glad to know you're taking a turn for the better this week. Yes, when we need it most, God is there to provide the shade and the shelter for us no matter what the weather might do.
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It's been 39*C (102*F) in the shade over here. I'm clever though and did not stay in the shade.
ReplyDeleteIn our kitchen it can be as hot as 180*C (356*F) inside the oven when I'm cooking. I stay out of the oven because there's no room for me to fit in.
As you say, "We give Him all our thanks and praise." Best line in your post. Thank you Martha. God bless you and Danny.
Did I ever share with you that I went on a college study pilgrimage to the United Kingdom in 1996? You all were suffering a heat wave then, too, but because I was from the South in the States, I was able to tolerate it as my classmates seemed to do. Stay cool, Victor, and don't stick your head in any oven! Yes, let's always give the Lord all our thanks and praise no matter what the circumstances.
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You make a good point, Martha - hot summers are nothing new. We've had them in the past several times in 1996 and other years. It has cooled a little over here with some little rain. Praise the Lord all is well.
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Praise God for A/C! We've had quite a few days in the 90s, but I'm hopeful the worst is over. It's the humidity that makes it hard to breathe that gets to me. You've got the right idea, Martha--hunker down indoors where you can keep cool and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteIt's the humidity that gets to me, too, Nancy. Fortunately, today was a bit drier and it made breathing easier when we were outdoors. Praying that all of the nation can cool down sooner than later.
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I don't recall Augusts of years past being this uncomfortable! And for that reason, we do much the same as you and Danny when grocery shopping. He cut the grass day before yesterday and the effects are still lingering today. I'm actually afraid to learn the number of heat-related instances, but I'm sure they're up there.
ReplyDeleteThanking God this is only our temporary home.
Oh, dear Myra, don't let Tom mow the grass in this heat! Perhaps, there are some folks at your church who would do this for free or at least recommend a reasonable lawn service business that can be booked to do such a chore in this oppressive heat. I don't recall such uncomfortable Augusts either. Where do you suppose God keeps His thermostat?
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The heat and humidity are horrid and oppressive. I SO look forward to October!! You and Danny got it figured out, I think! We do what we have to do to get by, don't we. Amazon offers delivery from Winn Dixie, so I take advantage of that now and then. I also place orders with Sam's Club and either have it delivered or go to the pick-up space and they bring it to the car. It saves money, too, because I'm not shopping the aisles and getting things I don't really need! LOL Sending hugs, Martha!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great and economic system that you have in place, Terri. Yes, it might cost a bit extra for delivery, but that's more than saved when you don't spend the money on your own gas to get to the store. I'm so impressed that your friends and you still rise early to walk in the mornings before the heat truly bears down upon you. October will be here in God's good time.
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