From our Kitchen Sink

My hopeless attempt at a nap last Sunday afternoon was broken by the unfamiliar sound of a chain saw. (Fighting dogs, clucking roosters, whining cats, and crying babies... now those are familiar Sunday afternoon sounds). I looked out the kitchen window to follow the sound, and to my dismay, I saw large palm fronds crashing to the ground. They were taking down "our" kitchen window coconut trees!
I should back up a bit before I finish my story. When Don and Pamela were here a few weeks ago (see previous blog), Pamela reserved her highest praise for the luscious tropical world out our window. I have to confess, that was not usually my first thought when I stood at our sink. If I wasn't thinking about the dirty tin sink or the caving-in windows (we hope to get them fixed in the near future), I would be examining the inevitable mildew build up near the faucet. But Pamela's one comment of praise and thanksgiving had challenged me and changed it all.
For a whole two weeks, when I looked out that window, I would thank God for the green palm leaves and the little river that meandered below them. I would thank God for the chickens that entertained my toddler every morning when he awoke (one of his first words was "kok-kok-kok", the chickens' noise).
That's why my heart sank so low when I heard the whir of the saw. If only I had appreciated the simple gift of God earlier... now is was being torn away.
As it turned out, my worst fear (that the landlord was clearing the land to build another house right in front of our window) was not realized. Just two trees were fallen to make room for a new cable.
In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes on the green and on God's great goodness to me in the big and small. And I'll continue to thank God for friends like Pamela who help me see His handiwork around me.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:18