Today’s page began early as I woke up to the sounds of Susan having a seizure sometime in the wee hours of the morning.  While it lasted for a while, it wasn’t major — at least as far as her seizures go.  Once she was through the seizure and back asleep, I went back to sleep for a little while but still made it up to catch the sunrise and some early morning photos.  Eventually we were all awake at the same time and went for a walk which included a lunch stop at Subway.  

The afternoon was spent at the beach with the help of a wonderful beach umbrella.  Susan and I were both able to get some rest under the shade of the umbrella.  I don’t mind getting a good tan, but age has brought a wisdom that realizes the top of my feet will burn if I don’t protect them from the sun.  So while Susan laid under the umbrella, I sat at the edge so I could soak in the sun’s rays while keeping my feet shaded.  I did venture away from the umbrella at times so I could fly my kite, swim in the gulf, and shoot some photos of the waves as they rolled into shore.  Eventually we left the beach so I could grill some chicken for dinner before returning to the beach for the sunset.  But the umbrella picture stuck with me as I thought about the protection that God offers to us through the instruction of His Word and the counsel of His Spirit.  

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• I’m sure seizures take a toll on the person having them, but they also take a toll on those who care.
• Some days I think I need a reset button for my internal clock but God rewarded me with great beauty by getting up at my regular time this morning.
• God has given me a reset button for my mind — it’s called prayer and His Word.  I need to use it more often.
• Just as the body need good nutrition to fuel its intended purposes, so the soul needs spiritual nutrition to fuel its intended purposes.
• Sometimes we get burnt in our spirit because we choose to walk away from the protection of God’s Word and the counsel of His Spirit.
• A maturing Christian realizes the benefit of dwelling under the umbrella of God’s presence.
• Experience doesn’t always lead to wisdom.  Our application of the experience tells whether it produced wisdom or not.