35_Dusk Devotions
Come, talk with me at twilight...
If you are new here or simply want to know more about me and Adventures and Academia, enjoy this welcome note.
Since our return from Austria, most of my days have been filled with the many tasks of being a housewife. Additionally, God granted multiple opportunities to serve the church with His gifts. The time that I usually spend writing was instead invested in creating a missions bulletin board and booklets to encourage the church family to pray regularly for our missionaries. God also blessed me with the joys of attending a cookout with our discipleship group, the birthday celebration of a dear friend, and a bachelorette party for another sweet sister in Christ. As you can imagine, I had batches of brownies to bake and piles of gifts to wrap.
Life is full, and I praise God for the delightful gift of community.
A busy week, however, results in fewer written reflections for you.
I do hope this little moment from Friday offers encouragement as you begin the new week of walking in the works God has prepared for you:
Come, slip outside with me to water the window boxes. The pansies and dianthus were drooping their heads when we returned from our evening Bible study and prayer time, but tucking tired tots into their beds had priority on the to-do list.
The bells of the village church now strike ten. Summer solstice is near, however, so we can still see at this late hour. I find the watering can in my garden shed and dip it into the rain barrel in the evening twilight. The heat of the day is dissipating, and my mind wanders to memories of late-childhood vacations…
This is about the time we'd be arriving at a campground after a full day of driving and sightseeing. When we finished setting up the tent, my father would walk around with us to locate the amenities, ensuring we could safely find our way at night. I remember feeling fully secure in my father's presence as dusk faded to darkness. Those moments with him caused dusk to become my favorite time for being outside.
At home on the family farm, this is also the time I would be finishing my chores. As I closed the chicken coop for the night, the first stars would appear, and God seemed especially near - again, I felt fully secure in my Father's presence. I lifted my loudest songs to the sky when others were cozying under their covers, because I simply couldn't keep my prayers quiet any longer.
Tonight, that old familiar feeling rises up from deep inside my chest. I shake the last drops of water from the can onto the flowers, but I can't shake the desire to sing at the sky. I live in the middle of a German village, though, and I can't very well disturb the peace after ten o' clock. I put the watering can away. Then, my feet carry me to the front yard, where I spread my arms wide, and...I go back inside.
The regret rises as I tell my husband that I've become a good German who follows the rules. He tells me I should have sung (quietly).
Next time, I will.
God is worthy of our praises, no matter the time.
My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise;
let every living thing
bless his holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:21Thank you for being my guest. In God's word you will find rest; Seek Him, be bountifully blessed. 💚