New Mercies

As I took some soiled clothing to our outdoor laundry room this morning, I was startled to hear the birds singing loudly; then I remembered: "For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come." Now officially, spring doesn't come for another two weeks, but my heart and the birds are not restricted to a calendar.

It's amazing the changes that a couple of Tylenol PM and more-than-a-few hours of uninterrupted sleep can bring to a sick body. I awoke a changed woman.

Not to that I have it all together. We managed a grocery trip (I think it had been at least two weeks and the fridge was empty) but ran by Target first. I was so proud of myself for snagging some cheap inflatable beach balls for the Christmas shoeboxes as well as some notebooks and other school supplies.

Then I got ready to pay, and the machine would not take my debit card. I tried it again thinking I had not entered the pin correctly. I was denied. (This is extremely embarrassing considering I know perfectly well there's enough money). Thankfully I don't subscribe to Dave Ramsey and pulled out my VISA. All the while I'm thinking, "I have to call Doug. He's got to go to the bank. What is going on?"

And then it happens. As we walked to the van, I have this vague memory of receiving a new card in the mail that had to be activated. I didn't have the time or a free hand at the moment and stuck it in a "safe place." Apparently my card expired in February.

But the weather! What a beautiful day! We dug in the garden, discovering a potato from last year's crop and numerous earthworms. We played with a stray dog, and the boys fed it frozen hot dog buns. We went to the pond and fed the ducks and fish the remaining hot dog buns while Andrew talked to me of nimbus clouds.

His mercies are new every morning.