“Mana palīdzība nāk no tā Kunga, kas radījis debesis un zemi.
Viņš neļaus tavai kājai slīdēt; kas tevi sargā, tas nesnauž!” (Ps 121:2-3)
Šogad sākam izkaisīt barību putniņiem, kaut vāveres parasti pirmās tika klāt. Izgudrojam iegādāties putnu barotavu! Mans vīrs Ivars izgudroja kā to iekarināt eglē, lai vāveres netiktu klāt. Vismaz tā mēs abi cerējām? Lai vāveres apēd sēklas, kas zemē nokristu. Vakar pie miera, lija lietus, bija tumšs, tomēr varējām redzēt ar barību pilno putnu barotavu. Šorīt? Saule tik tikko ausa, kad ieraudzīju iztukšoto barotavu! Vienkārši, bija jāsmaida par atjautīgiem nakts ciemiņiem, kas varbūt arī smaidīja naktī gardi paēdot? Vai tās tiešām bija vāveres? Varbūt stirnas? Tas mums paliks mistērija, slapjā zemē neredzēju ne viena dzīvnieka pēdas, bet kaut kā izjutu Dieva pieskārienu, atgādinājumu uzticēties Viņam, kas nesnauž un pat naktī turpina gādāt par savu radību un bērniem, mums nemanot.
Mēs tik ļoti ceram uz cilvēku attīstībām zināšanām un tehnoloģijas apžilbinošām spējām apkaros šo ļauno vīrusu- bet kādreiz paliks neatbildēti jautājumi, notikumi, kas atgādina paļauties Viņam, kas radījis debesis un zemi. Viņš zina, kas naktī apēda putniem domāto barību. Ir dabiski, ka šajos laikos gribam zināt, cik ilgi vēl, kā būs, kā izturēsim, kā lai palīdzam? Arī tiem, kam naktīs jāstrādā, kas arī nesnauž un neguļ mūsu vietā par citiem gādājot un līdz ar mums cerot, ka ikkatrs rīts kāds sevī justu kā veselība atspirgst un atjaunojās. Kā dabā, kad pēc ziemas nāk pavasaris, pēc nakts tumsas un vētrām, jauns rīts un dzīvība! Ne vienmēr saņemsim skaidras atbildes, bet saklausīsim apsolījumu: “Kungs tevi sargās no visa ļauna, viņš nosargās tavu dzīvību. Vai tu iesi vai nāksi (vai paliksi savā mājā) – Kungs sargās tevi no šā brīža līdz mūžībai.” (Ps 121:7-8).
Kungs Jēzu, Tu reiz tik gudri mācīja: “Pavērojiet putnus debesīs – ne tie sēj, ne pļauj, ne savā ražu šķūņos; jūsu debesu Tēvs tos baro.” (Mt 6:26a). Paldies, Tēvs, ka varam paļauties, ka tā ir un būs! Jo ne vienmēr piepildās mūsu centieni, bet Tu gādā un gādāsi arvien – par katru savu bērnu un visu savu radību. Lūdzu, Tēvs, svētī mūs kā dienā, tā naktī, lai notiek Tavs žēlīgais prāts – kā debesīs tā arī virs zemes. Āmen.
+Lauma
Sometime in the night
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
God will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber.” (Ps 121:2-3)
This year we started to scatter birdseed on the ground, though the squirrels usually had their fill before the birds. So, we decided to get a birdfeeder. My husband, Ivars, thought a lot about how to hang it so all the squirrels night not reach the seeds. Both of us had hope, that the squirrels could just eat the seeds that fell as the birds feasted.
It was raining last night, though we could still see the birdfeeder, filled to the brim. Today, the sun was barely dawning when I saw the empty birdfeeder! What a gift! To be able to smile about the ingenuity of whatever animal ‘outfoxed’ all of our efforts! Were they squirrels? I doubt it. Perhaps the deer that sometimes greet us early, early in the morning? The answer will remain a mystery. I did not see any footprints in the wet soil, but I did sense that God had been here, perhaps reminding me to trust in the One, who does not slumber, nor sleep. Even in the night He continues to care for His creation and all of us, His children – in so many ways unknown to us.
We continue to hope that the amazing technology and science created and discovered by people will conquer Covid-19, yet many questions will remain unanswered. Are we being redirected to not lose hope, but trust ever more completely in Him, who created heaven and earth? He knows how the birdfeeder emptied in the night. It is natural that we want to have answers for many, very serious questions, during this horrific time. We want to know, how long, what will life be like, will we make it through, how can we help? Especially those, who work also neither slumber nor sleep as they continue to care for others in our place, and hope that each new morning will bring renewed strength and health, comfort for those who are grieving and struggling. As in nature. When winter yields to spring and night storms bring an explosion of color to the world. Seems God rarely answers our specific questions, but continues to affirm: “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, (or shelter at home) both now and forever.” (Ps 121:7-8)
Lord Jesus, you so wisely taught: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. (Mt. 6:26a) Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this assurance, and that we can trust you in your help today, and always. Our efforts will not always be sufficient, our hopes will not always be fulfilled, but you continue to provide for and bless your children, and all of your creation. We pray, Father, bless us each, as in the night. May your merciful will be done – on earth as it is in heaven. Āmen.
+Lauma
FOTO: Lauma Zuševica