“And so we know and
rely on the love God has for us.
God
is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1
John 4:16 (NIV)

Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep at night. As I lie
in bed, waiting to slip into dreamland, my thoughts drift to problems that I finally
realize I cannot change. However, just when I think I have relinquished them to
God, I find myself still struggling to let those doubts go.

Several
months ago, I found an inexpensive way to help me drift off to sleep. It’s a
small machine with multiple choices of sounds to soothe and relax, including
rain, a waterfall, the ocean, the rain forest, a heartbeat, and my favorite, a
summer night.

As a child growing up in Louisiana, I loved warm summer evenings when
my sister and I, and other neighbors, would go frog hunting. It was challenging
to track them by following the sounds of their voices lifted in harmony. I can
still recall using our mother’s Mason jars and our father’s flashlights to hunt
down the creatures who tried to elude us.

Capturing
them was easy when our beam of light compelled them to freeze. Getting them in
the jar was more difficult if you were squeamish about picking them up. If you
could manage to use the jar to scoop them up and slap the metal lid on, you
could avoid touching their slimy skin. I didn’t mind grabbing the amphibians,even though our mothers had
warned us that frogs caused warts.

The
outdoors has always been a source of fascination for me. I recall days spent in the lazy sunshine,
soaking up God’s love for humanity through His beautiful creations. Clouds, trees,
flowers, grass, birds, bugs, and yes, even frogs, were a reminder of how much
He must really love us. Think of His creation as one big Valentine, signed with
love from your Father.

A
recent newspaper article reminded me that God still loves to delight us with
His creations. Biologists have announced the discovery of a new species of
frog. Native to eastern Oklahoma,
the Cajun chorus frog is little—about an inch long. What distinguishes this
tiny creature from others of its kind is its chirp.

According
to one of the biologists who discovered the new species, you can duplicate the
sound by running your fingers across a metal comb. When joined by a chorus of
others, the chirp of the Cajun frog is deafening.

How
easy it would have been for biologists to overlook a one-inch creature. But
God, in his infinite wisdom, decided to make this frog different from the rest
of His creations. If it weren’t for the unique sound of the Cajun chorus frog,
scientists might never have discovered it.

When
we discover God’s uniqueness, and that He truly loves us, warts and all, life
begins anew. Even as we struggle with those things that threaten to rob us of
our peace, we can rest assured that when we fully rely on God, His light will
show us the way.

Check out Carol’s blog at www.carolaround.com for more inspiration.

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About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

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