I almost missed it.Driving to a meeting last Tuesday evening, I glanced down at my dashboard. The odometer read:99999.As the next mile sped along, I keep watching for the exact moment the numbers switched to:100000.As luck would have it, there was a safe place to pull over and snap this photo of this silly moment.But is it so silly?A small unimportant moment opened my heart to the Important. I paused for one brief minute and thanked God for having a reliable car. For times He kept me safe in the near misses and times I didn’t realize how He protected me.  I was grateful for the too many times to count that the car turned over and started its engine – some thing I take for granted. For its heat in winter and the air conditioning in sweltering summers.  For the moments of pure pleasure of singing along with the music at the top of my lungs.  I thought of the headlights to guide me home in the dark. And felt grateful for the hands that built this car and changes its oil. Pausing to savor … [Read more...]

I am a successful gardener. My specialty?  Dandelions! Though most gardeners (myself included) struggle the entire growing season to remove these perennials and their deep roots, God did create these flowers we chose to call weeds. “A weed is but an unloved flower.”
- Ella WilcoxThese perpetual shoots of yellow love to grow among my carefully laid out plans, distracting my attention from other beauties.  I tend, though, to agree with Eeyore, friend of Winnie the Pooh who said: “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.”I befriended dandelions this year. Dandelions entertained me with delightful memories while I weeded last week. Instead of a nuisance, this flower invited me into the wonder of God’s ingenuity. Remember as kids, taking one of the flowers and squishing it around on your best friend’s face? If it left a smudge of yellow, it meant you like butter.Or even more meaningful - remember taking the dandelion that has transformed into downy seed and blowing on the white … [Read more...]

We were in the middle of the grocery store.  The elderly lady in her motorized shopping cart rode right up next to my husband and me.  I recognized her from my county, but her name totally escaped my mind.“I have been wanting to tell you,” she said, “how much I enjoy reading your articles in the newspaper. Whenever I see your name, I read the whole thing. Just love your writing.”I stammered out a weak thank you.  Smiling, I told her I enjoyed my job as a feature writer and the opportunity to meet lots of people and learn new things.We chatted briefly a little longer, and then parted ways.The next day a church member told me she had seen a nurse I used to work with at the health department.  “She said you were the best boss she ever had. Thought you would enjoy hearing that.”Wow, two unexpected compliments. Why did they make me feel so uncomfortable, instead of joyful?To be honest I thought, “Oh, no something bad is going to happen now.”Why can’t I just breath in the fresh air of nice … [Read more...]