Another Angel

The gathering looked like an audience for a children’s program. Grandparents, parents, teenagers, and young children waited expectantly. Eyes focused intently on the overhead screens. Videos with joyful music played. Smiles, giggles, and tears followed.
Within the blanket of black covering the sanctuary, a tawny stuffed bear peeked out from the arms of a little girl. How appropriate that the angel bear accompanied her to the memorial service for another angel.
Her comfort was in her stuffed bear while Joseph’s was in knowing Jesus. The faith of the eight year old was voiced by friends who spoke of his life. A parade of speakers took the pulpit--his teacher, classmates, a nurse, his cancer buddy, and several pastors. His short life was crammed with humor, wisdom, and love. It was evident that Joseph touched many lives and shared the love of Jesus, in spite of his long illness.
Joseph’s buddy, David, shared their journey through cancer. After an initial time of anger at God, he accepted Joseph’s death because he knew Joseph was in heaven. They fought similar battles.
No one knows why medicines don’t work and young people die too early. But there are lessons we can learn. Appreciate each person. Enjoy every day. Overlook the small stuff and embrace the important. Know Jesus. Be ready.

Dear Lord, thank you for the life of Joseph and what he taught to those he met. Amen

A Special Doctor

Dressed in a white lab coat, the small doctor made his rounds. His encouragement and engaging smile touched patients and their parents. For years he attended to children in the cancer ward of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando.
He held no medical degree or ever attended college. In fact, most of his schooling took place at home. But his expertise about the procedures and compassion earned respect from those around him.
Dr. Joseph’s second home was the renown hospital. Doctors, nurses, and other staff members became colleagues and friends.
When other children played in parks, attended school, and joined ball teams, Dr. Joseph visited doctors’ offices, endured painful treatments, and stayed in hospital rooms. His compromised immune system and often fragile body kept him from normal childhood activities.
Nevertheless, his spirit soared. When other children at the hospital expressed fear, Dr. Joseph explained procedures and offered hope. Knowing he had endured the same treatments, they listened and were calmed. He made many friends. Some returned home. Some went to heaven.
The cancer ward stripped away the insignificant parts of life. Dr. Joseph knew what was important. He knew Jesus.
Last year at his dad’s funeral, Dr. Joseph circulated during the reception laughing and talking with friends. Hospital staff and patients came to offer support to his family. Though both were dying, Dr. Joseph and his teenaged friend enjoyed each other’s company in spite of their terminal diseases.
As his health declined and treatments refused to work, he continued to visit with family and friends. On good days, he played video games with his three brothers. His pirate birthday party occurred a month early to be sure he could make it. He did survive until his eighth birthday.
Hospice allowed him to be at home with his family at the end. He suffered more pain in his short life than most adults in a normal life time. He probably spread more joy and love of Jesus than most adults too.
Even though we grieve his passing, we celebrate his amazing life. Now his home is with Jesus and his dad.

Tiny Teacher

Molly toddled to the roly poly bean bag. With knees bent as if in prayer, her wee head rested in the middle of the bag. She lifted her head, smiled and returned to the pillow like pouch.
Little legs clamored up the bumpy bag. She plopped onto her back outstretching her little legs and arms. She beamed. Her contentment obvious at overcoming the obstacles.
With determination, she struggled to the top of her mountain. She asked for no help and didn’t even utter her favorite words-up and help-or use sign language for please.
We all laughed at her precious expression as she lay at the crest of her mountain. She paused after reaching her goal and enjoyed the experience. There was no rush to get to the next adventure.
By contrast, adults spend time planning for the future or regretting the past and ignore the present. There is little contentment or satisfaction.
My tiny teacher, Molly, instructs with few words but imparts powerful lessons.

Proverbs 17: 6 “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” (NIV)

Philippians 4: 11-13 “... for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (NIV)

Father, help us be content in each situation and open to lessons from all of our teachers. Amen

Imperfect Forest

Psalm 139: For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.


A forest of trees border the lake. Overhanging limbs caress the water. Towering pines graze the powder blue sky. Bald cypress, pine, myrtle, oak, and citrus cluster like friends at a party.
There is a quiet delight and serenity with the trees as my neighbors. Limbs block harsh sun and offer shade. Branches, trunks, and leaves provide protection, food, and homes for countless wildlife. Together the trees are strong as roots and limbs clasp hands.
When I glance at the whole picture, I see gorgeous, rustic beauty. However, a study of the individual trees gives a totally different perspective.
Across the lake, dead fronds mar a graceful palm. Surrounded by healthy green trees, a bare skeleton detracts. A young pine struggles through adolescence with one side bushy and full while the other is thin and scraggly. An oak, brimming with foliage at the top, in the middle looks like a puzzle with pieces missing.
On closer inspection, not one tree is Disney perfect. Nevertheless, the many imperfections add interest and character making my garden lovely and fascinating.
A sea of humanity reminds me of the forest of trees. From a distance, flaws are not always evident. Up close, they are obvious. Striving for perfect faces, bodies, families and careers, lives are ruined. No one can make it. Unfortunately, many succumb to the pressures and feel inferior.
Constant comparisons produce feelings of worthlessness, depression, and anger or self righteousness, pride, and superiority. None are helpful. All reject the truth.
An acceptance of each person’s uniqueness, as a gift not a burden, forms bonds instead of tearing apart. I imagine the marvelous changes if people would focus on the positive instead of the negative.

Jesus, help me see past the imperfections in myself and others. Amen

A Little Boy's Lunch

As a child, I heard the story over and over. A little boy gave his lunch to Jesus who multiplied it for thousands of hungry people.
While on the Sea of Galilee a few years ago, I saw the grassy hills where Jesus preached. In my mind, I could see groups of people sitting in circles. They talked and ate until they were full. Each bite a miracle from the lunch of a little boy. Jesus prayed, and the food multiplied.
Recently when I read the Bible reference for my daily devotional, one sentence stood out. Never had I noticed it so clearly. Mark 6: 37 “...You give them something to eat.” Wasn’t that Jesus’ job? He, not a little boy, performed miracles.
I underlined the sentence. It spoke to me. I pondered its meaning for a few minutes. Feel compassion and pray but don’t stop there. Do something even if it seems insignificant.
Then I read the devotional that went with the verses. I almost jumped out of my chair. The author wrote, “You give them something to eat.” His commentary matched my own thoughts exactly.
The coincidence was unbelievable. God was definitely speaking to me. Of all the parts of that story, the author and I picked out the same verse. God wanted me to hear it again.
When people say they don’t hear God, I realize that often we don’t listen very well. Many times I have read a Scripture and then heard it right away at church, on the radio, or saw it in my readings. One way God speaks is through the Bible.
More thoughts came to me from the verses. The disciples were told to give the people something to eat. Of course, it was impossible for them to feed thousands, but they took the first step. Jesus made it happen.
I can’t fix every pressing situation that I see, but I can take a step. He performs miracles and wants me to join Him. He might want me to continue working with Him like he did with the disciples. He handed the food to them to distribute. What did they do with the food that was left over? Did it feed more people? How far did they go with that one step that began a journey?

Mark 6: 36-44 “When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough-it was quite late in the day-they interrupted, ‘ We are a long way out in the country, and it’s very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper.’
Jesus said, ‘You do it. Fix supper for them.’
They replied, ‘Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune for their supper?’
But He was quite serious. ‘How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory.’
That didn’t take long. ‘Five,’ they said, ‘plus two fish.’
Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred--they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper. (MSG)

Dear Lord, give me discernment and wisdom to know what steps to take and in which situations. Guide me in your plan. Amen

A Distorted View

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye.” (NKJ)

In the distance, purple spots wiggle in the breeze. Gray blotches dangle from the oak tree. Trees across the lake blend into a huge mass of green. On the bank, a light colored object reflects in the mirrored lake. Its image is as blurry as the original. My sanctuary is like an unfocused movie.
Without contacts or glasses, my distant world looks blurry and uninviting. But within my near world, I can easily read and write. My cup of tea, potted plant, and chair are clear and focused. When my gaze remains close, I am happy and content. I block out the lake, garden, and opposite shore. My tiny world encircles me.
Glasses produce a different view. Distinct trees border the lake. Lovely flowers adorn my garden. A blue heron wades in the shallows. Another world opens.
In addition to the beauty, I see algae floating on the still water. A dead tree languishes in the forest. Weeds crowd my flower beds. Dying herbs grow weary of intense heat. Unruly branches beg for a trim. My glasses expose both beauty and ugliness.
It is tempting to refuse glasses, ignore the world and retreat from unpleasant, horrific situations. However, many opportunities would be missed. Countless situations can be improved or corrected when people work to solve the problems. All can’t be solved, but we can make a difference to someone.
To a child with no school supplies, a filled backpack signals a new start. To a lonely widow, an invitation to dinner lifts the spirit. To a homeless man, a sandwich with a smile, offers hope. To a family with a vigil at the hospital, a meal provides comfort. To a mother worried about a child, a listening ear gives release. To a rebellious teen, a hug begins healing.
Each time someone is assisted, many benefit as the web expands. The world shines and beauty is revealed.

Father, show me clearly the people whose struggles and pain I can help relieve. Help me accept that I can’t change the whole world. Amen

Dismal Tomato Plant

Psalm 119: 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; renew my life according to your word.

Once again, I attempted to produce an abundant tomato crop. Following instructions from the local, media gardener, I selected a cherry tomato plant. With a new pot, fresh potting soil, and daily waterings, I thought success would be accomplished.
Leaves flourished. The green plant inched up the wooden stake. Yellow blooms developed. My confidence grew and with plans for the anticipated bounty.
During our recent mission trip, my friend, Bonnie, agreed to babysit my burgeoning plant. Her green thumb is much greener than mine so I knew it was in good hands.
A glass jar stood at our door when we arrived at home. Ugly, black blobs had collapsed on the bottom. My first thought was that the strange creatures had feasted on our grass and someone had left them to show us.
An email from Bonnie stated that there was a story about my tomato plant.
In my small herb garden, a regular tomato plant, with one red tomato, had crumpled to the ground. I assumed her message was about that incident.
I was wrong. She explained that my cherry tomato plant thrived when we first left. One afternoon she noticed the top half stripped of foliage. She and her husband Wells carefully yanked off the disgusting worms before the plant was totally decimated. Their quick action saved it. The jar held the repulsive critters so we could see the perpetrators.
With stick like protrusions on top and full foliage at the bottom, my poor plant was quite a sight. Bonnie felt badly, but I knew it was just another blimp in my often unsuccessful farming career.
The plant returned home. Basking in the sun with daily waterings produced an unexpected result. The stripped portion of the plant became lush and green. The healthy section turned brown and withered. What a surprise!
People can be like my unfortunate tomato plant. Rotten attitudes, unforgiveness, pride, prejudice, self righteousness ... need to be stripped away. After the apparent destruction, growth occurs and a full life is restored. When problems are covered up and denied, lives fade and wither. Though the process of stripping seems harmful, the end result produces new life.

Father, take away the unhealthy portions and replace with a new creation. Amen

Children of the Amazon

Because of flooding during the rainy season, elementary schools along the Amazon often close during that time. With little to do, groups of children monitored the approach of our boat. We were the entertainment for the day.
After our boat docked, boys began a game of football (soccer) along the riverbank. Bare feet ran across the dirt and to the long screen like net crossing one end of the field. It prevented most of the kicks from hitting a cow tethered nearby.
Girls hustled high up into trees to pick fruit. On the ground, they ran up planks connecting their homes to dry ground.
Young children followed Ella, a Brazilian member of our team, like she was a pied piper. Delight showed on their faces as she conversed with them in Portuguese.
News of VBS spread quickly. Bare feet hurried to the church. Short legs dangled from wooden seats. Wide eyes stared at strange visitors. Pews filled with village children.
After Chris’ introduction, we each said our name which the children repeated enthusiastically. Lucas, a team member from Brazil, led the singing as we all tried to join in. I read the story of David and Goliath from a large picture book. Chris translated. We prayed.
With a Bible verse displayed on large cards, Chris helped the children memorize the words. A couple of children said it perfectly.
Chris, our Brazilian director of the VBS, played a few games with the expanding group. Older children,not wanting to be left out, entered the church late or draped themselves onto the windows from outside. All attendees, except the window hangers, spent time coloring pictures. Most took time to color perfectly while a few only scribbled. Some little boys wanted to play the church drums so they had to be moved back to the pews. With a couple of pictures finished, the majority were ready for the next activity.
Bubbles floated around the room with small hands popping them. Outside the church, wayward frisbees hit people, buildings, and even entered the small sanctuary through open windows. Our US teenager, Mike, tried to teach them how to throw, but his instructions weren’t always followed. Giggles and laughter filled the air.
As we wilted in the intense heat, happy children lined up for their candy treat.
Though their world along the river is quite limited, our brief VBS showed them the love of Jesus. Through some words but mostly actions, they knew we cared.
Pray for the riverbank people of the Amazon. Some receive medical boats once a year while others never have. Many villages do have churches, but other people of the Amazon have never been reached with the Gospel at all.

My Magnificent Creation?

A luscious, golden brown cake rose to perfection. The oven light illuminated my magnificent creation.
“Alan, come look at my cake.”
He leaned over to see through the glass door. “That looks great,” he said with a smile.
My cake would help celebrate family birthdays at my parents’ home the following day.
Bzzzzzzzzz. I peeked through the oven door at my masterpiece before removing it. Carefully, I set the pan on the counter and prepared to turn it upside-down like the directions stated. Reluctantly, I turned it over and balanced my cake on a water bottle. Air began seeping from it like a tiny leak, but the shape still appeared impressive.
Never in years and years of making angel food cakes have I learned why you are instructed to cool it upside-down. However, I always do.
Not wanting to disturb the cake, I tiptoed to my office. Crash!
Sprawled at the back of the counter, an empty cake pan and water bottle laid helplessly. Like a deflated balloon, a compressed mass of formerly beautiful cake had collapsed.
With dismay, I stared at the mess and gingerly, laid it to rest on a cake plate. Could we still eat it? Should I make another one? Would the yellow cupcakes be enough? Should it just go in the trash? I stared silently.
“Alan, look at my cake,” I said forlornly.
“We can still eat it,” he said as he munched on small cake pieces from the pan. “It tastes good.”
His attitude helped me make the decision. No one had to eat it. There were other desserts. The whole situation would bring laughter.
He was right. The angel food flop disappeared quicker than the cupcakes. Everyone had plenty to eat, and we all laughed about the failure.
Enduring very difficult situations over the years and visiting third world countries have helped change my perspective on what is truly important. Some problems are not actually problems at all. A better perspective, with a sense of humor, can produce a magnificent creation out of a mess.