Expanding Gifts

Sweltering heat and intense sun drew customers. As a welcome addition to their parents’ garage sale, Ashlyn, Emily, and Molly opened a lemonade stand. The cool, icy drink soothed parched throats and jingled money in their coin box. Later it would be dropped into open piggybanks. 

Behind the table and elaborate sign, the two older girls sat waiting patiently for more customers. Their mom’s friend arrived with her three elementary aged children who quickly bought lemonade and stood in the shade. 

Down the street, the squealing of brakes and banging of cans announced the garbage truck. 

“Girls, why don’t you see if the garbagemen would like some free lemonade?” their dad asked. 

Immediately, they jumped up and ran to the curb. When the truck stopped in front of their house, outgoing Emily asked, “Would you like some free lemonade?”

With a puzzled expression, the sweating man said, “What?”

“Would you like some free lemonade?” she asked again.

“Yes,” he replied with a smile.

Both girls rushed back to their table. Six year old Emily dumped ice in the cups, and eight year old Ashlyn poured the liquid. Each carried a blue cup to the waiting man. 

After putting their family’s trash in the truck, he gratefully accepted the delicious gift. His smile covered his face as he thanked my granddaughters. He gulped the soothing liquid and took the other cup to his driver. It was a welcome break in their scorching, grueling day.

During the scenario, I watched three stunned children stare at what was going on. Like a line of soldiers, they followed every movement without a word. It was as though they didn’t understand what was happening. Why would two girls give lemonade to strangers passing by? 

Emily and Ashlyn have learned to share and serve others in many ways. For instance, they have served the homeless, made cookies for neighbors and garbagemen, given money to sick children, and worked at the food pantry. Giving has always been a normal part of their lives.

The lemonade gift became larger as it was shared. Not only was thirst quenched, but those two men will remember the kindness of two little girls. Perhaps the children watching will realize they can also serve. The story will spread, the ripples widen, and gifts will increase.

An Amazing Performance

My yard was like a scene from Hitchcock’s “The Birds” as feathered creatures swooped, shrieked,  and took over the bald cypress. As if on cue, the noisy  assembly rose as one and descended on a stately pine across the lake. Stragglers jammed a neighboring palm, rattled my gutters, and resumed their migratory route.

A flurry of activity at the bird feeder gave me a front seat to more shows. Two red winged blackbirds perched precariously as they contorted their bodies to snatch seeds. Their unexpected appearance reminded me of my childhood in Indiana.

When they left, a yellow-bellied sapsucker ceased drilling the oak tree. He demanded his spot at the feeder from two small sparrows who quickly grabbed some seeds and left. More teeny birds circled the perch of the feeder like a family at the dinner table. Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal played king of the feeder by alternating their positions and scaring away the smaller birds. 

My head swiveled as I tried to watch my three ringed circus of activity. A pair of mallards skimmed the lake while a quartet zoomed overhead. Silhouetted in my lofty cypress more unexpected guests vied for bare branches as they squawked and yelled. 

Toward the lake, I noticed landing gear lowered as a flock of ducks splashed onto the water. A blue heron sauntered in the shallows searching for prey. 

My normal Bible and devotional readings were shortened because of my private, perfectly orchestrated extravaganza. What a blessing to enjoy the creation around me. Each species displayed unique behaviors, colors, and sounds which melded into an intricate, inspiring performance.

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds and every winged bird according to their kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1: 20-21 (NIV)

Creator, thank you for the beauty of your creation. Give me eyes to see it in the midst of the busy world. Amen 

You Raise Me Up

     “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.  You raise me up to walk on stormy seas. I am strong when I am on your shoulders.  You raise me up to more than I can be.”

      Alan and I chose that song to be sung at our wedding, and I began singing it as I started my devotions.  I thought of how people can raise us up and help us rise above what we think we can do. But they can also push us down. 

When we think of God raising us up, the song becomes more meaningful.  When we rely on Him, we are capable of accomplishing more than we ever thought possible.

      Several friends are going through especially trying times.  As I sang my song and thought about them, this scenario came to my mind.

      I saw a raging storm with one of my friends being sucked under the violent waves after being thrown up and down.  As the turbulent waves crashed over her, she became disoriented.  She kicked furiously and tried to fight her way to the top only to discover she was headed towards the bottom.  Just as she attempted to change directions, another powerful wave slammed into her.  Finally, she was able to break the surface  for a quick breath.  More waves came crashing down. Exhaustion and despair consumed her.  Would the storm ever end?  Was the effort to stay afloat futile? 

     Then He appeared–a light shining brightly in the darkness of the sinister clouds. Her strength was so feeble that she could barely get her fingers above the water.  When He saw her limp hand extended to Him, He knew she was ready to be rescued from the depths.  Jesus reached down and grabbed my friend’s hand. 

He pulled her to the top of the crashing waves. He did not stop the fury of the storm but pulled her where she could rest and examine the storm.  As He placed her into the center of the waiting boat, she felt relief in spite of the turbulence. He even handed her a life jacket so that she would feel more secure as He assured her that she was safe with Him.  When she regained strength, she stood and looked at the monstrous swells. She asked if the tempest would ever end.  He gently urged her to look upward.  A break in the dark, heavy clouds displayed a speck of bright blue sky.

     A gleam of hope reached her heart, and she knew He would remain with her during the storm.  She sat back comfortably and watched Him steer toward the beam of light descending toward the swells.  Gradually, the waves became less intense, and the sky grew lighter.  Peace enveloped her when she realized she was not in control. She drifted off to sleep. 

When she awoke, a dazzling sun hung above the gently, rocking boat. The storm was really over.  When Jesus took her hand to step from the boat, her renewed strength allowed her to grip His hand firmly.  She knew that He was with her in the storms and in the calm.  When she could not clutch His hand, He would clasp her extended limp fingers and pull her up. 

   We only need to reach out.

The Attachment

From my favorite spot on the patio, I stared at a long strip of gray Spanish moss dangling from the sky. It shivered when no breeze tickled my face. Then it danced as the wind picked up. What kept it from falling?

I stepped onto the grass and looked skyward. A tiny swatch of the mass clutched a limb of the soaring bald cypress. There was a solid attachment though unseen from my special chair.

During heavy winds and torrential rain, I watched in fascination as the tangled web swayed, twisted, and spun erratically. After the storm, I expected to find it on the ground with large clumps of moss, broken limbs, and dead palm fronds. 

With surprise, I noticed the long tail hung securely to the tree. That one slender, strong thread kept it attached to the even stronger tree.

A life firmly attached to Jesus--perhaps at times by only a thread--stays fastened even during turbulence. At times, the connection may not be obvious, but it remains secure though yanked, ripped, and strained by life. He won’t let go.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8: 37-38 (NIV)

Dear Father, remind us that we are firmly attached to you even when the winds blow and the storms come. Amen

Prune or Remove??

Yellow and purple blooms wiggle. Leaves shiver. A leaf spirals downward. A slight breeze tickles my face. 

After the massive pruning, our lake view widened. In one afternoon, a chain saw and hefty pruners dismantled a crown of thorns and pair of palmettos.

For some reason, that neither of us can remember, Alan and I had planted the odd shaped, thorny bush on the edge of our lawn. It required frequent, careful pruning to keep it in bounds so that we wouldn’t be pricked with the sharp spikes. Maybe we bought it because of the occasional red berries which wildlife ate.

The palmettos had grown naturally from wayward seeds. Their native appearance added a touch of Florida to the landscape so we allowed them to remain.

Over time the plants grew taller and wider which obscured our view of the lake. Selective pruning helped but not enough to keep up with the constant growth. Finally, we decided they must go. 

The hard work of eliminating them paid off with an enlarged lake view. We can now see a blooming purple crape myrtle dancing in the breeze. Yellow lilies shining in the sun. Both had been overshadowed by the excessive foliage. What had begun as desirable had turned into problems.

Life fills with habits and activities which start as small and pleasurable. Over time they can grow and crowd out what is best. Work replaces the family. Habits turn into addictions. Technology overtakes relationships. Some can be pruned and cut back. In other cases, complete removal is required.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3: 5-8 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, guide me in what is best and not merely good. Help me to see the subtle and not so subtle dangers. Amen

A Rousing Concert

Red, white, and blue streamed down the hall and into the auditorium seats. On stage, dressed in white shirts, black pants, and striped patriotic ties, the mostly gray headed musicians waited expectantly for the conductor to step to the podium. 

Over one hundred seniors combined their talents for a grand salute to the USA. To begin the concert, hundreds of voices burst forth to join the band and sing the Star Spangled Banner proudly. 

A pair of narrators took turns sharing interesting stories about each musical piece. Likewise, co-conductors alternated the responsibilities of leading the band. 

Heads swayed, toes tapped, and hands clapped in time to the music. Familiar tunes swept the audience back to simpler times. Upbeat music entertained and energized the aging crowd. Patriotism flowed, and smiles grew. 

The historical journey began with the Declaration of Independence, through the Civil War, onto the songs of the 1900’s and ended with God Bless America. Hymns, marches, and classical pieces-many in medleys-kept hearts pounding and minds singing. 

Near the end of the program, the Armed Forces Salute brought men and women to their feet. As each service song was played, veterans stood proudly to continuing applause. The years turned hair white, dimmed eyes, and diminished energy, but the love for America remained.

Those standing had sacrificed much for the US. Thousands of others never had the opportunity to return for a formal salute. Some returned injured and dejected unsure if their sacrifices even mattered to anyone. All around the world thousands continue that task.

For over two hundred years, people have served and sacrificed so that America can remain strong and offer freedom. Let us not forget or take for granted the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that we have.

God bless America. 

An Intruder Turned Teacher

My first impulse was to flatten him. But with only my hand as a weapon, I hesitated. 

A brown spider appeared at the edge of my chair. He climbed up to my eye level and swung towards me. Instead of landing, he swerved and ascended on his invisible rope. His amazing trek propelled him to the ceiling fan at least twelve feet high. 

On his way, he consumed a bug trapped in the sticky web. He hung--suspended in midair. Then he crawled up and down the invisible rope. 

Spiders aren’t my favorite creatures but watching him was fascinating. I marveled at his ability to spin the web at such heights while moving back and forth on it. 

Over the years, I have destroyed hundreds of webs. Some cluttered my home and others wrapped sticky goo onto my body. What seemed a nuisance to me was a magnificent, necessity for the spiders. 

That ordinary spider spoke of God’s everyday miracles. My hand wrote sentences that my brain concocted. Eyes captured the magnificence of the garden and printed them in my brain. Lungs pulled in air to sustain me. A beating heart supplied life giving blood throughout my body. A slight rumble signaled that my stomach needed food. A cool breeze brushed my skin. Legs propelled me to my favorite chair. 

Sunlight reflected on the lake. Ducks swam and quacked. A hummingbird poked its head into a purple bloom. Ripe tomatoes hung on the vine. Leaves swayed in the wind. Astonishing miracles.

The pesky spider, that I almost destroyed, gave me a lesson in appreciating my countless blessings.

...”Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5: 19-20

Creator, guide me to see your miracles and appreciate even the seemingly small ones. Amen