A MOTHER’S LOVE...

The last few days have been a bit sad and troubling for me. I’ve been watching a mother’s love being poured out for her “baby” many times throughout the day, and sadly, I now know that the outcome isn’t going to be a happy one.

It all began while watching a plain-looking brown mama bird feeding her adult “baby” earlier in the week... I nick-named the baby Butterball for obvious reasons.  At the time I thought this was just a bird who DIDN’T want to grow up and leave mama ... OR Mama wasn’t ready to cut the apron strings with her precious feathered offspring.  Now I know that neither of my hunches were accurate. For you see, Butterball is one very, very sick bird and he’s not going to survive.

As I’ve realized the situation, I’ve been intrigued by the faithfulness of the mother.  She is constantly gathering birdseed from our feeder then taking the seeds to her baby.  The moment she comes near, Butterball starts chirping and mama drops the food into his beak.  She repeats this action over and over again. I’ve watched as she flies a short distance away, resting on the grass where she will start chirping. Perhaps trying to encourage and coax Butterball to come to her. When he doesn’t budge, the mother continues to bring him food and will sit on the grass near him. What a picture of love and devotion.

As we enter into this Mother’s Day weekend...  and as I’m seeing a mother’s L.O.V.E. being clearly displayed by my backyard-feathered-friends... I am realizing afresh how much love MY mother’s had for me over these yea-many years.  A love that was displayed by "ordinary" things day in and day out, year after year. I also think of the love I have for  both of my children. It is deeper and richer than I ever thought possible. 

On the close of this evening I can only say - THANK YOU Father ... for creating and showing me YOUR L.O.V.E. in so many special ways.  Yes, even through the love of a mama bird and her baby. 

“Two sparrows sell for a farthing, don’t they? Yet not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. . .  Never be afraid, then—you are far more valuable than sparrows .                                                                                                                            Matthew 10:29-31

A PACK OF CAMELS

The guy ahead of me in line at the drug store REEEEEKED  of smoke.  So much so I almost thought I was having a nicotine rush for a second. Besides emitting the strong fragrance of a full pack of unfiltered Camel's... He was a rough-looking character ta-boot!  I stepped back a few paces behind his blue cloud and just let him move forward on his own.  

In front of him was a little white-haired old woman.  Bless her heart, she was all in a flustered-dither as the cashier rang up her items and was told the totaled amount.  Twenty-one dollars, and forty-seven cents.  As the little woman counted out her money, she found a twenty... as well as a one dollar bill... but was short on the change part of the purchase. With a quivering voice she told the cashier she would have to put the items back because she didn't have enough money.  It was sad to see her expression.  I could see that her mobility wasn't the greatest ...  and to think she would have to retrace her trip to the store?  ahhhh.....

I was just getting into my coin-purse to pull out the extra money she needed - when I head Mr. One-pack Camel in front of me say - "Not to worry, Ma'am, I've got it covered!" 

The little lady looked up and said in a strong voice - "No! You don't need to do that. I have the exact change at home. I'll just come back."

Mr. One-pack Camel then said - "What else do you need?  Go get what you need and I'll cover that as well!"   

Wow!!  Did I ever have to re-think my first opinion of this guy.  

LESSON LEARNED:  You can't judge a person by their cover. And sometimes a good heart is shrouded by a thick, blue cloud of smoke.  

FULL HEART...

My friends are priceless and after church today they made my day sweet as we ...  

♥ Cared for each other.

       ♥ Shared concerns from our hearts.

              ♥ Loved when our hearts are aching.

                     ♥ Were Real, even though

                      sometimes the “REAL” really HURTS.

              ♥ Laughed as only friends can do.

       ♥ Cried a few tears together.

♥ Wrapped arms around one-another in prayer.

My friends.  Oh, what a precious gift they are. 

Yes...  today was sweet as I experienced in real life the words found in Galatians 6:2. 

“Share each other’s troubles and problems,

and so obey our Lord’s command.”

Thank you my burden-bearers.  You filled my heart to overflowing.  You showed me...  up-close and personal God’s love.   Yes, my "cup runneth over." And I am blessed. 

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?...

Finally we have rain and it’s been coming down in sheets all day long. Turning ordinary street gutters into rivers. Causing mudslides across the hillsides, and bringing out the “stupid-gene” in a handful of teenage boys outside my window.

I watched these guys for a bit and after awhile I was just waiting to hear that sickening *THUD* sound as a black car tried to do wheelies in the middle of the rain-slicked street while his buddies cheered him on from the sidewalk. The driver then continued to maneuver the wheels of his car along the curb – making a fabulous spray of rain water - trying to further dampen his pals.  They all seemed to be having a great time ... but as a mom ... I could just S.E.E. an accident waiting to happen.  (Mom’s are pretty astute that way!)

As I heard the car gunning its engine I looked up from my work and saw a tall, lanky kid spread over the back of the car like a starfish holding on for dear life. But as the thrill-seeking driver tried to execute another donut, the clinging starfish went F. L. Y. I. N. G. off the back of the car and bounced H.A.R.D. several times across the street. It was a NASTY fall and the kid had to have hurt more than his pride.

Sure enough ... he got up slowly and it was obvious, he was hurting. OUCH!  And all I could think was ... “Ya dumb kid! What were you thinking?” 

And I wondered... does God ever just shake His head as He watches me make my foolish mistakes?  It must be hard for Him to watch me learn ... the hard way.

I don’t know about you, but I’m so thankful that even when I fall He extends His hand to help me up. I’m thankful that He dusts me off.  He bandages my wounds, along with my shattered pride. And He loves me.  He simply loves me.

“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” ~ Psalm 147:3

“Do You Qualify?”

I had to smile at the delicate and kind way the cashier said, “Ma’am, do you qualify for the discount?”   It took me a moment to figure out exactly what she was trying to say... but I got it!  Translation:  “Hey Lady, you look old enough for today’s discount... but I’ve gotta ask, just to make sure!”

I smiled as I asked her:  “How old do I HAVE to be to qualify?”  She told me the magic age and I let out a big *WHOOP-WHOOP* as I realized that not only do I qualify ... I’m three years PAST discount age at this particular “establishment.” 

As I was driving home the words... “Do you qualify?”  kept rolling around in my head...  I’m thankful that God has never asked me what my qualifications are before allowing me to follow and serve Him.  I’m thankful that He’s never asked me if I'm qualified before putting someone in my path that needs encouragement or to reach out to during the course of my day. 

Nope! “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”  For THIS ... (and my discount) I am thankful.

Yes, I QUALIFY!!!  And so do you.

Dandelion Digger...

 As a kid around my house on Sunday mornings, meant waking up early, having breakfast AND digging dandelions. Bucket in one hand... dandelion digger in the other... and off to work I would go. At first I was paid was just a penny for each dandelion in the bucket, but then I got wise and asked for a raise. I’m not sure it ever got up to 10¢ a weed  ... but perhaps it did because my faithful and persistent “digging” resulted in a yard nearly dandelion free. 

Nope! Dad did NOT like dandelions. N.o.t. o.n.e. l.i.t.t.l.e. b.i.t. And now, all these years later... you will still find me on a Sunday going back and forth in my yard in a grid-type fashion... bucket in one hand, and dandelion digger in the other. Not as faithfully as I did as a kid... obviously... as our yard has its fair share of golden beauties. But I too, get annoyed by these pesky weeds that always seem to find a nesting place in my yard and flowerbeds.  I guess in some ways the dandelion digger doesn’t fall too far from the tree... (so to speak!)

Today would have been my father’s 91^st  birthday... And this afternoon I saw this healthy beauty tucked safely between the patio bricks in our front walkway. A colorful reminder of my past.  A reminder of Sunday mornings.  A reminder of my father.     

Happy Birthday Dad.  This one’s for you!

BUSTED!!!

It happened again ... at Target... at the check-out lane.

The cashier scanned all my items and told me the total ... and I said ~ “That just can’t be right!”  She looked back through the charges and realized she had failed to scan a $40.00 item.

Photo from BING.  HONEST!!

Her response to me... “THANK YOU FOR BEING SO HONEST!”   

Honestly... it made me feel pretty good to be CAUGHT AGAIN... for simply being H.O.N.E.S.T.!