The Lord has a field day at Walmart

   

     My daughter, Corrie, made this quilt for me for Mother's Day. The pieces fit together right, the same way life does when we invite the Lord to work in our life.

    I had two Walmart double-bagged bags in my cart. There wasn't enough room to put them into my truck. The man in the car beside me said, "I'll put those in for you."
     "Thanks!"
     A wee girl in his car said, "That was nice."
     "Yes it was."
     I headed to my driver's side and couldn't get in. A sedan was trying to back out. "Wait, just give me a minute."
     Behind my truck I checked the traffic and did my best Goldilocks impression. That truck is too fast. The second one isn't much better. Oh, that van is just right. I put my open palm up for the driver to stop five parking spaces back. He and his passenger broke into wide smiles.
     As I approached the sedan, the noise level was that of a flock of hungry birds. The couple were talking all over each other and glowing, literally. I peeked in, "You can go now." 
     She said, "Nobody has ever done anything like this for us." 
     "You're welcome."
     They went on their way. The van pulled in. I got in my truck. The first man was standing where he could see in my windshield. His arms were lighty crossed. His smile was soft.
      I muttered to my left, "What do I do now, Lord?"
     "Roll the window down."
     Out of my mouth came, "We were people helping people. That's what World Peace looks like."

2018 ©️Red Convertible Travel Series

Turn your day around

Somebody's
having a bad day

Giving it to The Lord
could turn your day around 

©2017 Red Convertible Travel Series

EASTER 2008

This week we cycled out of winter into spring and an early Easter. The weather is still March: warm one day, rain or snow the next. Mom would say Mother Nature is cleaning out her weather closet.

Crocuses that peaked through my front garden during the week are closed tight today--to stay warm, I suppose. Saying we had the last of last winter's something makes winter seem further behind us. It was a corker. Today is gloomy and cold. For lunch we had the last pieces of winter's gingerbread warmed and with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I love the aroma. It feels substantial, insulating. We won't make it again until fall. When the weather warms we hunger for cucumbers, lighter meals, Greek olives and pasta dishes.

Tomorrow is Easter, Christians day to celebrate the Risen Christ. Imagine finding his tomb empty. Would you be afraid to tell anyone? Would you question your sanity? I saw them put him in. What would you do?

At Easter we acknowledge and celebrate God's gift of salvation for us. Read John 3:16. Whether you make a pilgrimage to a sacred place such as Knock, Ireland, southeast of Castlebar, or Mount St. Michel, France, or the Coptic Church in Cairo, Egypt, the Holy Land, your local church, or spend time with nature, I pray you open your heart and accept the unconditional love God has for you. Feel His love flow around, in and through you cleansing every cell, erasing doubt, fear, and mistakes.

If you don't already know the Lord, I suggest you contemplate Him. Invite Him into your world. Ask for His help. No problem is bigger than the Lord, and He wants the best for you. You won't find a better friend.

2008 Red Convertible Travel Series

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2007

MSN photo

Mothers of all life, this is our day.

Whether you lay eggs or give live birth,

we are all one.

God Bless

One of our cards read, "It's as if the doors of Heaven have been opened for a while." True.

Baby powder, Johnson's baby soap, tiny warm breaths, red lips, long dark lashes, and a mass of dark hair were just as Grandma predicted. I felt instant overwhelming love, as if I'd known her forever. Her helplessness matched my protectiveness.

Fast forward. Devastating news: cancer broke her back. She wouldn't live to see Christmas 2006. "This is not fatal, it's just a glitch in my system. I am not a statistic," she replied. I believed her. Her late father had come to her in a dream and told her she was not dying from this. He confirmed my gut feeling that she not only survives, she thrives and moves into a full life.

The morning after I received the diagnosis I awoke to see her cradled in Jesus Christ's arms with two tall ministering Angels working on her. Jesus told me he would carry her and see her through. She couldn't be in better hands. Thank you Lord.

To the outer world she and I stand strong in faith, two anchored trees in a hurricane of doubters. I stopped my life to breathe life into hers. Countless prayers from friends, family and people we will never know sustain and encourage us. Humor and gratitude are soul food.

By the Grace of God she not only lives, she improves steadily. It's May. This week she drove for the first time in over a year. No more screaming pain. She weaned herself off pain meds that messed with her mind. Her will isn't tough-as-nails, it's tough-as-railroad spikes.

Our Pastor says it's miraculous what the Lord has done, and is doing in her. The blessings are huge and many, and they keep coming. Her Oncologist, Chiropractor and Physical Therapist are each outstanding in their field. She hopes people see her life and healing as proof that God does care, and works for, in and through us. Without Him we are nothing.

copyright 2007 Red Convertible Travel Series