I’m not complaining but today was and I mean really was exceptional. It was like every day this summer but it felt cool and collected. My third son and I worked through a pile of junk mail but that didn’t take away from my enthusiasm. It was just a rather nice strong day.

We sat on a rocking bench outside near the end of the day. It couldn’t have been nicer. The plants are the greenish green they’ve been for last few years. They look down-right pretty. All of them. The three boys came on Monday to put some shape in my backyard. It couldn’t have turned out nicer. They worked hard the whole day. I felt blessed and honored by how much effort they put into the place.

Sweet Moment, I Mean, Sweet Day

All three worked hard. You don’t think of times like that when you’re having kids. It’s like an added bonus that comes your way. I am thankful God brought them into my life. In fact, I’m thankful God brought many others into my life; I mean, like YOU! The ones of you I know are a much cherished gift.

God gives me many blessings. In fact, I have been blessed over the years with many good and cherished friends. Each of you mean a great deal to me. Some older, some younger, and some around my age. You all matter. I think of this year and it’s like a breath of fresh air. We can live again. It’s wonderful. Oh, so very wonderful!

Love to Say It cuz I Know It’s True

Some days seem kind of slow, but that’s to be expected. But ALL days are worth living the whole way through. Even the tough, miserable ones. You see, the better days make up for the poor ones. Of course, the poor ones may need a reshaping, a change, a positive upgrade. If that’s true, then you do what you need to do to make a pretty star out of a plunging planet. Yes, you can hope and pray for better days ahead.

But still? The point is YOU can make it better most times. But you have to try. Things don’t just happen unless you decide to help them come to pass. It works this way. You take the day you’ve been given, and you give thanks to God for it. After all, he made the day for you and everyone else in it. Then you ask God to use you to shine his love on someone else, even when you haven’t a clue who that someone else is. It may be the mail person or the child next door. Let your love flow out, around, and in according to the way the wind blows. God’s love is universal. I’m so glad it is.

You Just Never Know

We find blessings where, when, and how we never expect them. Each day has it’s unique flavorings. Some are sharp, Yes, you got this. Some are mellow-yellow. Yup, this one too. Some are brief blips while others are like high flying slides. It doesn’t matter. Every single one counts. Take these flowers. I got them on a day I wasn’t expecting them. Boy did I enjoy them.

I’m not kidding, today is a beautiful day. Take a moment and think of someone to share a gift of love with. Maybe you can’t go see them or even talk to them, but you can pray or do something for them even if they don’t know you did anything. Each situation is different. Keep a smile on your face. You’ll be glad you did. I’ll do the same.

* * * * *

Heart-Throb

C. Bolton  June 24, 2020 (During the Caronavirus pandemic)

I had the most amazing encounter yesterday. On the days I go into my accounting office (14 hours a week – typically I choose to divide those hours into 3 days), I first go by the Post Office Box, then swing though the McDonalds drive-through on West Addison for a $1 large unsweetened iced tea. (Yes, I really know how to spoil myself! LOL! But I like it.)

I’ve made it a point to get to know the name of the gal at the order/payment window. Anita. Single mom. She works M-F, days only, no weekends. She’s part of a wee moment of my life 2-3x a week. A smile and well wishes – saying her name – that is the least I can do for this woman who so cheerfully and capably serves the community as a McDonalds drive through window worker.

Since the Covid thing hit, she wears a face mask so I haven’t been able to see much besides her eyes. But I can tell when she’s smiling.

YESTERDAY, I asked her how she was and she lit up like Christmas. She flipped her mask below her chin, smiled wide, and said “LOOK!!!!!!!” Her teeth (which had been in a sad state) were beautiful and straight and AMAZING! I told her how beautiful she looked – and she DID. She said she hadn’t had to have any of her teeth pulled, that they were all crowns. That she’d never had nice teeth in all her 40 years, and (tears in her eyes) she said she was just so happy!

I asked what kind of dental insurance she had … and we’ve ‘known’ each other long enough that it wasn’t an overly personal/prying question. She said, “I have NONE!” And went on to tell that one of her regular customers who is a dentist nearby offered to fix her teeth at no cost to her – because she’s such a great presence at McDonalds and so good to all her customers. Anita told me it was $20,000 in dental work, FOR FREE! Her eyes filled with tears. Happy tears. Mine did too. A stunning gift of generosity.

Think about this: no matter how lowly or ‘menial’ your job, your life tasks, your community engagement – good things WILL come to you if you put your heart and spirit into doing the very best that you can.

I am so happy for Anita!

Cherishing the simple lesson her example has brought me.

* * * * *

How I’m doing…

So, here I am trying to publish my blog after waiting for quite awhile. It’s a beautiful day around here. For that, I am grateful. It is one of many things I have to be thankful for. Let me share a bit…

I had a double whammy but not unexpected…I guess. I’ve been recovering from having a stoke. Yes, it’s been a bit weird, and I’m not back to normal. But I’m getting there, thanks to Jesus my helper. My dad also passed during my time of struggle. Everyone (but one) was able to come out to remember the many ways Dad impacted their lives. We were all so grateful.

My Father…

Dad was a man of integrity. He walked and talked the way of a true man of God. No, he did not speak the truth as some do, but he lived it. As all of us shared and talked, we remembered the many ways he stepped up to speak of his faith as natural as many of us live our lives. His faith was a part of who he was. He lived to 93 years of age. He was the giver of many cherished and fun-filled memories. I am grateful for all that he gave to us. He was a “real” Christian.

God’s Ways Are the Best

I’ve been slower now than I used to be. It’s taking some time to get used to it. God is making me into a different (in some regards) person than I used to be. I’m not as quick or set about doing the things he puts in my path. But they’re still worth doing. I am so glad for the relatives that come by and help with things. The many truths speak life to my soul. They are cherished. Impactful. Remembered. God reminds me of the attitudes and precious ways and meanings of his Word, his Truth, his Way, and his Life. I am so grateful for this, for he means it all for the past as well as the present.

I mean it!

I hope you are doing well. God means for you to look up to him. Find your strength in him. Be blessed in him. We aren’t alone. He helps us. He gives to us. He loves us. God wants us to be strong in him. If we could just do that and do it well, He would be pleased with us. God is real, strong, and true. Make no mistake, this is true; I kid you not.

Do not forget, you are God’s precious child.

+ + +

I’m glad to know you, however that happened. I’m grateful for the smiles and laughs we shared even the hard stuff through the years. You’ve made my life better, and that’s no joke.

Every conversation mattered . . . so much.

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I like being thankful. I’m thankful for so much. I’ve been blessed, abundantly blessed, and you are part of that blessing. I’m thankful for your friendship.

God brought every one of my friends to me.

Everywhere I’ve lived, I have had a true friend. This friend is someone I share specific parts of myself. I have learned to trust my friends. I used to think it was wrong to share intimate details of my life. I thought private matters should remain private. I was raised thinking that way, but I have learned there is a right time for everything. That’s wisdom.

I feel privileged when you share your heart with me.

A book I read that really helped me realize that I could and should be vulnerable with people was the book Safe People. I saw myself in that book. I was one who held back from sharing (which makes it awkward for others to share when we hold on tightly to our stories and don’t share what may be helpful–things that we have learned from or are dealing with).

Sometimes, neither of us have anything significant to say.

But that does not matter. What matters is that you are there. You show up. You care. You support me. You love me and I love you. I’ve toned down some. I realize that I can dispense unsolicited advice, as my friends know, but that isn’t always good or necessary. It’s enough to be there for one another. Loving my friends and them loving me is what is essential. Love is the thread that makes the relationship strong. Genuine acceptance is a close second.

The more we become real in our authentic relationships, the closer we can become.

The falseness, the pretending, falls off, slips away, and we know we can risk being honest and saying the truth with our closest friends. Trustworthy friends keep confidences. We also stop hiding. Once we die to our false self we then are able to repair and grow. I read where one man of God prayed every day that God would keep him authentic. He learned to rest in God’s Presence. Slowly God’s glory follows on the heels of pain as He teaches us to enter His Presence. We then become encouragement to others.

As Betty Walthour Skinner said in the book about her life, “I had compassion for them because I had suffered too, and my stony heart had been broken to allow love to enter. I was able to encourage them to use their suffering to end their suffering. . . . Our pain and our cross can and will speak to the wounded hearts of others in God’s time and in His way (The Hidden Life).”

The grapes are squeezed to gather the juice. We are trampled by circumstances before we can become broken bread and poured out wine for others. Our friendship may be a silent one for those who read my blog and don’t interact with me, but it is a friendship, nevertheless. You are beloved by myself and by our heavenly Father. It is such a rich relationship, centered in the Beloved.

God makes every day better.

. . .

I wish you well on your spiritual journey.