Still quite early, I drove north along the Hood Canal as the sun began to peep over the hills and then flood the blue waters with the clear sky above. My heart sang, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24).

Aunt Evaline, in her off-white apron, carefully embroidered with colorful flowers, would be standing on the porch beyond, ready to welcome us into their home. I loved to come to her house because she always made lots of good food, had a real player piano in the sitting room, and the upstairs was a haven for little girls to play with her many dolls.

When we considered the Fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the art historian, William Kloss commented that the artist had created the face of God and that of Adam in such a way that they appeared clearly to be father and son!

Chaos is usually not “pretty, harmonic, or inviting!” And that’s the point! In the beginning, into the chaos of void, disorder, and confusion came God to bring an abundance of goodness!

Sometimes the only way God can get my attention, communicate with me about what God needs or wants me to do, is through unusual or unsettling experiences. They become my burning bush moments. It is what I do with them that counts.

It was a special day for us. We found the places where our family were laid. We found a gardener who cared about this special place. We found a Christian man, serving God in his own humble way. I have thought, what an example for all of us—doing what he does the best he can and serving God through his work and caring.

Pause for a moment and reflect on what God has done for you, what undeserved gifts you have received. We are all recipients of blessings from God. Thanking God for our blessings and learning to be satisfied is an attitude that is extremely precious and one for which we all should strive.

Jesus knew the importance of children. They have so much to teach us. That is why in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus blesses little children. He really wants to be around them. To those who thought Jesus was wasting his time with the children, Jesus said, “Let the Little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” I give thanks for Barb who visited our little girl and shared the beads she had with her. I give thanks that Julie was able to “pass it on” to bring love to a little boy she met in a hospital. May we all learn from these two special people the value of reaching out to others, sharing, and passing love around.

As Christians, we are not to sit around and mope, or follow those who chase after selfish satisfactions or speak false doctrines. Instead, we are to stand up for the truth of what God would have us do and be, be knowledgeable about the faith instilled in us through the Scriptures, and practice self-control, godliness, and mutual love of others. If we center ourselves on those things daily, regularly, we will be practicing what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. We will be effective witnesses of God. Amen! May it be so!

We stopped at a favorite park along the coast and looked out at the roaring ocean fueled with the fury of the high winds. In front of us was this tree—solid, worn, and beautiful. It has withstood the intense winds, the pounding surfs, and human efforts to mar its trunk.