one little patch of beauty

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Shanda

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The ministry of kindness is unceasing. It fills all the days and all the nights. In the true home, it begins in pleasant greetings with the first waking moments, and all day goes on in sweet courtesies, in thoughtful attentions, in patience, in quiet self-denials, in obligingness and helpfulness.

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Out in the world kindness goes everywhere with . . .
its good cheer,
its gladness of heart,
its uplift for those who are discouraged,
its strengthening words for those who are weary,
its sympathy with sorrow,
its interest in lives that are burdened and lonely.

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Some of us, if we were to try to sum up the total of our usefulness, would name a few great things we have done:
a gift of money to some benevolent object,
the starting of some good work which has grown into strength,
the writing of a book which has done good to many lives,
the winning of honor in some service to our community or to our country.

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But in every worthy life, that which has left really the greatest measure of good, has been its ministry of kindness. No record of it has ever been kept. People have not talked about it. It never has been mentioned in the newspapers. We do not even remember it ourselves. But wherever we have gone, day after day, if we have simply been kind to everyone, we have left blessings in the world which in the aggregate mean far more than the few large things we set down as the measure of our usefulness among men!

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Our Lord’s wonderful picture of the Judgment reveals another phase of the splendor of kindness. He tells us that the little things we do — feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, showing hospitality to the stranger, visiting the sick, and the other nameless ministries of love of which we take no account — if done in the right spirit, are accepted as though they had been actually done to Christ himself! He tells us that the godly will be surprised to know that in their kindly acts they had been ministering to the King, when they supposed they were only doing little things for needy neighbors. This revealing exalts to highest honor, the lowliest things of the common days, wrought in love for the Master.

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The best thing we can do with our love, is not to watch for a chance to perform someone fine act that will shine before the world — but to fill all the days and hours with little kindnesses which will make countless hearts nobler, stronger and happier.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

~J.R. MILLER~

I found a new podcast that I listen to as I walk and it never ceases to soften my heart. The speaker simply reads excerpts from books or essays from various spiritual writers. His voice is soothing but –be aware–the children will laugh. I was listening to it when I picked up David from track practice and he dropped his head back on the seat pretending to be put sound asleep by the voice reading to us.

The name of the podcast is Inspirational Living. Yesterday was a reading from J.R. Miller called Be of Good Cheer: The Blessings of Cheerfulness. Miller has been quoted many times on this blog, so I thought it was high time to quote him again. There is a great website full of Miller’s writing you might want to go peruse it…GRACE GEMS. Highly recommended.

PERUSE: read, typically in a thorough or careful way.

Lily of the valley is coming into bloom. I found some in the ditch as I walked yesterday and picked one so I could enjoy it’s lovely scent.

A little peak at the flower garden by the patio and garage. Hens and Chicks, Phlox, and Iris.

The best part of the day, besides figuring out the Marco Polo app so I could video text with my friend Lea Ann……..

…….was these two fine young men returning home for the summer.

We were all so happy as we ran to the car to see them. They had quite a morning of trying to load the vehicle with all their stuff. SO MUCH STUFF. They learned a valuable lesson or two for next school year.

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As soon as they opened the doors it started falling out.

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Ethan showed me his seat, he had no room for his legs or any movements on the 3 hour drive back home.

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For whatever reason even the hens ran over to investigate.

Seth, Sarah, and David helped them unload. I had made hamburgers and pasta for dinner, and peanut butter cookies, but had to leave after just a few minutes to take Caleb to his game.

This is how they brought their clothing home. Stuffed in a hundred thousand plastic bags found in a trash can at school.

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JUST as I took the photo, Jacob threw his football to Ethan. We couldn’t have timed it better if we tried…..

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Rich and I sat in our lawn chairs at the top of the hill and watched Caleb play in his game (they lost 9-7) and the rest of the kids (but Grace, who comes home this weekend). Jacob talked to us nonstop about his recent college stories. As I studied their faces I was filled with pride and joy. “What do you think of these fine sons of yours, Rich?” And we looked at each other and smiled. If you have children, you know the feeling. These moments make all the stressful moments worth it, tens times over.

Caleb was hoping that his big brothers would come to his game. And they did.

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They were playing catch with the football right in front of me.

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Sarah came to get me so she could take me to a tiny nest that she found. Could the night get any better?

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David said “I finally feel like I’m not all alone anymore.”

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flashback:

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This photo recently caught my attention again…..it’s from almost 8 years ago…..I made Sarah’s dress. And look at those arms and legs and that face.

Just a few more quotes before we go:

“Our attitude is to be ever toward joy.”

“Shall we not seek for the bright side? There is really sunshine enough in the darkest day—to make any ordinary mortal happy—if he only has eyes to see it!”

“There is no lot in life so dreary—
that it has not
at least its one little patch of beauty;
or its one wee flower looking up
out of the dreariness,
like a smile of God.”

*J.R. Miller

you are loved.

an anomaly

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Shanda

I waited for two hours this morning while my vehicle was serviced; oil changed, tires rotated, a latch fixed, vacuumed, and washed. I read a book the entire time so now…….I’m sick of reading and have some free time to….blog. I have all kinds of lovely little stories to tell.

Starting with our son Jacob, who is a college football player now. He LOVES school, is keeping very busy, and is also keeping a pet fish alive in his dorm room. He had several football games this weekend, one of which was shown live online. Rich hooked his iPad up to the TV and we all sat and watched it, keeping our eyes peeled for number 88. And I was thrilled when we finally saw him! I just had leap off the couch to take a crappy picture. ((It’s beautiful to me.)) Seth asked me to print it so he could hang it on the wall in his room.

On Sunday, Seth had to be at the football field at 9:45 in the morning and Caleb had to be there for 2. However, Rich was preaching and the game was away, so I had to take both of them with me, meaning Caleb was over 4 HOURS early for his game. It was a hot autumn day, very dry. Perfect “baking” weather. Caleb was in the sun so long that by the time he had HIS game (at 2:30) he was much slower than usual. In fact, our team did win, but most of the boys were a little “off” from overheating. I took this picture just as Caleb was saying, “Dad, next time coach says I can’t get here too early.” LOL

MONDAY NIGHT football was on TV. My children were in a clump on one part of the couch.

While their dad gave me a foot rub on another part of it. I love Monday night football! 🙂

(He was have a conversation with David about why David wasn’t waking up on time in the morning….Dave was blaming his alarm …….because it’s NEVER his fault, right?)

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I recently rediscovered this photo of me and the children (before Seth and Sarah were born).

Sarah had her things all set up for playing with marbles but then she left for school and Sherlock the cat walked over and had a turn.

Chickens enjoying leftover morning cereal and milk.

why kids, why????

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I couldn’t stop myself from buying mums (and ornamental grass) for the garden. I also put Rich’s old riding tractor from when he was little in the garden. I found a “pretty plate” garden decoration, too, which includes a chartreuse luncheon plate (Fiesta!). I did some weeding and Gentleman Gray the cat got some on his face while he watched.

Last night, Rich and I watched the boys practice football. I love watching them (kids and coaches) so much that I sometimes get tears in my eyes. They have such fun out there.

THIS MORNING……a brief quiet moment, trying to wake up, before I left for the car appointment.

The FED EX truck came and dropped off two storage bins that we ordered from Costco. My hope is to contain sports stuff (one for football, one for wrestling). And so on. Rich and the kids get to put them together later!! (have fun, honey!)

Also, we recently had our side steps extended on the porch. (not painted yet)

I went to a thrift store after the car appointment. This was in the same plaza outside of a yoga studio. Since I had finished my book I left it behind on the shelf.

Well, after the thrift store shopping I was hungry so I cast my eyes about the plaza and only saw a Vietnamese place. “No”, I thought. But then……

“Yes”, I decided. And I sent a picture and a text to our family group chat.

“The menu makes me cautious.” said Ethan

“Hmmm, adventurous?” said my husband

“In my own very small way,” I agreed.

and then

“What is their compelling differentiating advantage that made this place stand out to you?” asked Jacob.

“It was right next to the thrift store.” I replied.

“It had good reviews on YELP.” I continued.

“and I was able to read the menu on YELP.” I further explained

“Okay, so your unconscious need was food, and they revealed that to you by placing themselves in a convenient location where shoppers go. Their feature is that they’re a sit-down restaurant, their advantage is that they’re close by, and the benefit is you will no longer be hungry and you’ll feel good about yourself for supporting a small business,” Jacob texted, “These are my thoughts as I leave my sales class.”

And then Rich replied: “But if they were not near the thrift store no matter what they had on yelp or what their menu said they wouldn’t have had a chance. Your Mom’s not a good business test case, Jake. She would be an anomaly in a field of data points. And absolutely special beautiful one–but still an anomaly.”

I laughed all the way home about being “an anomaly in a field of data points” as they continued to banter via text messaging.

I eventually texted, “I think everybody should just shut up.” but no one listened.

MY VIETNAMESE COLD CUTS SANDWICH WAS DELICIOUS!

It had pork belly on it.