Indicators

As I came over the hill, I quickly approached the car in front of me. They were driving very slowly in the right lane, but had their left blinker on. I slowed my pace, offering them the opportunity to change lanes. No movement. Just 20 mph in the right lane with the left turn signal steadily blinking.

Exasperated with their miscommunication and annoyed by the apparent squandering of my patience and generosity, I jerked over to the left lane and passed them ... and passed judgement like a jerk.

"What in the world? Decide what you want to do! Learn how to drive or get out of my way...grumble rarr."

As I rolled my eyes and glared into my rear view mirror, I was sobered by what I saw.

From the front of the car, I could tell they actually had their hazard flashers on. So apparently, their rear right turn indicator was non-functional. They were driving slowly with hazards on which is not only acceptable, but perfectly logical and appropriate. But this was not the conclusion to which I had jumped from behind them.

What's the moral of the story?

I can really put the "jerk" in "knee-jerk" reactions.

And ...

When folks in our lives seem to be in the way or causing trouble, or when people don't make a lot of sense, and our attempts to offer them solutions fail, we should just be patient. Be kind and don't judge. It could be that from a different vantage, we might realize they are in crisis and dealing with some brokenness.

Everyone has hurts and habits and hang-ups. Some just aren't ready, or don't know how to fully communicate it. We all need love. Period.

Brotherly Love

I remember the day my dad was shopping with me for a special dress. We had moved to a new town ahead of the rest of the family, so in a mutual state of neediness in Mom's absence, I was his escort to a fancy dinner, and he was my shopping buddy.

Standing in the busy department store, I slid the hangers along the metal pole. I would hold one up and check for his initial response. A squinchy nose meant: "don't even bother", while raised eyebrows and flattened frown indicated:"perhaps, perhaps!"

I have two distinct memories of that day ...

Read full article over at A Martha Heart

Grace

Tonight at 6pm IBC

 

 

 

Photographs by Megan Kilgore

Merry Mari

Oh, I wish that silly time stamp wasn't on all the photos in this batch. (I've changed the settings now.)Anyway ...

Look what arrived this week!! Mari Alice was ecstatic ... not an exaggeration. She said, "Don't ever take this off ... not ever, ever! And even if you do, I won't take it and lose it, I promise, promise!"

We had a good, long nose to nose whisper-chat about forgiving and forgetting. I assured her [again] that I am not upset with her and that she is absolutely forgiven. I encouraged her not to worry any more about it: "We're moving on, ok?" We stared wide-eyed and resolute at one another for several seconds ...

Just then, Ardyn, who was watching from across the room, said, "Um ... this is definitely a hug moment ... I'm pretty good at figuring out when a hug would be the right thing, and this is definitely one of those times."

We all giggled and hugged and looked at my pretty, pretty ring one more time.

This morning, I was holding my favorite mug with both hands, sipping my steamy coffee when Mari Alice walked in and smiled.

"Good morning," I chimed. "Why are you grinning at me?"

"I can see your ring and I really love it."
"Well I do too ... but not as much as I love you!"

Thank You, God, for forgiveness. For giving back what has been taken ... even if it's not quite the same, we trust You that it is best. You are the great Redeemer. You heal and bind up and restore. Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts and Your ways are not our ways ... and for that, I thank You. I trust You and Your good plan WAY more than I trust my own. Thank You for beauty  - the kind in diamonds and gold, and the kind in darling little girls.

Harvest Time

So, this photo makes it look like Ardyn bagged a buck. And while her sisters are unconditionally supportive...

 ...Truth be told, her brother, Luke, actually pulled the trigger. Fear of failure had seized her heart in the moment. We've processed both the deer and her emotions now ... we're ready for the next hunt.

And as always.....

Landen Paul was eager and equipped to "git'r done" when it came to quartering the venison. He cuts hide like he cuts paper ... mouth slightly open. It's hereditary ... my jaw drops with each scissor expansion. I crop in private:)

Thank You, God, for wonderful children who enjoy spending time in Your beauty, and work together to get a job done. Thank You for venison chili, too!

FaithVillage

I have an article featured this weekend over at FaithVillage. Check it out and feel free to leave a comment or like it. (They're looking to see if I have friends:)

Click here to enter FaithVillage.com and read full article.

Enjoy!