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When we value simple things, hope and encouragement permeate our lives.

A while ago, my wife expressed a desire to reach out to the neighbors. She spotted a neighbor’s younger daughter carrying a baby, and brought over a baby gift and a plate of brownies. The mother of the young woman was very grateful for the unexpected gift.

When their son graduated from high school, Candace brought over a grape salad and a card.

That same day, the mother and her older daughter visited, and told us the grape salad was delicious, and a perfect dish to bring to her gender-reveal party. She requested the recipe, and invited us.

We attended and made an effort to introduce ourselves to several people. I enjoyed a moment when a little girl sat next to me wearing a pretty dress, and I told her she must be a princess to wear such a special gown. She giggled with delight, and her father smiled as he listened. By the way, as to the reveal, it’s a boy.

Whenever we see these neighbors they wave and ask us how we’re doing.

One evening we spotted another neighbor as she walked by pushing a stroller. The next day, we brought a baby gift and Candace baked a blackberry cobbler.

A few hours later, we spotted the father holding the baby in front of the house as the mother pulled into the driveway, and lingered in her car. We chose that moment to deliver our gifts. She said it was a very opportune time, as it was her first day back to work in six months, and it had been busy and difficult.

Since then, like the other neighbors, we often exchange greetings.

What’s the victory? We learned we can show kindness to our neighbors, and they appreciate the effort, which has inspired us to do more. It’s a small thing to buy a baby gift or bake some brownies.

Kindness can feel like a warm hug at just the right moment.

If I may repeat a saying, “When we take the time to notice the simple things in life, we never lack for encouragement. We discover we are surrounded by limitless hope that’s just wearing everyday clothes.”

Colossians 3:12 says, ^“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” (NASB)

1. B. Phillips translation reads, “As, therefore, God’s picked representatives of the new humanity, purified and beloved of God himself, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and tolerant with one another, always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone. Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you. And, above everything else, be truly loving, for love is the golden chain of all the virtues.” (Col. 3:12-14, J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Sharing kindness is like tossing a stone into a pond: the ripples spread.

While it’s a work in progress, we’re grateful God is teaching us to see the everyday events around us, and step out of our comfort zone.

Small acts of kindness may not make the front-page, but they might change the world.

When we value simple things, hope and encouragement permeate our lives.

Recently, my wife and I met a woman in a store, whom I’ll call Rachel. Candace taught her son, Daniel, third grade several years ago. Rachel shared with us pictures of her three sons in their college graduation robes.

Her pride in, and enthusiasm for, her sons, her “three musketeers” as she called them, was obvious, but admitted she didn’t know what to do with her life as an empty nester. I commented with three hansom sons, her grandchildren would keep her busy, and she smiled, a sparkle in her eyes, but she wanted more.

She said her sons had suggested she take some classes at the local junior college, and she named three classes she had completed, all in English studies, from rudimentary to progressively more challenging. She commented, “I have to take baby steps before I can walk.”

I replied she was walking now. Her eyes became moist and she said, “Do you really think so?” She related how she wanted to train as a home health aide. Candace and I encouraged her to pursue her goal, and we’d pray for her, and she expressed gratitude for the support.

The victory: Rachel saw herself from a new perspective. She realized she was growing, and with continued effort, she could reach her personal goals, and begin a new and fulfilling chapter in her life. For me, I saw Rachel as a person, and felt blessed.

The Bible tells us “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11, NIV)

God created us in His image, which means we are persons, and meant to function in the framework of relationships. We can convey ideas, have friendships, love, and a sense of community, and much more because our Creator intended for us to have relationship with Him first, and with each other.

My experience tells me when I view others as merely a delay in my day I miss a blessing and an opportunity to bless someone else.  I know Jesus sees me as a person whenever I talk to Him, and I want to be more like Him.

Try it next time you greet someone. Pause, and tell yourself, “I want to see this person.” It’s an amazing experience.

When we take time to notice simple things in life, we never lack for encouragement. We discover we are surrounded by limitless hope that’s just wearing everyday clothes. (Anonymous)

Recently, my wife, Candace, and I traveled to Oregon for a few days, to gather with my sister, her daughters and their husbands. One couple brought their three and a half year old twin boys from the east coast for their first visit to their granny’s house.

I wondered how my nephews would receive me. They love trucks and tractors, so we bought a couple of large toy trucks, thinking they would squeal with delight, and after meeting mom and dad’s obligatory thank you requirement, and maybe a hug, would run off to dirt digging bliss only a little boy can appreciate.

Meltdown: they wanted the same truck. Their father, Ed, assured me they would be fighting over the other truck within ten minutes. It took fifteen. I decided to follow my plan to walk softly on the let’s get to know Uncle Pete agenda. The trucks were a big hit, but I was not. 

Each morning I watched cartoons with them, and while they inhaled peanut butter toast pieces, homemade yogurt, and blueberries on the back porch, I had coffee and conversation with Sis nearby. By the end of the week, I received a happy hug from the boys.

The victory: the twins overcame their aversion to a new person. This experience reminds me meeting new people requires humility and patience, especially when witnessing to them.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “To the weak I became [as the] weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means [in any and every way] save some [by leading them to faith in Jesus Christ].”  I Cor. 9:22 Amplified (AMP)

I lack the ability to change anyone, including myself. The Holy Spirit changes hearts to receive, and grow, in Christ. I can only open the soil of my heart to God and His Word, and ask the Him to prepare and plant it for His use, as He pleases. It’s a wonderful mystery.

Jesus tells us, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.” (Luke 18:17, NASB) His grace is a gift for a child. Too simple? Trust Him. He knows what He’s doing.

When we value simple things, hope and encouragement permeate our lives.

I read an article about a large cross standing in a public park for the past seventy-five years. A judge ordered the landmark removed when a handful of people sued.

If all crosses disappeared, would Americans forget the cross?

In the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:1-23), Jesus explained when the Word takes deep root in a person’s heart they become a new person, seeking to do the will of God, and bearing fruit. God shines His light upon those who follow Jesus, and through their lives, He casts the shadow of the Cross upon others who need His truth, mercy and grace.

Christians enjoy a spiritual relationship with Christ, yet, we struggle. The Bible tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV)

God sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us, and the Bible, which is God-breathed. Words the Bible uses to describe itself include light, food, sword, fire, hammer, mirror, seed, lamp, water, and anchor. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17, KJV) In His strength, we have victory.

I hope to illuminate victories in this blog.

I want to write novels about Christians engaged in tense struggles through dark and dangerous places. Without loss and pain, there would be no room in our hearts for God. When we come to a place of helpless dependence upon God, he does his best work.

My current project, Comes A Shadow Cross, is a novel about a man and woman, divided by faith and distance, who brave a perilous future America stripped of religious freedom. Stay watchful.

As I walk this path, I fix my eyes on Jesus, the bright candle in the darkness. I appreciate your prayers. Blessings to you.

 

New beginnings!  Welcome to my new blog. Check back soon for my first blog. I’ll write about many things, but often connected to how Christians live their lives rooted in the Bible, God’s inspired Word. See you soon!

My blog is finally up! More to come. Blessings to you.