Those Deserving of Admiration.
Reading about a woman who outranked every general in the Civil
War, it seems she made it her calling to take care of the misery, the
stupidity, and the necessities that came up in the true service for those men
who fought, sickened, and died—or lived through those horrors. Her name was
Mary Anne Bickerdyke. She thought that she was just going to deliver supplies
to those men who were fighting in battles. Instead, she furnished cleanliness,
food, shelter, and comfort to those who would otherwise have died in each camp.
Sometimes our least expectations turn into something that only God can change
to something that matters. But then, that was how it has always been when God
puts forth His hand in the affairs of men and women.
It is not always an individual who makes a difference in
lives, but for some of us, it is the single person’s example that change our
viewpoints. Have you ever heard someone tell a story about something your
parent or grandparent has done that mattered to that person? It may be
something that your father taught some young man. Or it might have been the
attitude that your mom helped some young woman deal with when life seemed all
too much at a time. Or maybe it was just the cookies shared over the backyard
fence with the kids next door. A child notices when an adult talks to them as
if they matter. No one has to brag on a child to make a difference in attitude
if an adult simply shows by word or deed that a child really does matter.
Sometimes a word of admiration will make all the difference in how a person
sees his or her own character. Let us keep looking for the best in those we see.
My friend Roger told me that his father-in-law has moved on
from this world to the next. Know that Susan will miss her dad. Apparently, he
was a very happy man—three good wives over a period of years. He must have been
doing something right! Let’s pray for Roger and Susan’s safe return to Texas.
Trying to have a good attitude around here. Dr. Blackwell
told me that preventing some of the pain will make a difference, so here’s to taking
the pills she recommended. Guessing that Dr. Kern will need a box of galvanized
baling wire to put things back together, but my daughter seems to think that
some of the problems can be alleviated with exercises. After translating the
MRI results into ChapGpt, the old woman only understands a few more words that
describe strictures and narrowing of certain boney structures. Just need to
work on having a sense of humor.
Cooked some chicken breasts, turnip, celery, and spices this
evening. It smells so good. Just wish the number of turnips had been about four
times as many! What is it about turnips that make them smell so very good? Oh!
Please don’t tell me that you don’t like turnips!!! They are good raw or
cooked! Bet the next order of groceries includes several turnips!!
We need rain around here. The grass is brown, naturally, but
the ground itself is dry, dry, dry! Hoping that God blesses the land with some
rain very soon. No, we don’t need the amounts seen in Washington state or
Oregon, but even a few inches could certainly make a difference for the fields
and crops. May God bless this land.
It’s hard to realize that we are just about into a new year.
Somehow, and this happens every year, it does not really seem as if a new year
is anywhere nearby. The trees have lost their leaves and the grasses have
strown their seeds. Now if the Harvester ants can gather up the seeds, maybe we
can grow some little horny toads around here. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! God
makes things have their own cycles of life. Appreciating life includes loving
God’s designs. May He show us His mighty ways every day!
Keep loving and learning more as the days go by. We are so
very blessed.
Rest well, my friends. You are loved.
