Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Archives for October 2012

Saturday smiles: Random edition

Playing Frisbee with the under 5 crowd is an almost-sure path to appearing on America’s Funniest Videos.

Who says miracles don’t happen? Every day when I put dinner on the table and manage to not kill anyone, it’s a miracle. Bonus miracle if it’s edible and/or nutritious. I’m thinking of pitching a show to Food Network that involves cooking while your kids are wrestling each other at your feet, chasing themselves around the table, and clinging to your leg. Phil thinks child and family services wouldn’t approve. He’s probably right.

Books in the mail. Especially from two great authors. I’ve already finished the one on the left.

Great coffee. A couple of months ago I discovered there was a local roaster in our neighborhood, literally a block from our house. I wish I’d known this earlier. Or maybe I don’t. Regardless, I’m now enjoying a pound of fair trade locally roasted Sumatran coffee.

I tried three kinds this morning and later had to drink a cup of coffee to take the edge off of my morning coffee buzz. This is what addiction looks like, isn’t it?

At storytime, while the fabulous storytime leader was reading a book about a dragon, she asked if any of the kids could blow smoke out of their nose. Izzy didn’t miss a beat and said in all seriousness: “We can only blow snot out of our nose.” Truer words never spoke.

The kids pray at meal time and almost fight over who gets to do it.

Turning on PBS to find Pennsylvania Polka is on. I almost got up and danced. Almost.

Receiving a digital postcard from one of my favorite authors. I love her books and am really excited to be part of her “street team” promoting her new works. And it’s not every day you get to see your name in front of a historical, biblical site in Ephesus.

Totally made my day. Since my travel budget is non-existent right now, I’m happy to travel vicariously.

Thanks for traveling through randomness with me tonight.

It was there all along

My high school French teacher posted this beautiful fall picture to Facebook today.

Photo by James Higby

And as beautiful as fall colors are and as much as they make me miss the beauty of my hometown, the words he attached to the photo were even more beautiful. He said:

Of course, we know that the red has been there all along, hidden by chlorophyll production that began as the leaves formed and sprouted in the spring. When diminished daylight and accumulated stress cause the tree to shut down the green, the brilliant color underneath treats us to its autumnal show.

I love when nature teaches me a lesson about life, and I thank God that He created a wide, wonderful world full of pictures of His love.

Diminished daylight. Accumulated stress. I’m no tree, but those sound like good descriptors for my life right now.

What if in these times of trouble, these painful changes, these dark days, God is unleashing a beauty that’s been there all along?

What if in the days we don’t understand, God is making our true colors known to the world, letting us stand out from those around us?

In the Bible, Psalm 1 talks about a person who loves the Lord, who keeps good company, and knows the Law. That person, the psalmist says “is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.” Only recently did I catch that last part: in season. The tree may be planted by streams of water but it may not always be yielding fruit. The tree’s not dead; it’s dormant, waiting for its season.

Are you there?

I am.

And I’m thankful for the reminder that when my season comes, it’ll be as beautiful and brilliant as the colors of fall.