The Best Part of Life

"Yes, autumn is really the best of the seasons; and I'm not sure that old age isn't the best part of life. But of course, like autumn, it doesn't last." C. S. Lewis

My sister-in-law, Bobbie, called one Friday morning and said, "I'm going to Thurmont to get some fall pictures. Do you want to come along? Newly retired, and not haven taken many snaps lately, I said yes!



There was beauty to be found everywhere. Oh, if only it could last! The sky was a beautiful blue, just a perfect day to be out enjoying God's creation. A perfect time for reflection.

"Hiding in every flower, in every leaf, in every twig and bough, are reflections of the God who once walked with us in Eden." Tonia Triebwasser

We'll see that garden of Eden one day, and it will be perfect!






Once, Bobbie told me to look up--and look at what I saw! To think I almost missed it.

Yes, autumn is a beautiful season. Helen Steiner Rice wrote these words about autumn: "What a wonderful time is life's autumn, When the leaves of the trees are all gold, When God fills each day as He sends it, With memories priceless and old."

Reflecting on God's blessings warms your heart and inspires your soul. Musing about Lewis' statement about being old may be the best part of life, I'm tending to agree. All of nature now embraces me as it never has before.


The things of this world mean far less than they use to, and the things of God far more. Touching somebody's heart is more important than any achievement I've aimed for or any pleasure I desired.

George Washington Carver said this about nature: "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."

I encourage you to "tune in" as you pass a babbling brook, a majestic tree or see a soaring hawk. This may be the best part of your life! And for all those who know Jesus, the ultimate part of your life will be seeing Him!

Never Stop Praying

Through the years I've often done battle with the word never. I've learned it's in my best interest not to use it. It's a word that you often have to eat.

But I feel confidant in using it in this title. I was reminded of it this morning in a devotion I read. It told of George Muller, who founded orphanages in England in the 1800s, and the five close friends he prayed for to be saved.

After five years, he saw one friend saved. Another 10 years he saw another friend saved. Another 25 years of prayer found two more friends saved. That left one of the original five. Muller died not seeing the last one saved.

He had prayed for some 50 years for his friends. Fifty years. That's a long time to continue praying when you see sporadic results.

Scripture that is most often quoted regarding persistent prayer is found in Luke 18:2-6. Jesus tells his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. It's the story of the widow who kept coming to the judge with her plea. The judge finally granted her request to get rid of her.

I certainly have prayers that I've been praying for years but have seen no answer. A number in fact. But I keep on praying for I know God answers prayer in His time and His way. Maybe I won't be here to see all of my prayers answered, as George Muller, but that doesn't stop my hope in praying.

Oh, that 5th friend of Muller's. He surrendered his life to Christ at Muller's funeral.

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:15). The point is never to give up until the answer comes. For our God is gracious and generous and His works are miraculous.

I like this quote by Oswald Chambers, "The prayer of the feeblest saint on earth who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan."

The early snow brought two bucks to our back gate. We hadn't seen them since summer.

The Dream Continues

My book is on its way to the printers! I signed off on the Galley and Cover yesterday. I will get the first copy in two or three weeks.

Since I signed up with Inspiring Voices, a service of Guideposts, it's been an interesting journey. Only three short months have passed, but with very focused energy every day. Now begins the marketing phase.

It would be hard to describe what the note writing ministry has meant to me. From the early stages when I put forth my greatest energy on working with words to find the right ones to encourage someone ... to the middle stage when I felt comfortable writing those words ... to the present stage when I feel honored to write God's encouraging words--my life has been encouraged over and over.


It has been a fulfilling service, helping me grow in wisdom and understanding, and pushing me beyond my limits of the ultimate introvert. Imagine me, who can't say two words in a group of people, giving a talk to numbers of people, about an incredible ministry.

I think back to when Jerry first suggested I write a book on note writing, to actually doing it, producing it, and then selling it when I gave my presentation. And now it will have the possibility of touching many lives as God uses it for His Glory.

Dreams do come true ... even at 62! I can't imagine what it will be like holding a published copy of my book in my hands.

Jerry spotted the first snap and liked the scene. The second picture I snapped, enjoying the clothing for the lightpost.

The Beginning of a Retired Life

"We shall everyone of us have a charge to keep, an eternal God to glorify, an immortal soul to provide for, one generation to serve." Charles Wesley wrote these words talking about the song he created titled: "A Charge to Keep I Have."

I especially like the words of the second stanza: "To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill--O may it all my pow'rs engage to do my Master's will!"

These are the words I found in the October 14th devotion in "Amazing Grace," on my last day of work. I felt they were given especially to me as I start my retirement. God has truly energized my desire to serve Him with the gifts He has given me.

But there is another reason the devotion was special: the 14th. Unplanned by me, the big occasions in my life have all arrived on the 14th. I was born on March 14th, which I obviously had nothing to do with. I was saved on November 14th, which I didn't plan; and I was married to Jerry on December 14th, which was the best date for the pastor who married us. And now here I am, on October 14th, retiring.

The scripture verse with the devotion is from Ephesians 4:1: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."


Retirement has begun!I passed the first Monday without having to get up and go to work. But Sam and I did leave the house at 7:15 to begin walking in the park. It's a dream I've wanted to fulfill for a long time. Hopefully, most mornings we will be able to walk in the park.

Now begins the cleaning up, throwing out and rearranging in my writing room and computer room. Things have been piling up in there for the past few weeks, and I'm ready to get it over with. Organization has always been one of my qualities and it's time to get these rooms back.

I actually went three weeks without downloading any pictures I took. That certainly is a record! That big, beautiful tree on Pferffkorn Road is not quite in full fall color, so it's on my appointment book. I took the above picture last fall of the tree. I was away at the Annual Meeting when it was in full color; even so, the tree was still lovely. Hopefully, in a few days, I will get the snap I've imagined.

Best Thought

In the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," an 8th Century Irish hymn, one of the titles ascribed to God is "Best Thought." I've never thought of a title like this before, but, indeed, God is the Best Thought we can possibly have.

The actual words read: "Thou my best thought, by day or by night." Over the last week my thoughts have turned to "seeing" God. Actually seeing Him with my own eyes. We say often I can hardly wait to see God, but the phrase must have become common to me, and I hadn't really focused on that reality.

Recently I read these words: "Think of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven; Of taking hold of a hand and finding it God's."

Take a moment today and consider seeing God. It's powerful. It will be a reality one day. He is the very Best Thought I can ever have!

Considerate Inclusion

This morning I read a devotion in a new book titled "The One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends." I just purchased the book after seeing it on the desk of my friend, Gail. Since girlfriends are very special to me I figured the book would be enjoyable as well as inspirational.

I almost had to laugh at the words I read this morning. You see, I'm slow. I'm intentionally slow. My new motto is "Time is life." I never did like "Time is money," so I've taken this new motto to heart.

I wasn't always slow. It's only been since I was saved back in '78 that I've become a slower person. And the place it most definiately makes people mad is on the road. So when I read the devotion this morning I smiled.

Bill McGlashen said: "Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, but not in one ahead." And Ellen Miller went on to say she was convicted when she realized how inconsiderate she is with others, especially s...l...o...w ones.

She said she's always in a hurry no matter if it's walking, talking, driving, etc. She doesn't have a problem with "being patience when it come to things or circumstances--just people." And she realizes "this is actually a form of inconsiderate exclusion. Considerate inclusion must be extended to those who think and operate at a slower rate than I do."

The devotion ends with her account of walking into church behind a homeless man. She was running a bit late for church and not too patient. Then she saw how receptive her fellow leaders were toward this man. "Seeing the considerate inclusion of this poor soul by our well-heeled congregation made me so proud of who we are as Christians.

The scripture verse for the devotion exhorts all of us to be patient and encouraging: "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus."

I guess I will always be slow . . . slowly enjoy the conversation with a friend . . . slowly driving through back roads to enjoy the views, and slowly reading God's word to get everything out of it I can.

I snapped the picture above while slowly driving home from work the other week. I found the doe and two fawns having a relaxing afternoon in the field. After a few snaps, this horse decided to see what was going on. Time is life.

What Can You Do?

Being a quiet, introverted individual, I have always felt uncomfortable about the number of things I perceive that I can't do that "normal" people can. One of those things is the inability to open my mouth when I'm with a group of people. This weakness not only embarasses me in the work place, but also the house of God. It's like my mouth is frozen together and I can't open it.

From work meetings to work lunches, church fellowship events to Sunday School classes, work conferences and church retreats,I can't open my mouth and talk. It has frustrated me my entire adult life. Even at the age of 62, this weakness of not being able to talk in a group setting over shadows all my choices.

Yet God is aware of this weakness. And that must be why He gifted me in writing, and opened my mind to the ministry of note writing. Recently, in Sunday School, we've studied Mark 14, and I discovered a little gem. In verse 8, Jesus supports Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who poured a jar of expensive perfume over His feet in preparation for His burial. He said: "She did what she could."

"She did what she could." I like that. I may not be able to speak when I'm with a group of people, but I can do what He HAS gifted me with--writing encouraging notes. And in God's eyes, it is enough.

I was recently asked to give my note writing presentation at a senior adult retreat. I've spoken at a number of events for the churches in the convention where I work. You might be thinking, "I thought you couldn't talk in groups of people?" You're right. I can't. But I can read. My entire presetnation is typed. I read the words exactly as typed to the class. It must be working because people respond.

But my flesh still said no to the request. It's too uncomfortable. But then I thought: "my book is being published. Who knows what doors God will open to teach others about this incredible mininstry." I'm stepping out of my comfort zone to do what I can.

As I prepare for retirement and the new life God has in store for me, I will remember what God has given me to do. I humbly submit that I'm doing what I can. How about you? That's all God asks.