THE GREATEST GIFT

The greatest gift on Pine Log:I sit on an old weathered log,at the edge of the green rolling field,and the edge of the gentle rolling Pine Log,my long suffering and comforting friend,and I marvel.The scene around me is the one I have saw in my mind,and longed for, forever.Spring finally prevails on Pine Log,and with it,a whole new look.The magic that goes with the changing of a season hangs in the air and settles down upon you,and for a moment,despite the beautiful truth reflected in your face,you feel young again.Pine Log has made it through another winter,and in doing so,has helped me to do the same.Its wounds are healing,its natural hotels are full,and it flows steady and resolutely.New artwork is arriving daily on Pine Log.Me,my brother,(and hiking buddy)and my daughter,were entertained and comforted,by a very large and very rare, garden of Virginia blue bells,greens and golds,which cannot be described,burst forth everywhere.Turtles sun bathe on logs,baby ducklings scatter and began to call their mother.Everywhere life is teeming,celebrating..............all aware that it will not last forever(although it will one day).And I am profoundly aware that this day is a gift from the Father.That all these treasures I am beholding are gifts from him.I am even more profoundly aware that the greatest gift is the Father himself.For without him and his presence,they wouldn't,no couldn't,be viewed as gifts.Gifts from whom?They are a reflection of him.It would be a travesty not to see that what happened at Calvary was for this very purpose.To make a way for us to come into his presence and be healed."By whom also we have access by faith into this grace"

Tribute to a kind and courageous heart

For as long as I could remember,as the years slowly sped by,I had only heard her name spoken with genuine,unspotted,unfeigned respect.Though we actually talked very little,from time to time I would see her,here and there,in the community,taking care of whatever the business of the day was.She had came up in a time when the living was not easy.To know the full extent of the horrors life had thrown her way would surely make one weep.And yet,at these times when I would have the opportunity to nod,speak,wave,or just exchange a glance,I was always amazed and comforted greatly by what I  saw in her face.Her smile and the sparkle in her eye showed no sign that she had experienced a more than fair share of sorrow.Looking back now I am even more amazed.I now know,more than then,that what I had saw in her was a reflection of a kind and courageous heart.I saw her again today.This time I was able to extend a hand and offer a warm hug.Tomorrow they would be burying her youngest child.We glanced toward him,in unison,lying in silent state,and when our eyes met,I was amazed to see what I had saw every other time down through the years.No pity,no anger,no frustration.Only kindness and courage.She was eighty five now;but she held on to my hand for a few seconds,and I felt as if I was the one being comforted,and was.I left feeling very humbled,and will never forget that frail hand squeezing mine,and was thankful for the blessing that came with it.The blessing of a kind and courageous heart.