Blanketed

Note: The following is an edited version of a fiction story I wrote on February 20, 2025, in 10 minutes, using the one-word prompt ("blanket") I was given.

The photo was taken in 2005 at Montecito Lodge in the Giant Sequoia National Forest in California. Although the details in the photo don't align with every detail in the story, I'm posting it anyway because it's a photo I enjoy seeing again and again.

Fluffy snowflakes float effortlessly toward the ground. As the hours pass, accumulated snow conceals still-brown grass and shrouds limbs of leafless trees. The drab winter canvas outside disappears, hidden under a blanket of pristine snow. 

The covering will melt away as soon as temperatures rise above freezing. The world will return to its ordinary-ness, the magic of freshly fallen snow gone until another day, perhaps even another year. And I will resume my hectic schedule.

But for one day, this day, the world has been made exceptionally beautiful. So white. So quiet. So still.

I am warm and cozy inside a climate-controlled house where a furnace purrs like a contented kitten. Decaf coffee brews and drops into the carafe from which I pour a cup of comforting warmth. I lounge in my jammies and feel no need to rush off to work or do anything other than relax.

I realize I’ve been given a perfect day to curl up on the sofa beside the fireplace and cover myself with the comfy throw my neighbor gave me for Christmas. Before I reach for a nearby book, I bow my head and say, “Thank You, Father, for this unexpected—and undeserved—day of pure bliss, a day You have created, a day You have provided for me. I am awed by how You cover me with Your love even more gently and completely than You’ve covered with snow this little part of the world I call home.”

Points of Joy

While walking on my driveway a few months after my husband passed away, I noticed how beautifully the early morning light was falling on my house and on the small crepe myrtle bush blooming beside my driveway. I couldn't resist stopping three or four times to take photos with the camera on my cell phone. 

I thought, My senses are waking up like they do whenever I become sleepily aware of my surroundings after a sound sleep. Indeed, I felt more alert than I had in weeks.

As I savored those feelings, I recalled having heard a guest on a podcast say, "Don't set a goal of being happy. Happiness is an illusion. It comes and goes, depending on the circumstances. Instead, look for points of joy throughout your day. The more points of joy you experience, the happier you'll feel. To experience more points of joy, use your five senses." 

That's what I did as I continued my morning walk. Sure enough, I experienced points of joy as I felt the gentle breeze on my skin and heard the chirping of birds as they flew around the yard. 

I did this pointillism design
while chatting on the phone with a friend.
It won't ever win an award,
but it brought me joy as I created it.

I suddenly remembered watching a friend create a stunning portrait of Jesus by using a technique called pointillism. Using a felt tip pen, he'd dot-dot-dot the ink on paper. By strategically placing hundreds of small dots, he created the illusion of lines and shapes without actually drawing or painting them. 

Just as hundreds and hundreds of small dots can form a beautiful image on paper or canvas, many points of joy can create a happier life. Dot. Dot. Dot. Joy. Joy. Joy. Voila!

To learn more about pointillism and see how the "masters" did it, click here: 

https://puntillismo.org/en/pointillism-for-kids 

https://finearttutorials.com/guide/pointillism/

Freely Given Gifts

Are you wondering how you’ll afford to buy gifts this Christmas? Are you weary of shopping for gifts for people who have all the stuff they need—and even more?

If so, I hope you’ll find an idea or two in this post that you can use to create memorable gifts for others either in lieu of or in addition to those items you'll place inside beautiful bags or pretty packages.

My daughter Jena said, “There are two wonderful ways to give a FREE gift this Christmas season! Although neither one will cost you a cent, both are life-saving and life-changing: (1)Share Jesus. Tell others about Him. (2)Donate blood, platelets, or plasma."

As I thought about what she’d said, I began to think of other FREE gifts, not as life-changing as those two, of course, but ones that do impact others.

As I pondered, I recalled that author Leslie Fields had reminded the recipients of her email to “give generous words generously.” After reading the examples she provided, I came up with my own words of sincere affirmation, gratitude, and praise. 

A Gift of Gratitude

For example, in a Christmas card I sent to a family member, I wrote, “I'll always be grateful for your being an ‘angel of mercy’ to so many in our family. May God continue to richly bless you and supply strength and wisdom for each kindness.”

A Gift of Encouragement

While talking with a friend who was struggling to handle the financial responsibilities normally done by her husband (who had recently passed away), I said, “I’ve always admired the God-given strength I’ve observed in you as you’ve dealt with previous difficulties. I have no doubt that He will continue to enable you to do the things you think you can’t do.”

A Gift of Praise

In a text message to a grandson, I said, “Thanks for always being willing to help.”

Let’s resolve to give gifts such as these (and countless others) regularly and liberally throughout the year, not just at Christmastime. After all, they’re guaranteed to please any day of the year.

Time to Say, "Thank You!"

 

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, I heard a simple yet stirring sermon that began with the verse at the bottom of the card I created and placed here. God used those words, written by the apostle Paul centuries ago and included in the sermon, to prompt me to feel even more thankful for the blessings that have been abundantly and freely showered upon me.

I have a thankful heart, truly I do. And I am quick to express my gratitude to the giver--and to gladly reciprocate when possible. But as I listened to the sermon and pondered the words, I thought of how often I fail to thank God, first and foremost, for all the blessings, tangible and intangible. Were it not for Him, I would not even have life, not to mention the countless blessings He has sent and continues to send. 

As I reflect on who He is and on His goodness to me, I thank Him. Then, as my mind floods with memories of people He has sent into my life bringing blessings galore, I thank Him for each one. To further express my gratitude, I plan to text them this card along with a personal note of thanks. I won't be able to thank everyone, of course. But I hope those I can contact will be encouraged to know that I am thankful for them and for their gift(s) that greatly impacted my life and brought much joy. 

Do you need to thank God--and others--for the blessings they have given to you?

Note: If you'd like to download the card and use it, feel free to do so. It is my gift to you.

He's Working!

As I read the text that popped up on the screen of my phone, my eyes filled with happy tears. I re-read the message just to be sure I'd read it correctly. Then I replied to the sender, saying, "That reminds me of these words in the song Waymaker: "Even when I don't see it, He's working."

Indeed, God had been working behind the scenes in a certain situation to change what appeared to be a definite "NO" to a resounding "YES". To say we were shocked is an understatement. 

You see, the sender had been informed that a door of opportunity had been closed. Yet, suddenly--and with no effort on her part--the door swung open. Since she had kept her hands off the matter and had accepted the "NO," we realized that the reversal had to be a "God thing."

How grateful we are for that awesome change of circumstance, as well as for every other evidence that He is working day by day in our lives. In fact, as the song says, "He never stops working." 

As I reflect on that, these words to an old song come to mind: "Oh, for grace to trust Him more."

Why?

I’ve often read the story* about the sudden storm that popped up one day when Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Although such sudden storms are fairly common on that body of water, they cause great fear as waves, some ten feet tall, batter boats and threaten lives.

Sea of Galilee.
Photo by Arvid Olson from Pixabay

Apparently, the water was calm when Jesus and His disciples set out across the lake. So, Jesus, who surely must have been tired from having dealt with the throngs of people who surrounded Him wherever He went, decided to sleep while the disciples navigated to their destination. However, when the storm raged, they cried out, “Master! Master! We’re going to drown.”

Jesus stood up. He commanded the waves and the wind to quiet down. They did. Much to the relief of the disciples (and those in nearby boats), the lake became as smooth as glass. 

Some translations use these words to state Jesus’ question: “Where is your faith?” But The Message paraphrases the question this way: “Why can’t you trust me?” (See Luke 8:25)

I couldn’t get past those words. They compelled me to stop and ponder the question that demanded an answer from me.

Like the disciples, I know I can trust Jesus. He has done great and mighty things for me--and for others. Yet, each time a new crisis appears, I forget how He has helped me in the past. I fail to realize that He is still with me, still able to do far more than I can imagine, still willing to come to my aid. Thus, I struggle to answer the probing question Jesus asked, “Why can’t you trust me?” (See Luke 8:25)

Am I unable to trust Him or am I choosing not to?

After all, as the song Evidence points out, there is much proof that He is worthy of my trust and has, in fact, proven that again and again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lDvD-O9xhg

* Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

Today

 One morning as I talked by phone with my daughter, she said, “What do you have planned for today?”

“Nothing is on my calendar, but I will do many things.” After mentioning several of them, I added, “It feels good to have an open day and not have to hurry, hurry, hurry.”

After the conversation ended, I remembered this poem I had read earlier that morning:

 

Today

So here hath been dawning

Another blue Day;

Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away.

 

Out of Eternity

This new Day is born;

Into Eternity,

At night, will return.

 

Behold it aforetime

No eye ever did:

So soon it forever

From all eyes is hid.

 

Here hath been dawning

Another blue Day:

Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away.

~ Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher (1795-1881)

 

Although the language is outdated and the punctuation rather odd, his probing question is relevant today--and every day. Will we, dear reader, let God's gift of this new day "slip useless away"? Or will we thank God for it and use it in ways that please and honor Him and bless others?

Designed by Johnnie Ann Gaskill

After the Dark Times

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and Louisiana in August 2017, causing catastrophic flooding and more than 100 deaths. The category 4 devasting hurricane meandered over eastern Texas for four days, dumping three to five feet of water in many areas. In its wake, more than 100 people died. Hundreds of thousands of homes were flooded. More than 17,000 people were rescued. 30,000 people were displaced.

As the storm approached, Kathy and John decided not to leave their home (where they had lived for 30 years) because John’s emphysema and a heart condition and Kathy’s recent knee replacement surgery made it hard for them to get around. But when it became obvious that they needed to get out of their house, it was too late.

They watched helplessly as the water rose inside their home.

When the water finally receded, the house was a mess and needed extensive repairs.

An insurance adjustor walking down the street of abandoned houses noticed a debris pile in front of Kathy and John’s house. Even though it was the only indication that someone might be living there, he knocked on the door.

After learning about their situation, he contacted a non-profit organization that partners with community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need.

Everything except the brick was rebuilt. The house now has a new roof, siding, bathroom, drywall, kitchen island and cabinets, etc. Kathy had the privilege of choosing the colors.

The estimated cost of the repairs was $75-80,000. Yet, the homeowners only paid what they received from their insurance company and/or FEMA.

Reflecting on that awful experience, Kathy said, “I pinch myself all the time about this house. I would never have believed this could happen.” With tear-filled eyes, she said, “Even if this is our last Christmas together, it will be in a beautiful house.”

Only hours before I read that story, a friend had texted me this message: “Some of the darkest paths will lead you to the brightest places.”

Later that same day, a friend encouraged me with these words: “Some of our hardest trials lead to places of greatest blessing.”

Indeed!

To the Rescue

As I walked from the kitchen to the landing at the top of the stairs that lead to the garage floor, I noticed a female hummingbird flying hither and yon near the high ceiling of the garage. I had no idea how long she’d been trying to find her way to the outside. And I didn’t have time to help her since I needed to arrive on time at the doctor’s office.

When I returned an hour or so later, she was still flying around and around even though I’d left the double-car garage door open. I knew the tiny hummer was exhausted and panic-stricken. Yet, I didn’t know how to help her. Even if I had taken a broom and tried to usher her toward the opening, I was too short to get it near her.

I prayed, “Lord, help me think of a way to help her.”

Then this idea popped into my mind: She’ll be attracted to the red single-stem tulip in a red vase in the living room.

I hurried to get it. I placed it on the small table in the garage. Afterward, I stood on the landing for a minute or so to see what she’d do. She continued flying around and around.

Then I thought, I can put water in the base of the hummingbird feeder I washed this morning.

I followed through with that idea, feeling quite proud of having come up with two creative solutions. When I returned to the landing, the little hummer was trying to sip from the silk flower. Even though she found nothing nourishing there, she was able to see the way out of the garage. In a flash, she was gone.

As I brought the vase and flower and the base of the feeder inside, I said, “Thank You, Father, for helping me save one of Your tiny creatures.”

I’m like that tiny bird. I sometimes get myself into situations that I don’t want to be in, situations that I never intended to be in and can see no way out of. When that happens, I am so thankful for those God sends to rescue me. I am especially thankful He sent His Son to set me free from the sin that entangled me and would have resulted in spiritual death and separation from God for all eternity.