I watched as the car turned slowly into my neighbor’s driveway, and saw her gently slide out of the backseat on her husband’s arm.

My friend had an emergency appendectomy two days ago. What a shock it must have been. But now, her two young boys and husband were rejoicing at her safe return. I rejoiced too, but I was concerned about her recovery.

How could I help her? How I wish I had some amazing talent that would take away her pain or put her at ease. Anything I could think of just didn’t seem good enough.

I could cook a dinner. That seemed like such a small thing. I’m not a very inventive or adventurous cook either. But I had to admit I couldn’t think of anything else.

Her husband answered the phone. He sounded so relieved when I offered to cook. “Can you bring a dinner tonight?” I quickly agreed, but as I hung up, I wondered what I could throw together on such short notice.

Two hours later, I walked up to my friend’s front door with a tuna noodle casserole, salad and some rolls. I felt a little embarrassed to offer such a plain meal, but it was taken gratefully.

Later that week, one of her boys returned my dish along with a note. My friend wanted the recipe for the tuna casserole! I was so surprised that I just stood there with the card in my hand for a few seconds. The dinner was so simple, yet it was so appreciated.

This experience taught me a lot about the talents that God gives all of us. Hoping to bring some joy and comfort to a friend, I longed for a huge, flashy gesture that would sweep in and solve every problem and pain. Sometimes I think the bigger the talent, the better it is. But I’m so wrong.

God celebrates every word and work I do for someone else. He doesn’t value my gifts and talents in terms of size. Everything I offer is important and precious to him. He loves to see me use what he has given. Not only do I serve his precious people, I also glorify his wonderful gift.

I may not be a gourmet cook, but the Lord knew this family didn’t need a chef. They needed a hot meal to celebrate a homecoming. If I hadn’t made that call, their first night home might have been a little more chaotic.

I know I’ll look at my God-given gifts differently now. Every single ability I have reflects the life of the one who gave them to me. How can I think that they are not good enough? My Father gives a share of his gifts to all his people in the Spirit. They are all beautiful, powerful and necessary because they are all his. So now it’s up to me to spread his life my applying those gifts given so generously.

Instead of busily measuring them, I need to get busy using them.

I may never know how much my talents are appreciated, but that night, I did. I found out that the simple gift of a casserole was as precious as a pot of gold.

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So excited to share some good news! An essay I submitted will be included in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Inner Strength is coming out next month, the release date is 10.28.14.

I’ll have a book giveaway event next month to celebrate. I really wanted to be published in a Chicken Soup book, so this is an answered prayer!

I’m going to take some time off to celebrate the book contribution (and my birthday), so I’ll be on a blog-break for two weeks. See you back here on September 29th? It’s a date!

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I heard my washing machine stop. Hmm…seemed a little early for that. Maybe it was just switching functions?

I was upstairs cleaning the kitchen when I heard it stop, but I got distracted and forgot all about it. Twenty minutes later I headed down to the basement to transfer the laundry to the dryer. Surprise! The washer was full of murky water and my linens were kickin’ back, enjoying the soak. Yes sir. My machine decided it was a good day to die.

It didn’t seem fair. When any other appliance decides to quit at my house, I can usually tell the end is near. Faulty performance, repairs way to often. It’s generally not a surprise. I thought and thought about the washer. What did I miss?

Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve missed the signs.

I was working at the local Junior College as adjunct faculty in the Surgical Tech department. We had just adopted our first child, and although my old job was secure in the operating room, I’d have to take call and work weekends. A weekday job with regular hours sounded like a much better alternative.

The first year went well. I had to work out a few kinks, but overall, it was great. I was teaching students how to assist in the OR, something I liked and knew well. On to year #2.

I started to hear some rumblings about lower student enrollment. The head of the department asked if I’d transition to another field if they changed direction. But the year continued on it’s way. The class graduated. I graduated too.

I got fired.

I was stunned. What did I miss? Well, honestly the signs were all there. I just didn’t pay attention.

Looking back on the washer thing, I remember there were a few times the machine would stop mid-cycle. I’d have to restart it. No big deal. Except it was. That was my warning, and I completely missed it.

I believe that God is always at work in my life. I believe that he loves me with an extravagance that I will never be able to comprehend. He is not up in the clouds reading a book, only to glance up occasionally to smite me with broken appliances and job terminations.

My Father is with me here and now, and he is gently and persistently showing me what I need to know to make good choices. “What did I miss?” is a good question. Maybe a better one is “Why did I miss that?”

I’ll never be perfect, I won’t understand all the time. But in spite of my weakness, God is constantly in contact with me. He speaks in prayer, and in the events and people I meet in my life. And yes, even in washing machines.

So my daily prayer includes a request. “My God, open my heart so I can pay attention and experience what you need me to see.” I might not be able to change any outcomes, but I will be prepared.

And I think that’s what any Father wants for his daughter.

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Linking today with: The Deliberate Mom

She stared at the reflection she saw in the mirror.

The house was alive with laughter and women’s voices. She had a few minutes alone to reflect on all the preparation that went into this day. It had to be perfect.

Invitations were filled out and sent. The reception hall was decorated. The menu and drink selections were carefully chosen. Lights, music, flowers, cake and color schemes were all finalized and in place.

Looking into her own eyes in that mirror, she started applying the special makeup the associate at the department store counter had recommended. The dress she’d picked out with her mother and bridesmaids hung, covered in plastic, on the top of the doorframe. It’s brilliant white color was softened by the overlay of delicate lace. The tiny pearls embedded in the skirt reflected the window’s sunlight.

A soft knock at the door, and her mother came into the room to help with the floor length dress and the six foot train. She stepped into the dress so her hair, just braided and curled two hours ago, wouldn’t be disturbed. Finally, the veil was brought over to her. It was the same one her mother wore, and her grandmother too. The Spanish-style comb with the seed pearls slid on the crown of her head, while the netting fell around her shoulders.

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her little girl. But her daughter’s thoughts were far away. “Will all these preparations be enough? Will I look beautiful for him? Have I done everything I could to make this day the most meaningful of our lives?”

Leaving the bedroom with her mother, she joined her father and chirping bridesmaids for pictures in the garden. It seems to take forever. At last, it was time to go to church.

The music had started by the time they all arrived. The bridesmaids fell into a line, and started down the aisle to the front of the church. Holding her father’s arm, she narrowed her eyes, straining to see her bridegroom. What would he think? Spilling over with excitement, she floated along with her father onto the white runner that led to her beloved. All eyes turned to see the bride. But she only had eyes for him.

The wedding day was as perfect as she had hoped. She knew she’d love him forever; “til death do us part.”

She’s not thinking about it now, but there will be another wedding in her future. Someday, she’ll be a bride again when Jesus comes; her bridegroom. All of us will have that experience. I guess you could say we’re in a time of wedding preparation right now. Instead of make-up, menus, and tuxes, the focus is on good works, good words, and love.

Oh, I think they’ll be plenty of wedding jitters when that day comes. It’s only natural. I’m sure Jesus will hear more than one person whisper to him, just like she did,  “Were all my preparations enough?”

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Wait on the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:14

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Linking today with: Recommendation Saturday

My friend and I were eating dinner at her kitchen table. As we talked, I’d occasionally gaze out her bay window into the backyard.

She lives in the ‘country’ and I’m a city mouse, so to me, the view is wider and greener. The sky just looks a deeper blue too. The large yard had an even green carpet of grass, dotted by a large wooden swing set and above ground pool. The yard ended at the tree line; the starting gate for acres of forest land.

As we chatted about the day’s events, she turned to me and said, “Quick! Look!” I swiveled around in my chair and saw an amazing sight out that window. A dozen wild turkeys had emerged from across the gravel road and were sauntering across her grass like they owned the place. I’d never seen anything like it. Ever.

The two adult turkeys led the juveniles to the tree line for a snack. Lifting my jaw up off the floor, I asked my friend if she had seen anything like this before. “Not in this great a number, but turkeys do come around.” She was so calm! We watched the smaller birds finish chomping on the underbrush, and then follow the adults along a path into the woods.

It was so good to have my friend there. What an unusual sight…flocks of turkeys don’t appear in my busy suburban village. If I saw this by myself, I’m sure I’d be shocked, but I’d be worried too. What if they get into the pool? Is it okay if they eat the plants? Are turkeys mean spirited? My friend’s calm demeanor, and her reassurance that this was not unusual, put me at ease.

Having someone at your side to navigate new experiences is a gift, not only in the physical world, but in faith too.

Having a Spiritual Director or faith-filled friend to talk with helps fuse your prayer life to the realities of day to day living. They listen patiently as you explain what you believe God is calling you to do. Sometimes, what I hear in prayer sounds as strange as a herd of turkeys in my backyard. “Could that be right? What if I’m just dreaming this up?”

An experienced director will recognize what I’m experiencing, and help me understand the message. I’ve been blessed over the years with wonderful spiritual friends, partners and directors. Together, we’ve looked at my thoughts, fears and faith. Just like my friend that day at the kitchen window, they are excited to point out the joys and truth in my journey. Because of their experience, nothing I say can surprise or confuse. Sharing with them brings me peace and new understanding.

I want to walk with the Lord the best way I can, and at times, I need help to do that. A good partner can guide, reassure and help me discern God’s call.

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Linking today with: Wednesday’s Prayer Girls

: Coffee For Your Heart

: Thought Provoking Thursday