Horse Manure or Miracle Grow

By Donna McCrary –

“Miracle grow that is a fabulous name for it… we just called it horse manure!”

Edna was one of my favorite patients, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. During our horticulture therapy session, we were diligently planting spring flowers in the open courtyard. I was reminiscing with Edna about her childhood growing up on a farm. We were chatting about chickens, planting corn, and growing green beans and squash. Edna was deep in conversation describing silly stories of her childhood days. Not all the stories made logical sense, because her concept of time was distorted by the disease. But on that day, time was of little concern to Edna. Excitement beamed from her face as she mindlessly fumbled with the soil in the oversized container. She “ooohed “ and “ahhhed” at each colorful flower as if experiencing it for the first time.

As our gardening session ended, I casually reminded my assistant to add the Miracle Grow fertilizer to each pot. Edna overheard this simple request and in an instant her face lit up with the most astonishing expression. She grabbed my arm and exclaimed in childlike amazement, “Miracle Grow! Ohh, Miracle Grow! That is the best name ever! We just called it horse manure when I was growing up!” Laughter exploded from our group as Edna proudly wheeled herself back inside, amazed at this newfound revelation. Miracle Grow or horse manure – it was the same to Edna!

Edna was a precious soul. She struggled daily to remember her name. She would often be found wandering the halls searching for her “home.” More than once, I was a long lost sister playing outside in the garden with her. But on this particular day, Edna, in her weakest mind, had a very wise and profound revelation. Sometimes what we see as stinky horse manure God uses to make miracles grow!

It is the stinky messes that refine us into the image of Christ. It is the stinky messes that God uses to fertilize our relationship with Him. It is the stinky messes that bring us to our knees in utter desperation. It is the stinky messes that cultivate in us a beautiful image of Christ! My challenge to you today is to chuckle like Edna at this new and most amazing name for all your stinky “horse manure” messes: Miracle Grow.

PRAYER: Father, today help me be thankful for all the “stinky messes” that are a part of my life.  God, please continue to refine me into the image of Your Son. Draw me closer through a deeper understanding of Your love, grace, and mercy in middle of my mess.

BIBLE VERSE: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV).

Ready, Aim, Shoot

By Aubrey Spencer –

Paper plates are no longer safe with me around. Targets shudder. Even bowling pins are a bit afraid.

It’s true. You see – I’ve recently been to the gun range. For one afternoon, I was the star actress in “Wild Wild West, Aubrey Get Your Gun.” It all happened when we were in Kansas visiting my parents. My dad offered to take my brother-in-law and me to the gun range for an afternoon of target practice. What an experience! A hands shaking, palms sweating, heart racing, experience. It was my first time at the gun range. Any gun range for that matter. In fact it was my first time holding a gun, shooting a gun, basically anything with a gun. Now that I think about it, my dad and brother-in-law were awfully brave! It was a lot of fun. Scary. But, fun. I was a pretty decent shot for a first-timer. I came home that afternoon and told my husband and my mom that I felt like Angelina Jolie in an action flick. (So my imagination is grand – let a girl dream, will you?!) Who knew that “gun slinging” would end up being one of my favorite things I got to do on our vacation? It might have been scary, but I learned something new and had a great time doing it.

Of course, my ‘wild west experience’ got me thinking. Sometimes, we need to try new and scary things for God. The kind of things that make our world’s race and our comfort zones shake. We have to fill ourselves with bullets of bravery, imagination, passion, and willingness and take aim at the opportunities before us. Otherwise, we may never hit the target of what we’re meant to do, or be, for God. So, what do you think? Ready. . . aim. . . . . . . . .

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be brave for You. Allow me opportunities to be bold for You and to try new things for You. But then grant me the courage to take hold of those opportunities. Help me to not give way to fear, but to be strong and courageous.

BIBLE VERSE: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

The Day the Big Guy Came Down

By Hally Franz –

In recent months, the Midwest has been pummeled by strong storms, heavy rains, hail and high winds. Obviously, Joplin, Missouri has experienced the worst of these, but many neighborhoods have gotten a taste of what they endured earlier in the summer.

I’ve referenced a large oak tree in my front yard in at least two prior articles. The context may have been related to its victimization by cicadas or the fact that it provided a wonderful resting spot for an old wagon wheel. Perhaps I mentioned the oak lived nearly 100 years, and it was a key determinant in placing the house when built 30 years ago. It was a dandy!

After one recent day of storms, we lost the big guy. That’s right. The tree split into two trunks years ago, and both stood full and lush with changing leaves for the better part of three seasons, a beautiful baron image of winter for the remainder of the year.

Winds nearing 100 miles per hour tore through the middle of one trunk, sending a quarter of the giant tree and many large limbs thundering to the ground. The cable that once securely braced the twin trunks now snapped, the entire tree had to be removed for the safety of our home. Our natural shade, and the key landmark for driving directions given visitors, now presented a risk and could stand no longer.

My husband mourned for several days, placing a large wooden cross at the open, sunny spot it left behind. A bit dramatic, I think, but for him genuine sadness mixed with male, cul-de-sac humor. Male neighbors commiserated with him after the loss. Personally, I found the $2,000 expense of removing the oak even more distressing.

Aside from the fact that burials are expensive, what lessons can be gleaned from that fateful day?

Saplings and old oak trees are lost. Young and old, weak and strong all will perish one day. Will your legacy be one of stories told and kind words written about you? Will folks speak of you with bitter-sweet smiles? Will our absences be noticed and mourned?

As Christians , we will one day unite in our eternal home above. Until then, it is important to live with compassion and humor, contributing to our earthly homes and the kingdom of heaven daily.

PRAYER: Mighty and merciful Father, heal and encourage ourJoplinbrothers and sisters, as well as others impacted by storms and fires this year. Bless them with assurances of a heavenly home when earthy trials are complete. Until then, guide us as we seek to serve and live for You.

BIBLE VERSE: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Good Mood Food

By Elaine James –

“You’re right.” This was my daughter’s quick response when I asked, “I guess you don’t want to be in a good mood, then?”

My 17-year-old daughter had just gotten home from school when this conversation took place.  Prior to her coming home, I happened to drive by an Arby’s and its sign out front said “Try our new cinnamon bites, The Good Mood Food.” I found out that in February, Arby’s launched a Good Mood Food advertisement. The new Outside-in Cinnamon Bites; try them for $1.00. My mind created its own sing-a-long jingle to help decide if I should indeed “try them.”

It is three o’clock
I can’t block
the monster in my brain
I feel insane
cause my tummy
is a bit rumbly
I am falling
For this calling
I have to have a bite
of that sugary delight.
It was a sign
I will be fine
I won’t whine
Isn’t this worth the fight
For the Good Food Mood, right?
THE END

Then, I attempted to bring my daughter down with me by asking the question, “Don’t you want to try some Good Mood Food?”

“It looks like a Totino Pizza Roll,” she said.

The ad says “Light and flaky bite size pastry with warm cinnamon cream cheese filling all on the inside,” I replied.

All she could say was, “Gross!”

After laughing together, I tasted it and decided that I did not like the cinnamon bite.

I heard a whisper inside me saying, “God is the true good mood food.”

Americans can get caught up thinking about food too much. Marketing campaigns like this one know this all to well. They market the food at a great price, with the most desirable ingredients, using fancy playful words all with the intent of making money, not really concerned about you and your health.

Little did Arby’s know that the Good Mood Food marketing ploy would prompt me to write a jingle at the 3 o’clock hunger hour and then be reminded of what truly satisfies me—God.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, so many choices today; help me to put You first. You alone can give me a good mood. Thank you, Father, for providing and help with daily needs.

“I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you” (Psalm 63:5 NIV).

God’s Batteries

By Jarrod Spencer –

Each parent knows that many of children’s toys need batteries. They are required so the toy can operate, which translates into loud noises, lighting up, or constant movement. A friend of ours gave my son a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ toy that only used one battery to run. That battery  lasted well over a year. To be honest, my wife and I were very thankful the day that battery was finally used up.

If you’re like me, it can be annoying to hear those toys keep going and going. You look forward to the day that the batteries are drained of their power.

But what happens when God’s batteries run out?

Last month, my family was coming home from attending my niece’s dance recital. It was dark, and there was a storm off in the distance on the right side of the road.

My three-year old son was intrigued by all the lightning that flashed in the dark sky. As his head turned toward the lightning, to our right, he noticed something peculiar off to the left – no lightning.

He watched the left for a few moments with this new found knowledge of no lightning and then said, “There isn’t any lightning on this side. I think the lightning ran out of batteries.”

His mother and I laughed for a while over his simple observance and interpretation.

I love to hear his innocence in these kinds of statements and trust that God must get a great deal of enjoyment out of them also. As adults, but still children of God, I wonder how often we make Him laugh over what we say at various times.

PRAYER: Father, I love being a father and I thank You for the opportunity to have these kinds of moments in my children’s lives. Thank You for my family. Thank You for creating this memory for our family.

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 4 NIV).

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