Anticipation . . .

Runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing is not the way I wanted to start this week . . .

Oh well, spring time weather in Texas. If not thunderstorms and hail one day, it is super high levels of mold spores and pollen in the air.

Oh, my nose . . . .

It has, however, been one of the prettiest springs in Texas in many, many years. I find that most every day as I leave my house for work or play, I am anticipating what I might actually get to see and experience.

Granted, I live just a couple miles west of DFW International Airport (actually not as noisy as one might think), and one mile from a major State Hwy that runs north/south on the west side of the airport. One could take it for granted that there would not be that much "nature" in such a location.

Yet, the trees turning green, the wildflowers that are still blooming . . . plus the last day or so, it has actually been sunny . . . I am noticing more birds than I have in our area in some time. My front and back yards have never been as green.

Simply awesome.

Maybe that is why I haven't enjoyed day-hiking as much these past couple of years, because the scenery around here was "yuckier" than normal.

Not this year. Time to go for a walk . . . after I double-dose some antihistamine.

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

Being a "server" on one's birthday, instead of being a receiver . . .

NOTE: I am just speaking for myself, of my own recent decision about what I do on my birthday.  What you do on your own birthday is really none of my business.

Today is my birthday.  I am 53 years old.

A couple of  years ago, I made the decision that my birthday should not be so much about celebrating and receiving gifts and presents . . . but rather be a special day of personal service, over and above what I do in ministry and as a volunteer.  However, I had not acted on that decision.

Last week, I decided that for my birthday today, I would intentionally find a way to "serve" outside my comfort zone, as well as outside my current circle of influence. 

So, I went with my friends, Jim Newton and Paul G. Hill (the Hugworks.org guys) to shadow, help and sing with them at Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.   Yesterday, I had gone to observe Jim and Paul as they sang at Our Children's House at Baylor-Dallas, as part of my theraputic music performance apprenticeship.  Today, I went to help in what ever way I could, just wanting to touch the lives of children who are battling illnesses that no child should have to experience.  

The time we spent today at Cook's Children . . . may have changed me forever.

To make my birthday about serving, instead of receiving.  I think this will become something I do every year from now on.  

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>