RICH STRIKE Won Kentucky Derby

Against all predictions this unknown horse, RICH STRIKE, won the Kentucky Derby recently. I just saw a replay and can say that that horse just went for the gold!

Rich Strike got to run at the last minute because another horse was scratched. The owner, discouraged from the loss by fire of horses in his stable almost gave up the racing business, but he didn't.. And he took a chance by buying this young horse and putting Rich Strike through training and minor races. And then the owner applied for the Kentucky Derby, and the rest is history.

My Dad always rooted for the out of favor long shots in the derby. I watched it with him for years, and he was always consistent in believing some day one of his long shots would win. He got excited over the horses at the end of the race and kept rooting for them.

Do you think that nothing can be done about big problems in America? How many of us would bet some of our time or resources on giving a child a chance?

We may have the deep satisfaction of seeing some winners who make a difference, not just in their lives, but heading to the finish line, having the speed and stamina to win some big races in America: like turning the odds upside down on kids dying from drug overdoses, like protecting innocent children shot to death in the crossfire from gangs in our streets, like being aware of teens under stress..maybe friends of our kids...who could take their own lives by suicide.

The race against all of these things needs to be something a huge number of us do. Thousands of us across America need to volunteer wherever we choose. Businesses need to speed up giving to unknown non-profits working for good for children and teens.

Like Rich Strike, we could all be surprised at how many good changes will come if we will just place our bets out there!

Children are like race horses - they need attention, opportunity, food and care. They need people to watch and cheer them on to their own finish lines.

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Finding Joy Again

We all need to look for things that perk us up. It has been a tough few years for most of us. Our inner resources may be a bit like dead batteries. So what we really need is joy charging in whatever form that might take for us.

I have rediscovered the pleasure of baking. It is fun. Right now I am enjoying a mini chocolate chip muffin part of a batch that I froze.

I uncovered some bulbs that were under dead winter debris this morning. They aren't in bloom as it is still winter into spring here. And yet, it gives me a charge of joy to know that all the deadness will be gone and spring green with cheerful colors will again appear.

The winter has been long and as was the year before that. We don't know if we are safe or will be stricken with illness and suffer or even die. But, like my courageous bulbs, we know as those who believe in the Jesus power to change our bodies to be like his we will experience life everlasting with no tears or sorrow and no death!

So, as I find things that give me joy I reflect that the wars and pain and loss here will all be kissed away by everlasting love and hope.

Seeing the ways as children

Children see things around them we adults have forgotten. They laugh at little things. A small bug on the sidewalk can cause them to stop, lay down, and watch it cross the sidewalk.

Children love the word "surprise". They have good expectations of what is coming. They believe impossible things. They live on the wings of hope. They know that more and better can come. They have that little grain of faith in something bigger and greater and more wonderful than they see. They sympathize over another's hurt knee. They really care when someone, anyone hurts. They feel deeply.

Children are humble and grateful. God, please grant us, the eyes of a child once again.

Exploring Creativity

One year at camp during crafts time, the helpers poured uncooked macaroni noodles onto the table in a large pile. "Make anything you want out of these", one said. Glue, glitter spray and paper were provided, It was strangely quiet as children helped themselves. The children created different items. Mainly small items.

One boy who had taken a good sized pile of macaroni was creating a model of a car. It was elaborate with all kinds of details. And the car was big. Time was up for crafts and the other children went onto games in the next room. The boy still worked and was left to work spraying the gold glitter at the end on his car. Creative efforts should be enjoyed especially in summertime. 

Let each child have free time to find out what creative talent God has placed inside. Seeds of creativity will grow with time and a bit of encouragement.

Blooming like the Flowers

The poet Keats said 

"a thing of beauty is a joy forever". 

When we see a rose bush in full bloom, there is a lightening of spirit, but that rose did not just bloom in a day. In fact, the rose here pictured is mine, and it was planted 4 years ago. 

Joyce's rose bush planted in her garden.

A big hole was dug and filled with compost and top soil and then the small rose plant was put in with a small part on the top. Frankly, it didn't look impressive, but I had picked a good location where it got lots of sunshine and water. Each year the rose has grown and this year it is a fully mature plant.

It is a joy. I am thinking that our spiritual lives are a bit like that. If we have good soil, if there is watering from the Word, and if there is love from others, we can grow up and bloom. Everyone can see what kind of plant we are and hopefully, we can look up to God who is the creator of all that is truly beautiful.

Unexpected Acts of Kindness

 We certainly know what kindness is when we receive it. Recently, a neighbor, shoveled our snow filled walk. This was done and then ice melt bought and put on the walkway.

I was not able to get out of driveway even to get mail so a neat path led down the driveway to the mailbox which is out on the street.

My door was not knocked on, but I caught a glimpse of the action of snow flying with the shovel and a figure at work.

The first ingredient of kindness is that it thinks of others. Kindness is not selfish. Kindness takes action. Kindness includes others. It may be to pick up groceries for someone while you are going. It might mean sending a card to someone who is sick.

There are countless ways of expressing our concern. The little gesture is as important as a larger one if your heart is in the doing of it. Kindness pours out energy, resources, and even surprises for others that are appropriate to the need.

Kindness is bountiful. It says "I know you didn't ask, but I wanted to do this for you." No words need to be said because the kindness is a message by itself.

Kindness is helpful. It sees a real need and goes into action to meet that need. Kindness sends a big message to the person or family no matter how small you think the kindness given. How much we need a big jolt of kindness all over America and beyond!

Kindness connects us to others. We cannot be kind without having an inner reward in our own character. "Love is kind." We can grow in kindness if we look out beyond our own small life and open our eyes to see the needs of others.

Gentleness Goes a Long Way

A number of years ago we took our family to a ranch in Montana. It was a camp for families but upscale as we had our own cabin and walked over to the main hall for meals.

A big feature of this Ranch was the horses and horse back riding. The horses ranged from very frisky down to the one called Snowy. This horse was white and had a wide back. The most interesting thing about this horse was the youngest child could safely ride on Snowy. He never bucked or startled. He was a large, beautiful horse in size but once on top, the rider could be a real cowpoke!

Gentleness is not something that we seem to value much. We might think of gentleness as weakness but that is not what it is. Gentleness comes out of the inner being and includes being mild mannered which means not over reacting to someone else's anger over issues but rather understanding them and saying things at the right time, right way, right tone, the right content or noting at all, but never to hurt.

Gentleness also includes being kind, tender hearted and thinking of the person in your path. That includes being outgoing as much as your nature allows but also not rushing on with your life because you are so entitled and important and the other person isn't.

Snowy never rushed. He plodded. Children could take the reins on top of this powerful, strong horse and he let them guide him. Snowy exhibited humility. He was majestic but he was willing to walk or jog slightly if appropriate but he waited for the small person on top to direct.

If we value something like gentleness, we will be more open to ask the Lord for the fruit of gentleness in our lives. When we aren't being gentle, we will have the error before us and we may hurt others. We can correct our attitude and learn to walk on in gentleness, blessing others with our calming air.