Warm thoughts on a cold day

It is the first really cold day in Louisiana this season.  The temperature isn't that low, but the wind is blowing and it feels like winter.

We knew this cold weather was coming, so I had planned all along to make soup today, my dad's minestrone soup to be exact.  I went to the grocery store yesterday, but they didn't have the brand of Italian sausage that the recipe calls for, so I went to Dorignac's which always has the sausage I need.

My readers know that my modern day books are set in a fictional town of Bayou Beni, Louisiana.  It is fictional, but the warmth and genuine caring depicted in my books are real right here in Metairie.

As the cashier was ringing up my order, I was lucky enough to observe a really sweet scene.  A young woman was coming into work to start her shift.  The woman bagging at the register I was checking out at is one of the oldest employees at the store.  I would guess she is in her seventies.

The young woman walked up to the older woman and hugged her.  She said,"I missed you so much!  I had four days off so I haven't seen you since you left for vacation.  Did you have a good time?"

The older woman replied, "Yes, I did, Baby.  I had a wonderful time.  I almost hated to come back to work, but I missed you and all my babies while I was gone."

I have seen this woman greet and be greeted by many employees, always with affection and respect.  She is indeed a "work mama" to many of the employees at the store.

It warmed my heart, and once again made me glad I live in Louisiana.  Everyone can be family here.

And then I came home, and using the recipe in my mom's handwriting, made a pot of my dad's minestrone soup.

The soup will warm my insides, and the memories of mom and dad will warm my heart tonight at supper.

Wishing all who read this three things; warm food on a cold day, warm memories when you need them, and the ability to see pure love exchanged in everyday places.

Blessings

I was recently with my extended family for my godson's wedding.  In the course of conversation, I remarked on how lucky I've been in my life.  My sister replied, "Not lucky, blessed."

Yes, I have been blessed, but for some reason, that comment stuck with me, and has caused me to think a lot about blessings and being blessed.

For my readers, you know that the fictional town I've created in Louisiana as the setting for my books is Bayou Beni, or Blessed Bayou.

The books titles all contain the word "Blessings".  Currently available are "Count Your Blessings, and "Unexpected Blessings"; and I am working on "Blessings from the Past".  So being blessed and blessings are big, real concepts to me.

As I thought more and more about it, I realized what was bothering me.   I don't think God blesses one person more than another. 

I think we all have different blessings.  I think God's blessings are there for all of us, but I think that not everyone is open to and willing to accept all of God's blessings.

I think sometimes God blesses us with hardship.  And with pain.  And with grief.  I think that loving and trusting God is what allows us to prosper from His Blessings.

All the good things in my life are not because God loves me more than someone else.  They are not because I did something to deserve all the riches in my life.

God's Blessings are there for all of us.  It is up to us to pray, to listen, and to trust God so that His Blessings result in an abundant spiritual life for us.  And that is the other big piece.

Whatever material success or possessions we may have or not have, I believe it is our spiritual life that is important.

And believing that may be the greatest blessing of all.