If I Knew Then ...

We talk about 20/20 hindsight and things we would change if we only had it. We think about things that would be different and lament, "If I knew then what I know now."

But on this day, I say, "I would do it all over again."

Randy and I celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary today. On March 28, 1981, a couple of farm kids from Kansas walked down the aisle of the Pratt United Methodist Church and began a new journey.

I think about what I wouldn't have if I hadn't said, "I do." I wouldn't have Randy. We wouldn't have had Jill or Brent to take us on this journey we call parenthood.

We wouldn't have a beautiful new granddaughter named Kinley who continues a legacy of love, laughter, hope and dreams.

I am immeasurably blessed. So on this special day, here's a song. All the lyrics aren't perfect for this Kansas couple, since we haven't spent much time riding buses in Chicago.

But isn't that a metaphor, too? Love isn't perfect either. But I wouldn't trade it, "If I knew then, what I know now ..."

Love only comes once in awhile
Knocks on your door and throws you a smile
And takes every breath
And leaves every scar
Speaks to your soul
And sings to your heart

If I knew then what I knew now
I'd fall in love

Hymn of Promise

I went to the community Maundy Thursday service last night. As the vestments were stripped from the altar and the dark candlesticks were carried from the sanctuary, it seemed that HOPE went with them.

This evening's Good Friday service will be another somber reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made on my behalf.

But we know the rest of the story. We know the promise of Easter morning. This month's theme at Lovely Branches Ministries is HOPE. On this Good Friday, I encourage you to head on over to Lovely Branches Ministries to read my April post and those from the other bloggers.

Even though HOPE seems distant today as we read the Biblical account of Jesus' betrayal, suffering and death on a cross, we have the promise of new life.

Hymn of Promise isn't a traditional Easter hymn, but, for me, it perfectly illustrates the hope that we can find if we place our faith in Jesus Christ and his promises.

Hymn of Promise

In the bulb, there is a flower In the seed, an apple tree. In cocoons a hidden promise Butterflies will soon be free. In the cold and snow of winter There's a spring that waits to be Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

**
There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody. There's a dawn in every darkness, bringing HOPE to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
**
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt, there is believing;
in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Happy Easter to you and yours!

Ordinary Miracle

It's just an ordinary miracle: How's that for an oxymoron?

Here on the County Line, we are surrounded by ordinary miracles. But if you just take time to look, the things you walk past or drive past every day become extraordinary.

The tree which had stripped down for the winter is now wearing its new springtime garb.

Six weeks ago, the wheat was buried under a blanket of snow.

February 9, 2011

Then, just three weeks ago, the wheat was starting to green and wake from its winter sleep.

March 1, 2011

But here's how the wheat looked yesterday morning. It was like God's green paint can tipped over and spilled in our wheat fields, dousing them with the very color of springtime and new life.

March 22, 2011

It's pretty amazing what some moisture and warmer temperatures can do.

Ordinary miracles? I think not.

Here's Sarah McLachlan singing the song "Ordinary Miracle" from "Charlotte's Web." Enjoy!

Ordinary Miracle
It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow
Don't need to teach a seed to grow
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?
Like everytime a raindrop falls
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today
(Click here for all the lyrics)

What A Wonderful World!

I don't have to travel far beyond my front door to realize I live in a wonderful world.

It doesn't cost a thing to get outside and watch a new day dawning.

But, as the commercial would say, the moment is priceless.


If the weatherman has his story straight, it sounds like we may be able to get out and enjoy some warmer temperatures this afternoon. I'm ready to get off my treadmill and take a walk outside.

Here's hoping for a beautiful day for you, too! Enjoy the smooth sounds of Louis Armstrong, as he reminds us, "What A Wonderful World!"

Walkin' On Sunshine

I was Walkin' On Sunshine to be able to walk with my girl over the weekend. The scenery was a little different than I'm used to. We walked around their suburban neighborhood, where the "growing" that's going on is more about house construction than crop production and dirt roads.

I was happy to have a walking companion. Usually, my walks in my own "neighborhood" are solitary. And I enjoy that, too, as a time to think and pray.

But it was great to have a walking and talking companion. For a woman of a certain age, I can hold my own. But she pushed me pretty hard. I'm not sure I could always pass the "talk" test the fitness experts advocate. In my defense, I'm used to the flatlands of Central Kansas. Those hills in the suburbs of Omaha had me huffin' and puffin' a bit.

Of course, I slowed her down. If I hadn't been there, she would have been running, since she and Eric are training for a half marathon next spring with their church. No half marathons for me, thank you!

After we did our walking for exercise, we also did a little retail therapy walking. Jill got a lot of her Christmas list crossed off. I gave her moral support and carried hangers to the dressing room, just like old times.

What a fun weekend! I truly was "Walkin' On Sunshine" to be with my girl ... even in a brisk, north wind in Nebraska!

Autumn Leaves

As the leaves' color turns from green to shades of yellow, red and brown, the classic song, "Autumn Leaves," drifts through my mind. Actually, it's getting rather annoying ... the song, not the leaves.

My daily walks are punctuated with the colors of fall and the aroma of leaves as they make this transition from summer green vibrancy to autumn hues.

I found some new glimpses of fall when I went to the dentist. Yes, it seems an unlikely place for an autumn reverie. However, I wish I could have taken a photo of a squirrel that was just outside the window: I was otherwise occupied with my mouth pried open at the time.

The dental trip involved a new crown and a hefty bill. But, I decided I'd cheer myself up with a visit to the Dillon Nature Center in Hutchinson.

And, as the credit card commercial goes, that part of the trip was priceless.

The trees were just beginning to turn, so I'd love to return in a couple of weeks.

But it was a beautiful day, just enough nip in the air for a sweater as I wandered the grounds at the nature center.

This quote from Eric Sloane was perfectly illustrated:

A few days ago, I walked along the edge of the lake
and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves
with each step I made.
The acoustics of this season are different,
and all sounds, no matter how hushed,
are as crisp as autumn air.

And, just so I'm not alone with the acoustics of a song that won't leave my head, here's Nat King Cole's version of the classic "Autumn Leaves." Enjoy!

Daybreak

(9-21-10)

Is it bad if you know most Barry Manilow songs by heart?

OK. Don't answer that.

I am not ashamed to admit that I had pretty much every Barry Manilow album produced back in the 1970s. Yes, I said albums. This was before CDs and iPods and digital downloads.

If that's dating me, so be it.

Barry joined Richard and Karen in getting me through my share of teenage angst back in the day. (You know, Richard and Karen Carpenter. I aspired to be Karen Carpenter. Alas, it didn't quite work out that way.)

When I saw the gorgeous sunrise a few days ago, it was Barry's song, "Daybreak," that popped into my head. I have my circa 1976 "This One's for You" album on a shelf in the office, which includes "Daybreak."

But I have no record player to play the album, so I went to youtube to listen to it instead.

Barry didn't disappoint.

Neither did the gorgeous sunrise. Yes, Barry, I DO wanna believe in Daybreak. And with beauty like that, it can't help but make me "shine, shine, shine" - maybe not all around the world, but surely on the County Line and my little part of the world.

I think it's the perfect message for a Monday. Enjoy!

Daybreak

Singin' to the world
It's time we let the spirit come in.
Let it come on in!
I'm singin' to the world
Everybody's caught in a spin
Look at where we've been
We've been runnin' around
Year after year
Blinded with pride, blinded with fear.

(3-6-10)

But it's daybreak
If you wanna believe
It can be daybreak
Ain't no time to grieve
Said it's daybreak
If you'll only believe
And let it shine, shine, shine!
All around the world.
(Singin' to the world, singin', singin')

(9-21-10)

Singin' to the world
What's the point in putting it down
There's so much love to share
I'm singin' to the world.
Don't you see it all come around
The feeling's everywhere
We're been closing our eyes
Day after day
Covered in clouds, losing our way.

(4-14-10)

But it's daybreak
If you wanna believe
It can be daybreak
Ain't no time to grieve
Said it's daybreak
If you'll only believe
And let it shine, shine, shine!
All around the world.
(Singin' to the world, singin', singin')