Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Great Viking win yesterday and our grandson, Lars stopped by during the game. This morning I am going to make stroganoff and go to my exercise class and do some baking this afternoon.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
l often says he has a Father in Heaven who loves him!  When we know that in our hearts that is the best news ever! Last night I had a dream and all I remember was a little toddler sitting on the floor with activity going on around her but looking sad. When asked what was wrong, she said, “I miss daddy!” She was lonesome for his touch. In our lives today, are we aware of our Father’s loving touch as He sends many signs that He is right with us. When that happens, I often find myself lifting my head towards heaven and smiling and saying thank you to Him.

I had such an encounter on Saturday, and it left me knowing He was present in my day. I arrived at Aldi’s a couple minutes early so visited with a man who was already waiting in line outside. When the store opened, I busily started piling fresh fruits and veggies in my cart, including a stock of organic celery. That’s when this man approached me and asked for help as his wife had sent him to get organic miniature cucumbers. I didn’t even know they sold them, but I knew where to help him look and there it was. In the meantime, I put more veggies in my cart, including celery, not realizing I already had some. I didn’t catch that until I was bagging my groceries and wondered if I should go back and return one of the stocks of celery, but I didn’t want to get in line again. When I got home, I thought of the 94-year-old widow down the hall who appreciates fresh produce but doesn’t want to buy a whole bag of one kind of fruit or veggie for just one person. So, I bagged a few different fruits and wondered about the celery… but I put that in anyway, as I sure didn’t need two of them. I hung the bag on her door and later in the evening received a phone call from her, thanking me profusely, especially for the celery. She said she loves celery but never buys it since she can’t use up a whole stock of celery. After I got off the phone, I smiled and knew it was the Lord’s doing. He cared enough for a widow’s pleasure to let her know that He sees her. And he let me know He can use even my mistakes when given to Him. 

This is such a small encounter, but the Lord lets us know He is present in our day. He is all the while aware of us, touching us, loving us. As it says in I John 3:1, “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s’ who we really are.” The Father loves to bless His children.

Challenge for today: Throughout your day, thank the Lord for the ways He shows His love to you.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy