Zoe

As I watch you run and play, I see what carefree looks like. I see how happiness can come from simple pleasures like the joy you find in rock collecting, the comfort you get in carrying around your favorite toy or the warmth of finding a patch of sun to nap in on a cold, February afternoon. In you I see how simple it is to find true joy in life when you show what it means to live, laugh and love.

Zoe is your name but love is the lesson you teach by example to all those around you. You live not wanting to miss a thing, going full throttle until sleep sneaks up on you. And you laugh-yes laugh! I am amazed that you can give such a peculiar, almost thoughtful look through those big, passionate brown eyes. After which, you throw your head back with a grin, take a running head start and tackle me a huge hug and a lot of love. How enlightened I feel when I allow myself to learn from your unpretentious, sincere and innocent nature.

Oh, how much richer our lives would be and how valued our loved ones would feel if we all followed your example of living life to its fullest and loving without hesitation. When we find such an impressive example of simplistically living with a pure heart, we are wise to follow it. Even wiser, to refuse to be hindered by the fact that this message of how to live a contented life is packaged in a four-legged, pug nosed bundle of fur!

Maybe you can’t actually speak but you communicate volumes. Oh, the volumes you could teach us humans! If I could actually have a conversation with you, I would tell you how thankful I am for the insight you have given me. Maybe I’m the one who doesn’t understand for somehow assuming that you don’t already know. Zoe-your name means life. You definitely inspire life and give honor to your name!



copyright Morning Glories 2009

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David Danced!

                   

During one of my nursing rounds, I went to check on one of my patients who had an IV antibiotic infusing. I realized the antibiotic was finished so I proceeded to disconnect the IV as I said, “Now you will be able to move around the room a little easier without having to drag around this IV pole.” A visitor that was present in the room at the time said with a laugh, “You can even get up and dance a jig!” to which he immediately responded, “Oh no, God would get me for that!”. As I listened I quickly debated over whether to respond to what I had heard or to just act as if I didn’t. It only took a few seconds before I came to a decision as I heard myself say, “Well, David danced!”. That comment provoked a look of wonder from the man. Then, to elaborate on my previous remark I said, ”You know, king David in the Bible”. The man abruptly turned to me with the strangest look of awe in his eyes and a slight grin on his face. He didn’t even speak for several seconds but just gazed at me as if pleasantly confused. I couldn’t help but giggle a bit as I looked at him and said, “Oh, you didn’t think I would know that, did you?”. To this remark, his grin progressed into a huge smile as a discussion of celebrating God’s grace developed among those of us in the room.

                             
As we talked, the demeanor of the man lightened and I began to think to myself that in this moment we were experiencing evidence of God’s word. The Word states that where two or three are present in his name, there he will be also (Matthew 18:20). He revealed his presence in that room that day by the glow of the faces and the lifting of mood all around. All this brought about merely by sharing God’s given knowledge of him to someone else.