Books that Bind & Words that Heal

For the last five weeks, I’ve been working diligently nearly every day on a deep edit of Variegated Views: Seasonal Movements of Joy and Sparkle, scheduled for release in June. Ironically, this season of revisions is spreading unexpected anxiety and disruptive sparks in my lifestyle.

Yesterday, I took a well-deserved break. As a distraction, and for needed encouragement, I purposely thought of things I enjoy, especially if they lead to godlike thoughts. It didn’t take me long because there are many things that bring me pleasure. During this hiatus, I turned creative and became invigorated, reminding me of why I enjoy writing in the first place.

Here are my discoveries:

God is like a baby. He speaks to us, but it sounds like babble. He pulls your hair and plays with your face because He can’t get enough of you. He watches everything you do and doesn’t like it when you don’t pay attention to Him.

God is like a ladybug. You can “spot” Him anywhere, but you have to pay attention. He’s happy in many different habitats, including cities, suburbs, grasslands, and forests because He has no negative preconceived judgment of our worth. Ladybugs are nature’s tiny guardians, silently working to protect plants from harmful pests, and God does the same for us.

God is like a baseball cap. He’s a timeless staple because His love is everlasting. Instead of a logo, however, He’s adorned with a crown. And unlike most hats, He’ll stay on securely.

God is like a pineapple. His core is tough, so He won’t give up on you, but his flesh is sweet. Like the top of the fruit, the crown Jesus wore was thorny-sharp; its leaves akin to those of palms. Best of all, God is full of Vitamin C: Compassion.

God is like a guitar. He resonates well—in a personal, emotional way. When we fret, He holds us firmly to create reassuring core emotions. Jesus the Luthier gathered twelve men and formed a string band that eventually spread the gospel worldwide.

And here’s the reasons they make me smile:

Babies. Self-explanatory. Who doesn’t like babies? I’ve raised six of them and currently have two gorgeous grandgirls under a year old and a grandboy due in a couple of months. O, joy!

Ladybugs. My favorite tiny creatures. Simply said, they fascinate me. Brown anole lizards are cute and entertaining, but they’re skittish and would never land on you to play. Plus, most ladybugs wear adorable spots and tickle bare skin.

Baseball caps. The Phillies! I’m a “Phanatic.” My dad was and it rubbed off on me. My sons will default to the Phillies if their local teams lose, but they’ve gone rogue since scattering the country. Also, my son-in-law and his boys wear them on the field.

Pineapple. My favorite fruit. Fresh, frozen, even canned, but especially as an Outshine bar (only 35 calories per on-a-stick treat!). Pineapple also tastes delicious on pizza or baked ham. Or preserved on toast. Or in a dump or an upside-down cake. Or … you name it!

Guitar. Silent Night, my favorite carol, was first performed on guitar in Austria during a Christmas Eve Mass in 1818. I have fond memories of my mom playing her folk guitar and singing harmony during the nativity season. Today, my partner in all things soulful entertains me with his rhythmic skills on his electric six-string. His blues bring no blues.

Well, now that I’ve rebooted and I’m no longer feeling blue, it’s back to the task at hand. Time to get my (pineapple) juices flowing. I’ll put on my thinking baseball cap, hope a good luck ladybug lands on me, and tonight, I’ll sleep like a baby.

“I think people should maybe just go out into the garden and watch a ladybug crawl across a flower and relax their mind. That’s about all you need to know about life, I think.” — Harland Williams