September 29th, 2026

Dear Friends,

Can you find the connection between some sea shells, a TicTac box full of jelly beans, delicious baked goods two broken limbs and loving God?

The literalists among you might have guessed that they all relate to my life in some way. You’d be mostly right but that’s not where I’m going today.

Joel and Rachel took their kids and camped their way to the west coast of Vancouver Island this summer, eventually spending a few days on the beach at Tofino. After they returned home, Nora brought me a beautiful white shell. Not to be outdone, both Reuben and Bennett presented me with other beautifully shaped shells. All three of them know that I love nature and its designs and patterns.

Elly showed up at our place one day and told her grandma that she had put some of the jelly beans I love into a TicTac box and that she should buy them for $1.00 (Elly always has an angle!!) to give them to me because “Grandpa will love this gift!” Emily will make mouthwatering macrons and deliver a sample to us, waiting to see how we like them. Last Saturday, Abby showed up with a plate of “snickerdoodle muffins” and watched my face as I took my first bite. As I closed my eyes in rapture, her face lit up with a smile.

Children naturally show their love to their parents (or grandparents) by giving them something or doing something for them that they know will delight them. Then they find delight in the delight that they witness. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Now for the broken limbs. Last Thursday, Sharon went for an afternoon walk that included a foray into a local off leash area. As she entered, two huge dogs ran toward her and one crashed into her right leg, throwing her off balance and onto her left side on the ground. The result: a broken right fibula and a broken left wrist and six weeks of immobility. 

When I heard what happened, I was more than a little angry at a dog owner who didn’t control his pets. Then I remembered my grandkids and I asked myself what would delight my Father in this situation. “He who has been forgiven much loves much.” It pleases my Father to know that I’m willing to forgive. It also pleases him that a very nice lady helped Sharon to her car and brought her back home so that I could take her to the ER. It also pleases the Father that so many people have already stepped up to encourage us and to bless us with meals.

This is what children do. They seek to please their parents. It is what children of God do also. So, what is going on in your life this week? What can you do or say that would please God? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Blessings!

Doug