Sweetness

Pictured above is "Lobster Bee". This is a new insect Gardner and I discovered in my backyard. Notice the little guy next to the purple flower near the top of the photo. It's actually a Snowberry Clearwing Moth, but to Gardner and me it will always be Lobster Bee. Look for us on Discovery.

One of my favorite words in the English or any other language is "cartographer". I think I learned this word in about the third grade, and I've loved it ever since. It's a great sounding word, but it's also one of the coolest professions I can imagine. Map making must be so interesting. I was thinking about maps recently and where I'd make mine go if I was a figurative cartographer. I thought about times when I made mistakes. What would I tell myself if I made a map that could take me back to the moment just before I made some of my most colossal blunders? Or maybe I would go back to all the happy times. Would I go back to kindergarten the day we watched it snow outside Mrs. Myers' room? I mused and mused about the ideas of all the places I might go. And then, I got still.

Tonight I sat outside and soaked up as much of the cool July evening as I could. I watched the sun go down and the sky show my favorite dark blue, gold, and rich pink. The moon shone this bright, beautiful silver. The giant oak trees in my backyard and Mr. Nichols' yard showed their intricate shapes sharp against the blackening sky, and I heard the voice of the Lord. It's amazing how when we are still, it's impossible not to know He's God. I couldn't help but think of all the goodness in my life. My family, who are so dear to me, my wonderful friends, my job, my Campaigner girls, my home, and everything sweet and good in my life occupied my thoughts as the idea of cartography came back to my mind.

I think I'd make a map to this very moment if I could. See, at this moment, God loves me infinitely. I know this because of His word and His work in my life. My friend Lila and I had dinner at Big Ed's tonight, and it was delicious. We talked and talked, and I was encouraged to hear her talk about other friends in her life with the love and concern she has for everyone in her life. My friend Teagan is happy and in love with her husband, and I couldn't be happier for her. Amy, my faithful friend, spent the night driving around in her Jeep with her friend Jenny last night and loved every minute of it. My friend Joy exemplifies her name in every way. My sweet family and I just spent some really good time together, and I was struck by just how precious they are. My sister and her family are happy and good, and they are seeking the Lord at every turn. My mom loves me and cares for me so effectively and efficiently that I feel like I can take on the world. My brother took me to pick up my car at the shop today, and he made me laugh with his gentle silliness. Nikki, my youngest sister, and I got to go to Chicago together, and she was amazing. I just have so many blessings, I could never tell of them all. The hand of the Lord is evident in all these things. His goodness has caused my cup of joy to overflow.

My nephew, who happens to be the joy of my heart, was so stinkin' good on our trip to Myrtle Beach this week. He sang Toby Mac songs all week. I wanted to bottle that sound up and keep it. We swam, and swam, and swam. We were doing this trick in the pool where he would put his feet on my stomach and I'd hold his hands, allowing him to lie back in the water. I would turn around as fast as I could as I held him. The first few times, he would look back and make sure I wasn't going to bang his head into the wall. So, I put my hands on his face and said that he didn't have a thing to worry about when I was taking care of him in the pool. I said I wouldn't let him get hurt. I asked him if he knew why, and he said it was because I love him so much. I told him that was right and so he shouldn't worry. He laid back and he enjoyed the ride, trusting in my love for him.

I hope the Lord will continue teaching me to do that with Him. I think about the map He's made for my life, and I know that it's covered in sugary sweet fingerprints. It's He who has directed my life to such places of goodness that I can hardly take it all in. I would also venture to say that the places I had the toughest time with would have the sweetest fingerprints on them. I'm glad to know that He's the cartographer.