May 30, 2020

WANTING  SIGNS

“Okay”, said God, "here are a few….”

A really fast dog….

A kid gets a kite flying on a windy day ….

Leaves with resting rain water drops ….

The scent of raisin cinnamon toast ….

A magnolia tree in May ….

Three little girls playing jump rope ….

A kid moving from the high chair to the main table ….

Big sucker  chocolate chip cookies ….

Putting in the last piece of a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle ….

An old man with a cane getting to the top step ….

Bowling for the first time and getting a strike ….

Watching a camp fire with the family – 9 at night …. 

Riding in a red convertible – open top ….

Seeing the ocean for the first time ….

Taps at the grave – at a military funeral ….

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  30,  2020

Thought   for   Today

“Some  days you tame the tiger.  And   some  days  the tiger has  you for lunch.” 

Tug McGraw

May  29,   2020

STEP  BACK

Sometimes we forget 

that we can step back – 

especially when we 

are not that sure we 

really want to step up 

or speak out when asked. 

We don’t have to vote 

or make a comment –  

or give an answer.  We  

can step back and simply 

be silent - sitting all alone 

- on the three back steps 

in the back of the house -
and calmly figure things out.  

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  29,   2020

Thought   for  Today

“Be like the bird that, passing on her flight  on branches too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings,  knowing that she has wings.”

Victor Hugo

May   28,  2020

Thought   for   Today

THE LEGEND OF THE  DEAD  DOG 

There was a crowd of people around a dead dog in a village in Galilee.

One said,  “Look at his ragged ears; he was a fighter.”

Another said, “Look at the bit of rope around his neck, he was a runaway.”

Another said, “Look! How dirty he is!”

Then from the edge of the crowd there came a voice, “Pearls are not whiter than his teeth.”

The crowd turned round.  “This” others  said, “must be Jesus of Nazareth, for only he could find something good to say about a dead dog.”

William Barclay

In Marching On,

pages 219-220

Painting: Dead
Stray Dog, 
Museum Boijmans
Van Beunigen

May 28, 2020

MAKE-DO  WITH 

WHAT  YOU  GOT 

It’s not listed as a virtue,

but I list it as a great skill:

the ability to make do with

what you got in whatever

situation you find yourself in.

Wrenches have that little wheel.

Catsup is usually in the fridge.

Duct tape  is not that expensive.

Pause and catch your breath.

Everybody knows the Our Father.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  27,  2020

THE  OLD  “OFFER   IT  UP!”

Remember the old, “Offer it up!”

Today, this new day, with this new virus,

I offer up the dull drab of lock down

for the following folks who need help:

For the guy in prison who has been

falsely accused and is innocent.

For the nurse who had to jump in and

cover for another nurse who got sick.

For the widower who lost his wife and

the family and friends can’t have a funeral.

For the mother whose kids are not

talking to each other or to her as well.

For the researchers around the world

who are trying to come up with a vaccine.

For the couple who both lost their jobs and

have no clue on how to deal with what’s next.

For who else should we pray and offer it up?

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020