Bloom with Jesus!

I have had great pleasure watching the deer in the wheat field surrounding our house this spring. They have walked close to the house numerous times. One night, they were standing on our sidewalk and set off our front door camera. A doe and fawn have appeared in our front yard numerous times. I find myself searching for them when I pass a window...especially in the morning and evening. This morning they were along the driveway and the fawn was running along the edge. Just like a child, he never ventured very far knowing his protection was his mother. Wheat harvest is upon us, so the fun of watching the deer will be coming to an end, as they will take cover elsewhere once the wheat is off. Part of me is sad to see them go, but reality is that life changes, and after all farming is our livelihood. I’m sure for the deer there will be a moment of panic when the big green Deere combine rolls into the field. The solace and comfort of their cover will quickly disappear forcing them to head fo...

May Showers Bring June Flowers? Isn't it supposed to be "April showers bring May flowers" not "May showers bring June flowers?" Once again, the rains have come to central Ohio in mid-May. It seems like our months are turned around this spring. May has been cooler and rainier than normal, with sunny days few and far between. It has become difficult for Ohio farmers to get their crops planted, our son included. We also feel blessed because we know farmers north of us who have not been able to plant any fields, and we have all of our corn in the ground. But as always, the farmers will forge ahead making the best decisions they can, with the weather God gives them. Our months may be turned around this year, but occasionally our lives feel like they have been turned upside down and inside out. This past week, I heard many stories of unexpected deaths on the news and in the community. They ranged from accidents to illnesses which progressed quickly. But death isn'...

We were having breakfast in a small diner this week when an older gentleman walked in, and his son said, “Have a seat here Dad.” I was intrigued by their relationship and found myself looking in their direction occasionally. They were far enough away that I couldn’t hear conversations, but close enough to see facial expressions. Trying not to act like a stalker gawking at them, I continued to glance their direction occasionally. It was obvious that the father was excited to have breakfast with his son. As the younger man talked, his father’s face lit up with excitement. He smiled from ear to ear as his son looked him in the eye and shared. At first I wondered, what makes his father so proud of him, but soon realized that his father was simply excited to spend time with his son. Maybe this was a weekly event in their lives, or maybe his son lived far away and was visiting. I will never know their situation, but it really doesn’t matter. They gave me an unforgettable picture of an amazin...

    Goodness is something so simple; always to live for others, never to seek one’s own advantage. ~Dag Hammarskjöld   I have always thought my neighbor is an amazing young Christian woman. I have heard bits and pieces of her story, from having a child out of wedlock, to a family of four with a happy ending, or should I say beginning, when her husband adopted her oldest child. The entire family is an example of goodness, but the story she shared of her wedding day, solidified how I feel about her even more. Hanging on our wall is a picture Jim gave me for Christmas. It says Jim & Mary and our wedding date. Behind those words are the lyrics to our song, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” (And yes, I cried when I opened it.) Our neighbor was here and asked about the picture. When I explained that it was our song, she shared about her own wedding. Leading up to their big day, she asked numerous family members and friends, “What is your special song?” She made them believe sh...

    Enjoy this guest blog post from Erin E. McEndree.  Even if you are not in the adoption arena, there is great wisdom in her words. I met Erin many years ago through a writer's group. Her calming spirit always makes one feel welcome and loved. Erin's book is available on my website as well at  https://maryrodman.com/updates . I will pass on the information to Erin and she will send you a signed copy. Hi! I am Erin. I like to say I was my mom and dad’s little girl before I was born. My birth mother got pregnant, and my birth father broke it off and did not take responsibility. My birth mother’s parents took her to a maternity home for three months until I was born. It was not her choice. She prayed for a Christian couple to raise me surrounded by the love of the Lord. She did not get to hold me or see me. The nurse told her I was a girl and that I had all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, which translated to, “You had a healthy baby.” Her dad came to pick her up, and I wa...

As 2026 quickly approaches, I contemplated a New Year’s resolution and then thought, “Why bother.” I have seldom made a resolution, let alone keep one. It isn’t that I don’t like change, which I openly admit that change is difficult for me, I just don’t see the need for a resolution that I won’t keep. Why should I put pressure upon myself to keep a resolution, which I may break by January 2 nd ? One year I tried the “One Word” concept. Where you pick a word which helps you focus on making a change. You post it around your house, office, car, etc., to remind you of the big change your “One Word” represents. By mid-February I probably couldn’t even tell you my “Word.” In 2026 the only “Word” that is important to me is Jesus, The Word, himself. If we focus more on our Savior, and less on our resolutions, the changes we desire will come automatically. Why? Because the closer we walk with Jesus, the more we become like Him, creating a light within us that begins to shine.   In the begin...