Success...

I recently went to a craft fair and sold Sunny books and plushies.  That evening, my husband asked me "how I did". I knew that he meant financially and was hesitant to give him hard numbers. Not because I didn't have any but because I knew that in his mind, the dollar amount would signify the level of success I had had. But I see things differently... 

I went to a craft fair a few years ago; I met someone who asked me if I would read at her elementary school for World Reading Day. I happily agreed and the next spring Sunny and I went and spent the whole day reading to hundreds of kids. I sold lots of (pre-ordered) books & plushies, and actually met the mayor of Fort Worth! It was a wonderful experience. There was a little girl there who was afraid of dogs, and after her interaction with Sunny, went home and told her mom all about it. Her mom wrote me an email and said she had cried tears of happiness and said that Sunny had changed her daughter's life.

I've come to believe that the people whom I meet and interact with at my booth are there by Divine appointment. You never know how a casual encounter talking about Sunny in the books is going to lead to another venture. One lady told me on Saturday that she's with a rescue group and she's going to find out if she can include the books and plushies in the Welcome basket that goes to new adopters!  What a blessing that would be!

I want to be able to see other things from that Kingdom perspective. Not hard numbers and dollar signs, but see everyday encounters as Divine appointments. I don't know if I'll ever make a lot of money from the books and plushie, but I know that the lives that have been touched far outweigh the monetary value.

Success comes in many forms. My sweet Sunny will continue to touch lives in the years ahead and especially with the third book that is forthcoming. I can't wait until I can share it with everyone and hear about how it's blessing children's lives. That to me... is success! 

Blessings to you on this day in His name!!!

Unopened gifts

 We have a granddaughter who will be a teenager next year. We've delighted in her from the day she was born and in her earlier years, she'd come out to our house and upon seeing me from the car, would bounce up and down in her seat and exclaimed "Nonnie! Nonnie! Nonnie!" 

It's been a long while since she's come out. Both with her school/activity schedules, we've seen her but not out here. I've invited her but she's declined my offer. I don't know if she knows that Sunny passed last February, or that we have had a new puppy since July. We know she'd love to meet him, but we're not going to cajole or coerce her do something she doesn't want to do.

It pricked my heart last time she said she was "too busy". The sentiment that went through my mind was "it's your loss." Not because we are that scintillating to spend time with 😉, but I knew I had things that I wanted to share with her that she wouldn't receive.

I thought of how many times the Lord has wanted me to "come over and spend time" with Him, or imagine that He had something new or wonderful to share with me or show me, but I was "too busy". 

He's not going to cajole or coerce me, either. He wants me to want to spend time with Him of my own choosing. It is absolutely "my loss" to neglect that precious communion. 

And yet He continues to "bid me come" and walk in the garden with Him. Oh, how He loves you and me.

Blessings to you in His Holy and precious Name!