Standing Out

Yesterday all I wanted to do was to stay home and drown in the sorrow of missing Mom but Libby persuaded me that I needed to get out. It was a beautiful day with a bright blue sky and still some color in the trees. Most of the reds and orange colors are gone, leaving the rich browns and yellows of the later turning trees. I always enjoy this second stage every bit as much as the first and once I got out there, yesterday was no different. As I was looking at the sections of bright color here and there among a lot of already bare trees I was thinking about the fact that while there may not be a lot of trees with color left, those that are still here really stand out. And that got me to thinking, we all know people who really stand out from the crowd- Mom was one of those- always giving, always encouraging...she truly lived the instruction and encouragement given in Romans 12:6-8 "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."