Some Nuggets from Today's Afternoon Drive...

Here are a couple of tidbits from today's show - enjoy! I'm hoping to have some neat pics and stories next week when we return from GMA Radio Week in Nashville. I think I'm most excited about Sunday night worship, led my Michael W. Smith. That man is annointed by God! Every time in my life that God was calling on me, Michael W's music was there. His music and his ministry have been such a HUGE part of my life, to be able to be led in worship by him in person is going to be extraordinary! *sigh* I know - I'm rambling. Here's today's nuggets:

“Blue Roses”

by Pastor Hal Steenson

It was time for me to do my 'Dollar Store' run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be about sixteen-years-old.

I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, 'Mommy, I'm over here.' It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, 'Hey Buddy, what's your name?'

'My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother,' he responded proudly.

'Wow,' I said, 'that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal. How old are you Denny?’

'How old am I now Mommy?' he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. 'You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by.'

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's garden, however, 'Blue Roses' are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a 'Blue Rose' and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, 'Who are you?'

Without thinking I said, 'Oh, I'm probably just a 'daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,' but I sure love living in God's garden.

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Today’s “Ashleigh” Story…

Yesterday, my wife was buckling the kids into the car after her MOPS meeting. Julie decided to play with our four-year-old daughter, Ashleigh – and she leaned down and gave Ash a quick smooch. Julie smiled and said, “I can steal a kiss from you!” And that just set Ashleigh OFF.

Ashleigh got upset, and said, “Mommy – you’re not supposed to steal, because God doesn’t WANT you to steal!”

Julie started to try to explain that she wasn’t REALLY stealing – Ashleigh just didn’t GIVE Mommy a kiss, so Mommy TOOK one.

Next thing you know, Ash is on the verge of tears, and she manages to choke out “Yeah, but that was Daddy’s kiss, and I was going to give it to him when we got home, but now I can’t because you TOOK it!”

Julie tried to explain that Ashleigh had PLENTY of kisses to give Daddy, but Ash was convinced that she was supposed to give me THAT kiss.

So Julie resolved the matter by convincing Ashleigh that she would give the kiss BACK, and then Ash would be able to give it to Daddy.