Inspiration running wild...

I'm not one for inspirational quotes.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them.  I read a ton that I think are great. But, that's the problem.  I read them, I think they sound very inspirational, and then I move on.  I need more than a few lines of words with a pretty background to get me going!

That being said, today I found myself inspired and motivated and in three very different instances.  And I came loaded with pictures to share my story today.

On my way home from Zumba class this morning, I was day dreaming about what I was going to have for lunch.  That's a regular occurrence for me.  I like to eat, all. the. time.  Ironically, as I was driving on the tree-lined back road leading up to our house,  I noticed this:

An Arby's bag just barely hanging from a tree in the ditch.  It reminded me of a couple weeks ago.  I had taken Herky for a long walk.  He came across a Culver's bag.  So I thought.  It was a Culver's bag FULL of food.  Sandwich, fries, cheese curds, the whole deal.  (By the way, it should be a federal offense to throw away perfectly good Culver's food.  Just sayin.)  Silly, yes.  But, made me think.  Who does that?  Why is it necessary to toss garbage out of your window?  I guess I just don't get it.

I purposely drive a different way to work every day just to admire the beauty of what God has built for us.  Trees, grass (well in the summer anyways), fields, cows, barns and the list could go on and on.  Why cover that up with brown paper bags?  It just seems like common sense to me to save your garbage for the trash can.  The inspiration I find in all this:    treat what we have been given, with respect.  I could stand to be better at this myself.  And it seems very simple.


I thought I was already done for the day at this point.  Oh no, I was just getting started.  I excitedly opened a piece of mail from a friend when I got home.  I must back up and tell you a little about this friend.  Her name is Shazette.  I met her about 4-5 years ago at my job in Chicago.  I loved her immediately.  She is hilarious.  She is kind.  She tells it like it is.  And, she is now one of the most amazing and strongest mothers I have ever known.  In July 2011, after an already rough road, she was blessed with two beautiful babies.  Jackson and Paige.  Her sweet baby boy Jackson was born with a heart problem.  He faced several surgeries and was in the hospital for months before ever coming home to join his twin sister.  The entire time, I could not imagine the pain that Jackson, and his mommy and daddy, were dealing with.  All I could do was pray.  Pray that Jackson's heart could be repaired and that he would grow up to be a strong healthy boy.  Well, this is what I received today:

Is that inspiring or what?  That little guy has been through more in six months than I have been through in my entire life.  I think I am doing alright!  And Shazette, I am one lucky gal to call you and Greg my friends.




And the day just continued.  I decided to take this guy:

 on a date to Pet Smart.  Its kinda our favorite thing to do.  Well, Herky made a friend in the toy isle.  She was pulling toys out and letting him sniff them, rubbing his belly, telling him how handsome he was.  Herky lives for attention so he was in heaven.  As we checked out, the checkout gal asked if he could have a treat.  Dumb question.  Of course he can.  Before she could even get the treat out I hear, "oh wait  let me get him the good stuff."  Herky's friend was in line behind us and was going to open a bag of the extra yummy treats she was buying and give him one.  So, Herky sat like a good boy and swallowed it whole.  We go to leave and she says, "here ring this up quick I am sending this home with his mommy."  She paid for the bag of treats and sent it home with Herky.  That just doesn't happen every day.  Most of the time, we are in such a hurry to get in and out, take care of OUR needs and move along with our day.  I wanted to hug her.  She reminded me that I need to be more kind.  To be more patient, and give more to others.   She is a special lady and I don't even know her name.

I will go to bed tonight with a very strong sense of inspiration.  I will treat God's blessings as just that, blessings.  I will be strong, as I have faced no where near the troubles as others have.  And, I will be a more giving and kind person.