The Umbrella Goes WHERE?

Some like umbrellas in their drinks. Others carry them around "just in case" it starts to rain. Then there are those who choose to listen to the sounds of the waves on the beach under the cover of a nice beach umbrella, saving their skin from UV damage. But here in Arbuckle Creek, I've discovered a new use for umbrellas. Just the other day I was driving down the road when I saw a man on his riding lawn mower with a HUGE patio umbrella attached, the kind you'd find attached to someone's picnic table. I can't remember if it had fringe or not, but it was that kind -- a "designer" umbrella attached to a lawn mower. Talk about ingenuity!!! Now, it wasn't raining. I'm sure the sole purpose of that umbrella was to shield its rider from the sun, but the absurdity of the moment struck my funny bone.

Today was a really busy day -- with old ladies upset by change, young people having a hard time believing in God when bad things have happened, and grief, lots of grief that just won't let go of people. It's all in a day's work, but at times the emotional immensity is a big burden to carry. And so I ask you, my friends, for some prayers for these people who mean the world to me . . . my congregation. I guess that's why I shared the umbrella story -- I needed to have a "light point" today.

And this is the news from Arbuckle Creek, where all the women drive golf carts, the men are blatant carnivores (EAT MORE BEEF!) and the kids watch for alligators in their backyards.