As the sun rolls down the horizon into the arms of Father Sky, the sky is an overcast of cigar smoke grays and pale purples. The yard is full of birds enjoying the cooler evening. The wind has been blowing with March breath all day, banging the wind chimes with raucous melodies, playing tag with the brown magnolia leaves. The blessing of a soaking rain and a morning of hot sunshine have awakened the zinnias and the cantaloupes, pushing their green heads through the flower garden’s pine straw. I saw a large ground hog on my driveway this afternoon. He better not dig around in my flower bed!

Today’s quote in my daily quote book is from Victor Hugo. Hugo said, “There are many great deeds done in the small struggles of life.” These “great deeds,” our small acts of courage, our perseverance in our every day lives help us overcome our fears and build our self esteem. As a widow, I’ve learned to step out of my comfort zone, finding the courage to ask for help when I need it. I’ve also learned how to say, “No.” Peter Marshall writes, “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” Our every day acts of kindness and compassion are often seen by no one but are so meaningful. Those who battle with illness, and poverty, and loneliness are heroes in their own right through their daily struggles.

God has given us so many blessings. We need to be thankful and appreciate them. The Bible says in Micah there are three things God wants to see in us: justice, kindness, and humility. He wants us to be kind and compassionate, treat people fairly and respectfully. Sometimes I think the world has forgotten how to be compassionate and respectful. We need to teach our children to treat everyone kindly and to respect our differences. Maybe the world can learn to agree to disagree without violence. Let’s pray for the world and all its children.

Read another quote today that inspires me. “When you’re hanging by a thread, make sure it’s the hem of His garment,” Tony McKeehan. A hem is a piece of cloth folded over and sewn to prevent the fabric from unraveling. When we seek God we have to have our faith firmly hemmed in our heart, believing in God’s ability to heal us. If we haven’t sewn God firmly to our lives, the hem is strained and our threads will unravel. We can embrace our struggles and ask God to draw us closer, to bind us to his hem. God will never let that thread unravel and break. We can visualize our faith as holding the hem of God. God’s hem connects us to his strength, helping us access his power and grace. Even when we’re facing trials and tribulations we can use our faith as a hem of Jesus’ garment.

In the scriptures we read of a woman facing health difficulties, her faith so strong just her brief touch on the hem of Jesus’ cloak was a bridge to her healing. She didn’t ask Jesus for healing, she had faith in his power. She believed, reached out to touch the hem of his cloak, and was healed. Her strong faith connected her to God and his healing power. Matthew 9:12 reads, “For she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.’” We all have access to God’s power and his blessings when we trust in his goodness and grace. We have to reach out for God’s hem through our prayers and thanksgiving.

We can trust in God’s grace and his promises. God will always provide for our needs and will reach out to help us in times of trouble. God promises us a life of joy and love. “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever,” Psalm 136:26. God’s love is eternal. He will never let us down. God promises forgiveness of our sins and promises eternal life in his heavenly kingdom. Hebrews 10:23 states, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promises.”

“One touch from God is all it takes to turn any situation around.” — Unknown