Starting to see the fruits of our labor! Love this time of year…. This nice haul of asparagus reminds me of walking home from our pond as a kid. I’d catch a mess of crappie and bass and stop off at the old fence line to pick fresh asparagus. Mom would make a meal to remember!

Thought I’d share some thoughts and an experience from this weekend. While perusing the treasures of a Des Moines antique mall, I happened across this little gem. Hidden behind an old milk can, resting against the toe of my shoe as I leaned in for a closer look at a Wagnerware cast iron skillet. I wondered, “What’s this and why is it on the floor?” and “What’s with the orange labeling?” My curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up and flipped it open to this…. “Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul May keep the path, but will not reach the goal; While he who walks in love may wander far, Yet God will bring him where the blessed are.” I had to spend the $3 and put it in my collection. Now, if anyone reading this is familiar with the book, you already know what a true treasure it is and what we can learn from its consumption. Took me all of 45 minutes I think. But what a great way to spend a Sunday evening while watching an amazing sunset. It’s about a fourth wise man who set out to find Jesus, just like the three wise men… but he kept getting delayed. Every time he tried to stay on track, someone needed help. A hurting stranger in need. A peacefully sleeping child in danger of certain death. A life in front of him that couldn’t wait. So he stopped. And helped. Again and again. By the end of his life, it looked like he had missed his chance… until he realized something: He hadn’t missed it at all. The truth is, you don’t have to find Christ in one grand act but rather along the way… people come first…kindness, acts of mercy, protecting the weak and needy are where we are most closest to Christ. Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” ‭