What a beautiful day! Listen to those birds! And everything’s starting to bloom! I turn off the radio and open the windows. A waft of fragrance whips through the car and then, I notice the thick coat of yellow pollen on everything. ACHOO!

Too bad! That breeze was nice–reminded me of my younger days and dreams of owning a convertible.

Thinking ahead, I make a mental note to get home in time to rinse off my wife’s car and bring in the patio cushions before Wednesday night Bible study.

Returning to my earlier musings, I squint through watery eyes at the-ACHOO–gorgeous spring day. ACHOO!

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When birds and bees (and various and sundry other flying things) light on plants and drink the nectar, pollen sticks on their wings and feet. Flitting to the next plant to get another taste, they carry some of the pollen with them. Occasionally, plants pollinate themselves, but the prettiest and longest-lasting blooms are helped along by our flying friends as they make several stops at their favorite watering holes.

The little critters flit and hover, never realizing their role in producing a beautiful flower or a piece of fruit. They are totally self-motivated in their search for more of the juice! And in looking for the source of their next drink, they accidentally leave behind a sort of fertilizer.

The few plants that don’t get a visit from the birds and the bees pollinate anyway. And that’s accidental, too-a mere puff of wind gets the job done. And even when their co-habitants swat and fan them away, they are undeterred, moving on to the next plant for another sip.

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Am I glad to be headed home! Maybe that antihistamine is still working. . . Taking a chance, I open the windows and the fragrant breeze greets me once again.

Recalling the day’s events, I realize that Melanie in the office down the hall seemed really burdened. I was so busy I never got a chance to ask about her husband. Poor guy; the doctor told them last week that his cancer was too advanced to continue treatments. I’m not sure if he’s saved.

Frank told me they think his mother may have Alzheimer’s. I know she’s a Christian, but Frank’s life style tells me that he may not be.

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Lord, I saw and heard and smelled your presence everywhere, but I was too busy the rest of the day to even think about it. I didn’t even bother to look out the window once I got to the office.

That busy, Huh?

Okay, Lord! At least I read my Bible today. Last week, I only got to it once-you know I had to be at the office earlier than usual and I was just too tired after work. But I did go to church on Sunday and Wednesday!

Get real, Tom! Do you think the wind’s going to blow the scriptures into your brain? What if you drank in my Word like sweet nectar? What if you became so captivated by the scriptures that the words stuck to you like glue? After all these years as a Christian, don’t you ever get thirsty? You must be parched by now!

Lord, I know you’re right. I promise I’ll make more time. Tomorrow I’ll get up earlier and I’ll find a quiet place.

Great, Tom! That’s a start. Now, what about Melanie and Frank? You had a golden opportunity to share with them.

But Lord, you know how nervous it makes me to witness to people! I could have asked Melanie if her husband was a Christian, but she might think I’m meddling. And the last time I even mentioned church to Frank, he changed the subject in a hurry.

Tom, I never said it would be easy, and you will get your feelings hurt sometimes. You can’t let that rob you of the joy of your salvation. You are divinely equipped to do what I have called you to do.

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Wow, that must have been a 12-hour antihistamine! Not one sneeze on the whole trip home! I almost forgot-tomorrow we have Maundy Thursday services at church. And Sunday is Easter!

Look at all that pollen! Praise the Lord! He is risen! Thank you, God, for the wonderful gift of your son’s resurrection and for all of creation! ACHOO! Um, Amen!