OUR NEXT door neighbor is a wonderful little elderly man who lives alone. A recent severe windstorm left the wood fence we share in bad shape. Before my husband had an opportunity to assess the damage, we heard ambitious hammering. Investigation found Mike hard at work, bracing the fence. He chose to do this by nailing boards to the fence, pushing it upright and then securing the other end of the six-foot-long boards to the wall of his house.

A monstrosity? Well, I guess you could say so! But let me tell you what Mike did next. We looked out to see him happily engaged in hanging something beautiful from each of those old boards a basket of flowers and a grouping of shells.

We are God's children, heirs of His riches. Does that knowledge enable us see spiritual beauty even in the aftermath of life's most violent storms? Do we rejoice always as we eagerly serve in anticipation of that promised inheritance? Whatever the circumstance, may our joy find fulfillment in the assurance that God is our Father, Jesus Christ is our brother and heaven is our home.