Our Thursday Date

          Thursday afternoons are the days in which Mom’s caregiver comes to free my husband and me to enjoy a new movie, go shopping or try a culinary delight at a local restaurant.  Last week for our “date” we drove south an hour to the historic town of Glenrose where dinosaurs once roamed leaving their mammoth footprints embedded in the river rock.  Fossils are frequently found giving more credence to their existence.  Not sure what we would find when we got there, I was encouraged by their town’s website to visit Dinosaur State Park.  

          Wildflowers bloomed plentifully along the route begging us to pull out the camera and capture their beauty.  And when we arrived in Glenrose, we followed the route to take us along the historic streets of downtown.  Across from the famous courthouse a small sign caught our attention.  Homemade Pies.  How could we possibly visit the state park without our palates being satisfied?  Strawberry Rhubarb for Bruce, with a scoop of Bluebell (the favorite ice cream of Texans and a major part of the south.)  Blackberry for me, with coffee.  Yumm!  While we ate, the owner briefed us on the town’s fossil history.

          Making our way to the state park, instead of dinosaur sightings – other than a commercial site touting over 100 dinosaurs on display – we were surprised to be greeted with fields of gorgeous Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas.  Waving their arms to the spring sky, the brilliant blue flowers capped with white never cease to amaze me with their vivid color.  They sprout their intensity just a month during the spring each year.  


And, occasionally Indian Paint Brush pops their red orange hue against the backdrop of the blue.

          I was in awe of God’s glorious handiwork.  Bruce and I, hand in hand, briefly followed a trail allowing more picturesque views to fill our camera.  “How can anyone seeing this not believe in God?” my mind questions.  I am reminded of Matthew 6:28-30 which states, “See how the flowers of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith.”

          What a perfectly beautiful day – and date.  Yet, the local frozen yogurt shop called our names.  Our day would not be complete without us partaking of our favorite flavors.  

           I realized how God is so kind to us.  All good things come from him and I found my grateful heart bursting with joy at the date we had enjoyed.

Mom admires the Bluebonnets.

           I determined I had to share the beauty we had seen with my mother who, like me, is a lover of flowers.  So, a couple of days later, Mom and I had our own outing as we shared the beauty I had beheld earlier.  

(R) Mom and her friend, Alta (L)

          On the way home that afternoon, Mom and I stopped in the beautiful retirement town of Granbury where one of Mom's longtime friends lives.  Their reunion was loving and joyful.

           Thank you, Lord, for the beauty you’ve created for us to enjoy, and for wonderful friends you've placed within our lives.  

          It was unanimous.  God’s love and handiwork was incredible!