The view from my front step.

I have a cold. Yeah, so what, who doesn’t?

Yesterday I realized I also have a new label slapped on my back as I heard myself tell someone, “I’m immunosuppressed.” I never thought that would be part of my introductions.

People who are immunosuppressed do not fight off illnesses like other people. We’re supposed to avoid crowded spaces, sanitize our hands like OCD sufferers and wear masks when we travel.

The weird thing about masks? When you wear one people look at you like you are carrying some contagious disease. The ironic thing is that we mask wearers are protecting ourselves from all the nasty bugs you take everywhere you go. I guess if my mask makes you avoid me out of fear of what you might catch, it has done a good job keeping me safe.

So, I’m immunosupressed, catch everything going around, take 15 pills a day (down from 23) and I lay around twice as long fighting the common cold. And, I am tremendously thankful! Every day I see my God hanging out smiling on me, loving people and blessing my socks off.

This morning I stepped out my front door to put my puppy out and I saw God. Well, I saw evidence of God. I see all kinds of evidence all around me. Caitlin runs by with baby Avery in a jogger stroller, laughter on our nightly neighborhood dog walk, hearing birds outside my window, watching a movie with my kids and walking hand in hand with my incredible wife, I see God everywhere. Breanna posts a picture of Emma, I smile at photos of Ben and Ella and feel God’s arms when my great niece Aleana gives me a hug goodbye. I laugh when Camei calls me “Great Scott” while brother Joey pushes up his nose and makes pig grunts while we Skype from Maine to Las Vegas. Everywhere. Every single day.

I hooked my dog’s lead to her collar and looked up to see the beauty of God’s creation  40 yards away. Brilliant yellows, reds, orange and greens. The smell of a wood fire made me feel somehow secure. I stood there enjoying a moment, thankful once again.

God sightings. I think we miss so many of them while we each focus on our troubles. There are bills to pay, conflicts at work, medical tests looming, nasty political ads and friends fighting. We’ve got lunches to make, cars to be fixed and fall yard work. Plus most of us live at a pace where we run over roses rather than stop and smell them.

I dare you to look for God today. I dare you to try to find him in his creation, in community and in kindnesses you see. Sit back and watch your child or grandchild enjoying life’s discoveries. Watch a squirrel scurry, birds hopping from bush to bush or even ants going about their business. Take out your photo album and smile at memories.

God blesses. He really does.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Phil. 4:8