It’s beautiful outside today. You can’t look around and tell that last night there were severe thunderstorm warnings on the news for Branson. I’m sitting out on the deck of my apartment enjoying the view. Wait a minute! What view? That apartment building directly across from me looks just the same as mine. I’ll enjoy the view of my neighbors instead.

I can smell the barbecue grills blazing. I see the kids on their skateboards. Here comes the neighbor in her Dodge Ram, bumper sticker filled truck.

Fifteen minutes ago I was sitting inside, crying on the  shoulder of a friend, wondering what my next step in life was going to be. These past two weeks have taken me on an emotional roller coaster, dealing with the “issues” of my life.  Now here I sit, enjoying a nice cold drink and “people watching.” It can get boring sitting here just watching, so I think I’ll make up stories of their lives. Yeah, good idea.

Let’s start with Bob. Bob’s sitting in the middle of the sidewalk in his green wicker chair watching his chicken wings grill. I must say, they’re smelling quite delicious. He’s enjoying being mellow in the sunshine, while his wife and children are inside preparing the rest of dinner. This is the first time his family has been together in weeks.

Bob just got out of the hospital. He went into cardiac arrest during a fishing trip with his brother. He died twice on the way to the hospital. He’s lucky to be alive. His wife has worked overtime at the restaurant trying to make up for the paycheck they’ve missed out on. Bob’s grateful though, as he blows bubbles on the sidewalk with his grand-daughter. Watch out Bob! I don’t think those wings should be on your diet so soon after heart surgery. Bob’s going to be just fine! He’s counting his blessings.

Then there’s Jim and Lucy. Those two have steaks on the grill every chance they get. They’ve got the lawn chairs pulled out, music on the car radio, and you can hear the sizzle on the grill. We smile and nod every time we see each other. What a nice couple. But Lucy has a broken heart. She just lost her job of 23 years as a janitor in a local manufacturing plant. What are they going to do? Jim doesn’t make enough for the both of them, and she doesn’t know anything else. Rent will soon be due.

The shape of the economy has come crashing down on them as well. Where can they go for help? They have no family. Good news arrives though via the local grocery ad. Sirloin steaks are on sale! It must be a sign of good things to come. Jim cheers the love of his life up by firing up the grill and treating her to their favorite delight. He dances with her to the beat of a love song, as the neighbors stare. He doesn’t care. Money can’t keep them apart.

Billy, the 12-year old extreme skateboarding hopeful, whizzes through the parking lot. He is so thankful for the sunshine – it keeps him out of the darkness he calls home. Billy’s got a black eye and bruises on his arm. His dad is fighting an addiction that has taken over him. He and his mom receive the consequences of that addiction.

Billy can’t think about normal things that 12-year old boys think about. He doesn’t think about video games, comic books, or girls. He thinks about taking his mom and running away. He dreams about freedom, but wakes up to tears from his mother. Things will change today though. Billy picks up his skateboard and throws it in the car as his mom puts her arms around him and kisses his forehead. Today they’re leaving – no more bruises, no more tears.

Lastly, there’s the girl in 205. She sits on the balcony, typing away on her laptop. Her dog sits by her side, sneaking sips of her drink. Almost four months ago she lost her dad. A month ago she lost her job. Lately, she’s been down both physically and emotionally. But for the moment she seems to be doing okay. She smiles and nods her head to confirm that things will get better.

She stares up to the sky and counts her blessings. She has friends that love her. She has a mama who has barely left her side. She’s got food on her table, and a roof over her head. She’s got a broken heart, but nothing that can’t be healed.

You know, I guess we’re all going to be okay. Bob’s eating his wings, laughing with his family. Jim and Lucy are dancing, taking a break from the troubles of this world. Billy’s holding his mama’s hand, giving her a reassuring smile. And me, I’m realizing that maybe I don’t have it all that bad.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the world – to forget about the many blessings we have already received. Life gets a little rocky, and we tend forget that we are not the captain of our own ship.  Let’s do it together – let’s count our blessings, not our troubles. Let’s smile even when our hearts break. Let’s dance to the car radio and not care who’s watching. Let’s enjoy the ride, like Billy does when he soars on his skateboard. Let’s munch on some chicken wings!

A Cardinal just landed on the rail of my balcony. A glimpse of this bird brings cheer, hope, and inspiration. Some say it’s nature’s way to remind us to focus on our faith. How is your focus today?