A Touch of Heaven in the Fake...

 

This year I decided to try something new for my front‑door planters: fake flowers. Honestly, they looked so real that even I forgot they weren’t alive. The advertisement promised they wouldn’t fade in the sun or droop in the rain—perfect for someone like me who loves beauty but not the constant upkeep real flowers demand.

Last Thursday, as my Bible study ladies began arriving, I got my confirmation. One after another, they admired the planters and assumed the flowers were real. One friend even said she wanted to use the idea at our church where sunlight is scarce. I stood there feeling quite pleased with myself.

But then something unexpected happened.

As I stepped back to admire my handiwork, a tiny hummingbird zipped toward the planter. My husband nudged me and whispered, “Hon, look at that.” The little bird hovered, dipped its beak into one flower, then another, then another—searching for nectar that wasn’t there. After several attempts, it finally flew away empty.

That moment stayed with me.

It was a quiet knock on the door of my heart, reminding me how often something looks real, looks beautiful, looks nourishing, yet leaves us disappointed when we finally taste it. How many times have we hovered around something—or someone—because it appeared to offer what we longed for, only to discover it was hollow?

Sometimes it’s not the thing that’s fake. Sometimes we are.

Have you ever had someone be too nice to you? Too many compliments, too many invitations, too much attention? Something in your spirit feels off, and you want to pull away. Or—if we’re honest—have you ever been the one doing that?

I have.

Years ago, I was in a Sunday school class taught by the pastor’s wife. She was an incredible teacher, and I admired her deeply. I wanted her to like me, so I complimented her often. One day she looked at me kindly and said, “Betty, you flatter me too much.”

Her words stunned me. I thought I was simply being nice. But when I examined my heart, I saw the truth: it wasn’t admiration—it was flattery. I wanted approval. I wanted connection. I wanted her to think well of me.

Paul’s words in Galatians suddenly felt very personal:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

Flattery is fake. And fake is rooted in pride.

Thankfully, she was mature enough to recognize the difference and loving enough to tell me. And because of that honesty, we eventually became true friends—real friends—rooted in sincerity, not performance. To this day, when we see each other, that sister‑in‑the‑Lord bond is still there.

That hummingbird reminded me: God never flatters us. He never offers fake nectar. He never pretends. He lovingly tears away what is false so we can see our hearts clearly—even when it stings.

And I’m grateful. 

Because real relationships, real growth, and real faith can only flourish in the soil of truth. 

Little touch of heaven in the past..

 

There are seasons in life when we look back and realize God was writing a story we never could have imagined. That’s how it feels when Ace and I remember our years in Bolivia and Papua New Guinea. We never planned to serve overseas. We were in our 40s, settled in ministry, working with youth, surrounded by a church family we loved. Missions wasn’t on our list — but it was on God’s.

Sometimes people hesitate to say “God led,” but for us, that was the only explanation. Only God could have moved us from comfort into the unknown, from familiarity into faith.

During a recent conversation, Ace and I found ourselves remembering those early days — raising support, selling our home, living in the gym of our sending church, preparing for training with New Tribes Mission. Everything was new for us and for our children. Moves like that require counting the cost for the whole family. It wasn’t easy, but God gave us the faith to believe He was leading all of us, not just the adults.

And He did. God worked in our children’s lives as much as He worked in ours. He kept us moving toward Bolivia, where we served as dorm parents for missionary kids whose parents were deep in the jungle reaching the least reached. Later, in Papua New Guinea — a place I often call a fifth‑world country — we supported missionaries serving in some of the most remote villages on earth. Many of those people would never hear the gospel unless someone went, learned their language, taught them to read, and translated Scripture for them.

We weren’t the translators. We weren’t the linguists. In fact, language school made it clear that wasn’t our gifting. But God still had a place for us. My husband used to say, “If all I can do is carry a missionary’s suitcase or supplies to the plane, I want to be part of it.” And God honored that heart.

For seven years in Bolivia and then again in Papua New Guinea, we served the ones who were serving others. Later, God brought us back to the U.S. to care for missionaries on furlough — listening, encouraging, helping them take their next step. Looking back, we see His hand in every assignment.

Sometimes we ask ourselves, “Did we really live in two countries? Did we really fly into remote villages by helicopter or small plane? Did we really do all of that?” It feels impossible — but that’s what God does. He takes ordinary people and writes extraordinary stories through them.

There were hard days, even dangerous ones, but we never thought about quitting. We honestly believed we would die on the mission field. But God had another chapter for us here at home.

We weren’t special. We didn’t have extraordinary skills. But God loves to use people who simply say yes. Where God leads, He equips. And He continues to equip at every new step of obedience.

So let me ask you gently: What has God laid on your heart?

Maybe it’s speaking to a coworker who needs encouragement •

Helping a neighbor who needs a touch of heaven •

Or loving your family well — one of the hardest and holiest mission fields •

Or maybe, just maybe, exploring overseas missions

There are countless ways to serve Him. The important thing is not the location — it’s the obedience.

Wherever He leads you, He will equip you.

“One small step of faith can open the door to a God‑sized story.”

Little slice of heaven on my wall..

 I cannot give you a formular for success, but I can give you the formular for failure, which is try to please everyone....

My winter project, a photograph of a shelf, was a labor of love, with intricate details and smaller decorative elements that added depth and character. While it may require a closer look to fully appreciate, I've noticed that people's perceptions of it vary greatly, influenced by their individual perspectives and emotional states. This experience has taught me the value of attention to detail and its impact on our understanding.

As I move forward, I'm excited to apply this lesson to my upcoming book on forgiveness, which I aim to complete by the end of the summer. I'm committed to staying focused and motivated, even when faced with self-doubt, and I'm eager to share my work with others. 

Wise Hearted...