Stand Here: Where wishes really do come true

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

—Ephesians 6:13

One after another, people stepped up on the sidewalk and paused for a moment right in front of me and my friend, Joyce, as we enjoyed our meal from the restaurant’s outdoor dining area. At first I thought it was strange. What are they doing? But when I saw the imprint in the concrete, I understood. “Stand here to make your next wish” it read, and an outline beckoned the feet, mine included.

I wondered what the others had wished for. They didn’t dare tell, because as the old saying goes, if you tell a wish, it won’t come true.

It was fun, standing and wishing in that same place where others had stood, silently offering their own wishes. But the old saying is just superstition. Of course, sharing your wish with another does not disqualify it from fruition. Sharing your wish may spur another on to encourage your pursuit. And that’s exactly what happened with Joyce.

Do It With All Your Might: What have you been called to do today?

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might

—Ecclesiastes 9:10a

My mother will turn 80 next week. This past Sunday we celebrated her birthday a little early. My siblings and I divvied up the responsibilities and threw her a surprise party. I was elected to give the tribute and pray over the meal. I felt anxious about what to say and how to say it. I wanted to do a good job, and I didn’t want to get emotional while speaking.

When contemplating what to say, I connected the word octopus to octogenarian. I thought of how my mother might have once wished she had eight arms when she was attending to the needs of a family of eight. She was so busy trying to juggle it all.

I also thought of a Bible verse that begins, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a).

I knew my mother had. So that began my tribute to her.