Then I realized that He hadn’t laid anything on my heart because I hadn’t asked; and I hadn’t asked because my prayer life had slacked off.

    Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever been so busy that your God-time slipped into the background and disappeared in the crowded busyness of your life?

    At that point of realization I said, "Lord, forgive me for ignoring You. I know that I can’t write anything without Your input and direction, and I'd like to start writing again. Would You tell me what to write?"

    Then in His faithfulness to open up His storehouse of blessings, He reminded me of the little boy I met in Kramer’s Pet Boutique. He was playing with toy trucks in the corner of the store when I entered, but a few minutes later when I walked to the door, he left his toys, grabbed my arm, and began talking to me about the dogs on the cover of Happy Tails.

    We were having a delightful conversation when his mother turned and looked at us in amazement.

    "I can’t believe he’s talking to you," she said. "He never talks to anyone. He’s autistic." 

    Whoa. What had appeared to me as a normal interaction between an adult and a child was a momentous occasion in their lives.

    Looking back, I remember being awed by it at the time, and even thanked God for allowing me to be a part of something so special. And yet, in the busyness of accomplishing my do-list of people to see, I had overlooked that special moment until I asked God to give me something to write about.

    Perhaps I need to look right in front of me before I look elsewhere for His answers. How about you?