Cookie Kiss

Cookie Kiss By Deena McDaniel Positively Beautiful Blog – 1/10/26 When we moved to Florida in 2004, the culture shock was—well—shocking! Suddenly, the entire world walked across my path. Every tribe, tongue, and nation had a presence in my life. Our past life in Montreal, Missouri had created a very homogenous existence. Everyone was mostly like me. The town closest to us had 81 people and a gas station/diner/laundromat combo—nothing like Buddy’s Diner for breakfast! And then…transplant to South Florida! I cried for two months trying to adjust. Making friends, finding a brand-new church, and navigating an unfamiliar culture with four kids ranging from 14 years old to 18 months had me constantly running to the Cross. Winter was sunny, yet I was praying for Son-shine. Now, opening the door to 2026, cozy in my bedroom with my granddaughter snuggled into the pillows playing Minecraft, I gladly choose the path God set before me—hindsight is clear. Now is the time to begin again. Have you looked at the future lately and wondered? How is this world God created still moving with awe and grace? Pockets of pure beauty fall upon me. In the short time we’ve come back to our roots, my King of the World has opened my heart to beauty beyond measure. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1 Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my buckets of tears many times since leaving Florida. Holy Spirit, thank You! The waves aren’t from Hollywood Beach anymore; now they feel more like a firehose of unexpected awareness. The glory of His goodness pops up in the most unusual places. Last year was my first year (of many to come) of goat births! In a couple of months, we’ll experience those miracles again. There’s nothing cuter than a baby goat—except maybe ten bouncing kids in a pen! Even better is sharing the joy through baby goat yoga this spring at Area 95 Farms. I never want to come to a moment in my life when I can say, “It’s over—I’ve got this, God!” He’s taken me through fires I never desired, and they led me straight to His heart. Trials still haunt me, even now, as my aging knees fight me. I long to dance, run, and sprint through life, but instead I hobble with a humble heart. Injury takes longer to heal when you’re over 60. My brain says I’m 22, but my body betrayed me in a yoga pose I foolishly nailed without warming up. Recovery is weary work. “Slow down. Rest. Restore your health,” I hear—but sitting still has never been my gifting. Its evident God is searching my heart in the depths of my soul. Pain has a way of tuning your ears to His voice. Through it all—from the early Florida daze to the present Ozark haze—His eyes are on my character development. I’m reminded of eternal significance. In His presence we find wisdom, guidance, and protection. “It is well with my soul” hollers in my heart. Have you had that dark night of weeping, wondering, and wanting? He knows. “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 Memorize this. Make Matthew 11:28 real! May the miracle of His company keep you. In the midst of my misery, Missouri manifested the majesty of His greatness! The prophet said, “O Lord, rend the heavens and come down, that we may see Your presence.” – Isaiah 64:1 Nothing compares to the snapshots of Him working in my life—and yours too! The dreariness of dark winter days hit me like a Mack truck…then came Macaroon. No, not the cookie—the goat. Mac, as Mickey calls her, got her leg caught in a fallen tree a few weeks ago. Three legs on the ground, one twisted and bleeding between the bark—we rescued this precious first-born goat of ours. Freaking out (maybe more than a bit), we bandaged, splinted, prayed, and cared for her constantly. Today, Mac has recovered to full-throttle “adventure goat.” She’s my spiritual shot of Vitamin D. Bossy but loving, she adored our granddaughter Arlowe today with a “cookie kiss.” “Granny!” Arlowe grunts, animal cookie between her lips, as Macaroon sweeps in for the kiss to grab the goodness. Acknowledge the winter seasons of your soul. Don’t give in to the darkness. Find hope in unexpected places—even goat kisses. Winter seasons don’t last forever. God meets us in the quiet, the waiting, the wondering.

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