Sunlight streamed through the windows as Bonnie rinsed out her breakfast bowl and placed it on the rack.

“It’s going to be a gorgeous day, Peanut. How about a walk to the park?”

Peanut jumped to his feet and bounded to the door.

Bonnie couldn’t help laughing. “I guess that’s a yes. I have to agree with you. It’s better than hanging around alone in the house.” It had been six months since Walt had passed, and the quiet was driving Bonnie crazy. “Maybe we can find something useful to do.”

Bonnie dried her hands and clipped Peanut’s leash to his collar. She pulled her arms through her cardigan sweater and stepped out into the sunshine, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the apple tree blossoms. The warm sun on her skin and the springtime aromas brought a prayer to her lips.

“God, thank You for the beauty of springtime. It makes me feel as though You haven’t forgotten about me. But God? I’d really appreciate it if you’d give me some purpose in my life.” Life had been always been full, raising the kids, working, and then retiring two years ago to take care of Walt full time. But now, with the kids grown and living halfway across the country, no job, and no Walt, the days were empty. Most of her friends were still working or were busy with grandchildren. If only. But no, Megan and Josh hadn’t gotten around to having children yet. Such a shame. Maybe one day.

~*~

Harper squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in a breath. Counting to five, she re-opened them. Noah sat happily in his high chair squishing cereal between his fingers and rubbing it in his hair. Olivia gave up coloring on paper and was now coloring on the wall, and Liam was running around the table in circles making airplane noises. Harper couldn’t handle another day cooped up in this house. Thank goodness the rain had stopped.

“We’re going to the park.”

Liam halted in his tracks. “Yay!”

Twenty minutes later, after scrubbing Noah clean, wiping off the walls, and corralling everyone, Harper was pushing Noah and Olivia in the stroller, with Liam trotting along beside them, picking up sticks and bugs and anything else he found along the way. Harper’s thoughts swirled. Sure, she was grateful Dan had a good job, but the relocation meant she had no support system. And his long hours meant she was the sole caregiver for three kids under five. Life was exhausting. She sent up a silent prayer. “God, I need help.”

~*~

Bonnie strolled through the park, letting Peanut lead the way. He trotted toward the playground, where a young mother bent over a stroller, releasing a young girl from her seat. A slightly older boy clambered up the slide while her back was turned. Bonnie’s pulse quickened. The boy was too small to climb the slide alone. Bonnie hurried toward the playground, but thankfully, the little boy safely reached the top and slid to the bottom with no incident, but not before the young mother ran toward him, her eyes wide with fear.

“Liam, wait for Mommy before going up the slide.”

The young mother appeared frazzled beyond belief. The boy, Liam, headed in one direction, while the girl ran toward the swings, her arms outstretched. At that moment, the baby in the stroller began crying. The mother looked like she was about to join in.

A moment later, the two children noticed Peanut and hurried over to pet him.

Bonnie walked him closer to the baby carriage. “Good morning. I’m Bonnie. Do you mind if the children play with Peanut?”

“I’m Harper, and no, of course not. Anything that will keep them out of trouble. I’m a little overwhelmed, to tell you the truth.”

“May I hold the baby?”

Harper sized up Bonnie, apparently deciding she was not a threat, and nodded. Bonnie’s heart filled with joy as she lifted the screaming baby from the stroller. “Smells like someone needs a diaper change.” She nodded toward the diaper bag hanging on the back of the stroller. “May I?”

Harper nodded. “Be my guest.” Within two minutes, Bonnie had the baby cleaned, changed, and giggling. Harper’s mouth dropped open. “How did you do that?”

“Years of experience.” Bonnie sat on the nearby bench, bouncing the baby in her lap.

Harper stood by watching, her hands on her hips. “I guess all he needed was a clean diaper.”

“And all the others needed was Peanut. Don’t look now, but all your children are happy.”

“You must be a miracle worker.”

Bonnie grinned. “Nope, not me. But God is. Do you live around here?”

Harper pointed down the road. “We just moved in a month ago. My husband transferred here, but he works long hours and we don’t know anyone in town. When preschool starts in the fall, we’ll meet other families, but for this summer, it’s just me and the kids, and to be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed.”

“No grandparents to help?”

Harper’s gaze dropped. “No. My husband’s parents live in Europe, and my parents work full-time out of state. We only see them on major holidays.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I live just over on Spruce, about two minutes in that direction. And I have no family in the area, either. Not since my husband passed on.”

Harper touched Bonnie’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. But it looks like you have a good friend in Peanut. I can’t believe how happy the kids are playing with him.” She caressed the baby’s face. “And Noah seems to love you.”

Bonnie’s heart filled with joy. “The feeling is mutual. He’s precious.”

Harper angled a glance at Bonnie. “I hope you don’t think this sounds too weird, but just before we got here, I asked God for help.”

Bonnie turned from Noah to Harper. “Just before I came here, I asked God to give me a purpose.”

Harper laughed. “It sounds like God answered our prayers with one another.”

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Dear God, we all need people. Please put people in our paths who we can help or who can help us. Thank you for the little miracles in life and for the ways you answer our prayers. Please help us seek the opportunities You have for us, and help us recognize them for the blessings they are. Thank You for loving us and caring about the details in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.