A GIFT IS A GIFT

 Last week I gave a short devotional to the sweet ladies at The Well.


It began with a reading of O Henry's classic short story, The Gift of the Magi.  In case you slept through English class during those school years, I will remind you of the story.  The scene takes place in England, and the characters are a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet during difficult times (this seems to be a re-occurring theme throughout history).  In spite of the struggle, they felt so fortunate to have two priceless items in their possession.  The wife had a beautiful head of hair that fell splendidly below her knees.  Most of us women understand the value of a "good" head of hair.  The man owned his great-grandfather's beautiful gold watch.  It was so splendid he consciously avoided pulling it out in a showing manner.  After all how odd that one so poor should own such a splendid watch.  To hasten along to the point, they both sold their prized possessions to buy their loved one a gift.  She bought a fine gold chain to replace the worn leather strap which held his heirloom watch.  He bought bejeweled beautiful combs for her fine hair.  Neither of them could use their gifts, but the story is about the meaning behind gift giving not the gift itself.





In my mind, you become an adult when you finally are more concerned with selecting gifts for others than the gifts you desire to receive.  I have a strong philosophy on gifts.  A gift is a gift--it is often tied up with strings, but it has no strings attached.  Once I present the gift, I also relinquish control of how the gift is used or not.  

NOW~we are headed to the point of the devotional.  The tradition of gift giving at Christmas was begun by The Magi--wise men for you who are unfamiliar with the "King James" translation.  We all know the gifts were very valuable.  We all know the lengths the Wise Men endured to deliver the gifts.  What we don't know---it is NOT addressed in The Word -is what did Mary and Joseph do with the gifts?  Did they dash to the nearest pawn shop and cash in -I am pretty sure they could have used the funds--after all they just traveled many miles on a donkey, resorted to staying in a smelly stable, and to top it all off had another mouth to feed.  Did they put it in a closet and hide it away for a "rainy day"?  Did they put them in a college fund for the baby's future education?  What did they do with the wonderful gifts.  It is never addressed in The Word.  What does this tell us?  In my mind, the giving of the gift and the reason behind it was more important than what became of the gift.  Mary and Joseph could do whatever they wished with these magnificent gifts.  All we need to understand is why the gifts were given and the true value of the invaluable.



We have evolved Christmas into a gift giving frenzy.  Not unlike children, we are consumed with the buying of gifts which in most cases will be a temporary high headed for a place on the shelf of the forgotten.  Gifts are given as an expression of love and esteem.  Personally I prefer little gifts such a pictures of the grands, or even better an experience or adventure-time spent together.  It really is not about WHAT you are giving, but your attitude when giving.  

The greatest Christmas gift was the reason for the season--the gift of the Christ child.  God on Earth.  The Father's Lamb.  Our Get Out of Jail Free card.  What greater gift was ever given? 

I invite you to not become embroiled in frantic gift searches; to put aside any guilt over gift disappointment; and instead remember why you are giving the gift.  Be one with "The Little Drummer Boy", give your best--and give it while being mindful of the purpose of the gift~ a reminder of your love.  

the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Matthew 2:9-12

LOST AND STOLEN MOMENTS

 I saw a post on social media early this morning~ My friend had missed her niece's wedding due to concerns about exposure to "THE VIRUS".  She has health risks that puts her in the category of those who need to avoid infection.  To add insult to injury, the live stream of the wedding went down before she could catch a glimpse of her beautiful niece walking down the aisle.  Another stolen moment-thanks to "THE VIRUS".  WHAT a disappointment, and how can we possibly take away any good from this loss?

As the months of the year of "THE VIRUS" have slowly passed by, it is easy to become mired in the deep well of What I am missing? .


In an abundance of caution, I have limited exposure as much as possible, but I am weary-most of us are weary- of feeling life is slipping by.  What moments of great importance are being stolen as the days whirl by waiting for a vaccine, a cure, or any glimmer that this will soon be over?

As I thought through this, I remembered, there have been stolen moments in my life due to other circumstances.  My father died when I was 14~I really barely knew who he was because your emotional intelligence level is low for most of us as children.  I missed those moments of figuring out just who he was.  I am left to fill in the gaps by what I am told, what I can remember, and what I hoped was truth. A lifetime of moments were stolen by his early passing.

I missed some of the firsts with my children, because I always worked.  Their sweet babysitters were sometimes the ones to witness those firsts.  I have to consciously set aside "mother guilt" and remind myself, others- who were stay at home moms, also missed some of the firsts due to different circumstances. Unless you glue yourself to their sides 24/7, you will miss some of those firsts.  Some of the firsts, I really am glad I missed, such as the first time they decided to climb on the roof and jump down to the trampoline (OH THE JOY OF RAISING BOYS).

As I have watched my children raise their children--the precious grands--I realize how many stolen moments of joy were sacrificed by me in the quest to have it all together.  OH, my house was clean, the clothes were washed and put away, food was on the table, but what moments of fun and play were stolen with the quest to appear as if I had it together.  I am happy to say, my children have not made that same mistake~they realize what is most important.

It is easy to become bogged down in regret, when we make a choice to mourn and dwell on what we feel has been stolen from us or lost in the shuffle.  The post, I alluded to in the first paragraph, also contained a testament to all the moments of joy she had not missed when watching her niece grow up.  As I thought this over, I realized we have a clear choice of how we react to stolen or lost moments~we can allow those moments to take the lead in our thoughts, or we can mourn them and turn back to those joy filled moments we did experience.  We get to choose where our mind goes when we reflect on our lives.  Am I going to allow the few years which have been REALLY DIFFICULT to become the benchmarks of my life or am I going to remember the MANY REALLY GREAT years and be thankful.

YES, we can all agree 2020 has been tough--one of the toughest for our generation.  Yesterday, I shared with two young friends what my mother and daddy's life looked like during WW II.  All the men had marched off to war, and they were not only separated for long periods of time, but also had to experience all the difficult moments during that time alone.  I can truthfully tell you, neither parent spent a great deal of time dwelling on those years.  We certainly heard some of the stories, but it did not take center stage in their lives.

My friends who served in Viet Nam witnessed horrors beyond our imagination.  They will tell you bits and pieces of those years, but they do not take center stage in their life journey.  Instead they speak of the good years of marriage, children, and relationships, fun trips, great adventures, and lives well lived.

SO as we near the end of this year, it will certainly go down in the history books. We will stop and remember those we lost, those who were extremely ill, and the economic consequences of all that has happened, but it will not be the only story to come out of this year.  I, for one, had a new grandson born during this time.  There are people experiencing high moments of life during 2020, just as "The Virus" has been a low.  

What am I trying to say---

Stay in the moment 

Do not live in regret

Relish the good moments

Mourn and move forward from those lost and stolen moments

Look toward the future with the promised hope of better days.






A FAMILY DIVIDED

I have purposefully unplugged from all the political turmoil.  I am not commenting.  I am not putting my two cents in---not even one cent.  I do not reply when you comment on your leanings.  I am staying away from the fray, out of the storm, and choose instead to fly under the radar. My profile is SO low, my nose is leaving a channel in the dirt.



My family is a family divided when it comes to politics.  We are conservative, liberal, and some are even way off the beaten path.  We all look through different eyes, we all think differently, and we even live very diverse lives.  We are sometimes in opposing camps when it comes to politics.  Nothing wrong with that---I respect their right to believe differently from me.  It does not affect my love for them--one iota. We can agree to disagree with no malice.  Politics will never supersede family.

The world does not seem to hold this view. Politics has become a fighting sport.  I have never enjoyed blood baths or human carnage.  

There is a line of thinking that if the side I support does not win, the world as we know it will come to an end.  Some say taxes will rise and others believe we need a flat tax.  Some say we need universal health care, but I have never heard of anyone being refused necessary treatment.  Some say we are losing all our freedoms, and others say we have never been free.  I have had others tell me, from both sides, the country we live in will never be the same.  

I agree the country we live in will not be the same.  It has never stayed the same. Check out your history books.  The government was formed with checks and balances.  We do not live in a dictatorship-one branch of government does not determine how we are ruled.  It takes all three--to make, implement, and interpret the law.  Whoever is president-when the final vote is counted-the sun will come up the next day and the world will keep turning.

Most important~either you believe in an omnipotent God or you don't.  HE ALREADY KNOWS who will be our next president.  HE ALREADY KNOWS our future.  I trust that God will use the next president to carry out His plans for me--for our country.  HE is never surprised and HE can use ALL THINGS for Good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  

I have already voted~and I have no intention of saying who I voted for.  I respect your right to vote your conscience and I hope you respect mine.  Wednesday morning--I am still going to think of you with great fondness and admiration--and I do not need to know for whom you voted.  I love you no matter who the next president is!

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

 I seem to be missing on the blogosphere more than present in the past few months.  Life has taken many strange twists and turns-as we all realize~and I am here but also profoundly affected by all that has transpired in this year.


Unlike this slogan appearing on shirts all over America, I firmly believe there is something to be learned--some lesson to gleam from all that has transpired this year.  One particular thing I have been reminded of is to not ask

"What ELSE could possibly happen?"

That seems to be just asking for trouble!

After being locked down tight since March 13, I left Labor Day and spent the next six weeks helping #1 Daughter with Virtual School.  I came away with a deep admiration for teachers--I already admired them--but virtual school took it up a couple more notches. 


I could write a book on the four weeks of sitting by a kindergarten students elbow "doing school."  

I came home nine days ago to isolate for 10 days before heading to help with #7 grand.  After six weeks of being with a family of six and all the wonderful chaos that entails--it has been quite an adjustment to being home and completely alone.  Looking forward to my time helping with this little wonder~


One of the things I have observed while gone and then isolated, is the circle of life continues--whether I am in the midst of it or not.

A dear friend's beloved father in now in hospice with days left on this earth.  He is a wonderful and Godly man-beloved by all who know him.  Certainly one of the finest men I have ever known.  His family adore him and are searching for how to let him go and how to go on without him.  What a wonderful and remarkable legacy.

So I head to Austin to help with one who is just beginning his trek through this crazy world and others are sitting by the bedside of the loved one who has lived a long and productive life trying to help him leave this world wrapped in a cocoon of the love they feel for him.  The circle of life is a beautiful thing--even in the midst of all that is happening in this eventful year.  A year for the record books filled with the every day trek through life.  Don't wish away what might seem to be a nightmare of a year---embrace the ordinary and remember the gift of life is a blessing.  No matter how bleak things may seem-there is always joy found in the midst of life and lessons to be gleamed in every circumstance.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

JUNK AND TRASH

 My long time readers will all remember I have a "thing" about the local landfill.  TRULY, it is a fascinating place!  Perhaps in a former life I drove a trash truck?  One thing is for sure--one man's junk is another man's treasure.  If you don't grab that treasure off the side of the road, once it is headed for the landfill---it's a lost cause.  They have quite an efficient operation.


I must confess, in my lifetime, there has been quite the evolution of how we handle our trash.  As a child there was the oil drum way behind our house where we took the day's trash. When I scooted back the slightly ajar lid to dump the trash can, I was greeted quite a few times by a snarling possum.  This ALWAYS led to a scream, throwing the trash straight up in the air, and running for my life.  THEN Momma sent me back to pick up said trash, clean up my mess and finish the job-even though death by a mad possum was virtually guaranteed.  OH, THANK YOU, that I no longer have to tackle snarling possums to get rid of the trash.  (THOSE BUGGERS HAVE NEEDLE SHARP TEETH!)  After successfully dumping the trash in the barrel, I struck a match and set the papers on fire that we lined the can with.  Hopefully all the trash burned after leaving the lid ajar so the fire could get some oxygen.  I don't remember the schedule, but the town garbage truck came by and emptied the ashes and what remained in the truck to be taken to the city dump occasionally. (We didn't have landfills, we had dumps where the trash was then burned again).  The EPA was probably created from the air being filled with toxic fumes from dumps all over the country.



Fast forward to today.  Trash is an industry-well the handling of our trash.  This past week I cleaned out my outdoor storage house and ended up with a truck load of junk.  With a borrowed truck, I loaded the junk up and headed to the landfill.  LESSON LEARNED--do not go on a weekday mid-morning.  The parish and city trucks were also arriving with their first or second loads and I ended up in a line between them all.  WHAT must they have thought?  Sorry I am off track.  First you have to stop on the scale to be weighed before proceeding to unload your truck.  In my former life of a decade ago, I went to the landfill regularly to take my yard trash in my role as yard girl and grounds keeper.  It was an easy process--I was on first name basis with the gate keeper.  They don't know me anymore--sadly.  


I proceed to the shed where you dump the trash and sat in line between all the trucks.  FINALLY it is my turn, and I get ready to back up.  The "man in charge" sees its a lone woman in the midst of all the trucks and immediately stops my backward progress.  He make me line up the truck again--I still don't know why I need to move over 3 feet- and then directs me  back.  The WHOA! shook the entire truck.  He proceeds to help me unload my junk-I guess for the sake of me not being there all day.  At the bottom of the heap were some old metal stakes.  "Is that metal?--You gotta take that to the metal bin, Lady!"  I'm staring at him like I've been hit over the head with a metal stake--"WHERE is the metal bin?"  Lady--just follow this road and at the stop sign you can't miss it just right across the road.  He was right, but the dead give away was all the metal on the ground around the bin. So one more stop to "chunk" (proud to say I can still chunk) the stakes up and into the bin.  Back to the scale to weigh again and then I get the old wave which is the high sign for you are dismissed.  I must admit disappointment.  If anyone was ever perfect for a position at the landfill, it was me.  I am a model of efficiency and order.  There was no job offer--only a smile and dismissal.

Back in the old days, we would occasionally take a load to the dump and just back up to the pile and throw it on.  They don't let you anywhere near where the actual burying is going on.  The junk is offloaded into a 18 wheeler and it takes it to the site.  I am certain there is good reason for this.  Perhaps they don't trust old ladies driving pick up trucks to stay out of the way of the tractors or create chaos.

The trash we accumulate in our lives has become quite an industry.  From the time you throw something in the plastic bagged garbage can to the ultimate disposition in the parish landfill there is an intricate process of how things are handled.  I am a big recycle fan and actually have more recycle trash than garbage.  Wouldn't we all be  better off if we were careful of the trash we accumulate?  Who wants there life filled with trash?  Who wants our world filled with trash?  I am not speaking just of the physical trash, but the emotional and spiritual junk we are often burdened with.  What is your process of ridding yourself of that junk?  Food for thought.


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up

Hebrews 12:1

VIRTUAL LEARNING

 Truly, I have been at such a loss these past six plus months with limited volunteer opportunities.  Being a part of the "vulnerable crowd" certainly has its downfalls and at the top of my list has been limited social contact.  Being an introvert does not mean I do not enjoy and even crave social interaction.  Instead I just need time to recharge my batteries between dives into the throngs of humanity I dearly love.



I miss conversation, but I especially miss hugs--touches--physical contact.  It has not been easy to resist grabbing others and wrapping them in a smothering hug. It just does not seem normal.

Well things are about to take a big turn in my little world--FOR THE BETTER!  I am about to embark on the "virtual learning" journey.  All four of the younger grands are going to have a month of stay at home learning experience.  This past spring, the education community was caught off guard, I believe they are ready for the challenge with the start of the new school year.  All my education friends tell me there will be ways to monitor participation and the truancy officer will come see you if you are not present and accounted for each day.



With four children in four different grades, #1 daughter has her hands full.  I love volunteering in the schools and am kept from that passion with the new COVID rules in schools here.  WELL---I volunteered to come help with The Jennings School  until they are allowed to go back to in person school.  "Fun Lulu" is being replaced by "Get the task done" Lulu.  We will divide and conquer those little scholars!  AND as an added bonus, I am pretty sure I will get a hug or two along the way.

NOW, in all honesty, I am more than a little intimated at times by technology.  We will have four computers and tablets plugged in to four different sites.  It makes my head spin to think about it!  Hopefully the two oldest grands will be able to navigate their way through the cyber world to where they are supposed to be.  BUT, the thought of 8:00-3:00 need to stay on the right cyber page is slightly frightening--well honestly-down right scary!

While thinking over how this will look when school starts, I realized I have actually done quite a bit of virtual learning over my lifetime.  Whenever I am plugged in to the correct "Main Frame", things have run pretty smoothly.  The times that have been not just rocky but at times like riding out a hurricane have been when I lost my connection, forgot to power up, crashed the system by some foolishness.  Thank goodness I am always allowed to reboot and power up again.  

Virtual learning is old as time itself.  Thankful to have a loving teacher with infinite patience as I traverse this old world.  Always learning--always learning!

It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

John 6:45

LIFE ON SHIFTING SANDS

 This pandemic and the current state of the world has me vacillating a lot between



peeping out of my den to see if things have returned to normal ( I KNOW there is no such thing as normal)


AND



When I get a whiff of what is currently happening, I want to bury my head in the sand.

Is it any wonder I am having a tough time writing?  


I NEVER in my wildest dream considered the world would look like it does today!


Some things, though, have not changed


We have always lived in a hurting and broken world



We all desire to be loved

AND


The world may be quickly changing and shifting around us---we never know what the next moment may bring, but God NEVER changes.  He is our hope!

I am the LORD,

and I do not change.

Malachi 3:6

PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE

The news is reporting all the football teams are beginning to practice for their coming season.  NO MATTER HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT-SIGH~I will not be distracted from the purpose of this post and football season is NOT the nucleus of my thoughts (EVER).


 

Practice is an essential part of any sport.  MANY more hours are spent practicing than actually playing the game.  Cross country is an excellent example.  The runners practice year round except for a couple of brief breaks after seasons are over.  MILES AND MILES are run--daily--in all kinds of weather conditions--and on all types of terrain.  Top that with cross training and you spend at least a couple of hours daily--6-7 days a week for more than 11 months of the year preparing for a handful of races which all last--no more than 30 minutes each.




I practiced for 18 weeks each time I ran a marathon.  You cannot just decide to run a marathon and expect to show up the day of the race and finish 26.2 miles.  Unless you are some superhuman species, the muscles have to learn what you are going to expect from them and your head has to get prepared for the mental challenge of running that distance.  It would never have been possible without all those days of practice.  The same held true for each hiking trip we went on.  You cannot go climb a mountain without preparing yourself physically by practicing the ups and downs long before you step foot on the mountain.  Most physical endeavors require practice to perform at your best.



I practice writing each and every time I sit down and put a thought on paper.  During the quarantine, I began drawing.  With each attempt I was practicing the art so I would get better.  Practice also instills memories in not just our brain, but also our muscles.  We are learning what to do and how to do it by practicing the skill.


The last few minutes of the news are the real reason I watch the news most days.  No matter what horrible things are going on in the world, the news teams gives us a glimpse of a better world the last thing on the show. Recently I saw a special about a young boy who they declared was practicing compassion.  NOW if there EVER was anything worthy of practice--daily practice it is compassion.  And most of the time, we do not walk away from that practice drained, but instead energized.  One little act of compassion can lead to another and another--with practice we become addicted to the blessings of helping our fellow man.  

I cannot think of anything more worthy of practice than compassion.  What a beautiful world it would be if we all would only practice love and mercy daily.  There would indeed by glory--if we would only practice.


"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

Hebrews 6:10

FEAR NOT

I have been locked down since March 13.  Following the rules, and trying to be a good citizen and neighbor, I have been questioned why I think this is necessary.  I have been reminded I only have one risk factor---OLD AGE.  And then my kids remind me I am vulnerable-- "Stay home, MOM!"  AND right up the street is my sweet niece, who if she sees me in my car, will stop me and ask where I am going.  I am thankful for being so cared for.


My reason for being extremely cautious is two fold---I would NOT want to transmit the disease--even unknowingly.  There seems to be some who have the opinion that the loss of some human life is a acceptable cost of not being inconvenienced.  As for myself, I am willing to stay home if it means I am not responsible for your grandparents or parents loss.  What a heavy burden to my conscious it would be to know my desire to go somewhere caused the loss of a loved one.


My second reason is totally selfish of me.  I laughingly tell people, I do not care to suffer~I don't do suffering well.  OH, I laugh it off, but there is a huge element of truth in this statement.  COVID, if you are one of the ones badly affected, will cause suffering and even a mild case is no cake walk.  NOW--there is no barometer for who will be dangerously sick and who will not.  Certainly older adults are more negatively affected, but there are young and old alike filling the ICU beds across the country.  I have read about the varied symptoms and none of them sound like a ball of fun.  AGAIN, I do not want to suffer.

As I walked my circles around the Hood in the early morning twilight today, it occurred to me I have an aversion to suffering in many areas including relationships.  Fear and reluctance have become barriers for entertaining deepening of some relationships~fear of the possibility of suffering.  How quickly I forget the benefits of deep relationships--the blessings love offers--instead I dwell on the pain that a relationship might entail. 

The most important thing I tend to forget when trying to avoid suffering is the most tangible feeling of the presence of Jesus has come in my deepest suffering.  He is always present, but I am most aware in my times of greatest suffering.  He walks by my side, upholds me with His strong right arm, and holds my tears.

So my take away, it is almost a sure bet, I will suffer again--before I leave this temporary home.  BUT---suffering does not negate the blessings along the path which eventually lead to suffering.  AND--Jesus is present--ALWAYS--and I am especially aware of Him being near in periods of greatest suffering.

FEAR NOT!


FAIRY LAND

I have had many projects during this lock down to keep myself busy.  I recently decided to make a fairy garden.  The plants are all live-succulents, the sidewalk is crushed egg shells-repurposed from my garden compost savings, and the "grass" is dried moss.  All the creatures, furniture, mail box, bird bath, and house were ordered on line.  (The UPS man/woman have worn a path in the sidewalk to my door.)
 The sweet little house is solar powered and lights up at night.  How warm and inviting the light shining from the windows is when I glance out at the nighttime patio.  It seems to draw you in with a promise of peace.



 
As I was putting this project together, it began to dawn on me why this is so inviting.  We all want to live in the sweet cottage surrounded by a lovely garden and rock fence.  Perhaps I speak too hastily, but I would dare to say most of us in my season of life desire this.  Serenity, beauty, and warmth are now more important than massive, grandiose, and costly.


 While this is certainly lovely, my eyes see loads of upkeep, tons of work, and money flying out the chimney in a whiff of smoke.  You finally get to the point in life when you realize "things" are not what it is all about.  "Things" come with a burden to preserve them or they will implode.  There is much to be said for simplicity.

When I read, I find myself exhausted after finishing a book which closely reflects "real life".  I prefer the good feelings of "Lala Land" books-fairy tales.  Don't we all want a happy ending, don't we all want to be rescued from the brink of disaster, don't we all want to be loved and adored?  Don't we all want to be the central character in our own Fairy Tale?  BUT life does not always seem to go the way we once dreamed it would and more closely resembles a reality series than a fairy tale.


I have come to realize during this period of reflection, my cozy cottage in the woods is actually my sweet little house in the midst of the hood.  Happy endings are par for the course in fairy tales, but there is nothing holding me back from a sweet ending, and I am loved and adored by the One who is ever faithful.  He sent me a love letter full of promises and a declaration of His care.

I will keep on reading those happy ending books, and creating little treasures like my fairy garden.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying dreaming.  It is when we allow ourselves to become disappointed with what we have that trouble rears its head.  God has a way of reminded me of all the blessings He has lavished upon me when I drift toward the land of discontent.  I am loved and adored, my cottage is warm and peaceful, and there is a sweet ending coming.  In the midst of chaos, in the era of uncertainty, and with doubt knocking at the door, He is still My Provider whose promises are sure and certain.  Each and everyday brings the opportunity of living in faith, claiming the promises, and holding on to the sureness of sweet endings.

To Him who by means of His power working in us
is able to do SO MUCH MORE than
we can ever ask for, 
or ever think of:
to God be the glory
in the church 
and in Christ Jesus
 for all time,
for ever and ever.
Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21

COULD WE AGREE TO DISAGREE--NICELY?

Momma, Bless Her Heart, is best remembered by her family, as short on words, but high in demands.  She was the epitome of the Queen Mother~


She had an opinion on how you should live-and did not mind sharing it. 

I do remember one piece of sage advice she gave me as a very young child~

She was specifically speaking of talking about others.  Good advice!

One of the most wearying things about this pandemic is all the vitriol being spewed back and forth.  It has absolutely strangled all the good that is being done in our world.  A neighbor and I, in passing on our daily walks, recently commented about the constant barrage of negative press--from both sides!  NO ONE has a corner on this market.  The tension of the world today and the access to social media has been a volatile combination to feed the fire of not just negativity, but outright loss of decency toward one another.  The greatest commandment to love one another has flown out the door and been replaced by love those who are like me.

We have people physically attacking each other over the right to wear or not wear a mask.  What would cause ANYONE to slap someone or tear down a display because they didn't want to wear a mask?  And it goes both ways, the mask wearers do not stop to consider there may be a medical reason someone cannot wear a mask, they immediately react negatively and go on the attack instead of just backing away and keeping distance from the non-wearer.  We have gone over the edge of reason and fallen into the abyss of personal freedoms.  There is no end to the argument as long as we looking at our own navel. When looking at videos to post recounting these incidences, they were so disturbing--I chose not to go there.

WHAT IF????  What -if instead of pointing out all the downfalls of each other, we began instead to either point to the positives of the ones we support and the ideals we believe in?  What if -we tried to sway the opinions of others with the positives and NOT the negatives?  One of my mantras in life is I do not argue politics or religion.  You CANNOT change anyone's mind by arguing.  They immediately go on the defense and instead of listening to what you have to say begin to form their attack upon what they have predetermined as your wrong.  If we would listen to one another, stay out of the attack stance, and agree to think over what the other has said, how much better the world would be.

I am weary.  I am burdened by what I see happening in the world.  I am saddened to think of my grandchildren missing out on the wonderful world I grew up in.  

NOW--you may not agree.  That is your right!  Would you please do me the favor of stating your disagreement not in an attack fashion, but instead calmly state your view.  I am open to listening, if you say it nicely.  

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

BARE NECESSITIES

Returning from a road trip to Big Bend with Grand #4, I was met with the harsh reality of a world turned upside down.  As I dropped him off at his home, I was told his entire family had the virus while we were gone and his dad was still really sick.  #1 Daughter advised it was not a good idea for me to come inside.  (They all recovered, but Dr SIL was down 3 weeks). Instead of spending the night with his family, I drove four plus more hours headed home and my bed.  March 13 was the beginning of a new and unfamiliar life.



As the days began to stretch out before me and with stay at home orders in place, I began to search for my new normal.  Silly me---there is no normal except the setting on the dryer!  


In the beginning, I was convinced I should carry on as close to usual as possible.  After my morning walk, I would dress, put on my make up (War Paint), try to get my hair to cooperate, and don clothing--sans pre -lock down wear.  I can be slow, but it did finally dawn upon me, I didn't really have to wear something that would require ironing if I was seeing no one.  So the first thing to happen was I started wearing my dri-fit exercise clothing all day.  


LADIES---what is NOT to like about this?  Expando-matic waist, soft material, and we will not even go to the advantages of sports bras!  If you know me well at all, you KNOW I feel as if I was born to dress this way.  

The next thing which bit the dust was make up.  WHY would I spend one minute of time putting on make up when I was not seeing anyone?  Why I even got truly adapt at avoiding my reflection in the mirror.  So what if I have age spots, wrinkles, and a definite droop going on?  Who was I seeing that needed to be impressed?  AND added incentive--IF YOU DO GO OUT--You wear a mask!  WHO WOULD KNOW I had no make up on?  In fact there was a good possibility I would not be recognized at all.  TRULY INCOGNITO!


As for the hair, you DO remember there were NO trips to the salon for a period of time.  After noticing I now had tri colored hair and NOT from foil color treatment, I had an inch gray, an inch brown, and the rest faded brassy gold.  LOVELY!  I ordered three hats---problem solved.  I started washing my hair, letting it dry naturally and donning the day's hat.

AT last, I was stripped down to the real me.  Freeing is an understatement!  My new beauty routine consisted of a shower and a slathering of moisturizer all over-END OF ROUTINE!  Slowly I became brave enough to look in the mirror and discovered to my amazement, it wasn't really all that bad.  While working in the yard, I had a nice farmer's tan going on, and who knew I actually have a little natural curl in my hair if I leave it alone.  It was a return to the innocence of childhood and the carefree notion that what you wear and how you dress is not of greatest importance.  My greatest concern in those lovely days of my youth was WHO will I play with today?

I discovered as I passed the neighborhood walkers--no one really cares if I am made up and pulled tight.  Slowly it dawns on me it is more important the words I use to greet a neighbor than how I look when I speak those words.  


When all is said and done, it's what is said and done that matters--NOT how I looked.  NO the quarantine has not been easy, but I am learning important lessons about Who God says I am and trying to leave behind Who the world thinks I should be.  OH, I have been back to the hair salon, occasionally I put on make up, and I have even donned those "real world" clothes a few times.  BUT hopefully, I am more focused on what you are saying and how I am responding, what you might need me to pray for you, and how I might be a good neighbor than my reflection in the mirror. This proverb says it best~






CHANGING MY COAT

If I am totally honest, I must admit this virus deal has occasionally put me into a tailspin.



It never occurred to me that I would EVER have to work at keeping busy.  When my volunteering imploded with the state shut down, I began to search for old and new activities to fill my days.  Somehow I have developed a pattern of 30 minute splurges into a variety of endeavors.  Perhaps I should apply to be the new ADHD spokesperson.  I will save the list of all the things I have attempted for another day.  This changed world we are living in has challenged me to maintain the positive spin while trying to pull out of a nose dive into the doldrums.



It has been amazing to see how God has provided each and every time the day has begun to darken into a dreary haze of repetition.  I laughingly tell others I am in a pattern of reliving Ground Hog Day over and over. The resulting primary pursuit has revolved around what I will be eating for my next meal.  With all the change, my appetite definitely has not suffered.  Or am I eating to fill the time?  I am not certain why-but I do know the tightening of my clothing is indicative of what I am spending part of my time pursuing.



The necessity of social isolation to stem the out of control spread of this deadly virus has been trying at best.  With the onset of our hot & steamy southern summer, the occasional visits outside or in the garage have had to be curtailed.  A feeling of heaviness of spirit or despair has occasionally settled around me like a thick and suffocating fog.  I am weighted down by the heavy coat of despair over all the suffering and trouble in the world and my loss of the means to help.






Just when I think I will not be able to pull out of the tailspin and I am headed for a huge crash, God sends me a Word or sign or nudge of encouragement.  A reminder that I am not in this alone.  Yes, the struggle is real and there is certainly a spirit of heaviness in the world today, but God is faithfully by my side.  Recently God reminded me of how to handle all the world is throwing my way.  He pointed these words directly at my heart~


BUT GOD!



BLINDSIDED


This sports picture captures the meaning of blindsided perfectly.  He did not see it coming.  There have been two distinct times in my life I was blindsided.  I am currently living in the midst of the second one and beginning to wonder just how long I will be groping my way through it.  Truthfully~did you ever in your wildest dreams consider we would be living in the midst of a pandemic?


Was it EVER on your radar that a microscopic particle--one the human eye could not see--would come along and turn the world upside down?  Unless you are some soothsayer, I doubt it occurred to you--and it certainly was not in my play book.

Can you just imagine the panic packing when the Israelites were told---"OK, you can leave".  Hundreds of years of accumulation and probably a few hours to pack it all up.  God's people had grown complacent and accustomed to not only living in exile and slavery, but had lost hope in ever escaping.  NOW they were blindsided by the announcement, GET YOUR STUFF TOGETHER AND GET OUT OF TOWN.


When they finally accepted the fact they were truly escaping their cruel taskmasters, the panic packing began.  I envision the donkey slowly pulling off as the last few things were thrown toward the cart.  


Can you even begin to imagine what the trail looked like after 40 years of hiking through the wilderness?  God's chosen were blindsided and not ready for the big move.  During the 40 year shuffle, they began to discover things they did not really need---feel the burden of the stuff they thought they could not live without.  I would bet the sloughing off began within the first few miles.  With every additional footfall, there was serious consideration given to exactly what was truly important to drag along.  The first true minimalists were part of the great exile out of Egypt.  If you must carry it on your back, the question of necessity becomes of upmost importance.

YES, we are living through a pandemic.  The first one since the Spanish flu pandemic of the early 1900's.  We have all been blindsided and the world seems to have gone crazy.  BUT GOD!  There is something to be learned in all of this.  There certainly is plenty of time to consider what God is teaching--if you are  being considerate of your neighbors and adhering to the rules.  I have spent more time alone the past six months than any other time in my life.  Plenty of time to think and pray.  Plenty of time to seek God.  What have I been dragging around that needs to be left behind?  Not just what stuff, but what negative emotion, what long held grudge, what baggage which should have been cast aside long ago?  Time to throw off anything which stands between a deeper relationship with my family, my friends and especially my God.  Praying I can lighten the load and grow in these uncertain times.  Though I may have been blindsided--there are no surprises for God.  Looking for the lesson--always looking for the lesson.

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of His heart to all generations.
Psalm 33:11


WHAT IF

So much has rolled around in my head since this pandemic exploded into our world, and yet I have been unable to put all these thoughts on paper.  I have vivid memories of the polio outbreak during my childhood.  My mother's cardinal rule was you needed to rest after lunch everyday to ward off the possibility of contamination by the polio virus.  I am not certain if that was fact or the motivation to get her three offspring to give her a couple of hours of peace.  Rest time was from after lunch until three everyday.  For some unknown reason, those were the hours when we would be infected according to folk medicine.  It was a deadly virus as perhaps most famously remembered by President Roosevelt's leg paralysis.  The iron lungs, precursors of today's intubation, were necessary to help those afflicted get enough oxygen to sustain life.  Medical science has come a long way since that epidemic and our understanding of virus epidemics, thankfully, is many times better.

Rather than exploring why this has happened, where did it come from (deeper than a country or region), and what are the consequences of this epidemic, perhaps we should look at it on a more personal level.  It has occurred to me that perhaps God is giving me a period of sabbath.  A time to rest while locked down and prohibited from social interaction.  I am only able to do very limited ministry work--but there is endless time to pray.  The schedule which controlled me and my days has been thrown out the door.  What if God is allowing me to consider how He wants to use my time.  What if God is reminding me He really does not need me to accomplish His purpose.  What if there is a purpose in all of this which is deeper-more profound-a greater purpose than all this illness and death.

God did not cause this epidemic, but He has allowed it.  In the worst of times, we often see the best in people.  I have learned the most about Who God is in the very hardest of times.  During these days of great sorrow, deep suffering, and unknown futures, God is present.  He is still God.  He is not surprised by all of this.  He can and will use all things for His glory and good purpose.  

As these final two weeks of lock down pass by, consider not those questions of worldly importance, but instead seek What God is showing you.  God wants you to rest with Him. Every day, place your head on the heart of Jesus and quietly be with the Lord.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:2-3