PARDON MY NOSTALGIA

  

  This past weekend I found myself nostalgic for the early years of my life.  A simpler time---I grew up in a Mayberry twin.  It was the best of days.  Fast forward 3 decades---I am a young mother, wife, and professional among other things.  I kept the hat rack by the door and sometimes walked out with two or three to wear for the day.  In many ways it was still a much simpler time.  Church was not entertainment, home was functional not a showcase, children were allowed to roam the neighborhood free from fear, and life was busy but very good.  There was not entertainment 24/7 at your fingertips and we actually took the time to talk (not comment on social media).

NOW, I also remember hard times---really hard times.  It was simpler, but it was still life in the trenches.  Most things entailed hard work---there were no robot vacuums or other forms of technology making life easier.  Elbow grease was the most important tool for finishing any job.  My in laws still raised almost all their food.  Gardening, canning, and raising chickens and cattle is NOT glamorous--it is hard work.  There was a rhythm to the days, though, necessitated by keeping the home fires burning.  It was hard work, but it was rewarding.

There is more of a disconnect today than ever.  It saddens me to think where this is headed.  In a hurry scurry world, we demand instantaneous gratification and do not tolerate anything which tries our patience.  Patience has lost its crown of virtue and been replaced with the need for more----NOW (Instantaneous Gratification) .  I am deeply nostalgic for the days of yore.  I miss walking into a church with a sense of reverence, miss sitting at the supper table and chatting about the day's happenings, miss those front porch sessions, miss the slow cadence of a day winding down while I watched the sunset.  I am nostalgic for a simpler time.

Those days are gone.  But are they?  Can I recreate some of those moments-perhaps without the additional labor?  How do you reconnect to those simpler days?  Is it possible to go back---at least for a few brief moments?  Questions for you, Dear Readers.  Have you been able to live a simpler life?  When, where, and how have you been able to jump off the fast train of today and once again enjoy the slow scenic route?  I am all ears.

"But Godliness actually is a means of great gain 

when accompanied by contentment."

I Timothy 6:6

GIVE UP WHAT?????

 Fasting---NOT just a topic for past generations.  We can be called to fast today.  I have been exploring this concept of fasting.   I have fasted in the past, but it was not an open-ended agreement to give up something.  My fasting would be not eating from dinner (supper-for all us Southerners) until supper the next evening.  The idea behind fasting has been to allow us to meditate and concentrate on God during those times of not eating.  Those hunger pains were supposed to remind us of the purpose behind what we were doing.  OH--there is much more to it, but you get the gist.

In two days, I have had two occasions when the concept of fasting was brought up.  Food is not that important to me.  Most of you were raised to associate food with comfort and enjoyment.  My family ate to live--we did not live to eat.  It is long and complicated--I wish I enjoyed food as much as most do.  I have learned to be a decent cook, and really enjoy cooking, but the ingesting of that food leaves something to be desired in me.  I am headed somewhere---hang on.

I had a good friend talk about fasting from her morning Dr. Pepper recently.  She talked about how much she enjoyed that morning drink and how she decided to give it up to show God she desired to grow closer to Him--to know Him in a deeper way.  So she eliminated one of the favorite parts of her morning routine to remind her of her search for a deeper relationship with God and as a sacrifice to show God how deep her desire was to draw even closer to Him.

Today as I was doing my daily BS, the author talked about fasting while writing this study.  They fasted all day while writing to keep their thoughts only on what  was being written.  They cleared their mind from all thoughts of anything but the subject of the study.  At the end of the day, when all the writing for the day was done--THEN they broke their fast and ate.

SO--I am thinking about what is really important to me.  What could I abstain from to show God my deep desire to be closer to Him---to know Him at a deeper level.  Here is the other thing I am certain of---I do not need to boast of this fast.  I need to limit my proclamation to God and God alone.  After all---that is why I will fast. 

SO--what is really important to you?  What would be a real sacrifice to show God your intent to know Him at a deeper level?  After being nudged twice in a very short period, I feel as if God is asking me that very question.  I am searching for the answer---

"So we fasted and implored God for this,

and He listened to our entreaty."

Ezra 8:23

"Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

Come with fasting, weeping and mourning.

Don't tear your clothing in your grief,

but tear your hearts instead.

Return to the Lord your God."

Joel 2:12-13

HOPE

 MAY WE BEGIN

TO PREPARE OUR HEARTS

TO CELEBRATE

THIS ADVENT SEASON

BLESSINGS ON THIS

FIRST SUNDAY

OF ADVENT,

DEAR FRIENDS

WHAT AM I READING?

 

I really like this author, so I went back and read his first book.  My least favorite of his three books, BUT still a good story.  I was a little dismayed at the ending, but that does not negate a well developed story line and characters.  Set in the late 30's-early 40's of last century, this book is about the socially elite of NYC.  I will tell you, not everyone likes his style, but I found myself trying to savor the book by slowly reading the  soothing and relaxing  read.  You can find this book HERE

LOOKING BEYOND OURSELVES

 There are times in life we have to think beyond our own personal pain or anger.  There are times we have to consider everyone affected by a situation.  It is human nature to become consumed by the pain we are enduring.  If something hurts, it is really a struggle to think beyond our pain.  We forget others are also hurting.

Most of us have endured pain in our life.  The actions of others can cause us pain.  We get so wrapped up in our own feelings, that we forget there are others who are also suffering.  We develop tunnel vision and fail to see others  are also enduring the same pain.  The ripple effects or consequences can be far reaching when someone or something has caused us pain.

God gives us hearts filled with empathy and compassion to sustain us in the darkest of days.  When we all unite to support the innocent who are caught in the darkness of the pain, we are allowing God to teach us.  As Jesus hung on the cross, He looked past His own pain and felt pity for those at the foot of the cross.  He asked for others to rally round and help with the pain they were enduring.  He thought beyond His own personal pain and recognized others were also hurting.

I am praying we can all rally round when the time comes and embrace everyone affected by the pain we are enduring---especially the innocent .  God can use us--even in our greatest pain.

He helps us in all our troubles,

 so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles,

 using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:4

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 MAY YOUR DAY

BE FILLED

WITH

LOVE AND JOY

HAPPY THANKSGIVING,

DEAR FRIENDS!

STRESS

If you have spent any time with me lately and we have had time to really talk, I have asked you to pray for me.  I am suffering from stress.  Stress manifests itself in various physical ways.  Personally an irritated mouth, jaw pain, tossing and turning while trying to sleep, clinched teeth, and irritability are the most predominate signs stress is affecting me physically.   It quietly slips up on me before I even realize it.  Slowly it dawns on me that all these physical symptoms are an outward manifestation of the invisible hold stress has taken on my life.  I have been so busy fighting the symptoms, I have not stepped back to consider the cause.  

You probably are wondering what in the world I would have to be stressed about.  Life is filled with stressors--no matter what season we are in.  We are preconditioned by life's circumstances to handle most of our day to day stressors, but add a couple of new bricks to the load and we begin to bend.  There is only so much one can take.

As I have thought this over, I have determined what my biggest stressor is ~ I am trying to take care of the problem myself and NOT really going to the Source.  For some reason, I think I personally need to handle all the stressors.  The world is filled with stress--and it is not diminishing.  My failure to look to the One who always has my best interest at heart for solutions to these stresses is my biggest mistake.  For some strange reason I think I should be handling all of this and not admitting to God I am weak and fallen and need His help.  It is a sin of pride.  

SO, Yes I am stressed

NO-God is not surprised

Yes-He wants me to come to Him

WHY--is it so difficult to always turn to God first?  Why do we think we have to take care of every situation?  Pride, My Friend, Pride.  That is the real source of all my stress---My own foolish pride!  Well now, I have recognized the problem--what am I going to do about it?  I am the only one who can admit my failing and ask for help.  God will be pleased and I am thankful He is the God of second, third and infinite chances.

"Pride goes before destruction,

and haughtiness before a fall."

Proverbs 16:18

An update on the stress in my life.  I wrote this post over two weeks ago.  God has stepped in and helped me learn how to deal with the stressors which are causing me the most angst.  Determining what I can and cannot do are the most important steps I have taken and drawing those boundary lines has helped with the burden.  That and seeking more balance in my life has been the beginning of relief.  This grand came to spend a few days with me this week--ALONE.  I seldom have the opportunity for one on one time and we have had a great time together--doing just what he wanted to do. If that won't de-stress you, nothing will!   SO---Happy Thanksgiving Eve friends---give thanks and dig in!

THE IMPORTANCE OF WISDOM

 FINALLY, we have been able to restart our Sunday School class at church.  I will admit, I probably would have continued to watch services on line without the prodding of our meeting.  As I sat there and listened to the "introduction" of the book we are studying--the why, where, who, history of the time, I was reminded of how important it is to sit with those more wise and reap from their study and experience.  Surely this is one of the important reasons we are called to meet together.  After the introduction, another teacher taught the first 8 verses of the book.  THAT WOULD BE ONLY 8 VERSES.  This is called an exegesis study of the scriptures.  Taking verse by verse and examining the text.  Every time I have studied The Word this way, my understanding has deepened.

During the class, we were reminded of Paul's emphasis on  faith, hope and love.  We turned over and examined the love chapter ~ I Corinthians 13 to understand exactly what love is.  I had a friend with me who is no longer able to drive and when we left church she imparted another nugget of wisdom on me.  She reminded me the "Love Chapter" of the Bible is a description of what God's love looks like and what we should strive for.  None of us humans are really able to get this right---only God is the perfect model for how love should look.

SO, I am reminding me & you, Dear Friend to find someone who is wise and can teach you. Sit and listen, ponder, process and apply what you learn from your teacher.  AND THEN---MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL---find someone you can teach the truths you learned to.  THAT is the beautiful  New Testament model of evangelism.

40 The student is not above the teacher,

 but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

Luke 6:40

SMOKE SCREENS

 

We mortals are experts at hiding behind smoke screens.  Smoke screens come in all sizes, shapes, and forms AND for different uses.  Put me on the hot seat and I will get busy either changing the subject or deflecting the blame and shame.  NO ONE enjoys having the error of our ways pointed out.

Most of us learned this trick as a child.  I have really noticed this with my grands. I was so busy running in circles, I had no time to analyze the behavior of my own children.  With being a grandmother, I have the ability to step back and observe.  ALWAYS--someone else started the fight!  

 You have all heard me call original sin--blame shifting.  It seems to be a natural inclination to try get the light of blame shifted toward another person or thing.  Look in the media--it is there daily.  Why we have become a society who leans on the crutch of our past and current circumstances for an excuse for our bad behavior.  Why even marching toward my mid seventies, I look back 60 + years ago and blame my childhood for some of my craziness.  I DO tell myself---GET OVER IT!

GUESS WHAT ?  This is NOT where I am going today---it is what I would call a lead in.

As I was thinking over my prayer life and weak attempt at a prayer life at times, it occurred to me I was deflecting while praying.  In the name of compassion and empathy, I focus a great deal of my prayer time on those I have been asked to pray for or those I know need me to pray for them.  NOT ONE THING wrong with that.  HERE is the problem--an essential element of approaching the throne is confession.  My prayers for others has become a smoke screen to deflect from my need to confess and get right by pointing my finger toward others.  Before I throw a prayer toward the throne, I need to be under the cover of grace.  Grace is granted with first confession.  I need to deal with my stuff which throws up that smoke screen between God and me.  I need to get straight with God Almighty and THEN pray for those He has placed on my heart.  I need a strong wind (Holy Spirit) to blow away the screen I have placed with good intentions.  Good intentions can come between God and me in the blink of an eye.  God wants me to be brutally honest with Him---even when the hot seat is blazing hot with shame.

Heavy stuff or elementary?

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other

 so that you may be healed.

 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective

James 5:16

GIVE THANKS

 MAY WE PREPARE OUR HEARTS

TO BE THANKFUL

FOR ALL HE HAS DONE

HIS FAITHFUL LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

BLESSED THANKSGIVING WEEK,

DEAR FRIENDS!

WHAT AM I READING?

 

I read this over a year ago, but the detail are still in  my head.  A sure sign of a good book.

My Card Description~

End of the depression-children sold because families could not feed them.

Newspaper writer makes his break through by writing a story about this-

BUT the photo he uses is not the children he saw for sale.  

The tangled web of lies to draw public attention to a social issue.

(This could play out today)

You can find this book HERE

A TIME FOR PLANTING

 I recently purchased a couple of dozen day lily bulbs from one of our local garden clubs.

They are not much too look at right now.  There is a process in growing these bulbs.  They must be planted in the fall and allowed to remain dormant until the warming ground awakens them in the spring.  THEN--they sprout and eventually you will enjoy THIS ~

There is even MORE to this miracle!  As they grow--they multiply.  You will be able to divide the bulbs and transplant or just allow them to become a thicker bed of beautiful lily blooms.  

THIS IS IMPORTANT-  they must first be planted and allowed to lie dormant all winter before this miracle occurs.  THEN--they not only send up shoots, but eventually bless you with these beautiful blooms.

As I was looking at my bulbs, which need planting, it occurred to me this is a lot like God's Word.  We have to plant the idea by studying the word, sometimes it has to lie dormant, but eventually it will begin to grow and send out shoots of beautiful wisdom.  Of course, some bits of the wisdom in The Word can be immediately beneficial, but others are meant to store in our hearts for the time it may be needed.  Then we will enjoy the beauty of the harvest - or the bloom of the flowers of wisdom.  The Word sits there waiting for the perfect timing of when it is needed.  The labor of planting the wisdom was rewarded with the beauty of the bloom in the future.  Not a thing goes wasted in God's economy. He  rewards our labors with blessings of far greater beauty than we could ever imagine.  What a wonderful God we serve.

"A time to plant and a time to harvest."

Ecclesiastes 3:2

PS--As I proof read this a last time before publishing tomorrow, it hit me what was said in SS this past Sunday.  (I LOVE how God reinforces HIs lessons)  We are doing an in depth study of Colossians and many of the teachers and class members are serious and deep Bible students (I try to keep my ignorant mouth shut).  After we had taken 6 verses and spent over an hour studying them, one of our pastors, who attends the class, asked this question, "This is all good and well, but NOW how do we take this information and apply it to our lives?"  Exactly what I am feebly trying to say above.  Thank You, Lord for this timely explanation.

CHANGING MY OTHER MIND

 They (who is they?) say  it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind.  A recent example of one who changes their mind based upon the whims of the crowd they are surrounded by has me thinking this over.  Let me tell you this little story.  One day I am being given a "mini-group lecture" --lead by this person, after they were fired up by the group--and being told what was wrong with the current situation.  I must say I was standing there with my jaw unhinged.  I value others' opinions, but do not appreciate mandates.  NOW--in my normal fashion, I went home and stewed over this for a couple of days.  The next meeting I called the entire gang together and explained the reasons behind the actions.  Interesting--there was an immediate flip flop of opinion.  Without argument--the group went back to the original direction, with the original charge leader the first to flip.  They changed their other mind when presented with the reasoning behind the circumstances.

I read an article last night by a psychologist concerning our flexibility, willingness to listen to two sides of an argument, and the need at times to change our opinion (mind).  I confess, I can be rather rigid about some things.  I am always open to listening to both sides of an argument, but have to try and take my personality, past, and preconceived notions out of the equation to really attempt to understand both sides.  If I think it over, I have let first impressions rule my judgement at times.  With time, I have not only bent my opinion, but turned it 180 degrees.  There have been other issues with changing times,  I have had a change of heart on over the years.  Time, circumstances, knowledge, and maturing have led to a change of mind.  

I also have determined a change of mind can indicate you have taken the time to think over the issue--factored in new information--had a softening of heart--on and on.  Something has worked to change your mind.  There is not ONE THING wrong with changing your mind.  In fact, I think it shows a real maturity and wisdom to admit you have had a change of heart over an issue.  To rigidly hold onto whatever first opinion you had can be detrimental to your judgement.  Opinions are just that---opinions.  Here is your definition of opinion ~

a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge

I encourage us all to be flexible in our opinions.  Do not be stuck in the past---or unwilling to listen to new information.  The world will not collapse if you change your mind on a subject and, I for one, will have great respect for your willingness to admit you were wrong.  

NOW HOW DID I GET OFF ON THIS????

"Do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

GUILTY DOG

Have you ever been falsely accused and ended up suffering the punishment another deserved?  If not you obviously did not have siblings.  This game goes on with siblings all throughout childhood.  (Well except for those "perfect" children who never do any wrong.--YEAH RIGHT!")  Even if the finger was never pointed directly at you, the fact you were allowed to suffer the punishment due to failure to fess up is no different.  Life is NOT fair!  The guilty dog does not always suffer the punishment.

Today's annual walk through the Bible spoke of redemption.  My thoughts were stirred when reading of the people's desire for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus.   Following a game of "You're it" between Pilate and Herod, there was one last opportunity for Jesus to be set free.  Someone condemned to die would be released that day as was custom.  The people -mob (that would be the world), who had been whipped into a frenzy courtesy of the unseen leadership,  demanded that Jesus be executed and the guilty criminal Barabbas be set free.  Jesus had done nothing to demand the death penalty, but Barabbas was guilty as sin.  HMMM!

SO, as I was pondering this while reading, it occurred to me that Jesus was the payer for Barabbas's sins.  He became the redeemer who allowed Barabbas to live.  A foretelling of what He was about to do for all mankind.  An innocent man who paid the price for the sin of another.  The future is foretold in a seemingly unrelated side story.

We see redemption all around us during our trek through this world.  What a beautiful reminder of the innocent blood which was shed for us.  What a grace filled God we serve.  I am thankful today and everyday for His charity and grace toward me.  What a great God we serve!  

"But the mob shouted louder and louder,

demanding that Jesus be crucified,

and their voices prevailed.

So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.

As they had requested,

he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder.

But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished."

Luke 23:23-25

PUTTING A SHOULDER INTO IT

 

High altitude mountain climbers often have a sherpa who carries the necessary equipment for them to reach that summit.  The sherpas are accustomed to the altitude---we flat landers not so much.  You cannot make that summit without tons of equipment, and the novice climbers are unable to carry their own load.  I remember as a child being given a basic physics lesson by my older brother.  We would unload feed and carry it to the barn with two of us carrying those heavy sacks.  IF--- I allowed him to hold the sack higher than I was or IF we had to go up steps and he put me on the lower slope-I was shouldering the greater part of the load.  I FINALLY caught on.  Lesson NEVER forgotten!

In my chronological read through The Word, I am reading about the crucifixion of Jesus.  Today he was beaten, ridiculed, scourged, and humiliated by the Roman guards.  Then He was expected to carry his own weapon of death up the mountain.  He was already in such bad shape,  that he must have been stumbling and falling---making slow progress.  The soldiers, to expediate the trip up the mountain, grabbed a nearby face in the crowd and employed him as a sherpa for Jesus.  He carried the burden of they physical weight for Jesus so that He could be nailed to that cross at the top of the mountain.

I pondered this morning the lesson behind Simon carrying the cross for Jesus.  I am certain there are many interpretations.  I was reminded how God is asking us to shoulder one another's burdens.  He sometimes even insists we carry our fellow sojourner's burdens.  They might not make it if we do not stop and give them a hand.  What must it have felt like that day to carry that cross for Jesus.  I am fairly certain Joseph had no idea he would be remembered for all time as the one who carried the cross for The One who carried our burden of redemption.  I am certain the load was heavy, but Jesus has also promised us this -

30 For vmy yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:30

We are told to take up our cross and follow Him.  Though the struggle is real---so is the reward--eternity in His presence.  Would you answer the call if He asked you to take part of the burden?

"24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. "

Matthew 16:24

LAYERS

I LOVE this time of the year.  Fresh crisp mornings with the nip of cold in the air are a wonderful way to start my day.  The Wonder Dog and I have more zip in our step when the temperatures finally begin to moderate.  Somewhere back in the summer I vowed to NOT complain when the thermometer began to fall.  I promised myself to put on more clothes and not complain.  Our hot and humid summers are brutal and it is a documented fact that you cannot take off enough clothes to be cool in the deep choke hold of August. (Besides who wants to see a 70+ year old woman with few clothes on???)

As the temperatures continue to drop in the winter, I begin to look like this.  I soon have on so many layers I begin to resemble a round and fluffy snowman.  It is a proven scientific fact that layers keep us warm.  (DO NOT ask for that explanation --it is long and boring)  At any rate, at some point this winter I may  have on 2-3 pairs of gloves--wool socks--more than one pair--snow boots--3 layers of clothing starting with my silk long john suit---AND I even will have on a hat which I SELDOM wear because it makes me hot.  (ANOTHER LONG EXPLANATION which would bore you to tears).  Invariably I get ALL this on and immediately have a nature call---SIGH!    I DIGRESS~

When I put all these layers on and top it all off with a thermal coat and pants, I lose my identity.  You would never know it is me.  I have cleverly disguised myself in an effort to beat the brutal elements.  It works-BUT~ it comes with its own downfalls.  It is NOT easy to put on all these layers and probably more cumbersome to strip them all off.  We felt the need to protect ourselves by layering up--but at what cost?

When we begin to add layers to who we are by listening to the wrong sources, we are in danger of becoming unrecognizable.  One thing I noticed at my 50 year class reunion were a couple of people that I not only did not recognize  physically, but their personalities seemed to have changed also.  We are influenced by not only those we surround ourselves with, but also the information we use as a resource.  We begin to layer our personality when we stop thinking for ourselves and accept all we hear as truth without investigating for ourselves.  If we are not careful, we soon no longer recognize the real us--we have added too many layers from external sources.  What is that old saying  from the bard ~

SO careful with those layers--- it is always best to be true to the One who loves us best.

"I can do nothing on my own.

 I judge as God tells me.

Therefore my judgement is just,

because I carry out the will

of the one who sent me,

not my own will."

John 5:30

THANKFULNESS

 My heart is filled with thankfulness.

May we always be thankful.

Blessed Sabbath,

Dear Friends

WHAT AM I READING?

 

Non-fiction---27 years alone--in the woods--stealing to survive and never lighting a fire in the Maine frigid winters.  I learned so much from this book.  You will also, especially if you are an introvert.

You can find this HERE

FULL DISCLOSURE

The pandemic shut down has not been my friend--or has it?  I come from a family of introverts--that does not mean we do not enjoy people--we just need to recharge in solitude.  Introverts get their battery charged when alone.  Extroverts get their batteries recharged around people.  No right or wrong in personalities, but as as introvert I wonder when do you do your thinking if you are always either around or needing to be around people?  I DIGRESS!

 

My sister in law told my brother the pandemic shut down had played right into his need for solitude.  We were not only given "Permission", but we were mandated to limit any social contact.  It is amazing how I can spend hours alone and only occasionally feel the need for social contact.  NOW--in my defense--I do enjoy being around others--I love people.  The thing is I also cherish my times of solitude and actually need them or pay the price of exhaustion.  SO--we have a pandemic and I spend hours alone---but never really alone since I have lots of solitary activities and a really active "thinking life".  Of course the Wonder Dog is always by my side too.

  

NOW--I have had three shots --the  case numbers are down and I feel much safer about being in public.  The problem is I have grown accustomed to being alone a great deal.  I am having a difficult time getting myself going again.  Before the world turned upside down, I had a well balanced active life.  Then COVID entered the picture and the world is topsy- turvy.  Getting my social motor not just started but running has become an issue.  I KNOW there is a need for social interaction--getting out the door is my issue.  I have time each week I volunteer, but anything beyond my regularly scheduled outings --I need a swift kick to get out the door.  I have done it--and hopefully the times will increase, but it has been a struggle.  Anyone else noticed this?  I know many never slowed down, but I am a cautious person and listened to what we were asked to do.  NOW how do I get myself out that door?

PS--I am beginning to get going--it just takes a while these days to get my motor warmed up. 

"4 For just as each of us has one body with many members,

 and these members do not all have the same function,

 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, 

and each member belongs to all the others."

Romans 12 : 4-5

SHARING

 

Our neighborhood book club has installed a "Little Library" for the enjoyment of all our neighbors in the midst of the hood.  I LOVE how these things can come together as if it was all planned in the grand scheme of eternity.  We met one Wednesday and someone mentioned wouldn't it be nice to have a free little neighborhood library.  The very NEXT day our friend from the next hood announced on social media she had a box she wanted to give away.  I jumped on it--without considering how we would get this done.  Without boring you with the details, here we are two months later with the dream come true.  

Here is the thing about this little box ~  it only works if you are willing to share.  I decided a LONG time ago unless I was going to reread a book (that does happen occasionally), I would pass it on.  For years I read e books, but in the last few years I have gone back to the real deal in order to share the books I purchase.  The only instructions for the neighbors are--

Take a Book

Leave a Book

Or Do Both

So far this has worked great.  Our inventory has grown.

We started here and the box is now full to the brim.  Neighbors are sharing with neighbors and it is fun watching the process.  Books have gone from sitting on a shelf gathering dust to being passed around among friends and neighbors.  I cannot tell you how much enjoyment I get from walking by a window and seeing a bicycle pulled up to the library with a child browsing the children's section.  It always gives me great joy to know a child is reading.  What great satisfaction we all get knowing others are enjoying the books we have read.  

Such a wonderful example of the great heart growth we experience when we are willing to share anything we call "MINE".  It is ALWAYS better to give than to receive and sharing is one of the first lessons we learn in life.  Sharing, of course, goes much further than books.  We all have great resources of many varieties which are available for sharing.  What will give you more pleasure--holding those treasures and resources close to your chest or seeing the delight on another's face when you share?  I am sitting here remembering--you can't take it with you---and that includes all our treasures.  Loosen your grip--share!

"16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,

 for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Hebrews 13:16

ENDURING PAIN

On my recent whirlwind tour of Texas for two of the grands' birthdays, it was announced by both set of parents that it was time to go for a checkup and get a few inoculations (that's medical mumbo jumbo for shots/needles).  Neither the 11 year old, nor the one year old will be happy with the job those needles perform.

With that discussion and all the hoop a rah in the media lately about vaccinations (NO--I DO NOT want to discuss this with you), I was taken back to my own childhood and my fear which morphed into phobia about the pain caused by needles.  Sickly until I was a teenager, my rear end felt the sting and pain caused by many a penicillin shot.  Until my adult years, I had a dread and almost panic over anyone coming near me with a needle.  Fast forward---a few surgeries, a few cyst drains (you should SEE the size of that needle!), many shots later, I do not even blink an eye when that needle is headed my way.  I have learned to bear the pain and know it is only temporary.  While a child, I had not endured a lot of pain and the pain those needles  terrified me.  As an adult, I have endured a great deal of pain--physically and emotionally.  I now know from experience, I will survive that discomfort.  I went to the dentist yesterday for a butterfly (what I prefer calling a root canal--you have to agree the term root canal itself is enough to send you running for the door).  They now put something on your gums to numb them somewhat and lessen the injection pain.  By the time he finished injecting, I was the fat lipped lady singing "No more pain".  I have become accustomed to pain and though I do not like it, I accept it happens.

As a sweet innocent baby, we are born into a fallen world where pain is present.  It is not a question of if we will endure pain, but when that pain will come.  You do not get out of this life without enduring some form of pain at some point.  Do we build tolerance for pain the more we experience it?  I would say ~ it depends upon the individual and their personality.  I certainly have built a tolerance for injections---emotional pain though has caused me to still shy away from the possibility of enduring any more of that type of pain.

When I am in pain or suffering, I endeavor to remember Jesus ~ Himself endured not only pain but great suffering ~ to the point of sweating blood.  Our trials of pain and suffering are all part of the road to sanctification.  How can we learn to endure the pain and discomfort of any form of pain or suffering?  We look to our example ~ Jesus.  We have not suffered anything which He does not understand.  God Himself allowed Jesus to suffer and I take great comfort in this scripture which explains why we will endure---the answer is always JESUS.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 

4 who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble 

with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,

 so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; 

if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,

 which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

 7 And our hope for you is firm,

 because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,

 so also you share in our comfort. 

II Corinthians 1:3-7

HIS GOOD PURPOSE

THINK  this over---and do not come to some quick judgement, but instead listen to the facts.

 I spend time with the ladies at The Well who  are not in the best of health.  For various reasons, they do not have the best of habits when it comes to maintaining good health.  After a while, these bad habits will catch up with you.  The good news is the leaders at The Well now have a dietician who is meeting with the ladies and we are providing an exercise class a couple of times a week.  The dietician is focusing on having healthy choices in the pantry and how those choices can be used to help with a better diet.  I really laugh to myself when the interns (recent college graduates) fuss at the ladies who are diabetic about the grams of sugar in their selections.  The ladies are middle age and up---the daughters are teaching the elders.  A lifetime of bad habits is not easy to overcome and old habits die slowly.

NO matter how you feel about those in poverty and how they got there---poverty is a very real thing in our society.  I have a story to tell--and I want you to ponder the facts before throwing a comment out.  This is daunting ~

One of the ladies has recently been diagnosed with a serious cancer.  She has no transportation, she is middle aged, her landlord is less than reliable at keeping the property up to par, she is classified below the poverty line, and she has limited education.  She will have to make the trip to Shreveport (70 miles to the treatment center) five days a week for some time to have chemo and radiation treatments.  She is at the mercy of the transportation system provided by the system.  The first indication of what a nightmare this could be was when they failed to pick her up for her first PET scan.  She really has no idea what is ahead, but all of us, who have helped care for loved ones who went through this, understand.  She is not going to feel good---at best.  She still will have to worry about transportation showing, getting her prescriptions, managing pain and discomfort, meals, and trying to continue her babysitting job.   Cancer in itself is daunting, but add on to that living in poverty and it is overwhelming.  I am overwhelmed for her.  How to help while maintaining her dignity and independence is daunting to say the least.  We will work to serve our friend as she makes this journey.

 The question becomes are you being nudged by God to be a good neighbor?  In what ways might you be able to help someone God is showing you?  The Well would love to tell you of the opportunities to stand along side our neighbors such as this.  What could be more satisfying than to know you are answering the call to build community and serve those in need?  This quote from Oswald Chambers beautifully sums up this calling ~

"Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing."

"For we are God's masterpiece.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Ephesians 2:10