MY NEIGHBOR'S GARDEN

My neighbor has such a lovely garden.  A quite proper English garden with plants blooming year round, lovely benches upon which to sit and reflect, shady trees, and even a running water feature.  I spend a great deal of time gazing over the fence at my neighbor's garden.  Often I found my self daydreaming ~ if only I had my neighbor's garden, I would be so content.  My live would be complete and truly I would have everything I want--if only I had my neighbor's garden.

There is a garden at my home, but my garden is not as beautiful as my neighbor's.  I suppose it must need a little work, some cutting back, and planting anew.  There is a bench upon which to sit, but the vines have grown so thick it is quite a mess.  There is a garden in my back and perhaps it could be lovely too with a little work.  OH, if ONLY I had my neighbor's garden.

There is another neighbor, on the other side, but I really don't know much about them, except their garden is not so lovely.  There is a wheel chair ramp leading to the house, and no one ever seems to visit the couple who live in the house.  The lady often gazes out her window, but she never does anything about her barren garden.  It is quite a desolate sight, when I occasionally peer over the fence.  Why it makes me wonder how anyone could allow their garden to become such an eyesore.  Who would want to gaze upon this sight?

One day it occurred to me, perhaps my garden was not so bad after all.  With a little work, and thinning out of plants, my garden could also be lovely.  Perhaps not quite as lovely as my neighbor's garden, but a lovely sight after a long day working to get it back into shape.  The plants I thinned, I took to my neighbor  and planted in the barren garden.  She was so delighted and thankful that I took the time to lend her a hand.  Now she sits outside in her garden and seems to enjoy the birds singing and the flowers blooming.  Such a little thing to share the bounty from my own yard, and yet it brought joy and happiness to my dear neighbor.

When I finally quit peering over the fence at my neighbor's garden and began to work instead upon my on garden, I found a new peace and contentment with my own lovely garden.  From that sense of peace came a great gratitude which spilled over into an act of  kindness for my other neighbor.  We can all enjoy our lovely gardens~one exquisite, one sparse but green and blooming and then there is my garden--which is really quite lovely and more than enough. What a shame that would have been to have missed the beauty in my own back yard while peering over the fence.

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philippians 4:12

JOY AMIDST THE ASHES

Recently I reposted a John Piper quote on my Facebook page which resonates truth with me~

I was amazed how many comments I had on a repeat post from three years ago.  One thing remains true--there are many hurting and in pain all around us.  As I thought this over, one thing immediately popped into my head.  "Joy amidst the ashes."  Joy can spring up in the most unexpected places, even in the midst of the ashes of broken dreams and lost expectations.

While hiking in the mountains, we have come across large areas which have been completely burned over by wildfires.

It truly is a devastating sight.  Ashes, fallen trees, blackened logs, and void of seemingly any living thing, the landscape has turned from the beauty of the forest to the devastation of the fire.  On the edge of the burn over, you see untouched forest, still growing, still vibrant, a beautiful lush forest-untouched by the tragedy. 

Upon closer examination, you will notice there is new growth among the ashes.  New life has sprung from the ashes of destruction.  The beauty of God's creation continues once the forest has burned.  The light is now able to reach the tiny seedlings and new growth begins.  The once dense cover had prevented the small plants and trees from sprouting and growth since limited light filtered through to nourish the growth.  New growth and new plants quickly begin to appear once the devastation is over and the forest of tomorrow begins the process of redeeming the loss of today.

Such a similarity with our lives.  We can be in the midst of a burn--burned hopes, dreams, and plans--with nothing seeming to be touched anywhere around us.  And then the "Light" shines upon us and the joy and hope of tomorrow begin to grow.  Slowly the tender sprouts of a future take hold and the forest begins to grow once again.  The forest will not be the same forest, but it can be a thing of great beauty--just as yesterday's forest.  There is always the hope of joy among the ashes with God by our side.  All we have to do is allow His Light to shine upon us --"Wash Our face, Trust God, And Embrace the Life We Have."

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Titus 2:13

I AM NOT FINE

Politeness and good manners are the cornerstone of the South.  When asked how we are from a very young age, we respond, "Fine, how are you?" without a thought. We could be a computer on automatic response.   We are taught to say we are fine before we learn to walk.  After all who wants to hear you aren't fine.  We ALL run from anyone who dares to give their long laundry list of complaints--real or imagined--if they dare to respond from the expected norm.  Why I dare say even the "Pray for me," response would have the best well wisher heading for the exit.  UNLESS, there might be a tad of news to relay from the conversation. 

     

If we all stopped to share how we "REALLY" are, and waited for the "REAL" response, when we asked in return how they were, we wouldn't get anything done EVER!  My poor trainer makes the mistake of asking each session how I am.  He does not get the standard expected reply, instead he gets to hear about what's currently hurting.  (Side note--getting old is not for sissies!)  It would seem after training me for a few months he would realize something always is hurting.  So the question is not if I am hurting, but how bad does it hurt?  Some days he just asks, "How's the hip?".  He has learned he will not get the entire laundry list if he asks specifically about the problem I come for.     

WHO is really fine in today's world?  The world is not an easy place.  If you aren't bruised, hurting, in pain, sick, in distress, worried, angry, jealous, defeated, depressed, lonely, or at least concerned, you must have your blinders on, or just wait, your time is coming.  I consider it a great privilege to pray for others, but sometimes I am overwhelmed by all the needs.

We become so desensitized to not being fine, that we begin to accept it as normal.  Or we decide to stick our head in the sand and ignore the obvious of what is going on all around us.  How could anyone be fine in today's world of anger, hate, turmoil, chaos, tragedy, starvation, human trafficking, suicide, addictions ~~~?  The enemy is wandering around wrecking lives and stealing joy and all is not fine!

BUT GOD!  ONLY with God's help are we fine.  We are more than fine, we are blessed to be called a Child of the King---His Beloved.  Without my quiet still time with Him, the world begins to look bleak and lost.  But God reminds me of Who He is and What He has done for me.  I am not fine, but I am at peace--knowing Who is God Almighty.  I have read the end of the book and I know how all this ends.  For that reason, and that reason only---I am fine.

If then you have been raised with Christ,

 seek the things that are above, where Christ is,

 seated at the right hand of God.

 Set your minds on things that are above,

 not on things that are on earth.

 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

 When Christ who is your life appears, 

then you also will appear with him in glory.

                                            Colossians 3:1-4                                                          

NOT MY STORY

Did you ever play the "Whisper" game?  I still remember the first time I played; I believe I was a young teenager sitting in church youth group fellowship time.  The game involves sitting in a circle.  The leader whispers something in the ear of the first person and then the message is passed on--one by one around the circle.  It was amazing how the message was changed as it was repeated.  It started as "Brownies are for dessert" and ended as "Desert to town."  We all have a tendency to listen with different ears.  

A sweet friend has challenged me to think about telling stories that are not my own.  When does news become gossip?  We talked this over one night in small group.  One of the members asked me, "What are we going to talk about then?"  We all laughed, but then we discussed when does passing on information that is not about us become harmful?  

I have had stories that I had been involved in make a circle and come back to me.  ALWAYS--the true story has been changed in some way and the intent is sometimes lost in the repeating.  We decided when talking this over that when you are passing on information that might help the one you are discussing, it is not gossip.  "Sue (who is our mutual friend) had major surgery yesterday and will be incapacitated for a month."  We both have a relationship with Sue, I have merely repeated the facts, and this gives us an opportunity to help Sue.  No harm is meant, there is no salaciousness in the talk, and both parties have a vested interest in Sue.  It does begin to take on the character of gossip when we are repeating a story for the sake of the story.  As we talked this over, we admitted we all like to be "In the know".  For some strange reason, we think knowing all the latest and greatest talk makes us more important.  My cardinal rule has become--is there any benefit to be derived from repeating this information?  NONE of us like being the object of gossip--and when we begin repeating stories--the truth will get lost in the repeat.  We are opening the door for hurtful mischaracterizations of the truth.  My new answer has become, "It's not my story to tell."  I came across this quote this past week and it resonates with what I am attempting to say, "People will believe any story if it is told well."   Remember that old saying, "What goes around comes around."?  Be careful of repeating stories lest you be the subject of the stories.  OUCH, my toes are hurting!

3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips

Psalm 141:3

CHRIST IN ME

HE IS MY JOY,

MY RIGHTEOUSNESS

AND FREEDOM

MY STEADFAST LOVE
MY DEEP AND BOUNDLESS PEACE

SABBATH BLESSINGS,

DEAR FRIENDS

MEANWHILE HERE IN THE HOOD

THIS IS THE FINAL WEEKEND

OF MARDI GRAS

MARDI GRAS IS RELATIVELY TAME IN 

NORTH LOUISIANA

THE TULIP TREES ARE BLOOMING

JUST WHEN WE THINK SPRING IS COMING

MOTHER NATURE LAUGHS

AND SENDS US

ANOTHER HARD FREEZE

THE BAD THING--

ALL THE BLOOMS

WILL BE AFFECTED :-[

COME ON OVER RED ROVER

I have wonderful memories of hours spent on the playground as a child.  "Red Rover" was definitely a favorite among my fellow rebel rousers.  We had smart and multi-tasking teachers who incorporated physical education with recess to run off all that pent up energy.

Following the dreaded picking of teams (Lord, PLEASE don't let me be chosen last), the teams stood facing each other at the teacher's designated distance.  The trick was in the lining up~ for two weak players (that would be me) side by side was asking for disaster.  The players were slowly called over by chanting the little phrase, "Red Rover, Red Rover, Send Name The Child Over".  The called player would then run full steam ahead and try to break the line.  If they managed to break through, then they could take the player of their choice back to their line.  If they did not break through, they joined the other team.  The object of the game was to end up with all the players.  Certainly there was strength in numbers, but the strategy of lining up was critical.  The runner could try to break the line anywhere they chose, without prior notice.  It was imperative the entire line have their feet firmly planted and be ready.  One quickly learned the closer you stood together, the better the grip and less likely the runner could break the line.  As I thought this over, I wonder why we did not link elbows?  Probably against the rules.  I do distinctly remember a day when the runner hit our firmly linked hands with such force our heads bumped when we were thrown together.  Big knots, but NO BREAK!

We are spending two weeks talking over the shoes of peace in small group.  You put those shoes on to give you the sure footing which comes with the truth and the sure knowledge of the peace God intends us to live in.  As we stand shoulder to shoulder with our feet firmly planted, we present a strong front which the enemy will not be able to penetrate.  I have such a clear picture of standing with linked elbows--close--and our feet hip width apart-firmly planted.  That is the beautiful image of our community of believers and exactly why God desires for us to live in relationships and in community.  We have each others' backs though thick and thin!

This only works when we are united in peace, and peace seems to be endangered these days.  There is so much discord, dissension, and chaos in the world it would take a spider web graph to decide all of those we are not at peace with.  There is strife in families, disagreements among friends, war among believers, and out an out animosity between political parties.  Peace has become a rare commodity.  The enemy LOVES us to be in chaos ~ distracted from that which is eternally important.  We are ineffective warriors whose lines are easily broken and victims dragged off when we are living in turmoil.  Put on those shoes, choose peace, stand firm, and become an effective warrior for The Gospel of Peace.

I leave you with these poignant notes from Wesley~

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel - Let this be always ready to direct and confirm you in every step. This part of the armour, for the feet, is needful, considering what a journey we have to go; what a race to run. Our feet must be so shod, that our footsteps slip not. To order our life and conversation aright, we are prepared by the gospel blessing, the peace and love of God ruling in the heart, Col 3:14,15. By this only can we tread the rough ways, surmount our difficulties, and hold out to the end.