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ROTTEN TO THE CORE

 

This is one of many landscape problems which came along as an extra perk when I bought this new to me house.  Wondering what in the world?  This is the stump of a 100 +year old pecan the former owners had to remove.  WHY would they not have this stump ground at the same time--I cannot imagine.  Instead of grinding the stump they glued a heavy bird bath to it--perhaps thinking that would divert your attention from the stump.  IT DID NOT WORK!  So this stump has set there long enough since I moved in that it has begun  showing serious sign of serious rot and decay.  The first time I noticed it--I stepped on it and it sagged in.  I began working on seeing how much of it I could get to break off by hand and as you can see--I have made a start.  I need an axe--I will put that on my long list of things that did not make the move with me and I wish had.  The photo is deceiving--it is huge and goes way down---it will take a lot of dirt to fill all this in.  The source of the real problem is the stump is rotten to the core.  At times a left over stump will sprout a new tree.  For whatever the reason, this did not happen.  (I'm no scientist)  So I am left with a rotten stump with no signs of life around it and a hazard waiting to happen hole.  If Hero falls in that hole, he may get injured and will have his feelings hurt for sure.  SO--when we allow something to fester and rot---the eventual decay will leave an ugly scar in the beautiful surroundings.   The time to stop the rot is LONG before the decay is visible.  If ignored and allowed to continue you will have only the remaining scar or hole to mark what once was a thing of great beauty.  When I look at this stump, I realize how much shade and life it provided for the homeowners and the local birds and animals.  At some point something which could kill the tree was allowed to slowly do its work.  Eventually all that was left was the stump and to add insult to injury (or death in this case) the remaining scar is ugly--filled with decay--and a reminder not of life, but of death.  WHOA! That is a heavy thought.

Of course, I am using this as an analogy and metaphor for sin.  Rot and decay---what ese could sin lead to?  I will leave you with that thought to ponder.

"For the one who sows to his flesh

 will reap from the flesh ruin

and destruction,

but the one who sows to the Spirit

will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Galatians 6:7-8

HANNAH WHO?

The stylist who cuts my hair is also working on a dual masters degree in theology.   Extremely interesting---even though they go to a liberal seminary, I love our discussions and always come away stimulated to think.   We do agree on the BIG POINT.  I am always questioning them and they are very learned and challenge my thinking.  The discussion ball was rolled recently when I asked, "Though the Old Testament is two-thirds of the Bible, I do not hear a like ratio of sermons based upon its teaching."  OFF WE WENT TO THE RACES!



The most interesting thing they told me concerned the story of Hannah in I Samuel.  Hannah is only mentioned once in the Bible in the first two chapters of I Samuel, and the stylist declared though the book is named for Samuel-- the most important narrative is this story of Hannah.  Their contention is that this is the first time the one on one relationship with God is acknowledged. Hannah prayed directly to God---not out loud as was the custom of the day--and she was a woman.   In most of the OT, the narrative is about the community of God's chosen people---as a group.  When I questioned---what about the relationship with God of Adam and Eve in the Creation Story--I was told disregard that story.  There was an acknowledgement of Moses having a one on one relationship (explained by He was chosen)  and Job (one of the oldest books in the Bible and perhaps my favorite book) speaking with God.  As I have thought it over since that discussion---I decided this belief was gleamed from the fact of Hannah being a woman (low on the totem pole at the time--sometimes not even included in the totem pole) and the fact she was a commoner as the Brits call anyone who is not royal.  She was one of us.  She prayed to God--in the temple which was normally reserved for men and He answered her prayer.  A one on one relationship demonstrated. Though we often refer to the death of Jesus tearing the curtain and allowing us access to God, that access was often allowed-without a priest to be the go between--when strong faith was present and a spirit of contrition and the knowledge that  God was the answer.


I hope you are as stimulated to think as I was.  We both agreed this was a point that our personal beliefs and experiences strongly influences.  As my writing is heavily influenced by my life experiences, those that I have followed their teachings, and the awakening of truth by the Holy Spirit----all those and more color what I write--what I say--and how I act.  Today I leave you to explore your opinion--your belief--and what you believe to be truth.  God blesses our searching and will reveal Himself if we only seek Him.

"God's Spirit has shown you everything.

His Spirit finds out everything even what is deep in the mind of God."

I Corinthians 2:10

"Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit,

not by human wisdom."

I Corinthians 2:13

ON DOWN THE ROAD

 My memory is fading faster than blue jeans in a hot wash.  When I looked through my notes on potential blogs this morning, I found a great one--but for the life of me I do not remember where the idea came from.  Go ahead--take the credit--whoever gave me the idea and I sincerely apologize for failing to thank you.  I am now at the point of diminishing returns when it comes to memories.  AND, it is not just recent events I cannot remember---I am not certain I had a childhood---those memories are sailing away also.  BUT as I tell my offspring---it is just like the WWW that now surrounds us---it is always there---the problem can be finding what you are looking for.


Today--I am focused on Thanksgiving---and then Christmas.  They are so close together it is difficult to separate them.  My youngest grand has a name for his parents---MOMMYDADDY---all one word.  Recently when he was in my care I began to lay the groundwork for bedtime.  He quickly informed me "I need to wait for MOMMYDADDY to come home."  I am a sucker and also an idiot at times---I thought if I got him quiet watching a movie he would go to sleep on the couch.  I was in trouble when they opened that door after 9:00 and he was still awake.  Sorry--but one happy grand trumps parents' rules in my book almost all the time.



Back to the subject---so at the moment I am planning our Thanksgiving feast while also beginning to think about Christmas.  Somehow I get it in my head--today will take care of itself and I need to focus on the next future "event".  The day to day--I tend to perform by rote, without much thought or planning.  Automatic pilot is my setting when it comes to the moment I am in.  No elaborate planning--not much thought about what I am doing--just going through the motions of the day to day.  NOW--those BIG events out in the future--they get a great deal of thought---and perhaps an acknowledgement of my failure to be planning.  BUT here is the thing---I truly enjoy those BIG occasions BUT most of the time I enjoy the days leading up to and sometimes even the lull following them-perhaps even more.  Placing a lot of importance in an event in the future precludes acknowledging the joy of the preparation and the rehashing and reflection after all is said and done.  The note I made on my blog idea log says it so well~

"Are you guilty of looking ahead instead of at what is right in front of you:"


Are we able to take each day as it comes and live in the moment of that which we have?    At this point in life--there is no guarantee I will be around for that next "Big Event".  This has caused me to pause---and reflect---and hopefully do a better job of living in the moment I am in and be thankful.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow-only the present moment.  Asking God to help me stay present in each moment and giving Him thanks.

"Don't worry about tomorrow.

It will take care of itself.

You have enough to worry about today."

Matthew 6:34 CEV


LIFE INTERRUPTED

 During World War II, my parents had a huge life interruption.  With the onset of the war, the world turned upside down and everything was pointed toward defeating the aggressors.  Millions of couples and families were separated when the men left for a war being fought on battlefields thousands of miles away.  When I reflect on that time, the sketchy parts I have been told are momma living and working in Farmerville (my Daddy's hometown) after losing their first baby, who was still born, and Daddy being stationed in the European Theater.  They were apart for a long time and each was living life separate from the other.  



We have all experienced life being interrupted---sometimes for short periods and others for long.  The biggest interruption for us all in the last few years was the shut down during the early parts of the pandemic.  In many ways, I actually enjoyed that period of time.  I attempted new arts, read lots of books, watched movies, worked in my yard and took my daily walks while still practicing social distancing.  My friends and I got together in my large garage and spread out and visited.  We were not able to play games as we had in the past, but we enjoyed the company of each other.  In many ways it was an introvert's dream come true.  I took that interruption and made the most of it.  As with day to day life---the worst part was the loss of many friends to the dreaded virus and the suffering and long term effects others endured while sick with it. 

Interruptions can come for short periods---I had the flu last year for 10 days and did nothing but sleep and visit the porcelain throne to empty the meager contents of my stomach.  After 10 days, my life quickly went back to normal.  You could possibly look at major holidays as interruptions.  My mantra has always been--it is one day.  The major part of the interruption usually comes with the preparations and sometimes the clean up to establish normal once again. When we lose a loved one it is a major interruption which completely changes our lives.  There is no possibility of a return to what we consider normal.  We are then forced to create a new normal.  Some illnesses cause not only an interruption, but a change in life style once we are over the worst of it.  Put this in your book---life will be interrupted.


 We all experience interruptions in life--the question becomes how do we handle those interruptions?  Are we able to return to "normal" easily?  I can only speak for myself, but the pandemic created a huge change in my life.  I developed new habits--new patterns which I continued even after the worst of the scare had passed.  When I think of Momma and Daddy--they immediately tried to return to normal by starting the family they had to delay after Daddy went to war and they lost her son.  I think of all the men and women who returned from that war and each and every one of them trying to return to normal as quickly as possible after the world was interrupted.  Interruptions are inevitable---our character is revealed by how we handle them and how we adapt when life has been changed.  Do we still look to God for strength AND most importantly---are we able to acknowledge---He was not surprised by the interruption and can use it for our good?  


I am certain there are interruptions in the future--maybe soon--maybe far in the future---maybe minor hiccups-maybe life altering breaks.   As that silly movie, "Ghost Busters" so clearly stated "Who ya' gonna call?"  There is only One who can help!

"God is our mighty fortress,

always ready to help

in times of trouble.

And so, we won't be afraid!"

Psalms 46:1-2

NEVER REALLY GONE

 There is a stark fact about the season of life I am currently in---my friends, family, and peers have been shrinking most of my life---but lately it seems to be a landslide.  My high school classmates are beginning to dwindle, I am now among the senior members of my family, many of my peers are dealing with serious health complications, and when those of younger generations begin to leave--it causes me to pause.  My days are numbered---only God knows the number---but I ask Him to use me as long as I am on this terrestrial ball.  Once again I must repeat----WE DO NOT GET OUT OF THIS ALIVE.  One realization I have recently had is Eternity with Jesus is more and more appealing.  My leaving does not frighten me---I know where I am headed, but those who have left before me that I loved dearly---I miss greatly.  There are times I stop and think about how I would love one more sit down with them---how I miss there physical presence---how my world has changed with their absence.  All because of my memories of the time we had together.


Moving has been a rehearsal of the final goodbye.  I am well know for my Irish Goodbyes---sneaking away--without fanfare.  With the stoic upbringing I had, I find it difficult to deal with sad "Goodbyes".  There is a wellspring of tears I have held back and stifled over a lifetime.  Occasionally the dam bursts--but I am once again---keeping them at bay.  My remedy for the tears flowing is to avoid the cause, quietly turn my back and walk away in order to keep it all in check.  Say what you will--but our upbringing is very difficult to ignore or overcome--for me especially in allowing others to see my pain.  Though I find myself teared up a great deal as I get older, I still have them carefully dammed up.  I no longer feel I should hide my grief, but do not want to make a public display of it.  So I save the river of tears---for moments of privacy.  



One of my recent moments of clarity is we always have those who have left us with us--in our memories.  As long as I am breathing---they are with me.  Even those who have been gone a long-long time---are present with us in our recollections of the past.  God gave us a memory---as a gift of solace for those no long physically with us.  When I am gone---my children and grandchildren will remember me---keep me with them---probably laugh a lot about all my quirks and foibles.  I really hope they remember me and smile---and laugh in fondness for who I am.  BUT--without God giving us these  memories--we would be truly gone.  SO--I am thankful for all those I remember---some daily--others on occasion of reminders of their impact on my life.  What a precious gift from God---our memories.  Today I leave you with a powerful quote~

"God gave us memory so that 

we might have roses in December."

J.M. Barrie

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

 There is an entire new industry that has come about in the last few years---"STAGING".  Now in fairness to the industry there have been interior decorators around for a LONG time.  My use of these talented people has involved---"Please limit my choice to 3 and if I do not like any of those we will look again."  I am easily overwhelmed by too many choices--thus I do not like to shop.  I know what I like and have been told my style is "Comfortable".  What could possibly be wrong with your home inviting use?  None of us try to live in a museum or art gallery.   None of us should want things which cannot be used or even touched.  SO---my style is "Please come in and enjoy yourself."  It makes me happy---and that should be the point---NOT is this magazine spread worthy.  


The stress I have been "enjoying" has come from trying to sell a house in a down market while owning and living in my new to me house.  I usually do not share personal details--but this is the background for the post.  We will not discuss all the hoops I have jumped through trying to sell a home in a flat market.  ON TO THE REASON FOR THE POST~




The house is empty since both myself and my son's family have bought homes and have been in them for a few months.  SO---we are using stagers to show the possibilities with the house which stands empty.  It is a very nice home---only 12 years old and built in the style of the neighborhood filled Craftsman Designs.  We loved living there---BUT it is great home for a large family or two families trying to live together (Momma is NOT easy to live with---ALL ON ME).  So we both bought smaller homes---and the house has been showing empty.  Most are not able to look at a blank slate and imagine the possibilities.  The stagers are showing them the possibilities.  They did a great job---BUT it is all a fairytale---Once upon a time this looked like this.  We all like stories--especially happily ever after stores.  The problem becomes trying to live out those fairytales in real life.  What the eye sees is not what is behind closed doors.  We all struggle for approval--and want the world to think we have our act together--thus a pristine facade presentation to the public.  HERE is the truth of the matter--we may can fool all the people on the outside, but God is in the Inside and knows exactly who we are---and the real picture.  BUT God---God desires you to invite Him in---things do not have to be eye pleasing---pristine---magazine ready.  We can lay out our truth at His Feet and He loves us in spite of who we are.  What a perfect picture of love and grace.

"You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me."

Psalm 139:1

BEWARE OR BE BEWITCHED!

 


Today is a BIG DEAL in the lives of many a young one.  Halloween brings the annual Trick or Treat ritual of going from house to house looking for "Treats"  CANDY.   Truthfully this is not my favorite holiday of the year---although I do enjoy seeing all the inventive costumes that knock at my door.  My daughter loves to laugh about some of the things I dressed her up to be---the sheep is her favorite one---she almost had a heat stroke.  HEY---NO PAIN-NO GAIN!  She was SO cute!  I see entire families out together dressed in one theme---my Mother would NEVER DARE exhibit such "juvenile behavior".  She was not a lot of fun-LOL!


We have hordes of Trick or Treaters and someone described the night as three waves to me recently.  I immediately thought of Pearl Harbor and the waves of bombers who attacked.  It can begin to feel like that with those who celebrate by knocking at my door.


The first wave is those who are really young and have a bedtime.  They begin before dark --around 5 PM.  HEY----I TOTALLY GET THIS---I was a FIRM BELIEVER in bedtime for my own children.  These little ones come in strollers, on foot-in wagons--or in Momma's arms.  Do they really give those under 1 this candy or do mom and dad eat it?  This is the cutest part of the night!


The second wave are the elementary school children and many times their parents who are also in costume. This wave begins around 7:00 PM.   MOST of the time--the adults do not ask for candy.  I have heard tales of parents in the name of safety going through the night's haul before allowing any consumption.  Some of these parents have even admitted they set aside their favorite candy bars for personal consumption.  SHAME!  Many times the adults have gotten together and enjoyed a Halloween libation before setting off to make the rounds and are enjoying the night more than the children it seems.  Another of  my favorite parts of the night--good for many laughs!


The final wave of the night is the teenagers who consider this a night of free candy and sometimes mischief.  They do not start until 9:00.  NOW---in my personal opinion---this is ridiculous.  Can't they find a parent to host a party for them--that is perfectly acceptable.  BUT to be out asking for candy--sometimes without even bothering to be in costume---well my old grouchy self is not on board.  MANY times by 9:00 the candy is long gone, the light is off and I do not answer the door.  NOW--the chance I am taking is the mischief that may then ensue.  


There have been years I have not been at home---there have been years I chose to not participate---and there have been years I handed out candy.  The night only works if some answer their door when there is a knock.  If the porch light is off---if the lights are all off---if no one is at home---or if they are refusing to answer the door---it is a lost cause.  The night is a bust---unless someone answers the door.


I KNOW you see where I am going.  One of my favorite scriptures is~


"Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

the one who seeks finds;

and the one who knocks,

the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8

Nothing more needs to be said---what a wonderful reassurance!