NEVER EASY

The youngest of the five grandboys is QUITE the character.  You can already see his little personality at 18 months.  This one requires a set of eyes upon him every waking hour.  I affectionately call him "The Meddler"!  Toys hold his interest for a few minutes at best---BUT he has never seen a cabinet, drawer, closet, basket, that did not need exploring.  His fascination with plugs-computers-electronics has convinced me he will be an electrical engineer.  He has never seen a button-switch-mouse that did not need his touch.

As I was watching him play in the backyard recently, I laughed out loud when he strolled over to the play house---looked at the door---even made sure it still opened and closed---and then proceeded to crawl into the window--head first.  The easy way is never his way---he prefers to travel the more difficult route.



Why would anyone sit in a chair at the table when he can climb up the same chair and sit in the middle of the top of the table.  How many times has he yelled for help when he becomes aware he is stuck at the top of his latest climb with no way down.

I am firmly convinced this is a genetic personality trait.  Some of us find aversion to EVER taking the easy path--following directions---doing what we have been told is the correct way.  We prefer taking the path less traveled---full of danger--taking much longer--convinced we know best.  Why listen to wisdom---someone is trying to sell us a bill of goods---just get out of my way and let me go.

The Word is filled with examples of those with the same personality trait.  God gave Jonah instructions---he refused to obey and got to enjoy the scenic ride in the belly of the big fish--stomach bile--YUCK!  The Israelites refused to be grateful for God's provision and plan---so they got to wander around in the desert for 40 years and eat the same meal EVERY DAY!   

Some of us seem to be slow learners--destined to follow the more difficult path--I am praying with time and teaching--Grand #5 will become a wise man of God-who listens and obeys.  For now though---we are just keeping a constant eye on him and rescuing him from the danger and peril he seems to be determined to pursue.

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Psalm 48:14

DENTS AND DINGS

Once upon a time---what sometimes seems a lifetime ago---I wore a wide gold band around my finger.  Being blessed genetically with LONG fingers---fingers which should have played the piano--wide bands nicely fill the space between the palm and knuckle.  

My band took a lot of abuse--because I wore it almost all the time.  In the garden, scrubbing toilets, painting walls, changing diapers, beating eggs, stripping layers of old paint---sanding--scrubbing---it stayed on my finger---and thus suffered the abuse in the day to day of living.  It has dings and dents which seem to mar the perfection of the perfect circle.

My sweet neighbor--a dear Southern belle--one of the last of that dying breed, softly told me one day not to worry.  Her wise words were "Those dents and dings are all part of living and make the band even more special."  I looked at her with amazement for who knew this soft spoken-always gentle icon of the South harbored such wisdom!

The band is gone now--but my body is showing the dents and dings that have come with time and living.  Scars, wrinkles, sun spots, and the less permanent bruises--all resulting from life.  I could wrap myself into a safe cushioned cocoon and stay hidden under the cool cover from the sun---carefully preserving the perfection of youth, but at what cost?   

I believe I prefer to tussle with the boys and wear my bruises with pride.  Those scars all tell a story--a story of birthing three amazing off-spring---a story of failed body parts which had to be removed---a story of adventures and mishaps.  The deep lines at the sides of my eyes---all came after hours of smiles and deep side splitting laughing.  The spots from too much sun would fade--if I were only willing to stay out of my yard, off the beach, away from the pool, and off the trail.  I could look more perfect, but at what cost?

So--here I am---dents and dings---living life to the fullest--with the scars, wrinkles, bumps and bruises to prove it!

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

NO NEED FOR AMAZEMENT

I had a round table talk with my sister in laws and niece while celebrating my nephew's wedding last week.  Our discussion centered on the reason for our creation.  The Word is loaded with examples of God revealing His purpose for the men and women whose lives are chronicled in those pages.  "For This Very Purpose" is scattered overtly and sublimely throughout those sacred words.  He shows us He has purpose for each of us---and "If we seek Him, we shall find Him".  Along with finding Him---we find His purpose-

FOR HIS GOOD GLORY

I find myself becoming frustrated when the purpose I have deemed I have does not line up with His purpose.  Why would He lavish gifts and talents upon me and not use them in a grand fashion?  Is His purpose for me within the confines of the small circle of world that I touch?  Does He not desire for me to minister to the down trodden, the hungry, the sick, the disenfranchised in far corners of this world?  Telling Him, "Here I Am"  and waiting for His Perfect Will to unfold can be frustrating---for me---  How quickly I forget my creation was for His Good Pleasure and He has a perfect plan for me.  An intricate pattern was formulated before I took my first breath.  The tapestry of my life path when gazing upon one day can appear dull and sometimes pointless----BUT pull back--way back and look at the entire tapestry--the beauty becomes evident when looking from above at the complete woven pattern.

Listening to one of of my daily devotionals, I was struck by these words-

"And that is what the world is looking for--NOT for you to be amazing, but for you to shine God's glory."

NO NEED FOR AMAZEMENT---only a need for obedience and then---

HIS GOOD GLORY

will be woven into the day to day living according to His Good Purpose.

Many plans are in a man's mind,

 but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.

Proverbs 19: 21

REJECTION OF JUDGEMENT

The judicial system has struck a hard blow---not only was I rejected---but they never allowed me into the inner sanctum of the court room.  To make the rejection even colder---it came via email.  No opportunity to exercise wise judgement--no need for my call for righteous punishment---no declaration of the rights of the innocent---The on-line questionnaire --the initial step once chosen---caused someone to decide my judgement was not needed.  

As I slowly read the rejection---thank you--but NO THANKS,  I wondered what about my honest answers disqualified me in the eyes of another?  Was it my age, my gender, my education, my address, or some other mundane fact?  Someone else looked at my answers and judged me to not be the one to sit in judgement.  Many would be relieved---I was intrigued ---by the rejection based upon a handful of facts.

I thought through who I would select to be on a jury.  It would entirely depend upon which side of the case I was representing--of course.  Would I want fair treatment based upon the facts?  Perhaps not---I might want bias--I might want lack of sophistication---I might want naivety of the law---I might want youthful innocence of the flawed world.  But then again---I might want the exact opposite too.

When I look at the fallen world around me---when I look at the innocent victims--when I look at the pain and suffering---how do I judge the perpetrators?  Harshly and without mercy---an eye for an eye.  When I see your fallen state--your sinful life---what kind of judgement do I demand?  Accept the consequences of what you have done---pay the price for your sin---as you stand before a righteous judge.

BUT when I stand before the judge---I plead for mercy  ----demand grace ----repeat the promises ---call out to my advocate ---
My sin---it is the lesser sin---I deserve grace and forgiveness--
I forget sin is sin----and though I am forgiven-
the righteous judge allows me to pay the consequences with great love and tender mercy--

Romans 2 

UNSUNG HEROES

While watching my nephew and his bride rehearse for their wedding, I sat with an old friend---who is also a pastor's wife.  Our early relationship began with my friendship with her mother and it has grown over time.  She inherited her mother's gracious and kind spirit and is always a joy to visit.  What a blessing to pick up where you left off  and to know hers as she knows mine when speaking of our children and grands.  I left the conversation thankful for Facebook---which has kept us connected across the miles.

After parting, I began thinking of her and all the pastor's wives I have had the privilege of knowing over the years.  The truly are unsung heroes!  Somehow we congregants get the impression we own the pastor and he has an obligation to be present at each and every family event we deem important.  We forget they have families and lives too--and our needs often supersede any they might have.  We call upon them to be our spiritual mentors, financial advisers, relationship counselors, grief advocate, medical support, travel agent, and trip co-coordinator---to mention only a few.  It is a HUGE job---and back home--who keeps the fires burning, food on the table, clothes clean and pressed, children in line, while also expected to teach SS, sing in the choir, chair the Women's Ministry, provide a venue for all meetings, and cook/clean/babysit for any in need---HIS WIFE!  I have a great deal of respect and admiration for those God has called into the pastorate, but the woman who has his back--his faithful helpmate, his adviser, cheerleader, and companion---SHE is my true hero---she does it all and often without benefit of recognition or praise.

So when talking of spiritual legacies----these women are paving the way---as heroes of the faith---their legacies are far reaching and eternally pleasing to The One who created them for "This very purpose".  Today I am singing the praises of those unsung heroes!

“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING

I have a tendency to forget The Word was written to be applicable this very day.  I read the scriptures as a historical account and do not always look for the lesson which applies today.  What a marvelous wonder that words that were penned LONG AGO can apply to the complex world today.  God inspired words---He knew when they were written--the lesson I would need this very day.  There is no randomness---even in those long stretches of genealogy---there was purpose.  Perhaps the purpose is not for me--but God's redemption story is told in every word --with intent.

Today's devotional told the story of the first recorded martyr, Stephen.  He walked the walk---and talked the talk---and lost his life because of his refusal to turn from The Truth.  Stephen did not know--he would be proclaimed by millions as the first martyr.  He had no idea the legacy he would leave behind of a burning need to spread The Good News.  We forget---Stephen as many others throughout The Word had no clue they would become icons--lessons---role models for the faithful who followed them.  They became our spiritual mentors without volunteering for the job.  God used them---for His Good Purpose---to show us the path--the way---His plan for us.

As I search for God's Good Purpose for me---this is a lesson I will take to heart.  I will leave a legacy---life will leave my body at some point---I will breathe my last breath---but my legacy will live on.  My biological legacy is already set in stone---I have three children---and they have children who will have children. I will not have any more children---those days are past.  My hope for the future now lies in my spiritual legacy.   My spiritual legacy is still a work in progress.  God has intent for me---He has a plan-I am searching--and when He reveals His Good Purpose for me---will I be obedient?  Am I living with intent --the intent of following the examples spread throughout The Word?  

Questions--he is placing in my heart--and on my soul--with the realization---I am His hands, feet, and voice here on this earth today.  What will remain of me from everlasting to everlasting?

This is war and there is no neutral ground.  If you are not on my side, you are the enemy, if you are not helping, you are making things worse.

Matt  12:30

TRASHY TALK

Garbage is a HUGE ISSUE here in the hood.  The flurry of emails included--

1.  Did anyone else not have their garbage picked up this week or is just me?

2.  They missed me because my lid was not completely closed.  SERIOUSLY--it was up maybe an inch.

3.  I contacted the city and asked why---they have pictures proving I did not put my garbage out the night before.   I HAVE proof I put it out the night before---I was the one pushing the can.

4.  This makes the second week in a row for me---I think they are purposefully making life difficult with all of these rules.

5.  Did you know they hit a parked car last year---tore off a large limb on a big tree---ran into a light pole?

6.  There are MANY rules and regulations when it comes to garbage!

FINALLY---you have to see this neighbor's final email

Great news! I am a liar.  The driver stated that I did not put my cart out the night before despite my hallucination that I did.  Other folks that had their garbage missed on Harrison are hallucinating too.  Their garbage cart was not out either.  This is the second week in a row this has occurred.  

They will not come pick up the garbage mostly because I and others on Harrison are lying.  Good to know.  

The City has assured me that the driver has pictures of my AWOL cart and will provide them to me shortly.  I am certain there is a better chance that the city will provide me the coordinates of Jimmy Hoffa's grave than a picture of a missing cart I put out on Tuesday night and is STILL sitting in front of my house.  

WELL I for one--am SHOCKED---WHO KNEW THE SANITATION WORKERS OF THE WORLD HELD SO MUCH POWER!  

I for one am walking the straight and narrow and NOT rattling ANY cans----I like for my garbage to be picked up!

LIFE IN THE HOOD!