A BIG STORM

I looked up the must-have list of supplies to be prepared for a hurricane:  Water, food, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, medications and personal hygiene items, copies of documents, device chargers, contact information, cash, and fuel for a generator/car.  How long would it take to gather these up?  I have a cousin that would say, “No time at all.  I keep a bag of supplies ready to grab and go.”

Here, in my state, we might get some rain, but our home is not going to wash away.  It might blow away, because we get tornadoes.  How long would it take me to gather my must-have supply items?  Probably longer than it takes a tornado to form and blow through.  We do not get much warning!  And….we quit listening to the warning.  Why? 

MAJOR WINTER STORM – 2 FEET OF SNOW – Everyone goes to the store and waits.  We get …. A dusting of snow.

TORNADO SPOTTED – TAKE SHELTER NOW – Everyone stands on their front porch and waits.  The clouds roll through and we all shake our heads and wave at the neighbors.

The problem is, occasionally, the snow starts in and continues and continues and continues.  Occasionally, the clouds do not roll through, a funnel forms, buildings are blown away, and lives are changed. 

Do I pay attention to other warnings?  YES I DO!!!

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

The weather is a forecast.  The storm might happen.  It might not. 

The Lord will come!  I am ready!

-----------------------------------------

If you would like to donate towards relief from Hurricane Laura here are four suggestions.  There are two items which are greatly needed:  Cash donations and Blood donations.  Consider helping where you can.

RED CROSS – Drop down menu allows you to pick Hurricane Laura.  Donations of money only!  Because of COVID, donations of clothes, food or other items cannot be accepted.  Blood is also a need, so consider donating at a local blood drive.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/

AUSTIN DISASTER RELIEF NETWORK – This organization is local and was awarded the 2020 Gold Seal of Transparency

https://adrn.org/give/

MERCY CHEFS – Faith based, non-profit, meals for victims, volunteers, first responders

 https://mercychefs.com/donation/

LOUISIANA STORM PATROL – nonprofit organization that helps in rescue, relieving and rebuilding, during times of disaster.  This says paypal but there is a place for credit/debit cards.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=zqa9in9x2iqcKRu7F6Tk4aZXSizCmUTa576xylPX63CGCZ4SfFw0glZdChAmhKQwKkd9Pm&country.x=US&locale.x=US

 

 DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING

I knew what I wanted to be when I graduated from high school.  I wanted to be an airline stewardess!  I was going to study French and fly international.  Then I met this guy and my plans changed.  How I saw my future changed.

We got married and had two children.  Life happens.  Jobs end.  Families move.  The vision of my future changed often.

I always had a vision of what life was going to be.  No!  I have never worn a pair of rose colored glasses and I have never thought life would be all wrapped in shiny paper and tied with a beautiful bow.  I am very realistic and I am very adaptable, but I also know life is not supposed to be as it is now and I think that is why we are all having trouble comprehending our future.  We did not see this coming. 

Graduating seniors had a vision for their future.  They would carry on the time honored traditions:  Prom – Graduation Parties – Graduation – One last summer of fun – Off to college or to begin a chosen career.  Then life happened and the vision disappeared.  They had to change their vision of the future and had no idea how to do that. 

Grandparents had a vision for their future.  Most people in nursing or retirement homes have changed the vision of their future many times.  I am sure, though, each vision included family and grand or great-grandchildren.  Then life happened and the vision disappeared.  Sadly, many were left with a hole in their lives they did not know how to fill.

All of us had a vision of our future.  Some contemplated retirement, while others were working to receive a promotion.  Some sent children to school, while others turned in after working the third shift.  Some planted a garden, while others sat back and had a glass of wine.  (That would be hubby doing the garden and me having the wine.)  And we all knew what was on the calendar for tomorrow.  Then life happened and the vision disappeared.  With no vision, how do we plan?

If you noticed, I used changed and disappeared.  The vision or dream or desire, of our future, can change and often does.  Sometimes, the change is one we willing make.  Sometimes, the change is not one we want, but we adapt.  Both of these are based on what we expect to happen.  Graduation came, but we knew what to expect.  We got older, but we had been told getting old is not for sissies.  We knew what to expect.  Even the changes we adapt to came with an expected outcome.  Cancer can be defeated.  Diabetes can be controlled.  Children will leave home and empty nest is an opportunity not a time to put on sack cloth and ashes.  The heart will continue to beat, even when it has been broken.  With each of these, we knew what to expect because others had been through it.  We knew what to expect and could change our vision of our future.

But what happens when a vision just…just disappears?  What is tomorrow going to hold?  We do not know!  How do we cope when the things we took for granted are pulled out from under us?  We do not know!  I no longer have control of my future plans, even my daily plans.  What now?  What next?  We do not know! 

I feel like tomorrow has been snatched away.  And a vision of my future is blurry.

                                                                -------------------

I rarely write a “downer” blog, because I am not a “downer” person.  I can get angry at a situation, but I face the situation full on and, if it is something I am passionate about, I will not let up.  I might get down on myself, but that does not last too long.  I give myself five minutes – ten tops – and then tell myself, “Suck it up and get over it.”  I see the glass half full.  But, the last few months are even getting to me.  My vision of the future is blurry, BUT….

five minutes – ten tops – I take a breath and realize my vision might be blurry but Jesus can restore my vision.  I want to be like the blind men in Matthew 9:27. 

As Jesus went on, I followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!”

 

Jesus went indoors, but I went inside also.  He asked me, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

 

“Yes, Lord,” I replied.

 

Then he touched my eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and my sight was restored.  Jesus warned me sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”  But I am telling all of you and want you to spread this around the world.

THE VISION OF YOUR FUTURE HAS NOT BEEN DESTROYED!

WHEN YOU ARE BLINDED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD,

JESUS CAN RESTORE YOUR SIGHT.

HE WILL OPEN YOUR VISION.

If you are feeling like your today and your tomorrow are being destroyed, give yourself five minutes – ten tops – then call out, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!”  When Jesus asks, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?, answer, “Yes, Lord.”

ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU ARE TOLD?

Church was about to start as one gentleman walked in.  Hubby asked him, “Are you doing what you are told?” 

ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU ARE TOLD?

How would you respond to this question?  Oh you want to know how I would respond.

I would answer, “Of course I do.”  I see the look on your face.  You do not quite believe that do you?  You would be right.   In my defense, there are way too many people telling me what to do. 

When I look back, I realize I have never liked being told what to do.  My attitude got me on the wrong side of the paddle a few times.  More than a few times.  My firm belief that speed limits are suggestions has gotten me on the wrong side of a ticket or two.  I am having trouble with all the Covid restrictions. 

ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU ARE TOLD?

I love this man’s answer.  He replied, “It depends on who is telling me what to do.”

Guess this leads to another question: Whom do I obey?  Obey?  That is a tough word.

OBEY: To follow commands or guidance, conform to or comply with

We have already established that I did not always obey my parents (Remember those paddling’s I mentioned?) nor do I always obey the speed limit (Remember those tickets I mentioned?).  I also have a bit of trouble conforming and complying.  If someone commands me to do something, it is probably not going to end well.  That leaves guidance.  Even that can be a slippery slope.

Bill and I did not have obey in our vows.  I tell everyone I promised to love, honor and keep it on the top half (He does not like it if the fuel tank gets below half.), but our vows were to love, honor and cherish.  We do love and honor each other.  For sure, we cherish each other.  We take care of each other.  He even learned to cook and clean toilets when I was off my feet for eight weeks.  I have helped deliver calves and fed cattle.  He sweeps the floor.  I navigate when we travel.  Heck, in the beginning he cancelled out my Republican vote, but has since seen the light.  We do not always agree, but it would be boring if we did. 

Our marriage is based upon love for each other, submitting when the needs of one are stronger than the needs of the other, and united as one when we make decisions.  But obey?  That is one word that does not fit our relationship.  Obey would mean that one of us would have control over the other.  When one has control, marriage is no longer a mutual relationship. 

This brings me back to the question:  Whom do I obey?  That has an easy answer!  GOD!

(Moses to all Israel) Obey the LORD your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.     Deuteronomy 27:10

(LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says) but I gave them this command:  Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people.  Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.     Jeremiah 7:23

We find our way to the Father through Jesus.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him”     “If you love me, keep my commands.  Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.  The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”     John 14:6, parts of 16-21 

ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU ARE TOLD?

“Hey Mary.  So are you doing what you are told?”

My goodness.  You said, “Hey Mary.” instead of me having to call you first.

“The question, Mary.  Are you?”

Am I doing what you tell me?  Do I obey and walk in obedience?  I sure do!  Well, I am trying.  I am working on it.  It is hard to obey.  Okay.  I fail miserably.  

“I got you, my child.  I have already told my Father about you.”

Oh.  That is a bit scary.  I am trying to obey but did you really mean that part about paying your taxes?

 -   - - - - - - - - - - - -

This brings me back to the question:  Whom do I obey?  That has an easy answer!  GOD!  I obey of my own freewill because I want to be God’s people.  I want to be His child!  I believe Jesus is the Son of God and I want him to introduce me to the Father. 

WHOM DO YOU OBEY?

STEALING CORN

Hubby told a friend, “Come get some sweet corn.  We are not going to be home, but help yourself.”  Our friend came to pick corn and tagging along was his eight-year-old son. 

They opened the gate and the young fellow asked his dad, “Why does he have a board across the gate.”  He explained it was to keep the rabbits out.

They started picking corn.  With a look of concern, this innocent child quietly asked, “Why are we stealing corn?”

Laughing, the father told the child, “We are not stealing.  Bill told us we could come pick some corn.”

Now there are a few directions this could go.

First, why would the child even think his daddy would let him steal something? 

Second, the child trusted his daddy enough to ask a question.

Third, there was an offer of a sweet gift and they took advantage of it.

I like number three.  Throughout our lives, we are offered so many amazing gifts and our lives are better when we take advantage of them.

TIME:  Time can be a wonderful gift.  We use time to sit and talk with a loved one or watch a good movie or read a book.  Time allows us to clean the house and bake a cake.  Time gives us the opportunity to watch the sun rise or the waves come in or to get the bugs off the roses.  Time is a gift. 

THE ABILITY TO THINK:  What a blessing to be able to think.  How wonderful to read, research or listen and then use reason to make wise choices.  The ability to think allows us to find the facts instead of giving others the power to control our minds.

FRIENDS:  Friends are an extremely valuable gift.  If, in our lifetime, we have one, very true friend, we are blessed.  Friends make us laugh and cry and tell us that the dress really does make us look fat.  Then they walk proudly beside us as we strut our stuff.  Friends are a gift we should cherish.

IMAGINATION:  I feel sorry for those who have not cultivated their imagination.  I have one.  Our kids have great imaginations.  I loved playing imagination games with the grandkids.  An imagination can make a book come to life and run behind your eyes like a movie.  An imagination can take you to space or on a safari or to a quiet place.  Imagination is one of my favorite gifts.

RELAXATION:  Somewhere along the line people have come to believe it is lazy to relax.  Personally, I love to relax.  I do not feel guilty at all when reading a good book or watching those British bakers mess up a simple cake.  I can sit on the deck with a cup of coffee and allow the morning to appear.  Our bodies need to relax and just because some less-than-smart-person-in-the-government decided it needed to be daylight right up to the time we put our jammies on does not mean you need to be working or playing at 9:50 PM.  Give your body, soul and mind time to unwind by relaxing.  And if you feel guilty, pull the blinds so the neighbors do not see you taking a nap.

 A nap?  Now that does not seem like a bad idea. 

--------------------------------------------------

Third, there was an offer of a sweet gift and they took advantage of it.

I like number three.  Throughout our lives, we are offered so many amazing gifts and our lives are better when we take advantage of them.

What amazing gifts are you taking advantage of?  What amazing gifts are you missing out on?