TITLE:  2022

SUBTITLE:  WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

I better start off with things I still have not learned.  That list would include patience.  Often, I have threatened to take white-out and use it wherever that word appears in the Bible.  Rest assured.  There is not one drop of white-out to be found in my Bible. 

Many will agree I still have not learned to keep my mouth shut or to keep my political and social views to myself.  Pretty sure changing me on this is a lost cause. 

Finally, I continue to hold to the belief that “speed limits” are suggestions instead of actual laws.  If people can rob stores and receive no punishment, then I can drive a mile or two over the suggestion on the sign.  Okay.  Yes, my lead foot does seem to go a bit more than a mile or two over.  And that would be a big bit more.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

I have learned to trust.  If you have read some of my blogs, you realize this has been an extremely rough health year and trust has been front and center.  I have trusted:

• medical staff to be responsive to my condition, care, and medications
• operating room personnel to monitor my condition during surgery and to work as a team
• doctors to make wise and informed diagnoses and to give us the facts we needed to make decisions
• my friends and prayer warriors to pray when I no longer had the words
• my family to listen, observe, advise, and support me during this journey
• God to be there and give me the strength to recover and the ability to know when I needed to rest

I have learned that I do not have to understand or give into the why/what if game.  Let me explain.

This year has been rough, but the hardest part was the blood infection and the aches and other issues the antibiotics have left behind.  A blessing is that tests show the infection is no longer in my blood.  I am a puzzle to the infectious disease doctor because he cannot figure out how the infection got into my blood.  There are two things that caused my mind to play the why/what if game.  At my follow-up appointment, the infectious disease doctor made the comment that I almost died.  In the back of my mind, I realized that but tried not to focus on it.  Then I received a Medicare statement and one of the doctors I saw was referred to as a “terminal emergency doctor.”  Even on the first day …. Terminal doctor… You almost died. 

And the game began.  “Why didn’t I?”  “What if I had?”  “What now?”  “If it wasn’t my time, what does God have for me to do?”  Why?  What?   This is not a fun game.  It is a game I did not want to play, but I could not get those words terminal and almost died out of my mind.  I pondered.  I tossed them around and around – Why?  What if?  Friends are amazing.  I spoke with three lady friends and they listened.  They prayed with me.  They gently helped me see that I did not need to know why.  My hubby is a worrier!!!  So I waited until my mind had settled and then I shared with him what I had learned.

God knows the why/what if and I have faith and trust in God.  I do not need to know why I did not die.  Once I figured that out, I quickly declared I would not allow words to control my mind or make me afraid. 

I did not want to play the why/what if game, but play it I did.  AND ONCE I HAD GOD AS MY PARTNER, WE WON!!!

 Last week I tried to get you to see that Jesus experienced ordinary things.

Can you see Jesus laughing and smiling, as someone tells a joke?  Can you picture Jesus shaking his head as he has to explain a parable to the disciples, for the third time?  Can you see Jesus taking the hand of a dear friend and having a quiet conversation with him?  Jesus doing ordinary things and all the time he was teaching the love of the Father.

God had a plan for Jesus and he would fulfill that plan.

Jesus lived in such a way to show us the joy.

FULFILLED

I did not intend for this to be a series.  I thought comparing Jesus to a carpet cleaner would be a stand-alone blog.  But, as usually happens, that blog pointed out the hope we have because a baby was born.  The next blog explained how the birth of the baby was only the beginning of God’s plan.  Jesus was sent to teach the love of the Father.  The third blog, hopefully, helped you see Jesus finding joy as he spent time enjoying nature and ordinary things.  And this blog –

Advent uses the words Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace so you are assuming this blog is on Peace.  You are right.

The beauty queen contestant is asked the question, “What matters the most to you?”  The contestant leans forward, speaks into the mic, and says, “World Peace.”  Let’s get real.  If the contestant was honest, the answer would be, “Winning the title of Miss America.”

PEACE

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:14  KJV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27  NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  Romans 5:1 NIV

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7 NIV

When we read these verses on peace, we realize that the peace that came to earth was a personal peace.  Jesus provided a way for our ole sinful lives to obtain peace with God.  Now, nowhere does it say that the peace that transcends all understanding will make our life a piece of cake.  BUT it will take away our fear and guard our hearts and minds. 

For some reason, this Christmas season, my mind cannot separate Christmas and Easter.  It is as if Jesus went from the manger to the Cross.

God sent a baby and the baby Jesus gave us HOPE.

Jesus began his ministry to teach the LOVE of the Father.

Jesus lived in such a way to show us the JOY.

Jesus provided a way for us to obtain PEACE with God.

AND (a very important ‘and’ – like ‘therefore’ in the scriptures) God’s plan was fulfilled.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  Mark 16:19

Merry Christmas

 Last week I told you it was as if Jesus went from the manger to the Cross.

This is Christmas and I want to keep Jesus in the manger.  I want to cherish this baby.  I want to kneel in respect and awe.  But it was not God’s plan for Jesus to stay a baby.  God’s plan was for Jesus to fulfill his ministry.

God had a plan. Jesus began his ministry.

Jesus began his ministry to teach the love of the Father.

A MAN

Jesus was all grown up and sowing seeds of his Father’s love. 

We all have pictures in our mind of Jesus and these pictures are usually shaped by the art work we see.  We see Jesus calling his disciples.  We see him with a child on his lap or feeding many people.  We see him healing the blind and we see his anger as he sends the “den of thieves” out of the temple.  We see him talking with the woman at the well and we see him telling Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

But, I also see him doing ordinary things.  I can picture Jesus walking along various roads and noticing everything.  He sees the flowers that have bloomed after the rain.  He hears the secretive Olive-tree Warbler.  He marvels at sunrises and sunsets.  We rush through life, but I picture Jesus savoring every moment. 

Can you see Jesus laughing and smiling, as someone tells a joke?  Can you picture Jesus shaking his head as he has to explain a parable to the disciples, for the third time?  Can you see Jesus taking the hand of a dear friend and having a quiet conversation with him?

Jesus doing ordinary things and all the time he was teaching the love of the Father.

God had a plan for Jesus and he would fulfill that plan.

 Last week I compared Jesus to a carpet cleaner.

Why am I comparing Jesus to a carpet cleaner?  Because God knew I could not have eternal life if my life was dirty with sin and God knew only HIS SON could clean my sins away.  So this blog is about Christmas.  It is about a baby.  A baby!  Born one night.  And on that night, my life changed. 

God had a plan.  He sent a baby.  He sent a baby to change me.  He sent a baby to change you.

God sent a baby and the baby Jesus gave us hope.

A BABY

When I look at our Christmas decorations, I see the baby Jesus in the nativity.  The nativity is the first thing you will see if you come in our front door.  The shepherd had come to see the baby and is kneeling in respect and awe.  There are angels singing and playing instruments.  The wise men are back a ways and trying to figure out exactly where they are going.  They do eventually find Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, but it took them one to two years.  If you look past the wise men, the angels have now turned to the Cross.  Yes, a Cross.  A glass Cross that reflects the lights that surround the manger and lead to the Cross.

I also see the baby Jesus at the top of our tree.  An ornament of the Holy Family, hangs right below the star.  Below them are angels …. and surrounding the angels are crosses.  Glass crosses that reflect the lights.  And strung around the tree are Mardi Gras beads.  Mardi Gras beads caught at Fat Tuesday parades on the day before Lent begins. 

For some reason, this Christmas season, my mind cannot separate Christmas and Easter.  It is as if Jesus went from the manger to the Cross.  But he did not.  Jesus grew up and experienced life.  At age 12, he told Joseph and Mary, “Why is it that you were looking for Me?  Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”  Jesus learned to be a carpenter.  Jesus was a good son and changed water to wine just because his mommy asked him to.  Then Jesus began his ministry. 

This is Christmas and I want to keep Jesus in the manger.  I want to cherish this baby.  I want to kneel in respect and awe.  But it was not God’s plan for Jesus to stay a baby.  God’s plan was for Jesus to fulfill his ministry.

God had a plan for Jesus to call disciples and to be an example.

 

THE CARPET CLEANER

It was past time to have our carpets cleaned, but carpet cleaning kept being put at the end of our list.  Finally, a date was set and the man arrived.

He came in, we talked for a bit, and then he started in the far end of the house and worked his way back to the office.  He stopped once to tell me he had dusted behind the couch.  Bless his heart because it had been a while since the couch had been pulled out.  I am positive there was dust!! Continuing on, he cleaned spots and worked hard on the traffic areas.  And then, just like that, he was done. 

The carpet looked so much better.  Clean!

I woke up at 1:30 AM and thought how getting the carpet cleaned was like taking Jesus into my life.  I tried to go back to sleep, but no.  The thought kept repeating.  This blog was written at 1:45 AM.

On the date I really believed, Jesus came into my life.  We talked for a bit and then he started at the far end of my sins and worked his way to my very core.  He cleaned away every sin.  He wiped away cobwebs left behind by unbelief and fear.  He made quick work of any dust hidden behind my sins.  And then Jesus did something the carpet cleaner did not do.

He marked my bill Paid In Full.  He paid my bill!!!

Are you wondering what this has to do with Christmas?  I mean, it is the Christmas season and you would expect to read about Christmas.  You would expect me to tell about having a baby.  Or that the Wise Men do not really belong in the scene at the manger.  Why am I comparing Jesus to a carpet cleaner?

Because I can.  Just kidding. 

Why am I comparing Jesus to a carpet cleaner?  Because God knew I could not have eternal life if my life was dirty with sin and God knew only HIS SON could clean my sins away.  So this blog is about Christmas.  It is about a baby.  A baby!  Born one night.  And on that night, my life changed. 

God had a plan.  He sent a baby.  He sent a baby to change me.  He sent a baby to change you.

This week has been a bit hectic.  Instead of not writing a blog, I went back to the first year I posted blogs.  This one from November 24, 2006.  Hope your Thanksgiving was blessed and that you are now looking forward to the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Mary

SLOW DOWN -- SEE THE WONDERS

When I saw the calendar page for November 23, the saying made me think. ---- “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. -- W.T. Purkiser ---- I hope that today, you remember the blessing you have received and that you use those blessings wisely.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
who by his understand made the heavens, His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
who made the great lights -- His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1-9

SLOW DOWN -- SEE THE WONDERS

Oh, how time flies, except for the drive home from Rochester one night. On that drive, the time was just perfect. Grandson Nathan, who was four at the time, rode with me to attend a pre-school graduation. We heard the songs and saw Joshua, a five-year-old grandson, move his tassel. At least he could find his. Some had flipped their tassel from side to side so often that it had ended up on the back of the cap. We continued the celebration with cake. Then we headed home – on the back roads.

The ride over had been fun. We talked about rivers and about corn being planted. We talked about how to behave at the church. Yes, the ride over was fun, but the ride home was one wonder after another.

Around one corner, we saw a large lake and talked about water lilies. Then we saw wild geese and their babies. Since no one was behind us, we stopped and watched. What fun to see new life. All fluffy and going in all directions with mom trying to keep up. If that was not enough excitement for one drive, we saw some horses and their colts. Again, we stopped and watched. One colt came over to the fence to check us out. Maybe we were the ones being watched. The talk here involved how the colts were fed and how each was marked differently. We moved on, but again had to stop. This time to watch the deer. They just stood at the side of the road for us to admire. The conversation here? None. I had put the window down so Nathan could see better and he informed me that we needed to be quiet so as not to scare them. Finally, we had to move on. The wonders had not ended though. The sky was on fire. The sun was setting and Nathan kept looking over his shoulder saying, “Look now grandma.”

On this journey, I learned this four year old is never quiet. This is not a new revelation and he has a three-year-old cousin that is the same way. But confined in the car, I listened to him better. What did I hear? I heard the joy of seeing something new. I heard the excitement of watching a colt. I heard the quiet of nature. I learned that time does not have to fly by.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

It is Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? If you are reading this in the evening, did you find any wonders today? Was the sky on fire as the sun rose or set? Did you see a very bright star? Or a new colt? If you are reading this in the morning, where will you look for wonders to appear? Keep your eyes and mind open.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, I do know you have put many amazing wonders in this world for me to find. I want to see them. I want to feel the sun on my face and feel the breeze cool me. I want to wiggle my toes in the mud and watch a butterfly. Today I saw ………………………………… Amen

 THAT’S FUNNY

I am going on vacation next week so I decided to get my blog written early, have it scheduled to post, and off I could go.  There is only one problem with that --- I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO WRITE! 

When this happens, I can usually look at my future blog ideas and an idea will spin around and around and end up on the paper.  Not today!  I looked in the backup if all else fails folder.  Still drawing a blank. 

Then I saw it.  Why not?  It is snowing (on November 12) and this is about winter boots.  My second thought was, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”  My next thought was, “Go for it.  Everyone needs a laugh.”

WINTER BOOTS

A Teacher’s Nightmare

He asked for help and she could see why.  Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn’t want to go on.  By the time they got the second boot on, she had worked up a sweat.

She almost cried when the little boy said, “Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.”

She looked and sure enough, they were.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on.  She managed to keep her cool as, together; they worked to get the boots back on, this time on the correct feet.

He then announced, “These aren’t my boots.”

She bit her tongue, rather than get right in his face and scream, “Why didn’t you say so?”  Once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet.

No sooner had they got the boots off, he said, “They’re my brother’s boots.  But my mom made me wear ‘em today.” 

Now she didn’t know if she should laugh or cry.  But she mustered up what grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots BACK onto his feet again. 

Helping him into his coat, she asked, “Now, where are your mittens?”

He said, “I stuffed ‘em in the toes of my boots….”

She’ll be eligible to come back into the classroom in three years.

I can picture this and sympathize with the teacher.  Every parent knows the fun of getting a child into a snowsuit, stocking cap, gloves (How can three fingers fit in the thumb spot?), and boots.  Of course, as the last item of winter garb goes on, every parent’s worst nightmare is to hear, “I have to go to the bathroom.”

“I know exactly how the teacher felt.  The boots were to protect the child’s feet against the snow and cold.  She struggled to get them on the child.”

Hi God.  You put boots on kids?

“No.  I try to get my children to wear protection against the devil’s schemes.  Instead, you try to handle everything yourself.”

What are you talking about?  I try not to bother you with the little things.  Surely I can do that without bothering you.  And the big things … I thought all I had to do was ask you and you would pop right in there between me and that ole devil.

“Have you heard of the Armor of God?”

Sorta…

“Please read Ephesians 6:10-20.  I’ll wait.”

Be strong in the Lord … full armor of God … against the devil’s schemes, rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  WHAT?  There are evil forces in the heavenly realms? 

“Keep reading.”

Stand your ground … belt of truth … breastplate of righteousness … gospel of peace … shield of faith …helmet of salvation … sword of the Spirit … Pray.

That’s a lot of important stuff in those eleven verses.  Why can’t I just do the prayer part?

“Think about the boy and his boots.  His mother wanted his feet to be dry so she gave him boots.  She prepared her son for what was in front of him.  I am doing the same for my children.  I am preparing you.”

You are preparing me to keep my feet dry?

“There is more at stake than wet feet.  I am preparing you to save your soul!  The devil is powerful and will try to trick you.  You must be ready to stand strong.  You must use truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.”

And prayer!  Don’t forget prayer.

“By the way, I liked the story of the teacher, the boy, and the boots.  Thanks for making me smile.”

You’re welcome. 

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

The moral of this week’s blog:  First, be prepared with the full armor of God.  Second, when putting snow boots on children, be sure there are no mittens in the toe and start with the left.  No, the other left.

 VETERANS DAY

My dad had burnt his feet when he was young and he was a mechanic/truck driver when he was drafted.  So where did the Army place him?  In the infantry of course.

My dad, PFC John H. Pittman, served in WW II.  He was in Bravo Company, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, American 9th Army.  There was a change at one point to Company 16th Infantry, Company B 115th Infantry, Hq Company, 1st Bn. 115th Infantry.

Dad did his basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia.  In a letter dated October 12, 1944, we know he was somewhere in the southern part of England.  They were training and trying to get used to the weather.  After October 29, 1944, he was in France, then Belgium, and then Paris. 

I always thought his division was a “clean up” division.  I thought they went in after the main battle was over and found any strong holds or soldiers hiding in small towns.  I thought his job was pretty safe.  Or as safe as any soldier can be in a war.  Then I read the letters he had written to my mother.  The letters that had been in a closet for a very long time.  Sitting there unread.  Until….

As I read those letters, I realized his job was anything but safe.  Often he was in the middle of heavy fighting.  And those soldiers, hiding in those small towns, still had ammunition.  I didn’t want to know that.  I wanted to picture him safe, but reality is often something we don’t want to know.

Dad never talked about the war.  He never told us stories.  He never explained the pictures in the photo album.  There were not many pictures anyway.  He told mom a few things

• there was a young boy he helped but the young boy was killed
• he had some souvenirs, but when they told them to pitch anything they didn’t want, he threw one duffle bag on the pile forgetting about the items he meant to bring home
• he wanted to get home

And there was a book beside his bed.  On the cover was an emblem of The Blue and Gray.  I don’t ever remember him looking at that book. 

The only time he talked about the war was when his friend and fellow soldier came to visit.  The kids would all go out to play.  The two wives would go to the living room.  And dad and Gene would sit at the kitchen table… smoking one cigarette after another… heads bowed… voices low… and sharing stories they would not share with their families.  They wanted to protect their families from the true horror of war.  And that horror could only be understood by someone who had been there.

I wonder if dad and Gene realized their wives were also telling stories.  Stories that could only be shared with someone who also had taken care of the home and the finances and the children and the struggles. 

Playing catch or croquet or just looking at clouds, we were oblivious to the stories being told inside our home.  Stories that could only be shared and understood by those that were there. 

I was going to put a picture of my dad in his uniform.  I decided not to.  I want you to see my dad – at peace.  Sitting in our yard.  Wearing a shirt my mom made him.  And I can guarantee there is a Camel cigarette in the hand you cannot see.

Thank you dad for serving.

 HOME

Pastor Larry Wade, of Urbana Yoke Parish, also writes a blog.   Although it might be fun to try, we never know what the other person is writing and we never try to write on the same subject.  Until now.  Last week Pastor Larry wrote on moving and where home is.  His October 30th blog can be found here:  http://larry-fromthepastorsdesk.blogspot.com/

I really liked the blog and sent him an email.  The following is an expanded version of the email he received.

HOME AND THE NEXT HOME AND THE NEXT HOME

I know how Pastor Larry feels.  I grew up in town.  Moved to a farm.  A FARM --with smells and strange hours and moving hogs that did not want to cooperate.  We were home.  Then we moved to another state and a few hours away from my parents and family.  We unpacked, in a small town in Michigan, where I knew no one.  This meant going to a new church and finding out which pew I could sit in.  Moving meant putting our son in a school where I did not know the teachers.  I trusted them to teach my little boy.  It was hard to find a sitter who could not only watch our kids but also my mother-in-law.  We seldom went out but we were home.

One door closed and another one opened.  Off we went to Wabash, Indiana.  We were home.

We lived one year in Wabash and then moved to North Manchester.  I love reading and being on the Friends of the Library board was a perfect fit.  I led a Brownie Troop for a few years and then turned the troop over to the next level because the next level involved actually sleeping in a tent.  Not for me!!  I found the local Methodist Church and became active.  I helped start a Kid’s Club and discovered I like to teach Sunday School.  A bowling team allowed me to join even though I was only a fair bowler.  During this time I was working for Bill, working auctions, making many trips to Purdue, and being the little lady of the house. We were home. 

An opportunity presented itself and we moved to a farm outside of North Manchester.  The move to the farm was a whole new level of learning.  I helped pull calves, put ear tags in, and helped repair a fence in the middle of the night using the lights from the tractor and flashlights.  That is one adventure that was not going to be repeated and a new fence was put in.  We were home.  Or were we? 

As much as we loved the old farm house, after 22 years I was ready for some conveniences like having my bedroom and bathroom on the same floor and an attached garage.  To be honest, the only move that I did not want to make was to where we live now.  I wanted to move!  You know, like to Cody, Wyoming or at least to the hills and hollows of southern Indiana.  I miss them.  Or to a beach.  Or to the mountains.  But that was not to be.  So I began house hunting and our lives changed again.  Bill retired and that meant I was fired.  Yup, we packed up and moved to a house in town.  We are home. 

What I have discovered through all these moves is that home is where your heart is.  Home is where you feel safe and loved.  Home is where you can pray and cry and not feel like your prayers have to be silent and your tears hidden.  Home can be a family of six (my family growing up), a family of four (our home when the kids were growing up), a family that includes adult children and grandchildren (our home now) or a family of one (a home most of us do not choose).

I am a strange person, because I like to move.  Why?  Each move came with the adventure of discovery.  Each move came with challenges.  Each move gave me the opportunity to find a new passion.

I believe the adventure of moving out of your comfort zone (See note below.) should be experienced by everyone.  Moving forces a person to reach out to strangers so they become friends.  Moving means you learn to join groups that have already been formed and finding your place within that group.  Moving means discovering life stories and learning from others.  

Moving means God will use you in a new way.  And He did.  I heard a voice say, “Is that the church you want to go to?”  And my answer was no.  Bill had been invited to give Urbana Yoke Parish a try.  We did.  And from the first time we walked in the door, I knew something.  Home is walking into a church and having people smile at you and give you hugs.  I was home!

And an email reply to Pastor Larry became this week’s blog.

Have a blessed week.

Mary

Note:  Moving out of your comfort zone does not mean you have to move around like we did.  It might mean you join a book club or start a coffee group or go to a different worship time or volunteer at the senior citizen center or help with those Brownie Scouts.  Moving out of your comfort zone simply means you try something new. 

 TAKE ME AWAY

What do Harlequin romance novels, drugs, and alcohol have in common?  They can be used to take me away. 

Do you remember the Calgon commercials and their phrase take me away?  When this was popular, we had moved to another state, with two children ages 5 weeks and 4 years, and a mother-in-law with dementia.  Life was full of challenges and I often wanted to shout, “Take me away!”  Instead of shouting, I read Harlequin romance novels.  Why?

They were like the Hallmark movies today.  From the first page, I knew what was going to happen.  The woman would hate the man.  They would fall in love.  Something would be taken out of context and they would breakup.  Just before the plane took off, the truth would be revealed, followed by a makeup kiss and all was good in paradise.  BUT for a short amount of time, I didn’t have to think.  Toys magically put themselves in the toy box.  Dementia was not part of any character.  And supper appeared out of nowhere.  

That is until I would realize how quiet it had become.  Quiet, when there are children in the house, is never a good thing.  The heroine would have to wait on the happily ever after ending.  I closed the book, took a deep breath, and came back to reality.

REALITY

Reality is what we are trying to get away from.  We want to be taken away from the stress of life.  The trials of life.  The drudgery part of life.  We want to have the toys pick themselves up.  We want loved ones to be healthy.  We want the food to magically appear on the table and to qualify for the James Beard Award. 

Take me away has many forms.  Thankfully mine came in the printed version … books … which could easily be put down.  For others, take me away comes in the form of alcohol or drugs or other addictions.  Returning to reality from addictions can take years or a lifetime.  Sadly, some never find the strength to return.

Life is real and comes with trials and stress and drudgery.  We do not like them.  We do not want them.  But there they are.

REALITY II

If anyone had the right to be worried about reality, it was Joshua.  His reality changed when he became the one to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  God told Joshua:

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.     Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous when you face reality.  Do not be terrified or discouraged.  After all, the Lord your God is right there with you.  He’s got you covered!!!

 NO SENSE OF HUMOR

Day five, of my hospital stay, began way too early when the technician came to draw blood.  As he was performing his duties, I said, “I have had so many needles stuck in me that when I drink water it squirts out the holes.”  He looked at me, with a dead-pan look, and left the room.  That poor man had no sense of humor.

How does someone function without a sense of humor?  If you have no sense of humor, how do you react when a child, with cookie crumbs all over their face, says, “I did not eat a cookie.”?  Such sweet innocence.  Such an out and out lie.  All of us with a sense of humor would be struggling not to laugh.

A no sense of humor person would be upset because a goose decided to land on the baseball field.  A person, with a sense of humor, would be laughing as a proper goose removal technique was being carried out.  How sad to be missing a sense of humor. 

That got me to thinking about how my life would be different if certain “things” were missing.  Not the obvious things like family and friends or things most of us take for take for granted like home, electricity, water.  I got to thinking about the invisible things.

Let’s start with an easy one everyone can relate to.  I cannot see the breeze blowing the leaves, but I can see the leaves moving.  A gentle breeze … invisible but it is present in our lives and can bring joy as we watch leaves swirling in the air.  That is only the beginning of invisible things.

I cannot see trust, but it impacts my life.  Have people I trusted let me down?  Of course, but I refuse to live my life based on the actions of a few.  Even when we are not there, three friends, numerous family members, and the guy who will come in an emergency to work on our furnace, water heater, or electric problem know how to get into our home.  And I trust God.

I cannot see hope, but it moves me forward through life.  I hope my family and friends will have happy, healthy lives.  I hope people will change their lives and find faith in God.  I hope our churches would be strong against the current culture and not hide.  Without hope, I would hear the news and fear tomorrow.  And I place my hope in God.

I cannot see forgiveness, but I can feel it.  It is as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.  It is as if my very soul shouts, “I will suffer no more from my sins.”  And I accept the forgiveness of God.

I cannot see all the ways I am protected.  I cannot see the times I did not fall or every time I was almost in a wreck.  I cannot see an angel stepping between that ole Satan and me.  I cannot see all the prayers being said for me.  And I call upon God’s protection.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV

I am so thankful for all the unseen things in my life. 

I am so thankful for a sense of humor, because I still think water squirting out all those needle holes is funny.

 MY MIND

Every so often I forget and make the comment, “Well, you know how my mind works.”  Why should I not make this comment?  The minute the words are out of my mouth anyone within ear shot replies, “No one knows how your mind works.” 

I have two pictures that might help you understand why this is a true assessment.

I will admit my mind does work in a unique way.  At my age, I still see cloud shapes.  Just this week I saw a dog!  I really tried to help hubby see the dog, but all he saw was a cloud.  He needs his imagination checked.

Going down the road, my mind wonders why someone would leave that tree in the middle of the field to farm around.  Or what are those black tarp-like things? (Found out they shade ginseng.)  Or how did they get that power line over the mountain?  Of course, all of these are directed to Bill.  He usually replies, “Do I look like the Shell Answer Man?”  (If you recognize “Shell Answer Man” you are approaching old.)  I can also see an abandoned house and picture the family that lived there.  When going through North Dakota, I saw an Indian Chief, proudly sitting on his horse, on a rock outcropping along the highway.  And, when I see a buffalo, I see how the west looked before the first stranger came over the horizon.

HYMNS AT CHURCH

Are you wondering what this has to do with church and hymns?  Well….. one Sunday, when I was Lay Leader, the congregation sang When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder, I’ll Be There.  Now that is a toe tapper.  Then, and this is where my imagination kicked in, the song during the offering was I’ll Fly Away.

I am sitting there trying not to giggle.  Or even laugh out loud.  The song ended and I said, “I have a very vivid imagination so when she started playing that, I thought, ‘Yup, when the roll is called up yonder I am going to fly away,’ so if ya all ain’t flying with me and I’m up here some Sunday, I’m just gonna disappear.”

I guess this leads to the question:  When the roll is called up yonder, will you fly away? 

 IT’S ALL ABOUT ME

You do know IT IS ALL ABOUT ME, don’t you?  When I say ALL, I mean ALL.  I am talking about the Bible.  The scriptures are all about me!  God wants me to know how to live and receive eternal life.  So you will know that IT’S ALL ABOUT ME!!, here are a few examples:

Whether I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.   Isaiah 30:21

See, God is directing my path.  My path!

So then, just as I received Christ Jesus as Lord, I will continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as I was taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

 

See to it that no one takes me captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.   Colossians 2:6-7

I cannot help it is about me.  I received Jesus as my Lord and he strengthens my faith.  Now, I must admit that you are in this one.  The “See to it that no one takes me captive” part is where you come in.  You are responsible for me – a sister in Christ – and are to make sure I do not fall for false, misleading philosophy.  But it is still about me staying on the path.

No, in all these things I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:37-39

How amazing!  I will never be separated from the love of God.  Jesus made sure of that!

Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days.  Psalm 90:14

My morning will be satisfied by unfailing love (gee and I thought coffee was to be my morning go to)!  I kinda questioned the sing part, but if I have unfailing love of God, why wouldn’t little ole me, who cannot make a sound that could even come close to being described as singing, sing for joy and be glad all my days?  God wants me to have joy and be glad.  My goodness, He is so wonderful to me.

Have you figured out that this, so far, has been written tongue-in-cheek?  Yes, each verse is meant for me and each is to guide and strengthen my journey to eternal life.  The really, really, really amazing thing is that – Are you ready? – they were also written for you.

But, do you find yourself in the scriptures?  Do you know you have POWER?

For God did not give me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  ….. by the power of God, who has saved me and called me to a holy life -- not because of anything I have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given me in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.    2 Timothy 1:7-9

Timothy was called.  The disciples were called.  Moses and Noah and Abraham were called.  They each were called to fulfill the plan God had for them.  God has also called you.  YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED BY GOD!!  YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO A HOLY LIFE.  This is all about you.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen me with power through his Spirit in my inner being.  So that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith.  And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3:14-19

You might have the wrong impression that you are in your life and especially your trials all by yourself.  Au contraire (Don’t ya love to use phrases like that?) you are a Child of God.  Look again at the above scripture.  You have power through HIS Spirit.  You know…the one living inside you.  The Spirit that kicks in when you are headed down the wrong path and when you are praising God and when you make the right decision.  But that is not all!  You have HIS whole family in heaven and on earth.  It is a very large family and you are part of that family.  Besides that, you are together with all the saints.  Wow!  Saints.  Now if that doesn’t make you feel special you need to call me so we can talk.  You know how full you fill after those holiday meals?  That is nothing compared to being filled with the fullness of God. 

Yes, God so loved the world that He sent His Son.  He sent His Son for each of us.  For you.  For me.  This verse must be personalized.  Personalized so you know you shall not parish.  God created you.  It is personal. 

For God so loved me

that he gave his one and only Son,

that, because I believe in him,

I shall not perish

but I will have eternal life

John 3:16

 

 

 SO EXCITED TO MEET ---

How does it feel to meet someone really famous?  Or a very important person?  This question is how I was going to start a Sunday School lesson.  The lesson was based on how people fell at Jesus’ feet or instantly knelt, but the discussion starter was to show the difference of meeting today’s important or famous people and meeting Jesus.  The only famous person I have personally met is Matthew West and that was for a quick handshake and picture with him.  I needed some input from someone who had met an important person.

I was thinking about this as I waited for my Mary Kay representative, Marie Quick.  My mind was going one place and then another, trying to imagine being in the presence of an important person.  Besides, what makes a person important?  As my mind was meandering here and there, Marie dove in.  As she walked toward the porch, it hit me … I wonder how she felt when she was around Mary Kay, the founder of the company?  Did she meet her up close and personal?  And poor Marie, not knowing I was going to bombard her with questions, sat down, smiled, and said, “Good morning Mary.  It is so good to see you.”

I replied, “It is good to see you too.  Marie, will you answer some questions to help me prepare for a Sunday School class?”  Marie, having been in a previous class I taught, thought for a minute, scrunched her brow, and finally said a slow drown out, “Y…e…s.”  Bless her heart!

When was the first time you met Mary Kay?  How did you prepare?  How did it feel?

Marie:  I never met Mary Kay one on one.  Some representatives would make their way up to her and she always spoke to each person that approached her.  The first time I was in the same room with her was when I earned the right to attend the meeting because of sales and “moving up the Mary Kay ladder.”  I spent extra time getting ready.  Of course, I wanted my make-up to be perfect and my red jacket immaculate.

I was nervous and excited and overwhelmed and blessed.  She founded the company on the same principles I have:  God first, Family second and Country third.  I can still see it in my mind.  Although I had travelled with friends, they had not worked at sales long enough or hard enough to be invited to this special meeting.  Some did not want to take the path up the company ladder. 

It did not take long for those at the table to start sharing their stories, struggles, and hints.  What an evening and I will never forget looking across the room and seeing representatives from across the country wearing their red jackets and being very professional.

What has been the hardest part? What have you received from being a Mary Kay?

Marie:  The hardest part is reaching out to people I do not know.  I have moved numerous times and know how to talk to people, but it is still hard to try to sell something to a woman or man, now that we carry products for men.  Make-up and skin care is very personal and it can take a few visits for anyone to feel comfortable with me.

What have I received?  That is easy!  I help women feel better about themselves by learning skin care and proper make-up application. 

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People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.  Luke 13:29

Are you prepared to attend the “feast in the kingdom of God”?

Have you helped others find their way to the feast?

How will you feel as you glance back at family and friends who chose a different path?

As you arrive, will you be nervous, excited, overwhelmed, … blessed?