FINDING JOY -- AGAIN

There she stood, at the edge of the pool, just as cute as a button.  Her father was in the pool, but had a secure grip on her hand.  She leaned forward to reach the water shooting up.  She grabbed the water and giggled with delight. 

The boy jumped off the diving board and made one very large splash.  He was all smiles, went back to the diving board, and jumped again.

Why do you go to the pool?  To swim?  To exercise?  To watch the kids?  Or do you see the opportunity to jump and get everyone within a ten mile radius wet?  Do you try to catch water in your hand?

Oh to, once again find lost joy.  Sadly, we cross an invisible line and life becomes different.  We no longer see dogs in the clouds or watch ants carry a load thousands of times heavier than their body weight.  We see dead leaves that need raked instead of leaves that crunch when we walk in them.  We fail to see the wonder of blowing on a dandelion and only visualize those seeds producing more of those pesky weeds. 

Not wanting to get our clothes dirty, we put our watermelon on a plate instead of eating it right out of the rind, with juice dripping down our chin.  And we no longer fight over who gets to lick the ice cream paddle.  Long gone is the need to play in the rain or wiggle our toes in the mud.

Why do we do that?  Why do we no longer find joy in the wonders around us?  Yes, we see the sunrise and the sunset, but we miss so much joy because we think we have to act all grown up.  We need to stop that. 

There is a quote by Kalley Heiligenthal,

Joy is not a season; it is a way of life.

So ….

                                          

 HAPPILY EVER AFTER

What an image.  A prince sitting on his white horse.   The princess waiting to be rescued.  Then in the next instant …. There is a commercial.

The commercial ends and the Prince arrives in the nick of time to save the Princess.  They ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.  The End.

And everyone sighs.  Happily ever after.  Isn’t that what we all want?  Except our life is not a movie and happily ever after includes cooking, dirty dishes, laundry, dirty diapers, and a long – very long – list of things that have to get done. 

Is there a happily ever after?  I looked it up and I have never seen such nonsense in my life.  Say I Love You   Hold Hands   Adore One Another   Happily Ever After -- written in every font and color and framed to hang on the wall.  If life was always hearing I Love You, Holding Hands, and Adoring One Another, of course life would be Happily Ever After.  I wanted to shout, “REALLY?”  NEWS FLASH:  Life is not like that!

Then I saw one that made sense. 

Happily ever after is not a fairy tale, it’s a choice.

When it rains and spoils my plans, I make a choice.  I can be aggravated all day or I can grab a good book and read.  Happily ever after.

When I am afraid, I make a choice.  I can be afraid or I can turn my fear over to God.  Happily ever after.

When someone says something against me, I make a choice.  I can retaliate or I can forgive them.  Happily ever after.

My happily ever after also depends on other people’s choices.  Family and friends choose to encourage me, share my worries, and adore me even when I am grumpy.  They are choosing to help make my life happily ever after. 

Can I have a happily ever after life?  Yes.  My happily ever after life is today.  If I choose to make each day the very best it can be by trusting God with my worry and my fear, by choosing to not allow others to rob my day of joy, by leaving the past in yesterday, and by making wise choices, my life will be happily ever after.  Will this always be easy?  Oh my goodness, NO, but I have already made the most important choice.

Happily ever after is not a fairy tale, it’s a choice.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms.  If it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  John 14:1-4

I know the way.  I know there is a place waiting for me.  I trust Jesus.  I trust God.  Happily ever after?  YES!!!

 

 OH NO

We are having some landscaping cleaned up and mulch put down.  They are working away.  Trimming some trees and shrubs.  Pulling weeds that were hiding in the bushes.  I am doing my morning time of checking email and catching up on the news, when OH NO – NO INTERNET!! 

What?  It is not storming!  I paid the bill.  Then I looked outside.  They had cut the cable when they edged for putting down mulch.  Now what? 

No Facebook

No email

No finger talking with the kids

No google

What am I to do?  Those emails need read.  There might be something important happening and I will not know.  There might be …

“Mary, you seem to be in a bit of a dither.”

Dither.  God uses the word “dither?  Well doesn’t that beat all?  Dither.

“Are you done?  Was it too big of a word for you?  Goodness child, what is wrong?”

They cut my internet cable!  What am I to do? 

“Hummmmm.  Let me think a minute.”

Are you done thinking?  It has been way more than a minute.

“I use a different watch than you do.  What exactly could you do without the internet?  How about reading a book?  I would suggest the Bible.  Or praying.  Or writing a letter.  You could clean that junk drawer.  Or “

That’s the best you got?  Clean my junk drawer.  I figured you would come up with something – like – really grand.  A super, fantastic, colossal idea. 

“That drawer does need cleaned.  I have an idea.  How about we hang out?  Tell me what you have been doing…”

You already know what I have been doing!

“Yes, but I like to hear you talk.”

Now that is something I do not hear often.  Most people think I talk too much.  Do you have the time?  You have a whole world of people ….

“Mary.  I have time.”

=   =   =   =   =   =   =   =

Last week I pointed out that God would never forget my name.  And that God would never forget your name either.

This week I want you to know God always has time for you.  Yes, I have written on this before and I will keep at it until you admit I am right and you spend one on one time with God.  Sometimes, we wait to hear something super, fantastic, and colossal.  The trouble is that, while we wait for something super, fantastic, and colossal, we miss out on life. 

We want to hear a colossal sermon that rumbles the church, but we also need to hear the soft voice of the scriptures that gives us hope and peace and strength.  We will miss that if we only want colossal.

We want to see a fantastic sunrise.  One that takes our breath away, but we also need to give thanks for the gentle rain and the cool breeze.  We will miss that if we only want fantastic.

We want to hear super prayers that will end up being quoted for centuries, but God wants to hear the prayers from your heart.  Prayers from your joy.  God just wants to hear you.

God knows your name.  He wants to know your voice also.  Take time to talk to him.  Tell him you are in a dither.  He will laugh and say, “You have been talking to Mary.  Let’s talk.  I have time and I use a different watch than you do, so take all the time you need.”  

 WHAT’S THEIR NAME?

I looked and searched.  I checked lists.  I found many names.  Girls are named Olivia, Lillian, London, and Sara.  Aspen seemed to be a popular girl’s name.  Why would you name that sweet baby girl after a tree?  Boys are named Johnny, Mateo, Cooper, and Jesse. 

Galaxy, Jinx, and Stormie were on a list of unique names.  Can you imagine going through life with those names?

“Galaxy -- are you from far, far away?”

“Jinx!!  Don’t stand by me.  I don’t want bad luck.”

“Hey Stormie. If you marry the Black Night, you will be introduced as Black and Stormie Night.”

I started looking for names, because, lately, a few names keep popping up and I wanted to see if they made the top 100 list.  What are the names?

I Don’t Know

I Don’t Remember

I Will Think Of It Later

and my favorite

I Thought You Knew Their Name

Now you might think this is one of those “you are getting older” things, but remembering names seems to be a challenge for all ages.  There are many versions of the name game.

• I know the first name.  Do you remember the last name?
• They went to my high school, one year behind me, their brother was …..
• Darn.  I should know them!
• I will ask (insert name of a friend).  I am sure they will remember their names.

and the one we all try to pull off –

• Of course I remember you.  It has been a long time, but how could I ever forget?  What have you been up to?  (This stalling strategy is used while your mind processes your childhood, school years, college friends, and people you met on your one trip to Alaska.)

WHAT’S MY NAME

People I knew a long time ago will forget my name.  People I know now may forget my name.  Sadly, someday, I might forget my name.  But no matter what, there is one who always knows my name.  One who knows me.  From the very beginning He knew me.  He made me.  He …

If you read this blog, you will know what is coming.  Psalms 139 – my favorite scripture.

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

He knows me!  He will never forget my name.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

He created me.  He will never forget my name.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

He made me wonderful!  He will never forget my name.

God will never forget my name.  And God will never forget your name either.

WHAT IS A PASTOR

I rarely read the blog written by our pastor until after I have written mine and the pastor does not see mine until it is posted.  We do not want people to think we collaborated.  This week I broke with tradition (Gasp! Gasp!) and read Pastor Larry’s blog.

Please read FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK at https://larry-fromthepastorsdesk.blogspot.com/

From his blog:  “However, God was in control.  I learned that God was calling me to be a pastor.  As a pastor, I would have to preach, but I was a pastor.  Just like that, I went from someone who had no use for the ministry to someone who was sold out to the ministry.”

He is Pastor Larry.  From the first time I met him, it was PASTOR.  His blog got me to thinking and, he will tell you, he gets very nervous when I start thinking.  After five years, he is still trying to figure out how I think.  (Note to Pastor Larry:  Give up.  You will never figure me out.)

Exactly what is a Pastor?  Isn’t that the same as a Preacher?  Or a Minister?  Or a Reverend?  The dictionary provided a few clues.

Preacher:  a person who delivers a sermon publicly; one whose function is to preach sermons.  Well, he does deliver a sermon publicly, but that is not his main function.

Minister:  one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship; a clergyman or clergywoman.  Well, he does officiate during the worship service.  He oversees communion, weddings, baptisms, and funerals, but those are occasional and do not consume all of his time.

Reverend:  of or relating to the clergy.  Reverend is an official title earned from years of study.  I am sure many letters come addressed to Reverend Larry Wade, but he still prefers Pastor.

Preacher, Minister, and Reverend are all used to describe persons in the clergy, but, honestly, they do not fit Pastor Larry.  So why does “Pastor” suit him? 

Pastor:  (noun) a spiritual overseer, especially a clergyman serving a local church or parish and Pastoral:  (adjective) of or relating to spiritual care or guidance especially of a congregation.

And there it is.  As plain as day.  He likes the term Pastor because he serves at a local church and likes to tell us what to do.

< < <  >  >  > 

A pastor has knowledge and understanding.

Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.  Jeremiah 3:15

A pastor equips the body of Christ to service.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.   Ephesians 4:11-13

A pastor is an example and will be rewarded.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.  1 Peter 5:2-4

< < <  >  >  >  

I do believe his Aunt Evie heard Acts 1:7-8 this way:  “It is not for you to know the time or date the Father will set his authority on Larry.  But he will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on him; and he will be my witness in Tennessee, Florida, Ohio and Indiana and to the ends of the earth.”

I would like to use 2 Corinthians 4:5 this way:

Pastor Larry, you preach not for yourself, but for Jesus Christ as Lord, and you are a servant for Jesus’ sake.

< < <  >  >  >  

Pastor Larry,

May the love, peace, and strength of Jesus Christ surround you as you pastor to the family of a lifelong friend.  May memories surround your grief and bring you comfort.

Mary

THE WHOLE BOOK

Have you ever testified in court?  You have to raise your hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  You no longer have to say, “So help me God.” 

Our son-in-law sent a scripture, Hebrews 6:4-6, and said it was confusing and he had never noticed this verse before.  I told him I would look it up.  I also told him I had the same thing happen to me on a verse about Noah. 

How could I have missed it?  All the times I had read about Noah.  All the times I had heard about Noah.  And yet, someone posted on Facebook that Noah did not shut the door to the ark.  What?  If not Noah, then who?

Genesis 7:16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah.  Then the LORD shut him in.

Now doesn’t that beat all?  I always pictured Noah and family pulling and struggling to get that door shut and here the LORD did it.  Bet the LORD didn’t struggle!  Bet the door started up and firmly shut.  Bet Noah was glad!

How could I have missed this?  Sometimes, parts of the Bible are so familiar we rush through them.  We do not ponder them.  And we miss the image of the LORD tucking Noah, his family, and the animals into the ark as if He was tucking his children into bed.

But why do things in the Bible confuse us?

Let’s be honest.  The Bible can be very.. very confusing.  Sometimes it does not make sense.  Sometimes no matter how often we read a passage, we do not understand it.  We cannot figure it out.  I did look into the verses our son-in-law referenced and sent him a few notes.  Then I told him to read the verses before and after. 

Hebrews 6:4-6 is scary.  It sounds like it is impossible for those once enlightened and fallen away to be brought back to repentance.  They are compared to worthless land which only produces thorns and thistles, they are in danger of being cursed, and they will be burned.  Oh my.  Oh my.  No hope.  No hope.  This is very scary because I have “been enlightened” and I still sin.  Am I in danger of being cursed?  Am I nothing more than thistles and thorns?

(Pretend you are listening to a TV infomercial.)  BUT WAIT!  The next verses offer hope.  Verse 9 - 12 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case – the things that have to do with salvation.  God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The next verses get even better.  Read them when you have time.

When the scripture is confusing or scary or does not make sense, read all the verses involved.  You might have to read a whole chapter or two or even a whole Book to understand one single verse.  You might even have to read it twice.  Or three times.  You also have an excellent resource called the Minister/Pastor/Preacher.  Do not be afraid to ask questions.

I closed my note to my favorite son-in-law this way:

Don’t ya love the Bible?  It is all of life in one place:  mystery, romance, questions, answers, great grief, great joy, and salvation.  And it takes a lifetime to understand it.

Keep reading.  Keep discovering.  Keep asking questions.  Keep finding answers.

 GETTING OLDER

No, it is not my birthday so you do not have to go shopping.  Getting older – are you ready? – is a daily process.  When the clock strikes midnight, I am a day older.  When the clock strikes midnight tonight, I will be 27,245 days old. 

Oh my.  That is a really big number.  There are probably that many quotes on getting older.

• “The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.”  Frank Lloyd Wright
• “Do not grow old, no matter how long you live.  Never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.”  Albert Einstein
• “People ask me what I’d most appreciate getting for my eighty-seventh birthday.  I tell them, a paternity suit.”  George Burns
• “I suppose real old age begins when one looks backward rather than forward.”  Mary Sarton
• “I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me – they’re cramming for their final exam.”  George Carlin

I like – really like -- this one.  Maggie Kuhn stated, “Old age is an excellent time for outrage.  My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.”

Over and over we hear:  Old age is no place for sissies.

The other day, while getting my hair cut, I heard a new one and it made me look at getting older in a whole new way.  Apparently, this was first recorded on the masthead of the Gettysburg Times, in 1952. 

DO NOT REGRET GROWING OLDER.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE DENIED TO MANY.

Getting old – a privilege?  Feet that do not want to work right – a privilege?  That weird old age skin – a privilege?  Less hair – a privilege?  Hearing loss, arthritis, squeaky joints, thicker glasses, and a whole list of other “older” conditions – a privilege? 

GROWING OLDER A PRIVILEGE?  YES!  YES!  YES!

When the clock strikes midnight, I am a day older.  I AM A DAY OLDER!  I have another chance to

• see a sunrise and a sunset,
• tell my family I love them,
• receive hugs from my grandkids,
• enjoy lunch with a friend and drink one more glass of wine,
• read a book, watch a good movie, and work another puzzle,
• sip that cup of coffee while watching the waves come onto shore,
• travel and marvel at god’s creations – especially buffalos,
• do or say something outrageous,
• be curious and learn,

and,

• allow my faith to grow.

I absolutely understand that getting older does not always seem to be a privilege.  Illness can take away physical abilities and dementia can steal a mind.  BUT, for as long as I can, I now choose to consider growing older a privilege which many are denied.  I choose to look at each day as an opportunity.  I choose to be outrageous and bold.  I choose to love and celebrate each gift God provides from the stroke of one midnight to the next midnight to the next midnight.

 

 

ONE FRIDAY NIGHT

I remember it like it was yesterday.  I had Friday and Monday off work!  A long weekend and the weather report was HOT.  And more HOT.  I do not do HOT.  I can do warm and sorta toasty, but hot – nope.  Hot means I melt. 

That Friday morning even included getting my hair done.  A real treat.  There were a few last minute errands, but I had been looking forward to this long weekend.  Everything had been checked off my list and I could relax.  I could breathe.  But then suddenly the clock seemed to speed up and I did not want to be late.

Time became a blur.  Mom and dad were getting dressed.  My younger sister was ready.  My older sister was on her way.  And the next thing I knew, I was standing at the back of the church.

It was a small church and it looked soft and warm, with the candles lit.  There were only a few people there.  The minister was smiling and he held an open Bible. 

My dad held my arm and said, “If you want to change your mind, we can leave.”  I wanted to shout, but, instead, quietly told him, “No!  I am not changing my mind.”

There stood Bill and Jim, the Best Man  Jean, my Matron of Honor, was now standing up front.  It was time.

On a Friday night, in a small church, 56 years ago, Bill took my hands.  I looked in his eyes, and said, “I do.”

I would do it over again.  This man, from our first date, had my heart and taught me how to say, “I love you.”  He has worked to provide for our family.  He quickly learned wives can be difficult and hard to understand.  He learned that babies can be loud and fussy.  And they felt so good when they slept with their head on his shoulder.  He realized children grew up way too fast and that grandchildren could be spoiled and sent home.  He supported me as I became an entirely different person than he married and is still surprised with the unique way my mind works.  He has been my chauffer across 49 states and tells me to be careful when I go off without him.  He was my nurse after surgeries and he worries about me.  He prays for me daily.

I would do it over again.

Happy Anniversary Bill!!

 

THEY SERVED

MEMORIAL WEEKEND — a time to honor those that served to protect and preserve our freedoms and served to give others the opportunity to be free.  Thankfully, most soldiers came home to their families.  Sadly, too many soldiers gave their lives. 

My father and father-in-law served during WWII.  My brother and two nephews served and now two grandsons are serving.  To each I am eternally grateful.  Their service allows me to worship and speak and live in freedom.  I pray the freedoms so hard fought for will never be taken from our country.

I honor, respect, and appreciate the service of all in the military.  I also honor, respect, and appreciate the others who served.

THEY ALSO SERVED

During the wars, soldiers departed in groups from every small town and city across the USA.  During peace time, soldiers depart, one, two or three at a time, to go to basic training.  At the end of training, the families come to see them graduate and the soldier moves to the next assignment.  During COVID, soldiers were sworn in, went off to basic, and graduated as their families watched from home.  Today, please read the following as if loved ones could be there in person.

Every soldier, who boarded a bus, a train, a ship, or a plane to begin their service, waved goodbye to those that also served. 

Standing proudly, trying to hold back the tears, stood a mother and father waving and smiling.  Their pride could be seen as they stood there, back straight, head held high, and each being strong for the other.  Then they would slowly turn and go home.  They would open the door and realize there would be one less at the dinner table.  They would go on with their day.  The father would go out and mow the yard.  He needed to do something.  The mother would stand in the doorway to an empty room.  She needed memories to give her strength.  They also served.

The young woman asked for one more hug.  One more kiss.  She waved goodbye, turned away, and allowed the tears to flow.  Her husband — a word that still seemed new — would return.  She knew that.  She had to hang onto that word.  Return.  She also served.

Trying to keep the children close to her, the woman bravely told her husband they would be fine.  Yes, she would remember to rotate the tires.  Yes, she knew how to change the fuses.  Yes, she would remember to buy that mitt for their son’s birthday and the bicycle for their daughter’s Christmas.  Christmas.  Would he still be gone at Christmas?  As she tried to hide the tears from the children, she took their hands and they walked to the car.  She also served.

Being strong, he touches the cheek of his bride of ten years.  How hard it was going to be to go to bed that night.  Her side would be cold and empty.  He had a feeling the kids would often occupy that spot.  They will miss their mother.  They understand why she has to go and are already talking about the packages they will send.  Soldier….  his wife is a soldier.  They both have fears.  He fears for her safety and prays that those she stands beside, will stand beside her.  Women in the military ..  but she felt called to serve her country.  And he is proud of her.  She fears he will not hear the alarm and the kids will miss school.  She knows he will have a hard time telling them no.  And he will be lost helping them do math.  She could do math … One more hug and he and the children go home.  He also served.

Child after child..  sons and daughters … watch as their parent waves to them one more time.  Their lives are about to change and they do not totally understand.  They are proud of their parent, but they will not be there to see them dance or play ball or run in the door with all A’s on the report card.  They will not be there when they are bullied or happy or having a birthday.  They are scared.  Will their mother be able to be a mom and dad?  They throw one final kiss and turn away.  They also served.

And every day wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and children will pray they will not see two officers walking toward their front door.  They also served.

And every day wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and children will see their loved one running toward them.  What a beautiful sight.  They also served.

MEMORIAL WEEKEND

a time to honor those that served

AND

those that also served.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART

THANK YOU

 

 GOING TO THE DOCTOR

Going to the doctor -- boy has that changed!  Mom used to send us to the doctor ONLY if we were about to die.  Other than that, we would go to the doctor’s office with a dollar – yes, $1.00 – and get either a package of green lozenges for a sore throat or a package of half blue/half yellow capsules for a cold.

Just thinking about those lozenges makes my throat go numb.  I think my throat got better out of self-preservation.  The blue/yellow capsules came with instructions to take two immediately and then one at the prescribed times.  Those first two gave that ole cold a double whammy.  I do not know what was in them, but the cold packed its bags and left.

I can remember walking into the doctor’s office.  The nurse knew my name, where I lived, what grade I was in, and if I had gotten into trouble at school.  (Gotta love small towns.)  She would take the dollar and hand me the little white envelope.  The doctor might not be in.  He could be off on a house call or delivering a baby.  If you were about to die and had an appointment, you would either wait or come back the next day … if you were still alive.  Yes, I am stretching that a bit, but only a tiny bit. 

Oh, how simple it was!

Going to the doctor – boy has that changed!  I am writing this while I wait to get in for my annual wellness check.  Now why would you go to the doctor if you are well?  Makes no sense at all.

First hurdle is to reach the office.  Everything is done through a call center or online.  I hate call centers!  The person answering the phone has no idea who I am or anything about me.  And I pray I never forget my birth date!  Why can’t the local clinic answer their phone?  Since I am on a roll about the call centers, why do I have to receive a call, followed by a text or email, to remind me that I have an appointment?  I WROTE IT DOWN!  I KNOW I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT!  I WILL BE THERE!  AND I DO NOT GET TEXTS ON MY FLIP PHONE!

Heaven forbid I try to get a prescription without seeing the doc.  Even if I have taken it before and describe what is wrong in easy to understand words.  Look at my chart – oh right.  This is the call center.

They always ask, “How are you feeling today?”  I want to say, “I feel terrible or I wouldn’t be here.”  Then there are three pages of questions.  The same questions I answered last time.  Couldn’t they have a form that says nothing has changed?  Finally, I am taken back to the room.  Where the nurse goes over the questions just to make sure I answer them the same.  And then the doctor comes in…..

Going to the doctor has changed.  I am very thankful that I have a doctor who cares about me.  Who listens to me.  Who allows enough time so I do not feel rushed.  Who answers all my questions.  Who smiles at my answer to the question:  Do you snore?  My answer?  Hubby says I do.

But sometimes, I wish I could just take a dollar and get a package of those throat numbing lozenges or blue/yellow capsules from a nurse that knows my name, where I live, and if I have been in trouble lately. 

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

There are many kinds of healing and today’s medicine has ended a number of diseases.  For that, we should all be grateful.  Hopefully, the future will hold the cure to many more.

BUT.. we often question why one person gets better and one does not.  We ask why a loved one is sick.  We ask God why am I sick.  Why me seems to be the question when anything bad happens.  Should it be?

I wrote Why me Lord? for my very first lay speaking class.  The basic ideas were:

Why me Lord?  Why did an illness take my loved one?  Why is a mind lost in time?  Why?  Why?  Why?  What I realized is that I was asking that question in the wrong way.  I needed to ask, “Why not me?”  At birth, there was no toe tag saying, “Nothing bad will happen to this child.”  I am no better than anyone else, so why would I think only bad things should happen to other people?

I also realized I was asking this question at the wrong times.  I began asking why me Lord when I was given a special blessing.  I am no better than anyone else, so why am I so fortunate?

Why me Lord? – When do you ask this question?

 

 

AND I DIDN’T TELL THEM

I love to see families enjoying and celebrating each other.  Parents totally focused on their children and children actually enjoying being with their parents.  Siblings sharing inside jokes.  Phones are somewhere.  No iPads.  Just family.

I see this often at our local swimming pool.  I will watch as a mother teaches her son to swim or as a father watches his child do yet another crazy dive.  And I remember times with our kids and grandkids.  We swam in the rain.  We swam in the dark.  Our daughter learned to jump off the diving board because she wanted her turn at catching the Frisbee.  Our son was part fish.  I was totally drenched as I stood under the bucket with a youngster too young to stand there by himself.  And I floated on my back as the kids swam under me. 

Memories popping into my heart as I watch families being together.  Enjoying life.  Making their own memories.

It is then that I walk over and tell them, “It is such a pleasure to see families focused on each other.  Your children are enjoying being with you.  You are giving your children valuable gifts – your time and attention.  You are being wonderful parents and I just wanted to tell you that.”

I have done this a number of times and the parents always smile.  A very big smile, as they stand a bit taller, with surprise in their eyes, and say, “Thank you.”

Until the other day.  Three young children jumped right in the water.  You could tell they were friends and instantly knew this was not their first time at the pool.  They were quickly joined by their mothers.  The mothers got wet.  They threw the basketball and, much to the delight of the kids, they missed.  They played with them.  They smiled.  They watched their kids having fun.  It was a pleasure to see children being more important than a phone or a book.  More important than worrying if they would look silly to others.

And I didn’t tell them.

I try to keep my blog political free.  I am vocal enough in other areas of my life.  But at that moment – as I started to walk toward these ladies and tell them the same thing I had told other parents, I stopped.  Why?  Politics and today’s belief that everything said has a racist undertone.  I stopped because I worried about their reaction.  Would they appreciate being told how great it was to see mothers and kids having fun … making memories?  Or would I hear, “So you think black mothers cannot be good parents?”  And there is the problem.

Do I see color?  Of course!  But this time … color stopped me.  And that has never happened before.  I look at people and, at this age, know that there are good people and there are … let’s just say, there are not so good people.  I talk to everyone.  I try to judge people by their actions and honestly, I do not care what color of skin they have.  Until this time … color stopped me.  And I have felt guilty ever since. 

In that moment, I allowed the bullies that cry “racism” to win. 

 

I hope I see these mothers at the pool.  I will tell them they are giving their children valuable gifts – their time and attention.  I will tell them they are wonderful parents.

I will not allow politics and today’s belief that everything said has a racist undertone to bully me into silence again. 

 

SOWING THE SEED

Last week, I used this parable as an example:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  Matthew 13:1-9

Jesus later explained the parable to the disciples.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.  This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.  This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what is sown.”  Matthew 13:18-23

This tells what happens when people hear the message about the kingdom, but how does this apply to me?  Am I the one sowing the seeds?  Am I the seed and this is a warning about how I might react to the message?  Am I the bird, the sun, the thorn, or the good soil to other people?

I hate it when I over-think something, but hubby and I were discussing this and my mind took off in three directions.  Studying the scriptures is just that – studying.  Reading, contemplating, and looking up background information is my usual plan of attack.  Sometimes I just let the scripture speak to me.  This is one of those times and it is coming from three directions.

AM I THE ONE SOWING THE SEEDS?

If I am not, then I need to get my act together.  The disciples were learning so they could tell others.  They were getting insider information to prepare them to – guess what – tell others.  They would soon be the “farmer” sowing the seed.  They were also being told to be aware what could happen to the seed. I am also being told what can happen to the seed I sow.  It is easy to get discouraged. If I quickly tell a person about the showers of blessing, but do not stick around to help them understand, Satan can whisper in their ear.  How wonderful to see someone get it and experience the Joy of the Lord, but that joy can quickly disappear if they do not see my joy and receive encouragement.  Sowing the seed is especially hard to someone who is worried or does not see the need to believe.  But, then a seed falls just right.  I tell the story of Christ and the person’s ears, eyes, and Spirit are opened and they tell someone and they tell someone and they tell someone…

If I am not sowing the seeds, I need to get my act together.

AM I THE SEED?

Yes.  I am the seed along the path.  Sometimes I hear or read the scriptures and do not understand.  No matter how I try, it does not make sense.  Very easily that ole sneaky snake can whisper, “Mary, you are not educated enough.  You are not smart enough to understand.  Why beat yourself up.  Just quit.”  I am the seed on rocky ground and in the thorns.  There are times when I hear a sermon or a song or a verse and my Spirit soars.  Then the mail comes and there are bills to pay and the news tells of another missing child and I burnt the grilled cheese sandwiches.  And then my joy is gone.  I am the seed dropped on good soil.  I hear the story of Christ and my ears, eyes, and Spirit are opened. 

Yes.  I am the seed along the path.  I know the evil one will try to snatch my faith.  I know I have to stand strong so the world will not consume me.  And I have to stay in the Word so I can tell others and increase the yield of believers of Christ.

AM I THE BIRD, THE SUN, THE THORN OR GOOD SOIL?

I would rather not look at this part.  I so want to believe I am good soil.  I want to know that from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet I am good soil.  But – don’t you hate the word but?  But I am the bird when my actions do not reflect Christ and non-believers use those actions as proof that my faith is not real.  But I am the sun when I do not want “that type of person” to enter the church and they wither.  I am the thorn when I discourage new ideas. 

I would rather not look at this part.  I so want to believe I am good soil.  I want to know that from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet I am good soil.  But, sometimes …. sometimes, I am not.

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This is an excellent parable.  Read it.  Read it again.  What does this parable say to you?

 I WONDER

As I read the Bible, I often wonder what it would have been like to walk with Jesus.  Would I have understood him?  Would I have questioned?  Would I have gotten tired while listening?  I bet the disciples were glad when Jesus went off to pray or stopped to talk with the children.  A break!  Time for an extra cup of coffee.  Down time. 

Think about it.  It would be like taking Jesus 101, 201, 301, and 401 all at the same time.  With no textbook!  And no snow days!  No matter where they were, Jesus would start teaching ….

Take the parables, for example.  There sits Jesus in a boat  saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  Matthew 13:1-9

Would I have ears and hear?  Would I listen as Jesus taught?  Or would it go more like this:

“A farmer went out to sow  (Details.  I want details.  What farmer?  Was it a local farmer?  Do I know him?)  his seed.  (Wonder if he got his seed from ole Jake.)  As he was scattering the seed,  (Scattering?  Was he using a Cyclone seeder?)  some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  (Well, that is certainly not good farming practices.)  Some fell on rocky places,  (Maybe he would want to rent my rock picker.)  where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  (Was this guy ever in FFA?)  But  (What?  Jesus said but – I better pay attention.)  when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  (Oh, I know this farmer now.  Lives next to my cousin.  Grew up in town.  Read a book on farming.  Considers himself an expert.)  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  (With the cost of seed, he should be more careful.)  Still other seed fell on good soil,  (Yup, it is him.  Has one corner of the north acre where there is some good dirt.)  where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  (With that yield I should have bid more at the auction.)  Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 

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As I read the Bible, I often wonder what it would have been like to walk with Jesus.  Would I have understood him?  Would I have questioned?  Would I have gotten tired while listening?  The answers --

Would I have understood him?  --  NO!  Jesus challenged everything the disciples had ever been taught.  He told them:  You are to love everyone .  You are to be kind.  You are to care for others.  You are to believe I am the Son of God.  Jesus challenges me the same way.  Jesus challenges everything the world tells me is good and right.  Jesus challenges me to love and be kind and to care for others and to trust Him.  To know with every breath I take that He is the Son of God.

Would I have questioned?  -- YES! – I am sure Jesus often wants to tell me, “Think Mary.  Listen.  Hear.”  What amazes me is that I can read a verse or a chapter and absolutely get nothing out of it.  Later, an hour, a day, a year, I will return to that verse or chapter and it is crystal clear. 

Would I have gotten tired while listening?  Did you read the “or would it go more like this” section?  I am human.  I can only absorb so much at one time.  Tired of listening, no.  But tired while listening, yes.  And hungry.  I would have been excited to see the fish and loaves being passed around.

I also wonder if Jesus ever got tired of the disciples.   Being around someone 24/7 can be a bit of a challenge.  Maybe that is why he sent the twelve off to drive out impure spirits and heal every disease and sickness.  Of course, there were rules.  (Matthew 10:5-42)  I can almost hear him saying, “A few days by myself.  What shall I do?”

I also wonder if Jesus ever gets tired of me?  Nope!  Positive Jesus would be thinking, “I haven’t heard from Mary today.  Mary being quiet usually means she is either trying to figure something out or getting herself into trouble.”

“Mary, what are you doing?”

Writing my blog.  How is it?

“You nailed the part about how you listen when I am trying to teach you something.  Your mind does seem to wonder.  I am glad you realize I never get tired of you.  Or any of my children.  Now those disciples… they could be a handful.”

Worse than me?

“I wouldn’t go that far.  Let’s just say they could be a bit dense at times.”

Like me?

“No.  Not that bad.”

You’re teasing me again.

“Am I?”