THE 2023 NATIVITY

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …”  It is looking more like Christmas.  For me that means the Nativity is sitting for all to see.  We have had this set since 1965.  One sheep has a broken leg and the manger has a repaired leg, but I figure that is pretty good considering it has gone through six moves.

Do you think the setup looks a bit unusual?  Are you wondering, “Why would Mary put flowers around the nativity?”  As I began to set the Nativity in its place, I thought the fall garland looked good.  Besides, it already had lights.  It was going to stay.  The Nativity was in place.  The lights were strung.  (Don’t ya love those battery lights?).  The family, shepherd, and wise men were in place.

Then I looked at a box with some flowers to be stored.  Oh, those pink flowers were pretty.  It was then that the idea hit me.  Why not?  Next I placed some white flowers.  Then the sprigs of pine branches.  I stepped back and looked.  Perfect.  The wise men were having a conference because they were lost.  The shepherd was on his knees before a baby.  Mary and Joseph were beside the manger.  Jesus was lying in the manger.

Do I have you wondering yet?  What idea hit me?

The minute I added those pink summer flowers, the white spring flowers, and the pine branches to the fall garland the Nativity was complete.  You see, Jesus did not come just for Christmas.  He did not come for the lights or the singing or the candy or the presents.  He did not come for us to work ourselves into exhaustion getting ready for a one day, birthday celebration.  No! Jesus came for so much more.  Jesus came to be with us spring, summer, fall, and winter…..  no matter what season of life we are in.

Enjoy the decorating.  Enjoy the lights, singing, presents, and the birthday cake, but remember Jesus will still be here even after the Nativity is put back in the box.

I wonder what meaning I might find in other decorations.

Thanks Giving

Although many families will gather at various times over this weekend, Thanksgiving is over. For the first time we did not celebrate with family. Life steps in and traditions are broken. I did think about things I am thankful for. Here is my list:

I am thankful for the gift of hearing. I cherish the sound of a door opening as a loved one comes home. It means they are safe. The sound of the furnace means we will be warm. I love to be a part of a good conversation, but often silence is what my soul needs.

I am thankful for the gift of touch. I love the feel of a hand gently touching my cheek. The warmth, as I hold a hot cup of coffee, is the way to start my day and the sun on my face, as I watch the waves come and go, makes that coffee even better. I love the feel of turning the pages of a book.

I am thankful for the gift of taste. The sweetness of homemade fudge brings back memories. The saltiness of potato chips is perfect when dipped in chocolate ice cream. The first strawberry is a taste to be savored, but barely beats the first, dripping in butter, roasting ear.

I am thankful for the gift of sight. Watching buffalo is something I could do for hours. Being able to see the colors as God paints the sky is a reminder that our Creator thought of everything. I have seen baby calves stand, on wobbly legs, as they nursed for the first time. I have seen our children seconds after they were pushed into the world.

I am thankful for the gift of smell. I love the smell of leaves burning and the air after a summer storm. The aroma of a good ole, bone-in ham makes me hungry. The best smell of all is .. drum roll .. a baby after a bath.

On this Thanksgiving, I am Giving Thanks for the five senses which God blessed me with.

 WINNING THE LOTTERY

Of course I would give some to the children and grandchildren.  Family members and special friends.  I would give to charities.  I would set up a fund to help people who need a hand up: A car to get to work or a new fridge.  Those things most of us take for granted but would make a world of difference in their life.  Finally, since I won $774 million, I would buy a condo in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Have you ever played the “If I Won The Lottery” (IIWTL) game?  We played that game a few weeks ago when the payout was an unbelievable amount.  Hubby spent his half quickly buying farmland, with the goal of finding a way to help young men and women, who could not afford to farm, but had a desire to farm.  I had trouble spending my half: $387 million.  I mean — who thinks in terms of millions?  Even after placing more money on the charity block of the IIWTL board game, I have millions sitting in front of me.  Millions! Even after doubling the cash for charities, family, and friends, there is money sitting in front of me.  Think Mary.  What would you do with $387 million?

Sigh.  We did not win.  IIWTL game is over.

What did I expect?  The odds were 1 in 292,201,338. 

“Mary did you even buy a ticket?”

Hi God.  We bought one. 

“Did you really think you would win?”

No.  Just dreaming of what I could do with that much money.

“How much money do you need?  How much will make you happy?”

Oh God.  The IIWTL is just a game.  The lottery wouldn’t make me happy.  Besides, I have everything I really need. 

“My goodness.  Have you been paying attention when we have conversations?”

Maybe.   I notice you do not have the 2 X 4 with my name on it, so apparently you do not intend to use the “get Mary’s attention” device.

“You are funny.  People are reading this so how do we get them to realize that money will not buy what they need to be happy?”

Well, if you don’t know how to get them to realize that, I don’t have a clue how to do it.  Money is a tool.  A tool we work for and use to get the things we need and the things we want.  I think the problem is that people allow the list of things they want to keep growing.  The list never ends because, when one thing gets marked off, we add another. 

“Of course, you are not guilty of this.”

There is sarcasm in that statement!  Of course, I am guilty of this, but I have learned that the things I really need and want do not require money.  And, when I accepted the gifts of grace, redemption, forgiveness, mercy, and hope, my want list changed. 

“May I see your want list?”

Really?  You know what is on there.  I will show you after I take a few things off.  Let me see.  Nope.  That can go.  This too. 

“Mary.  You keep going over that list.  I’ll be back to check it later.  And when you get to item 27, give it some real thought.  I do believe you can mark it off.”

But God, I really, really want a new computer.  God.  God.  I knew it.  He gives me something to think about and then lets me toss it around and around in my head. 

My computer works.  My computer does everything I need it to do.  My computer… Item #27 on my want list is now deleted. 

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How often do you take a look at your want list?  This is not your need list which includes food and shelter and health care and ….  This is the list that makes you think, “If I only had __?__, I would be happy.”  How often do you take things off your want list? How often do you add things to your want list?

Now you have something to think about.  What item would God tell you to mark off?  Toss this around and around in your head.  Would the things on your want list really make you happy or would you find the next thing and the next thing … and never be happy?

 

 WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE AND BE FILLED WITH JOY?

There are many words we use to describe God: Powerful, Wise, Judge, Forgiving.  But I think there are traits we need to add to our lists. Words like smile and grin and laugh. I know. I know. I am applying human traits to an Almighty God, but think about it. 

I asked this question to other people and have used their replies.

WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE?

Does God get a chuckle watching us sit anywhere except the front pew?  Does his grin turn into a full smile when there is a good discussion in Sunday School?  How hard does he laugh when a child asks a teacher, “If Zacchaeus was a wee little man, how did he get up in the tree?”  I bet God laughs at a lot of things that happen in church.

Do you think God smiles when he sees a dad sit still while his daughter puts makeup on him? Or when a mom only watches as her son makes a cake “by myself.”  

Terri read some of the names in Numbers and said, “I am sure God laughs as we try to pronounce them.  It is really hard to keep Elijah and Elisha straight.”

Janet seemed to think, “God would smile when we are so happy when a plan comes together and that is what He had planned all along.”

WHAT FILLS GOD WITH JOY?

Can you imagine the joy God feels when he sees a family pray together?

Brenda believes God would be filled with joy if he saw children coming to the altar and other children surrounding them, laying hands on them, and praying.  I think that would fill all our hearts with joy.

Bill told me that God would find joy in people getting along. 

Jon commented, “People helping others when it was inconvenient for them would make God joyful.”

Janet said the same thing.  “God would be filled with joy when His people are kind, loving and happy doing His work.”

WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE AND BE FILLED WITH JOY?

Actually this is an easy question to answer:  His children do.

This leads to another question, maybe a question that is not so easy to answer:  Are you one of his children?

 JUST ONE

Our son-in-law, Jon, sends me a message almost every day.  A couple weeks ago, he was busy and missed three days.  I asked him where my daily message was! He told our daughter that I had gotten after him.  It is a good relationship when you can give your son-in-law what for.  Anyway, the messages he sends are scriptures and often includes a question or short comment.

Sometimes I give him a thumbs up.  Sometimes a short comment.  Sometimes a very long comment. Here is our October 31st exchange:

FROM JON:  “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

MY REPLY:  But I am not righteous like Noah and Lot.  I sin.  I make mistakes.  I, at times, am anything but righteous.  My prayers are selfish.  I can never be good enough for God to save me from a flood or fire and I fear what is happening in our world.  I am lost.  I will drown or burn.  I will be destroyed.  I will fall way short of the Glory of God.  I will grieve God (It stabs my heart every time I think that I grieve God.).  I say no to God’s plan and want God to approve my plan.  I am lost!

I sent that, waited and moment, and then continued:  EXCEPT, God knit me in my mother’s womb and has led me to the one place I realize I am not lost.  He led me to the Cross.  He saved Noah out of a flood.  He saved Lot out of a fire.  He saved Rahab out of the destruction of Jericho.  And he has saved me from death to eternal life.  He saved me by sending His Son.  I am not lost.  I am saved.

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I did have to get after Jon about sending the message at the extremely early hour of 5:30 AM.    Like a good son-in-law, he now waits until 6:30 - 7:00 AM.  Bless his heart.  

Jon sends these scriptures to a number of people and I do not know how many respond.  It really doesn’t matter.  Jon does his part.  He is spreading the Word.  Sorta like my blog.  I put it out there and if it helps one person, that is all that matters.  

If each of us helped one person to Christ, think how the world would change.

 A NEW CHAIR

There are people who will shop and shop and shop for new furniture.  Oh the joy of a new chair.  Or table.  Or couch.  Or even a new pillow.  I am not one of those people.  I am not a shopper.  Notice the period after shopper.  I have never been a shopper, except in a fabric store or book store. Nope, once I find the furniture I want it stays where I put it.  No moving the couch across the room.  No moving the table under the window.  And yet, I have a new chair and it does not stay put.

Because of being over confident and not paying attention, this week I landed on the ground when I tried to get in the car.  I was putting one foot up and it was then that the other foot found the wet leaves.  This is not a good combination. Now that a few days have passed, you have my permission to laugh at the image of my being upright one moment and flat on the ground the next. What does this have to do with a chair?

The chair has wheels.  I have to stay off my right leg (broken bone) and my hubby is pushing me to various locations in our home.  Poor guy!  “Would you please get me a drink?”  Or a lot of other items I might require.  “I would like to sit in the other chair.”  This means getting up, getting in the wheelchair, and being pushed across the room.  “I need to go to the bathroom.”  And this is where the challenge comes in.  Our home was not built to accommodate a wheelchair.  Even with the door off (There are now three doors not hanging on their hinges.), the chair barely fits through the bathroom door.  And I wish the person that designed the nice little entry into the bedroom had to try and maneuver the chair around that jog.  Bill gets me where I need to be and he has done this with great patience.

I have learned many things.  It is hard to stand up and not put pressure on my leg.  It is hard to move around to get in and out of a wheelchair on one leg.  It is hard to get into bed with the boot on.  And I cannot get to my computer.  I now have a new understanding of what life is like for anyone who has to use a wheelchair and has limited mobility.  

I have been guilty of observing a person’s medical needs without stopping to think what those needs require.  I will no longer look at a wheelchair as a convenience that got me through the airport.  I will look deeper to see the struggle.  

Even though I have had many health issues, I have always been able to do many things myself.  I never imagined how hard it would be to ask Bill for everything I need.  Remember these words from a song:  Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.  I have always known I wasn’t perfect, but I now know I am humble.  I learned humility the instant I had to say, “I need to go to the bathroom.”

OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR

Have you ever thought about the number of times you open a door in one day?  It took opening/closing ten doors just to go get my driver’s license renewed.  I cannot imagine what that number would be if I counted all day.  Cabinet, bathroom, closet, appliances, and car doors.  Doors when I go shopping.  The front and back doors, of the house.  The garage door.  That is a lot of doors!

Opening a door is simple.  You put your hand on the door knob and turn it.  Then out or in you go.  Simple unless the door is one of the tricky ones.  Do you push or do you pull?  Sometimes you have to look for the door, because it is hidden in the wall.  The big thing now is barn type doors on rollers.  All through life we are opening and closing doors.

OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR – BUT WHICH DOOR?

I remember watching “Let’s Make A Deal.”  The contestant had to make a choice between Door 1, Door 2, or Door 3.  They couldn’t see what was behind the doors, but usually one door contained a joke prize.  Zero value.  How to decide?  The doors were all pretty colors and sometimes decorated with ribbons and bows.  Choices.  Choices.  Choices.

In life, opening or closing a door often requires making a choice.  Choices are not always easy and some do not turn out so great. 

Eglon made a choice to send his attendants away and to stay in a room with Ehud.  Later the servants found the doors locked so they waited and waited and … finally unlocked the doors.  Oh my.  Oh my.  The king of Moab lay on the floor dead.  (Taken from Judges 3:19-25)

Guess he should not have chosen to close those doors.  Our choices are influenced by what voice we listen to and too often we are not able to hear the voice of Jesus because we listen to Satan.  We listen to the devil who has no truth in him.  “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  part of John 8:44  Maybe we are blinded by the light of Satan when he masquerades as an angel of light.  2 Corinthians 11:14

In life, opening or closing a door often requires making a choice.  Sometimes those choices are spot on.

At the ripe age of twenty-five years old, Hezekiah became king and it says right there that “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.”  My goodness!  No question about it.  He would have won the big prize on Let’s Make A Deal.  Not wasting any time, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them.  Then he made others get their act together.  He told them to remove all (not just some) defilement from the sanctuary and told them to roll up the sleeves of their garments and get to it.  So the service of the temple of the LORD was reestablished.  (Taken from 2 Chronicles 29)

Hezekiah made the correct choice and opened the right door.  “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God.  In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered.    2 Chronicles 31:20-21

OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR – BUT WHICH DOOR?

In life, opening or closing a door often requires making a choice.  Do you want to hear, “Were you born in a barn?” or “If you open it, you close it.”  Very simple.  Close the door.  Other times, we listen to the liar.  Your mother asks, “Are adults going to be at the party?” and “Yes.” comes out of our mouths when we know the answer is no.  Sometimes, well sometimes,

we open a door and …… there stands a Shepherd.

Jesus answered,

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27

“Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

Would you recognize the Shepherd’s voice?  Would you throw the door open …. or … would you listen to the liar and stand there staring at a closed door?

OUR CHILDREN

Unlike my Facebook page, my blog is rarely political, but this week my soul will not be quiet.  As hard as I have tried to not write this, I must.  

I am not a prophet, but sometimes I can understand how the prophets in the Bible felt. I post often on Facebook and it seems as if I am speaking to the wind.  Things I see so clearly, as a threat to the very foundation of our country, others shrug off.  Why can’t I just shake my head and continue on to the next post which is funny or sweet?  Why can’t I just stop posting when I know people go, “Oh, Mary is on a rant again.”  I hold my faith above all.  My family after that.  My country next.  And through each of these I value children.  I have taught children’s Sunday School, led a Brownie Troop, worked with a Kid’s Club, and advocated for children through CASA.  But now my heart breaks for our children and as I listen to the news of the beheading of children in Israel, the tears cannot be held back.  Children are no longer valued.  They are now a political commodity to be killed and mutilated.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3 KJV

How did this country – this world – get to the place where babies can be aborted up to the time of birth?  An unborn child has such little value that one breath means the difference between death and life.  The fruit of the womb is no longer a reward.  This heritage of the LORD has become something to toss in the trash.  And my heart breaks.

There are voices being heard in support of the actions of Hamas.  The killing of children -- The raping of women -- The murder of men, women, and children is being justified by the terms “right to resist” and they should not be condemned but understood as “a desperate act of self-defense.”  The actions of Hamas have nothing to do with resisting or self-defense.  The actions of Hamas are pure evil.  Life has no value.  Life is now political, to be discussed in the halls of political power, universities, and on the street.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27  NIV

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

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14  NIV

I believe in the 27th verse of Genesis 1.  God created them; male and female.  I also believe in the 13th and 14th verses of Psalm 139.  Each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made.  And yet, based upon flawed studies, now called scientific fact, we are allowing our children to become sexual objects.  Our children, our very young children are now being taught they can be any gender they want and are encouraged to make decisions as the wise age of 2 or 4 or 6 or ….. years old. And the world is falling in step.  Parents no longer have the right to make medical, emotional, or mental decisions for their children.  They can be imprisoned and have their children taken away if they do not agree with the decision of a 2 or 4 or 6 or … year old. 

Children, who should be playing with toys and wiggling their toes in the mud and protected from evil, are being given drugs that will change their bodies in ways no one yet understands.  Children, who should be amazed at the birth of puppies, are being taught that they are a sexual being and can pleasure themselves.  Young girls are being allowed to mutilate their bodies by having their breasts removed and young boys are advised on surgical procedures to forever change their bodies.  And business makes profits and hospitals rake in the dough and politicians and educators jump on the new god bandwagon:  transgenderism.

And I wonder, “How did this happen?  Where did reason and common sense go?  When did we turn our children over to such teachings?  Why do we allow this?”  And my heart breaks.  The tears fall. 

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Unlike my Facebook page, my blog is rarely political, but this week my soul will not be quiet.  As hard as I have tried to not write this, I must.  Why?  Because I fear for the souls of those that no longer value our children.  I fear for the souls of those that have allowed our children to become a political commodity, to be sexualized, to be mutilated, and to be killed.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble,

it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck

and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

Matthew 18:6  NIV

 

 HI.  I AM ….

How do you introduce yourself?  Or how would others introduce you?

Since 1965, Bill has introduced me as, “My wife, Mary.”  When the kids were in school, I was Bill’s mother or Terri’s mother. I became someone’s grandma.  Before hubby retired, I was known as Bill’s office manager.  When I worked auctions, I was Mary, the cashier.  I am sometimes introduced, “This is my sister, Mary.”

I am introduced as my wife, my mother, my sister, my grandma, or my friend.  At church I am introduced as our Sunday School teacher, our social media manager, and our Mary.  I really like that “our Mary.”  Bill calls me “My Mary.”  Those make me feel special.  Like I have an identity that is not connected to a skill or activity or family.  Just ME.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I like being honored with the tags wife, mother, sister, grandma, or friend.  I appreciate that the people in our Sunday School class are willing to recognize me in public.  And I was darned good at being an auction cashier.  But I have hit an all-time low…

Our mailman started attending our daughter’s church.  Last Sunday he went up to our son-in-law and said, “Hi.  I know Norman Frog.”  He did not say, “Hi.  I know your in-laws.”  No -- he says NORMAN FROG!  When being introduced, I now rank below a stuffed frog.  For anyone who does not know, I have a stuffed frog with an Instagram account.  (norman_frog)  He has more followers than I have Facebook friends.  He sends Christmas cards to people in 23 countries.  How does Norman introduce me? He says, “This is my human.”  If he has to admit I am the one that sends those cards, he calls me his assistant.

For all my accomplishments, I am most recognized as a stuffed frog’s assistant.  Now doesn’t that just knock me off my pedestal?

All this to ask a question:  When talking to family, friends, and strangers, how do you introduce God?

 TURN UP THE VOLUME

As I was getting ready to enter the MRI, the technician asked, “Do you have a choice of music?”  I immediately answered, “Neil Diamond.”  When I came out of the MRI, the technician said, “I just knew you were not going to lie still when Sweet Caroline came on, but you did.”

It was hard to lay still!  I could direct almost every Neil Diamond song.  I know the breaks and when the verses begin.  I want the radio cranked up when Cherry Cherry or Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show or I Am I Said or Cracklin Rosie or … You get the idea.  I am a fan!

The first time I saw him perform was in 1996.  Bill and I had tickets to fly to Seattle and then I saw it.  NEIL DIAMOND WAS PERFORMING IN INDIANAPOLIS!  On the night we were to fly out.  (Big sigh.)  Things have a way of working out.  We changed our airline tickets.  Although the concert tickets were not the best, I GOT TO SEE HIM!!  Our tickets were almost behind the stage, I saw more of his butt than I saw his face.  I told Bill, “Doesn’t he have a great butt.”

The next morning’s headline, in the Indianapolis paper, read:  Women rate Neil Diamond’s butt a 10.  I am not kidding.  We saw him perform two more times. 

I turned a page in the Guideposts* and there he was.  A picture just like I remember him.  The story was about Neil Diamond raising $1.8 million to help the residents of Oak Island, a suburb of Houston, Texas.  What connection did he have with this community?  In 1966, at the beginning of his career, he flew into Houston for his first Texas gig and realized he had left his money in New York.  As he was trying to convince the rental car clerk he would pay later, his song A Solitary Man come on the radio.  He said, “That is my song.”  He sang a few bars and the clerk welcomed him to the great state of Texas and handed him the keys, no charge. 

Fast forward to 2008.  Neil Diamond returned to the area and saw Hurricane Ike’s devastation.  He donated the merchandise proceeds from his remaining shows, along with his own money, to help rebuild the community.

Often a kindness is given and there is no expectation of a reward.  I am sure the rental car clerk had no idea that her one act would result in a $1.8 million gift.

We are never sure when the smallest thing might have a big impact.  A smile might change a day for someone who thinks no one cares.  A card might give encouragement to someone who is grieving.  An invitation to church might save a soul. 

*Taken from the article: Solitary Man, by Kimberly Elkins and Adam Hunter, June/July 2023 Guideposts

 

NORMAL?

That is a word not usually associated with me.  I have been called not-normal, unusual, unique, and strange.  Those words are usually associated with the way my mind works.  To that I say, “And proud of it!”  The thing is, I like normal.

Normal is a routine that makes life easier.  Normal is having an alarm set that encourages you to start your day.  Normal is … Oh for goodness sakes, THERE IS NO NORMAL!

People my age - aka old - grew up watching Leave It To Beaver and Life With Father.  The wives wore dresses, pearls, and high heeled shoes.  The kids got in trouble but each infraction was a lesson.  The husband would come home from work, change from a suit coat to a sweater, and relax by reading the daily paper.  Then all sat down to eat supper together.  We thought this was what normal life should be.  NEWS FLASH: IT WAS NOT NORMAL THEN AND IT IS NOT NORMAL NOW.

My dad was a trucker.  We never knew when he would be home.  He wore work pants and a shirt.  No suit and tie for him.  Mom was a stay at home wife and mother.  She did the cleaning, cooking, sewing, gardening, canning, and laundry.  Us kids had chores and were to do as we were told without any argument.  We were to go to school and do our homework without being told. 

That was my normal.  Was it a good normal? Sometimes.  Sometimes not.  But it was normal for me.

The trouble is my normal lacked a lot of things.  My neighbor always had new clothes.  I had her hand-me-downs.  When it was daylight at 9:00 PM, I could hear the neighborhood kids still playing.  I had a bedtime.  In high school, other kids went to restaurants for lunch (we did not have a cafeteria).  I walked home for lunch or took a sack lunch.  Other girls were allowed to go here and there, but I had a whole list of places I could not go.  I saw fathers hugging their children and I saw mothers listening with compassion.  I had parents that were not huggers and a mother that did not listen.  I wanted what other kids had.  What other families had.

You see, I wanted the normal other kids had.  I wanted new clothes.  I wanted to go to bed when I was ready.  I wanted to go where I wanted.  I wanted a father that was home regularly.  I wanted a mother that would listen.  I wanted …

David saw Bathsheba and he wanted her…

Lot’s wife wanted to look back at what she was leaving…

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to keep money for themselves…

- - - - - - - - - - - 

This started out to be a blog about being normal, but somewhere it took a bit of a turn.  I realized my life was normal for me.  It was just not the normal I wanted.  I realized I wanted what my friends had.  I think they call that coveting.

Thou shalt not covet they neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet they neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is they neighbour’s.             Exodus 20:17

I was blessed in my not normal home.  I had a father that provided for his family.  I had a mother that managed a home and took care of us.  I had clothes, a bed, and food.  I had restrictions that made sense to my parents.  The problem is, instead of seeing my blessings, I saw the blessings other people had.  And I wanted them.

RANDOM “AHS”

What is an “AH”?  The dictionary says it is a less common spelling of “aah” and, since I am a lousy speller, I will stick with “ah.” 

Ah:  intransitive verb – to exclaim in amazement, joy, or surprise

I like that definition.  One important thing is that “ah” moments cannot be planned.  We had one such moment a few nights ago.  We were sitting on the deck playing a card game when I looked up and saw this. 

A cross!  Right there in the sky!!  Now you can rationalize that two jet trails formed this.  You would be right.  BUT, for me, it was a very big AH moment!  Of course, when I posted this on Facebook, one grandson said it was a sign of intervention and grandpa was to win the card game.  It was a sign, but not for a card game.  I beat him.

Ah number two only lasted a couple of seconds.  We were coming out of a restaurant and everyone coming in the door had eyes straight forward…. except for one little tyke.  That child was waving!  A smile and a wave for everyone.  Children give more ah moments than adults.  Adults have forgotten how to look at strangers and acknowledge them.  Not children.  They like to wave and they bring joy with their smile.

Ah number three was seeing the surprise on the faces of the congregation last Sunday.  I am not sure if they had a look of surprise or that “deer in the headlights” look.  I gave the message and the last part was congregation participation.  They were not expecting that.  BUT they took a deep breath and first one and then another answered my question.  Thank you to the congregation of Urbana Yoke Parish for being willing to get out of your comfort zone. 

Ah moments are fleeting and we have to be ready or we will miss them. 

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven:  “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  Luke 3:21-23

Now that would have been something to see.  A really, really big ah moment.  What if you had your back turned and were drying off because you had just been baptized?  What if you had left to get supper ready?  A fleeting ah moment and you missed seeing Jesus baptized.

(The disciples wanted to send the crowds away to get food.)  Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat.”  Matthew 14:16

Now that would have been something to see.  A really, really big ah moment.  What if you had left early because the kids were getting restless, you were tired of sitting, you were impatient, and you were hungry?  A fleeting ah moment and you missed being fed.

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Many parables tell us we have to be ready.  Ah moments are fleeting and we have to be ready or we will miss them.  We do not know when the BIG AH is going to happen. 

(Jesus speaking to his disciples.)  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also maybe where I am.”

This ah moment will be at a surprising time and will be amazing and joyous.  This is one ah moment you do not want to miss.  Be ready.

 

BROKEN

What will break next?  I think if one more thing breaks, I will scream!  You are not going to get the whole list of the things that have broken in the last year and a half….  only part of the list. 

A few months back, I took something out of the oven and it was cold.  Yes, I had turned the oven on.  It even said it was at 350 degrees.  I called and they came to check the oven that was residing in a 23 year old gas range.  The diagnosis was quickly made.  As suspected, the oven was not working.  Duh!  As expected, it was going to cost over half the price of a new range to do a repair.  A new range was ordered and would be delivered in approximately three months.  THREE MONTHS!  Thankfully the burners worked.  The range was delivered and I wrote a check.

On a Monday morning, before I had my first cup of coffee, Bill informed me, “The fridge is not working.  Everything is warm and thawed.”  I poured my coffee and took a very large gulp of caffeine.  Everything was thrown out and the repairmen (who know exactly how long it takes to get to our home) arrived.  “The refrigerator that you bought 23 years ago has a blown compressor.  We brought a loaner just in case.”  Out with the old, in with the borrowed, and an order was placed.  You guessed it —- to be delivered in about three months.  I will be writing a check, hopefully, in October.

“Bill are you listening?”  He replied yes but I wasn’t so sure.  I know he has problems hearing, but is it getting worse?  Could it be the hearing aids are no longer working?  Off to find out.  Of course!  Besides, there are new and improved versions….  he picks up his new hearing aids Monday and will hear, “Cash, Check, or Charge?”

Hang in there.  I am almost done.  We were eating lunch and a very old filling was no longer attached to Bill’s tooth.  The dentist will be able to make the proverbial “boat payment.”

I swear, if one more thing breaks, I am going to scream.

“My child you are broken.”

Au contraire.  I hate to disagree with God, but I am not broken..  I am REPAIRED. 

“Mary.  Mary.  I love your sense of humor.”

I am not trying to be funny.  I was broken!  Now I am repaired. 

“Repaired.  I like the sound of that.  My repaired Mary.”

You know the part I like?

“What part do you like?”

That you called me “my Mary.”

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I want you to turn off the TV, put your phone on silent, read the rest of this sentence, and then close your eyes and listen.  Did you hear God call you by name?

Never forget.  God knows your name.  You are His.  And He loves to repair broken souls.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

MOSES HEARS VOICES

Just in from Midian:  An Angel of the LORD appeared to Moses.  Moses, the man who killed an Egyptian and fled, seems to have seen the Angel of the LORD in a flame of fire that did not consume the bush.  If that doesn’t make you wonder exactly what funny mushroom Moses had eaten for breakfast, this will.  Hold onto your tunic.  Moses, a killer, seems to have heard GOD.  Yes, GOD!

The LORD, according to Moses, asked him to deliver the LORD’s people out of the hands of the Egyptians.  Conveniently, Moses was the only person there and his story cannot be confirmed.  That is unless you can find a sheep that can talk.

The Pharaoh could not be reached for comment.

Remember, you heard it here first.  The Egyptian Observer

JONAH MISSING — LAST SEEN GETTING ON A BOAT TO TARSHISH

Just in from Joppa:  Jonah missing after fleeing to Tarshish after the LORD instructed him to go to Nineveh.  We do not know what the LORD wanted Jonah to do, nor do we know why Jonah ran away.  Please notify us if you see this prophet.

Update:  The crew, of the boat Jonah bought passage on, reported that there was a great storm and Jonah said it was his fault for running from the LORD.  They threw him in the sea and the sea became calm.  I guess this proves you should not mess with sailors.

Update:  Jonah is walking the streets of Nineveh.  It seems he is telling them to straighten up or be overthrown.  It also seems the local fabric store is sold out of sackcloth.

Remember, you heard it here first.  The Nineveh Post

DAMASCUS ROAD CLOSED AFTER STRANGE ENCOUNTER

Just in from Damascus:  The men traveling with Saul, well known persecutor of those that profess to believe in Jesus, reported that Saul was blinded by a bright light and they also heard a voice.  They said they could not see a person, but the voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  The men led Saul to the house of Judas.  I must add a disclaimer:  I did not interview Saul and the men, making this report, seem to have spent a bit of time in the local pub.

Update: It seems that Saul can now see and has been seen with the disciples.  Saul is also preaching in the synagogues about Christ being the Son of God.  To escape the Jews that want to kill him, Saul went to Jerusalem.  I am told he is now using his other name: Paul.

Remember, you heard it here first.  The Synagogue Weekly

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Do you read the paper?  Do you watch the news?  Do you believe what you read and hear?  Sadly, the news is no longer the news.  It is written to lead the reader in a certain direction. 

The word killer was used twice to describe Moses and the reference to finding a talking sheep was used to discredit him.  This was certainly written to influence your impression of Moses.

Jonah ran away.  He was weak.  Jonah put everyone on the boat in danger.  He was self-centered.  Jonah walked the streets of Nineveh and sackcloth flew off the shelves.  BUT there is no mention of the people turning away from their ways and no mention of Jonah sulking.  This left out the true meaning of Jonah’s actions and made him look like a crazy, religious freak.

Saul had a conversion.  The Light blinded him and he heard a voice.  Saul went from persecuting believers to preaching about Christ, the Son of God?  Now who does that?  Besides, those reporting the story could be a bit tipsy, a perfect way to make the reader doubt if the story is true.  This would diminish the impact of Saul’s conversion.

You can have fun with the scriptures and the stories can be told in many ways.  (My talking with God on my blog or a children’s Christmas play come to mind.)  There are millions of books, blogs, newspaper articles, TV shows, magazines, learned scholars, and google which want to tell you what the Bible says.  Many of these are written or preached to influence the reader/hearer in a certain direction.  What point am I making?  Read the Word for yourself.  When reading or listening what others say, make sure they are Biblical. 

Now, go read about Moses, Jonah, and Saul/Paul and discover the truth.