EVEN THE CRICKETS ARE QUIET

It is 4:21 ..  AM..  and I am awake.  I was asleep but my Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) kicked in.  Bless its heart!  I was asleep.  Now I am awake.  And even the crickets are quiet.  That is okay because I have news.

CALL ME JOB UPDATE — June 24, 2022 blog

June

• The specialist implanted a screw in my jaw

July

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Tests on the tumor showed clean edges
• Surgery to test the lymph nodes was scheduled

August

• Surgery to remove lymph node
• Tests on lymph node negative

September

• New air conditioner
• Garage door spring broke
• Cancer team decision was that I would not need chemo or radiation
• I started on an anti-estrogen pill and can announce:

MATILDA HAS LEFT MY BODY

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I named that little tumor Matilda.  Why Matilda? I don’t know.  The name just popped into my head.  It is great to know Matilda is gone, but the word cancer changes your life.  Matilda has left but while she was here, she created months of worry and unending waiting.  Matilda is gone, but we are changed.

We realize, once again, that life is fragile and valuable.  We know that stress is exhausting and even one day of waiting feels like an eternity.  We researched to help understand words we did not want to hear and to be an advocate for our decisions.  At each visit, surgery, and receiving test results, we hoped for the best, but were prepared for the worst.  We are thankful for doctors and nurses who are compassionate and skilled.  The most important thing we did was asking for and accepting the prayers of family, friends, and strangers.  We felt those prayers as we worked to evict Matilda.

So many hear words that change lives: Diabetes, Stroke, Diseases of the Heart, Respiratory, Kidney, Spine, and Liver, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and way too many others to list.  Each of our journeys is different.  Some seem fairly easy and some have been long and hard.  But for each, a life was changed.  But sometimes, yes, sometimes we hear those wonderful words: Matilda has left your body.

It is now 5:36 AM and the crickets are awake.  My leg has settled down.  The alarm will go off shortly.  I should have told Matilda to take the RLS with her.  Hindsight is always perfect.

 DO YOU SEE ME?  I AM HERE!

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  I thought this was my time with my dad.  I am sitting right here, but your eyes are not looking at me.  I am here, but no words are being exchanged.  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  I wash your jeans, your shirts – your underwear for goodness sakes.  I fixed a really good meal – your favorite.  I made sure everything was ready for all of you before I left for work.  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  Do you see how hard I work?  Do you see that I fixed the swing and was there for your game?  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  Yes you came, but you did not see me _____. (Fill in the blank with get a touchdown, do my solo, or any activity your child is in.)  You asked about my day and I tried to tell you, but your phone rang.  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  This was to be a date – a time of questions and answers.  Quiet conversations and a chance for love to grow.  Instead, I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes we think we are invisible.  We came into the restaurant together – the six of us.  Our two grandchildren immediately took out their phones.  Their parents were talking on their phones all the way here.  They are still talking or checking messages or on Snapchat.  And we quietly sit here.  We want to shout, “DO YOU SEE US?”

How sad that the people we are with are invisible.  They are present, but not important enough:

• to have an actual conversation with them.
• to share a laugh.
• to give flirty glances.
• to hold hands.
• to listen as they tell about their day.
• to hear “when I was young” stories.

I love to people watch and have watched as these stories played out over and over and over.  And I want to shout, “PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE!”

How my heart hurt for the little girl who waited for her father to see her.  She silently ate her meal and he never got off the phone.

Parents – mothers and fathers – can feel invisible.  They work at a job and at home, but it is just expected and goes unnoticed when video games and phones and social media consume the kids. 

The kids also feel invisible.  They want to be heard and feel loved, but too often fears and emotions remain private as business calls or calls about a shopping trip or an alert take priority over them.  Families ignore each other as they come and go but they never get off the phone.  There are constant notifications to check, work calls, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the winning homerun was missed because someone somewhere posted a cute dog video.

Couples -- those getting to know each other and those that are getting out of the house for a date night – make time to be together and then constantly check their phone.

Grandparents – sadly sit quietly while everyone talks to a friend they have never met or watch a video of the latest prank.  They wonder if there would be a response if they texted their kids and grandkids.

This phone addiction (Yes, addiction.) has gotten out of hand.  All ages are more concerned about what might be going on in cyberspace instead of what is going on right in front of them.  Our children hear “hold on just a minute” when they try to talk to their parents.  Parents hear “the video game is almost over” when they try to get everyone to the table.  Spouses no longer listen to how the day went and grandparents learn how to text.

People watching is fun.  Look around.  Really look.  What do you see?  Do you see people who want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

 

 ROAD TRIP

Last week I went on a road trip!!!  I met up with my sister and we spent a couple of days catching up.  Venting.  Laughing.  Eating.  Drinking wine.  Putting our feet up.  Eating.  Driving around.  Shopping.  Cemeteries.

Most things on this list worked out pretty good.  A couple of things did not.

EATING – We tried (get the tried) to eat lunch at an Olive Garden in Richmond, Indiana.  As we waited to be seated, a number of employees walked by us.  They never spoke.  Then another employee, in a very grouch tone, said, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”  My sister and I looked at each other, nodded our heads, and walked out the door.  We went to Applebee’s.

I hope you remember that I hate snakes!  We were seated, the waitress came to our table, and she asked what we would like to drink.  It was then that I saw her tattoo --- a snake.  The tattoo went from her wrist to her elbow.  I could see it as she stood there.  I could see it when she took our order and when she brought our food.  I could see it .. Yes, I am a single mom.  How old is your daughter?  I have a picture.  Ahhh.. how cute.  I am getting married soon and we are buying a big old house.  We want lots of rooms.  It sounds like you want more children.  We do, but we want to foster children.  I was a foster kid and I want to help other kids. 

And then it happened.  I no longer saw the snake.  I saw a young lady who has a dream.  A dream to raise her daughter, marry a man who shares her values and goals, and help children through difficult times.  Right in front of me stood hope for the future.

As we were leaving, I complimented a woman on her bright yellow hat.  She thanked me and then told me where she bought it and how it made her fee.  I love to hear people’s stories. 

SHOPPING – I am not a big shopper, but we had seen a couple of stores we wanted to find.  One was a book store and one was named Two Sisters.  We could not find either of them.  I had the address.  I had my iPad map that said they were right where we were parked.  But they were not!  No books!  No Two Sisters!  Richmond needs to make their stores easier to find.  We did find an antique store…in a neighboring town. 

CEMETERIES – Although not as excited as I am, Margaret does accommodate my desire to go to cemeteries.  We explored two.  One had a unique tombstone (let’s just say they were dressed exactly as they were when they came into this world) and one was so peaceful the deer were wondering around.  One stone said “Howdy folks this is your old friend Singin Sam” and one reminded us that “death is only a shadow across the path to heaven.” 

THE TRIP HOME – Sadly, our visit was over and she headed south and I headed north.  Or at least I tried to.  We are in the fifth season in Indiana:  CONSTRUCTION!  I was either trying to go around the construction area or through it.  I turned on roads that sorta headed in the right direction and quickly found out I had managed to find … drum roll … more construction.  I went through small towns and really small towns.  I enjoyed every back road I took and hubby was thrilled that not one of those back roads was gravel.

WHAT I LEARNED ON THIS ROAD TRIP –

• Family is important!  So many families are separated by a disagreement that happened 10, 20, or 30 years ago.  How sad. 
• Community is important!  I drove through Hagerstown and they were preparing to celebrate their Little League Team.  Signs, balloons, and posters were everywhere.  And their team only won one game.  It didn’t matter.  Those boys were part of their town.  They were part of the community.  They were going to be a part of a parade that afternoon.
• Time is important!  Time to enjoy family.  Time to travel backroads.  Time – a gift not to be wasted.

I love to travel!  It doesn’t matter if it is to the Rocky Mountains or a small town in my home state.  I love to travel!  I see homes and farms and towns.  I see life.  And when I go home, I have new memories.  And I get the opportunity to meet a young lady, with a snake tattoo, who shared her story with me.

 

I TALK, GOD LISTENS

“Hello Mary.”

Well, hello God.  Do you like the title of my blog?

“It is okay, but you need a second part on there.”

A second part?  Why?  I do talk.  You do listen.  What else needs to be said?

“A better title would be: I TALK, GOD LISTENS - GOD TALKS, MARY DOESN’T LISTEN”

Hey, I …

“Better stop and think about the rest of that sentence before you complete it.  Plus, if we look back at some other blogs, I think we have had this conversation before.”

I do to listen.  It is just that you do not answer me right away.  And sometimes you are very hard to hear.  Do you whisper on purpose?  

“Would you like me to shout?”

Wow.  You would do that?  I could hear you if you shouted.  Now we are getting somewhere.

“Let’s think about this a minute…

My minute or your minute?

“Have you forgotten the GOD SPEAKS, MARY IS SUPPOSED TO LISTEN part?  Sometimes I do shout, but you cannot hear me over all the noise around you.  That is why there are so many ways to hear my voice.”

(A big sigh.) I know you answer my prayers and I need to do a few things to hear the answers.

“Go on.”

I need to be patient.  Patience allows me to work through my trials and come out on the other side wiser.  Funny how that works.  Trials seem so horrible - and they are - but each one has taught me something and I know you are there to help me through them.

“Aren’t ‘we’ and ‘through’ such wonderful words?  They mean you are not alone and you will get through them.  What else do you have to do to hear my voice?”

I need to wait.  Wait ranks right up there in difficulty with patience.  I am to wait.  Waiting is hard.  I want to move forward.  Do something.  Take action.  But, sometimes what you want is for me to be still and wait. 

“Right.  If you just rush to the next thing or take action without waiting for direction, you will head down the wrong path.  I have such great plans for each of my children, but sometimes they forget to pray and wait.  And then guess who they blame when ‘their’ plan didn’t work: ME.”

How do I find the answer and the direction I am to take?

“My child — when you have patience, wait, pray, and listen, you will hear my answer.  It might come through a verse in the Bible.  It might come from a sermon.  It might come from a friend.  Or even a stranger.  But you are forgetting your secret weapon.”

I have a secret weapon?  Oh..  wait..  I know!  The Holy Spirit!

“Give that girl a prize.  When you are searching and listening and praying and waiting and having patience, the Holy Spirit will guide you.  The Holy Spirit will direct you.”

Are you sure?

“Look it up.  There are a few scriptures on the subject.”

Okay.  I will be right back.

“I will check in later.”

< <  <    >  >  >

(Jesus speaking)  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  John 14:16, 26

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:38

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  Romans 8:26

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of salvation.  When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 1:13

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7

“Mary are you still looking up scriptures on the Holy Spirit?”

Yes.  The Holy Spirit is a powerful weapon against lies and sin and gives us directions, but it is not a secret weapon.  There are a whole lot of verses on the Holy Spirit!!  I did find the perfect one to close the blog.

“You certainly did.  Maybe you do listen.”

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  2 Corinthians 13:14

 FEAR

Our daughter’s family has been devastated by the sudden death of Ann, a mother, a mother-in-law and a grandmother.  It happened on a Sunday two weeks ago.  But that Sunday is where this blog on fear began.

The family business is an antique store and they were having their annual yard sale.  (This is a very big deal.) We got a call early saying Ann had been taken to the hospital.  We got another call saying her husband, Ann's son, had been called to come to the hospital and they were on the way.  The next call was to ask if I would go to the house because they didn’t want their youngest son to be there by himself.  18 year old Tim had put on his “I am okay” face and had stayed to work in the store.  He worked until 4:00 and then came into the house.  He was worried and glad I was there.

As we waited, we began to talk.  This very compassionate young man asked me about my last surgery.  I assured him that the lymph node report had come back negative for cancer.  It was then that Tim asked the question.  Looking me in the eyes, he said, “Is this the type of breast cancer that will pass to my mother?”  FEAR!!  And this fear had been inside him since June.

I quickly told him that was one of the first questions we had asked the doctor.  There is no way to guarantee that his mother would never get cancer, but my cancer is NOT a genetic cancer and would not be passed to his mother.  He asked another question and continued to ask questions as I started with the original mammogram and ended with the lymph node report.  And it was only then that the fear for his mother went away.

His fear went away because the fear came out of the dark of his worry and was brought into the light of truth and understanding.  Isn’t that the same for us — no matter how old or young we are?  Fear grows as it is kept in the dark.  Fear gets stronger when we hid it.  Fear.  Fear.

FEAR -- but the scriptures have always told us we are not to fear. 

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

I sought the LORD, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:4

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,

Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Isaiah 41:13

Facing our fears and bringing those fears into the light does not mean our trials just magically go away. Instead, facing our fears and bringing those fears into the light of God’s truth and wisdom means we can be strong and have courage because God is with us.  When we seek the LORD, He will hear us, hold our right hand, and deliver us from our fears. 

I like Philippians 4:6-7 from The Message:

Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Do not hide your fear.  As a song says:  Have a Little Talk With Jesus.  And when you have this talk, His truth and wisdom will deliver you from your fear.

PS – BUT YOU HAVE TO LET THE FEAR GO WHEN YOU LEARN THE TRUTH AND GAIN WISDOM FROM THAT TRUTH.  IT DOES ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD TO HAVE THAT TALK WITH JESUS AND THEN TAKE YOUR FEAR BACK.

THEY KNOW BEST

LIFE ADVICE FROM SPAM EMAIL

Instead of just deleting the spam mail, I scanned the list and was totally surprised how many things I am missing out on.  Apparently, many people know what I need.

There must be someone looking in my windows because they believe I ---

• Am old
• Definitely need to go on a diet
• Need a whole lot of pain medication for my joints
• Have blurry vision
• Could improve my love life

Okay, I am older and … we will stop there.

When I continue to scan (NOT OPEN!!) those spam emails, I am missing out on ---

• New windows
• An absolutely astonishing drone
• A new shower
• A Stanley tool set
• A $500 gift card from Shell
• CBD gummies

Also, Jake, from State Farm, and PayPal would like to have a conversation with me.  Wow.  A conversation with Jake -- I would be so honored.  The spam from a “font no one can read” must really contain life changing advice.  They send numerous emails.  Thank goodness for a spam filter.  There are so many people willing to tell me how to improve my life and what I need to possess to enjoy my life.

I DIDN’T KNOW

The night before the cruise, we stayed at a hotel in Miami.  Sitting around the pool, we noticed a number of Iguanas going here and there.  They were fun to watch and I loved it when one stood on its back legs and ran.  The people around the pool were feeding the Iguanas pieces of fruit.  They were enjoying every bite.  All you had to do was put a piece of pineapple on the ground and one would grab it.  Now, for a girl from the land of corn and beans, Iguanas were a change from watching corn grow.

We thought about going back to the pool, oh say, around midnight.  We wondered how the Iguanas were feeling.  Why would we wonder?  The fruit they had been eating all day – was from those fancy fruit drinks made with rum, whiskey, and vodka.  We wondered if the Iguanas were drunk.  But – if they were, they could always point out, “I didn’t know there was alcohol in the fruit.  I just thought those people were being nice.”

THE TAKE-AWAY

I do have to be careful where I get advice and who I listen to.

Opening one of those emails could mean my life would change.  And it would!!  My life would become focused on canceling every credit card, changing my email address, and my computer would blow up with even more spam. 

Not being aware or blindly trusting those around me might change my life too.  Those around me can lead me in a wrong direction without me even realizing it.  Then I would be like the Iguanas and say, “I didn’t know.”

WHAT AM I TO DO?  WHAT AM I TO DO?

The first thing is to NOT open those spam emails.  I cannot let curiosity get the better of me.  No matter how fun it would be to have a really cool, new technology, easy to use drone or be tempted by a $500 gift card for gas.  I mean gas is so high… No!  I will not fall for that one either. 

The second thing is to make sure people I associate with have my back.  I need to know I can trust my friends.  My friends would not give me fruit from that rum drink without my knowledge.  Nope.  My friends would give me the whole drink.  My friends would not put me into a situation where the outcome required me to say, “I didn’t know.”

TAKE-AWAY TWO

This applies to you also.  Have wisdom when you are online and do not open those emails.  They can be a big temptation!  Learn a lesson from Eve – Do not be tempted by a sneaky Satan in the form of an apple called spam.

Enjoy your friends.  Friends are so valuable!  Definitely make our lives better.  But sneaky Satan can come disguised as a stranger sitting around the pool, being friendly, as they feed you spiked fruit or as someone you call friend who thinks you should join in their questionable activities.

THE POWER OF THE POINTED FINGER

Three weeks ago I wrote on the power of words.  This week it is the finger that has power.  Now.  Now.  NOT that finger.  This finger:

The ever present pointing finger.  A finger, in this position, has been around a very long time.  It started in a garden.

The man said, “The woman you put here with me –

she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The power of finger pointing continued. 

“Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered.

“You know how prone these people are to evil.

They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. ……

 Then they gave me the gold and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

Aaron not only pointed his finger at everyone else, he said the calf just came out of the gold tossed into the fire. 

But sometimes, the finger is pointed by someone and is aimed at you.

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him.

 

“You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

With an accusing finger pointed at him, Peter answered,

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yes, finger pointing has been around since that apple was plucked from the tree.  

THE COMBINED POWER OF THE POINTED FINGER AND WORDS

 When combined with words, the pointed finger has the power to damage the soul --

It is your fault.

If you had only done a better job.

You are no good.

AND THIS DAMAGE STAYS IN THE SOUL FOREVER!

When combined with words, the pointed finger has the power to bring joy to the soul --

You have a beautiful smile.

What a great job you did.

You are so kind.

AND THIS JOY STAYS IN THE SOUL FOREVER!

THE COMBINED POWER OF THE POINTED FINGER AND WORDS

The question is:  Will your words and pointed finger be used to damage a soul or to bring joy to a soul?

 GLOVES AND A HAT

Bill often prefaces his remarks with, “My mother would be rolling over in her grave.”  This conversation happens on Sundays and I usually agree with him.

“My mother would be rolling over in her grave,” begins hubby, “if she saw how we are dressed to go to church.”

And she probably is.  Going to church meant putting on your best dress, hose, dress shoes, a hat, and gloves.  It did not matter that she was headed to a small, rural church.  She dressed in the proper attire.  She would be shocked to see people going to church in jeans and shorts and, heaven forbid, no hat and gloves.

Then there is Sunday dinner (dinner being the noon meal, not to be confused with supper the evening meal).  Sunday dinner was meat, potatoes, and green beans, with a desert that was prepared Saturday and NOT touched until Sunday.  She would be shocked that we eat out most Sundays (eating out was a luxury back then), but would absolutely faint if she saw us eating grilled cheese and chips or a salad and left over pizza from the freezer.  Those would not be good enough for Sunday dinner.

Sunday is SUNDAY!! 

Yes, Sunday is SUNDAY and it should be a day of worship, but that worship should not be linked to anyone’s attire (I am not saying that anything goes.) or what is for Sunday dinner.  Jesus did not stop the poor woman, who gave two mites, from entering the synagogue.  I am sure many would stare at her and think she was not “properly dressed.”  We are to go before God with our best ... but the question is:  Our best what?

God does want our best.

“That’s right Mary.  I do want your best.”

You are reading over my shoulder aren’t you?  You want me to dress up for church?  You know I have never been a real dressy person.

“I do want your best, but it has nothing to do with clothes.  I want your best attitude.”

Best attitude?  I always have a good attitude.

“Really?  I want you to come to worship with the proper attitude, preferable a positive attitude.  When you come with a negative attitude, you will always leave with something to complain about.”

Positive attitude instead of negative attitude – okay.  What else?

“How about best footing?”

I need new shoes?

“No.  I want you to remember to keep your feet firmly planted on my foundation.  My foundation will make you stand strong when trials arrive.”

Is there anything else I need to bring with me on Sunday morning?

“Let me ask you a question:  Do you hear or do you listen?”

Is this a trick question?  Aren’t they the same?

“No they are not.  You often heard your mother, but did you always listen to her?  You don’t need to answer that.”

No, I do not need to.  You already know the answer.

“I want you to be the best listener.  You can hear the songs and sermon, but do you really listen?  Listening means comprehending what is heard.  A listener will comprehend.  Yes, I want you to give your best at listening.”

Do you have one more?  This blog will get really long if you give me everything I am supposed to do.

“I will give you two more.  I want you to be the best seeker.  Do you honor me by seeking my truth?  If you are the best seeker, you will find knowledge through the Word and gain wisdom.

Finally, I want you to be the best example.  It is easy to be an example for an hour or two on Sunday morning, when in the company of other believers, but what do people see when you walk out the church doors?  Are you an example of your faith on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday?  Can you stay strong clear to next Sunday?”

I have a question.

“You can ask, but the answer is no.  You cannot fulfill your “best obligation” by buying a dress, hose, heels, gloves, and a hat.”

Good to know.  And I will work on being a better example.

“Yes, especially the ..”

How about we keep the stuff I have to work on between you and me?

“Have a great day Mary.”

You too God

 RANDOM THOUGHTS

RANDOM THOUGHT ONE

The Pastor sent out the hymns to be used this Sunday and one of them I had not heard.  I listen to contemporary Christian music, but somehow missed Firm In The Faith, by John Burland.  The song can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vncrehvy2w

As the song played, I heard wonderful phrases: 

• Planted firm in the faith
• Jesus, we are yours today
• We walk side by side together

but then, I heard:

            Your Cross it bears my name

NO!!!  I do not want to hear that.  I do not want to hear that my name is on the Cross.  That would mean … that would mean Jesus ---

YES!!!  I do want to hear that.  My name is on the Cross.  Jesus loved me so much, before I was even born and before I could commit my first sin that he died and arose so I could be forgiven. 

Now doesn’t that just beat all?  Yup!  My name is on the Cross. 

RANDOM THOUGHT TWO

Our first 2022 sweet corn was put on our plates this week.  Oh, nothing like a good ole roastnear (or for you northern people:  corn on the cob), with lots of butter and salt.  One bite and the butter would be dripping down your chin.  There are those that eat from one end of the cob to the other.  Some eat round and round.  And neat freaks cut the corn off and eat it with silverware.  I feel so sorry for those folks.  They have no idea what they are missing.  Corn stuck in your teeth.  At least three napkins to keep the butter wiped off the chin.  Nope, I want a roastnear!! 

Growing up, there were four of us kids.  We would sit at the picnic table, which was set with plates, at least two sticks of butter, and salt.  Then we would wait.  Mom would come out the door with a really big pan.  She would set the pan on the table and jump back.  Hands flew into that pan as if we were starving.  Ears were quickly placed on plates and the last one to get the butter – they pouted.  My mother was a wise women and the pan of corn always contained the correct number of ears.  There would be no, “She got one more ear than I did.”  What was so great about eating at the picnic table?  The dishes were rinsed as the table was hosed off and any kernel of corn that did not end up in a tummy ended up in the grass.  Remember the butter dripping down the chin?  The hose was usually turned on us kids next.  Know what?  We didn’t care. 

 RANDOM THOUGHT THREE

Once my mind travelled back to the corn, it has stayed there.  At least for a bit.  Today I told Pastor Larry about paying bills … back in the day.  Mom would put the bill and cash in an envelope and off I would go to town.  Off to town barefooted.  I hated wearing shoes.  Anyway, off I would go to the electric company, the phone company, and wherever else she sent me.  For all of this effort, I received – drum roll – 25 cents.  Yup.. a whole quarter.  But that quarter bought a crème horn at the bakery.  Oh, the taste --- was not quite what I remembered when I tried one as an adult.  I had forgotten how overly sweet they were.  Set my tongue on edge.  Sorta like eating a Twinkie.  A treat to a four year old.  Total gross to an adult.

RANDOM THOUGHT FOUR

I was going to stop at three but I am on a roll so will add one more.  If you have heard this, sorry.  You get to hear it again.  Fast forward from that barefooted girl walking all over town to a proud owner of a driver’s license.  “Mary, would you pay bills for me.  You can drive,” my mom said.  Well, what 16 year old is going to pass up an opportunity like that?  Off to town I went.  I parked the car.  I paid the bills.  I went home.

That is when my mother asked, “Did you forget something?”  I thought, shook my head no, and said, “No.  I paid all the bills.”

It was then that my mother, bless her heart, suggested I should look in the driveway.  I walked back to town, got in the car, and drove home.

Random thoughts:  The End

Have a blessed week.

THE POWER OF WORDS

Our Sunday School class is studying a book by Don Everts, God in the Flesh.  This is at least the third time I have read this book and the second time I have used it as a study.  Why this book?  What do I find so great about it?

Let’s start with the title of this week’s blog: The Power of Words.  Words are powerful and can cause unexpected emotions, strange actions, and give hope. 

We often tell our loved ones that we love them.  But the word love is thrown around and sometimes becomes something that is barely heard.  What would be the reaction if we said: “I cherish you.” “I respect you.” “I honor you.”  Ahh, “I cherish you.” would cause a person to take note.  Cherish - a word rarely heard - will make them realize you hold them in your heart. 

Some words cause instant fear: Cancer   Accident   Hopeless   Death  These words are frightening because they are things we cannot control.  There are words which will make you breathe a sigh of relief. 

• Cancer – survivor
• Accident – they are okay
• Hopeless – the situation is changing
• Death – everlasting life 

Yes, words have power and that is why the book, God in the Flesh, is so good.  This book will help you see Jesus in new ways.  Before the class started reading the book, I asked them to describe Jesus.  They came up with 61 words.  Every word was a word you have heard before.

• Teacher, Master, Baby, Poor
• Judge, Healer, Protector, Merciful
• Counselor, Performed Miracles, Risen

The class was later asked to describe the tools Satan uses to pull us away from God:

• Hobbies, Anger, Insecurity, Addictions
• Illness, Jobs, Money, Family, Friends
• Church, Outside activities, Doubt

As we study, they are to write down new words to describe Jesus.  We are just starting this but a few new descriptive words are beginning to appear:

• Rebel, Surprising, Unifying (both his friends and enemies)
• Amazing, Different, Intense, Determined

I love the new description of Jesus as rebel and surprising!  Jesus could defend his Father’s House by clearing out the money changers and also have such compassion for a mother whose son had died that He raised her son from the dead.  He could be off praying, when everyone was looking for him so he could continue teaching, healing, and casting out demons in their town, and he would tell the disciples they were going to go somewhere else.  He was determined!  He was determined to follow HIS agenda.

What words will the class come up with during the rest of the study?  I have no idea, but my goal is to get them to see Jesus as God in the Flesh.  To picture the what, where, why, and who of his actions.  To realize the impact Jesus made and not to keep him in a box defined by the standard descriptions, but to take that box and fill it with new descriptions.  Descriptions like rebel and surprising and intense presence.

Now, back to the words you use.  Is it time to look around you and find new words?  Instead of telling someone they look nice, what could you say?  (Be specific.  To show you really see them, comment on a lovely scarf or pin or tie.)  Instead of the God created a beautiful world, what could you say?  (Thank you for the refreshing breeze.)  Instead of describing your church as friendly with a good message, what could you say?  (You would like our church, we laugh.  We laugh a lot!)

Why is this even important?  Because when you quit using the old standard words everyone uses, you have to stop and take a deeper look.  And when you take a deep look, you see your loved ones, your friends, and the world in a whole new way.  And when you take a deep look at Jesus, you find a whole new vocabulary to describe him.

This week, look beneath the surface.  Look deep.  Use new words.  You might be surprised what you find and how people react.

MERRY GO ROUND

Some people will say Carousel and some Merry-Go-Round.  Sorta like tomato .. tomahto.  Or maybe not.  Carousels only have horses, white lights, and go counter-clockwise.  Merry-Go-Rounds have horses, other animals, and fictional characters, multicolored lights, and go clockwise.  The clockwise thing is mainly in the United Kingdom and Europe which figures since they cannot decide what side of the road to drive on.  They are different unless you go to the dictionary and then Merry-Go-Round is listed under carousel which could make them one and the same.

In 1883, a carousel was set up in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.  This carousel was made in 1867 by Andrew Christian and Charles W.F. Dare Company.  The horses were hung by rods and chains and it was called a flying horse carousel.  Because they were hung, as the carousel went around, the horses flew outward.  I am not sure this would be OSHA approved today.  A little kiddie might go flying off as they reached for the brass ring with a sword.  For some unknown reason, the people who set the carousel up, slipped away and left it there.  Today it is called – drum roll – the Watch Hill Carousel.

California seems to have a number of places where the young at heart can climb aboard and go twirling around.  Griffin Park, in Los Angeles, is home to a 1935 merry-go-round built by Spillman.  This four-abreast ride has 68 horses and two chariots.  If you are on the outside, you can try for a ring.  If you grab a lead ring, you had the fun of grabbing the ring.  If you grab a gold ring, you get a free ride.  Initially, rides cost 5¢ and increased to 25¢ in 1951.  They increased again in the 1980’s to 50¢ and are $2.00 today.

Not to be outdone by California, Sandusky, Ohio has a Merry-Go-Round Museum.  Mansfield, Ohio has a carrousel (fancy way of spelling) which is the first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930’s.  All 52 figures were designed, carved, and painted by Carousel Works of Mansfield.  There are 30 horses and 22 menagerie figures, including bears, ostriches, cats, rabbits, lion, tiger, zebra, and even a mythical hippocampus.  As the Stinson Pipe Organ plays, the inside animals go 3.71 mph and the outside animals go 6.77 mph.  I have seen this carousel and it is amazing in detail.  No, I did not ride it.  Seems they must have known I was coming and it was shut down for the day. 

Am I fascinated with Merry-Go-Rounds?  Yes and no.  I love to ride them, but not fascinated to the point of searching for one on our travels.  And I know I won’t be buying one for my back yard.  They cost anywhere from $8,000 to $400,000.  So why a blog on them? 

= = = = = = = = = = = =

If you have ever been in my Sunday School class, you will know that thoughts pop into my head and no one is ever sure   where they come from.  That is exactly what happened the other day.  The thought? 

You cannot grab the brass ring if you don’t get on the merry-go-round.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.    

          Matthew 4:18-20

Simon and Andrew got on the merry-go-round.

(a certain woman with a flow of blood touched Jesus’ garment) And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 

          Mark 5:30-31, 32-34

The woman got on the merry-go-round.

(a rich young ruler who has kept the commandments) “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

          Mark 10: part of 17, 20-22

The rich young ruler did not get on the merry-go-round.

(Zacchaeus, chief tax collector, rich, and sitting in a sycamore tree)  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my good to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

          Luke 19:5-6, 7-10

Zacchaeus got on the merry-go-round.

Each of these examples made a choice.  Three were willing to reach for the brass ring and one walked away.  Three received everlasting life and one would never have his thirst quenched.

Jesus answered and said to her (the Samaritan woman), “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 

        John 4:13-14

I don’t know about you, but I chose to get on the merry-go-round.  I want to ride the tiger on the outside.  The one going 6.77 mph.  And I am going to snag that brass ring!!!