Thursday, May 30, 2013

Happy, Happy, Happy!

I love this time of year!  In fact, this late-spring-moving-into-summer in the mountains may be my most favorite time of year! 

I love all the shades of green as I look out across the surrounding mountains and the valley below us.  I'm amazed every year at how many shades of green I see! 

I love the view from our front porch at this time of year.  I love seeing leaves and grass again after the stark grays of winter.

I love hearing the birds sing.  Watching the hummingbirds and finches and their feathered friends at our bird feeders. 

I love our front porch at this time of year.  I love sitting in the rocking chairs in the late afternoon.  Watching the sun's rays through the trees.  Listening to the sounds of the birds and the wind chimes.  Enjoying the sights and sounds and smells of this season of the year. 

I love the gentle breezes of this season of the year.  They are especially welcome after the harsh winds of winter.

Of course, there are a few things about this season that are less welcome.  Like the hornets and yellowjackets that are coming out of their winter hidey-holes.  And the carpenter bees that show up at this season, just so they can bore holes in our house.  Living in a wooden house makes this particularly troublesome, so we have lots of carpenter bee traps hanging in prime locations, just waiting to catch those pesky creatures!

Winter in these mountains can be very long and very gloomy, so I'm always glad when spring finally arrives.  And especially glad when we get to these late-spring-not-quite-summer, warm-but-not-yet-hot, days with plenty of sunshine and gentle breezes.  With leaves on the trees and flowers blooming.

To borrow a phrase from a well-known TV personality, the sights and smells and sounds of this time of year make me happy, happy, happy!


"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."              (Psalm 103:1 ESV)




Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Duty

In our Life Group this past Sunday morning, as we were talking about Memorial Day, the discussion turned to memories our parents and other relatives might have shared about their experiences at war.  Most of us in our group are of an age that our parents served during World War II, and were part of what has often been described as the Greatest Generation.

As anecdotes were shared, there seemed to be a common theme.  Most of our relatives from that generation didn't talk much about the war.  In fact, in most - if not all - cases, it was hard to get any information out of them at all.

That Greatest Generation was very different from today's generation.  They didn't grow up with social media and television and 24-hour news.  They weren't part of a celebrity-driven culture where everybody wants to be the center of attention and where people are famous just for being famous.  There was a selfless-ness characterizing that generation which is sadly lacking in today's world.  The Greatest Generation didn't live their lives in the media spotlight.  They just did their duty.  To God.  To family.  To country.

For men and women who wear the uniform of our country's military in this generation, the same can be said.  These men and women sacrifice much as they voluntarily put their lives on the line and do their duty.

What about those of us who serve in a different army?  Those of us who follow a different Commander in Chief?  Those of us in the army of the Lord?  How would our service be described?

Do we serve the Lord as selflessly as those of the Greatest Generation served their country in World War II?

Or are we seeking the limelight?  Does our service say "look at me!" or does our service say "look at Jesus!"?

We often define the word "duty" as something that one is expected or required to do, or as a task that one is expected to perform.  In other words, doing our duty is doing what we ought to do.

In the Christian life, what does that mean?  Perhaps we can answer that question by looking to the account of Jesus' first miracle, at the wedding in Cana of Gallilee.  When the wine had run out, Mary said to the servants, speaking of Jesus, "do whatever He tells you."  (John 2:5b)

That is perhaps the essence of duty.  Certainly for those men and women of America's Greatest Generation, that was true.  When the order came, they did what they were told.  Without question. 

Not because it was something they necessarily wanted to do.  Or because it would make them popular.  Or because it would get them more Twitter followers or Facebook friends.  Or because it would make them famous.

They did what they were told for an entirely different reason.  Because it was the right thing to do.  Because it was what they ought to do.  Because it was their duty.

What an example they have set for us. 

"So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"  (Luke 17:10 ESV)

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Needs More Salt

We had a nice, quiet Memorial Day at home yesterday.  Al has been traveling a lot lately for his job, so it was nice to enjoy a long weekend at home before he leaves again tomorrow.  It was a beautiful day here in the mountains.  We got our porch ready for summer, and then spent some time sitting out there enjoying the view and the cool breeze.

Al barbecued some chicken for our dinner.  It's a family tradition, you might say.  Something I remember his dad always doing for holiday gatherings.  Throughout the day our mouths were watering as we smelled that chicken cooking!

As we sat down to eat last night, we couldn't wait to taste that chicken.  It looked yummy!  It smelled wonderful!  We took a bite.  And had the same reaction.  Something was missing.  "Needs more salt" was the conclusion.  We added the salt, and from that point on,  really enjoyed that chicken!

Salt makes a big difference, doesn't it?

Maybe that's why Jesus said to His followers,  "You are the salt of the earth."   (Matthew 5:13)

Salt enhances flavor.  As in the case of yesterday's chicken, it makes a big difference.  How much of a difference are you making in the world around you?  How much of a "flavor enhancer" are you?

Salt is a preservative.  In Jesus' day, there were no refrigerators or deep freezes.  Salt was used to preserve food.  As Christians, as salt, our task is to preserve.  How much "preserving" are you doing?  How much of a difference are you making in the world around you?  What are you doing to "preserve", to lead to salvation, those in your world?

Salt also creates thirst.  Think about what happens when you eat salty food, like potato chips.  You reach for something to drink, right?  The salt has made you thirsty.  How much thirst are you creating?  How much does your life cause those around you to "reach for" Christ?  How much of a difference are you making in the world around you?

Yesterday's chicken looked good.  It smelled good.  But it was missing something. Looking good and smelling good weren't enough. It needed more salt.

Looking good and smelling good weren't enough for that chicken.  Going to church and talking the talk aren't good enough for Christians in today's world.  If we're going to be all that Jesus desires us to be, we need to do more than show up for an hour on Sunday, more than just know a "churchy" vocabulary.  We need to be salt. 

Maybe that's what's wrong with our world today.  It needs more salt.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."  (Matthew 5:13 ESV)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day?  The holiday had its beginning in 1868 when Decoration Day was established as the national day to put flowers on the graves of Civil War soldiers.  Arlington National Cemetery was the place of the first large-scale observance of Decoration Day, which is appropriate since more than 20,000 Union dead were buried there along with several hundred Confederate dead.  Since the 1880s, this holiday has been known as Memorial Day, and since that time, Memorial Day has been a time to remember men and women who died while serving their country in all wars.

Memorial Day should not be confused with Veterans Day.  Memorial Day is a day for remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.  For honoring and celebrating the men and women who currently serve, there is Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday of May each year.  Unfortunately, that day doesn't get much notice, except by those currently in the military, and their families and close friends.  I guess Hallmark hasn't grabbed hold of that holiday yet!

In recent years, it seems that we roll all these days together. Now don't misunderstand me.  I have absolutely no problem with honoring and recognizing veterans.  Or with honoring and recognizing those men and women who are currently serving in our nation's military.  Voluntarily, I might add.  I think they should get a lot more recognition and appreciation than they do.  A lot more!

 But Memorial Day was a day set aside to do more than that.  It was a day set aside for remembering. 

Since 1971, Memorial Day has been an official national holiday, one of the "Monday holidays", celebrated on the last Monday of May.  While it is often viewed as the kick-off to the summer season and a time for parties, parades, barbeque and the beach, Memorial Day is, in fact, a time of solemn remembrance.

Memorial Day is, above all, a reminder that freedom isn't free.

Memorial Day is a reminder that a great price has been paid for the freedoms we so often take for granted.  And while all men and women who serve in our country's military, and their families as well, make great sacrifices on our behalf, and we honor and appreciate them for doing so, Memorial Day is a time specifically set aside to remember and to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  Who gave their all.  Who didn't come home.

Today as you're enjoying your long weekend, your beach vacation, your picnic, your barbecue, a concert, a parade, a ball game.......take a few minutes to remember and to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy.  And for the men and women who paid so high a price.

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them."    - Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."          (John 15:13 KJV)



Thursday, May 23, 2013

A Hard Question

Do you remember the four friends who let the paralyzed man down through a roof because that was the only way to get him to Jesus?

"And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus."  (Luke 5:18-19 ESV)

You can read the entire account in Luke 5, beginning at verse 17.

That's a nice story, you may say.

What does that have to do with me, you may ask.

Here's the hard question for you and for me.  Those friends were willing to do whatever was necessary to get their friend to Jesus.  What are you willing to do to bring people to Jesus?  What am I willing to do?

Are we willing to do whatever it takes?

Are we willing to make a hole in a roof?

Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones?

What are we willing to do? 

Because people need Jesus.

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."  (Acts 4:12 ESV)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Obey Right Away!

What is obedience anyway?  I found this definition on-line this morning:  "act of obeying: the act or practice of following instructions, complying with rules or regulations, or submitting to somebody's authority."
 
I'm always amused when a word is defined by itself.  Obedience is the act of obeying.  Well, duh!  Otherwise, I think that's a pretty good definition.  Obedience is the act or practice of following instructions, complying with rules, submitting to authority.  That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

What does the Bible have to say about obedience?  Quite a lot, actually.

Consider these examples:

"Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever."  (Deuteronomy 12:28 ESV)

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."  (1 Samuel 15:22 ESV)

"We must obey God rather than men."  (Acts 5:29 ESV)

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."  (Ephesians 6:1 ESV)

As parents, we're ready to camp out on that last verse, aren't we? 

As parents and as grandparents, we expect to be obeyed when we say do this or don't do that.  And we would very much prefer (see me smile!) to be obeyed the first time we give the instruction rather than having to repeat ourselves!

In a similar way, the government expects its citizens to obey its rules and laws.  Not to steal or murder.  Not to cheat on taxes (that may be a sore subject, given recent current events!).  Not to speed.  (Again, that may be a sore subject, depending on how "heavy" your foot is!)

What about God?  Don't you think He has some expectations about obedience?

Consider these examples:

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it."  (Revelation 1:3 ESV)

"Loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days."  (Deuteronomy 30:20 ESV)

"You are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness."  (Romans 6:17 ESV)

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.  And his commandments are not burdensome."  (1 John 5:3 ESV)

This is only a brief sampling.  Get out your Bible and your concordance, and you'll find lots more.

When should we obey?  When we feel like it?  When it's popular?  When the culture thinks it's relevant?  When we have no other options?

How about that oft-repeated parental mantra:  Obey right away!

Obey the Scriptures.  Obey when God speaks to your heart through a book you read or a Bible study or the pastor's message.  Obey what God says to your heart in your prayer time.

Obey.  It's not just a word for children.  It's a word that applies to mommies and daddies.  To grandparents.  To all of us.

Obey.  Right away.  Don't put it off.  Don't make excuses.  Don't wait to see what somebody else does. 

Obey.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."  (James 1:22-25 ESV)

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Most Important Things

This photo has been making the rounds through social media this morning:

Photo: From The Conservative Network's photo. 
A couple from Edmond came down to Moore to help with the clean up after the devastating tornado. Look closely at the picture they took. Hug your loved ones closely and be grateful for what you have.
"Amidst the devastation in Moore, OK, a small plaque survives. Look closely and read it." - Flyover Culture
Great photo; even greater truth.
"The most important things in life aren't things.
- Glenn


If you look closely, there in the middle of all the rubble is a plaque that says "the most important things in life aren't things".

That's a powerful reminder from the devastation in Oklahoma yesterday.  A lot of people lost a lot of "things".  They lost their homes and their cars.  They lost their pets and their clothes.  And many of them lost family members.

As we watch the aftermath of the tornado yesterday, we are all devastated and heartbroken, even from a distance.  As I sit here in the comfort of my home, drinking my coffee, my heart is broken for those who no longer have a home.  For those who have lost a husband or a wife, a father or a mother.  And I'm especially grieving for those who have lost children.  I can't even begin to imagine how they must be feeling this morning.

How are we to respond in a situation like this?

We can pray.  Pray for those who have lost so much.  Pray for the first responders and volunteers who even now are searching for survivors.  Just pray.  Pray that God will wrap His loving arms of peace and comfort around those who are grieving so deeply today.

We can trust God.  Even when we don't understand.  Even when we want to ask "why?"  Even then.  Because our God is a Sovereign God.  We trust and praise Him in the good times.  And we trust and praise Him in the bad times as well.

"For I know that the LORD is great, and that our LORD is above all gods.  Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.  He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings for the wind from his storehouses."  (Psalm 135:5-6 ESV)

We can give.  There are many disaster relief agencies already on the ground in Oklahoma, to help with food and water and shelter and clothing.  And the reality is, providing this help costs money.  If you are able to make a donation, here are two links to organizations I recommend:  www.namb.net (Southern Baptist disaster relief) or www.samaritanspurse.org.

We can remember.  Take the words of that plaque to heart.  The most important things in life are not things.

That's the lesson from the tornado.  Take time to evaluate what's most important to you.  Take time for the people in your life.  Turn off the TV and play a game with your child.  Put down your I-phone for a little while.  Stop texting and Facebooking, and have a conversation with those you love.  Take time to say I love you.  To write a note.  To give an extra hug.  To make a phone call.

Take time.  Because the most important things in life aren't things.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Reflecting on the Weekend

How was your weekend?  What did you do? How did you spend your time?  Maybe at the beach.  Or at a baseball game.  With family.  Or friends.  At the mall.  At church.

I spent my weekend alone, since hubby is still out of town.  I'm looking forward to his return tomorrow.  When he's traveling, weekends are typically the hardest.  I have missed him over this last week and I missed him over the weekend.  But at the same time I have to say that I had a really good weekend.

I was alone.  But I enjoyed the solitude.  Time to read.  Time to study.  Time to think.  Time to reflect.

I wouldn't want to live this way (alone) all the time, but these occasional periods of solitude are profitable.  In fact, it's something I highly recommend.  Time alone.  Not to nap or to watch TV or to work on a project.  But time alone with God.

There are a lot of things I could have done over the weekend.  I could have cleaned house.  I could have done laundry.  I could have worked on my grout-cleaning project (the one that never seems to end!).  I could have organized closets. 

But I didn't.

I chose instead to read and to spend extra time in Bible study.  I chose to spend extra time time in prayer and meditation and reflection on what I had studied and how to apply it to my life.

Yes, I spent some time on Facebook.  And yes, I watched a little TV.  And I talked on the phone a little.

But that time alone was the profitable part of my weekend.

The time when I shut out all the distractions of life and focused on what was really important.

I'm looking forward to seeing hubby tomorrow.  But I'm also thankful that I had this time alone.  It was a good weekend.

 
 
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."  (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)


Saturday, May 18, 2013

Silly Bird

This spring we have a pair of red-breasted grosbeaks visiting us here on the mountain, enjoying the hospitality of our birdfeeders.  But one of them seems determined to eat from the hummingbird feeder!  Silly bird!

Red-breasted grosbeaks are designed to eat seeds, not sugar water.  And they do not have long, narrow beaks (like hummingbirds have) that would allow them to drink from those tiny holes in a hummingbird feeder.  But still the bird persists in trying to find a perch on the hummingbird feeder and feed himself there.  Silly bird!

As I was watching that again this morning, it occurred to me that there are many in Christendom who are doing much the same thing.

Feeding at the wrong feeder.

Looking for spiritual nourishment in all the wrong places.  Looking to tweets and Facebook posts.  To bestsellers.  To pop psychology.  To a favorite TV "preacher".  To the prosperity gospel.  To false teachers.  To books about the Bible, rather than to the Bible itself.

Looking everywhere but to the right place.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that man's chief end is "to worship God and enjoy Him forever."  That's what we were designed to do.  And where do we learn how to worship God, how to enjoy Him?  Where do we learn about Him?  Where do we learn how He wants us to live?

We learn that from the Book He left to us.  From the written revelation of God that we know as the Bible.  From the whole Bible.  Not just parts of it.  Not just the easy parts.  Or the parts that are currently trendy or popular.  From the whole counsel of the Word of God.

Too many of us, I'm afraid, are like that silly red-breasted grosbeak.  Feeding at the wrong place.  Feeding at the place that looks good.  But not at the place where we were designed to be fed.

Silly bird.  Silly us.  How foolish.

How foolish to depend on a tweet for our spiritual sustenance.

How foolish to trust in the false gospel of those who ignore the whole counsel of the Word of God for the parts that are easy. 

How foolish to trust in those who teach us that every day should be Friday, in direct opposition to what the Word teaches.

How foolish to believe that all God wants for you is to be happy and successful, when the Word teaches that "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

How foolish.  When we have the Bible available to us in multiple formats and multiple translations, when we have such easy access to the Word of God, how foolish not to feast on it daily!  How sad.

How foolish to be feeding our souls at the wrong feeder. 

Just like that red-breasted grosbeak tries to feed his body at the wrong feeder.

Silly bird.

Silly us.

"Oh how I love your law!  It is my meditation all the day."  (Psalm 119:97 ESV)

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."  (Psalm 119:103-104 ESV)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."  (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)

Thursday, May 16, 2013

How Do You Start Your Day?

Over the last couple of days I have come to have a greater appreciation for this season of my life.  After spending a couple of days with one of my grandsons (and his parents!), and following them around through all the activities of their days, I'm came home pretty much exhausted!  I knew their lives were busy, but I guess I really only knew that "in theory" until I had a couple of days on that schedule.

Up at 6.  Leaving for school by 7.  (They all go to school.....1 student, 2 teachers.)  Baseball in the evening.  (The player, the coach, the score-book-keeper).  Dinner is either before or after the game, depending on what time the game is.  Hurry home to get a bath, have a bedtime devotion, pack a lunch for tomorrow, and off to bed so all that can be done again tomorrow.  And of course there are lots more details shoved into that framework. 

Many of you may live by a similar schedule.  I'm thankful that's not my daily schedule.  I don't think I could keep up.  Not any more.  But having followed that schedule with them for a couple of days, I feel better informed about how to pray for them, and I'll definitely be adding prayers for extra energy and stamina as I pray for them!

I'm thankful to be in a season of life where I ease into the day.  A season that allows me to linger over my coffee.  To take my time with my morning Bible reading rather than rush through it as I did so often in my younger years.

This morning I got up, let the dog out, and made the coffee (because I forgot to make it and set the timer last night).  While the coffee was brewing, I put the bird feeders out.  There's no leaving bird feeders out overnight on this mountain!  That's sort of like an open invitation to the raccoons and bears.  So every night we bring them in, and every morning we put them back out.  It's a bit of a chore, but worth it to enjoy the birds.

Once the birds and the dog had been fed, I settled into my chair and enjoyed my coffee and my Bible reading.  Well, "enjoyed" my Bible reading might not be the right word.......I'm reading in Jeremiah now....."Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, declares the LORD."  Pretty heavy stuff for first thing in the morning. 

Coffee.  Bible reading.  Prayer.  It's a great way to start the day!

How do you start your day?

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!"  (Psalm 103:1 ESV)

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Lessons from My Mother

I was thinking yesterday about some of the things I learned from my mother.  Some of the life lessons she taught me.  In no particular order, here are a few of the things that came to mind.

For starters, I learned how to make really good macaroni and cheese.  None of that stuff  made from a boxed mix in our house!  I remember when I first asked her to show me how to make it.  She gave me directions that involved cheese and milk and butter, and of course, the macaroni.  When I asked "how much" of each, the answer was "some".  That was not a terribly helpful answer to a young girl who knew absolutely nothing about cooking!  But over the years I have found myself using a similar measuring strategy in the kitchen.  A little of this.  Some of that.  And it makes me smile and remember my mother.

Mother taught me how to properly make a bed.  How to keep house.  How to make a house a home.  And how to do it on a tight budget.

She taught me that it is possible to be well dressed on a tight budget.  That it is better to have a few really nice, classic pieces in your wardrobe than any amount of cheap, trendy pieces.  She taught me about quality vs. quantity.

She taught me to always wear clean underwear.  Don't laugh.....didn't your mother teach you that?  Because you never know when you might be in an accident!  Surely I'm not the only one who heard that.  She also taught me never to go out and leave the house in a mess.  Because you never know what might happen.  I haven't always been terribly good at remembering that lesson.

She taught me to resist peer pressure.  I have no idea how many times I heard "just because everybody else sticks their head in the fire doesn't mean you have to"!  Maybe your mother used that phrase as well.

My mother taught me to be a list-maker.  She always had a little note pad in her purse when we went shopping.  That little note pad was, in fact, always nearby, and contained a running list of items that needed to be purchased or tasks that needed to be done.  And I learned from her the delight of marking things off the list!  To this day, I love marking off a list.  In fact, if I do something that wasn't on the list, I'll put it on the list just so I can mark it off!  Yes, I do realize that's just a wee bit obsessive!  (And I think my mother did the same thing!!)

I learned the value of good grammar and good manners. Those will take you a long way, she said.

I learned to take care of my skin.  Although I balked at this in my junior high years (what was the point, I often asked!), now that I have "matured", I am really thankful that she taught me the value of a good skin care regimen.

Mother taught, through her words and by her example, a commitment to excellence.  She believed that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well.  It is worth doing right the first time.  And so she taught me to always do my best, to always give my very best effort.

I learned from both my parents the value of laughter.  I still miss the twinkle in my mother's eye and her grin when she was trying not to laugh out loud.  I remember the time she "almost laughed out loud in church".  That was back in the Fifties when we didn't do things like that!

I learned from my mother to put others' needs ahead of your own. She was one of the kindest, most unselfish people I have ever known.

And I learned that some things are just "not appropriate".  "Appropriate" was a favorite word of my mother's.  Some TV shows and movies are not appropriate.  Some books are not appropriate.  Some so-called fashion is not appropriate.  Some behavior is not appropriate.

Not for a person who belongs to Jesus.  My mother, and my daddy, and my grandmother, taught me about Jesus.  Modeled Jesus in front of me.  Lived a life that loved Jesus.  All day, every day.

That's the most important lesson.

:
"Forsake not your mother's teaching."  (Proverbs 1:8b ESV)

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is something of a mixed bag for me.  On the one hand, it's an opportunity to remember my Mother, to remember the great joy and love I felt for her, to remember her selfless devotion to her family and to her Lord, and to recall wonderful times together. 

On the other hand, it's a bit of a sad time.  Even though Mother has been gone from this world for almost thirteen years, I still miss her so very much.  Mother's Day shines a spotlight on the hole that is in my life since she has been gone.  My mother and her mother, my Grandmother Neil, were two of the most influential women in my life, and I miss them both so very much.

Mother's Day is not only a day to remember my own mother, but also to celebrate my motherhood.  Because my sons and I live a distance from each other, it is not often that I get to share this day with them.  Even so, Mother's Day is a time to celebrate.  To be thankful for the gift of being a mother.  To be thankful for my sons.  To be thankful for the "daughters" they brought into my life, and to be thankful for my grandsons.  What precious gifts, what blessings, they all are to me!

One of my favorite things to do on Mother's Day is just to stop and thank God for the joy and privilege of being a mother.  It's a time to pray for my sons and for their families.  It's always my joy to do that, but especially so on this special day.

I always wanted to be a mom!  I can't remember anything I ever wanted more!  And although there was a time it seemed my dream of motherhood would not be fulfilled, I am so very grateful to God that He heard and answered my prayers!  Being a mother has been one of the greatest joys and blessings of my life!

Did I always get it right?  No!  There were times I lost my temper.  Times I said things I wish I could take back.  There were grumpy mornings and frustrations and bad decisions.  Times I said "no" when I should have said "yes".  Times I said "yes" when I wish I had said "no".  I made my share of mistakes as a parent.  But as I look at my sons now, and the fine young men they have turned out to be, I think I must have done at least a few things right!

On this Mother's Day, I am thankful.  Thankful for the privilege of motherhood.  Thankful for the heritage of godly women who went before me and set an example.  Thankful for my sons.

I'm thankful to be a mom!


"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition."  (1 Samuel 1:27 ESV)

Thursday, May 9, 2013

All Because

I have recently reconnected, via Facebook, with a cousin I haven't seen in many, many years.  We didn't see each other all that much during our growing-up years either, since she and her sister lived in Africa, as children of missionary parents, and I lived in small-town South Carolina.  We had quite different growing up experiences, and we have followed different paths in our adult years as well.  But we are still family and now we are reconnected.  All because she wrote a book and did a book reading in Spartanburg which our aunt and uncle attended, and then I was told about it, and now we are "Facebook friends" as well as cousins.

I returned yesterday from a couple of days in Pigeon Forge with a dear girlfriend.  We met when she lived in south Florida and I lived in Connecticut, but as relatively new Mary Kay consultants we both attended a Mary Kay event in Sarasota, FL almost twenty years ago.  We bonded over our Mary Kay careers, but it turned out that we had a lot more in common than lipstick and skin care, and even though we only saw each other about once a year in Dallas, and even though there wasn't e-mail and Facebook in those days, we remained friends.  Eventually we both ended up living in the Tampa area and our friendship really blossomed then.  These days I'm in North Carolina and she's in North Alabama, but our friendship remains strong and we meet a couple of times a year "in the middle" in Pigeon Forge for some retail therapy and girlfriend time.  All because we both began a Mary Kay business all those years ago.

In my last post I shared a little bit about my health.  In the couple of days since that post, I have been so encouraged......overwhelmed, really......by the number of messages and emails I have received from people who also are dealing with kidney disease or other health concerns.  This outpouring of love and support has been such a blessing and encouragement.  All because I opened up and shared my situation.  How else would anyone have known?  How else could I have been so encouraged?  What a blessing!  All because I listened to that "still, small voice",  stepped out of my comfort zone and shared what was going on in my life!

As I continue through this journey of kidney disease, I don't know what the future holds.  But I do know WHO holds my future.  All because I have put my trust in Him.  And all because of His great love for me.  I am so blessed!

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.......Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:4,6-7 ESV)

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Interruptions

A lesson from the Lord can come at some unexpected times.  That happened to me yesterday as I was watching a Mark Lowry comedy routine on YouTube!

As Mark was sharing some recent happenings in his life, including a broken femur earlier this year and a motorcycle accident a few years ago, he shared something that Gloria Gaither had said to him not long ago.  Gloria said to Mark:  "God is in the interruptions of life."  What Gloria was saying is that God doesn't work in our lives according to our plans or according to our date books, but according to His.

Mark went on to share what he had learned from God and about God during the interruptions of his life (broken femur, motorcycle accident, his mom's dementia, to name a few).  Eventually I stopped watching the video and began to think about how I have seen God in the "interruptions" of my life.

Interruptions like a broken ankle.  Or my husband's job loss.  Or the loss of my parents.  Illnesses.  Moving.  My mother-in-law's Alzheimer's Disease.  And the list could go on.  Interruptions come in all shapes and sizes.

Most recently, life has been interrupted by kidney disease.  Last week I got the official diagnosis, after another in a series of not-normal blood work results.  It seems that nearly 30 years of arthritis medications combined with nearly 30 years of high blood pressure have conspired together to cause my kidneys not to work as they should.

As I heard the news from my nephrologist last week, I was pretty calm.  She explained what she believed to be the cause of the problem and suggested I see a rheumatologist so that the arthritis meds could be changed to something that might not do so much harm to my kidneys.  I have not been under the care of a rheumatologist since we left Florida, but agreed with Dr. Cross that this was a good idea.  Meanwhile, she ordered a kidney ultrasound, which I had last Wednesday, which revealed no tumors or obstructions.  That was good news.  So I was still pretty calm about the whole situation.  I was just waiting for the rheumatologist appointment so I could get the arthritis meds changed.

The bad news came on Thursday.  The nephrologist's office called to let me know they had been trying to get my referral appointment scheduled, but that none of the rheumatologists in Asheville would take my insurance.  We finally got an appointment with a rheumatologist in Kingsport, TN, but they have no openings until August 15!  That was more of an interruption than I could deal with!!!

Knowing that if I continue with the current medication, my kidneys will likely get worse, but that if I take less of the arthritis medication (as the nephrologist recommended) my chronic pain level will dramatically increase, and that nothing can be done to give me a better choice until August 15.......all that was more than I could handle.  So, I just fell apart.  I cried until I had no more tears to cry.

On Friday, in the middle of my extended pity party, I read a status on Facebook that changed my outlook.  God interrupted my pity party......on Facebook, of all places!

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you." (Isaiah 41:10 ESV, emphasis mine)

I am a long, long way from being able to say I'm thankful for kidney disease.  But I am very thankful for the lessons I am learning through this "interruption".

What about you?  What are the "interruptions" in your life?  We all have them.  We don't all have same "interruptions", but we all definitely find our lives "interrupted" from time to time.  Even though our stories are different, we will all have to deal with "interruptions" in our lives, things that aren't exactly according to our plan.

I was hesitant to share this episode of my life, in part because I didn't want it to come across as a "feel sorry for Susan" story.  But I feel compelled to share it because of how God is working in my life through this "interruption".  And I'm sure He will do the same for you in your "interruption", whatever it may be.

Over the last few days I have come to view this "interruption" as an "opportunity".  An opportunity to get to know God better.  An opportunity to watch Him work.  An opportunity to trust Him more.  An opportunity to see how He will use this "interruption" for my good and for His glory.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  (Romans 8:28 NASB)

Monday, May 6, 2013

Water, Water, Everywhere

Even if you have never heard of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, you have probably heard at least a snippet of his poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner".........."water, water, everywhere, nor any a drop to drink."

That line has been on my mind all morning.  The rain has finally stopped, although the sky looks as though it could begin again at any minute.  There are a couple of bright patches in the sky.  No blue, but at least the sky is a little brighter.

We have had more than six inches of rain since Saturday night.  That's more rain than we had in the entire year 2007!!!  I'm thinking of trading in my car and getting a boat.

The peaceful stream that meanders its way down the mountain just across the road from our house is anything but peaceful this morning.  It sounds like a mighty rushing river!

The front porch is soaked.  We have puddles in the driveway in places where we have never had puddles before.  The retaining wall behind our house has sprung a leak and water is pouring out. 

This morning, I'm praying that the rain stops.  I'm praying that there are no more leaks in the retaining wall.  I'm praying the retaining wall holds.

I'm giving thanks there are no leaks in the roof!  I'm giving thanks for a warm, dry house!

I'm remembering those drought years, remembering the times the spring dried up, and giving thanks that we probably don't have to worry about that any more! At least not any time soon.

I'm thankful for water, although right now I find myself wishing we didn't have to get it all at once.  It would be OK with me if we could just spread it out a little! 

But I'm not in charge of weather!

Right now, I'm thinking of building an ark!

"The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."  (Psalm 24:1 ESV)

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Father Knows Best

Those of you who are as old as I am will certainly remember a TV show with that title....."Father Knows Best".  And as we saw the exploits of Bud and Betty and Kathy, by the time our thirty minutes with the Anderson family were done, we always knew it to be true......father did indeed know best.

That was true for the fictional Anderson family.  Perhaps it was true in your family as well.  And it is certainly true when we consider our Heavenly Father.

Even when things don't turn out exactly as we might have hoped.

Even when it is cold and rainy on the weekend of Spring Fling and your church had many ministry opportunities scheduled outdoors.

Even when it's May and it doesn't feel like spring at all.

Even when it's May and it's still snowing where you live.

Even when you have fervently prayed for revival in your land but you're not seeing the hoped-for answer to that prayer.

Even when your candidate didn't get elected, even though you had fervently prayed.

Even when you get a medical diagnosis that rocks your world.

Even when circumstances are not at all what you had hoped for.

Even then.

Our Heavenly Father knows best.  His ways are not our ways.  But His plan is always best.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55:8 ESV)


Friday, May 3, 2013

No Matter What

We do a lot of waiting, don't we?

We wait in line at the post office or the grocery store or the DMV.

We wait for the mail to arrive.

We wait, sometimes for quite a while, for a doctor's appointment.

We wait, with excitement and sometimes with impatience, for Christmas or a birthday or a vacation.

We wait, often with a sense of dread, for a surgery or a dental procedure.

We wait, often with mixed emotions, for the doctor's office to call with test results.

We wait.  A lot.

And we don't often like it very much.

The Bible has a lot to say about waiting.  There are some 90 verses that use the word "wait".  And that doesn't include waits or waited or waiting.

In the original languages, there are several different words used for our English word "wait".  Here are a few examples:

In Ruth 3:18, Naomi said to Ruth, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out."  In that verse, the Hebrew word means "to sit, to stay, to dwell."  Just what we might expect the word to mean.  It's likely the word we might use (if we spoke Hebrew!) to say "wait until you get the results from that test before you make a decision."

The word "wait" is used often in the Psalms.  Consider these examples:

"You are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." (Psalm 25:5b ESV)

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD."  (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him."  (Psalm 37:7 ESV)

Those verses all use the same Hebrew word for "wait", the word qawah.  More about that in a minute.

Another word for "wait" is also used frequently in the Psalms, the word yahal,  which means "to wait with hope".  That is the word used in Psalm 119:81, for example:  "My soul languishes for your salvation; I wait for your word." (NASB). The same word is also used in Micah 7:7:  "As for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation."  (ESV).

The word "wait" also occurs in the New Testament, although less frequently.  An example is 1 Thessalonians 1:10, "to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."   The word used in this verse is a verb meaning to wait expectantly.

This morning in my devotional time I read one of my favorite "waiting" verses.  The word translated "wait" in this verse is qawah, which I mentioned above.  It means " to wait for, to look for, to hope for, as in to put trust in."

It's a verse we would do well to hold on to, to commit to memory, to come back to over and over.  No matter what we are waiting for.  No matter how long we have been waiting.  It's a truth to hold on to.  No matter what.

"Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
(Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV, emphasis mine)







Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Feeling a Little Frazzled....

Is it Wednesday already?  Where does the time go?

I'm having one of "those" weeks.  You know the kind. When you're feeling a little frazzled. When your plate is really full.  And there are lots of appointments on the calendar.  And you have to rearrange appointments because of other things that come up and must be taken care of.  And you have a lot on your mind.  And you get some news that is not particularly good.  And there's still all the "regular" stuff of life that must be dealt with.  And you spend a lot of time just standing in the middle of the room wondering why you came in there in the first place!

Do you ever have those weeks?  I'm definitely having one.  And it's only Wednesday.

At times like these, I am really thankful for and really holding on to the promise of Isaiah 26:3.....

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."