It was a Saturday morning, nine years ago. On that particular Saturday, Brandon, Stephanie and AJ were visiting for the weekend. I love weekends like that, with family around. They happen much too seldom, but that's a subject for another day.
On that particular Saturday morning, nine years ago, I got "the phone call". The one I had been dreading but knew would one day come. The one that told me that, at age 88, my beloved Daddy had gone to be with Jesus.
In many ways, that seems very long ago. Yet the memory of that day is as vivid as if it had just happened this morning. And although I've grown accustomed to his absence, I still miss him so much!
How I would love one more hug, one more conversation, one more visit, one more surprise phone call - just because! How I miss the twinkle in his eye, his sense of humor, his laugh. And how I miss those more serious conversations. About the Scriptures. About politics. About life.
How I would love to hear that voice just once more say "Top o' the mornin' to ya!"
I wouldn't even mind hearing that same joke I've heard hundreds of times. Just one more time! "Have I told you the one about......", he would say. "Tell me again", I would say.
His passing was sudden and unexpected. Well, I suppose not completely unexpected, since he was 88 years old! But certainly not expected on that particular day, June 13, 2009.
That's a reminder to each of us to live every day to its fullest, because we never know when it's time to go. And it's a reminder to love our family and friends - and to let them know how much they are loved - to tell them we love them while we can - because we never know when it's time for them to go.
Daddy was, as I am, very much a creature of habit. His morning routine began with his coffee and his Bible, and he always read from the Open Windows devotional book. As we gathered at his house on that Saturday, his Bible and devotional book were on the table next to his chair, open to the passage he had read on his last day in this life. It's what always comes to mind as I remember that day because it so perfectly describes my daddy. And while I miss both my parents terribly, and my husband's parents as well, this is their legacy and the hope I have of seeing them again.......
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then ye shall also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:2-3 KJV)
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Friday, June 8, 2018
It's Anniversary Weekend!
Several of my friends have celebrated wedding anniversaries this week , and others will be celebrating in the next week or so. I'll just give them all one big "Happy Anniversary!" shout-out rather than mentioning each of them by name, since I would inevitably leave someone out.
On a more personal note, Sunday marks another milestone in the journey of my life. 45 years ago - June 10, 1972 - I said "I do". For the past (almost) 46 years, my life has been shared with the man of my dreams. And what a life it has been!
We began our married life in a little house in the "Avenues" of West Columbia, SC. (If you're from Cayce/West Columbia, that will mean something to you. Otherwise, probably not!) When I say it was a "little" house, that's exactly what I mean. It was a very small house, less than 1000 square feet. We have since lived in apartments that were larger than that house!
We had some expectations when we married. We expected to live out our days in West Columbia. (Or maybe we might move to Cayce!) We expected to move someday to a larger house. We expected that we would have children. I'm sure that back then we had other expectations as well.
In many ways, life has far exceeded our expectations, even our wildest dreams. Over the years we have moved far beyond the boundaries of Cayce/West Columbia. Far beyond South Carolina. To Colorado and to Connecticut. To Minnesota and to Florida (talk about climate extremes!). We lived in the mountains of North Carolina, and now we find ourselves back in our home state.
We have traveled to places we once only read about or dreamed of visiting. All across these United States. Thanks to our road trip two summers ago, we have now both been in all 50 states at least once. We've visited such far away places as Tokyo and Paris. Sydney and Cairo. Edinburgh and Jerusalem. And numerous other spots in between. What an amazing journey we have had together!
I've said many times before that every journey has hills and valleys, smooth roads and potholes. Sometimes the scenery is beautiful. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes the road is straight. Sometimes there are curves. Bends in the road. It's all part of the journey. And we've experienced some of all of it!
Even so, there's joy in the journey. Joy because we're right where our LORD wants us to be. Joy because we're taking the journey together.
As we have been for almost 46 years. Through thick and thin. In good times and in not-so-great. Through it all. Joy in our journey. Together.
This last year and a half has certainly put the "for better, for worse; in sickness and in health" to the test! My stroke was definitely not on our bucket list! Even through all that, there is joy in our journey.
On a more personal note, Sunday marks another milestone in the journey of my life. 45 years ago - June 10, 1972 - I said "I do". For the past (almost) 46 years, my life has been shared with the man of my dreams. And what a life it has been!
We began our married life in a little house in the "Avenues" of West Columbia, SC. (If you're from Cayce/West Columbia, that will mean something to you. Otherwise, probably not!) When I say it was a "little" house, that's exactly what I mean. It was a very small house, less than 1000 square feet. We have since lived in apartments that were larger than that house!
We had some expectations when we married. We expected to live out our days in West Columbia. (Or maybe we might move to Cayce!) We expected to move someday to a larger house. We expected that we would have children. I'm sure that back then we had other expectations as well.
In many ways, life has far exceeded our expectations, even our wildest dreams. Over the years we have moved far beyond the boundaries of Cayce/West Columbia. Far beyond South Carolina. To Colorado and to Connecticut. To Minnesota and to Florida (talk about climate extremes!). We lived in the mountains of North Carolina, and now we find ourselves back in our home state.
We have traveled to places we once only read about or dreamed of visiting. All across these United States. Thanks to our road trip two summers ago, we have now both been in all 50 states at least once. We've visited such far away places as Tokyo and Paris. Sydney and Cairo. Edinburgh and Jerusalem. And numerous other spots in between. What an amazing journey we have had together!
I've said many times before that every journey has hills and valleys, smooth roads and potholes. Sometimes the scenery is beautiful. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes the road is straight. Sometimes there are curves. Bends in the road. It's all part of the journey. And we've experienced some of all of it!
Even so, there's joy in the journey. Joy because we're right where our LORD wants us to be. Joy because we're taking the journey together.
As we have been for almost 46 years. Through thick and thin. In good times and in not-so-great. Through it all. Joy in our journey. Together.
This last year and a half has certainly put the "for better, for worse; in sickness and in health" to the test! My stroke was definitely not on our bucket list! Even through all that, there is joy in our journey.
And I wouldn't want to take this journey with anyone else!
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
One Gracious Blessing After Another
"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." (John 1:16 NIV)
This verse has really grabbed my attention today. I've come across it in several different contexts over the last few days, so it must be something I need to pay attention to!
Depending on which translation of the Bible you read, the verse might be rendered a little differently. Grace upon grace. Blessing upon blessing. One gracious blessing after another. I especially like that last one, from the New Living Translation. One gracious blessing after another.
That's so true, isn't it? We are showered daily with blessings from God. One gracious blessing after another.
Too often we fix our attention on the less-than-we-would-like-them-to-be situations in our lives. On the bills we're having trouble paying or the pounds we can't seem to lose or the illness or the frustration. That list could go on and on, because we all have "stuff" in life that fits the less-than-we-would-like category. Each of us faces challenges in our lives. Not all of us face the same challenges, but there are challenges for each of us.
Equally true, we are all showered daily with one gracious blessing after another, if we only took the time to notice.
Friendship. Family. Laughter. Sunshine. Rain. The smell of freshly mown grass. The companionship of a pet. Coffee. Good books. Good conversation. Good food. Good neighbors. Time spent with a special friend. The list could go on and on. And I can't leave out the nearly 46 years of marriage to my sweetheart! One gracious blessing after another.
How about you? Where are you focusing your attention today? On the less-than-you-would-like-it-to-be situations in your life, or on all those gracious blessings?
Something to think about.
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2)
This verse has really grabbed my attention today. I've come across it in several different contexts over the last few days, so it must be something I need to pay attention to!
Depending on which translation of the Bible you read, the verse might be rendered a little differently. Grace upon grace. Blessing upon blessing. One gracious blessing after another. I especially like that last one, from the New Living Translation. One gracious blessing after another.
That's so true, isn't it? We are showered daily with blessings from God. One gracious blessing after another.
Too often we fix our attention on the less-than-we-would-like-them-to-be situations in our lives. On the bills we're having trouble paying or the pounds we can't seem to lose or the illness or the frustration. That list could go on and on, because we all have "stuff" in life that fits the less-than-we-would-like category. Each of us faces challenges in our lives. Not all of us face the same challenges, but there are challenges for each of us.
Equally true, we are all showered daily with one gracious blessing after another, if we only took the time to notice.
Friendship. Family. Laughter. Sunshine. Rain. The smell of freshly mown grass. The companionship of a pet. Coffee. Good books. Good conversation. Good food. Good neighbors. Time spent with a special friend. The list could go on and on. And I can't leave out the nearly 46 years of marriage to my sweetheart! One gracious blessing after another.
How about you? Where are you focusing your attention today? On the less-than-you-would-like-it-to-be situations in your life, or on all those gracious blessings?
Something to think about.
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2)
Monday, June 4, 2018
Welcome to June!
This month is starting out to be a very busy month, so I'm a few days late saying welcome to June. In fact, it's hard to believe its June already! Where does the time go?
I'm happy to welcome June; it's a month I look forward to each year.
This is a month of celebrations in our family. Toward the end of the month we will celebrate a son's birthday. Before that, we will celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary. In between, we will celebrate Father's Day. I love a good celebration, don't you?
June is also the month for our annual family vacation. Some years we head to the beach, and some years we head to the mountains, as we will be doing in a few weeks. Whether beach or mountains or somewhere else, this is a week I look forward to every year. All of us together in one place. It doesn't happen nearly often enough to suit me, so I'm excited to turn the page on the calendar and begin the countdown!
June marks the beginning of summer. Even for those of us who no longer mark time by the day school is out for summer, June is a time to look forward to a slower pace of life for a few months. Peaches and watermelon. Sunshine and supper on the porch. Flowers blooming and birds singing. All the simple joys of summer. One blessing after another.
According to the calendar, summer doesn't officially begin for about three more weeks, but in my mind, it's already here.
Welcome to June! Welcome to summer!
"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."
(John 1:16 NIV)
I'm happy to welcome June; it's a month I look forward to each year.
This is a month of celebrations in our family. Toward the end of the month we will celebrate a son's birthday. Before that, we will celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary. In between, we will celebrate Father's Day. I love a good celebration, don't you?
June is also the month for our annual family vacation. Some years we head to the beach, and some years we head to the mountains, as we will be doing in a few weeks. Whether beach or mountains or somewhere else, this is a week I look forward to every year. All of us together in one place. It doesn't happen nearly often enough to suit me, so I'm excited to turn the page on the calendar and begin the countdown!
June marks the beginning of summer. Even for those of us who no longer mark time by the day school is out for summer, June is a time to look forward to a slower pace of life for a few months. Peaches and watermelon. Sunshine and supper on the porch. Flowers blooming and birds singing. All the simple joys of summer. One blessing after another.
According to the calendar, summer doesn't officially begin for about three more weeks, but in my mind, it's already here.
Welcome to June! Welcome to summer!
"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."
(John 1:16 NIV)
Thursday, May 31, 2018
An Amazing Race
If you watch television, then you know that we have just come through a season of finales for most network shows. It's that time of years where we often say farewell to favorite characters or where we are left with a cliff-hanger while we wait for the fall season to begin. For a number of years now, Amazing Race on CBS has been one of the most watched TV shows in America, and is one of my favorite shows as well. I enjoyed watching each of the teams run their races as they travel around world in hopes of winning the race.
We are between seasons right now on that particular show, but as we wait for the next installment, it occurred to me that we are all in an amazing race. This television program is really a good metaphor for life. We face roadblocks and detours on our journey through life. We're looking for clues as to where to go next. We want to finish well. When we step onto the final mat at the end of the race, we won't be awarded a million dollars or hear that we are the first to finish. Instead, we who are in relationship with God through Christ will be "awarded" an eternity with Him and will be hearing a different affirmation: "Well done, good and faithful servant.....enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21 ESV)
Challenges. Roadblocks. Detours. Interaction with other racers. Clue boxes. All these are elements of a popular television show. But they are elements of our lives as well.
Things in life don't always go as we plan them. There are obstacles, like having a stroke, to overcome. Sometimes we get on the wrong road. Our relationships with others don't always go smoothly. But through it all, we have a "clue box" to guide us. We have written instructions, the Bible, and we have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us on our journey.
How do we know how to run our race? By looking to our "clue box", the Bible:
"Let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NASB, emphasis mine)
If you have ever watched runners, they don't carry a lot of stuff with them. They don't load themselves down with clothes (like hats and coats and mittens and purses, etc.). They don't run with luggage. That's the imagery that this verse gives us. Don't run your race through life carrying unnecessary baggage. "Lay it down." Get rid of your excess baggage. Confess your sin. Lay it down, and run your race.
Run with endurance. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be roadblocks and detours and false starts. Even so, don't give up. Run your race. Run with endurance.
Run your race, not someone else's race. Follow where God leads you, which may not be where He is leading someone else. How will you know? Follow the "clues" in the "clue box". And follow the last instruction in this passage.
Fix your eyes on Jesus. That's the key to running your race. To running your race successfully. To finishing well. Follow that instruction, and you'll be amazed! You will be running an amazing race!
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)
We are between seasons right now on that particular show, but as we wait for the next installment, it occurred to me that we are all in an amazing race. This television program is really a good metaphor for life. We face roadblocks and detours on our journey through life. We're looking for clues as to where to go next. We want to finish well. When we step onto the final mat at the end of the race, we won't be awarded a million dollars or hear that we are the first to finish. Instead, we who are in relationship with God through Christ will be "awarded" an eternity with Him and will be hearing a different affirmation: "Well done, good and faithful servant.....enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21 ESV)
Challenges. Roadblocks. Detours. Interaction with other racers. Clue boxes. All these are elements of a popular television show. But they are elements of our lives as well.
Things in life don't always go as we plan them. There are obstacles, like having a stroke, to overcome. Sometimes we get on the wrong road. Our relationships with others don't always go smoothly. But through it all, we have a "clue box" to guide us. We have written instructions, the Bible, and we have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us on our journey.
How do we know how to run our race? By looking to our "clue box", the Bible:
"Let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NASB, emphasis mine)
If you have ever watched runners, they don't carry a lot of stuff with them. They don't load themselves down with clothes (like hats and coats and mittens and purses, etc.). They don't run with luggage. That's the imagery that this verse gives us. Don't run your race through life carrying unnecessary baggage. "Lay it down." Get rid of your excess baggage. Confess your sin. Lay it down, and run your race.
Run with endurance. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be roadblocks and detours and false starts. Even so, don't give up. Run your race. Run with endurance.
Run your race, not someone else's race. Follow where God leads you, which may not be where He is leading someone else. How will you know? Follow the "clues" in the "clue box". And follow the last instruction in this passage.
Fix your eyes on Jesus. That's the key to running your race. To running your race successfully. To finishing well. Follow that instruction, and you'll be amazed! You will be running an amazing race!
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)
Friday, May 25, 2018
Time to Remember
We're approaching the Memorial Day holiday, which many view simply as a kick-off to the summer vacation season. But Memorial Day is so much more than that. This is a holiday which has its roots in the days following the Civil War and which began as a way to honor and remember those who had died in that war. Although in recent years it has been observed much like other patriotic holidays (Independence Day and Veterans' Day) as a way to honor all the men and women who serve in our nation's military, I believe it is important to remember why we have this particular holiday.
This day is so much more than just a kick-off to summer, and it is so much more than a day to honor the military, as important as that is. We have Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May) to honor those who are now serving in our nation's military. Sadly, unless you are part of a military family or you live in a community near a military base, you may not even be aware of this holiday. We have Veterans' Day in November to honor all those who have served in our nation's military.
This holiday, Memorial Day, is a day set aside to remember those who have died in service to our country. To remember that freedom isn't free. To remember that all those who went off to war didn't come home. Memorial Day is a day to remember.
In places like Gettysburg and Vicksburg. At Bull Run and Bunker Hill. In faraway places like Normandy and Argonne. Korea and Vietnam. Baghdad and Mosul. Kabul and Kandahar. In all these places and many more, somebody died for you. Memorial Day is a day to remember that. Somebody died for you.
As you're celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends, remember.
This weekend, while you're enjoying your day off from work, or your day at the beach, or your barbecue, or your ball game, take time to remember.
Freedom isn't free.
Remember.
Somebody paid the ultimate price so you can enjoy all these things.
Remember.
Somebody died for you.
Remember.
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 ESV)
This holiday, Memorial Day, is a day set aside to remember those who have died in service to our country. To remember that freedom isn't free. To remember that all those who went off to war didn't come home. Memorial Day is a day to remember.
In places like Gettysburg and Vicksburg. At Bull Run and Bunker Hill. In faraway places like Normandy and Argonne. Korea and Vietnam. Baghdad and Mosul. Kabul and Kandahar. In all these places and many more, somebody died for you. Memorial Day is a day to remember that. Somebody died for you.
As you're celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends, remember.
This weekend, while you're enjoying your day off from work, or your day at the beach, or your barbecue, or your ball game, take time to remember.
Freedom isn't free.
Remember.
Somebody paid the ultimate price so you can enjoy all these things.
Remember.
Somebody died for you.
Remember.
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 ESV)
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Three Hungry Women and a Pie
Last Thursday, we headed to Pigeon Forge, looking forward to a relaxing weekend getaway with some friends. We settled into the cabin we had rented and set about the business of making memories. After settling in, we headed into town in search of some dinner. We had a delicious meal at J.T. Hannah's on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. (Highly recommended. Check it out if you're in the area.)
Since no good meal is complete without dessert, we stopped to pick up some pie at another of my favorite places, The Pottery House Café (also highly recommended), where we purchased not one, but two, pies! We were beginning to drool over thoughts of key lime pie and coconut cream pie, but there was still one more stop to make. While the guys went into the local Kroger for a few supplies, we women were left in the car with the pies. Oh my. How we were longing to eat some pie, but we had no utensils. Cathy did have some straws in her car, so we were almost ready to suck the pie through a straw when the guys got back to the car. Oh, the things hungry women can dream up when pie is involved!
We - and the pies - arrived safely back at the cabin where pie was properly served with plates and forks. No straws needed!
Friday morning found us at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant (again, recommended!), one of my favorite places to eat breakfast.
After we had eaten far more than any of us needed, we headed out for a morning of retail therapy and other fun pursuits.
Unfortunately, our weekend came to an abrupt end when we received word that Al's dad had fallen and was in the hospital. We packed up and headed to Columbia. Even though our holiday was cut short, our friends had a refreshing weekend making more memories!
As the poet Robert Burns said, the best laid plans go oft awry. Certainly this weekend did not turn out exactly as I had envisioned it. But how thankful I am. Thankful for the gift of friendship. Thankful for even a brief bit of time away with special friends. And thankful that, no matter what happens and how often my plans are disrupted, God is in control.
"Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90:2 NASB)
As the poet Robert Burns said, the best laid plans go oft awry. Certainly this weekend did not turn out exactly as I had envisioned it. But how thankful I am. Thankful for the gift of friendship. Thankful for even a brief bit of time away with special friends. And thankful that, no matter what happens and how often my plans are disrupted, God is in control.
"Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90:2 NASB)
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