From Sea to Sea

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I have so greatly enjoyed learning about the discoveries of the  FIFA World Cup team members and supporters through the eyes of these numerous International guests to the United States (US). What a delight as I watched videos on Facebook as they enjoyed the culture and food of this country. For many of them this was their first visit to the US.

Each of us knows  where we are born is not our choice, but God’s. I cherish the gift of being born a citizen of the US. I know God could have selected me to be born in a country filled with poverty and sorrow. Even though I was born into a poor family,  I appreciate the gift of freedom we have here. Poverty and financial status don’t limit our opportunities to experience the liberty and beauty of the US.

I was born in the Midwest and my parents moved to the Southwest when I was a tween, but due to my family’s impoverishment, I didn’t begin traveling throughout the US until adulthood.  I recall my astonishment as I began traveling our enormous and breathtaking country. Not only does each section of the US have its own culture and dialect, but it often varies greatly from state to state within the same region

I was amused, but also recognized the wonderment the international guests have/had as they traveled to different states and areas of our country. As a frequent traveler to countries outside of the US, I have often been taken aback by the culture and magnificence of God’s handiwork. However, our country is as beautiful as any.

From standing on the cool, rocky beachfront in Maine and looking  out toward the  iconic lighthouses and the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, to the fairytale-like city of Carmel, CA and absorbing the beauty of the sunny Pacific Ocean, our United States is a book of astonishing beauty and creation.

The Eastern coast boasts of colorful foliage and one of the most historic and culturally diverse regions of the US. As we travel west, the Midwest is comprised of thousands of friendly people with a strong work ethic in manufacturing and agriculture. The rich and fertile soil of the Midwest is the ideal climate for producing massive quantities of wheat and corn, making this the “Breadbasket of the USA”.  

The Southwest is a diverse geographic region of arid climates, deserts and a rich history of Native America. Amid the splendor of the Southwest is the Grand Canyon, a masterpiece which is impossible to describe. Its natural wonder and immense size is beyond description.  The brilliant colors change almost moment by moment as the sun rises and sets.

When we arrive to the west coast of our immense county we have yet to trek north to Alaska,  the largest US state by area, comprising more total area than Texas, California and Montana combined.  Wildlife, majestic mountains and vistas are the “norm” of Alaska. It’s a state comprised of strong individuals adapting to harsh climates and environments.

Our country would not be complete without our fiftieth state of Hawaii, where the culture is laid-back and community-oriented. The native Hawaiians are deeply rooted in the Aloha Spirit. The state is comprised of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The topography is as diverse as the residents with rich black lava sand to green, fertile mountains.

“America the Beautiful” stirs most of us with emotion as it describes our nation’s land. It truly is one of spacious skies, mountain majesties and fruited plains. Yet, until you walk among the people of each of these areas, you can’t totally grasp the “awe” anyone feels when they experience this great country.  We can sincerely say, God bless our USA.

Psalm 19:1 NIV, “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

And Then-Again!

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For over a year I waited and  prayed, knowing God would answer in His perfect time. And then-it happened, quickly and somewhat unexpectedly. Or was it? When we pray, trusting God and believing that His ways are perfect and He answers  “yes” in His time, then should we be surprised?

I have desired for almost two years to sell my home and downsize  to a community with neighbors in my stage of life.  During the past five years I have lived here, I’ve formed very few connections. Even those connections have been shallow. I have never experienced a sense of belonging where I currently reside.

When my  house was recently listed for sale, I received an offer in less than forty-eight hours. I cried tears of joy that God had answered so quickly.  Although the contract wasn’t as ideal as I had hoped, the buyers  appeared genuinely interested in my home. They visited multiple times, and I had the opportunity to meet them personally. During those visits they expressed how much they loved the house.

For more than two weeks, the sale progressed with confidence from my realtor this was a solid contract. One of the provisions of the contract was the sale would be finalized within thirty days of signing. As a single, senior residing in a large home, preparing for this move required tremendous time and energy.

Daily, as I packed one box after the other, I thanked God for the blessing of selling my home. And then- again-it happened, quickly and somewhat unexpectedly. Just as rapidly as the sale itself, was now the unpredicted termination of the contract. Buy why? I may never know the buyers’s rationale.  I knew immediately God said “no, not now.”

When my realtor telephoned with the update, I accepted it with grace and gratitude, as I understood God had an altered plan. Yet, as the days passed and I walked past the countless packed boxes, the realization that I was not moving until a later date,  I became discouraged.

Why does God give and then take away? Seldom do we comprehend. I petitioned God for His peace and understanding as my melancholy was great.

Today, as I completed my household tasks, I listened to one of Rick Warren’s messages. He reminded us that while in God’s waiting room,  He has not forsaken us.  God continues to walk alongside us, allowing these seasons of waiting to deepen our faith, strengthen our character and teach us to trust Him more fully.

People are always watching us, even when we don’t realize it. The way we respond during difficult seasons becomes a testimony to others. Our reactions reveal whether our faith rests in circumstances or in God.

As I continue to wait, I am reminded that God’s “not yet” plans remain good, even when I can’t understand. The same God who opened the door is the God who closed it and I know both decisions were made in His love and according to His perfect will. NKJ Psa. 27:14, “wait on the Lord; be of good coursage, and He shall strengthen your heart…”

The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow

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 As I sat patiently in the room awaiting the consult with a new physician, I enjoyed the snacks and bottle of water provided by the clinic. This was a first! I have waited extensively for physicians, but never offered refreshments. I was informed it would be awhile before the doctor arrived.

I was prepared for the delay while listening to my audio book. When the door opened and the doctor “stepped in”, she thanked me for the couteous greeting and smile. I was somewhat taken aback.  She proceeded for several minutes about the fact so few patients are congenial upon her arrival. I was perplexed as to why anyone would not be pleasant.

I reflected on my current life’s situations.  Certainly my outward smile camouflaged the melancholy I endured. However, I believe no one in my sphere should be the recipient of my individual challenges. I also learned decades ago, that often other’s problems are more challenging than my own.

When the doctor noted her delight in my smile, I told her I share it  often, for the Lord has blessed me. We then briefly discussed aging, abilities and opportunities.  It is a choice, our choice to be miserable, defeated and sullen or joyful and contented.

The majority of all people have at least one circumstance in their life which causes disappointment and/or grief. Most of us have several. How we handle these truly demonstrates our walk with God.  The phrase of “what would Jesus do” is always applicable in our lives. How would Jesus handle this? Did he walk throughout the paths of his life, being downtrodden? “

No,  John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” Yes, Jesus had times of sadness and heartache. Rick Warren reminded us, “he felt all the emotions, feelings and pain of a normal human being but was still operating in omniscience and yet He was moved to tears when He saw the grief surrounding Lazarus’ passing, a grief He also felt…as Lazarus had been a dear friend to Him too.”

 Jesus, knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, so why was He sad? Rick repeated Jesus’ humanness for us to be reminded we all have times of dispair, “Jesus went through the grieving process and expressed His grief through tears as an example to all of us that …it is quite normal and perfectly okay to feel sadness…There is no thing on this earth that we as God’s children have been asked to do where we can’t point to an example of Jesus enacting the same.”

How I love the Lyrics in Annie, for it reminds me that as Christians, we may cry today, but tomorrow is a new day and we should never be down when God is walking with us. So yes, that’s why I smile when my heart hurts. That is why I’m joyful to others when I ask God often “why?” Their day may be worse than mine and I know God’s standing with me.

As Martin Charnin in Annie wrote, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun. AND ALWAYS there will be God, standing with His arms open to remind me-SMILE-Life is good! Philippians 4:4 NIV, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice.”

We Rise!

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As I read an email last week I thought of the recent tragedy in Texas and the hundreds of warriors that survived and also those that were there to provide aid and assistance to those in need. Even though Maurrie spoke of women, this applies to men and women of all demographics.

Strong women aren’t forged in comfort. Challenging storms shape us, weather us, and try to beat us down. We face an empty nest, health scares, roads traveled alone, and friends and loved ones lost too soon. We rise! We say, “Let’s go”, “ Let’s do this,” or “Don’t worry, I’ve got you”! Here’s to our warrior women- Maurrie Sussman, Sisters on the Fly.

The above is written about many women of all ages and walks of life, but as  Christian men and women how are you seen? How do storms of life shape you? There are more ways we can be shaped than ink, paper or time to list them. Some are physical, others emotional and often both physical and emotional.  Can God say “these are my warriors?”

As mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and/or employees we put on our “warrior hats” daily as we struggle to not only “do it all”, but give it “our all.  When we end our day whether it be away from home and returning home or spending the day at home, there seems to be very little time to just relax, refresh and enjoy the moments of that day. Sometimes we’re so weary we wondered how we could continue. Yet, we said to ourselves, “let’s go-let’s do this.”

As we age and retire we have more time to do some things, but our strength is not as abundant as it once was. We may be a little slower and it takes us a little longer, but if we are “warriors”, we keep on “keeping on.”

During my career, I encountered numerous individuals stricken early in life and not able to be “warriors.” They were ill and/or physically impaired and spent their days and years quietly watching the world pass by them. We all know people that have endured incredible challenges, but they continue to  “rise up.” They didn’t permit trials to halt their goals.

Some of us are currently standing in the midst  of a storm. We aren’t certain how long it will endure or how intense it will become, but we do have the knowledge that in time it will end. God will lead us out of the storm. As we view interviews and news video of survivors from natural disasters, we realize the strength God gives those individuals to survive, “to be warriors.”

I’m sure each of us desire to be seen as warriors with words such as these which were quoted about a recent victim of a natural disaster, “what I’ll take most from you is your positive attitude, servant heart, and ability to remain faithful in the toughest of times.”

Incomprehensible situations are never what we desire, but we always know God’s will and way is the best and there truly will be “sunny days” someday. ESV Ephesians 6:10 “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

Why The Ruts?

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As I was recently driving on one of our city’s main thoroughfares, I was perplexed as to why there would be such large ruts along the grassy shoulder which abutted a neighborhood.  I also observed large muddy tire tracks and realized someone had swerved onto the easement.

Was it drunkenness, distraction or merely not paying attention? Then I saw the small, lifeless body and surmised the cause for this event. There was one of God’s creations lying in the street; a squirrel.

I was saddened to see the lifeless creature, but I also understood someone had earnestly veered to avoid this result. How often have we swerved to miss hitting an animal or other obstacle in our path? How often have we had to take a detour to avoid peril to our vehicles or lives?

Sometimes those obstacles result in another being injured, but often these obstacles are for our own protection. In the case of this tiny squirrel, the effort didn’t bring the result the driver was hoping, but they attempted to keep it safe.

How often has God endeavored to keep us safe, but we bully ahead to “move” the obstacle, go around it or to perhaps just drive over it, because we think we know better than God what is best for us?

As I have shared in previous blogs, King David is one of my favorite men of the bible. Did he have obstacles to become king? He certainly did. Even though he started out as a young shepherd boy, he took a path which not only displeased God, but brought him sorrow along the way, because David thought “his way” was best.  Ultimately God’s plan was fulfilled when he became King.

As we read of Paul’s ministry and his journey to preach the gospel, it was not without obstacles and hardships along the way. As I listened to today’s sermon, the pastor spoke of obstacles we may endure when we choose God’s way over Satan’s way. God doesn’t promise a Christian’s life to be free of obstacles, but He does promise us He will remove them or allow us to navigate them.

Lisa Appelo states, “ we can trust that God is using the obstacle to orchestrate his perfect timing…to refine our character and purify our motives…to display his glory.” I’m reminded of this each time I read one of my favorite verses: Jer. 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…”

Yes, God does know His plans for us, but we have to be strong enough to allow Him to proceed with His plans, no matter how many obstacles are on our paths. Sometimes these obstacles are people or situations which can’t be removed, so we must understand how to cope with them.

We all have them, so do we drive around the obstacle, drive over it or merely stop and say “okay God, now what do you want me to do?”  Psalms 37:7 NIV-“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…”

The Perfect Quilt

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Stunning, artistic colors and designs, impeccable cutting and pristine points-each a component of the beautiful and loving quilts made by the “men in gray.’ Yes, each are created by men, but not just any men. These men are incarcerated in the Missouri penal system.

I was literally in astonishment as I viewed this documentary. They are imprisoned for crimes from illegal drugs to murder, but they must possess spotless records as inmates. Yet, this penal system recognizes these men are people, they are individuals who made tragic mistakes in their lives; most as very young men. While some of these men are now well into their senior years, they have found a purpose in life. Some are large men with hands akin to those of lumberjacks, but so tenderly and lovingly create these works of art.

Each quilt is bestowed upon a child in the foster care system. When the men choose the colors and designs for their creations, I immediately thought of how my life has been planned and designed by God. Very few individuals in life can state they planned their lives as they are now living. Most all of us have plans, but then “life happens.” Tragedy, circumstances and/or other persons alter our lives. However, as I have shared previously, nothing happens to us as God’s children,  that He hasn’t already planned for us.

Unlike the inmates checking a list of children in the foster care system needing a quilt, God already knows us and our needs. He chooses whether the quilt of our lives will be bright and colorful or softer with pastel colors. Sometimes our lives are a quilt of many colors and hues.

The blocks will contain some squares like the foundation of our homes and lives;  more planned and structured. Other blocks will have pointed triangles which may represent situations in our lives which were prominent and altered. Some blocks are appliqued with beautiful embellishments, reminiscent of those events in our lives which filled us with exultation; marriages, births and countless celebrations.

Occasionally there are quilts which are made with rows of fabric, which are the same sizes and shapes, but those are not as interesting as the quilts with more shapes and designs. All are unique and not identical unless they were mass produced in a factory.

We are not mass produced. We are all God’s unique and individual creations; flawed yet so perfect to Him. The proud inmates held up their quilts for the camera, to be viewed by hundreds of individuals before they were presented to the grateful recipient.  We too are quilts on display. There are bright vivid colors and designs of the times of challenges and trials. There are the soft hues of when our life was gentle and more routine.

When God holds up His quilts what do others see? Is the quilt still pristine as God designed it or has it been stained, ripped or cut apart because we chose to “fight” God’s plan for our lives?  Proverbs 16:9 NIV “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We’re all a Piece of Kintsugi

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I was driving home from church today reflecting on the message, the worship service, my past week and the one ahead. I was scheduling my afternoon “in my mind” on the must-do’s, want -to-do’s and  those matters which could merely “wait a little longer.”

As I sat down to have a quick lunch before I began that list of tasks, I turned on one of my favorite British series on PBS (Broadcasting television network), Call The Midwife. If you are a fan of this series, then you already know it covers every aspect of human frailty and life.

I’ve never missed an episode of this program and during the course of several years of watching this series I’ve shed a few tears, but today the “tear well” was flowing. As my quiet little rescue dog watched in wonder as to what was occurring, my sobs were at times louder than the volume of the television. Suddenly my schedule changed from the planned tasks to gratefulness and reflection.

The writers of the episode today appear to have worked extended and laborious hours in bringing a gift to their viewers of a story line which covered almost every human emotion. We felt the fear of the naïve young fourteen year-old mother whom had been shunned by her mother and was fearful of the outcome of giving birth to a child whom she could not keep as her own.

We witnessed a bride-to-me blessed with a child before it was planned, having become a mother as a young teen years prior to her engagement.  Now with an imminent wedding, her young daughter learned she would not be an only child, but a new baby was added to the family. As the new baby would call the new father “Daddy”, the bride’s young daughter wanted also to be his daughter.

 We saw the disappointment and heartache of a young man with disabilities lovingly and carefully creating a beautiful hand-crafted gift for the bride and groom-to-be, only to be bullied and injured causing the gift to be shattered. However, the pottery became a piece of Kintsugi, the Japanese art that repairs broken pottery with gold.

There was the postulate whom had lost connections with her biological family because she had chosen to give her life to the church and God. There were more tears when days before the postulate was to become a nun, her biological sister arrived to be with her, a gift from their father as he couldn’t be there to see his daughter take her vows as a nun.

Wow! I felt as though I had been racing a marathon with the emotions of this single episode in less than sixty minutes. In typical Call The Midwife style compassionate words were spoken toward the end of the story, even though there had been countless poignant sentiments throughout the viewing.

As one of the midwives prepared the newborn to be presented to his adoptive parents, a social worker stood at her side reminding her this was a difficult time, but also “sometimes the only way we survive the pain is to remember the lives we call our own, the joy of them, the hope of them-a simple possession of hours, days and years which are no one else’s.”

 One of the other midwives reminded them that in giving this new baby to another mother, “sometimes we are made whole simply because another heart has started beating. We are torn, but we are mended.”

With each event which was portrayed in this episode today, I could say, God this is just like what you do in our lives-not a television program, but reality. God makes all things beautiful, no matter what occurs. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJ, “He has made everything beautiful in its time…”

Where They Once Stood

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They happen in numerous settings.  Some are lavish, others are unassuming. Some are traditional while others are “free spirited” and “artistic.” Some cost millions of dollars, others cost a few hundred dollars. But all achieve the same success. They bring together a husband and wife vowing to love the other for eternity; a marriage and wedding ceremony.

Weddings most often also bring a flood of tears and memories of yesteryear. They are one of the most cherished elements of any family, for we know a marriage is the beginning of a new union. Parents and grandparents realize this is where they once stood with hopes and dreams for their future. Now, the young bride and groom possess the same goals; to live a long, full and blessed life with the one they love.

I recently had the joy of celebrating such an event with one of my granddaughters. The wedding was beautiful and so unlike mine which had been on the very same date fifty-six years prior. My wedding was small and modest. I have heard our pastor’s wife’s words in my heart and mind countless times, “this is the fanciest wedding our church has ever had.”

Certainly this validates the phrase of being in the eye of the beholder. Our humble church was filled with approximately one hundred people; the most our church could accommodate. It was the era of cake and punch following the ceremony.  However, the church was so small, it had no fellowship hall. The local community center became that venue.

Because my groom and I paid for our entire wedding, my mother and I had sewed for months making all the dresses and other necessary accessories for weddings of the 1960’s. Now, as my beautiful granddaughter walked down the aisle with her groom, she was overjoyed with the dreams of the future awaiting them. I too shared those same aspirations on my wedding day.

It was a magnificent day for our family during our granddaughter’s wedding. My son’s toast to his daughter and the father/daughter dance left most of the guests with tear stained smiles. I had prayed earnestly that God would give me additional strength for the day.

As many Christian female speakers and authors have shared in their bible studies and testimonies, marital betrayal and unfaithfulness is one of the most sorrowful experiences in their lives. Certainly it was for me. As I had begged and pleaded with my then husband to save our marriage for the sake of our family, he shared only that he had not loved me for over forty years. He proclaimed his heart was with his mistress for she is the one he cared about.

As couples in our family sat hand in hand, sharing glances of love and commitment for their own marriages and now our granddaughter, I could only “cry out to God” in silence to give me the power to endure my grief. For it was moments like this that I had reminded my then husband that he and his mistress could not share.

I’m grateful that I could call upon God to give me the strength which only He could give. My heart is scarred with the grief of betrayal, but how I rejoiced in the  beauty of the day and the memories with the family. NKJ Psalms 29:11 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

It’s One Step

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This was a driveway moment and I felt compelled to listen to the “rest of the story”  on the radio. As she pulled up to the toll booth, the attendant said “how are you today?” The routine reply is “fine” and the parties depart. Well today, the driver noted, “I’m not okay” as she was pouring out tears of despair.

The toll attendant used this moment as a God hug, and stated that she was covering the driver in prayer. The driver had never met the attendant and even though she was sharing a difficult moment, this didn’t mean she was in need of psychological help. The driver left uplifted and full of hope.

Why are people so zealous to inform those enduring challenges that they need emotional and/or mental assistance? Only today, I received an email that because my life has not been typical that I need such support. Even though the one making this statement is a church staff member, they apparently have never had a need of bible studies reminding Christians that life is challenging and filled with problems we may not have caused. Yet, often we are the recipients of another’s sin or poor choices in life.

As a group of us gather weekly for the bible study, It’s Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa Terkurest, we know many of us have lives we didn’t plan nor anticipate. We are a diverse group of different backgrounds, ages and life experiences. Yet we all have the commonality that we didn’t plan for our lives to be as they are. Lost jobs, illness, accidents, wayward children, broken homes and marriages face many Christians.

Did they do something wrong to deserve these trials? Were their sins so immense  this was a necessary punishment? God doesn’t bring hardships to his children for chastisement.  Just as he brought sorrow and difficulties to Job, it wasn’t because Job had sinned. Job 1-2 notes Job was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil…so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Satan believed Job would curse God, but God proved Satan wrong. He allowed Satan to “test” Job with illness, loss of family and all he owned, but Job remained steadfast to God. “The Lord Gave, and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

As our bible study group sits around my table sharing our lives and the realizations that it was not what we planned for our“life’s story”, we all know God is maturing us in His love. Lysa states in her study, “Longsuffering is long because you can’t sprint through it. It’s one step. And then another that might be more treacherous …sometimes God lifts us up in an instant, and other times He wants to join us on a bit of a journey.”

Yet, through it all, it doesn’t mean we are mentally and/or physically weak. We may at times benefit from Christian counseling, but it never is indictive that because we are on this journey, we are helpless. Just as I listened during the “driveway moment”, God gives us hugs in many forms.  I Peter 5:10 NIV “And the God of all grace…after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong.”

I Assumed!

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Priority-the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important! More important than what?  Assets?  Social events?  Money? What are our priorities? During a recent recovery from a surgery, I found my priority to be “get well-get back to normalcy-get back to my routine.”

Being in isolation during recovery from an illness or surgery is not ideal. We spend a vast amount of time in quiet solicitude and our thoughts.  It’s not always best for our emotional health, as it gives us too much time to reflect and ask ourselves, “what if.”

When we have recovered from that time of quiet healing, what are our priorities? Our priorities change as situations in our lives change. Because of my “age” , my priorities are different than when I was a teen, a young wife and mother or even an older mother.

Life is truly a choice of priorities. For some persons, it’s how many more social events can we add to our already “too busy” schedule?  For others, it’s how much more money can we earn? For me, it’s “if only” I could have even “five more minutes.” The cliché that life passes too quickly becomes more valid as we age.

Recently I read an introspective commentary. It shares the feelings many of us have with our current priorities. “Barely the day started and it’s already six in the evening. Barely arrived on Monday…and the month is already over and..50 or 60 years of our lives have passed, and we realize we have lost our parents, our friends…and it’s too late to go back…let’s try to eliminate the afters…I’m doing it after…because what we don’t understand is after the coffee gets cold, afterwards priorities change…afterwards the kids grow up…afterwards the parents get old…and then it’s too late…so let’s leave nothing for later.”

Recently I viewed a poignant movie on the loss of a mother for a “bride to be.” She was sharing with another young woman that chose not to see her mother the importance of priorities; the importance of “do it today.”  The bride to be stated, “she always assumed she could talk to her mom when she was ready, but now it’s too late. It’s too late for questions or answers. It’s too late to thank her for all the wonderful things she’s done for me. It’s too late to sit down and have a cup of tea. I wish I could do even one of those things as I wouldn’t waste even one second.”

As you arise today, what is your priority? As a Christian, my faith has to be greater than or equal to my family. I know without God, I can do nothing. I won’t be the person I should be nor accomplish the tasks set before me, if God is not directing me. However, I never want to say, I assumed I had plenty of time. At this decade of my life, I fully understand my time is fleeting, so when I’m asked to be with someone or do it, I don’t want to be like the bride to be and say, “now it’s too late.”

Luke 12:34 NKJV “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”