It's no secret, Jerry and I have a very large family now. With nine grown children, their spouses, and the twenty-six grandkids, it makes for a lively bunch! And oh!!! the absolute joy it brings me to know that my kids are doing well in life---maybe not always in a monetary sense (anyone who has raised a family knows that there's often too much month at the end of the money!) but, more in the spiritual and social sense. They are good, productive citizens who can be depended on to choose wisely and do the right thing. It doesn't get any better than that! Or, maybe it does.
Recently, I was able to travel to Louisiana to attend the high school graduation of my granddaughter, Brittney. How beautiful and confident she looked as she strode across that stage to receive that precious document. It represented a milestone in her young life that she isn't able to comprehend just yet. It was a symbol of passage from childhood into adulthood, as well, but she doesn't quite comprehend that yet either. She will learn soon enough that being an adult isn't always everything it's cracked up to be! With all the new-found freedoms, come grave responsibilities, as well. But, that's another story.
I learned something important, as I sat there in the embrace of bittersweet emotions, surrounded by friends and family who were all there for Britt, our Britt. I learned that there is something more profound than the pride you feel in your own kids when they reach a milestone in their lives. It is the pride that explodes in your heart when you see how great a job your kids are doing with their kids! At that moment, you realize that you may have made some mistakes, but you didn't do everything wrong. Your own kids have managed to raise their children with similar values, strengths, and devotion to God, family and country. To witness and take part in such experiences is an honor and joy. I wouldn't have missed it for the world! But, I almost did...
The carefully made plans were set in motion, and the trek began. We had weathered some terrific storms through the night, after all, it is springtime in Oklahoma. As we hit the road Friday morning, the weather map assured us that the worst of the current storms had pushed through and was far east of us. That news re-enforced our decision to go the western route, south to Nocona, where my niece and I would pick up my daughter, and then continue on through Dallas and east Texas into Louisiana. We traveled along under partly cloudy skies with patches of blue sky appearing periodically. It was a most pleasant leg of the journey.
Having secured our passenger, we continued on to Gainesville, to intercept I-35 and head south. Still, all was well. We stopped for coffee and gas in Gainesville, and suddenly the sky darkened to an eerie nighttime shade, but the unmistakable hint of green was obvious. HAIL! The sudden storm unleashed its full fury on us before we had time to scramble back into the car. Shivering and wet, we couldn't see the end of the hood of the car. We made a couple of calls and had folks who were next to their computers to pull up a weather map. They assured us that we could drive out of it. So, as soon as we safely could, we made our way to the interstate. The wind thrashed and the rain poured. The wipers were working furiously to remove the water and create some patch of visibility, and still we kept on.
It was soon apparent that we were not driving out of it and wouldn't be for some time. We had slowed to a mere 13 mph in a 70! Why didn't you just pull over, you might be thinking. And that would have been our first choice, however, it wasn't a viable choice. We were hemmed in with construction barriers, with no shoulder, and therefore had no choice but to keep moving. The thought occurred to me, more than once, that nobody, anywhere, who would perish in an auto accident that day, woke up that morning and said, "Well, I guess this is the day I'll die in a wreck." It happens everyday, somewhere, but no one thinks that it will happen to them. I was thinking that it could happen to us. I prayed. I thought, I remembered. I prayed some more. Still, we were moving at a snail's pace, and then, to make matters worse, we would come up on a motorist that didn't even have their lights on! It was maddening. But, never once, did I feel a loss of inner peace. Something just assured me that, "All is well."
Of course, we did arrive safely, eventually. But, God showed me a lesson that was worth the stress. It wasn't anything new, just a new spin on an old promise. In this life, there will be storms. Some of them, we can avoid by staying inside, where it's safe. Others will pop up out of nowhere and we will be caught right in the middle of terrifying circumstances that we don't seem to be able to control. When that happens, and it will, we need to stay the course. With a white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel, we need to keep going. When we can't even see the end of the hood, we need to keep going. When we can't see the car in front of us, we need to keep going---so long as peace remains, we need to keep going. We will come out of the present storm and into the brightest light of the Son, as long as His peace remains.
So, here's what I learned. As we are making decisions for our children, things will surely pop up to challenge our wisdom and create difficult going, but we just have to be confident that we'll weather the storm, and they will be okay, if not because of us, then in spite of us. And the sweet reward comes back to us every time we are able to see their children reach a milestone in their lives. As Jerry lovingly says, "I always wanted to be an ancestor!" This 'generation' thing is awesome. Knowing that we are the ancestors of so many wonderful descendants is one of the greatest joys in life. We are told that our Father in heaven is proud of His children, generation after generation. And, I know why He feels that way!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
No Whining Allowed
Most of us realize just how much we are truly blessed; we appreciate every expression of God's love, His gracious mercy and unceasing watchfulness over us.
And...all is well. That's the way we like it, uh-huh, uh-huh!
But, as Thomas a Kempis once said, "You are courageous enough so long as nothing adverse comes your way." OUCH! Can I get a Band-Aid over here, please...I've been wounded. But, only because it's true, at least for me it is.
It's so easy to be pleased with God when everything is going well. But, just let the winds of adversity funnel down on us and we cry, "Why me?!"
I have learned that the answer to that selfish question is, "Why not?"
OUCH! Can I get a paramedic over here, please?! Why not, indeed!
Paul (the Apostle, not the Beatle) reminds us in his epistle to the Hebrews that there are those who have gone before us who suffered greatly for their faith, "...being tortured, cruelly mocked, suffered scourgings, bonds, and imprisionment---still others were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, and slain with the sword. They were rendered destitute, afflicted and tormented. (Hebrews 11:35-40) Paul proclaims that the world was not worthy of these dedicated men and women of faith (v 38).
He continues in Chapter 12 with the admonition that we, "consider Him [Christ] that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (v3). Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin (v4).
Check and Check-Mate!
We have not suffered as our Savior suffered for us. Sin and separation from God held the nails in place, and as His precious blood trickled down that old rugged cross, draining the life from His physical body---something marvelous was happening in His Spirit.
As He whispered, "It is finished," and payment for our debt of unrighteousness was satisfied and accepted, the Love of God pulsed through those empty veins, and with a burst of divine energy, raised Him up, resurrected Him and He lives today, a victor over death and every other ungodly thing that can assault us in this life. Yes, sin held Him on the cross, but Love resurrected Him from the cold and dark grave.
Paul is absolutely truthful, even two-thousand years later; we have not suffered enough to complain, gripe, moan and belly-ache about our circumstances. I don't pretend to know everything. In fact, I can only share with you those things which I have learned in the trenches of life myself. And I know a couple of things that might be useful to others.
NUMBER ONE:
God is faithful---always was, always is, always will be!
In fact, He is so concerned that we realize this, that it is written, "For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swear by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing, I WILL BLESS THEE, and multiplying, I will multiply thee." (Hebrews 6:13-14)
Okay, okay...yes, He said He would bless ABRAHAM, but hold on! It just so happens that I know the rest of the story. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds Christians that, "If ye be Christ's then ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." (Galatians 3:29)
Check and Check-Mate.
So, here's what we have:
God's sworn oath that we will be continually blessed. Therefore, when adversity comes, and it surely will come, just hold on tight to the promise and remember that you have not yet suffered as those before us did.
NUMBER TWO:
The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.
You may recall that Job made this observation when he was at the lowest point of his life. But, don't take my word for it. Read the story yourself. (Job 1:6-22 and don't forget Job 42:10 and 12)
We are allowed to be sifted, but God still has the final word (1:12). He still draws the line that cannot be crossed. And I know about sifting. We all do.
But, here's what I've learned.
The Lord does indeed...GIVE. James, the brother of the Lord, says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness , neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)
And Paul reminds us to, "...trust in the Living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." (I Timothy 6:17)
He does indeed...TAKE AWAY, as well.
He takes away our stress, saying:
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
He takes away our shame and guilt over past mistakes and sin.
"...He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea [of forgetfulness]. (Micah 7:19) How many of our sins will he cast away? ALL of them!
He takes away uncertainty:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)
Here it is in a nutshell. In our lives, there will be some tough times, but it isn't anything that we can't handle, because to added affliction, He giveth more grace, and out of His love and devotion toward us, He gives and gives and gives. But, He also takes. He takes doubt, fear and unbelief whenever He can wrest it from our grasp. So, whatever seems to be about to consume you---relax your grip, let go, let God pour out His blessing. And practice this unwritten commandment: Thou shalt not whine!
Instead, grab a pen and some paper and just try and scribble down EVERY blessing in your life; begin with your earliest recollections. If we were to do that we would need a lot of tablets...
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." (John 21:25 ~my favorite verse!)
He continues to do great things for us, every day of our lives. Look heavenward, be awed by His greatness, and give thanks with a grateful heart. You are blessed! Whether times are good or bad does not change that fact. And this present affliction (whatever it may be) will surely pass. So, in the meantime (and it often is a mean time) just focus on others and their difficulties: YOU CAN DO IT!
Job did it! "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as he had before." (42:10) And, "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning..." (42:12)
Yes, you can do it, too!
"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." ~John Wesley
And...all is well. That's the way we like it, uh-huh, uh-huh!
But, as Thomas a Kempis once said, "You are courageous enough so long as nothing adverse comes your way." OUCH! Can I get a Band-Aid over here, please...I've been wounded. But, only because it's true, at least for me it is.
It's so easy to be pleased with God when everything is going well. But, just let the winds of adversity funnel down on us and we cry, "Why me?!"
I have learned that the answer to that selfish question is, "Why not?"
OUCH! Can I get a paramedic over here, please?! Why not, indeed!
Paul (the Apostle, not the Beatle) reminds us in his epistle to the Hebrews that there are those who have gone before us who suffered greatly for their faith, "...being tortured, cruelly mocked, suffered scourgings, bonds, and imprisionment---still others were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, and slain with the sword. They were rendered destitute, afflicted and tormented. (Hebrews 11:35-40) Paul proclaims that the world was not worthy of these dedicated men and women of faith (v 38).
He continues in Chapter 12 with the admonition that we, "consider Him [Christ] that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (v3). Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin (v4).
Check and Check-Mate!
We have not suffered as our Savior suffered for us. Sin and separation from God held the nails in place, and as His precious blood trickled down that old rugged cross, draining the life from His physical body---something marvelous was happening in His Spirit.
As He whispered, "It is finished," and payment for our debt of unrighteousness was satisfied and accepted, the Love of God pulsed through those empty veins, and with a burst of divine energy, raised Him up, resurrected Him and He lives today, a victor over death and every other ungodly thing that can assault us in this life. Yes, sin held Him on the cross, but Love resurrected Him from the cold and dark grave.
Paul is absolutely truthful, even two-thousand years later; we have not suffered enough to complain, gripe, moan and belly-ache about our circumstances. I don't pretend to know everything. In fact, I can only share with you those things which I have learned in the trenches of life myself. And I know a couple of things that might be useful to others.
NUMBER ONE:
God is faithful---always was, always is, always will be!
In fact, He is so concerned that we realize this, that it is written, "For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swear by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing, I WILL BLESS THEE, and multiplying, I will multiply thee." (Hebrews 6:13-14)
Okay, okay...yes, He said He would bless ABRAHAM, but hold on! It just so happens that I know the rest of the story. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds Christians that, "If ye be Christ's then ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." (Galatians 3:29)
Check and Check-Mate.
So, here's what we have:
God's sworn oath that we will be continually blessed. Therefore, when adversity comes, and it surely will come, just hold on tight to the promise and remember that you have not yet suffered as those before us did.
NUMBER TWO:
The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.
You may recall that Job made this observation when he was at the lowest point of his life. But, don't take my word for it. Read the story yourself. (Job 1:6-22 and don't forget Job 42:10 and 12)
We are allowed to be sifted, but God still has the final word (1:12). He still draws the line that cannot be crossed. And I know about sifting. We all do.
But, here's what I've learned.
The Lord does indeed...GIVE. James, the brother of the Lord, says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness , neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)
And Paul reminds us to, "...trust in the Living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." (I Timothy 6:17)
He does indeed...TAKE AWAY, as well.
He takes away our stress, saying:
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
He takes away our shame and guilt over past mistakes and sin.
"...He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea [of forgetfulness]. (Micah 7:19) How many of our sins will he cast away? ALL of them!
He takes away uncertainty:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)
Here it is in a nutshell. In our lives, there will be some tough times, but it isn't anything that we can't handle, because to added affliction, He giveth more grace, and out of His love and devotion toward us, He gives and gives and gives. But, He also takes. He takes doubt, fear and unbelief whenever He can wrest it from our grasp. So, whatever seems to be about to consume you---relax your grip, let go, let God pour out His blessing. And practice this unwritten commandment: Thou shalt not whine!
Instead, grab a pen and some paper and just try and scribble down EVERY blessing in your life; begin with your earliest recollections. If we were to do that we would need a lot of tablets...
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." (John 21:25 ~my favorite verse!)
He continues to do great things for us, every day of our lives. Look heavenward, be awed by His greatness, and give thanks with a grateful heart. You are blessed! Whether times are good or bad does not change that fact. And this present affliction (whatever it may be) will surely pass. So, in the meantime (and it often is a mean time) just focus on others and their difficulties: YOU CAN DO IT!
Job did it! "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as he had before." (42:10) And, "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning..." (42:12)
Yes, you can do it, too!
"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." ~John Wesley
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Angel On Her Shoulder
"It is not known precisely where angels dwell - whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode." ~Voltaire
Mind you, I am not disputing the wisdom of Voltaire, but I know at least one place where angels dwell.
The moment a baby is born and shrieks its first sound, gulping for air, and wriggling wildly, I believe that at least one of the attending angels wraps itself around the new mother, tenderly caring for her as though she were the Holy Virgin, mother of Jesus. Motherhood is, without a doubt, the most blessed of events in this world. Mothers need all the help they can get, and God promised that kind of help. Angel on her shoulder.
Throughout the lives of her children, a mother never ceases her vigil. Long after they have outgrown the nursery and left the family home, she keeps her post and never fails the watch. Her prayers are seen as incense, rising-rising-rising, until the very throne room of heaven is filled with the sweetness and tenderness that only a mother possesses for her children. Angel on her shoulder.
She learned her art from the Father, Himself. His love keeps her in the grip of grace through long years of uncertainty. Uncertain, because we can never really be sure that we are doing the right thing when it comes to our children. To be sure, only time will tell. Still, we need confidence to meet the trials of the hour with wisdom, love, mercy and grace. Angel on her shoulder.
Mothers are the heart of the family with a smile that her children often compete for. And as the children mature and establish their own homes, they remember with fondness, that smile.
Angel on her shoulder.
In times of childhood sickness and grave illness, mothers fail not in their duties, going without sleep for days on end. Angel on her shoulder.
In times of financial shortcomings, the prom dress still materializes. Angel on her shoulder.
Yes, I surely do know where a few on His holy angels dwell! And this season of the year, when we are commercially bombarded with prompts to "remember Mother," I do, I always do.
In fact, I remember my precious Mama a hundred times a day. And recently the Lord blessed me, as He always does, with a sweet sense of her presence. It came in a song, a lovely song by Francesca Battistelli. It was as though I could hear Mama's voice, and oh! what a beautiful voice she had, singing straight to my own heart. Find it today. Listen to it. Love it. It's a message from all mothers to their children.
Angel By Your Side (as performed by Francesca Battistelli)
"I can't say that everything's okay---
'Cause I can see the tears you're cryin'"
"And I can't promise to take the pain away---
But, you can know I won't stop tryin'"
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."
"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."
"I know it feels like you're running out of faith,
'Cause it's so hard to keep believing,
But, if I can bring a smile back to your face,
For a moment---
You'll forget all about it."
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."
"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."
"'Cause this won't be the last time you need a little hope---
But, I want to be the first to let you know...
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."
"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."
Sorry, Voltaire, but it's okay to be wrong. We can know where angels are---God's angels are created to protect and comfort and guide us, and they do---they most certainly do! And then, there are those wonderful beings, mothers, who are as the angels themselves in their care of us.
I love you Mommie Dearest: always have, always do, always will! Thank you for being the angel by my side today.
Mind you, I am not disputing the wisdom of Voltaire, but I know at least one place where angels dwell.
The moment a baby is born and shrieks its first sound, gulping for air, and wriggling wildly, I believe that at least one of the attending angels wraps itself around the new mother, tenderly caring for her as though she were the Holy Virgin, mother of Jesus. Motherhood is, without a doubt, the most blessed of events in this world. Mothers need all the help they can get, and God promised that kind of help. Angel on her shoulder.
Throughout the lives of her children, a mother never ceases her vigil. Long after they have outgrown the nursery and left the family home, she keeps her post and never fails the watch. Her prayers are seen as incense, rising-rising-rising, until the very throne room of heaven is filled with the sweetness and tenderness that only a mother possesses for her children. Angel on her shoulder.
She learned her art from the Father, Himself. His love keeps her in the grip of grace through long years of uncertainty. Uncertain, because we can never really be sure that we are doing the right thing when it comes to our children. To be sure, only time will tell. Still, we need confidence to meet the trials of the hour with wisdom, love, mercy and grace. Angel on her shoulder.
Mothers are the heart of the family with a smile that her children often compete for. And as the children mature and establish their own homes, they remember with fondness, that smile.
Angel on her shoulder.
In times of childhood sickness and grave illness, mothers fail not in their duties, going without sleep for days on end. Angel on her shoulder.
In times of financial shortcomings, the prom dress still materializes. Angel on her shoulder.
Yes, I surely do know where a few on His holy angels dwell! And this season of the year, when we are commercially bombarded with prompts to "remember Mother," I do, I always do.
In fact, I remember my precious Mama a hundred times a day. And recently the Lord blessed me, as He always does, with a sweet sense of her presence. It came in a song, a lovely song by Francesca Battistelli. It was as though I could hear Mama's voice, and oh! what a beautiful voice she had, singing straight to my own heart. Find it today. Listen to it. Love it. It's a message from all mothers to their children.
Angel By Your Side (as performed by Francesca Battistelli)
"I can't say that everything's okay---
'Cause I can see the tears you're cryin'"
"And I can't promise to take the pain away---
But, you can know I won't stop tryin'"
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."
"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."
"I know it feels like you're running out of faith,
'Cause it's so hard to keep believing,
But, if I can bring a smile back to your face,
For a moment---
You'll forget all about it."
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."
"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."
"'Cause this won't be the last time you need a little hope---
But, I want to be the first to let you know...
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."
"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."
Sorry, Voltaire, but it's okay to be wrong. We can know where angels are---God's angels are created to protect and comfort and guide us, and they do---they most certainly do! And then, there are those wonderful beings, mothers, who are as the angels themselves in their care of us.
I love you Mommie Dearest: always have, always do, always will! Thank you for being the angel by my side today.
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