I sit here this morning w/dozens of thoughts running through my head. Thoughts of happenings during the last year and of things that I anticipate that are to come. This post will primarily be about my word of the year for 2012. I was talking w/a friend yesterday about my 2011 focus word, "health"-she was actually congratulating me on how far I've come in accomplishing my all around goal of health. I appreciated her encouragement and thought to myself, "but, I'm not finished yet!" This had me thinking about how focus words should be like the Christian virtues listed in the NT book of Peter. Just because I am choosing a new word for the year doesn't mean I get rid of the one from the previous year. Instead, it is like building with blocks-I will merely be adding to my focus and continue on the path I've set all year for health. It doesn't mean I'm "finished" or that I've arrived-it just means that "setting my mind" (a very biblical principle) on health this year has allowed me to instill/practice new habits for a lifetime-not merely for a year. So though I am only halfway to my physical goals, regarding health, I am not discouraged-because I am MUCH further along and healthier than I was at this time last year:) So, without further delay-my focus word for 2012 is contentment.
Generally, I am a fairly content person in most areas of my life. However, with the "possibilities" for the year that I will be facing, I know that this will be a word that will help bring me back to my center when things get to be a bit crazy!lol Though I am generally content, it is something that is based on the fact that I am a planner/scheduler/routine oriented person-however, this year is going to TOTALLY throw that off balance. It is going to be a year full of change. I don't mind change, I actually embrace it on most days. Change is not a "bad" thing, but the changes I will be undergoing this year are changes that are fairly major as life goes...not day to day little stuff that I normally deal with. So, like the apostle Paul, I intend to "learn" to be content wherever I find myself in the coming year.
Thinking about why I chose this word, I am reminded that my husband is just half way through his remote tour overseas-I will be without him for another 6 months. You may be thinking, "Well, surely you're accustomed to him being gone by now". Yes, my day to day life has taken on a new "normal" as it were, but no doubt it will be during this second 6 month period that being without him will start to get OLD! This is when I will need to call on my "focus" word-contentment. On those days that I'm just sick and tired of being without my companion/best friend/lover, I will remember that this is only a temporary season and that I am blessed-therefore I will "learn" contentment while waiting. Then there is the entire preparation for moving ordeal. So many things to think about, lists to be made, house to be sold, medical/dental/dog/school records to be retrieved, find a new house to call "home" for the next 3 years, etc... So many things involved in just the physical act of moving itself. I will definitely need to remind myself to be "content" during those times-to not become discouraged if prospects to view our house aren't as regular as I hope, that I don't forget any of the really important physical things that need to be done, etc... It's interesting, I have read and even heard in a few sermons over the years-that moving takes 7 years off of your life. If that's the case, then I must have 9 lives like a cat, because I am running in a deficit at this point if the average life expectancy is 70-80 years!lol Of course, I don't believe I have 9 lives(and neither do cats!)-I know that the truth is that it is God that has been my strength through each and every move that I've been blessed to make in the last 24 years of my married life! Another reason I may need to call upon my word of the year, is with regards to the "emotional" part of moving. This year, I will be leaving behind some very dear friends/brethren-some that I have been blessed to be a part of their lives for a total of almost 13 years and others that I have been so incredibly blessed to know/love for the last 5...now that is going to require a LOT of contentment. Content to be seperated from such great friends/important relationships. I know that this seperation is a more permanent one. They will now become a part of my "past" and we will keep in touch from time to time-typical things like holidays, special events in one another's lives, etc... But, the daily/regular connections and experiences together will be gone Then there is the biggest change...leaving our college aged daughter behind to only visit us a couple of times a year. That is going to require a LOT of contentment on my part! This year has been somewhat of a dry run with her living on campus-it's been fine and we've all adjusted well to that. However, she has been able to come "visit" once a month or as often as she wants-once every 6 months will be quite different for all of us. Instead of focusing on what I'll be leaving behind-I will choose to be content and focus on the blessings that God has in store for me. A new house to live in with all of the comforts it will provide, a new "adult" relationship w/our college aged daughter, a new enjoyment/appreciation for the last 2 years w/our "baby" girl before she heads off to college, a renewed relationship w/my husband after being seperated for a year, all of the new friendships that await us all in Arizona, the new congregation that we will work/worship with for this remaining 3 years of our military life, the new experiences/travel that we will be blessed to enjoy during our time in Arizona, just so MANY things to be grateful for...how can I NOT be content! It all sounds great and it will be, but it's just the "getting through" part that sometimes makes it difficult to remember how important it is to be content.
So, dear reader, what are your thoughts for the coming year? Any focus, goals, resolutions, etc...that you'd like to share? I pray that each one of us will remember how very important it is to remember that each year brings its own share of heartache, laughter, joy, trials, etc...but that no matter what, we are blessed if we have been given another year to "ring in". Blessed to use every day in 2012 to know our God better, serve Him more, love others w/the love of Christ, etc... Never be afraid of new things-instead be content with where you are at and smile at the future:)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Beginnings
My last post was about "endings" because I thought perhaps that I would not have the time to actually blog again before the first of the year. I am happy to say that I have a bit of reflective time today as I sit in my chair feeling overwhelming love in my heart for the joy of beginnings. On this date 24 years ago-I wed my best friend. It is a day that lives very vividly in my mind/heart. Mom/I spent 9 months planning the wedding. My wedding day was beautiful, everything I wanted it to be. Not unlike a lot of young girls, I had dreamed about my wedding day for many years, even before I met my "prince". I have no regrets about having a nice formal church wedding. Yes, it cost money and yes, my Dad did offer to just give us the money to start our new life together-but for me, the day was too special to not "celebrate" in a special ceremony. Sure, we could have "used" the money, like most young couples we started out with almost "nothing" in the way of worldly possessions. However, even 24 years later, I have no regrets-I would not do it differently. We've had an entire 24 years together to gain worldly possessions, but that day was about standing before God and an assembly of our family/friends to celebrate our vows of lifelong love/commitment to one another. Even with the joyful memories I have of that day, the last 24 years have been even more glorious than the day itself. I read something on pinterest the other day that struck me as exactly how I feel about my marriage..."I want a marriage that is more beautiful than the wedding." AMEN! That says it all. My wedding was beautiful-but my marriage has far surpassed the beauty of that day.
Beginnings are a beautiful thing. Whether we are talking about marriages, the birth of children, or the blessing of a new day that God has given-we should cherish new beginnings. In the world of psychology, it is said that a person loses 7 years of their life expectancy with every move they make....I believe that my marriage/life disproves that theory-otherwise I would already be in my Heavenly home! If memory serves me correctly, I have "moved" 15 times in my lifetime...10 of those moves being during the 24 years of my marriage. Sure, moving can/does offer it's own source of "stress", but like so many things in life-it's all about your perspective. You can either choose to become paralyzed by fear of the unknown, be depressed because you've left loved ones behind, etc...or you can decide to be blessed that you have opportunity to enlarge your life experience by adding new friends to your life, enjoying the blessings of living in a new house/location, etc... I have always chosen to feel "blessed" by the gift God brings into my life with each new move. If time marches on, my husband/I will "settle" and no longer move in a period of about 3 1/2 years from now. It will be a new beginning for us. Uncharted territory as it were. We will move forward with joy/anticipation and choose to enjoy the new experience together-just the way we have for the last 24 years of our life together.
As I was talking with my sister last night, I was thinking about other types of beginnings. This year, I purchased an "elf on the shelf" book/elf for her to "begin" a new tradition with her girls. As she shared the adventures her girls have had with "Elfard" so far this Christmas season-my heart was full of joy. Such a simple thing to begin a new tradition-whatever it may be, but how beautiful it can be. I thought ahead to a future time when my own daughters will have my grandchildren and we can pass this book/elf on to them and they begin their own tradition. My own Mom had a tradition that every year at the family Christmas party, she had some poor unsuspecting friend of the family play the role of Santa Claus for the kids. When Mom died-the tradition faded into a memory of the past. That's o.k.-it was her tradition and a special memory we all associate with her love for her family. It is this memory that helped me think what new "beginning" tradition we might start for our family now. I was really pleased when my sister shared that a friend of hers was asking about the idea of the "elf" and though she doesn't have the funds to purchase an "official" elf on the shelf book/elf-she took the idea and came up with her own new tradition. A dollar store "snowman" that watches over the kids in her house...she shared the story of the "elf" by substituting the snowman. I like that! I love to hear stories of young moms that are not tied to an "all or nothing" attitude, that don't feel sorry for themselves because of their life circumstances-but understand that it's the idea/principle that's important. This mom used what she could to "begin" a special tradition for her own kids.
This week, I have read 2 different posts from my sister and cousin about beginning to teach their children to "give". Both have determined to "begin" a tradition of their children giving to others during the holiday season. My cousin took her daughter (for the first time-a new beginning) to buy gifts for a young needy child on an angel tree in the community they live in. She was appalled that when she returned her gifts on the day of the deadline, the tree was STILL full of requests that no one had filled. It was this scene that motivated my cousin to begin a new tradition with ALL members of her family, not just her youngest. She decided that instead of buying tons of needless gifts (wants) for her loved ones-they would all take part in sharing/giving to others next year. I applaud the love she has in her heart that understands truly that life isn't all about us! My sister, again, shared with me the story of my niece that gave 50% of her allowance/b-day money to toys for tots this year. My sister took the time to explain the program to my niece and the idea of helping children that won't enjoy the nice things (without others help) that she is blessed to enjoy each Christmas morning. My sister talked to her about other community programs that go on during the holiday season and other times of the year to help those in need. You see, as a young child, my sister experienced the "giving" of others through these various programs. She was blessed by others giving through the years because as a young child, she did not have a family that provided those special "wants" for her and often did not even provide for her needs. It wasn't until her new "beginning", when she became a part of our family in 1998, that she was blessed to have all of her needs and MANY wants provided for daily. My niece has never had that experience. She-like my own children, cousins children, and most of the children in America-have always been blessed every day (not just on Christmas)-with more "wants" than needs being provided to them by their own family. My niece was overjoyed when my sister told her that next holiday season, she would be going with her to serve "food" to the needy-the food that goes to the food banks that they donate to every year. It fills my heart with joy to see new beginnings like that. A young child that is "excited" about the concept of doing for others and is looking forward to the day she is "old enough" to help out in a food kitchen by serving others. I'm happy for my sister, my cousin, and all of those that help others in need, because they are the ones that will be most blessed. Not just during the holiday season-but every day of the year. There are so many opportunities to help those around us. We all have so many talents, abilities, gifts that God has given us and they are all different. No 2 people are alike and the way we express love, sharing, and giving will be different depending on our own personality, community, life experience, circumstances, opportunities we have. HOW we give is not important-it's understanding that we need to "begin" giving and doing it that is important. Coming to the realization that every corner of the world needs loving/giving hearts and "beginning" to do something about it!
When my husband and I began our lives together 24 years ago, we did not have much in the way of worldly possessions. An old full sized bed w/sunken mattress donated to us by friends of the family, a few household items (dishes, utensils, etc..) we received as wedding gifts, an old dining room set (that had sat in my parents basement for about 5 years before we were married), a dresser, tv stand (didn't even have a tv until Christmas day-that was my parents first gift to us), a "hideous" green/yellow/plaid couch and chair that cost $50 but was in good shape, the clothes on our back, and a brand new Sears washer/dryer. Truly, that was all we had. But we were blessed by love and commitment to one another! We never felt "poor", but we technically were living at poverty level during the time. When I look at the worldly possessions we now have, the blessings of travel we have had, the beautiful/healthy/godly young girls we've parented, the life experiences we've shared w/God's family, our physical family, friends from different countries, etc... I realize that it has all come our way for 2 reasons-first and foremost - God blessing my husbands diligent hard work from those first days of our life together and because we understood that we were blessed even BEFORE any of these changes occured during the last 24 years. I will end today's post by saying that my life reminds me of what the great Creator, God, said in His first words of the bible..."In the beginning....it was good". What is your beginning? Do you call it "good"? Never fail to appreciate beginnings and today is a new beginning for all of us. If you are reading this post, you have been blessed with another day of life, an opportunity to make your beginning-good!
Beginnings are a beautiful thing. Whether we are talking about marriages, the birth of children, or the blessing of a new day that God has given-we should cherish new beginnings. In the world of psychology, it is said that a person loses 7 years of their life expectancy with every move they make....I believe that my marriage/life disproves that theory-otherwise I would already be in my Heavenly home! If memory serves me correctly, I have "moved" 15 times in my lifetime...10 of those moves being during the 24 years of my marriage. Sure, moving can/does offer it's own source of "stress", but like so many things in life-it's all about your perspective. You can either choose to become paralyzed by fear of the unknown, be depressed because you've left loved ones behind, etc...or you can decide to be blessed that you have opportunity to enlarge your life experience by adding new friends to your life, enjoying the blessings of living in a new house/location, etc... I have always chosen to feel "blessed" by the gift God brings into my life with each new move. If time marches on, my husband/I will "settle" and no longer move in a period of about 3 1/2 years from now. It will be a new beginning for us. Uncharted territory as it were. We will move forward with joy/anticipation and choose to enjoy the new experience together-just the way we have for the last 24 years of our life together.
As I was talking with my sister last night, I was thinking about other types of beginnings. This year, I purchased an "elf on the shelf" book/elf for her to "begin" a new tradition with her girls. As she shared the adventures her girls have had with "Elfard" so far this Christmas season-my heart was full of joy. Such a simple thing to begin a new tradition-whatever it may be, but how beautiful it can be. I thought ahead to a future time when my own daughters will have my grandchildren and we can pass this book/elf on to them and they begin their own tradition. My own Mom had a tradition that every year at the family Christmas party, she had some poor unsuspecting friend of the family play the role of Santa Claus for the kids. When Mom died-the tradition faded into a memory of the past. That's o.k.-it was her tradition and a special memory we all associate with her love for her family. It is this memory that helped me think what new "beginning" tradition we might start for our family now. I was really pleased when my sister shared that a friend of hers was asking about the idea of the "elf" and though she doesn't have the funds to purchase an "official" elf on the shelf book/elf-she took the idea and came up with her own new tradition. A dollar store "snowman" that watches over the kids in her house...she shared the story of the "elf" by substituting the snowman. I like that! I love to hear stories of young moms that are not tied to an "all or nothing" attitude, that don't feel sorry for themselves because of their life circumstances-but understand that it's the idea/principle that's important. This mom used what she could to "begin" a special tradition for her own kids.
This week, I have read 2 different posts from my sister and cousin about beginning to teach their children to "give". Both have determined to "begin" a tradition of their children giving to others during the holiday season. My cousin took her daughter (for the first time-a new beginning) to buy gifts for a young needy child on an angel tree in the community they live in. She was appalled that when she returned her gifts on the day of the deadline, the tree was STILL full of requests that no one had filled. It was this scene that motivated my cousin to begin a new tradition with ALL members of her family, not just her youngest. She decided that instead of buying tons of needless gifts (wants) for her loved ones-they would all take part in sharing/giving to others next year. I applaud the love she has in her heart that understands truly that life isn't all about us! My sister, again, shared with me the story of my niece that gave 50% of her allowance/b-day money to toys for tots this year. My sister took the time to explain the program to my niece and the idea of helping children that won't enjoy the nice things (without others help) that she is blessed to enjoy each Christmas morning. My sister talked to her about other community programs that go on during the holiday season and other times of the year to help those in need. You see, as a young child, my sister experienced the "giving" of others through these various programs. She was blessed by others giving through the years because as a young child, she did not have a family that provided those special "wants" for her and often did not even provide for her needs. It wasn't until her new "beginning", when she became a part of our family in 1998, that she was blessed to have all of her needs and MANY wants provided for daily. My niece has never had that experience. She-like my own children, cousins children, and most of the children in America-have always been blessed every day (not just on Christmas)-with more "wants" than needs being provided to them by their own family. My niece was overjoyed when my sister told her that next holiday season, she would be going with her to serve "food" to the needy-the food that goes to the food banks that they donate to every year. It fills my heart with joy to see new beginnings like that. A young child that is "excited" about the concept of doing for others and is looking forward to the day she is "old enough" to help out in a food kitchen by serving others. I'm happy for my sister, my cousin, and all of those that help others in need, because they are the ones that will be most blessed. Not just during the holiday season-but every day of the year. There are so many opportunities to help those around us. We all have so many talents, abilities, gifts that God has given us and they are all different. No 2 people are alike and the way we express love, sharing, and giving will be different depending on our own personality, community, life experience, circumstances, opportunities we have. HOW we give is not important-it's understanding that we need to "begin" giving and doing it that is important. Coming to the realization that every corner of the world needs loving/giving hearts and "beginning" to do something about it!
When my husband and I began our lives together 24 years ago, we did not have much in the way of worldly possessions. An old full sized bed w/sunken mattress donated to us by friends of the family, a few household items (dishes, utensils, etc..) we received as wedding gifts, an old dining room set (that had sat in my parents basement for about 5 years before we were married), a dresser, tv stand (didn't even have a tv until Christmas day-that was my parents first gift to us), a "hideous" green/yellow/plaid couch and chair that cost $50 but was in good shape, the clothes on our back, and a brand new Sears washer/dryer. Truly, that was all we had. But we were blessed by love and commitment to one another! We never felt "poor", but we technically were living at poverty level during the time. When I look at the worldly possessions we now have, the blessings of travel we have had, the beautiful/healthy/godly young girls we've parented, the life experiences we've shared w/God's family, our physical family, friends from different countries, etc... I realize that it has all come our way for 2 reasons-first and foremost - God blessing my husbands diligent hard work from those first days of our life together and because we understood that we were blessed even BEFORE any of these changes occured during the last 24 years. I will end today's post by saying that my life reminds me of what the great Creator, God, said in His first words of the bible..."In the beginning....it was good". What is your beginning? Do you call it "good"? Never fail to appreciate beginnings and today is a new beginning for all of us. If you are reading this post, you have been blessed with another day of life, an opportunity to make your beginning-good!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Endings...
December 12, 2011
So many things I could write about this a.m. I haven't visited my blog in about 3 months-wow-that's a first for me! I've only been blogging for this past year and it is truly therapeutic for me. Truth is, I've had a lot of things going on w/life and just haven't made the time to sit down to blog. I will try to do better though as it is one of the few ways that actually help me to express myself very openly, sometimes things come forth when I "write" that I don't even realize are in my heart. Most of what I blog starts with one single line of thought and leads me to places I didn't even dream they would!
The title of my blog today is "endings". Of course the most logical reason is that this blog brings about the "ending" of a year. It's truly amazing how many changes can occur in a years time and how many "endings" you find occured during your year. Since this is possibly the last post of this calendar year for me, I thought I would update everyone about my progress w/my word of the year, "Health". In most regards, I have been very true to my focus word of the year. Not as much here at the end with my "physical" health as I wanted to be...but SO much better than where the year began. Shortly after the last blog in mid-September, I "blew out" my calf muscle. I tore the muscle pretty badly during a step aerobics class and couldn't really "exercise" on it for about 4 weeks. As you know, in 4 weeks, you can develop new habits. Unfortunately, to keep from going NUTS, I replaced my exercise times with other activities and have not yet gotten back into a normal routine of exercise. I go some, but it isn't the same priority it was for me before I tore my calf. It's not "on my schedule" every day as it was before. However, I am determined that will change. I will continue with my goal-I'm a little less than half way to where I want to be. My goal is to have the weight loss and stamina at its peak by mid-July. I know that I can do it, I will do it. I am just accepting this "temporary" lapse as that, "temporary". There are tons of excuses (and really that's all they would be) that I could give for why I didn't continue on the same blazen trail I had for all of the 8 months prior to the incident, but instead I will accept responsibility for my actions and just say that I am determined to return at full speed instead of the half effort I am now putting forth.
In other regards, I have absolutely been true to my focus word of "health" this year. Spiritually, I have been a part of a bible study group that has been looking at the OT tabernacle and the correlations it has to Jesus Christ. The study is written by Beth Moore and there is no material that I've ever studied that truly gets into the meat of the word the way that Beth Moore does. Her material uncovers things in a way that reaches me and that I understand/relate to. From all of the training I've had in education, I understand that everyone has their own "learning style"-well Beth Moore teaches to mine for sure! I have always wanted to be a part of a video series study of hers. LOVE her sanguine personality, her sincerity, and her wealth of knowledge of the scripture. Don't misunderstand, she doesn't "always" handle the word of God 100% accurately and I recognize the times that she contradicts scripture. However, she is a human being (as we all are) and the only truth is contained within God's word. Any time a human tries to expound God's word, there is potential to err. I choose to look at all studies as a way to examine the TRUTH of God's word more deeply for myself. The writer is merely a vessel to help me do that, it is my personal responsibility to divide the Word accurately. So, yes, spiritually speaking I have grown very much this year and have been so very blessed by this study.
Emotionally, I continue to make great progress in growth. There have been many opportunities for me to grow this year. Many travel opportunities with my family, being seperated from my husband for the last 6 months, continuing to "mentor" young women in MOPS, spending quality time with so many friends/family/brethren, etc... My life/cup is full to overflowing and abundant indeed with emotional growth. It hasn't all been easy, but growth usually does involve some pain. I am going through some "challenges" in that regard currently. Another reason for the name of this post. I found out over T'giving, that my Dad's stepsister was put into a facility because she has Alzheimer's. I have not seen my aunt Ruby in a number of years. But in my "memory", she is still a vibrant young woman full of life, healthy, etc... My heart aches for her/her family because prior to this they have been through so very much through the years prior to this tragic time. You see, my aunt lost 2 of her 3 children within 2 1/2 years time to automobile accidents. My memory of those days are deeply entrenched in my heart. For me, personally, those tragedies happened at a time in my life that was pivotal to the direction my life would take to this day. I would never again take life for granted. I would understand how temporary it is. I would choose to live every day with joy and suck every moment of happiness/love from the day that I could. Ultimately, I would choose to serve and love God w/all my heart, mind and soul because I was blessed to see tragedy up close/personal from 13 years of age(when my first cousin died in an accident). I'm thankful for that blessing. So many I meet/talk to have never been blessed to experience tragedy up close/personal, I have to believe that it takes those people much longer to "grow up" and mature to the place of understanding/appreciating the gift that life truly is. Back to my aunt. I remember the heartbreak, the look of hurt in her eyes, etc... during the time she lost her 14 yr old son-we were all in shock as of course it was an accident that was sudden. When she lost her daughter 2 1/2 years later-we all didn't know if she was going to make it. Literally, she was broken to pieces. Shocked that once again, she was facing a tragedy and clinging dearly to the one child she had left in this world. I remember watching her rock back/forth in a rocking chair that set in my cousin's room, just wailing-I believe that was the first time I ever actually experienced someone "wailing" and it was gut wrenching:( But, she was a strong woman and after a few years, she had picked up the pieces of her broken heart and turned things around and decided to "give back" the love she still had to share. She took in foster children-even adopted one of them. I remember thinking, "What strength" she had and love she had in her hert to be able/desire to share her love with others instead of setting around feeling sorry for herself. She was my "hero" in that regard and I prayed I would always be strong enough to do something similar should my life bring tragedy. When my Daddy told me that she was in a home suffering from Alzheimer's, I was so very sad. I received word Saturday that she is now in the hospital in a totally unresponsive state and things do not look good for her at all. It is just so very difficult to think about "endings". My aunt has had to face so many "endings" in her life and my heart aches to think of her own personal ending being so tragic as well. Alzheimer's is an absolute gut wrenching thing to occur in a family. This family has already experienced so much tragedy. My aunt is only in her 60's and this all happened so very quickly. But, as I sit here writing this morning, I am thinking about all of the "good" times with my aunt. All of those Christmas Eve nights at my Granny D's with the adults playing cards around the table, the kids being goofy outside or listening to music in the bedroom/watching Christmas movies, etc... All of those photos we all had made in front of Granny's Christmas tree every year. It was a "tradition" and we did the same things together year after year. My aunt Ruby was always smiling...even during those difficult years when she lost her children-she was there at Granny's around her loved ones. It is my prayer today that all of those that she has touched will surround her with their love as she goes through these final moments in her life upon this earth. She touched me in ways that she probably never really fully understood. Her life circumstances helped change me from the inside out. I learned from watching her that no matter what life brings you, you CAN get through it with love and time. I learned not to take life for granted but to appreciate each day as a gift to love more deeply and cherish those that are around you even in the little things. I learned from the strength she showed in picking up the pieces of her heart and moving forward with her life and not letting her circumstances get her "stuck" and unable to love/live her life to the fullest. It was her example that helped me when I tragically lost my Mom. Yes, I grieved and my heart was broken, but NO I would not let her death define me for the rest of my life of define who SHE was. Instead, I would be so very thankful for the time I had with her and use the rest of my own life to love those around me more deeply, cherish the moments I have with them, etc...
One more thing before I close today. My Daddy is also in the same hospital as my aunt. He has pneumonia again-3rd time this year. Daddy's health (lack thereof) has been a huge motivator for me in changing my own physical health. Each time my Dad is hospitalized, I wonder if this will be the end for him. Not because I am a "pessimist", not because I don't pray that he will recover, etc...but merely to prepare my heart a little more for the break it will experience when I get that phone call. When my Mom left this earth, I was NOT prepared-no one can be when it involves tragedy. When I get that call about my Daddy, I will be much more prepared because I expect it. I've expected it for a long time. I treasure each the time I have with him each time I visit him, because I know one day it will be the "last" time. There is nothing left "unsaid", my Daddy knows how much I love him, treasure him, appreciate him. My Daddy was my first love. Because of him, I was "picky" about who I chose to be my husband. It had to be a "special" man that would care for me the way that my Daddy did. My Dad often tells me how proud he is to have John as his son-in-law. It is because of the love my Daddy had for me that I was wise enough to choose someone that would "value" me, our marriage, our children, etc... Though in personality, my husband/Daddy are very different. In character/values of family, work ethic, being a "man's man", they are very much the same.
I pray that if any of my reader's are experiencing any personal "endings" in their lives, they will draw strength from knowing that if we all prepare ourselves for eternity-there will be no more endings! God knows no time, God created "time", but in Him there are no time limits...eternity is forever. Live your life on this earth with recognition that it is temporary and WILL end, but understanding that preparation for eternity (life without ending) is why we are here. Love and cherish those around you each day, let them know (if they don't already), specifically, why they are important to you/what they mean to you so that if their life or yours has an ending-there will be nothing left unsaid. Until next time-may the end of this calendar year bring many blessings of "time" to us all, time to do the things that are eternally important.
So many things I could write about this a.m. I haven't visited my blog in about 3 months-wow-that's a first for me! I've only been blogging for this past year and it is truly therapeutic for me. Truth is, I've had a lot of things going on w/life and just haven't made the time to sit down to blog. I will try to do better though as it is one of the few ways that actually help me to express myself very openly, sometimes things come forth when I "write" that I don't even realize are in my heart. Most of what I blog starts with one single line of thought and leads me to places I didn't even dream they would!
The title of my blog today is "endings". Of course the most logical reason is that this blog brings about the "ending" of a year. It's truly amazing how many changes can occur in a years time and how many "endings" you find occured during your year. Since this is possibly the last post of this calendar year for me, I thought I would update everyone about my progress w/my word of the year, "Health". In most regards, I have been very true to my focus word of the year. Not as much here at the end with my "physical" health as I wanted to be...but SO much better than where the year began. Shortly after the last blog in mid-September, I "blew out" my calf muscle. I tore the muscle pretty badly during a step aerobics class and couldn't really "exercise" on it for about 4 weeks. As you know, in 4 weeks, you can develop new habits. Unfortunately, to keep from going NUTS, I replaced my exercise times with other activities and have not yet gotten back into a normal routine of exercise. I go some, but it isn't the same priority it was for me before I tore my calf. It's not "on my schedule" every day as it was before. However, I am determined that will change. I will continue with my goal-I'm a little less than half way to where I want to be. My goal is to have the weight loss and stamina at its peak by mid-July. I know that I can do it, I will do it. I am just accepting this "temporary" lapse as that, "temporary". There are tons of excuses (and really that's all they would be) that I could give for why I didn't continue on the same blazen trail I had for all of the 8 months prior to the incident, but instead I will accept responsibility for my actions and just say that I am determined to return at full speed instead of the half effort I am now putting forth.
In other regards, I have absolutely been true to my focus word of "health" this year. Spiritually, I have been a part of a bible study group that has been looking at the OT tabernacle and the correlations it has to Jesus Christ. The study is written by Beth Moore and there is no material that I've ever studied that truly gets into the meat of the word the way that Beth Moore does. Her material uncovers things in a way that reaches me and that I understand/relate to. From all of the training I've had in education, I understand that everyone has their own "learning style"-well Beth Moore teaches to mine for sure! I have always wanted to be a part of a video series study of hers. LOVE her sanguine personality, her sincerity, and her wealth of knowledge of the scripture. Don't misunderstand, she doesn't "always" handle the word of God 100% accurately and I recognize the times that she contradicts scripture. However, she is a human being (as we all are) and the only truth is contained within God's word. Any time a human tries to expound God's word, there is potential to err. I choose to look at all studies as a way to examine the TRUTH of God's word more deeply for myself. The writer is merely a vessel to help me do that, it is my personal responsibility to divide the Word accurately. So, yes, spiritually speaking I have grown very much this year and have been so very blessed by this study.
Emotionally, I continue to make great progress in growth. There have been many opportunities for me to grow this year. Many travel opportunities with my family, being seperated from my husband for the last 6 months, continuing to "mentor" young women in MOPS, spending quality time with so many friends/family/brethren, etc... My life/cup is full to overflowing and abundant indeed with emotional growth. It hasn't all been easy, but growth usually does involve some pain. I am going through some "challenges" in that regard currently. Another reason for the name of this post. I found out over T'giving, that my Dad's stepsister was put into a facility because she has Alzheimer's. I have not seen my aunt Ruby in a number of years. But in my "memory", she is still a vibrant young woman full of life, healthy, etc... My heart aches for her/her family because prior to this they have been through so very much through the years prior to this tragic time. You see, my aunt lost 2 of her 3 children within 2 1/2 years time to automobile accidents. My memory of those days are deeply entrenched in my heart. For me, personally, those tragedies happened at a time in my life that was pivotal to the direction my life would take to this day. I would never again take life for granted. I would understand how temporary it is. I would choose to live every day with joy and suck every moment of happiness/love from the day that I could. Ultimately, I would choose to serve and love God w/all my heart, mind and soul because I was blessed to see tragedy up close/personal from 13 years of age(when my first cousin died in an accident). I'm thankful for that blessing. So many I meet/talk to have never been blessed to experience tragedy up close/personal, I have to believe that it takes those people much longer to "grow up" and mature to the place of understanding/appreciating the gift that life truly is. Back to my aunt. I remember the heartbreak, the look of hurt in her eyes, etc... during the time she lost her 14 yr old son-we were all in shock as of course it was an accident that was sudden. When she lost her daughter 2 1/2 years later-we all didn't know if she was going to make it. Literally, she was broken to pieces. Shocked that once again, she was facing a tragedy and clinging dearly to the one child she had left in this world. I remember watching her rock back/forth in a rocking chair that set in my cousin's room, just wailing-I believe that was the first time I ever actually experienced someone "wailing" and it was gut wrenching:( But, she was a strong woman and after a few years, she had picked up the pieces of her broken heart and turned things around and decided to "give back" the love she still had to share. She took in foster children-even adopted one of them. I remember thinking, "What strength" she had and love she had in her hert to be able/desire to share her love with others instead of setting around feeling sorry for herself. She was my "hero" in that regard and I prayed I would always be strong enough to do something similar should my life bring tragedy. When my Daddy told me that she was in a home suffering from Alzheimer's, I was so very sad. I received word Saturday that she is now in the hospital in a totally unresponsive state and things do not look good for her at all. It is just so very difficult to think about "endings". My aunt has had to face so many "endings" in her life and my heart aches to think of her own personal ending being so tragic as well. Alzheimer's is an absolute gut wrenching thing to occur in a family. This family has already experienced so much tragedy. My aunt is only in her 60's and this all happened so very quickly. But, as I sit here writing this morning, I am thinking about all of the "good" times with my aunt. All of those Christmas Eve nights at my Granny D's with the adults playing cards around the table, the kids being goofy outside or listening to music in the bedroom/watching Christmas movies, etc... All of those photos we all had made in front of Granny's Christmas tree every year. It was a "tradition" and we did the same things together year after year. My aunt Ruby was always smiling...even during those difficult years when she lost her children-she was there at Granny's around her loved ones. It is my prayer today that all of those that she has touched will surround her with their love as she goes through these final moments in her life upon this earth. She touched me in ways that she probably never really fully understood. Her life circumstances helped change me from the inside out. I learned from watching her that no matter what life brings you, you CAN get through it with love and time. I learned not to take life for granted but to appreciate each day as a gift to love more deeply and cherish those that are around you even in the little things. I learned from the strength she showed in picking up the pieces of her heart and moving forward with her life and not letting her circumstances get her "stuck" and unable to love/live her life to the fullest. It was her example that helped me when I tragically lost my Mom. Yes, I grieved and my heart was broken, but NO I would not let her death define me for the rest of my life of define who SHE was. Instead, I would be so very thankful for the time I had with her and use the rest of my own life to love those around me more deeply, cherish the moments I have with them, etc...
One more thing before I close today. My Daddy is also in the same hospital as my aunt. He has pneumonia again-3rd time this year. Daddy's health (lack thereof) has been a huge motivator for me in changing my own physical health. Each time my Dad is hospitalized, I wonder if this will be the end for him. Not because I am a "pessimist", not because I don't pray that he will recover, etc...but merely to prepare my heart a little more for the break it will experience when I get that phone call. When my Mom left this earth, I was NOT prepared-no one can be when it involves tragedy. When I get that call about my Daddy, I will be much more prepared because I expect it. I've expected it for a long time. I treasure each the time I have with him each time I visit him, because I know one day it will be the "last" time. There is nothing left "unsaid", my Daddy knows how much I love him, treasure him, appreciate him. My Daddy was my first love. Because of him, I was "picky" about who I chose to be my husband. It had to be a "special" man that would care for me the way that my Daddy did. My Dad often tells me how proud he is to have John as his son-in-law. It is because of the love my Daddy had for me that I was wise enough to choose someone that would "value" me, our marriage, our children, etc... Though in personality, my husband/Daddy are very different. In character/values of family, work ethic, being a "man's man", they are very much the same.
I pray that if any of my reader's are experiencing any personal "endings" in their lives, they will draw strength from knowing that if we all prepare ourselves for eternity-there will be no more endings! God knows no time, God created "time", but in Him there are no time limits...eternity is forever. Live your life on this earth with recognition that it is temporary and WILL end, but understanding that preparation for eternity (life without ending) is why we are here. Love and cherish those around you each day, let them know (if they don't already), specifically, why they are important to you/what they mean to you so that if their life or yours has an ending-there will be nothing left unsaid. Until next time-may the end of this calendar year bring many blessings of "time" to us all, time to do the things that are eternally important.
Monday, September 19, 2011
To Be A Grandmother
Today, I continue my tribute to my Mom and some of the things that she taught me. I thought perhaps it would be a good time to remember my Mom as a grandmother. This came to me because yesterday was my baby girl's 15th b-day and tomorrow would have been my Mom's 60th b-day. So, today falls between these 2 special days and it made me think of my Mom and the brief time she spent as a grandmother.
Though the period of time wasn't long-Amber (my brother's daughter) was 11, my girls were 8 and 5 when she died-my Mom certainly taught me a lot about being a grandmother. One of the first things I would say that I learned from her is to be available to spend time with your grandchildren. During our time living in Germany-we were only able to come for a visit about once every 9 months-though we'd usually stay about 3-4 weeks. My mom always made sure that she took time off (she worked 2 jobs during much of that time), took the girls to special places that she thought they would enjoy, just try to do things she knew would mean something to them in their little lives. My mom never failed to send my girls a "box" of goodies at every special calendar holiday. They always looked forward to receiving those boxes from the P.O. there in Germany. There were also many play times at the city park, trips to Chuck E. Cheese (though the nearest was an hour and a half away), certainly shopping for a fav toy and/or outfit, just all around kid centered fun. Some of the times I remember most are the times that my mom planned a special b-day party and her huge Christmas extravaganzas for the grandkids. My Mom grew up poor, without many worldly possessions, and certainly did not have big b-day or Christmas celebrations growing up as a child. She even told me many times about how sad she would be (as a young girl) at Christmas time because she always wanted just one nice doll, from Santa, and would ask for it year after year only to be disappointed and receive a "necessity" item like a pair of socks. So, my Mom was determined to work VERY hard to make up for her own childhood through the lives of her grandchildren.
My Mom would work tirelessly, for months, to make Christmas a special time for all of her grandkids. She even bought a "santa" suit and always recruited some poor unsuspecting family friend to play the role every year at our family Christmas party. The kids LOVED it! This was during the time they all "believed" in Santa and my Mom would absolutely play this role up and build their anticipation of the big man's arrival on the scene. She would make sure Santa brought each child a "gift" that was special for them in a big pack on his back. The celebrations didn't stop there...my Mom would go to a LOT of trouble to make sure Santa visited HER house for all of her grandkids each year and on Christmas Eve would sit out loads of gifts (usually 8-10 things each) for each grandchild! Mom loved to do this. Mom was a shopper and given her early childhood history/experience-it's easy to understand why she went overboard every year. The important thing I learned from her about Christmas w/grandkids was not the abundance of gift giving...but how important it is to make those grandkids feel special. It took "time" for Mom to do all of that shopping, planning, baking and cooking each year...but she did it because that's how she expressed her love. I got some of those traits from my Mom...I love to plan parties for those I love, I enjoy cooking (both daily and for special events) for my family-I'm not a great baker and stick to that almost exclusively for the holiday time-and I am certainly NOT a shopper. That's one of the ways Mom/I have always been different. She loved to shop and loved Wal-Mart-I avoid it at almost any cost! Perhaps it's because I did not grow up in want. Though we were certainly NOT rich and in my younger years I would say we scraped by...it was ALWAYS a priority (for my parents) to give us a big Christmas with lots of gifts to show their love. I, however, live my life in a more "simple abundant" way...less is more mentality. It has everything to do with my "love language". Nothing I enjoy more than spending "quality time" with those I love. My Mom was a "gift giver". I may spend a lot of time planning an event for my loved one-but when the event time comes-I want to be right in the middle of it all-enjoying every minute of it-remembering what the "better part" is...memories of time together. I don't want to be behind the scenes stressing about getting the food finished, making sure every detail is right, etc...I want that to be taken care of ahead of time so that when the time comes I can truly be "in the moment". My Mom often did that...she planned for weeks ahead when we would be coming to visit. Arranging things so she could take time off to be with her grandkids.
My Mom was "there" when my first daughter was born. Mom/Dad made that trip to NC so that they could be there to be w/me and meet/hold that special grandchild. My Mom was SO happy when the docs were wrong and our Rebecca WASN'T a Joshua;)lol Mom wanted a granddaughter so badly and boy did she go hogwild the day after Rebecca was born! She brought in a huge sack of clothes for that baby girl from Wal-Mart. We did have a lot of fun together dressing up that baby like a little doll over and over again trying on those new outfits! Poor thing was only a day old and already sick of having her picture made because of COURSE there had to be a pic taken of her in EACH new outfit! My Mom was so proud...Oh, I know she would have loved ANY grandchild, but she had her heart set on a granddaughter and she got her hearts desire. Mom wasn't able to be there when Michaela was born as we were in Germany at the time. The thing I DO remember is that my Mom was actually hoping that my second daughter would be born "on her b-day". Of course, Michaela didn't wait quite long enough...she made her appearance 2 days before. However, I was glad she didn't wait because I was already 9 days overdue! The thing I learned from my Mom during the birth of my girls was how important it is to be interested in each/every detail of that grandbaby. What color their eyes are, whose feet, nose, etc...they have. Just absolutely enraptured in the love of every nook/cranny of that grandchild.
Since my Mom left us 10 years ago, I've often thought about that special "grandma" love my girls have missed out on, but then I remember what a blessing it was for my Mom to have had them in her life during those last few years. My girls don't remember my Mom-they don't remember all of the special things she did for them-but it's not because they weren't "special" enough to remember, it's because of the age they were. But, I am absolutely thrilled that my Mom was blessed to share her love w/my girls...it's a gift to me and it was a blessing to her-even if their little minds were too young to remember. I think about my 2 wonderful nieces-Bayleigh (6) and Brylea (1 3/4). About how crazy Mom would have gone, AGAIN, over 2 granddaughters. I've often thought of the irony that both my sister/I have 2 girls. My Mom LOVED having granddaughters! Though certainly it isn't possible to replace a person and I would never try to BE my Mom or take over her role as a grandmother...I do love my nieces as though they were my very own grandchildren. They hold a special place in my heart for several reasons-1) I'm so proud of the life my sister has made for herself despite her early childhood 2) To honor the love my Mom would have had for those grandbabies 3) I'm at the age my Mom was when she had my own girls as grandchildren. All 3 of these things motivate me to "make time" to spend w/my sweet nieces. They help remind me that time is precious/fleeting and they are only little for such a very short time. Funny how life comes "full circle". I am now experiencing similar experiences w/my nieces that my own Mom experienced w/my girls just 10-15 years ago.
I'll finish today's blog by talking a little about my Mom's first/oldest granddaughter, Amber. If my Mom were still here with us, Amber would make her a great grandmother early next spring. Seems CRAZY to think of any woman being a 60 yr old GREAT grandma! But, Mom had her babies when she was a "baby" herself. Amber is 21, she isn't a baby having a baby. Amber is having a great grandson for my Daddy! It is very exciting thinking bout another generation being added to our family. As much as my Mom always wanted granddaughters (and that's ALL she ever had and all she ever would have had even if she was still with us), I believe Mom would have been absolutely ecstatic to FINALLY be having a boy in the family again...she'd say, "It's about time!" I look forward to meeting my nieces son. I pray each day that she will pass on some of her Grandma's love to that sweet great grandson of my Mom's. Grief is a double edged sword-it carries the sting/pain of the loss, yet it carries the blessing of memories shared being even more precious. Today, I choose to think of the memories shared-watching my Mom be a grandma to her grandchildren-learning from her the things that are important-remembering that life is for the living and to treasure each "new" memory that has been made w/those that I love since that day 10 years ago. I pray that if the Lord grants me grandchildren some day, that I will treasure each moment and make our time together "special" and unique to the personalities that God created each of us to be.
Though the period of time wasn't long-Amber (my brother's daughter) was 11, my girls were 8 and 5 when she died-my Mom certainly taught me a lot about being a grandmother. One of the first things I would say that I learned from her is to be available to spend time with your grandchildren. During our time living in Germany-we were only able to come for a visit about once every 9 months-though we'd usually stay about 3-4 weeks. My mom always made sure that she took time off (she worked 2 jobs during much of that time), took the girls to special places that she thought they would enjoy, just try to do things she knew would mean something to them in their little lives. My mom never failed to send my girls a "box" of goodies at every special calendar holiday. They always looked forward to receiving those boxes from the P.O. there in Germany. There were also many play times at the city park, trips to Chuck E. Cheese (though the nearest was an hour and a half away), certainly shopping for a fav toy and/or outfit, just all around kid centered fun. Some of the times I remember most are the times that my mom planned a special b-day party and her huge Christmas extravaganzas for the grandkids. My Mom grew up poor, without many worldly possessions, and certainly did not have big b-day or Christmas celebrations growing up as a child. She even told me many times about how sad she would be (as a young girl) at Christmas time because she always wanted just one nice doll, from Santa, and would ask for it year after year only to be disappointed and receive a "necessity" item like a pair of socks. So, my Mom was determined to work VERY hard to make up for her own childhood through the lives of her grandchildren.
My Mom would work tirelessly, for months, to make Christmas a special time for all of her grandkids. She even bought a "santa" suit and always recruited some poor unsuspecting family friend to play the role every year at our family Christmas party. The kids LOVED it! This was during the time they all "believed" in Santa and my Mom would absolutely play this role up and build their anticipation of the big man's arrival on the scene. She would make sure Santa brought each child a "gift" that was special for them in a big pack on his back. The celebrations didn't stop there...my Mom would go to a LOT of trouble to make sure Santa visited HER house for all of her grandkids each year and on Christmas Eve would sit out loads of gifts (usually 8-10 things each) for each grandchild! Mom loved to do this. Mom was a shopper and given her early childhood history/experience-it's easy to understand why she went overboard every year. The important thing I learned from her about Christmas w/grandkids was not the abundance of gift giving...but how important it is to make those grandkids feel special. It took "time" for Mom to do all of that shopping, planning, baking and cooking each year...but she did it because that's how she expressed her love. I got some of those traits from my Mom...I love to plan parties for those I love, I enjoy cooking (both daily and for special events) for my family-I'm not a great baker and stick to that almost exclusively for the holiday time-and I am certainly NOT a shopper. That's one of the ways Mom/I have always been different. She loved to shop and loved Wal-Mart-I avoid it at almost any cost! Perhaps it's because I did not grow up in want. Though we were certainly NOT rich and in my younger years I would say we scraped by...it was ALWAYS a priority (for my parents) to give us a big Christmas with lots of gifts to show their love. I, however, live my life in a more "simple abundant" way...less is more mentality. It has everything to do with my "love language". Nothing I enjoy more than spending "quality time" with those I love. My Mom was a "gift giver". I may spend a lot of time planning an event for my loved one-but when the event time comes-I want to be right in the middle of it all-enjoying every minute of it-remembering what the "better part" is...memories of time together. I don't want to be behind the scenes stressing about getting the food finished, making sure every detail is right, etc...I want that to be taken care of ahead of time so that when the time comes I can truly be "in the moment". My Mom often did that...she planned for weeks ahead when we would be coming to visit. Arranging things so she could take time off to be with her grandkids.
My Mom was "there" when my first daughter was born. Mom/Dad made that trip to NC so that they could be there to be w/me and meet/hold that special grandchild. My Mom was SO happy when the docs were wrong and our Rebecca WASN'T a Joshua;)lol Mom wanted a granddaughter so badly and boy did she go hogwild the day after Rebecca was born! She brought in a huge sack of clothes for that baby girl from Wal-Mart. We did have a lot of fun together dressing up that baby like a little doll over and over again trying on those new outfits! Poor thing was only a day old and already sick of having her picture made because of COURSE there had to be a pic taken of her in EACH new outfit! My Mom was so proud...Oh, I know she would have loved ANY grandchild, but she had her heart set on a granddaughter and she got her hearts desire. Mom wasn't able to be there when Michaela was born as we were in Germany at the time. The thing I DO remember is that my Mom was actually hoping that my second daughter would be born "on her b-day". Of course, Michaela didn't wait quite long enough...she made her appearance 2 days before. However, I was glad she didn't wait because I was already 9 days overdue! The thing I learned from my Mom during the birth of my girls was how important it is to be interested in each/every detail of that grandbaby. What color their eyes are, whose feet, nose, etc...they have. Just absolutely enraptured in the love of every nook/cranny of that grandchild.
Since my Mom left us 10 years ago, I've often thought about that special "grandma" love my girls have missed out on, but then I remember what a blessing it was for my Mom to have had them in her life during those last few years. My girls don't remember my Mom-they don't remember all of the special things she did for them-but it's not because they weren't "special" enough to remember, it's because of the age they were. But, I am absolutely thrilled that my Mom was blessed to share her love w/my girls...it's a gift to me and it was a blessing to her-even if their little minds were too young to remember. I think about my 2 wonderful nieces-Bayleigh (6) and Brylea (1 3/4). About how crazy Mom would have gone, AGAIN, over 2 granddaughters. I've often thought of the irony that both my sister/I have 2 girls. My Mom LOVED having granddaughters! Though certainly it isn't possible to replace a person and I would never try to BE my Mom or take over her role as a grandmother...I do love my nieces as though they were my very own grandchildren. They hold a special place in my heart for several reasons-1) I'm so proud of the life my sister has made for herself despite her early childhood 2) To honor the love my Mom would have had for those grandbabies 3) I'm at the age my Mom was when she had my own girls as grandchildren. All 3 of these things motivate me to "make time" to spend w/my sweet nieces. They help remind me that time is precious/fleeting and they are only little for such a very short time. Funny how life comes "full circle". I am now experiencing similar experiences w/my nieces that my own Mom experienced w/my girls just 10-15 years ago.
I'll finish today's blog by talking a little about my Mom's first/oldest granddaughter, Amber. If my Mom were still here with us, Amber would make her a great grandmother early next spring. Seems CRAZY to think of any woman being a 60 yr old GREAT grandma! But, Mom had her babies when she was a "baby" herself. Amber is 21, she isn't a baby having a baby. Amber is having a great grandson for my Daddy! It is very exciting thinking bout another generation being added to our family. As much as my Mom always wanted granddaughters (and that's ALL she ever had and all she ever would have had even if she was still with us), I believe Mom would have been absolutely ecstatic to FINALLY be having a boy in the family again...she'd say, "It's about time!" I look forward to meeting my nieces son. I pray each day that she will pass on some of her Grandma's love to that sweet great grandson of my Mom's. Grief is a double edged sword-it carries the sting/pain of the loss, yet it carries the blessing of memories shared being even more precious. Today, I choose to think of the memories shared-watching my Mom be a grandma to her grandchildren-learning from her the things that are important-remembering that life is for the living and to treasure each "new" memory that has been made w/those that I love since that day 10 years ago. I pray that if the Lord grants me grandchildren some day, that I will treasure each moment and make our time together "special" and unique to the personalities that God created each of us to be.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Life of Service
Today, my blog will continue with honoring my mother and a few of the things that she taught me both in word and deed during her short time w/me here on this earth. I thought perhaps "service" would be one of the top things that comes to mind when I think of my Mom. Given that yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11, I thought it would be a good time to discuss this idea of service.
For the last couple of weeks, I've heard about an "idea" that KLOVE (a radio station I listen to frequently) had for it's listeners. That perhaps instead of focusing on the negative/loss of that tragic day 10 years ago-that we instead would memorialize that day as a National Day of Community Service. I certainly thought that was a great idea, but then I thought of my Mom. How my Mom lived a "life" of service, not just a day. Isn't it unfortunate that we live in a time when we have to put "specific" days on our calendars/schedules to remember special events/memorialize special days. We live in such a "hectic" world, so fast paced, if it's not on our calendar-it just normally will not get done. I believe most people have good intentions, they want to do good for others, they want to serve in their community, etc... but there is SO much "good" out there, that we become overwhelmed and just can't seem to get it all done...even what our hearts truly desire.
My Mom truly lived a life of "service". That was always evident to me from the time I was a young child. Doing for others-whether it was in our family, among our friends, in our community, etc...serving was "who she was". The day of my Mom's funeral, it became abundantly clear to me how many lives she had truly touched w/her service to others. In this modern day w/people so busy and schedules so crammed, if over 1,000 people show up to a funeral visitation service and stand in line for HOURS outside of the funeral home to pay their respects, this is when you know that someone has indeed touched the lives of many people. I feel very blessed to have had a mother that touched so many in such a short period of time.
So, what are some ways that my Mom showed me an example of service? First, by the service she gave to her physical family members. There were MANY times that my Mom "took in" a family member to live with us...whether it was a cousin, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle...you name it-my Mom willingly took the time to serve her physical family even in the midst of working 2 jobs, maintaining a household, and many other outside activities. It was not uncommon for someone to live in our home while they "got back on their feet", "got their life straightened out", etc...and my Mom not only helped care for them physically-but she was always for them emotionally-to provide guidance/advice/help for those that wanted/needed it.
Another way that my Mom provided service, was that she was an active member of a community service sirority. My Mom was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for nearly 20 years. This organization provided many services for our local community as well as for many charities. They had an annual fundraiser for St. Jude's children hospital, they provided eye glasses for children in need at the local school, they provided food/utility bills, etc...for families in need, and many other things such as that. My mom served on the "board" of the local chapter in many capacities and was even crowned the "queen" of Beta Sigma Phi for her dedication to the cause. My Mom was so very passionate about helping/serving others...she had a heart of compassion and this organization was a way that she reached out/took time OUT of her schedule to serve others.
Finally, my Mom even exemplified her "service" mentality in the profession she chose. My mother was a "house mom" for the state of Missouri to several grown men that were mentally handicapped. Mom even worked 2 jobs for the state at one time...one for the state home and one for an organization called ADAPT which helped those w/mental handicaps to learn skills necessary to "adapt" to independent living such as shopping on their own, ordering from a menu on their own, etc... This passion that she had for serving others carried over into her final days in life when she became a foster parent to 6 children that didn't have stable homes. At my mother's request, my parents adopted 3 of those foster children(which all had special needs) and the other 3 (who were not "eligible" for adoption) remained in my parents home until they were of legal age to be on their own. My Mom opened her "heart" and life to these children and they were truly "our family". Unlike many foster families that I knew about during my time as a young child...my Mom insisted that these children were "included" and became contributing members of our family. She served them by giving them a place to "belong", taking them on vacations, allowing them to have "experiences" w/extra curriculars in the community, making sure holidays/birthdays were special, giving them "accountability" for their actions/behaviors...she truly loved them as though she gave birth to them all. When my mother passed away and we were deciding what would be in her obituary and on her headstone, we all knew that we must honor the fact that she was a mother to 8 children, not merely the 2 that she physically gave birth to. My mother's "service" to these additional 6 children taught me that there is SO much more to family than blood. Family is about experience together, love, compassion, caring, etc... Indeed, I was blessed to have a Mom that gave her life so freely in service to others.
Through my Mom's example, I have followed in her footsteps. Again, I learned so very much from my Mom that has benefitted me in my own life, particularly as a servant of Jesus Christ. The idea of "service" originated with the Savior. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." It is my love for my Savior and the love He showed to me in that ultimate "sacrifice" of service on the cross that motivates/inspires me to live my life in service to others. Having a living/breathing example of that in my life day in/day out for 33 years in my Mother has made service very "natural" for me and for that I am thankful. First, I serve my family day in/day out. I made it a priority to be available, FIRST, to my family. That means that there were many times that we had to save money for a particular vacation, item we wanted to purchase, etc...because I chose to "stay at home" and manage my household/family through service. What I found is that truly we were not missing out on a thing, God always provided for our needs, and we were "still" a family that loved one another despite the fact that I had chosen to be a domestic engineer at home-we were blessed! Second, I have served my community in numerous ways. I have been on the school PTO boards, been in Junior Auxiliary (community service organization here in Cabot), helped w/soccer teams, helped w/Girl Scouts, loads of things that my girls were involved in when they were younger. As the girls have grown, my involvement in service has changed. I have more "freedom" to do things that don't involve my girls-such as sitting w/spending time w/elderly widows/widowers,hosting a monthly girls club, cooking at a week long youth bible camp, helping w/HIPPY group meetings each month, and being a MOPS mentor. Though the "face" of service has changed for me because of my stage in life, it still provides the same benefit...showing my love to others because Jesus first showed His love to me on that cross.
So, it is with this thought that I will close this blog. I challenge each one of my readers to look at their calendars and search your hearts this week. Do you have something of "service" that your heart longs to do? If so, just get out and do it! Don't wait for our federal government to come up w/a day on the calendar for us...make today that day! Better yet, remember that a life of service is just that...a life! A life comprises moments which turn to minutes/hours/days/months/years...not just a day on the calendar. As hard as it was to lose my Mom 10 years ago...most of the days following her death I was continually reminded how much her "life" had meant to so many others because of her service. She made a difference, she made her life count by serving others. She "lived" more in 50 years time than most are blessed to live in a normal lifespan! She was not "unique", didn't have any special "power"...we all have the same ability to make our lives count, we just have to do what she did-which the Savior did first-go serve w/a heart of love. Don't put it off...things will always be "in the way"...today, go make a difference and serve another in your small corner of the world. If we do this today, tomorrow and each day that follows-we will be living in the footsteps of the Savior and will make a difference for eternity.
For the last couple of weeks, I've heard about an "idea" that KLOVE (a radio station I listen to frequently) had for it's listeners. That perhaps instead of focusing on the negative/loss of that tragic day 10 years ago-that we instead would memorialize that day as a National Day of Community Service. I certainly thought that was a great idea, but then I thought of my Mom. How my Mom lived a "life" of service, not just a day. Isn't it unfortunate that we live in a time when we have to put "specific" days on our calendars/schedules to remember special events/memorialize special days. We live in such a "hectic" world, so fast paced, if it's not on our calendar-it just normally will not get done. I believe most people have good intentions, they want to do good for others, they want to serve in their community, etc... but there is SO much "good" out there, that we become overwhelmed and just can't seem to get it all done...even what our hearts truly desire.
My Mom truly lived a life of "service". That was always evident to me from the time I was a young child. Doing for others-whether it was in our family, among our friends, in our community, etc...serving was "who she was". The day of my Mom's funeral, it became abundantly clear to me how many lives she had truly touched w/her service to others. In this modern day w/people so busy and schedules so crammed, if over 1,000 people show up to a funeral visitation service and stand in line for HOURS outside of the funeral home to pay their respects, this is when you know that someone has indeed touched the lives of many people. I feel very blessed to have had a mother that touched so many in such a short period of time.
So, what are some ways that my Mom showed me an example of service? First, by the service she gave to her physical family members. There were MANY times that my Mom "took in" a family member to live with us...whether it was a cousin, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle...you name it-my Mom willingly took the time to serve her physical family even in the midst of working 2 jobs, maintaining a household, and many other outside activities. It was not uncommon for someone to live in our home while they "got back on their feet", "got their life straightened out", etc...and my Mom not only helped care for them physically-but she was always for them emotionally-to provide guidance/advice/help for those that wanted/needed it.
Another way that my Mom provided service, was that she was an active member of a community service sirority. My Mom was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for nearly 20 years. This organization provided many services for our local community as well as for many charities. They had an annual fundraiser for St. Jude's children hospital, they provided eye glasses for children in need at the local school, they provided food/utility bills, etc...for families in need, and many other things such as that. My mom served on the "board" of the local chapter in many capacities and was even crowned the "queen" of Beta Sigma Phi for her dedication to the cause. My Mom was so very passionate about helping/serving others...she had a heart of compassion and this organization was a way that she reached out/took time OUT of her schedule to serve others.
Finally, my Mom even exemplified her "service" mentality in the profession she chose. My mother was a "house mom" for the state of Missouri to several grown men that were mentally handicapped. Mom even worked 2 jobs for the state at one time...one for the state home and one for an organization called ADAPT which helped those w/mental handicaps to learn skills necessary to "adapt" to independent living such as shopping on their own, ordering from a menu on their own, etc... This passion that she had for serving others carried over into her final days in life when she became a foster parent to 6 children that didn't have stable homes. At my mother's request, my parents adopted 3 of those foster children(which all had special needs) and the other 3 (who were not "eligible" for adoption) remained in my parents home until they were of legal age to be on their own. My Mom opened her "heart" and life to these children and they were truly "our family". Unlike many foster families that I knew about during my time as a young child...my Mom insisted that these children were "included" and became contributing members of our family. She served them by giving them a place to "belong", taking them on vacations, allowing them to have "experiences" w/extra curriculars in the community, making sure holidays/birthdays were special, giving them "accountability" for their actions/behaviors...she truly loved them as though she gave birth to them all. When my mother passed away and we were deciding what would be in her obituary and on her headstone, we all knew that we must honor the fact that she was a mother to 8 children, not merely the 2 that she physically gave birth to. My mother's "service" to these additional 6 children taught me that there is SO much more to family than blood. Family is about experience together, love, compassion, caring, etc... Indeed, I was blessed to have a Mom that gave her life so freely in service to others.
Through my Mom's example, I have followed in her footsteps. Again, I learned so very much from my Mom that has benefitted me in my own life, particularly as a servant of Jesus Christ. The idea of "service" originated with the Savior. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." It is my love for my Savior and the love He showed to me in that ultimate "sacrifice" of service on the cross that motivates/inspires me to live my life in service to others. Having a living/breathing example of that in my life day in/day out for 33 years in my Mother has made service very "natural" for me and for that I am thankful. First, I serve my family day in/day out. I made it a priority to be available, FIRST, to my family. That means that there were many times that we had to save money for a particular vacation, item we wanted to purchase, etc...because I chose to "stay at home" and manage my household/family through service. What I found is that truly we were not missing out on a thing, God always provided for our needs, and we were "still" a family that loved one another despite the fact that I had chosen to be a domestic engineer at home-we were blessed! Second, I have served my community in numerous ways. I have been on the school PTO boards, been in Junior Auxiliary (community service organization here in Cabot), helped w/soccer teams, helped w/Girl Scouts, loads of things that my girls were involved in when they were younger. As the girls have grown, my involvement in service has changed. I have more "freedom" to do things that don't involve my girls-such as sitting w/spending time w/elderly widows/widowers,hosting a monthly girls club, cooking at a week long youth bible camp, helping w/HIPPY group meetings each month, and being a MOPS mentor. Though the "face" of service has changed for me because of my stage in life, it still provides the same benefit...showing my love to others because Jesus first showed His love to me on that cross.
So, it is with this thought that I will close this blog. I challenge each one of my readers to look at their calendars and search your hearts this week. Do you have something of "service" that your heart longs to do? If so, just get out and do it! Don't wait for our federal government to come up w/a day on the calendar for us...make today that day! Better yet, remember that a life of service is just that...a life! A life comprises moments which turn to minutes/hours/days/months/years...not just a day on the calendar. As hard as it was to lose my Mom 10 years ago...most of the days following her death I was continually reminded how much her "life" had meant to so many others because of her service. She made a difference, she made her life count by serving others. She "lived" more in 50 years time than most are blessed to live in a normal lifespan! She was not "unique", didn't have any special "power"...we all have the same ability to make our lives count, we just have to do what she did-which the Savior did first-go serve w/a heart of love. Don't put it off...things will always be "in the way"...today, go make a difference and serve another in your small corner of the world. If we do this today, tomorrow and each day that follows-we will be living in the footsteps of the Savior and will make a difference for eternity.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Blessing of Hospitality
This afternoon, I sit here in my living room enjoying the nice cool breeze coming through the windows. Unfortunately I also hear my youngest daughter breathing heavily from her room as well. She is home from school-not feeling well at all on such a gorgeous fall like day. Doesn't seem right...gorgeous outside and she's feeling so crummy. I share this with you only to let you know what's happening around me as I blog this a.m.
September is here and with this month always comes a mixed bag of "feelings" and "emotions" for me. Fall is my absolutely favorite season of the year and I feel doubly blessed that I had 2 "fall" babies-one born in September the other in October. That just adds a little more "sweetness" to fall for me. Those of you that know me, know that September is somewhat of a schizophrenic month for me, emotionally speaking. It is the month that I am most nostaglic. Certainly, December would fall in line second to it, but a close second. Given this is September, I will share my reasons for the nostalgia.
I already mentioned my girls birthday...my sweet Michaela LeighAnn was born on a Wednesday morning at 10:01 in Landstuhl, Germany on the 18th of September, 1996. She will be 15 in just less than 2 weeks-she is a sophomore in H.S.-meaning she only has a little under 3 years left at home before she spreads her wings and flies away into adulthood. Then there is of course the anniversary of 9/11...yes, this year will mark 10 years since our nation was brutally attacked by heathen in the name of "god", which of course we know is not THE God, just their God. Our God says vengeance belongs to Him. I know there will be many special honors and memorial services on this day given it is the 10 year anniversary. I'm sure we all remember exactly where we were at when we heard the news and were shocked that our nation could be attacked in such a horrific way.
For me, this September marks 10 years of something very different. 10 years without my Mom in my life. 10 years that time has marched on without the one woman in my life that gave of herself day in/day out. 10 years that my girls have not had their grandmother in their life to "spoil them". 10 years that my siblings/I have not had Mom to arrange all of those family dinners, b-day parties, and most def those HUGE Christmas extravaganzas. Yes, my life was changed very significantly 10 years ago on September 26th, just 6 short days after my Mom turned 50 (her b-day was September 20th), my Mother's journey w/us here, ended.
So, you may be asking, WHAT in the world does that have to do with the title of today's blog? Everything my dear reader, everything. My mother gave me so much and taught me so many valuable lessons during her brief time on this earth...but the biggest blessing she shared was the blessing of hospitality. I always look for things that God may be teaching me, reminding me of through the daily events of my life. This month of September, reminds me of all of the many things my Mom taught me/showed me as an example. I will use this month to "honor" her memory for all that she sacrificed and gave to me during her journey here as my mother. When I think of my Mom, so many things come to mind-but "hospitality" is the one word that can sum up so many of the things that she taught me. As I was sitting here this a.m., I listened to a sermon CD by brother Bruce Reeves and the topic was "The blessing of hospitality". As I listened to the sermon, I felt tears crawl down my cheeks and fill my eyes. I didn't try to suppress them, I just listened intently, took in the moment and allowed the memories to flood my mind/heart/soul. You see, my Mom embodied hospitality. She was a living, breathing, example to all who were blessed to have her in their lives. As I listened to brother Reeves I just thought..."that was my Mom". Then I thought about all of the ways I have been "blessed" by hospitality myself over my time as an adult. I have LOADS of memories from my childhood of ways that I was blessed with hospitality. So, I sat there thinking...if I were to leave this life at age 50 (just a few short years away for me now), would my children also think of "me" when they hear a sermon on hospitality? What legacy am I leaving my children? What will they remember about me? Will it be something of eternal significance, or will it be just something frivolous and of no real consequence/benefit to anyone else? I pray it is the former-I want my life to "matter", I want my life to have significance...but not just any significance-I want it to have "eternal" significance. I want my life to glorify God. I want it to be a "blessing" to others.
Memories of times past flooded my heart...times in my own adult life that I've been blessed by hospitality. What I found was that I have been most blessed when I have shared hospitality with others. I suppose it's true for most of us that we grow/mature the most when we are the one "sharing" something with another. I grew the most as a student of the bible when I've taught others myself. I also grow the most in "hospitality" when I share it with others in numerous ways. Hospitality is not merely the "sharing of a meal" or "opening of your home", it is a lifestyle of being available for others in whatever ways needed at the time. It is reaching others "where they are" and "esteeming others more highly than ourselves." True hospitality is not merely the sharing among friends/family-quite the contrary-it is opening yourself to "strangers". It is being "vulnerable", "available", all of the things that our society sees as "weak". When is the last time you heard someone suggest that you not engage in some of the many wonderful activities available to us in our modern society so that you could be of service to someone else? One of the huge problems in society today is the emphasis on self. This is in direct opposition to what Jesus Christ taught/lived while on this earth. Jesus was always available for others and put himself last. He even said we must "empty ourselves", "deny ourselves", "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." One thing I can say about my mother-she put others before herself. Often to the detriment of her own health and in the end, this is what took her life. My mother's "desire" to do for others, be available for others, just keep going on less/less sleep, whatever it took...she was willing and she DID sacrifice. Sacrifice---another term not very popular in our pc culture. The idea that we would give anything up for another's well being. I am so grateful to my Mom for being a living example of what that meant. I am thankful to God for placing me in a home where I learned what true hospitality is because it was lived on a daily basis. That one thing has been absolutely invaluable to my spiritual life as an adult. I have been able to "see the trees" and not just the forest, understand what real "priorities" are, and just extract every precious moment I can and pepper it with "hospitality".
I thought I might share some ways I pray that hospitality is reflected in my daily life. I don't share these things to pat myself on the back or receive accolades, only that I may fondly remember the blessings I've received and thereby give God the glory/thanks for each and every one of them.
When I first became a Christian in 1988, my husband/I were blessed to have a young preacher/his family show us ongoing hospitality. They opened their LIVES to us...they included us when their family went to gospel meetings, out to eat, on trips, etc... They helped us feel like there was a "place" that we belonged and that place was the family of God. It was my first experience, outside of my own home, with true hospitality. They became our "family" and made us understand our place in this new "family". What a fantastic living biblical example we had and it is due to this early "connection" in the family of God, that we are able to now share our life so openly with others.
When we moved to NC in 1991, my husband/I decided we were going to "implement" some of the things we had learned from their example. It was during our 4 years here that God, again, gave us provision to learn and build on the foundation of hospitality we had already witnessed. We were now the ones being "called on" to reach out to others, share with others, encourage others, etc...What an amazing 4 years that was. Truly "utopic" in a sense...especially when it came to hospitality. It was no longer "limited" in its scope where just a few families were available/inclusive...but now, we were witnessing an entire congregation of people so involved in one another's lives that there was little "time" for any of those "outside" activities that so often distract Christians from sharing life together. We WERE each others activity-there were times that we were so involved in one another's lives that we often couldn't find a spare moment to fit in just one more "visit" or "bible study", etc...it was an amazingly encouraging time and preparing my family for even greater service in the kingdom of God.
By the time we moved to Germany in 1995, we had a "reputation" for being "that" family that would always be there to encourage, rebuke, exhort, love...whatever was needed. It reminded me of Paul and the way that he would specifically send "letters" to various congregations to let them know of another's reputation for the work they were doing (or not doing) for the Lord. I would often set back and think, "Wow, how did we get here?" It all seemed like such a natural progression...absolutely "burden free" and just a part of who we were becoming. Interestingly enough, that's how it's supposed to be. Growing up in Christ is a daily progression/journey...one step at a time you go from "milk" to "meat". We were once the ones strictly receiving edification/encouragement/blessing through hospitality of another...now we were the ones giving it.
When we returned from Germany, we were blessed to be a part of a fairly new congregation that was still in the "Honeymoon" days of the excitement of a new work for God in the local community and there was so much love/joy that came from just being together as Christians. We were together frequently as a whole group and as small groups as well. There were a lot of home bible studies, there were monthly get togethers for the women and all of the members, ladies bible classes in homes, special parties/events...not quite as "time" consuming as our time in NC had been because many of the women in Arkansas worked outside the home during the day. In NC, the women were always together during the day...so it indeed felt like hospitality was "around the clock". It was during this time, that my Mom passed away. Hospitality was shown (by our preacher) when he drove out of his way and showed up at my Dad's home with a bucket of chicken to offer his sympathy and tell of his love for my husband/I/our family. Again, we were the ones being blessed.
While living in England, my family opened our home to the brethren once a month on a Saturday. We were blessed to live "in the country" and oh how the brethren loved to make the monthly trek to the "farm" to spend the day with us there. Some of the blessings shared among just 25 people each month are a huge part of what keeps me motivated today to press on toward that goal of eternal life. We were blessed to share life with brethren of different cultures, share food from different cultures, share experiences with different cultures, etc...during that time. The one foundational thing that kept each of us returning each month, for 3 years...was our fervent love for the Lord and one another. It didn't matter that we were "different". The only thing that mattered was how "precious" it was that we were so VERY different, yet could be unified and have no greater desire than to serve the Lord together/spend every precious moment we could together during our short time together. It is a blessing that I will NEVER forget. So many "thanked" us for our hospitality, but we were the ones that were blessed. They offered US hospitality each month just by "making time" to come spend the day with us. I do pray that is a lesson that other Christians I know will have the blessing of learning before eternity. The "blessing" of sacrificing time, money, convenience, whatever is necessary to spend time with their brethren demonstrating love. Also during our time in England, I thought about the various gospel preachers that stayed in our home during their weeks stay during lectureships that were held there. We were the ones BLESSED to have the opportunity to open our home, sit with them and share in their spiritual successes/struggles in endeavoring to preach the gospel there in the UK. My girls were blessed to have opportunity to "give up" their rooms, sleep on the floor, help prepare meals, forego one of their activities for a brief time...whatever was necessary to spend this brief time together with brethren that have dedicated their life to serving the Lord in full time ministry.
Since our return to Arkansas this time, the dynamics of our lives have changed. The biggest blessing of hospitality that we've experienced during our time here was the mission trip to Mexico in '08. It is incredibly impressive to witness the hospitality among the "youngest" of those in the congregation there...even 2 year olds are taught to "welcome" those into the church. We are thankful for our friends that extended the "invitation" to our family to go work for the Lord for 2 weeks in Mexico. It was a life changing experience and hospitality was "lived out" for the entire 2 weeks that all 20 of us were together. Our youngest obeyed Christ, in baptism, during our time in Mexico...something that we never could have suspected would happen. I know that much of the "reason" for that final decision was that she saw the love/hospitality of brethren being "lived out" during our time there. It's hard to "resist" that type of love, that love is of God:) Our youngest daughter now has a group of Christian friends that meet monthly in our home to spend time studying the word of God, playing games, sharing books they've read, etc... Just "doing life" together as a young support group for one another. We even visited shuts ins, as a group. It's so important for these young people to know that they are important and their contribution is invaluable to the kingdom. They don't have/need to WAIT to grow up to love others for the Lord, they can do it now. Now, we also find that our college aged daughter is being "blessed" weekly by the hospitality of a Christian family. She has been given the "key" to their house, been welcomed into their every day life, spends entire Sundays with their family, etc... This past weekend-hospitality really reared its head when I welcomed 3 out of state Christian college students into our home for the holiday. These young people have become a part of our lives over the last 4years at youth camp. Only one of the 3 is from a "Christian" home, the others have obstacles to their faith even from their own home life. It was such an enormous blessing to hear one of the young men (who has only been a Christian for a year and a half) say a prayer of blessing for our b'fast and also to lead a devotional song for us on Sunday evening. The spiritual growth/maturity I've seen in these young people over the time I've known them is nothing less than astounding. They were so incredibly gracious guests...effortless to have them because of the "bond" we all share. They kept repeating how much fun they had, how much they appreciate the hospitality...the truth is-my life is SO blessed because of these young people. I am a better person, I love more deeply, I am more forgiving, I am more longsuffering, all because I have the blessing of being a part of these young people's lives and just a small part in helping them along this journey of life. There is absolutely NOTHING I would trade for our time together. I'm glad that I don't "schedule" every moment of my day. I'm thankful that every moment that is "scheduled" is for the "better" part....just like Jesus told Martha..."Mary has chosen the better". It wasn't that what Martha was doing was wrong...preparing a meal for Jesus and his disciples was a "good" work...but a "better" thing was being available to hear Jesus message. Time is the most precious commodity in our modern day and it has a high price tag. I'm thankful that I had a mother that taught me to squeeze EVERY moment from a minute...to use time "wisely", making sure my schedule is filled with things of significance. It's SO easy to get caught up in just "busy-ness", but oh how much it means to someone just to be available to "listen", encourage, remind them of scripture that is applicable, etc...
I will conclude by mentioning the biggest blessing I've found in hospitality....that hospitality is the hospitality I show God each day. Yes, even God desires my hand of hospitality. I do my best to give it to Him by offering my life a "living sacrifice" every day. I offer it to Him through the time I spend alone with Him every day...most especially my time early in the a.m. when the house is "still"...that is my time to obey His command/extend my hand (heart) of hospitality and "be still and know that He is God." Such an important concept. Lest I leave anyone with the impression that I understand hospitality to be just a VERB...it is not strictly a "doing" word. The greatest lesson my mother taught me about hospitality...it is a "being" word...it is WHO YOU ARE. I pray that I will always BE hospitable, most especially to my Creator, God. For certainly if my heart is open to Him, it will in turn be to others. I am so thakful for the greatest hospitality ever extended to me...the hospitality of God through offering His Son, Jesus Christ, that I may have forgiveness of my sins/hope for eternal life if I will obey Him. Now that was a sacrifice...and hospitality can never be offered without sacrifice. Until next time, may we each sacrifice something for another in the coming days ahead and most of all, may we give our lives a "living sacrifice" of hospitality by opening our hearts to God.
September is here and with this month always comes a mixed bag of "feelings" and "emotions" for me. Fall is my absolutely favorite season of the year and I feel doubly blessed that I had 2 "fall" babies-one born in September the other in October. That just adds a little more "sweetness" to fall for me. Those of you that know me, know that September is somewhat of a schizophrenic month for me, emotionally speaking. It is the month that I am most nostaglic. Certainly, December would fall in line second to it, but a close second. Given this is September, I will share my reasons for the nostalgia.
I already mentioned my girls birthday...my sweet Michaela LeighAnn was born on a Wednesday morning at 10:01 in Landstuhl, Germany on the 18th of September, 1996. She will be 15 in just less than 2 weeks-she is a sophomore in H.S.-meaning she only has a little under 3 years left at home before she spreads her wings and flies away into adulthood. Then there is of course the anniversary of 9/11...yes, this year will mark 10 years since our nation was brutally attacked by heathen in the name of "god", which of course we know is not THE God, just their God. Our God says vengeance belongs to Him. I know there will be many special honors and memorial services on this day given it is the 10 year anniversary. I'm sure we all remember exactly where we were at when we heard the news and were shocked that our nation could be attacked in such a horrific way.
For me, this September marks 10 years of something very different. 10 years without my Mom in my life. 10 years that time has marched on without the one woman in my life that gave of herself day in/day out. 10 years that my girls have not had their grandmother in their life to "spoil them". 10 years that my siblings/I have not had Mom to arrange all of those family dinners, b-day parties, and most def those HUGE Christmas extravaganzas. Yes, my life was changed very significantly 10 years ago on September 26th, just 6 short days after my Mom turned 50 (her b-day was September 20th), my Mother's journey w/us here, ended.
So, you may be asking, WHAT in the world does that have to do with the title of today's blog? Everything my dear reader, everything. My mother gave me so much and taught me so many valuable lessons during her brief time on this earth...but the biggest blessing she shared was the blessing of hospitality. I always look for things that God may be teaching me, reminding me of through the daily events of my life. This month of September, reminds me of all of the many things my Mom taught me/showed me as an example. I will use this month to "honor" her memory for all that she sacrificed and gave to me during her journey here as my mother. When I think of my Mom, so many things come to mind-but "hospitality" is the one word that can sum up so many of the things that she taught me. As I was sitting here this a.m., I listened to a sermon CD by brother Bruce Reeves and the topic was "The blessing of hospitality". As I listened to the sermon, I felt tears crawl down my cheeks and fill my eyes. I didn't try to suppress them, I just listened intently, took in the moment and allowed the memories to flood my mind/heart/soul. You see, my Mom embodied hospitality. She was a living, breathing, example to all who were blessed to have her in their lives. As I listened to brother Reeves I just thought..."that was my Mom". Then I thought about all of the ways I have been "blessed" by hospitality myself over my time as an adult. I have LOADS of memories from my childhood of ways that I was blessed with hospitality. So, I sat there thinking...if I were to leave this life at age 50 (just a few short years away for me now), would my children also think of "me" when they hear a sermon on hospitality? What legacy am I leaving my children? What will they remember about me? Will it be something of eternal significance, or will it be just something frivolous and of no real consequence/benefit to anyone else? I pray it is the former-I want my life to "matter", I want my life to have significance...but not just any significance-I want it to have "eternal" significance. I want my life to glorify God. I want it to be a "blessing" to others.
Memories of times past flooded my heart...times in my own adult life that I've been blessed by hospitality. What I found was that I have been most blessed when I have shared hospitality with others. I suppose it's true for most of us that we grow/mature the most when we are the one "sharing" something with another. I grew the most as a student of the bible when I've taught others myself. I also grow the most in "hospitality" when I share it with others in numerous ways. Hospitality is not merely the "sharing of a meal" or "opening of your home", it is a lifestyle of being available for others in whatever ways needed at the time. It is reaching others "where they are" and "esteeming others more highly than ourselves." True hospitality is not merely the sharing among friends/family-quite the contrary-it is opening yourself to "strangers". It is being "vulnerable", "available", all of the things that our society sees as "weak". When is the last time you heard someone suggest that you not engage in some of the many wonderful activities available to us in our modern society so that you could be of service to someone else? One of the huge problems in society today is the emphasis on self. This is in direct opposition to what Jesus Christ taught/lived while on this earth. Jesus was always available for others and put himself last. He even said we must "empty ourselves", "deny ourselves", "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." One thing I can say about my mother-she put others before herself. Often to the detriment of her own health and in the end, this is what took her life. My mother's "desire" to do for others, be available for others, just keep going on less/less sleep, whatever it took...she was willing and she DID sacrifice. Sacrifice---another term not very popular in our pc culture. The idea that we would give anything up for another's well being. I am so grateful to my Mom for being a living example of what that meant. I am thankful to God for placing me in a home where I learned what true hospitality is because it was lived on a daily basis. That one thing has been absolutely invaluable to my spiritual life as an adult. I have been able to "see the trees" and not just the forest, understand what real "priorities" are, and just extract every precious moment I can and pepper it with "hospitality".
I thought I might share some ways I pray that hospitality is reflected in my daily life. I don't share these things to pat myself on the back or receive accolades, only that I may fondly remember the blessings I've received and thereby give God the glory/thanks for each and every one of them.
When I first became a Christian in 1988, my husband/I were blessed to have a young preacher/his family show us ongoing hospitality. They opened their LIVES to us...they included us when their family went to gospel meetings, out to eat, on trips, etc... They helped us feel like there was a "place" that we belonged and that place was the family of God. It was my first experience, outside of my own home, with true hospitality. They became our "family" and made us understand our place in this new "family". What a fantastic living biblical example we had and it is due to this early "connection" in the family of God, that we are able to now share our life so openly with others.
When we moved to NC in 1991, my husband/I decided we were going to "implement" some of the things we had learned from their example. It was during our 4 years here that God, again, gave us provision to learn and build on the foundation of hospitality we had already witnessed. We were now the ones being "called on" to reach out to others, share with others, encourage others, etc...What an amazing 4 years that was. Truly "utopic" in a sense...especially when it came to hospitality. It was no longer "limited" in its scope where just a few families were available/inclusive...but now, we were witnessing an entire congregation of people so involved in one another's lives that there was little "time" for any of those "outside" activities that so often distract Christians from sharing life together. We WERE each others activity-there were times that we were so involved in one another's lives that we often couldn't find a spare moment to fit in just one more "visit" or "bible study", etc...it was an amazingly encouraging time and preparing my family for even greater service in the kingdom of God.
By the time we moved to Germany in 1995, we had a "reputation" for being "that" family that would always be there to encourage, rebuke, exhort, love...whatever was needed. It reminded me of Paul and the way that he would specifically send "letters" to various congregations to let them know of another's reputation for the work they were doing (or not doing) for the Lord. I would often set back and think, "Wow, how did we get here?" It all seemed like such a natural progression...absolutely "burden free" and just a part of who we were becoming. Interestingly enough, that's how it's supposed to be. Growing up in Christ is a daily progression/journey...one step at a time you go from "milk" to "meat". We were once the ones strictly receiving edification/encouragement/blessing through hospitality of another...now we were the ones giving it.
When we returned from Germany, we were blessed to be a part of a fairly new congregation that was still in the "Honeymoon" days of the excitement of a new work for God in the local community and there was so much love/joy that came from just being together as Christians. We were together frequently as a whole group and as small groups as well. There were a lot of home bible studies, there were monthly get togethers for the women and all of the members, ladies bible classes in homes, special parties/events...not quite as "time" consuming as our time in NC had been because many of the women in Arkansas worked outside the home during the day. In NC, the women were always together during the day...so it indeed felt like hospitality was "around the clock". It was during this time, that my Mom passed away. Hospitality was shown (by our preacher) when he drove out of his way and showed up at my Dad's home with a bucket of chicken to offer his sympathy and tell of his love for my husband/I/our family. Again, we were the ones being blessed.
While living in England, my family opened our home to the brethren once a month on a Saturday. We were blessed to live "in the country" and oh how the brethren loved to make the monthly trek to the "farm" to spend the day with us there. Some of the blessings shared among just 25 people each month are a huge part of what keeps me motivated today to press on toward that goal of eternal life. We were blessed to share life with brethren of different cultures, share food from different cultures, share experiences with different cultures, etc...during that time. The one foundational thing that kept each of us returning each month, for 3 years...was our fervent love for the Lord and one another. It didn't matter that we were "different". The only thing that mattered was how "precious" it was that we were so VERY different, yet could be unified and have no greater desire than to serve the Lord together/spend every precious moment we could together during our short time together. It is a blessing that I will NEVER forget. So many "thanked" us for our hospitality, but we were the ones that were blessed. They offered US hospitality each month just by "making time" to come spend the day with us. I do pray that is a lesson that other Christians I know will have the blessing of learning before eternity. The "blessing" of sacrificing time, money, convenience, whatever is necessary to spend time with their brethren demonstrating love. Also during our time in England, I thought about the various gospel preachers that stayed in our home during their weeks stay during lectureships that were held there. We were the ones BLESSED to have the opportunity to open our home, sit with them and share in their spiritual successes/struggles in endeavoring to preach the gospel there in the UK. My girls were blessed to have opportunity to "give up" their rooms, sleep on the floor, help prepare meals, forego one of their activities for a brief time...whatever was necessary to spend this brief time together with brethren that have dedicated their life to serving the Lord in full time ministry.
Since our return to Arkansas this time, the dynamics of our lives have changed. The biggest blessing of hospitality that we've experienced during our time here was the mission trip to Mexico in '08. It is incredibly impressive to witness the hospitality among the "youngest" of those in the congregation there...even 2 year olds are taught to "welcome" those into the church. We are thankful for our friends that extended the "invitation" to our family to go work for the Lord for 2 weeks in Mexico. It was a life changing experience and hospitality was "lived out" for the entire 2 weeks that all 20 of us were together. Our youngest obeyed Christ, in baptism, during our time in Mexico...something that we never could have suspected would happen. I know that much of the "reason" for that final decision was that she saw the love/hospitality of brethren being "lived out" during our time there. It's hard to "resist" that type of love, that love is of God:) Our youngest daughter now has a group of Christian friends that meet monthly in our home to spend time studying the word of God, playing games, sharing books they've read, etc... Just "doing life" together as a young support group for one another. We even visited shuts ins, as a group. It's so important for these young people to know that they are important and their contribution is invaluable to the kingdom. They don't have/need to WAIT to grow up to love others for the Lord, they can do it now. Now, we also find that our college aged daughter is being "blessed" weekly by the hospitality of a Christian family. She has been given the "key" to their house, been welcomed into their every day life, spends entire Sundays with their family, etc... This past weekend-hospitality really reared its head when I welcomed 3 out of state Christian college students into our home for the holiday. These young people have become a part of our lives over the last 4years at youth camp. Only one of the 3 is from a "Christian" home, the others have obstacles to their faith even from their own home life. It was such an enormous blessing to hear one of the young men (who has only been a Christian for a year and a half) say a prayer of blessing for our b'fast and also to lead a devotional song for us on Sunday evening. The spiritual growth/maturity I've seen in these young people over the time I've known them is nothing less than astounding. They were so incredibly gracious guests...effortless to have them because of the "bond" we all share. They kept repeating how much fun they had, how much they appreciate the hospitality...the truth is-my life is SO blessed because of these young people. I am a better person, I love more deeply, I am more forgiving, I am more longsuffering, all because I have the blessing of being a part of these young people's lives and just a small part in helping them along this journey of life. There is absolutely NOTHING I would trade for our time together. I'm glad that I don't "schedule" every moment of my day. I'm thankful that every moment that is "scheduled" is for the "better" part....just like Jesus told Martha..."Mary has chosen the better". It wasn't that what Martha was doing was wrong...preparing a meal for Jesus and his disciples was a "good" work...but a "better" thing was being available to hear Jesus message. Time is the most precious commodity in our modern day and it has a high price tag. I'm thankful that I had a mother that taught me to squeeze EVERY moment from a minute...to use time "wisely", making sure my schedule is filled with things of significance. It's SO easy to get caught up in just "busy-ness", but oh how much it means to someone just to be available to "listen", encourage, remind them of scripture that is applicable, etc...
I will conclude by mentioning the biggest blessing I've found in hospitality....that hospitality is the hospitality I show God each day. Yes, even God desires my hand of hospitality. I do my best to give it to Him by offering my life a "living sacrifice" every day. I offer it to Him through the time I spend alone with Him every day...most especially my time early in the a.m. when the house is "still"...that is my time to obey His command/extend my hand (heart) of hospitality and "be still and know that He is God." Such an important concept. Lest I leave anyone with the impression that I understand hospitality to be just a VERB...it is not strictly a "doing" word. The greatest lesson my mother taught me about hospitality...it is a "being" word...it is WHO YOU ARE. I pray that I will always BE hospitable, most especially to my Creator, God. For certainly if my heart is open to Him, it will in turn be to others. I am so thakful for the greatest hospitality ever extended to me...the hospitality of God through offering His Son, Jesus Christ, that I may have forgiveness of my sins/hope for eternal life if I will obey Him. Now that was a sacrifice...and hospitality can never be offered without sacrifice. Until next time, may we each sacrifice something for another in the coming days ahead and most of all, may we give our lives a "living sacrifice" of hospitality by opening our hearts to God.
Monday, August 29, 2011
"Simple/old school" often BEST!
As I sit here this afternoon, I have a lot of things running through my mind about some recent events that I've heard about or that have occured around me. One of the things that keeps coming back to me is how "simple/old school" is so often the BEST way! Too bad we live in a society that places a premium "value" on new things/ideas, because truly some of the best things in life are so simple and "old school".
In the last couple of weeks, I've been reminded of this in SO many ways. Why do so many of us buy into the lie (I believe it's Satan's btw) that "newer" is better? A few weeks ago, I was blessed to find a dramatized version of the N.T. scriptures in the NKJV of the bible on CD. I have always been one that tries to maximize my use of time-so that often involves multitasking. I wanted SO desperately to take these CD's w/me to the gym while I was using the cardio equipment. FINALLY, I was able to find a portable CD player-w/headphones-to take to the gym with me. Yes, I got a lot of strange looks, you know-the kind of looks where people think you've done gone and LOST IT! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not one to care much what others think about me...only when it comes to representing my God well, now THAT I care about. But looking like an "old school" person because I didn't get the latest version of the dramatized bible on my IPod or MP3 (which I have NEITHER of those btw)....not in the least bit concerning to me! I cared more about being frugal w/blessings that God has given me...these versions of the dramatized bible are outrageously priced! I got the entire NT for $9.95...I was NOT turning that down-add to that the $23 dollars for the portable CD player/headphones and my thinking is that I was a better steward of our funds by choosing the "old school" approach and receiving the "very same" message I would have received through the "newer" technology! I do not want anyone to take offense at this...I am NOT demeaning technology, I am NOT opposed to technology, I actually OWN new technology and feel blessed to have it...my point is simply that new does NOT always mean better!
Yesterday, I was speaking with my sister about my niece's first week of school. We were discussing how my niece is SO blessed to be in the teacher's classroom that is instructing her this year. Not because he is a "new" teacher or teaches under a "new" philosophy that is so often pounded in up and coming educator's heads. But because contrary to popular opinion, this teacher continues to teach with a very "old school" approach. He understands that there is MORE to life than higher education...he understands that sometimes the best education one can receive is in life itself. My niece (who btw, seriously is a genius therefore at times socially delayed) is going to gain so much more than mere "head knowledge" from school this year. She is going to be in an environment that will encourage her to focus on things that are important in this life. To honor and respect authority-both at school and home. To understand that it is a "privilege" to go to school...not a "right". To accept responsibility for her own actions. Lifeskills that are so simple-yet so necessary/needed in our society. My sister is so incredibly blessed to live in a small community and teach at a school where everything doesn't have to be "pc", where parents expect their child to have a teacher that will hold them accountable, where parents don't make "excuses" for their children's lack of character/proper behavior, where the community is "inclusive", small, yet VERY diverse. Again, SO simple, SO old school...but what an amazing place for our world to look at and learn from. Old school still works! I'm not talking about "thrashing knuckles" when students don't learn their time tables...but I am talking about a place where a child's homework assignment is to "respect/obey their parents" (yes, that was actually my niece's homework assignment and a VERY needed one!). Again, what happened to make us believe that we had to do something "newer" in order for it to be better?
I was reminded on Saturday evening, that newer is not always better. Michaela and I are still working on this "2 of us" living arrangement. Rebecca has been away at college for a little over a week, hubby is still away with his job. So, we're still adjusting to a different pace in the house both w/regards to division of chores, cooking for 2 again on a daily basis, etc... There are some things we're finding that we are really enjoying...actually some "old school" things. After being away most of the summer...we are enjoying sitting down at the dinner table again every night as a "family", a "family of 2", but still a family nonetheless! We enjoy our time to talk about our day over a meal, planning out our week together, sharing a dinner table bible devotional w/some thoughts about some very important things-things that are eternal. We also purchased a "game" on Saturday...apparently an "old" game that I was just unfamiliar with until last week- Mexican train dominoes. Mic/I LOVE to play games...hubby/other daughter-not as much. This year gives us time to spend "quality time" (which is both of our highest love language) together enjoying a game. While looking for these 12 sided dominoes for the game, I realized just how long it had been since I had been in a "game section" of a store. So many choices...so many "new" games available to purchase/play. I'm sure many of them are fun...but I can tell you that Mic/I absolutely LOVED the old school dominoe game. She wanted to play longer...it got very late and we needed to get into bed for worship the next a.m. We both wished we had skipped the movie we watched earlier that evening and just went straight to the game. Funny how something "old school" like a simple board game (I mean, it's NOT a Wii/PS 3/Etc...) can bring so much enjoyment/quality time. Again, don't misunderstand me-it's not that I am opposed to any of those things. Actually own a Wii...purchased our first one 2 years ago. However, I will tell you that Mic NEVER asks to play the Wii...yet she always wants to play a board game/cards...simple/old school...but oh so much better for her!
Finally, I would like to apply this thought in the most important way-spiritually. Why is it that so many who would call themselves Christian always believe that "newer" is better? Better to have the "newest" curriculm, better to have the bible on your IPhone, better to have the latest hymnal, better to use the latest info available among the "experts" on raising our children, better to do any myriad of things to bring others to Christ. Again, please don't misunderstand me-I am NOT criticizing technology, "change" or trying new things, etc...I am merely saying that we can't buy into the lie that newer is always BETTER...because often that is not true-particularly when it comes to spiritual matters. If we think of God in our terms...He is OLD-I mean He actually has no "age" because He IS age...He has always existed! Something so difficult for our finite minds to comprehend! God's "ways" may seem "old fashioned" to so many in the world today. I mean, how often have you heard someone say that the rod spoken of in Proverbs was "figurative" when it came to disciplining children? Really? If that's the case, then why did God say, "If thou beatest him w/a rod, he shall not die!" Doesn't sound figurative to me! But, of course in our modern age, this is not "pc" and the "experts" tell us it will damage a child's esteem to try to correct him/her in anyway physically. However, each of us need to realize that God said that "the wisdom of men is foolishness w/God"...it is only HIS wisdom that will truly make one wise! God is very a-political (certainly not "pc"), a-educational (certainly not BIG on higher education being the end all of all-Jesus became the son of an earthly carpenter-doesn't sound very HIGH on the totem pole education wise, huh?), etc...God is "simple" and very old school in nature. His message has always been the same-"Love Me with all your heart, mind and soul". No matter the dispensation of time-whether of the Patriarchs, Moses, or the current Christian dispensation...God simply wanted man to understand that He created us...HE knows what's best for us, only HE can save us from eternal condemnation, and that we were created to live for HIM! Such a simple message...nothing new-though we certainly live under a "new covenant", in this case, a BETTER covenant (though it's new)-obedience comes now through being cleansed in the blood of Jesus Christ through baptism. However, the message is not "new"-we obey because we love Him and we choose to serve Him. Just some things to think about when we consider all of the "new" things available to us in this world-ask yourself the question-is new "better" in this case (sometimes it is and new certainly doesn't mean "bad")? Praying that each of us has the wisdom from above to discern whether simple/old school or new is better in helping us with our day to day living and most importantly with our decisions that will affect us eternally.
In the last couple of weeks, I've been reminded of this in SO many ways. Why do so many of us buy into the lie (I believe it's Satan's btw) that "newer" is better? A few weeks ago, I was blessed to find a dramatized version of the N.T. scriptures in the NKJV of the bible on CD. I have always been one that tries to maximize my use of time-so that often involves multitasking. I wanted SO desperately to take these CD's w/me to the gym while I was using the cardio equipment. FINALLY, I was able to find a portable CD player-w/headphones-to take to the gym with me. Yes, I got a lot of strange looks, you know-the kind of looks where people think you've done gone and LOST IT! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not one to care much what others think about me...only when it comes to representing my God well, now THAT I care about. But looking like an "old school" person because I didn't get the latest version of the dramatized bible on my IPod or MP3 (which I have NEITHER of those btw)....not in the least bit concerning to me! I cared more about being frugal w/blessings that God has given me...these versions of the dramatized bible are outrageously priced! I got the entire NT for $9.95...I was NOT turning that down-add to that the $23 dollars for the portable CD player/headphones and my thinking is that I was a better steward of our funds by choosing the "old school" approach and receiving the "very same" message I would have received through the "newer" technology! I do not want anyone to take offense at this...I am NOT demeaning technology, I am NOT opposed to technology, I actually OWN new technology and feel blessed to have it...my point is simply that new does NOT always mean better!
Yesterday, I was speaking with my sister about my niece's first week of school. We were discussing how my niece is SO blessed to be in the teacher's classroom that is instructing her this year. Not because he is a "new" teacher or teaches under a "new" philosophy that is so often pounded in up and coming educator's heads. But because contrary to popular opinion, this teacher continues to teach with a very "old school" approach. He understands that there is MORE to life than higher education...he understands that sometimes the best education one can receive is in life itself. My niece (who btw, seriously is a genius therefore at times socially delayed) is going to gain so much more than mere "head knowledge" from school this year. She is going to be in an environment that will encourage her to focus on things that are important in this life. To honor and respect authority-both at school and home. To understand that it is a "privilege" to go to school...not a "right". To accept responsibility for her own actions. Lifeskills that are so simple-yet so necessary/needed in our society. My sister is so incredibly blessed to live in a small community and teach at a school where everything doesn't have to be "pc", where parents expect their child to have a teacher that will hold them accountable, where parents don't make "excuses" for their children's lack of character/proper behavior, where the community is "inclusive", small, yet VERY diverse. Again, SO simple, SO old school...but what an amazing place for our world to look at and learn from. Old school still works! I'm not talking about "thrashing knuckles" when students don't learn their time tables...but I am talking about a place where a child's homework assignment is to "respect/obey their parents" (yes, that was actually my niece's homework assignment and a VERY needed one!). Again, what happened to make us believe that we had to do something "newer" in order for it to be better?
I was reminded on Saturday evening, that newer is not always better. Michaela and I are still working on this "2 of us" living arrangement. Rebecca has been away at college for a little over a week, hubby is still away with his job. So, we're still adjusting to a different pace in the house both w/regards to division of chores, cooking for 2 again on a daily basis, etc... There are some things we're finding that we are really enjoying...actually some "old school" things. After being away most of the summer...we are enjoying sitting down at the dinner table again every night as a "family", a "family of 2", but still a family nonetheless! We enjoy our time to talk about our day over a meal, planning out our week together, sharing a dinner table bible devotional w/some thoughts about some very important things-things that are eternal. We also purchased a "game" on Saturday...apparently an "old" game that I was just unfamiliar with until last week- Mexican train dominoes. Mic/I LOVE to play games...hubby/other daughter-not as much. This year gives us time to spend "quality time" (which is both of our highest love language) together enjoying a game. While looking for these 12 sided dominoes for the game, I realized just how long it had been since I had been in a "game section" of a store. So many choices...so many "new" games available to purchase/play. I'm sure many of them are fun...but I can tell you that Mic/I absolutely LOVED the old school dominoe game. She wanted to play longer...it got very late and we needed to get into bed for worship the next a.m. We both wished we had skipped the movie we watched earlier that evening and just went straight to the game. Funny how something "old school" like a simple board game (I mean, it's NOT a Wii/PS 3/Etc...) can bring so much enjoyment/quality time. Again, don't misunderstand me-it's not that I am opposed to any of those things. Actually own a Wii...purchased our first one 2 years ago. However, I will tell you that Mic NEVER asks to play the Wii...yet she always wants to play a board game/cards...simple/old school...but oh so much better for her!
Finally, I would like to apply this thought in the most important way-spiritually. Why is it that so many who would call themselves Christian always believe that "newer" is better? Better to have the "newest" curriculm, better to have the bible on your IPhone, better to have the latest hymnal, better to use the latest info available among the "experts" on raising our children, better to do any myriad of things to bring others to Christ. Again, please don't misunderstand me-I am NOT criticizing technology, "change" or trying new things, etc...I am merely saying that we can't buy into the lie that newer is always BETTER...because often that is not true-particularly when it comes to spiritual matters. If we think of God in our terms...He is OLD-I mean He actually has no "age" because He IS age...He has always existed! Something so difficult for our finite minds to comprehend! God's "ways" may seem "old fashioned" to so many in the world today. I mean, how often have you heard someone say that the rod spoken of in Proverbs was "figurative" when it came to disciplining children? Really? If that's the case, then why did God say, "If thou beatest him w/a rod, he shall not die!" Doesn't sound figurative to me! But, of course in our modern age, this is not "pc" and the "experts" tell us it will damage a child's esteem to try to correct him/her in anyway physically. However, each of us need to realize that God said that "the wisdom of men is foolishness w/God"...it is only HIS wisdom that will truly make one wise! God is very a-political (certainly not "pc"), a-educational (certainly not BIG on higher education being the end all of all-Jesus became the son of an earthly carpenter-doesn't sound very HIGH on the totem pole education wise, huh?), etc...God is "simple" and very old school in nature. His message has always been the same-"Love Me with all your heart, mind and soul". No matter the dispensation of time-whether of the Patriarchs, Moses, or the current Christian dispensation...God simply wanted man to understand that He created us...HE knows what's best for us, only HE can save us from eternal condemnation, and that we were created to live for HIM! Such a simple message...nothing new-though we certainly live under a "new covenant", in this case, a BETTER covenant (though it's new)-obedience comes now through being cleansed in the blood of Jesus Christ through baptism. However, the message is not "new"-we obey because we love Him and we choose to serve Him. Just some things to think about when we consider all of the "new" things available to us in this world-ask yourself the question-is new "better" in this case (sometimes it is and new certainly doesn't mean "bad")? Praying that each of us has the wisdom from above to discern whether simple/old school or new is better in helping us with our day to day living and most importantly with our decisions that will affect us eternally.
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