Today is Saturday, July 31, and I have a few minutes to look around and consider what that means. Obviously, it means tomorrow begins the month of August. Do you know what “august” means? Synonyms include, “ brilliant, eminent, exalted, glorious, grand, grandiose, high-minded, high-ranking, highfalutin', honorable, imposing, impressive, lofty, magnificent, majestic, monumental, pompous, regal, stately, superb.
To me, August is the month a new school year starts. At my age, I thought I would be finished with the old “back to school” routine; but, no! For over 50 years, August has found me preparing for school. For 16 years, I was a student; for 14 years, a teacher; for 26 years, a parent; and for the past 12 years, worked with students in a program at our local college (many of these years overlapped).
This year (which might be my last at the office) I am watching in our family, a speech pathologist, an assistant elementary principal, a math teacher/volleyball coach, a 2nd grader, a kindergartener, and a pre-school sophomore go back to school. The adults are the least enthusiastic, but all are getting mentally and physically prepared.
Mid-August will hit with a wallop. Most of the family will scatter into their own daily world in three different schools plus a high school volleyball season plus gymnastics and dance classes. There will be some activity almost every evening; and finding time to eat (let alone prepare) an evening meal will be challenging.
August 1st also marks the first anniversary of our new venture into restaurant management. Are we better prepared for our second year? Not really! It is way harder than it looks and is extremely labor intensive not to mention minimally economically prosperous. Oh, our customers love it, but it takes many, many cups of coffee to pay the bills.
But, most important, mid August brings the first birthday of one of our grandsons. He has had a difficult first year, and I pray that God will grant him many better years in the future including total healing and radiant health like Exodus 23:25 and Deuteronomy 7:15 (which tells that God will take sickness away from our midst).
So, August here we come! If our goals come from the Old and New Testaments, I guess they would be:
1) Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8); and
2) Lead a quiet life, mind your own business, and work with your hands (I Thessalonians 4:11).
♫Many things about tomorrow
I don’t try to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
By Ira Stamphill in 1950
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Not "Just a Little Bit"
Earlier today, I wrote a short article on respect as it pertains to success; and, as I considered that word, several thoughts surfaced. First, it occurred to me that respect goes far beyond a personality trait and is both a learned response and a daily choice for each of us. I wondered why there is such a high value on exhibiting respectful behavior and concluded that respect is the key for life success.
Success has many different facets. What do you consider a successful life? Well, Luke 2:52 describes the perfect one, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” A successful life would include a right relationship with God, good family relationships, good social relationships, a job or career to meet financial responsibilities, and self respect. Respect may be the central ingredient in every one of those facets of success.
I have heard it taught that the word “worship” can be seen as expressing “worth-ship” or acknowledging God’s worth. To have a relationship with God requires recognizing His “worth-ship” and showing respect for that great worth. Respect in the dictionary includes in its definition to obey, follow, heed, and pay attention. Shouldn’t that make us stop and consider how much respect we are indeed showing toward God and His Word?
Exhibiting respectful behavior is key to good family relationships. That can be a most difficult concept for kids to grasp. Often they are childish enough to be completely self-absorbed. I remember at times thinking my teens acted much like 2-year-olds (a time referred to as “the terrible twos”). Adults may display similar issues; however, disrespectful behavior, at any age, is disastrous to smooth family relationships.
Now I must touch on the fact that in human relationships, both respect and disrespect flow both ways. I remember, as a mom of four youngsters, there were a few times when my irritation and frustration level reached a point where I totally lost it. I occasionally forgot that I was the adult and the role model for acceptable behavior. I found the role model stuff to be a fine line to walk, where I established and enforced the house rules, but not in anger or fits of rage. I quickly learned that my anger led to a marked escalation of the problem and never to the behavior I wanted—certainly not to family tranquility.
Respect is also essential in having good social relationships. Again, respect is a two-way street. I remember telling my young daughter when she wanted so much to be friends with a girl who treated her badly, that she did not have a friend/friend relationship but rather that of a master/slave. The master had no respect for the slave, and I saw my daughter, in turn, lose respect for herself. Disrespectful behavior destroys relationships and creates chasms that may never be undone.
In the program I work with, we encourage teens to do well in school and think college so that they can ultimately have jobs to provide a good life for them. As a part of this, we seek to teach that success in the work force will demand respectful attitudes and behavior—to superiors as well as co-workers. A “me first, me only” mentality is guaranteed to sabotage an otherwise effectual work environment, and employers will definitely seek to eliminate such an nuisance. Success in employment absolutely requires respectful behavior.
Finally, it is impossible for a person to be respected by others if their behavior expresses disrespect. “As a man sows, so shall he reap.” The result of living a life without the respect of those around is the ultimate in un-success. I think it falls into a failure to "Love your neighbor as yourself." Those two seem intertwined; if you won’t love others, you can’t love yourself. Paul said in I Thessalonians 4:12 that it was desirable that, “your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. . .”
I remember some years ago Aretha Franklin singing:
♫“R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
A little respect—just a little bit
Whoa, babe—just a little bit
A little respect—just a little bit
I get tired—just a little bit
Keep on tryin'—just a little bit
And I ain't lyin'—just a little bit
(re, re, re, re) 'spect
When you come home (re, re, re, re)
Or you might walk in—just a little bit
And find out I'm gone—just a little bit.
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit).”
Success has many different facets. What do you consider a successful life? Well, Luke 2:52 describes the perfect one, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” A successful life would include a right relationship with God, good family relationships, good social relationships, a job or career to meet financial responsibilities, and self respect. Respect may be the central ingredient in every one of those facets of success.
I have heard it taught that the word “worship” can be seen as expressing “worth-ship” or acknowledging God’s worth. To have a relationship with God requires recognizing His “worth-ship” and showing respect for that great worth. Respect in the dictionary includes in its definition to obey, follow, heed, and pay attention. Shouldn’t that make us stop and consider how much respect we are indeed showing toward God and His Word?
Exhibiting respectful behavior is key to good family relationships. That can be a most difficult concept for kids to grasp. Often they are childish enough to be completely self-absorbed. I remember at times thinking my teens acted much like 2-year-olds (a time referred to as “the terrible twos”). Adults may display similar issues; however, disrespectful behavior, at any age, is disastrous to smooth family relationships.
Now I must touch on the fact that in human relationships, both respect and disrespect flow both ways. I remember, as a mom of four youngsters, there were a few times when my irritation and frustration level reached a point where I totally lost it. I occasionally forgot that I was the adult and the role model for acceptable behavior. I found the role model stuff to be a fine line to walk, where I established and enforced the house rules, but not in anger or fits of rage. I quickly learned that my anger led to a marked escalation of the problem and never to the behavior I wanted—certainly not to family tranquility.
Respect is also essential in having good social relationships. Again, respect is a two-way street. I remember telling my young daughter when she wanted so much to be friends with a girl who treated her badly, that she did not have a friend/friend relationship but rather that of a master/slave. The master had no respect for the slave, and I saw my daughter, in turn, lose respect for herself. Disrespectful behavior destroys relationships and creates chasms that may never be undone.
In the program I work with, we encourage teens to do well in school and think college so that they can ultimately have jobs to provide a good life for them. As a part of this, we seek to teach that success in the work force will demand respectful attitudes and behavior—to superiors as well as co-workers. A “me first, me only” mentality is guaranteed to sabotage an otherwise effectual work environment, and employers will definitely seek to eliminate such an nuisance. Success in employment absolutely requires respectful behavior.
Finally, it is impossible for a person to be respected by others if their behavior expresses disrespect. “As a man sows, so shall he reap.” The result of living a life without the respect of those around is the ultimate in un-success. I think it falls into a failure to "Love your neighbor as yourself." Those two seem intertwined; if you won’t love others, you can’t love yourself. Paul said in I Thessalonians 4:12 that it was desirable that, “your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. . .”
I remember some years ago Aretha Franklin singing:
♫“R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
A little respect—just a little bit
Whoa, babe—just a little bit
A little respect—just a little bit
I get tired—just a little bit
Keep on tryin'—just a little bit
And I ain't lyin'—just a little bit
(re, re, re, re) 'spect
When you come home (re, re, re, re)
Or you might walk in—just a little bit
And find out I'm gone—just a little bit.
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit).”
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Elvis and Abraham
For some reason I found myself today on “youtube” and, as usual when that happens, I was drawn to Elvis videos. I have loved listening to Elvis since before I was a teenager. I first saw him on our snowy-screened black and white television when he was on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956.
One biographer has written that Elvis made a C in 8th grade music class and was told by his teacher that he had no aptitude for singing. I have also read that he wanted to be a gospel singer and auditioned for a group called Songfellows in 1954 but was not regarded as good enough.
Don’t you wonder how many of us have been told that we are not good at something and we, in turn, believed that assessment of ourselves? Have you heard kids being told (often by family members) that they are “stupid” or “good-for-nothing” or “worthless”? That is so sad.
I am reminded that our youngest and his very talented friend applied to be drum majors in the high school marching band but were told they weren’t good enough. I might mention that later our son became a marching band teacher for five years and revolutionized the band he led.
The bible indicates that we should not make hasty or premature judgments. I believe, further, that we should not accept others’ hasty judgment of us to be reality or to be the way God sees us. I have read that Abraham Lincoln was not seen as a capable politician the first few times he ran for office. I hope that we adults as well as kids, too, do not accept destructive criticism as the final word on our abilities but rather follow the leading God gives us.
Lincoln and Elvis both came to tragic endings in their lives, but proved to their critics and to us that they should not have been judged so hastily. Abraham Lincoln is remembered as one of our greatest presidents; and his Gettysburg Address, although largely ignored at the time given, is still memorized by school children.
While Elvis was judged as having “no aptitude for singing,” he was inducted into four hall of fames and may well have been the most famous singer in recent history. I read that through all his success, he retained his love for gospel music and especially southern gospel quartet music.
The last song on Elvis’ “He Touched Me” album in 1972 was “Reach Out to Jesus” by Ralph Carmichael. I wonder if he died singing this song.
Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?
Does the road you travel
harbor dangers yet unknown?
Are you growing weary
in the struggle of it all?
Jesus will help you, when on His name you call.
He is always there hearing every prayer
faithful and true
Walking by our side in His love we hide,
all the day through.
When you get discouraged
just remember what to do,
Reach out to Jesus, He's reaching out to you.
Is the life you're living
filled with sorrow and despair?
Does the future press you
with its worries and its care?
Are you tired and friendless,
Have you almost lost your way?
Jesus will help you,
just call on Him today.
I am reminded of the parable of the talents that we studied in bible school a few weeks ago. We are all given talents. Whether we are given many or few, we receive the same reward if we faithfully use what we have been given (even in the midst of hasty judgments otherwise).
One biographer has written that Elvis made a C in 8th grade music class and was told by his teacher that he had no aptitude for singing. I have also read that he wanted to be a gospel singer and auditioned for a group called Songfellows in 1954 but was not regarded as good enough.
Don’t you wonder how many of us have been told that we are not good at something and we, in turn, believed that assessment of ourselves? Have you heard kids being told (often by family members) that they are “stupid” or “good-for-nothing” or “worthless”? That is so sad.
I am reminded that our youngest and his very talented friend applied to be drum majors in the high school marching band but were told they weren’t good enough. I might mention that later our son became a marching band teacher for five years and revolutionized the band he led.
The bible indicates that we should not make hasty or premature judgments. I believe, further, that we should not accept others’ hasty judgment of us to be reality or to be the way God sees us. I have read that Abraham Lincoln was not seen as a capable politician the first few times he ran for office. I hope that we adults as well as kids, too, do not accept destructive criticism as the final word on our abilities but rather follow the leading God gives us.
Lincoln and Elvis both came to tragic endings in their lives, but proved to their critics and to us that they should not have been judged so hastily. Abraham Lincoln is remembered as one of our greatest presidents; and his Gettysburg Address, although largely ignored at the time given, is still memorized by school children.
While Elvis was judged as having “no aptitude for singing,” he was inducted into four hall of fames and may well have been the most famous singer in recent history. I read that through all his success, he retained his love for gospel music and especially southern gospel quartet music.
The last song on Elvis’ “He Touched Me” album in 1972 was “Reach Out to Jesus” by Ralph Carmichael. I wonder if he died singing this song.
Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?
Does the road you travel
harbor dangers yet unknown?
Are you growing weary
in the struggle of it all?
Jesus will help you, when on His name you call.
He is always there hearing every prayer
faithful and true
Walking by our side in His love we hide,
all the day through.
When you get discouraged
just remember what to do,
Reach out to Jesus, He's reaching out to you.
Is the life you're living
filled with sorrow and despair?
Does the future press you
with its worries and its care?
Are you tired and friendless,
Have you almost lost your way?
Jesus will help you,
just call on Him today.
I am reminded of the parable of the talents that we studied in bible school a few weeks ago. We are all given talents. Whether we are given many or few, we receive the same reward if we faithfully use what we have been given (even in the midst of hasty judgments otherwise).
Friday, July 23, 2010
From a Distance
I find it amazing how quickly following a week off that life picks up right where it was when I left. If I thought in realities, I would know that the world did not stop when I left. Everyone around continued on as if nothing was different. Their lives still spent 24-7 doing what they do.
But, it was so different for me. My life for that week was totally different from my regular one. I stayed up late, slept later, and ate breakfast on the balcony while I listened to the ocean and watched the same girl and guy cart out the 36 beach chairs, dig holes in the sand behind each, and place an open blue umbrella in each hole. From the 12th floor, it was impossible to see facial features, but the girl looked to be really pretty and the guy seemed, well, goofy. I don’t say that to be critical, but from where I say, he did.
His job was to make a hole in the sand with a metal rod, push and pull it back and forth until it sank deeply into the sand. The girl would turn the large umbrella upside down, click it open, turn it over, drop it into the hole he had made, and push sand around the base to hold it securely. It seemed like an efficient method except (and this is my critical part) the guy would not begin to make the next hole until she was completely finished with her umbrella. Instead he would lean on the next beach chair and chat animatedly while she did her job. When she finished, and only then, did he begin to make the next hole for the next umbrella. This went on from the first to the 36th seat--day after day.
The first few days, I just watched, noticing them but also the others strolling on the beach or picking out their spot to spend their day in the sun. By Wednesday, it was bothering me that the young man did not start digging the next hole when he finished one but waited. “Inefficient” I wanted to shout. “You could do this in a lot less time.” As he talked, he waved his hands and arms around gesturing to the pretty young girl whatever he was talking about. He looked goofy! I couldn't watch anyone else.
Looking back on my judgmental attitude, I realize I know nothing about the young man. He may be perfectly sweet and a very hard worker. I would probably like him very much; but “from a distance,” he looked goofy. Do you remember that Bette Midler song from some years back? While I liked the sound of the song, I didn’t like the words very much, and now I know why. I don’t want God watching “from a distance.” I need Him up close and personal. From a distance, things do not appear as they really are. So “I pray, please Lord, don’t watch us from a distance, but walk with us, feel with us, talk with us, and live with us; and, Lord, bless the young man and girl that I will never meet but worked hard in the sun every day.”
“God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance.”
No, I don’t think so.
But, it was so different for me. My life for that week was totally different from my regular one. I stayed up late, slept later, and ate breakfast on the balcony while I listened to the ocean and watched the same girl and guy cart out the 36 beach chairs, dig holes in the sand behind each, and place an open blue umbrella in each hole. From the 12th floor, it was impossible to see facial features, but the girl looked to be really pretty and the guy seemed, well, goofy. I don’t say that to be critical, but from where I say, he did.
His job was to make a hole in the sand with a metal rod, push and pull it back and forth until it sank deeply into the sand. The girl would turn the large umbrella upside down, click it open, turn it over, drop it into the hole he had made, and push sand around the base to hold it securely. It seemed like an efficient method except (and this is my critical part) the guy would not begin to make the next hole until she was completely finished with her umbrella. Instead he would lean on the next beach chair and chat animatedly while she did her job. When she finished, and only then, did he begin to make the next hole for the next umbrella. This went on from the first to the 36th seat--day after day.
The first few days, I just watched, noticing them but also the others strolling on the beach or picking out their spot to spend their day in the sun. By Wednesday, it was bothering me that the young man did not start digging the next hole when he finished one but waited. “Inefficient” I wanted to shout. “You could do this in a lot less time.” As he talked, he waved his hands and arms around gesturing to the pretty young girl whatever he was talking about. He looked goofy! I couldn't watch anyone else.
Looking back on my judgmental attitude, I realize I know nothing about the young man. He may be perfectly sweet and a very hard worker. I would probably like him very much; but “from a distance,” he looked goofy. Do you remember that Bette Midler song from some years back? While I liked the sound of the song, I didn’t like the words very much, and now I know why. I don’t want God watching “from a distance.” I need Him up close and personal. From a distance, things do not appear as they really are. So “I pray, please Lord, don’t watch us from a distance, but walk with us, feel with us, talk with us, and live with us; and, Lord, bless the young man and girl that I will never meet but worked hard in the sun every day.”
“God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance.”
No, I don’t think so.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mountains, Part 2
"On the road again..." I know that’s the way my last blog started, but it still describes our last three days. We have come home over the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina—basically, a three-day trip by car. Beautiful? Absolutely! Enjoyable? Well, …yes! Comfortable? Absolutely not!
There were 5 of us packed tightly in an SUV—three adults plus a 7- and 5-year-old in booster chairs back in the third row seat. Luggage completely filled the area behind them, below their feet, and one side of the middle seat. It was a tight fit for a long journey.
In addition, we so much wanted some fresh peaches grown out there, and purchased a box at a roadside stand (I wish I could have brought 4 times as many). We plan to make and freeze several peach pie fillings. I will NOT be announcing the time and place when they are baked.
My husband drove most of the way, and I know it was not an easy task. There were many semi trucks as well as other heavy traffic on that highway traveling pretty fast for conditions, and it was indeed stressful—beautiful, but stressful.
Sometimes, living here in the flatlands of Illinois, I forget that God created the earth with such great variety. We saw beautiful tree-covered mountains, untold miles of sand beaches, acres of tobacco and cotton, huge luxuriant pastures surrounded by well-kept fences holding magnificent horses, long skinny towns nestled between mountain peaks, little villages and enormous cities, beautiful views of peaceful valleys, and shopping areas crowded beyond belief. I am so aware that God is not boring like I tend to be.
Now, we are home and I find that remembering our week in Myrtle Beach feels almost like a dream. We scurried from one activity to another. Oh, there were calm times in and around the swimming pools, and the fabulous sea breezes continually kept the pool area comfortably cool and even chilly as the thermometer read 90+.
The very best part for a mother/grandmother, however, was the reconnect with the family as a unit. Those adults with us were the little kids we traveled and played with a couple of decades ago. Now, we see them playing as well as fighting the same battles with their little ones. I would never want to “get even,” but it is fun to watch.
I hope we can give God as much pleasure spending time with Him as our kids and grandkids gave spending time with us this past week. I won’t take time to explain, but the theme song for the week may well have been “When the Saints Go Marching In” sung in two-part uh, well not exactly harmony, but rather rhythm.
One of our daughters was not able to go with us, and I guess I know just a bit about how God must feel when even one of His own is absent.
May not one be missing when the time comes for the saints to go marching and when His family will all get together!
♫ “Pom pom pom pom
Pom pom pom pom
Pom pom pom pom pom pom pom pom
Oh I want to be in that number
Pom pom pom pom pom pom pom.”
There were 5 of us packed tightly in an SUV—three adults plus a 7- and 5-year-old in booster chairs back in the third row seat. Luggage completely filled the area behind them, below their feet, and one side of the middle seat. It was a tight fit for a long journey.
In addition, we so much wanted some fresh peaches grown out there, and purchased a box at a roadside stand (I wish I could have brought 4 times as many). We plan to make and freeze several peach pie fillings. I will NOT be announcing the time and place when they are baked.
My husband drove most of the way, and I know it was not an easy task. There were many semi trucks as well as other heavy traffic on that highway traveling pretty fast for conditions, and it was indeed stressful—beautiful, but stressful.
Sometimes, living here in the flatlands of Illinois, I forget that God created the earth with such great variety. We saw beautiful tree-covered mountains, untold miles of sand beaches, acres of tobacco and cotton, huge luxuriant pastures surrounded by well-kept fences holding magnificent horses, long skinny towns nestled between mountain peaks, little villages and enormous cities, beautiful views of peaceful valleys, and shopping areas crowded beyond belief. I am so aware that God is not boring like I tend to be.
Now, we are home and I find that remembering our week in Myrtle Beach feels almost like a dream. We scurried from one activity to another. Oh, there were calm times in and around the swimming pools, and the fabulous sea breezes continually kept the pool area comfortably cool and even chilly as the thermometer read 90+.
The very best part for a mother/grandmother, however, was the reconnect with the family as a unit. Those adults with us were the little kids we traveled and played with a couple of decades ago. Now, we see them playing as well as fighting the same battles with their little ones. I would never want to “get even,” but it is fun to watch.
I hope we can give God as much pleasure spending time with Him as our kids and grandkids gave spending time with us this past week. I won’t take time to explain, but the theme song for the week may well have been “When the Saints Go Marching In” sung in two-part uh, well not exactly harmony, but rather rhythm.
One of our daughters was not able to go with us, and I guess I know just a bit about how God must feel when even one of His own is absent.
May not one be missing when the time comes for the saints to go marching and when His family will all get together!
♫ “Pom pom pom pom
Pom pom pom pom
Pom pom pom pom pom pom pom pom
Oh I want to be in that number
Pom pom pom pom pom pom pom.”
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Mountains
”On the road again, I just can’t wait to get on the road again…” That should have been our theme song for past couple of days. Then, 800 miles later, we arrived at our “relaxing” vacation destination. Although I want heaven to have as many souls there as possible, I hope it is large enough so not to be so terribly crowded. Oh my!
I think most of the country must be vacationing here, too. I can’t help wondering if they came over, through, and around those mountains. Oh, I know the Smokies may not compare in size to the Rockies, but for a girl from the flat farm lands of Illinois, Oh my!
This place is all new to us, and we have so much to see, to try, and to experience. Also, we have such a wide variety of ages to please, that choosing activities is challenging. Then, let’s talk about choosing food establishments. We eat two meals a day in our condo; but, in the evening, we go out to eat. Our two babies take their food with them, but the 4-year-old, 5-year-old, and 7-year old have definite opinions about what they want to put in their mouths. Frequently, they will suggest McDonalds or Burger King.
We say “No! We have a rule in our house—we do not eat at a restaurant that is readily available to us at home or nearby. One granddaughter pointed out that we could now eat at Dairy Queen, since our local one burned and is no longer available. Hmmmmm. No, it still violates the spirit of the law.
Do we do that with God? Do we try to rationalize or find a way around His rules? Do we think more about what we want and then find an excuse why God should let us have our way? It does seem God shows me things about myself by letting me see it demonstrated in those closest to me.
Anyway, we did make it across, through, and over the mountains and the trip felt long, harrowing, and somewhat painful. One of the granddaughters mentioned that her bony bottom was getting sore from riding. I felt the same way, but “bony” didn’t describe my situation. I thought about a song that the Signature Sound Quartet sings that kinda’ described our journey from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Ashville, North Carolina (by Joel Lindsey and Jeff Silvey).
"There are days I get discouraged
in this world of pain and woe.
There are times that I forget
that this is really not my home;
But I try to view the valleys
as just builders of my Faith,
And I set my sights on higher things
and I am not afraid.
I'm climbing up the mountain
but I do not climb alone.
There's a world of fellow travelers
all around to cheer me on.
Step by step I'm more determined
I will make it all the way
I'm climbing up the mountain
and I'll reach the top someday.”
And we did; we made it! Now, about those crowds……
I think most of the country must be vacationing here, too. I can’t help wondering if they came over, through, and around those mountains. Oh, I know the Smokies may not compare in size to the Rockies, but for a girl from the flat farm lands of Illinois, Oh my!
This place is all new to us, and we have so much to see, to try, and to experience. Also, we have such a wide variety of ages to please, that choosing activities is challenging. Then, let’s talk about choosing food establishments. We eat two meals a day in our condo; but, in the evening, we go out to eat. Our two babies take their food with them, but the 4-year-old, 5-year-old, and 7-year old have definite opinions about what they want to put in their mouths. Frequently, they will suggest McDonalds or Burger King.
We say “No! We have a rule in our house—we do not eat at a restaurant that is readily available to us at home or nearby. One granddaughter pointed out that we could now eat at Dairy Queen, since our local one burned and is no longer available. Hmmmmm. No, it still violates the spirit of the law.
Do we do that with God? Do we try to rationalize or find a way around His rules? Do we think more about what we want and then find an excuse why God should let us have our way? It does seem God shows me things about myself by letting me see it demonstrated in those closest to me.
Anyway, we did make it across, through, and over the mountains and the trip felt long, harrowing, and somewhat painful. One of the granddaughters mentioned that her bony bottom was getting sore from riding. I felt the same way, but “bony” didn’t describe my situation. I thought about a song that the Signature Sound Quartet sings that kinda’ described our journey from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Ashville, North Carolina (by Joel Lindsey and Jeff Silvey).
"There are days I get discouraged
in this world of pain and woe.
There are times that I forget
that this is really not my home;
But I try to view the valleys
as just builders of my Faith,
And I set my sights on higher things
and I am not afraid.
I'm climbing up the mountain
but I do not climb alone.
There's a world of fellow travelers
all around to cheer me on.
Step by step I'm more determined
I will make it all the way
I'm climbing up the mountain
and I'll reach the top someday.”
And we did; we made it! Now, about those crowds……
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Start of Somethin’ New
Well, there are just a couple more days until some of our family is going on a “summer vacation.” I have many emotions as we prepare for that.
The dictionary defines “vacation” as: planned time spent not working; R and R, break, breathing space, day of rest, few days off, fiesta, furlough, holiday, intermission, layoff, leave, leave of absence, liberty, long weekend, recess, recreation, respite, rest, sabbatical, spell, time off.
Those, for the most part, sound really good, don’t they? Words like “break” and “breathing space” as well as “liberty” and “rest” are positive words.
That is what I am hoping for, but I actually want more. I would hope it would include catching up with family that we don’t see often, getting to know and be known by a toddler with whom we haven’t spent much time, fun out-of-the-ordinary times, and special activities we can’t enjoy where we live. Those are my hopes.
However, this year presents challenges, at least to me. Many folks love adventure with new scenery, and they plan vacations in different places each year. Me? Not so much. Some folks like the same old same old places and activities with a few new experiences thrown in. That describes me.
For the past 17 years, we have gone to Panama City Beach, Florida for our vacation. We are familiar with the road heading there, the condo we stay in, the beach we play on, the activities we like, and especially the restaurants we look forward to enjoying.
Because of so many unknowns surrounding the oil spill and possible fumes from the Gulf which could affect breathing, this year we decided to head to the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Gulf. After all, we have two babies under a year old, and I’m their grandmother. Enough said!
We will be traveling a new road to a new destination staying in an unknown condo and trying unknown restaurants. Not really comfortable for a “rut person.” However, it is probably good to stretch, reach, and grow in one’s experiences (or so they tell me).
I’ll let you know.
The dictionary defines “vacation” as: planned time spent not working; R and R, break, breathing space, day of rest, few days off, fiesta, furlough, holiday, intermission, layoff, leave, leave of absence, liberty, long weekend, recess, recreation, respite, rest, sabbatical, spell, time off.
Those, for the most part, sound really good, don’t they? Words like “break” and “breathing space” as well as “liberty” and “rest” are positive words.
That is what I am hoping for, but I actually want more. I would hope it would include catching up with family that we don’t see often, getting to know and be known by a toddler with whom we haven’t spent much time, fun out-of-the-ordinary times, and special activities we can’t enjoy where we live. Those are my hopes.
However, this year presents challenges, at least to me. Many folks love adventure with new scenery, and they plan vacations in different places each year. Me? Not so much. Some folks like the same old same old places and activities with a few new experiences thrown in. That describes me.
For the past 17 years, we have gone to Panama City Beach, Florida for our vacation. We are familiar with the road heading there, the condo we stay in, the beach we play on, the activities we like, and especially the restaurants we look forward to enjoying.
Because of so many unknowns surrounding the oil spill and possible fumes from the Gulf which could affect breathing, this year we decided to head to the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Gulf. After all, we have two babies under a year old, and I’m their grandmother. Enough said!
We will be traveling a new road to a new destination staying in an unknown condo and trying unknown restaurants. Not really comfortable for a “rut person.” However, it is probably good to stretch, reach, and grow in one’s experiences (or so they tell me).
I’ll let you know.
♫ Livin' in my own world
Didn't understand
That anything can happen
When you take a chance
I never believed in
What I couldn't see
I never opened my heart
To all the possibilities, oh
I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
And right here tonight
This could be the
Start of somethin' new. ♫
From “High School Musical”
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Dedication
Every now and then holidays fall just right during the week. I think this 4th of July was one of those for our family. Oh, it wasn’t exactly our traditional celebration (2 asked where was the fried chicken?) Our youngest and his family could not be with us, but for a non-traditional holiday, it seemed really good.
Saturday night was our annual carry-in picnic with fireworks at the farm of our dearest friends. This was the 17th year for the cook-out, and around 125 people or more were there—all ages ranging from elderly seniors to infants being passed around by doting baby-lovers.
This farm home is an amazing place. Fifteen years or so ago, Martin and Shirley were sitting at their kitchen table gazing at the pond behind their empty, flat back yard, when Martin mused that they needed a waterfall. Being huge fans of Home and Garden TV, they had seen that done on television. A landscaper was hired to build a small hill and a beautiful waterfall. That was the beginning.
In the years following, areas of landscaped beauty spread. A shady park complete with a large tree house was added; then came a lazy stone-lined creek cascading from the park to a lily pond with a walking bridge over it. Later, a knoll was created with great stone steps leading to a shady area overlooking the lily pond.
Each year at the 4th of July cookout, all would tour the immaculately groomed areas, oohing and ahhing over every new addition. It was always a peaceful time for relaxing and appreciating the array of flowers, plants, and rocks, each chosen and carefully placed with love.
Following the tours and the great food, everyone would settle down in lawn chairs or on blankets to enjoy the fireworks display, also carefully selected and then set off by one of our own (his personal passion).
The gathering this year brought one additional activity, a very bittersweet one. Some months ago, our beloved Martin moved from his beautiful farm to a more beautiful place in heaven. Shirley decided to make the top of the knoll into a small memorial garden for Martin, and this year we held a dedication of it in his memory.
At the short service, we sang “In the Garden” and the words of that old hymn spoke volumes. Several people shared their fond memories of this smiling farmer from small-town America. One neighbor eloquently expressed that no one ever needed to be told that Martin was a Christian. He lived it! Finally, his mother took the microphone to rejoice through a few tears how greatly amazed and blessed she was to learn how her son’s life, even though he had traveled very little, had impacted so many lives.
That said it all. Martin was an Ambassador for Jesus, and the beauty of his life is reflected in us and in that garden.
♫ I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. ♫
Saturday night was our annual carry-in picnic with fireworks at the farm of our dearest friends. This was the 17th year for the cook-out, and around 125 people or more were there—all ages ranging from elderly seniors to infants being passed around by doting baby-lovers.
This farm home is an amazing place. Fifteen years or so ago, Martin and Shirley were sitting at their kitchen table gazing at the pond behind their empty, flat back yard, when Martin mused that they needed a waterfall. Being huge fans of Home and Garden TV, they had seen that done on television. A landscaper was hired to build a small hill and a beautiful waterfall. That was the beginning.
In the years following, areas of landscaped beauty spread. A shady park complete with a large tree house was added; then came a lazy stone-lined creek cascading from the park to a lily pond with a walking bridge over it. Later, a knoll was created with great stone steps leading to a shady area overlooking the lily pond.
Each year at the 4th of July cookout, all would tour the immaculately groomed areas, oohing and ahhing over every new addition. It was always a peaceful time for relaxing and appreciating the array of flowers, plants, and rocks, each chosen and carefully placed with love.
Following the tours and the great food, everyone would settle down in lawn chairs or on blankets to enjoy the fireworks display, also carefully selected and then set off by one of our own (his personal passion).
The gathering this year brought one additional activity, a very bittersweet one. Some months ago, our beloved Martin moved from his beautiful farm to a more beautiful place in heaven. Shirley decided to make the top of the knoll into a small memorial garden for Martin, and this year we held a dedication of it in his memory.
At the short service, we sang “In the Garden” and the words of that old hymn spoke volumes. Several people shared their fond memories of this smiling farmer from small-town America. One neighbor eloquently expressed that no one ever needed to be told that Martin was a Christian. He lived it! Finally, his mother took the microphone to rejoice through a few tears how greatly amazed and blessed she was to learn how her son’s life, even though he had traveled very little, had impacted so many lives.
That said it all. Martin was an Ambassador for Jesus, and the beauty of his life is reflected in us and in that garden.
♫ I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. ♫
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thoughts from a 1 or 2
Vacation Bible School concluded last night. It was a great week with the kids being shown the word of God in a variety of ways. It is certainly our hope that those seeds found fertile soil (not hard, stony, or thorny) and that each will carry some fruit as a result for the rest of their lives.
Kids are funny creatures (as are we all), and it’s hard to predict what each was hearing as the 5 parables were taught. When questioned at the close of each session, some funny answers came out, but also some that indicated understanding.
As I was the “mouth” seeking to present those parables, I realized that my own understanding was not as clear as I assumed. Don’t we all understand the parable of the talents? You know, one servant was given 5 talents, one was given 2, and the third was given 1 talent. Later, each had to give an account for what he had done with what he had been given. The meaning is pretty obvious, right?
Maybe! Maybe not! In preparing to tell the story, I mulled over the diversity of talent distribution. Does it seem fair? Fair in whose opinion? Yours? Mine? Am I the judge of the earth that I should sovereignly decide what “fair” is? Way obvious answer—NO, I’m not (nor do I want to be). Humans have such earthly limitations in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
As I think about it, God demands his sovereignty. We earthlings should understand that? If we create something, we want to make the decisions about it. When I was in a college Art 101 class, we were using modeling clay to express ourselves (I don’t remember about what). My instructor came to my desk, picked up my clay expression, formed it into something quite different, and said, “There, that’s what you want it to look like.” Well, it wasn’t! But I wanted a good grade, so I kept quiet on the outside; however, inside I was storming, “No, it isn’t!” It was my clay and my expression—my decision, not hers! That memory helps me comprehend God’s sovereignty as the potter over his clay.
He knows each of us, our genetics, our capabilities, our past experiences, our interests, and our passions. He then assigns us “talents” to allow us to use those particular abilities. The lesson from the parable of the talents is then to “do all I CAN for the good of the Kingdom with whatever I have been given” and then be willing to stretch a little more to see what I COULD do.
The temptation might well be to follow the path of the 1-talent servant and hide it because of fear, laziness, envy, or apathy and then make the excuse that “It’s God’s fault” for not giving me more. Many are tempted to say, “Someone else who was given more can do the job.”
I know we don’t all have 5 talents, but we have 1 or 2, and we are promised that same wonderful reward for faithfulness in using them. How cool! Even if we have only 1, the reward is the same if we whole-heartedly use it. Consider, if we were all 5's like the Billy Grahams or Michael W. Smiths, who would teach or sing in the local church? We’re in desperate need of 1’s and 2’s. I can’t say for sure, but I’m guessing that heaven will have way more 1’s and 2’s than 5’s.
♫ Whatever you do, whatever you do,
Work at it with all your heart.
Whatever you do, whatever you do,
Work at it with all your heart,
As working for the Lord
And not for man
Work at it with all your heart.
As working for the Lord
Not for man
Work at it with all your heart.
Hear God’s call, big or small
Give your all, get going.
Make a start, do your part
With all your heart, get going! ♫
Jamie Owens Collins
Kids are funny creatures (as are we all), and it’s hard to predict what each was hearing as the 5 parables were taught. When questioned at the close of each session, some funny answers came out, but also some that indicated understanding.
As I was the “mouth” seeking to present those parables, I realized that my own understanding was not as clear as I assumed. Don’t we all understand the parable of the talents? You know, one servant was given 5 talents, one was given 2, and the third was given 1 talent. Later, each had to give an account for what he had done with what he had been given. The meaning is pretty obvious, right?
Maybe! Maybe not! In preparing to tell the story, I mulled over the diversity of talent distribution. Does it seem fair? Fair in whose opinion? Yours? Mine? Am I the judge of the earth that I should sovereignly decide what “fair” is? Way obvious answer—NO, I’m not (nor do I want to be). Humans have such earthly limitations in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
As I think about it, God demands his sovereignty. We earthlings should understand that? If we create something, we want to make the decisions about it. When I was in a college Art 101 class, we were using modeling clay to express ourselves (I don’t remember about what). My instructor came to my desk, picked up my clay expression, formed it into something quite different, and said, “There, that’s what you want it to look like.” Well, it wasn’t! But I wanted a good grade, so I kept quiet on the outside; however, inside I was storming, “No, it isn’t!” It was my clay and my expression—my decision, not hers! That memory helps me comprehend God’s sovereignty as the potter over his clay.
He knows each of us, our genetics, our capabilities, our past experiences, our interests, and our passions. He then assigns us “talents” to allow us to use those particular abilities. The lesson from the parable of the talents is then to “do all I CAN for the good of the Kingdom with whatever I have been given” and then be willing to stretch a little more to see what I COULD do.
The temptation might well be to follow the path of the 1-talent servant and hide it because of fear, laziness, envy, or apathy and then make the excuse that “It’s God’s fault” for not giving me more. Many are tempted to say, “Someone else who was given more can do the job.”
I know we don’t all have 5 talents, but we have 1 or 2, and we are promised that same wonderful reward for faithfulness in using them. How cool! Even if we have only 1, the reward is the same if we whole-heartedly use it. Consider, if we were all 5's like the Billy Grahams or Michael W. Smiths, who would teach or sing in the local church? We’re in desperate need of 1’s and 2’s. I can’t say for sure, but I’m guessing that heaven will have way more 1’s and 2’s than 5’s.
♫ Whatever you do, whatever you do,
Work at it with all your heart.
Whatever you do, whatever you do,
Work at it with all your heart,
As working for the Lord
And not for man
Work at it with all your heart.
As working for the Lord
Not for man
Work at it with all your heart.
Hear God’s call, big or small
Give your all, get going.
Make a start, do your part
With all your heart, get going! ♫
Jamie Owens Collins
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