Monday, August 31, 2009

New Venture

My heart is drawn to the daily ups and downs of mothering. After the birth of my first granddaughter, Kate, I watched my daughter, miles away, struggling to get through each day, wishing that Nana was closer, but striving to love and nurture Kate to grow into the young lady that God intended. Each stage of development for our children demands new strategies and knowledge on our part. I can remember saying I was an expert on baby care up to the age she currently was. Don't ask me about tomorrow...or next month...or next year; I haven't been there, yet. Now, as a grandmother, I enjoy sharing my experiences in the hope of helping another mom take one step at a time towards a happy and healthy family. As a result, I volunteered to be a Mentor Mom to moms with preschool children as part of a program called MOPS. I enjoyed the interaction, teaching and support that we shared together and worked with them for six years before our move to AZ. Recently, I was asked to contribute to a new website, www.mamapedia.com. It contains a wealth of information on many subjects for all your mothering needs. Please stop by and check out my article posted at http://www.mamapedia.com/voices on August 31 under the Voices section. It's entitled, "Midnight Musings in the Shadow of Depression." Please let your friends and family know about this new website. I would love to get your feedback, too, as this is a new venture for me.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Tough Week

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)
Some weeks are just tougher than others. This was one filled with both emotional and physical challenges. The memorial service for the husband of one of the employees at our club brought tears as I listened to the grief caused by suicide. A trip to the hospital to change out the battery for Mark's ICD reminded me of the many hours sitting and waiting for the doctor's "all clear." The long awaited appointment for a shot in my hip in an attempt to relieve lingering pain occurred two days later. During these days and nights, the emotional upheaval of it all nagged at my spirit, which seems to happen when life appears out of control. I'm sure Jeremiah wearied of the unending rant of Jerusalem's destruction in those days of the Babylonian exile. God was not happy with those folks and reiterated it repeatedly. I was ready to just skip the chapters in Lamentations but firstborn that I am, I read it because of my commitment to read it all. But, if I had skipped those verses, I would have missed the words of encouragement inserted right in the middle of all the negativity. God had not forgotten His chosen people and He did not forget me this week. He knew about the grief, and fear, and frustration, and fatigue, and anger. He was there each morning with a new set of mercies to meet my needs. It came in the form of a phone call, or an email, crossing paths with a friend at the store, or just the right Bible verse. I don't have to be frustrated when everything appears to be out of control; my hope is in Him who is always faithful.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Possible Debate

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)
The current health care debate got me all riled up today. But, it was on facebook, of all places. I responded to a thread of a friend that lives across the country. No one represented my particular point of view so I jumped into the fray with both feet. When I finally crawled into bed last night, after several back and forth posts, I was still going over in my mind all the various responses that I needed to make. I was hot. I woke up to more postings and, almost before I realized it, I reverted to combat mode. I learned firsthand how these town hall meetings could get out of hand. Finally, I realized that no one was going to change anyone else's mind so I wished them well, closed out facebaok, and moved on to the rest of my day. It reminds me of the old saying, "my mind is made up – don't confuse me with the facts." Yet, the goal is to live at peace with everyone. How hard is that? I think my way is right, as do they. How do we disagree without being disagreeable? One thought is to lower the decibel level. Many responses in the thread were all in capital letters (in computer-speak, that is yelling) by the other side with personal attacks as part of the debate. A few suggestions for a peaceful discussion: Speak in a normal voice. Be polite. Keep your emotions under control. Know the facts. Be aware of your surroundings and who else may be listening. Keep it impersonal. Know when to back off. Remember, the relationship is more important than the issue.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Listen or Not

Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” Ezekiel 3:10-11 (NLT)

It can be slow going reading the Old Testament prophets. The people of Israel and Judah constantly tested God's patience with their stubbornness and downright disobedience. I'm not sure why they thought that wooden idols could help them more than the God that made them, but they did. And, nothing irritated the LORD of all more than His children worshipping anything but the one true God. He sent many messengers, these prophets, to warn them about their upcoming exile to Babylon, the consequence for their sin. Ezekiel was called by God to tell them one more time, but I was struck by His instructions, "Let all my words sink deep into your own heart first." No one is exempt from the tyranny and ravages of the enemy, Satan himself. God's words must permeate every fiber of our being if we are going to be authentic in our speech to motivate change. Otherwise, it will sound like just one more rule and negative prediction, which these people, had already heard and ignored.

But, the part that challenged me, was that Ezekiel was to speak whether they listened or not. When I write a blog post, I have no idea if anyone ever reads it. I may get a comment but more often, I must trust that God will take these words to the person that needs them. Rather than getting discouraged, my job is to be faithful and soak up all that He is telling me. It is His job is to bring the fruit. Are you listening?

Sunday, August 9, 2009

WAIT

While rummaging through my bookshelf trying to make room for one more book, I pulled out a devotional journal and noticed a piece of paper stuck in the back flyleaf. It was a copy of the poem, WAIT, by Russell Kelfer. As I reread the simple words, it reminded me of the many hours I have spent in the waiting rooms of life and the One who was always there with me. Be encouraged.

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate... and the Master so gently said,"Wait." "Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance and you tell me to wait? I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign. Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign. "You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate as my Master replied again, "Wait." So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?" He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine... and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run. "I could give all you seek and pleased you would be. You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me. You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. "You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair; you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the joy of resting in Me when darkness and silence are all you can see. You'd never experience the fullness of love when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "The glow of My comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask From an infinite God who makes what you have last. "You'd never know should your pain quickly flee, what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee. Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, but oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you. So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still...WAIT."

Friday, August 7, 2009

World Events


Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events. Daniel 2:20-21a (NLT)


Aren't you glad
someone is in control? When I turn on the TV or open my email, I'm inundated with reports on health care legislation, supreme court justice nominations, and the latest jobless rate. All I hear is bad news from all over the world with no end in sight. Daniel's life was on the line after an unreasonable demand from his employer. But with wisdom and discretion he asked for some time and deflected punishment for a few days. No one thought there was any way to get out of this mess but rather than wringing his hands, calling his friends to complain, or getting out of Dodge, Daniel prayed and God answered. Today's verse is the first part of his prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Our inclination to worry, be afraid, or get angry just send us down a road of depression, not to the answers we are searching for. Be informed and passionate about issues. But It is only through our trust in the living God and Heavenly Father will peace and contentment reign in our lives during an unsettled time in history. He IS in control and knows the end of the story.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Week of Fun


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Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3 (NLT)


Early morning hugs, golf cart rides to see the "jackbunnies" and javelina, craft day with Miss Jan, back flips into the pool, peanut butter cookie baking lesson, making bead bracelets, delivering neighborhood newspapers, reading the next chapter of Ramona's kindergarten adventure with everyone in jammies on the bed. Yes, it was a full and busy week…but so much fun for all of us. My prayer is that these memories will last for a lifetime in the hearts and minds of my grandgirlies. I'm not sure when we will do this again but all of us look forward to another visit. I knew all had gone well when they announced they didn't want to go home.

My grandparents were so important to me. My mother and I even lived with them for a year when my dad was overseas during the war. As a young girl, I knew that I could count on their unconditional love and acceptance. And my heart still aches for the nana who was taken to heaven, much too soon for her 10-year-old granddaughter. I missed her sharing in the milestones of my life. Now it is my turn and I love being a grandmother. The best part is that you get to love and love and love without all the responsibilities. Yes, thank you, God, for my sweet girlies. They make me smile.