Departures and New Beginnings
Today we put John and Janet on the plane for a new adventure in their lives. Dublin, Madrid, El Camino, Surat Thani, Thailand—Wow!! Three continents in just a few weeks!
We have had such a wonderful time together here in Richmond—visiting with family and friends from afar—Jim and Vickie Phelps from San Antonio and Susan from Liberty. Days spent shopping, packing, chatting, rushing around to get all the last minute things done before it is too late, and, of course, a trip to Belle Island for a quick toe-dip in the beautiful James River, overlooking Hollywood cemetery and downtown Richmond.
How did we pack in so much in such a short time? Life moves along too quickly sometimes, it seems. But then we played games and watched old movies and laughed and cooked favorite foods. Little gifts of time and place and smells to carry our loved ones along on a those days away from the familiar and family—from the heart and on both sides of the world!
Well, off they flew and we will hold the ropes in prayer and thoughts until the day we meet again.
God be with you until we meet again, my dear ones.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Writer's Meditation
To write or not to write?
That is not the question
What to write, what to ponder
Therein lies the thought
Sadness, gladness,
Life, love,
Wins, losses,
Ah, what to write?
That is the question.
Life is one big question
But God promises the
Answer.
Not in the past,
Not in activity,
Not in nature,
Not in another,
Only in Himself—God,
The Almighty,
The All-Sufficient One
God in the morning
God in the afternoon
God when the sun goes down
God living in me
Yet still loving me
Calls me friend
Calls me child
Knows my name and
My deepest thoughts
And, still He
Quietly calls
My name…
Come.
Write the words
I will give you.
Write them well,
They are precious
They are timeless
They are mine
For this generation,
This day,
These people
Write, not my words
But Yours, Lord.
Not my thoughts,
But Yours, Lord.
Not my will,
But Thine, Lord.
In everything,
For You and You alone.
That is not the question
What to write, what to ponder
Therein lies the thought
Sadness, gladness,
Life, love,
Wins, losses,
Ah, what to write?
That is the question.
Life is one big question
But God promises the
Answer.
Not in the past,
Not in activity,
Not in nature,
Not in another,
Only in Himself—God,
The Almighty,
The All-Sufficient One
God in the morning
God in the afternoon
God when the sun goes down
God living in me
Yet still loving me
Calls me friend
Calls me child
Knows my name and
My deepest thoughts
And, still He
Quietly calls
My name…
Come.
Write the words
I will give you.
Write them well,
They are precious
They are timeless
They are mine
For this generation,
This day,
These people
Write, not my words
But Yours, Lord.
Not my thoughts,
But Yours, Lord.
Not my will,
But Thine, Lord.
In everything,
For You and You alone.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thinking about the gift of time
I decided to do something different today. I just got to thinking about time and my thoughts took over so I leave my reflections here. Read them and join me in thinking about time.
Time after time
The time is ripe
Time is of the essence
No time like the present
A stitch in time saves nine
Time is money so spend it wisely
Today started off like so many others. Up early, Bible study, a little bit of prayer, coffee, breakfast, morning newspaper, and a quick word and kiss with my husband. Then, get dressed, take out the trash, and suddenly the day is off with a roar.
But I stopped and thought about time.
Some days it seems like I waste so much time. The task overtakes the time and nothing seems to happen on time.
Time is a gift from God. And, it is a gift that once squandered, cannot be recaptured. It is a fleeting gift and if we do not grab it at the moment, it is gone—forever.
Time is a gift from God Almighty, the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. When I do not use time His way, I am throwing away His gift. Would I ever do that with His gift of grace or of salvation?
So, why do I so often do nothing with His gift of time? Indeed, even more frightening is that this gift of time is limited. I will die and whatever time I used or didn’t use will be a thing of the past. Time is something I can’t pass on to others nor can I save it for a rainy day. There is no account where I can bank it and earn interest or save it for a time I need it more. No, time is present and whatever I do with it I must do it in the present.
So, why am I so intent on wasting so much time? Oh, sure, sometimes I do something that is good but is that the best use of the little bit of time I have from the hand of God? Why am I so sure that I always have plenty of time to do things later? Later is only the present in a different time frame.
Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! the Psalmist declared.
So, I will rejoice in the today that the Lord gives me. Tomorrow will worry about itself so I just need to deal with today.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
God says that my life has a very specific purpose, designed by Him. And, that purpose is to prosper me, give me hope and hand me a future, not to harm me but to bring Him my offering as a life well lived. My life has a purpose. It is not just the whole of my life but the day in and day out, moment by moment parts that fill my days that have a God-ordained purpose.
That is my prayer today, Lord.
Forgive me for the many times I forget that time is a gift. Forgive me for the many times I forget that You have a plan and a purpose for me—for my moments throughout the day. Today, may I be ever more aware of Your purpose and plan. Help me look to You to live every moment today for You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit for the glory of You revealed in my life.
Time after time
The time is ripe
Time is of the essence
No time like the present
A stitch in time saves nine
Time is money so spend it wisely
Today started off like so many others. Up early, Bible study, a little bit of prayer, coffee, breakfast, morning newspaper, and a quick word and kiss with my husband. Then, get dressed, take out the trash, and suddenly the day is off with a roar.
But I stopped and thought about time.
Some days it seems like I waste so much time. The task overtakes the time and nothing seems to happen on time.
Time is a gift from God. And, it is a gift that once squandered, cannot be recaptured. It is a fleeting gift and if we do not grab it at the moment, it is gone—forever.
Time is a gift from God Almighty, the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. When I do not use time His way, I am throwing away His gift. Would I ever do that with His gift of grace or of salvation?
So, why do I so often do nothing with His gift of time? Indeed, even more frightening is that this gift of time is limited. I will die and whatever time I used or didn’t use will be a thing of the past. Time is something I can’t pass on to others nor can I save it for a rainy day. There is no account where I can bank it and earn interest or save it for a time I need it more. No, time is present and whatever I do with it I must do it in the present.
So, why am I so intent on wasting so much time? Oh, sure, sometimes I do something that is good but is that the best use of the little bit of time I have from the hand of God? Why am I so sure that I always have plenty of time to do things later? Later is only the present in a different time frame.
Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! the Psalmist declared.
So, I will rejoice in the today that the Lord gives me. Tomorrow will worry about itself so I just need to deal with today.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
God says that my life has a very specific purpose, designed by Him. And, that purpose is to prosper me, give me hope and hand me a future, not to harm me but to bring Him my offering as a life well lived. My life has a purpose. It is not just the whole of my life but the day in and day out, moment by moment parts that fill my days that have a God-ordained purpose.
That is my prayer today, Lord.
Forgive me for the many times I forget that time is a gift. Forgive me for the many times I forget that You have a plan and a purpose for me—for my moments throughout the day. Today, may I be ever more aware of Your purpose and plan. Help me look to You to live every moment today for You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit for the glory of You revealed in my life.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Love, fire and speeding
Just as this first month of 2009 is ending and the month of love is beginning, I thought it was time to write about our first spring of love between Don and me. Wow! Has it really been 31 years and a little bit more since he asked me to marry him?
All weekend I had known he wanted to ask me but was lacking the courage to actually do so. I had taken him all over Waco to all the romantic spots I could think of--Lake Waco, a couple of city parks, but...nothing happened. Finally Saturday night at my parents' house we were alone, trying to erect their Christmas tree--a little thing bought from my mother's high school students but which did not fit in the tree stand. We were fighting that tree alone but it kept falling over--too skinny and too puny while my parents slept peacefully. Suddenly we smelled something odd and ran into the other room where the Yule Log had rolled out of the fireplace and lit about a dozen little fires in the yellow shag carpet. Don tried to put them out while I ran down to wake my parents. Daddy couldn't see without his glasses but he ran into the den and could see the sparks and hopped around, trying to put them out in his bare feet! In short order, only a dozen or so brown places remained in the rug, but no other damage. After that, of course, we were wide awake! Finally, my parents went back to bed just as my best friend called and came over, the first reunion since college graduation the year before. We all talked for hours before she left in the early hours of the morning when I started telling Don all the reasons I could not get married. Naturally, he was thoroughly discouraged about any wedding plans. Don and I went to bed--separately, of course!
The next day, after church, he and I were driving home on I-35W somewhere outside of Itasca, TX going 70 mph and holding hands. Suddenly his hand got all sweaty and we started going faster and faster as he shot out at about 75 mph, "Wouldyou marryme!?" Incredulous, I said, "What?" like I didn't really know what he had said. We never stopped or slowed down. He repeated it, slower, never taking his eyes off the road, like the good driver he is, "Would you marry me? I love you." And, I said "Yeeesss!" slowly and with a definite happy lilt in my voice. That has been decades ago when multitasking was not even a word.
The Virginia legislature is discussing enacting a law to make it illegal to talk on cell phones while driving. This story from three decades ago proves that there have always been lots of distractions on the highway!
All weekend I had known he wanted to ask me but was lacking the courage to actually do so. I had taken him all over Waco to all the romantic spots I could think of--Lake Waco, a couple of city parks, but...nothing happened. Finally Saturday night at my parents' house we were alone, trying to erect their Christmas tree--a little thing bought from my mother's high school students but which did not fit in the tree stand. We were fighting that tree alone but it kept falling over--too skinny and too puny while my parents slept peacefully. Suddenly we smelled something odd and ran into the other room where the Yule Log had rolled out of the fireplace and lit about a dozen little fires in the yellow shag carpet. Don tried to put them out while I ran down to wake my parents. Daddy couldn't see without his glasses but he ran into the den and could see the sparks and hopped around, trying to put them out in his bare feet! In short order, only a dozen or so brown places remained in the rug, but no other damage. After that, of course, we were wide awake! Finally, my parents went back to bed just as my best friend called and came over, the first reunion since college graduation the year before. We all talked for hours before she left in the early hours of the morning when I started telling Don all the reasons I could not get married. Naturally, he was thoroughly discouraged about any wedding plans. Don and I went to bed--separately, of course!
The next day, after church, he and I were driving home on I-35W somewhere outside of Itasca, TX going 70 mph and holding hands. Suddenly his hand got all sweaty and we started going faster and faster as he shot out at about 75 mph, "Wouldyou marryme!?" Incredulous, I said, "What?" like I didn't really know what he had said. We never stopped or slowed down. He repeated it, slower, never taking his eyes off the road, like the good driver he is, "Would you marry me? I love you." And, I said "Yeeesss!" slowly and with a definite happy lilt in my voice. That has been decades ago when multitasking was not even a word.
The Virginia legislature is discussing enacting a law to make it illegal to talk on cell phones while driving. This story from three decades ago proves that there have always been lots of distractions on the highway!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Passing of a Friend
Today Nancy died and I lost a friend who called me her soul sister. A person she had been seeking for years to have—one who thought like her--so she said. And, now, Nancy has gone on to heaven at a very young age. How happy her life must be now that the pain is gone, the fight is over, and she is dancing with joy in the presence of her Lord, Savior and Best Friend! We will miss her and those hopeful talks about the movie and what direction we might go. It was a dream and fun and a magical time of adults believing like children on the great ocean of possibilities that we could take that plunge and not drown and swim, skimming over the water with dolphins.
And, what can I say? It started off like any other winter day with lists are made and plans set and chores started. And, then, suddenly, it was like no other day. A friend, too young, passed from this life to the next—the long and eternal one that really matters. Why do these days here and now seem so important and so permanent even though they really amount to nothing—dust in the hands, blown away in the wind.
Good-bye, dear friend. Save me a place at the banquet table!
And, what can I say? It started off like any other winter day with lists are made and plans set and chores started. And, then, suddenly, it was like no other day. A friend, too young, passed from this life to the next—the long and eternal one that really matters. Why do these days here and now seem so important and so permanent even though they really amount to nothing—dust in the hands, blown away in the wind.
Good-bye, dear friend. Save me a place at the banquet table!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Wow! It is 2009 already! The weather is startlingly cold but the sun is beautifully shining and teasing us from the inside that it is warm outside! But, no, it is a tease and it is cold indeed!
I was thinking about just how to start off this new year. It is like a blank page, an unused whiteboard, a not-yet-lived-in house that is waiting for the first ring of laughter or tear of sadness or secret shared between friends. So, how to start the year.
First, I am so thankful for a new year. I look forward to seeing just what this year holds for me, for my family, for my country, for my world. Like the old hymn says, I do not know what the future holds, but I know (and trust) the One who holds the future! So, I pray I will live each day, trusting God more and more--in everything!
Second, I am excited about this new year. Some years are full of trouble from the start and some are full of trouble when you look back, but this year, I am thrilled about the possibilities. This new adventure of writing people's stories is so much plain ol' fun and combines my love of people, fascination with their stories, and love of writing, just getting words down on paper and making sense of our world. We shall see where it leads. God is good, all the time and I am trusting Him in this adventure.
And, finally, I am so thankful for my family--they are truly a gift from God. What am amazing Father to give us people with whom to connect in a daily way, investing time and energy and basking in their love! Indeed, the family is a picture of God's love expresses in the lives of people--forgiveness and restoration, again and again.
Well, those are some thoughts for the new year. Welcome, 2009. You hold much promise!
I was thinking about just how to start off this new year. It is like a blank page, an unused whiteboard, a not-yet-lived-in house that is waiting for the first ring of laughter or tear of sadness or secret shared between friends. So, how to start the year.
First, I am so thankful for a new year. I look forward to seeing just what this year holds for me, for my family, for my country, for my world. Like the old hymn says, I do not know what the future holds, but I know (and trust) the One who holds the future! So, I pray I will live each day, trusting God more and more--in everything!
Second, I am excited about this new year. Some years are full of trouble from the start and some are full of trouble when you look back, but this year, I am thrilled about the possibilities. This new adventure of writing people's stories is so much plain ol' fun and combines my love of people, fascination with their stories, and love of writing, just getting words down on paper and making sense of our world. We shall see where it leads. God is good, all the time and I am trusting Him in this adventure.
And, finally, I am so thankful for my family--they are truly a gift from God. What am amazing Father to give us people with whom to connect in a daily way, investing time and energy and basking in their love! Indeed, the family is a picture of God's love expresses in the lives of people--forgiveness and restoration, again and again.
Well, those are some thoughts for the new year. Welcome, 2009. You hold much promise!
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