"Fiscal Cliff"?

The new hype after the elections seems to be the term "Fiscal Cliff".  I for one have not paid much attention to this, but I think it refers to the opinion that if our country keeps spending, then we will be jumping off a "fiscal cliff"...all terminology to scare us into thinking as the people using this term think.

I try not to worry so much about the "big picture"...in my paltry day to day, there is not much I can do to change this.  When we worry too much about finances and put our big emphasis there, it would seem to me that we don't believe that God will take care of us as He care for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.   He encourages us to give to Caesar (government) what taxes they are due.

What would seem to me to be the bigger concern would be our "moral cliffs".  Do I live in a way that I reflect the love of Christ to others.  If I reflect him, how am I doing this?  Is it as an angry rebuke, or a loving concern?  Do I walk the walk continually with justice and concern for those who do not have the blessings I enjoy every day?  Are we so Pharisee like that we strain at a gnat, but swallow a camel?  Do we feel that we much judge everyone in our society and turn them against the gospel by our stern attitudes because we understand everything correctly?  It seems to me that the Pharisees had more moral cliffs than those they looked down on.  Let us learn from their examples to not jump off that cliff.

So for today, I wish you God's peace, compassion, and love for each other!

Appreciation

Today is a hard day...one of our finest is transitioning to see God's Glory.  Those left behind pray and cry out that we do not understand.  Her husband who survives has depended on her for over 20 years in his battle with ALS...we wonder how he will be cared for.

Yesterday one of the precious children at our church did a solo of "Jesus Loves Me"; it was heart wrenching as we took the words to heart...even in the midst of suffering and grasping for answers, we do know that Jesus does indeed love us...he wept when his friend Lazarus had passed this life.  Our prayers were that she would be miraculously healed on this earth...God gave her rest for her weary heart instead.

In her memory, I will be more intentional in letting others know of my love for them; I will reach out with calls and notes as she often did to those who were facing challenges that life throws at them.  I will be more transparent in sharing the side of me that is not always put together...no more pretense...just real.

As the tears flow from heaven, we need to remember that rain also is a cleansing agent...God is ridding us of disbelief and showing us a better brighter tomorrow because that is just how she would want us to see this.

Wishing and Hoping

Seems there was a song in my younger years about wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, but it was about a boyfriend.  I think Dusty Springfield recorded it.

I have been doing a bit of that with a different purpose.  Last week I was praying for Debbie's being led gently home; that was accomplished last Thursday.  I know from God's promises that she is totally healed now with no more pain, tears, or illness.  For that I am thankful.  My heart really aches for her family, two sisters, her father, and two wonderful daughters and their families.  I know the loss they feel since I, too, lost my mom.  It is a loss that comes and grabs you when you least expect it...like when you want to call her and tell her about something that is going on in your life.

This week I have been pondering having our grandson move in with us.  He will be 16 Sunday and is with us until next Tuesday.  Last year was not a good year for him.  He got wrapped up with a gang and tried drinking and a few drugs at their encouragement.  He pocketed some of his younger brother's medicine and gave it to gang members.  He has been doing probation for the last 7 months.  He does not want to get into trouble again, so he wants to be away from all that with us.  I know that if we have him, we will experience a bit of teen rebellion.  His mom does not seem to want this for him.  I could go on about that, but suffice it to say that with us he would have many more opportunities than he currently does...one of those would be connections with a solid youth group at church.  So I have to back away from this and leave it in God's hands.  I wish we could be part of the solution for Christian's metamorphosis.  That is my wishing and hoping for today.

May your wishing and hoping come to reality.

A phone call

Early this morning I saw a post from one of Debbie's children to keep all of them in our prayers.  I knew that Debbie must be taking a turn for her transition.  I messaged her sister and received a short reply that she indeed was worse and that she was sorry but she was very busy.  I began praying that her transition to the next life would be gentle.  I am reminded so often of the song, "Lead Me Gently Home, Father."

A couple of hours later my phone rang.  The caller ID said Deb.  I answered expecting it to be from one of the family members.  Imagine my surprise when I heard her voice.  What a wonderful conversation we shared as she wanted to tell me thank you before it is too late.  We laughed some, we cried.  I told her no one had fought harder than she has, but that it is okay to not keep fighting.  I love her like a sister.  We laughed as I spouted off her birthday date as we had to do so often when we were together for her stem cell transplant.

Debbie has requested that I pray for her arms to stop hurting.  The cancer she has is so painful, multiple myoloma.  I told her that I am also praying for a gentle transition.  It was okay for me to tell her that...she wants to go to sleep and wake up on the other side.

Amidst my tears, I wish my dear friend/sister Godspeed.

Friendships: Silver and Gold

I am reminded of the old addage, "Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver, the other Gold."
This weekend we traveled to Athens, TN where we moved about 26 years ago.  The church we attended, Ohio Avenue Church of Christ, built a new building and moved in June 1987.  We were invited to attend their festivities celebrating 25 years as Athens Church of Christ. 

A lot has changed in that time.  Our children have children of their own.  Laura, Louis, and Elle were able to join us Sunday morning.  It was great being able to share my precious Elle with those who have meant so much.  Many who were so special, the Guthries, the Cates, the Williams, the Dennises, and Granny Sewell have all gone to claim their robes and crowns.  I can imagine they were singing the old songs and eating the barbeque with us in spirit.

Many old friends were there...too many to name.  We enjoyed time with all of them.  Life goes on, but friendships last.  They are stronger than time and distance.  So for a Silver anniversary we were given gifts of gold through friendships renewed.

I wish you golden times and memories!

Reunions

Today I went to my high school sorority, DBS, reunion.  Most of the "sisters" were much younger than I.  I was asked to attend by my friend, Kerry, who was also my "little sister" when she pledged.  Another of our sister/friends, Barbara, went with  us.  Barbara and I lived on the same street and waited for the bus and walked home from the bus together many days.  Both Kerry and Barbara served at my wedding reception.  Through the years we have let life come between us.  Barbara brought her scrapbook and we got to peek at a part of our past.  Kerry brought her DBS composite picture.  We played the game of "Wonder what they are doing now".

It was great to be with old friends.  Time has been gracious to us.  We have all experienced the loss of at least one parent.  I am the only one of the three to have one remaining.  I hope we will make the effort to get together more often.  We went to Nero's after our "brunch" and talked some more.  One of the girls from high school was mentioned and that she seemed afraid to get with some of her old crowd...that she has had a hard time in life.  I stated that we should be well past the time where we have to compare ourselves to others.  Kerry said that was easy for us to say because we were not the one being faced with hardship.

I think I beg to differ.  On some level we have all had hardships to endure.  They are the times that make our character.  If life were always easy we would all be vanilla people.

Today I wish you opportunities to reunite and appreciate the unique spin you have on living.

Word of wisdom

Today after our house was shown, I decided to get out some magazines that I have had for a couple of weeks, but never took the time to savor.  The first one was Real Simple.  I believe that is somewhat of a misnomer because many things they promote would not come "real simply" to me.  I did enjoy one article on creativity.  It encouraged us to play and think outside our proverbial boxes.  One thing that I found worthy, was the studies that have proven that dementia and Alzheimer's are kept at bay by creative thinkers.  Well, I am hoping that my creative juices really start flowing.  One of the tactics mentioned was to get on the floor and type, so that a new perspective could be seen and shared.  Please note that I have not moved my laptop to the floor to write this missal.

I moved next to Southern Living.  One of the best articles this month was sharing "mother's wisdom" from several different writers.  Oh, how it put me in touch with some of my early training.  One of my favorite, was that each day one writer asks her children if they have their manners tucked in their pockets.   You see, manners do tell a lot about us; they tell a lot about our values.  I was always taught that beauty is as beauty does; it is only skin deep.  I believe that Proverbs 31 tells it best as the virtuous woman is described. 

Another lesson shared was that courtesy is owed, respect is earned, and love is given.  What would our world and society look like if that were the norm?  Another that spoke to my heart was this "Good manners will often take you where neither money nor education can."  Here it is again...manners.

I am so proud of my daughter, Laura.  She is teaching her daughter (my granddaughter), Elle, to be polite, use good manners, and respect others.  If Elle never learns much else, those values will carry her far.  It is these simple things that create avenues of opportunities for us as doors open to us because we are gentile people.  We are a people that others want to have around.  It all boils down to living "the Golden Rule"...treating others as we wish they would treat us.

So for tonight, I wish you grace and creative ways to share good manners.