"Look, Maddie," I said to my 4-year-old granddaughter. "Bring me your flower and I'll show you something. She had found a vinca blossom beside the plant and had been floating it in their wading pool. I was watching them play outside while our son went to an engagement.
"He loves me, he loves me not," I said as I plucked each tiny petal from the flower. One after the other came off, as she watched, fascinated. Then, only one was left: "He loves me!" I exclaimed, as she giggled in surprise and delight.
They had loved donning their swim suits (well, Maddie said, "Look, Mimi! Swim shorts!") and filling the pool from the hose. After splashing and pouring water on the flowers and each other for awhile, they looked around for something else to do. 6-year-old Anne-Marie took her bike from the garage, and I spied some sidewalk chalk in a clear plastic box stored from their recent move.
"Do you want me to make you a hop-scotch?" I asked after she had made a few swooping loops on the bike.
"No, I can make it," she said confidently. Soon she had painstakingly constructed the game diagram, complete with a number on each square. Then she tossed a fallen leaf from a live-oak tree onto a square for a marker, but the wind blew it away.
"Here, take this pebble," I said, handing her a smooth, shiny stone from the driveway edge. She jumped expertly for several minutes, balancing to bend and pick up the stone when she came to it, while Maddie studied her intently. Then it was Maddie's turn, which started out endearingly awkward then became surprisingly skilled by the time she lost interest.
A green lizard came into the shadow of the porch where I was sitting, halting long enough for me to call the children. "Where? Where?" they cried until they spotted it scurrying into the shrubbery. Its brown colors turned greenish against a plant stem, and I said it must be a chameleon. "Yes, yes, it's a chameleon!" Anne-Marie concluded.
Their grandfather came out to watch them while I went inside to cool off, and before long they were in changing back into their play clothes and hunting a snack. Quieter activities followed with their ipad and electronic toys, then giving way to "making a craft for mommy" with crayons and art paper.
I love the gentle play of girls. They are a pleasure to watch as I feast my eyes on them, storing up memories of their dear little faces for when we will have to go home all too soon, and finding them changed, if ever so slightly, when we see them again.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Journey
"What time do you think we'll get to Austin?" I inquired of the passenger across the aisle. I'd just overheard a conversation between her and the talkative traveler in front of me as he wondered about his arrival time farther on. She gave me an estimate, and as the man rambled on, I heard him mention the name of a town that sounded familiar.
"My husband knew someone from there," I ventured to the back of the seat. The older gentleman picked up on my conversational tidbit like a trout grabbing a lure, and he was off. Just then Howard came back from getting us something from the train's snack bar and I nudged him toward the conversation. After a few tentative remarks, they were conversing like old friends.
In the curious way strangers have of sharing details of their lives, it came out that the other man was a retired pastor, and from there they had much in common, not the least of which was gospel music and favorite singers. Finally, Howard could stand it no longer and said as he stood up, "Do you mind if I sit with you?" I settled contentedly back in my seat to the satisfactory murmur of two preachers with their heads together.
Earlier, searching for seats in the crowded cars, we found an arrangement of three seats facing the windows in the observation car. "Are these taken?" we asked of a woman sitting in one of them, who immediately moved over and invited us to sit down. A lovely conversation sprouted as we learned she was visiting from California.
"I miss my grandchildren," she said wistfully, to which I exclaimed, "That's why we're here, too!" Turns out she had six children, three of whom had moved to Texas. Although she was Mormon, we had much in common, and her eyes lit up as I shared how God had provided for our family after Howard went into the ministry in mid-life. "What blessings!" she marvelled.
At a restaurant yesterday, Howard and our son (like father-like son) kept up such a lively repartee with our waitress that I thought we would never get our food! The jovial black woman had roots in the south and unabashedly boasted of her cooking skills. "My northern friends almost kill themselves on my red beans and rice!" she declared.
"Did you ever hear of Picayune, Mississippi?" my husband asked about the town where we'd raised our family. Her eyes grew wide, as she blurted, "Picayune? I know exactly where that is!" When a reference was made by our son to something in Disney World, our knowledgeable hostess recalled it, gesturing with her forearm the exact directions to it.
Not only have we been feasting at all the novel eating places our kids have taken us, but we are also having a feast of commonality with those we meet along the way!
"My husband knew someone from there," I ventured to the back of the seat. The older gentleman picked up on my conversational tidbit like a trout grabbing a lure, and he was off. Just then Howard came back from getting us something from the train's snack bar and I nudged him toward the conversation. After a few tentative remarks, they were conversing like old friends.
In the curious way strangers have of sharing details of their lives, it came out that the other man was a retired pastor, and from there they had much in common, not the least of which was gospel music and favorite singers. Finally, Howard could stand it no longer and said as he stood up, "Do you mind if I sit with you?" I settled contentedly back in my seat to the satisfactory murmur of two preachers with their heads together.
Earlier, searching for seats in the crowded cars, we found an arrangement of three seats facing the windows in the observation car. "Are these taken?" we asked of a woman sitting in one of them, who immediately moved over and invited us to sit down. A lovely conversation sprouted as we learned she was visiting from California.
"I miss my grandchildren," she said wistfully, to which I exclaimed, "That's why we're here, too!" Turns out she had six children, three of whom had moved to Texas. Although she was Mormon, we had much in common, and her eyes lit up as I shared how God had provided for our family after Howard went into the ministry in mid-life. "What blessings!" she marvelled.
At a restaurant yesterday, Howard and our son (like father-like son) kept up such a lively repartee with our waitress that I thought we would never get our food! The jovial black woman had roots in the south and unabashedly boasted of her cooking skills. "My northern friends almost kill themselves on my red beans and rice!" she declared.
"Did you ever hear of Picayune, Mississippi?" my husband asked about the town where we'd raised our family. Her eyes grew wide, as she blurted, "Picayune? I know exactly where that is!" When a reference was made by our son to something in Disney World, our knowledgeable hostess recalled it, gesturing with her forearm the exact directions to it.
Not only have we been feasting at all the novel eating places our kids have taken us, but we are also having a feast of commonality with those we meet along the way!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Taken for Granted
"Do you have any dessert?" Howard asked me after supper last night. I at first said no, then I remembered a ripe peach we had in the crisper. I told him I could make a peach shortcake if he wanted, remembering some baking mix I had in the kitchen. He liked the idea, and soon I was mixing a couple of shortcake biscuits.
In the middle of that, the phone rang, and I carried on a long conversation with my daughter-in-law whom I hadn't seen in several days. Getting back to the kitchen, I was distractedly following along with the shortcake recipe on the box, when I realized I had followed the directions for pancakes! I knew I had never put egg in shortcake before!
Earlier that day I had remarked to the stylist while getting my nails done, "Well, school starts this week!" She and the girl next to her looked puzzled, finally convincing me it is next week. "I should keep current on these things, since I will be keeping my granddaughters after school," I laughed. My wrong assumptions made me think of something that happened at church Sunday.
To back up, a couple of years ago when our pastors were absent for an extended period during their recuperation from an automobile accident, one of the ladies made personalized chair-back covers for their customary seats. The pastor's was marked in large, embroidered letters, "Reserved for Mr. Gibson." I puzzled over that until someone explained he was nicknamed that for his fondness of his Gibson guitar. The seat where his wife always sat had a cover that read, "Reserved for Sister Clara." Sadly, we lost our dear pastor's wife nearly 6 months ago, but the seat cover is still there.
"Why are you sitting back there?" I smiled to a friend behind me who usually sat next to the reserved chair on our row. Her daughter was with her and she answered, "She didn't want to sit in Clara's chair." A newcomer next to me overheard and looked puzzled, and I saw her whispering to the lady next to her.
Realizing her confusion, I later explained about the reserved chairs. "I wondered!" she said, "I heard no one wanted to sit in Clara's chair, then I saw where the pastor was sitting, and thought, well, he's sitting in Mr. Gibson's chair!" The situation provided a bit of comic relief in a poignant moment but made me realize we shouldn't assume strangers would understand the gesture!
Even Jesus's parents made a wrong assumption once that cost them three days of anxiety. They had each assumed that their 12-year-old was in the group that was returning home after the Feast of Passover. Some say that since Jesus had technically reached manhood by the beginning of his 13th year, Mary probably thought he was with his father. Joseph, on the other hand, may have assumed their young boy was still with his mother.
Nevertheless, it turned out to be a teachable moment for the couple when Jesus was found "about his Father's business." We can learn a lesson, too, by not taking it for granted that everyone we meet knows about Jesus. We may assume a person is saved and fail to present the gospel to them. We,too, should be about our Father's business. There is no mistake about that!
In the middle of that, the phone rang, and I carried on a long conversation with my daughter-in-law whom I hadn't seen in several days. Getting back to the kitchen, I was distractedly following along with the shortcake recipe on the box, when I realized I had followed the directions for pancakes! I knew I had never put egg in shortcake before!
Earlier that day I had remarked to the stylist while getting my nails done, "Well, school starts this week!" She and the girl next to her looked puzzled, finally convincing me it is next week. "I should keep current on these things, since I will be keeping my granddaughters after school," I laughed. My wrong assumptions made me think of something that happened at church Sunday.
To back up, a couple of years ago when our pastors were absent for an extended period during their recuperation from an automobile accident, one of the ladies made personalized chair-back covers for their customary seats. The pastor's was marked in large, embroidered letters, "Reserved for Mr. Gibson." I puzzled over that until someone explained he was nicknamed that for his fondness of his Gibson guitar. The seat where his wife always sat had a cover that read, "Reserved for Sister Clara." Sadly, we lost our dear pastor's wife nearly 6 months ago, but the seat cover is still there.
"Why are you sitting back there?" I smiled to a friend behind me who usually sat next to the reserved chair on our row. Her daughter was with her and she answered, "She didn't want to sit in Clara's chair." A newcomer next to me overheard and looked puzzled, and I saw her whispering to the lady next to her.
Realizing her confusion, I later explained about the reserved chairs. "I wondered!" she said, "I heard no one wanted to sit in Clara's chair, then I saw where the pastor was sitting, and thought, well, he's sitting in Mr. Gibson's chair!" The situation provided a bit of comic relief in a poignant moment but made me realize we shouldn't assume strangers would understand the gesture!
Even Jesus's parents made a wrong assumption once that cost them three days of anxiety. They had each assumed that their 12-year-old was in the group that was returning home after the Feast of Passover. Some say that since Jesus had technically reached manhood by the beginning of his 13th year, Mary probably thought he was with his father. Joseph, on the other hand, may have assumed their young boy was still with his mother.
Nevertheless, it turned out to be a teachable moment for the couple when Jesus was found "about his Father's business." We can learn a lesson, too, by not taking it for granted that everyone we meet knows about Jesus. We may assume a person is saved and fail to present the gospel to them. We,too, should be about our Father's business. There is no mistake about that!
Monday, August 5, 2013
On the Menu
With blueberries so plentiful lately, I decided I would make a blueberry cobbler. I had also picked up a pack of frozen blueberries, which I thought I would use and save the fresh ones for our morning oatmeal. After I had opened the package, I noticed the serving suggestions and ideas on the back, and was surprised to find an italicized quote below them.
It was from Isaiah 40:31 and read, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Wow! I knew blueberries were considered a super food, but I had never associated them with that verse! They are full of antioxidants, which prevent cell deterioration from oxidation and are believed to fight or prevent many diseases, including cancer. It is remarkable that so many so-called super foods are beautiful to look at, brightly colored and taste delicious. God's forethought to insure we would eat them!
The Bible says in Psalm 103:5 that God satisfies our mouth with good things, so that our youth is renewed like an eagle's! And what tastes better than blueberry cobbler? I'll admit I had more than my share of it! There are other benefits from the Lord listed in this Psalm: Forgiveness of sin; healing; safety; lovingkindness and tender mercies; and defense of the oppressed, to name a few.
He doesn't provide these benefits just occasionally or once in a while. Psalm 68:19 reminds us, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." Daily!
It is apparent to me that the real Superfood is the Word of God! When we feast on scriptures like these and others throughout the Bible, we get the spiritual nutrients we need to become healthy Christians! Like an antioxidant, the Word of God strengthens our defense system and wards off the cancer of sin and Satan's attacks.
Psalm 119:30 says, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." Brain food! Enlightenment! No, we don't put it in our mouth; it comes through the eye gate: We have to read it! And it's berry good!
It was from Isaiah 40:31 and read, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Wow! I knew blueberries were considered a super food, but I had never associated them with that verse! They are full of antioxidants, which prevent cell deterioration from oxidation and are believed to fight or prevent many diseases, including cancer. It is remarkable that so many so-called super foods are beautiful to look at, brightly colored and taste delicious. God's forethought to insure we would eat them!
The Bible says in Psalm 103:5 that God satisfies our mouth with good things, so that our youth is renewed like an eagle's! And what tastes better than blueberry cobbler? I'll admit I had more than my share of it! There are other benefits from the Lord listed in this Psalm: Forgiveness of sin; healing; safety; lovingkindness and tender mercies; and defense of the oppressed, to name a few.
He doesn't provide these benefits just occasionally or once in a while. Psalm 68:19 reminds us, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." Daily!
It is apparent to me that the real Superfood is the Word of God! When we feast on scriptures like these and others throughout the Bible, we get the spiritual nutrients we need to become healthy Christians! Like an antioxidant, the Word of God strengthens our defense system and wards off the cancer of sin and Satan's attacks.
Psalm 119:30 says, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." Brain food! Enlightenment! No, we don't put it in our mouth; it comes through the eye gate: We have to read it! And it's berry good!
Sustenance
Meals take funny turns sometimes. Thursday I decided to make hamburger stew for supper, but just before supper time, my husband returned a call we noticed, and a friend invited him to a singing event at a cowboy church, which included food. The stew turned out wonderful, and I had a bowl by myself. I had planned to make cornbread, but I found a lone square in the freezer, which was plenty for me.
I figured we would eat the stew the next day, but it was Friday, the day our favorite diner served beans and cornbread, which sounded good after shopping. Well, we would eat the stew for supper, I reasoned.
I was getting ready to warm it up while Howard relaxed on the screened porch, when he came in carrying a foil-wrapped parcel. "Look what our neighbor brought over!" he said, "He was grilling and gave this to us!" It was a small slab of brisket! We dived right in and had an incredible sandwich with some baked beans from a can in the cupboard.
It wasn't until Saturday evening that we enjoyed the stew, accompanied by a pan of cornbread and topped off with fresh blueberry pie and ice cream. Everything was so good we almost ate ourselves sick! Sunday morning I put a roast in for after church, and Howard said it was the best he'd ever tasted! He still had room for an encore of blueberry pie, though!
What a stirring service we had at church! Our pastor preached on "Wake Up, America!" and the altars were full afterwards as our hearts broke for our country and earnest prayers of petitions and supplication went up to the Lord.
Last night we had a message on faith and answered prayer, interspersed by the pastor's testimony on coming to Christ at age 12 and the conversion of his family. We laughed till we cried over the hilarious scenarios he depicted of his determination to get to church with the ulterior motive of the promise of getting to hold the pastor's guitar!
He still loves the guitar, and we loved the rest of the blueberry cobbler when we got home, a sweet ending to a day of feasting on the Lord's goodness!
I figured we would eat the stew the next day, but it was Friday, the day our favorite diner served beans and cornbread, which sounded good after shopping. Well, we would eat the stew for supper, I reasoned.
I was getting ready to warm it up while Howard relaxed on the screened porch, when he came in carrying a foil-wrapped parcel. "Look what our neighbor brought over!" he said, "He was grilling and gave this to us!" It was a small slab of brisket! We dived right in and had an incredible sandwich with some baked beans from a can in the cupboard.
It wasn't until Saturday evening that we enjoyed the stew, accompanied by a pan of cornbread and topped off with fresh blueberry pie and ice cream. Everything was so good we almost ate ourselves sick! Sunday morning I put a roast in for after church, and Howard said it was the best he'd ever tasted! He still had room for an encore of blueberry pie, though!
What a stirring service we had at church! Our pastor preached on "Wake Up, America!" and the altars were full afterwards as our hearts broke for our country and earnest prayers of petitions and supplication went up to the Lord.
Last night we had a message on faith and answered prayer, interspersed by the pastor's testimony on coming to Christ at age 12 and the conversion of his family. We laughed till we cried over the hilarious scenarios he depicted of his determination to get to church with the ulterior motive of the promise of getting to hold the pastor's guitar!
He still loves the guitar, and we loved the rest of the blueberry cobbler when we got home, a sweet ending to a day of feasting on the Lord's goodness!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Heartthoughts: The Voice of Approval
"Most men don't like their mother-in-law, but I had the best mother-in-law in the world," a visitor, the former pastor of a member, said when asked to share a few words at church this morning. He elaborated by saying he knew nothing about God until he married into that family, and his mother-in-law led him to the Lord, then became his spiritual mentor.
It reminded me of how much my husband loved my mother, even though at church one day after she had visited for a couple of weeks he said from the pulpit, "My mother-in-law just went home, and I'm so happy!" It only came out wrong, because he meant to say how happy he was that she had come, but that didn't stop the titter of laughter!
What they had in common (besides me) was their love for the Lord! When we visited them, breakfast went on forever as her well-worn Bible invariably came out and they preached to each other, joyfully sharing truths and discoveries from God's Word. I'm afraid I was always wanting to get to the family news, hearing them talk and getting a word in edgewise sometimes.
Another visitor who has been at church a couple of times (although many knew her from when she previously attended there) is obviously very spiritual and dedicated to God. "She reminds me of Mama," I whispered to Howard during service the other night when her praises kept bubbling over in weeping and prayer during her testimony to God's goodness.
"Me, too," he nodded. Talking about it on the way home, we agreed it was not just her red hair and stooped posture like my dear mother as she grew older, but it was for the same tenderness and sensitivity to His Spirit.
Howard had given a prayer request this morning concerning the need for revival in our churches. As we were leaving, this same lady stopped him and said, "I just want to tell you, that you have a very professional voice. You need to use it professionally!" I told her that he is a preacher and has done radio in the past. She agreed with me that he needs to do that even more!
We have been praying for God to open an avenue of ministry for my husband. Maybe this word of wisdom from a stranger is the nudge he needs to actively seek out an opportunity! After all, how can he resist a message from a saintly look-alike of my mother?
It reminded me of how much my husband loved my mother, even though at church one day after she had visited for a couple of weeks he said from the pulpit, "My mother-in-law just went home, and I'm so happy!" It only came out wrong, because he meant to say how happy he was that she had come, but that didn't stop the titter of laughter!
What they had in common (besides me) was their love for the Lord! When we visited them, breakfast went on forever as her well-worn Bible invariably came out and they preached to each other, joyfully sharing truths and discoveries from God's Word. I'm afraid I was always wanting to get to the family news, hearing them talk and getting a word in edgewise sometimes.
Another visitor who has been at church a couple of times (although many knew her from when she previously attended there) is obviously very spiritual and dedicated to God. "She reminds me of Mama," I whispered to Howard during service the other night when her praises kept bubbling over in weeping and prayer during her testimony to God's goodness.
"Me, too," he nodded. Talking about it on the way home, we agreed it was not just her red hair and stooped posture like my dear mother as she grew older, but it was for the same tenderness and sensitivity to His Spirit.
Howard had given a prayer request this morning concerning the need for revival in our churches. As we were leaving, this same lady stopped him and said, "I just want to tell you, that you have a very professional voice. You need to use it professionally!" I told her that he is a preacher and has done radio in the past. She agreed with me that he needs to do that even more!
We have been praying for God to open an avenue of ministry for my husband. Maybe this word of wisdom from a stranger is the nudge he needs to actively seek out an opportunity! After all, how can he resist a message from a saintly look-alike of my mother?
Friday, August 2, 2013
Snapshots
"It's a good thing we're not on Candid Camera," my husband quipped. We were having lunch at Olive Garden, and I did not like the soup I had ordered, so he traded with me. He did not like my soup either, so after a few bites, I pushed his bowl across the table to him. The waiter came by asking if we needed anything, and I explained about the soup.
"I don't like that kind, either," he admitted. "My favorite is the chicken soup. Would you like me to bring you a sample?" I agreed, but that didn't taste great, either, so I gave it to Howard in return for the rest of his potato soup. It was spicy, but at least I could taste it. He loved the sample and said he was going to order it next time.
We had come to Stillwater to shop for some room-darkening panels for our bedroom windows, since the early-morning light wakes us too early, and a neighbor's yard light keeps us awake at night. I had looked at several with the packages showing one panel 40" x 84" for a high price. Suddenly I saw one containing two panels with 80" x 84" on the package for less money. What a bargain! (It wasn't until later I realized it meant that was the size for both panels combined!)
We had recently returned to our room after sleeping in the guest room because I like that mattress better, but after seeing my spouse's feet extending through the spindles of the footboard, I thought better of it. The purchase of a memory foam pad for our bed solved the problem, except for the intrusive light, which we managed to fix with the panels.
Just as we got ready for bed last night, a pesky fly flew into the room, the same one that had been eluding me in the kitchen, I think. "Would you get the fly swatter?" I asked my husband. "It's on the back of the kitchen door." He was gone for awhile, then came in the room carrying a flashlight.
"You couldn't find it?" I said, to which he replied, "Yes, but it wasn't hanging on the door!" He had thought I said, "flashlight!" Candid Camera, here we come!
Life, especially marriage, is full of mistakes, misunderstandings and imperfections, but the Bible tells us in I Peter 3:8, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
This follows the injunction to husbands and wives at the beginning of the chapter, ending with the charge in verse 7, "Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." Now that's the photo you want to keep!
"I don't like that kind, either," he admitted. "My favorite is the chicken soup. Would you like me to bring you a sample?" I agreed, but that didn't taste great, either, so I gave it to Howard in return for the rest of his potato soup. It was spicy, but at least I could taste it. He loved the sample and said he was going to order it next time.
We had come to Stillwater to shop for some room-darkening panels for our bedroom windows, since the early-morning light wakes us too early, and a neighbor's yard light keeps us awake at night. I had looked at several with the packages showing one panel 40" x 84" for a high price. Suddenly I saw one containing two panels with 80" x 84" on the package for less money. What a bargain! (It wasn't until later I realized it meant that was the size for both panels combined!)
We had recently returned to our room after sleeping in the guest room because I like that mattress better, but after seeing my spouse's feet extending through the spindles of the footboard, I thought better of it. The purchase of a memory foam pad for our bed solved the problem, except for the intrusive light, which we managed to fix with the panels.
Just as we got ready for bed last night, a pesky fly flew into the room, the same one that had been eluding me in the kitchen, I think. "Would you get the fly swatter?" I asked my husband. "It's on the back of the kitchen door." He was gone for awhile, then came in the room carrying a flashlight.
"You couldn't find it?" I said, to which he replied, "Yes, but it wasn't hanging on the door!" He had thought I said, "flashlight!" Candid Camera, here we come!
Life, especially marriage, is full of mistakes, misunderstandings and imperfections, but the Bible tells us in I Peter 3:8, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
This follows the injunction to husbands and wives at the beginning of the chapter, ending with the charge in verse 7, "Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." Now that's the photo you want to keep!
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