Listening intently to the radio news while Howard went in to Walmart for a few things, I heard a commotion and turned to see a stranger yanking at the locked door of the van! Must've mistaken it for their vehicle, I thought, and went back to the radio.
Then suddenly the door was open and people were putting bags in the back seat! I heard Howard being jovial and thanking them and sounding as if they were old friends.
"No thanks necessary," I heard a male voice say, "Your kind words were enough."
"What was that all about?" I questioned when my husband got in the van. He said he had asked the cashier whether he could take the handicap cart to the car with the groceries. The answer was no, due to several carts having been stolen lately. A family nearby heard the conversation and asked if he needed help. Nothing would do but they assisted him with the bags and loaded them in the van.
The Bible says that for a man to have friends, he must show himself friendly. Proverbs 18:24. Well, Howard is that, both to people he knows and those he doesn't know.
Philippians 2:4 advises, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." I think that's what the other shoppers were doing when they noticed their neighbor's predicament!
.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Monday, October 15, 2018
New Week
Monday! I love Monday! The bustle of the week-end is gone, and now I find myself enjoying getting caught up on laundry, picking up and straightening the house, unloading clean dishes and reflecting on church services yesterday.
Our Sunday school class was inspiring, taught by a college president, and our pastor preached a riveting, thought-provoking and challenging message woven and interspersed with entertaining applications of his adventurous boyhood in Mississippi. The sobering climax ended with time at the altar for everyone!
There is a song, popular several years ago, called "Rainy Days and Mondays," sung in the haunting, beautiful voice of Karen Carpenter. The lyrics begin, "Hanging around, nothing to do but frown, rainy days and Mondays always get me down."
Well, rainy days, of which we've had many lately, might get me down, but Mondays, the beginning of a new week, do not. The Bible says in Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
I have read that this was the hymn that Jesus and the disciples sang at the last supper.It is from the Hallel, one of six psalms, and is a Jewish prayer. Matthew 26:30, "And when they had sung an hymn they went out into the mount of Olives."
If Jesus could sing that, knowing what He would face, we all should rejoice and be glad for whatever the day holds, especially on Monday!
Our Sunday school class was inspiring, taught by a college president, and our pastor preached a riveting, thought-provoking and challenging message woven and interspersed with entertaining applications of his adventurous boyhood in Mississippi. The sobering climax ended with time at the altar for everyone!
There is a song, popular several years ago, called "Rainy Days and Mondays," sung in the haunting, beautiful voice of Karen Carpenter. The lyrics begin, "Hanging around, nothing to do but frown, rainy days and Mondays always get me down."
Well, rainy days, of which we've had many lately, might get me down, but Mondays, the beginning of a new week, do not. The Bible says in Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
I have read that this was the hymn that Jesus and the disciples sang at the last supper.It is from the Hallel, one of six psalms, and is a Jewish prayer. Matthew 26:30, "And when they had sung an hymn they went out into the mount of Olives."
If Jesus could sing that, knowing what He would face, we all should rejoice and be glad for whatever the day holds, especially on Monday!
Sunday, October 14, 2018
My Cup Runneth Over
Getting up early for church this morning, I went into the kitchen to make coffee, although we planned to eat breakfast at church. I noticed Howard's coffee cup had already been used, probably because he gets up pre-dawn and brews a cup, has a snack
then goes back to bed.
I got a cup for me from the cupboard, and started to rinse out his cup. Then I thought I'd just fill it the way it was. An incident of long ago surfaced in my mind.
Our son, Trevor, had a job as a teenager at a local filling station where several locals hung around to visit, drink coffee, and solve all the world's problems. One morning as Trevor tidied up the station, his eyes fell on the row of coffee mugs lined up on a high shelf. He could see the stains around the edges and drips down the side of the cups, so he thought he would do the guys a favor by washing their cups.
Big mistake! When the loafers dropped in one by one, they noticed something different. "Who washed my cup?" the irate, good old boys demanded. Since Trevor didn't drink coffee at the time, he didn't realize how important an unwashed cup was! Apparently, they thought it made the coffee taste better. Thankfully, since the individuals recognized and used their own cups, it was their own germs on them and would not make them sick!
Jesus talks about dirty cups in a couple of places in the Bible. In Matthew 23:25, He tells the scribes and Pharisees, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."
And again in Luke 11:39, And the Lord said unto them, "Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness."
While washing a coffee cup or not may be a personal preference, for Christians, looking good on the outside is not as important as what we are inside! Fill my cup, Lord!
then goes back to bed.
I got a cup for me from the cupboard, and started to rinse out his cup. Then I thought I'd just fill it the way it was. An incident of long ago surfaced in my mind.
Our son, Trevor, had a job as a teenager at a local filling station where several locals hung around to visit, drink coffee, and solve all the world's problems. One morning as Trevor tidied up the station, his eyes fell on the row of coffee mugs lined up on a high shelf. He could see the stains around the edges and drips down the side of the cups, so he thought he would do the guys a favor by washing their cups.
Big mistake! When the loafers dropped in one by one, they noticed something different. "Who washed my cup?" the irate, good old boys demanded. Since Trevor didn't drink coffee at the time, he didn't realize how important an unwashed cup was! Apparently, they thought it made the coffee taste better. Thankfully, since the individuals recognized and used their own cups, it was their own germs on them and would not make them sick!
Jesus talks about dirty cups in a couple of places in the Bible. In Matthew 23:25, He tells the scribes and Pharisees, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."
And again in Luke 11:39, And the Lord said unto them, "Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness."
While washing a coffee cup or not may be a personal preference, for Christians, looking good on the outside is not as important as what we are inside! Fill my cup, Lord!
Friday, October 12, 2018
Communication
"Has anyone seen my phone?" I asked worriedly when we were at our son Jamie's house last week. I had already searched my purse, looked in every room I had been in, checked the car and every where else I could think of.
After Jamie thoroughly went through the car again to no avail, a dread thought surfaced. Did I leave it in some store? We had just returned from town, and Houston is pretty big!
I said ominously to Jamie, "Do you think I could have left it at Barnes and Noble (the last place we had visited)?"
"There's one way to find out," he said as he picked up the phone. Soon I was answering questions he relayed to me.
"What kind of phone is it?" to which I answered, "Android."
"Describe it." Black was all I could think of. "Sparkles?" Affirmative. "Hearts?" Yes, little hearts floating around in the cover.
"They have it." he said to my great relief!
But Barnes and Noble was many miles away! However, it turns out it's on the route they take to church, so we picked it up that evening.
But to lose my phone! My means of communication! Not to mention entertainment and source of information, let alone cost of replacement! However, there is One source of communication I can always rely on. Prayer!
Psalm 34:15 tells us, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." And James 5:16 assures us that "The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
That is the communication I used that day!
After Jamie thoroughly went through the car again to no avail, a dread thought surfaced. Did I leave it in some store? We had just returned from town, and Houston is pretty big!
I said ominously to Jamie, "Do you think I could have left it at Barnes and Noble (the last place we had visited)?"
"There's one way to find out," he said as he picked up the phone. Soon I was answering questions he relayed to me.
"What kind of phone is it?" to which I answered, "Android."
"Describe it." Black was all I could think of. "Sparkles?" Affirmative. "Hearts?" Yes, little hearts floating around in the cover.
"They have it." he said to my great relief!
But Barnes and Noble was many miles away! However, it turns out it's on the route they take to church, so we picked it up that evening.
But to lose my phone! My means of communication! Not to mention entertainment and source of information, let alone cost of replacement! However, there is One source of communication I can always rely on. Prayer!
Psalm 34:15 tells us, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." And James 5:16 assures us that "The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
That is the communication I used that day!
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Baubles, Bangles, and Bright Shiny Beads!
I picked up my favorite accessory, and I was reminded once again that it was broken. The little hook that held one of the ornaments in place had been stretched and the necklace would fall off every time I put it on. I had had the piece for many years, having bought it at Macy's in Houston one Thanksgiving trip. Since my husband wasn't always available to fix it, I would just put it back in the jewelry box.
But this day, I thought, I will fix it myself! I found a pair of Howard's pliers, carefully placed it over the hook, shut my eyes and hoped for the best as I squeezed the handle. It worked! I couldn't believe I had fixed it, and now it doesn't come apart!
I happily put on the multi-colored long necklace that goes with almost everything I wear. Thank you, Lord! The scripture came to mind that says, "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me," Philippians 4:13.
Actually, being creative and innovative is nothing new to me (or any other housewife, I suspect). We substitute in recipes, conceal sewing mistakes, and make something out of nothing in the kitchen! I remember the old adage that was said to be popular in depression days: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!"
But better than a repaired necklace is to have "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." I Peter 3:4.
Amen!
But this day, I thought, I will fix it myself! I found a pair of Howard's pliers, carefully placed it over the hook, shut my eyes and hoped for the best as I squeezed the handle. It worked! I couldn't believe I had fixed it, and now it doesn't come apart!
I happily put on the multi-colored long necklace that goes with almost everything I wear. Thank you, Lord! The scripture came to mind that says, "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me," Philippians 4:13.
Actually, being creative and innovative is nothing new to me (or any other housewife, I suspect). We substitute in recipes, conceal sewing mistakes, and make something out of nothing in the kitchen! I remember the old adage that was said to be popular in depression days: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!"
But better than a repaired necklace is to have "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." I Peter 3:4.
Amen!
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Aisle 4
"Do you have Kleenex?" I asked a cashier standing near her register at Aldi's. I was about ready to check out, but I remembered I had to have some tissues for my allergies, and all I saw were paper towels, paper plates and other paper goods.
She reached for a paper towel, ripped it in half and brought it to me. At first, I didn't know what she was doing, then I realized she thought I said, "Do you have a Kleenex?"
I laughed and said, "No, I want a box of Kleenex!" Then the helpful employee pointed out the boxes I had over looked. I took one, and as she went back to her register, I smiled and said, "Thanks anyway, for giving me a'Kleenex'."
The young woman's instant response in handing me a piece of paper towel made me realize she had a compassionate spirit. Most women, especially those with kids, re-act quickly to an emergency situation! A child may be snatched from danger, or a falling cup caught.
It is easy to recognize those, both men and women, who have what we call a servant's heart. They are quick to respond to needs, even before someone else can act. When we were pastors in Mississippi, several people in particular lovingly took care of the church custodial duties on their own without being asked.
I could see a servant's heart in one of my granddaughters as she grew up. She was always ready to jump up and get something that someone might mention they wanted. Others of my granddaughters have the same trait.
Psalm 123:2, "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us."
Isaiah 40:31 assures us, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
If we wait (as lingering in God's presence) upon the Lord, it will be easy to wait on (as in serving) others!
She reached for a paper towel, ripped it in half and brought it to me. At first, I didn't know what she was doing, then I realized she thought I said, "Do you have a Kleenex?"
I laughed and said, "No, I want a box of Kleenex!" Then the helpful employee pointed out the boxes I had over looked. I took one, and as she went back to her register, I smiled and said, "Thanks anyway, for giving me a'Kleenex'."
The young woman's instant response in handing me a piece of paper towel made me realize she had a compassionate spirit. Most women, especially those with kids, re-act quickly to an emergency situation! A child may be snatched from danger, or a falling cup caught.
It is easy to recognize those, both men and women, who have what we call a servant's heart. They are quick to respond to needs, even before someone else can act. When we were pastors in Mississippi, several people in particular lovingly took care of the church custodial duties on their own without being asked.
I could see a servant's heart in one of my granddaughters as she grew up. She was always ready to jump up and get something that someone might mention they wanted. Others of my granddaughters have the same trait.
Psalm 123:2, "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us."
Isaiah 40:31 assures us, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
If we wait (as lingering in God's presence) upon the Lord, it will be easy to wait on (as in serving) others!
Monday, October 1, 2018
A Cry in the Night
"Have you seen Pebbles?" my husband asked worriedly about the family dog as he came in from outside. It was getting dark, and Howard's "porch time" was getting a little chilly. I told him I hadn't seen her for a good while.
"I heard a faint barking," he said, "I think it was coming from the chicken house. I'd better go down there and check." The little dog loves to accompany him while he feeds the chickens and has been known to be accidentally locked up with them at night.
"She's not down there," Howard announced when he came back, alarm in his voice,"but I still hear barking!" He alerted our grandson, Adam, who treasures this little pet. Adam dashed out into the night, and soon burst in the door with Pebbles.
"She was in the storage shed!" he exclaimed breathlessly.
What? That building was outside the fence and down the hill in the pasture! We had been in there that afternoon looking for some stored autumn decor I wanted, but the dog wasn't with us! Apparently she was, unknown to us! That had been hours ago, and to think she had been in there barking non-stop all this time!
Thankfully, Howard had heard her, though I don't know how, considering his hearing. Surely God made him aware of the cry in the night air!
I was reminded of an incident several weeks ago when our newborn baby goat disappeared, only to be found at nightfall when her plaintive bleats were heard. She had been imprisoned in a depression she had fallen into under a pile of boards!
I was experiencing deja vu from that time when our son, Greg, rescued the little goat and carried her triumphantly to safety. Now his son, Adam, was the savior of his beloved pet!
Jesus gave the story of the lost sheep, and how the shepherd left the 99 to search after the one. As much as our animals are loved, He loves us even more, and reaches out to the lost among us.
As it says in John 6:39, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
I Peter 2:25 reminds us, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
"I heard a faint barking," he said, "I think it was coming from the chicken house. I'd better go down there and check." The little dog loves to accompany him while he feeds the chickens and has been known to be accidentally locked up with them at night.
"She's not down there," Howard announced when he came back, alarm in his voice,"but I still hear barking!" He alerted our grandson, Adam, who treasures this little pet. Adam dashed out into the night, and soon burst in the door with Pebbles.
"She was in the storage shed!" he exclaimed breathlessly.
What? That building was outside the fence and down the hill in the pasture! We had been in there that afternoon looking for some stored autumn decor I wanted, but the dog wasn't with us! Apparently she was, unknown to us! That had been hours ago, and to think she had been in there barking non-stop all this time!
Thankfully, Howard had heard her, though I don't know how, considering his hearing. Surely God made him aware of the cry in the night air!
I was reminded of an incident several weeks ago when our newborn baby goat disappeared, only to be found at nightfall when her plaintive bleats were heard. She had been imprisoned in a depression she had fallen into under a pile of boards!
I was experiencing deja vu from that time when our son, Greg, rescued the little goat and carried her triumphantly to safety. Now his son, Adam, was the savior of his beloved pet!
Jesus gave the story of the lost sheep, and how the shepherd left the 99 to search after the one. As much as our animals are loved, He loves us even more, and reaches out to the lost among us.
As it says in John 6:39, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
I Peter 2:25 reminds us, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
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