Category: November2020

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Over the River

We took Sam and Kristine back to their Mom, Dad and baby sister yesterday. The final stop of a wonderful weekend was at Dairy Queen for a chocolate Dilly Bar and a Cherry dipped cone. (just sorry I forgot to get pictures of that)

Yum!

Driving back home, Dave and I started talking about our grandparents and special memories we have from our childhood. He grew up with his grandparents, both sets, living in the same town while I didn’t. He got to see them every weekend for special times of Saturday night at the movies, sleepovers and root beer floats. I got to see my grandparents every few years and only for brief visits. I guess that’s why it’s so important to us to make the memories that we can with our grandchildren.

The words of a song came to mind last night as I was sitting on the couch reliving moments from the weekend.

Over the river and through the wood
To Grandfather’s house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood —
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurray for the pumpkin pie!

These are only a couple of the verses from a poem written in 1844 by Lydia Child. Each verse bursts with the excitement of a child getting to see Grandfather and Grandmother on Thanksgiving.

There was a time when Dave and I lived in an area where our children and grandchildren had to travel through the white and drifted snow. Those were days of special memories with our oldest two grandchildren, grandchildren who now have families of their own. Times of sledding, tromping through the snow, cutting our own Christmas tree, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls. Special memories, indeed!

However, I hope the greatest memories we are creating for our grandchildren are of Dave and I – our love for each other, our love for them and our love for the Lord! I remember my grandfather reaching across the breakfast table and taking my grandmother’s hand as they prayed before a meal. Nothing is more special.

“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,” Deuteronomy 11:18-20 NLT

We should take every opportunity we have to tell our children and grandchildren we love them. Show them they are special and pray for them daily. That’s a foundation and a heritage that all of us can give – it requires no money but it brings lasting rewards.

“Father, we cover our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with Your love and grace. May they grow in relationship with You – may they see that no one loves them more or has any greater plans for their success than You. Keep them safe and may they show Your love to the world around them. In Jesus name. Amen”

Write a note, send an email, make a call – tell your grandchildren how much you love them and that they are a blessing.

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So Much Fun

I don’t know of a better way to usher in the Christmas season than with hearts filled with thanksgiving. It just seems like the logical thing to do – giving thanks prepares our hearts for the best that God had to give.

So, we decorated our trees (I’ll explain more in a minute), started reading our new Christmas story books and talked about Jesus’ birth with Sam and Kristine. One of the things I enjoy doing most at Christmas time is reading beautifully illustrated books that will capture the childrens’ attention and help them understand the real meaning of Christmas.

Dave and I will be spending Christmas at a campground this year. This was not our original plan but it’s not a bad Plan B. Last week I bought a small evergreen tree to take with us and it will sit on the breakfast bar until we leave. Yesterday the kids decorated it with some brightly painted tin ornaments. They both chose five ornaments and could place them whereever they wanted on the tree. Sam had an angel ornament that also had a star attached to it. He wanted that one to be at the top because the star was for Jesus.

Later in the day we headed out to the front courtyard where Dave helped us place big plastic ornaments in the mesquite tree. We laughed and giggled, oohed and ahhed, as he lifted each glittery ball at least fifteen feet in the air.

We were having so much fun!

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11 ERV

Joy is the message of Christmas. God, the Father, was so excited about His Son’s birth that He lit up the heavens and had an angels’ chorus announce the good news! After thousands of years, the day was here, that day when God came to earth and became Immanuel, which means God with us!

“So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 ‘A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.’”Matthew 1:22-23 CEV

Now that’s the reason for the joy and laughter!

May I admonish you to take a strong stand against stress and grumbling this Christmas season. What if we decorated our lives they way we decorate our homes and our trees? Look for and share the lasting joy that has been heaven sent! Look at Christmas through the eyes of the angels – the wonder of heaven coming to earth.

“My soul will be happy in the Lord. It will be full of joy because He saves. 10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You? Who saves the weak from those too strong for them? Who saves the poor from those who would rob them?” Psalm 35:9-10 NLV

Prepare now to be happy and full of joy!

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Waiting…

On Thanksgiving we told our three year-old granddaughter that she and her brother would be coming to our house for the weekend. She was excited. Her brother has come alone on a couple occasions but this would be her first trip without parents. When the day was done and we helped gather up the things our youngest daughter and family would take home from our oldest daughter’s, none of us were giving much thought to the next day when the kids would join us for the ride to our house.

No one except for Kristine.

She isn’t real expressive with words but when her dad lifted her into her car seat she said “Wrong car daddy”. Oh…we hadn’t made it clear that she wouldn’t be coming that night, she had to WAIT one more sleep and we would come for her in the morning. It made my heart hurt.

None of us do well with waiting.

Nowadays we live in an instant, microwave, IM world. Some things are just worth waiting on. As children we waited on Christmas morning; it brought excitement, anticipation and an almost sleepless night. As women we wait expectantly for 9months, 40 weeks – for the birth of a child. Each week, each month there’s a new joy of expectancy; we’re excitedly awaiting the due date.

Then there’s the joy of planning a wedding – deciding on the right dress, the flowers, the venue, the food – registering for gifts, planning the honeymoon – you get the picture – although it’s in the future, there’s joy in the planning.

Guys wait for that first hunting trip of the season, getting the tag, the food, scouting the right spot, the thrill of the hunt, buck fever; or it could be the High School State Football Championship – the weekly games, the playoffs and finally the championship game.

Perhaps it’s the promotion at work, graduation from college or trade school, moving out and getting your own place. It would be silly to think that any of these things could be accomplished without preparation, without the passage of time. Looking at the goal and preparing ourself each step along the way is what makes the end result so successful – so rewarding, so joyful.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

Wait on the Lord!

How many times have I heard someone get upset because they are having to wait for an answer to prayer, I will include myself in that. Let me encourage you with this; as we’re waiting on the Lord let’s prepare ourself to receive His blessings. Don’t be discouraged instead let the anticipation build and don’t grumble. Wait patiently!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

Little Kristine is here at Besta and Pappy’s now, without Momma and Daddy, and if you asked her if it was worth the wait I’m sure she’d say yes.

The Lord has so many special blessings planned for our lives. Waiting on Him is a great adventure.

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The Wish List

For weeks now we have been inundated with ads for “Black Friday”. In fact, those sales which were once just that one super day after Thanksgiving have been going on since the first part of November.

Black Friday – Cyber Monday! The “wanting” season has started.

Retailers are doing their best to convince us that our lives won’t be complete unless we buy this or that – go here or there – have the very latest that technology has to offer!

Don’t get caught up spending more than you have. It’s madness. There was an economist report on the news the other night that told how many people still haven’t paid for all the “great deals” they got last year. Millions of dollars worth.

Don’t buy into it.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life.You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid.You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod[a] makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Our Shepherd provides all we need: rest, food, water, protection from danger, guidance, overflowing blessings, love and kindness. Now those are things that He gives us freely – more than money can buy!

This year give the best gifts – give your time, your love, be patient and understanding. Help those who have less – make a difference. Let’s show our children and our grandchildren that it is truly “more blessed to give than to receive”. It’s so much fun to give.

Thank you Father for your “pro vision”, for seeing ahead in my life and giving me more than I deserve.

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Saying Hello

Communication: Phone calls, voicemail, text, IM’s, Skype, Facetime, Zoom – WOW!

Communication has come a long way in the past 50+ years. I remember when I was a small girl there was a postage stamp container on my Grandma’s desk. It held one hundred, Lincoln four cent stamps. That’s all it cost to mail a letter. Next to the stamp container was a big black, desktop, corded, rotary dial telephone.

I also remember that “long distance” phone calls could only be made on weekends, preferrably Sunday afternoons or late in the evenings because the rate for the call was lower. Even then, they were only made once every two or three weeks. We were limited to how long we could talk to friends on the phone, there was no call waiting, so we couldn’t tie up the phone too long. The phone was centrally located, generally on a desk or the wall in the kitchen. No real private conversations. My husband’s memories of one of their first phones was a party line. Several households used the same phone line and you only answered calls that came through with your assigned ring pattern – one long ring, three short, two long rings with one short. You get the idea. And anyone on the line could listen in to your call.

Today, households all across America will be making calls and sending text messages to loved ones that aren’t able to be with us. I have one friend who said she was going to Facetime with her daughter and teach her how to make stuffing according to their family recipe.

We’ll see familiar faces although they are hundreds of miles away and take it all for granted. Making sure there is a strong signal and that batteries are fully charged seems to be the only real consideration.

I still know some old timers who still love to write letters instead of emails and make phone calls to speak personally instead of texting. But the communication I love the best is the one that is as close as my next breath or fills my heart when it is heavy and there seems to be no words.

Jeremiah, a prophet in the Old Testament, was locked up in prison when he had God speak to him. No low battery, lack of cell service, no dropped calls or full voicemail would prevent a call from going through.

“While Jeremiah was still shut up in the open space of the prison, the Word of the Lord came to him a second time, saying, 2 “This is what the Lord says Who made the earth. The Lord made it to last. The Lord is His name. 3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:1-3 NLV

No smart phone needed. No multi-gig data plan. No fee. Unlimited service.

Just want to say hello – call. Need direction – call; need help – call; need the miraculous – call; need a loving touch – call!

Call Him today, He’s waiting to show you the wonderful plans He has in store and I’m thankful for that!

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Let It Shine

Last night we had friends drop in. They’re our neighbors.

We sat talking about how we are going to be spending Thanksgiving. Dave and I are headed to the Phoenix area today and will have dinner tomorrow with the girls and their families plus Dave’s brother and wife. Our son and his girlfriend will be in California. Keep them both in your prayers – he’s a fire captain and she’s a nurse, both are on the frontlines. Our older grandchildren will be staying in their respective homes in Washington state and California. They aren’t able to travel this year and we will miss them dearly.

Our neighbors will head up the road to Tucson. A short drive and they will be spending time with their family also. It will be a short stay, just for the day but they are thankful to get to see the married grandchildren who live further away.

We were talking about this past year – it seems to be a real topic of conversation! Each one of us bemoaned some of the changed plans and extra precautions we have had to take in 2020 but we each also expressed that there are so many things we have to be thankful for. For the four of us it was good health, healthy family and our good neighbors. I was once again reminded of how blessed we were and I am grateful.

I always want to be grateful and kind. I am thankful for those who have been to me. I remember a kindness, a word of encouragement, someone who stopped to pray when I was in need. Their actions were like a “light” that shone brightly and gave me a reason to be thankful that I wasn’t in this life alone.

Jesus said: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 MSG

I love the wording in those verses. “Bring out the God-colors in the world”. Have you noticed the colors in the flame of a candle? They are reds, golds, blues – warm colors. Colors of comfort. When we shine, we light the world with the warmth of God’s love and Jesus said that will cause people to open up to God. How great is that!

There may or may not be candles on our Thanksgiving table but we can be the light.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

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A Different Thanksgiving

Are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner a little different this year? My oldest daughter and I have been talking about this for a couple of weeks.

We’ll be eating outside, using paper plates and a large portion of the baking/serving dishes will be disposable. Hand sanitizer will be readily available and we will limit those in the kitchen helping with meal prep. We are so thankful that we live in a climate that will accomodate an outdoor celebration without being bundled in down coats and wool scarves.

Who knew that there was Thanksgiving scented hand sanitizer?

I will not let the obvious alterations to our Thanksgiving gathering cause me to lose sight of the reason for the day. Having come through devastatingly harsh winter conditions, forging relationships with a people foreign to them, reminded of the loss of life to young and old, the Pilgrims stopped to give thanks.

They recognized that without God’s grace and mercy they all could have met their end in that small colony. They braved the elements of this new and strange land. Against overwhelming odds they had survived. Their lives – their hardships and struggles – became the foundation of endurance for our nation.

They were thankful! When comparing our hardships to theirs, we, too, should be thankful!

We, who have relationship with Christ, have a strong foundation. Ours is a foundation of faith that will support us and give us strength in the most trying of times.

“As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. 7 Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.

8 Be careful that no one changes your mind and faith by much learning and big sounding ideas. Those things are what men dream up. They are always trying to make new religions. These leave out Christ. 9 For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. 10 When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers.” Colossians 2:6-10 NLV

As followers of Christ we have a hope and a strength that comes from our trust in God. As the verse above says “let Him lead you in every step”. We face the same circumstances that the rest of the world does but with a different resolve. Our dependence is in God. Our hope is anchored in Him and His word.

There is much to be thankful for this year!

As we pass around the hand sanitizer before we pass the rolls, let’s give thanks that through Christ our lives have been cleansed from sin and our hearts are kept free from fear because we have our foundation in Him.

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Thankful for Protection

I was sitting here for the last few minutes mulling over what I might share with you this morning. Several different things were running through my mind but nothing seemed to gel.

It was then I felt something crawling on my ankle. It was something small and I figured it was a moth. I uncrossed my ankles and looked down but didn’t see anything. I sat here a bit longer and there it was running across my keyboard. Now, don’t freak out when I tell you this but it was a baby scorpion!

Yikes! I had a tissue handy so I pinched it in the tissue. Problem solved. No more scorpion. Living in an arid climate we find scorpions in the house on rare occasions. It’s something we learn to be on guard for.

Years ago Dave and I learned to take these words of Jesus at face value:

“Jesus said to them, ‘I saw Satan falling like lightning from the sky. 19 He is the enemy, but know that I have given you more power than he has. I have given you power to crush his snakes and scorpions under your feet. Nothing will hurt you. 20 Yes, even the spirits obey you. And you can be happy, not because you have this power, but because your names are written in heaven.’” Luke 10:18-20 ERV

Jesus had sent his disciples out to surrounding cities to preach the good news or the Gospel. He told them to heal the sick, cleanse lepers and cast out demons in those places to demonstrate the power of God. When they came back to where Jesus was they were telling Him of the miracles they had seen.

Jesus’ comment was what we read above. “I have given you power over the enemy, over serpents and scorpions but the greater miracle is that your names are written in heaven. The greater miracle is that you have relationship with the Father”. (my paraphrase)

Our hearts should be overflowing with thankfulness because our names are written in heaven’s Book of Life when we come into relationship with the Father. God has been gracious and kind. There may have been disappointments and even heart aches in the last year but God remains faithful and trustworthy. He continues to bring blessings and benefits into our lives. He protects and provides! He covers us with His love.

“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. He is the One Who made all light. He does not change. No shadow is made by His turning. 18 He gave us our new lives through the truth of His Word only because He wanted to. We are the first children in His family. 19 My Christian brothers, you know everyone should listen much and speak little. He should be slow to become angry.” James 1:17-19 NLV

He is the giver of every good and perfect gift and He does not change. We need to listen more and murmur less.

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 CEV

One translation of this verse says ” Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”

Daily, He loads us up with benefits…Selah (stop and think). As we get ready to go about our day let’s stop and think about the ways the Lord has been good to us. You probably haven’t started your morning by killing a scorpion but I know you’ve already experienced some of God’s goodness.

Be thankful for protection!

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Give Thanks During Adversity

I would be unfeeling and lacking in compassion if I didn’t acknowledge that there are some of you who just don’t feel like being thankful. The words “Happy Thanksgiving” set you on edge.

Some are facing a physical battle for your very lives. Others have lost loved ones this year and your hearts are aching. Still others of you may have experienced the closing of a family business and financial insecurity. There’s just not much, if anything, to be thankful for.

It’s important that we learn how to give thanks in the face of adversity. It’s also important for those of us who are in a better place to be compassionate, understanding and supportive of others.

“But let the godly rejoice.
    Let them be glad in God’s presence.
    Let them be filled with joy.
4 Sing praises to God and to his name!
    Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
    rejoice in his presence!

5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.” Psalm 68:1-5 NLV

I cannot express enough the Father’s ever-abiding presence. He does not desert us or abandon us. He is always with us giving us comfort, strength and help.

Jesus experienced heart ache and loneliness. His accountant stole money from his business. His family didn’t understand Him and even His closest friends abandon Him in His greatest hour of need. He experienced all that and made us a promise that we would never have to go through those things without His help.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-15 CEV

Having a grateful heart during adversity becomes our victory song. Not thankful for the adversity but thankful we aren’t alone and thankful that we have the Father’s promise of help.

No matter the circumstances we face we can give thanks – thanks that God never lies, He is faithful to His word. He brings the help we need!

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The Miracle of a Hug

Yesterday morning I spent quite a bit of time visiting with a friend who I haven’t seen in years. Periodically we have these calls and catch up. It was so good to hear her voice.

We talked about everything. As we were talking about our children and the wonderful adults, or near-adults, that they have become I remembered an experienced with her younger son from years ago. She mentioned that he is now 6’4″ and plays on his high school basketball team.

What I remembered was a little boy with glasses about six years old. Dave and I worked for and with our friends each summer. I did clerical work and some days were more hectic than others so I had a rule for days like that. If you came into the office and my door was closed you were to wait until I opened it to you – don’t just come barging in.

This little guy had been visiting his cousins for a few days and I knew he was due to come home. I was working with the door closed. I heard the outer office door open and close but heard nothing more. I continued working through some accounting procedures and when I was done, several minutes later, I opened my office door to see if anyone was there.

There he stood, right beside the door, such a big smile on his face. He didn’t say anything at first and I told him I was glad he was home. Finally I asked if there was something he needed. He looked at me and said, “I just wanted to give you a hug”.

My heart melted – I think we both shed a tear. What a wonderful hug it was!

I know many of you are like me, we’re huggers. It’s a “family” trait.

“The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 CEV

Our Father is a hugger. I often wonder how different the story of the prodigal son would have been if the father had greeted him with a lecture, a cold shoulder or an “I told you so” instead of a hug and a kiss.

The son was stinky, his clothes were filthy, he had been living a life of rebellion but the Father just wanted a hug! He wanted to embrace his son; he was overjoyed his son had come home. “All is forgiven, come home”! This was the call of the Father’s heart.

It still is.

We wander, we roam, we run off but the Father, our father, watches and waits and when He sees us coming, hearts full of remorse, He runs to meet us with open arms and a heart of forgiveness.

He celebrates our return with a hug and a kiss.

I am so grateful for His embrace! There is a miracle in a hug; a miracle of healing, a miracle of love, a miracle of reconciliation.

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