Outside My Deck Door

 

 We have a large deck door next to the dining room table where I write and eat and consider things. The birds nibble on a nearby birdfeeder; the squirrels perform various acrobatics while trying to get to the "squirrel proof" feeder to get a portion themselves.

What fascinates most; however, is the American Elm Tree just ten steps beyond the deck area. Although planted perhaps eight years before, it is approximately 50 feet tall. The bark is rough and grooved; the summer-time leaves are pointed with saw-tooth edges. 

Today, as I look from the window, I spot hundreds of tiny buds emerging. A Cardinal flits in and out perhaps determining if its branches are worthy of nesting. Each day this tree entertains me. Its song and dance vary with wind's whims.

Beyond the tree another 25 yards is the backside of our neighbor's house. There is a child's playset in the backyard and the landscaping was attractively and totally redone last summer. They are grandparents, like us. She does not speak to me when we are both outside. They have chosen not to be neighborly for whatever reason we do not know.

Without the wonder of the Elm tree, this would be my view: a neighbor's house filled with ill feelings. It is an interesting shield that God has provided in that when I look out the window I am entertained and pleased by God's creation. The neighbor's house is simply a backdrop--an interesting contrast for what I can choose to focus on.

Philippians 4:8 reads

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Basically, scripture tells us to feed our minds with the good we find in our lives.

Today, I will fill the birdfeeders, watch the wind wrestle with the tree limbs, and know tomorrow as the forecast spring rains fall, I'll have yet another
delighting view of God's creation at work.

Afterall, according to scripture, rain can be a symbol for the divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit--each sent by God as a concern for life. Life from the tree; life across the street; life inside my house. All things considered, it's worth watching and wondering. It is also worth sending a daily prayer for a better understanding of others while praising our Creator God for whatever is true, honest, just, and pure. 

There is a Balm in Gilead

 Gilead is a region of Palestine known for its balm.

Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8:22


A balm is a healing, restorative ointment.
There is actually a plant named Balm of Gilead.
It has aromatic leaves; it soothes, relieves and heals.

*****

"Balm of Gilead" is a well-known Black-American spiritual. A version of this song has been found in an 1854 hymnal... The words tell of hope mingled with despair....

There is a Balm in Gilead

Refrain:

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,

And think my work's in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

Refrain

...... 

The spiritual is a reminder of a God who is bigger than any of our problems; it is a reminder of a love so great that Someone died for each of us that we might live eternally.


Although Balm of Gilead is a reference from the Old Testament, the lyrics refer to the New Testament and salvation through Jesus Christ. It is interpreted as a spiritual medicine that is able to heal Israel--and sinners like you and me today.



He died for all.

*******

Holy Week and Easter are on the horizon.

Think about what Jesus, God's son, did for you and me.
Talk about sacrificial love.... Talk about a reason to be...
... no matter your circumstances.
There is ALWAYS hope because of THIS.

Hard Lessons

 Our writers' group once assigned--

"Something Learned from a Hardship" 

 

 My first thoughts were --

I've had an easy life; 

I have nothing to write about.  

 

However, while walking our country road
the following morning, I came up with some personal hardships: enough to fill a page. I'll mention a few:

*When growing up on our family farm, a brother gave permission to a friend of his to ride my new paid-for-by-me bike. It came back dusty, twisted, dented.
*A high school coach with killer workouts, and my mother protesting that I would not be able to have children because of them.
*A college freshman history course with a failed first test.
*My first year of teaching and the terror I felt for weeks.
        . . .  and, of course, . . .
*Marriage and children were a mixed basket of trials and blessings including the occasional worry of not being able to pay the bills. There were car accidents, a child who traveled to Africa (alone), another who had allergic reaction while far from home (alone), relationship issues, etc.

*And then later in life, diagnoses of autoimmune diseases for both my husband and me....

You get the picture. What was I thinking?

Truth be known is that when our darkness is real, it becomes a place for growth and an ah-ah moment or two. We each suffer from broken-ness in the little and big things of life--no matter our age. It seems that when I'm down and out, this is the time, I really start to figure things out. Our little lives are part of the big world. God's world. His determined love works in every situation and relationship. Allow God to heal your heart and keep on the journey. It's your journey designed for you. By Him. Honor it.

 

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3



 

Impacting Eternity

 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Those of us who believe in the power of prayer and others who find themselves on their knees because desperation of some kind has crept inside, ask or plead for a variety of things.

I'm sick; make me better; the sooner the better.
My child has crammed all night for this test; he needs an A, or at least a B.
The car is broken down, again....
Grandma's heart is failing her; we don't know how to pray.
I've been trying to lose weight for years and doing all the right things. What's wrong with me?
I thought this marriage would work, but I can't really do it any more....

WHAT IF, after giving our Creator/Redeemer King the glory, after confessing our own sins, after giving thanks for his on-going grace and unconditional love for us... that then we express our needs?

And, WHAT IF, when doing this,

 we pray that however he chooses to answer our supplications, 

we ask that it impacts eternity....

Sound too big?
Sound too much to ask for?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 reads  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

With an eternal perspective, we can view life quite differently.
Immediate gratification is out the window...
It's seeing beyond what is right in front of us.

Art Katz writes, We may"believe" in eternity, but to what extent have we actually agreed with the world that eternity is not relevant until after this life? Eternity is not merely a time frame that is endless; it is profoundly and foremost a qualitative thing that is available now. When we begin to see all our moments set in the context of eternity, we will bring to those moments a seriousness [perspective] that we would not otherwise have had. 


 It's quite possible that we can bring a little bit of heaven down to earth by living in the joy of being the hands and feet of Jesus, now, right here where we are. 
Just think: You may be impacting eternity! 

The Ultimate BFF

 Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 reads Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.

Many of us have been fortunate to have a Best Friend Forever in our lives. Some of us have more than one. These special people allow us to complain, cry, laugh. In turn, they are honest, give encouragement, and simply accept and love in spite of our faults and difficulties. However, when I think of these very special persons, something is missing. I can not talk to them every second of the day; they don't know ALL my thoughts. Because of their own life difficulties, they can not humanly take care of my every need.

However, there is One who can love unconditionally every second of your worst day; you can talk to Him whenever you feel like it. He even hears your sighs, He knows you better than your BFF.  He is your Savior. He is your Eternity.

He is the Ultimate BFF.
Truly....

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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

Time for prayer?
He's already listening.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

 I'm not often speechless after finishing a book.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, a fable by John Boyne, published by David Fickling Books (an imprint of Random House Children's Books) is not a book for children. It's a book, however, that every adult should read so that books like this don't need to be written.

I highly recommend it. 

Bruno, a young boy, lives in Nazi Germany during World War II. His family is relocated due to his father's promotion to "Out-With"--a countryside (occupied Poland). Bruno misses his friends and the huge house he used to live in until he meets the boy in the striped pajamas who lives behind a fence line that he can see from his bedroom window. 

And they lived happily ever after is not part of the ending. Who is to blame for such a sad story? Bruno's mother had a gut feeling before their move to "Out-With"-- her decision to return to Berlin with her children came too late. Could she have been stronger? More courageous? Was the father too full of himself not to see the evil seeds of destruction that were being planted (on both big and small scales)? Can we simply blame "The Fury"? --or is this the easy way out for not taking personal responsibility for acting like a human being?

It's get complicated like much of life. There's innocence and ignorance--from everyone in the story. Everyone....

What do we learn?

When do we learn it?

There are ten commandments in the Bible. Most don't know what they are. Actually, if you remember two, you've pretty much covered everything: 

Love God. Love your fellow man.

If only we would....

The Podcast Experience, Butterflies, and no do-overs....

Earlier she had emailed me, writing, "Don't be nervous." 

The day came, a few butterflies landed inside me as I drove to the local library where I had reserved a room for a quiet environment. I taped a sign on the door, "Do not disturb. Taping ...," locked it, and waited for a call from Suzanne Harris, web talk radio host. The cell phone rang right at 10, and we were laughing within seconds. The butterflies found other landing spots. I felt like we were chatting--new friends-- over a cup of coffee. 

I had my papers in front of me: thoughts concerning the story-behind-the story, the notes on the book Thou Shalt Not, and, of course, the book, in case I wanted to read something from it. My cup of English Toffee coffee from Kwik Trip was within reach along with a cough drop.

We both cleared our throats, she punched the recording button, and started the podcast. Oh my goodness, light-hearted music, and then Susanne with Welcome to books on air, the podcast you won't want to miss. I'm Suzanne Harris and today you're going to get a sneak peak about what it's like to be an author...." Hmmm...would I be able to come through and make it all interesting to someone? Anyone?

It all seemed to go nicely until the last question when the butterflies returned with all their cousins. Suzanne's last question, When the reader finishes, do you just want them to feel entertained or is there something else you want them to take away from the book? I hesitated, and then said something like, "That's big. That's really big. That's maybe even vast." Vast? I never used the word... Where do I go from here, I thought, while my mind was asking me the question, "Is there such a thing as a do-over for a particular question..." 

I started with There's a lot to figure out about life..... what happened way back then still plays out in our lives today and I used the words fascinating...a purpose.... a part of something bigger than anything you have imagined.

After the interview, Suzanne told me she would let me know when the podcast would air, and we said our goodbyes. I lamented over the fact that my last answer was so random that no one would "get it"... And, maybe, if I would listen to it, I wouldn't even get it.

She gave me a chance to witness my faith. And, I never mentioned God. Hopefully, the something bigger and better than we can even imagine hints at God-- so that the listener may think about the possibilities of hope and a future with a loving God no matter the life journey taken. 

https://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/2021/08/27/thou-shalt-not-by-kathleen-stauffer/

From now on, when I see the book, Thou Shalt Not, I will remember to Thou shalt not miss an opportunity to witness my faith. God has assured me that he works through us--no matter our failings. Amen and thank you Suzanne for the opportunity.

Click on the above webtalkradio site to listen in.