Labor Days
Like a majority of the population it is necessary for me to work full time to help pay bills. I fantasize now and again about walking away from the daily grind but it’s just not time yet. I imagine it must be rewarding for those who can actually see some progress at the end of their work day. They don’t have to wonder about what it is they’ve accomplished.
My work does not afford me any visual stimuli and I confess to having times of absolute discouragement. In those moments of frustration, when I wonder what it is I am working for? I don’t think about the bills I have to pay. No, I think about the times I’ve been able to be of help to others. Not just with a few bucks here and there but also simple words of encouragement.
When I can’t see any immediate results for my efforts, I recall the bigger plan. This helps me to continue on regardless of what I don’t see.
2 Cor 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight
“History Belongs To Those Who Pray”
A recent music cd I picked up has some pretty aggressive worship music and it truly appeals to the fighter in me. A lyric sings out “history belongs to those who pray”. Wow, what a concept! The simple fact we are still all living on this planet and haven’t annihilated each other offers us proof this is truth.
Having walked both sides of the fence, I challenge those who think prayer doesn’t make a difference to check themselves for the times they weren’t praying versus the times they did.
Wash Away Weary
Watching the sprinkler move back and forth I could only imagine the yard getting a much needed drink. My reflection is upon how thirsty I myself can get. Earlier today I felt so weary I thought it might overcome me. Nothing to do in those situations except make the right choice; lay down and quit or put myself before my Father again to let Him refill me with His word.
I can be immature at times so making the right choice isn’t necessarily the first choice on my list. When I am hurting my instinct is to want to pull away from everything and everyone, including Abba Father. He loved me enough to have let me do this once before and I still wear a verse around my neck to remind me of those consequences.
No greater pain have I ever felt in my whole life than to have spent some days devoid of any hope. It made me sick, it made me sad and it made me angry. Despite what my first choice may have been, I made the right choice. I filled myself up in the presence of my Father. I was taking a deep drink again. Soon, I’d be able to offer hope to others once more, the weariness washing off of me like dust.
Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
Go Against It
“A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” G.K. Chesterton
“She Hated Cheap Pens”
Many who have been around me long enough will have heard me grumble much about cheap pens. So much in fact I have often joked semi seriously that my epitaph will be “She hated cheap pens!” Can you imagine those who peruse headstones in the graveyards? They’d either giggle themselves silly in this place most feel sadness or else they will scratch their heads and wonder, “who was this woman?”
Tree Planted By The Water
When I go up north, my absolute passion is to enjoy open spaces and running waters. I am stimulated sitting next to the river, just taking in the currents moving everything it touches. On a late afternoon I had taken my journal with me to sit upon some rocks immersing myself in my surroundings; enjoying the view and angle of a nearby tree. Never do I feel alone, but rather I’m content to be in the presence of my heavenly Father.
Recent battles for me and my family take my mind back to this spot and I remember who I am and what I must do always.
Jer 17:7-8 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
They Eat Their Young
It’s time to rethink ourselves as a people group, for real! I had an afternoon of meeting all kinds of people via the phone and let me tell you, most of them tried to verbally kick the stuffing out of me. When it comes to money; patience and kindness goes right out the window! I just knew some of these callers came from the wild where they eat their young. I don’t often look forward to my commute, but being able to get in my car today felt like a safe haven.
I often wonder what lessons I am being taught in any given situation and today was a stretch, but yes I did learn something. Raising my voice doesn’t make them listen better, so I don’t. Interruption of their venting process only fires them up for longer venting. Never tell them outright they are in the wrong. You must be very tactful to point out their errors in such a way they come to their own conclusion of the mistake. Lastly, if they really think you are doing everything you can to be helpful, occasionally you will hear an apology or even bigger words…..”thank you”
I want to say that was the note upon which my afternoon ended so it’d be all warm and fuzzy feeling, but I like to tell the truth. My last caller threatened me with, “I will be calling you back!” Her tone left no room to think the conversation was going to be any better. Removing my headset I logged off my phone and headed for the door.
Do Not Cast Me Away
My husband and I enjoy taking photos but I have to admit he is the more patient one when trying to get the right shot. I figure I’ll blaze away and hope for the best. These days I don’t grab my camera enough. I have become spoiled knowing Bobby is always carrying one. He indulges me to be my go-fer eye at times. I tell him what I see and ask him to get the shot. How lazy is that?
I have a fascination with things “left behind” or “forgotten”. On our most recent outing, there was a bike never to be enjoyed again. Now it was in parts but looking at it I couldn’t help wondering if we dismiss functionality too quickly in our throw away society. As leaves and vines begin to bury this bicycle I was curious how long it would have to sit before it’d be invisible?
I think our society does this to people also. We leave our elderly and wise treasures alone, to be forgotten in back rooms, hospitals, hospices and such. Out of sight, out of mind. We essentially walk away from them so they can become buried in the last shuffles before death consumes them, leaving no trace……….
Psalms 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone
King David prayed this prayer to God. It is a good reminder that if God would hear this prayer, perhaps we should too.
Paint The Sky
This day is a marker for my life. My greatest gift was nothing that came in packages or material offerings of any kind. The gift I received with the enthusiasm of a child was a light show only my heavenly Father could provide.
I had been up north with friends who loved me enough to let me wander off alone with my husband. He and I walked a short way up a private road enjoying the silhouettes of large aging oak trees against the night sky. The heavens began to light up randomly with a lightning storm I haven’t seen in years. Finding some stones to sit upon, we enjoyed this exhibition. I broke out in childish giggles with each new display.
Wanting to see better, we made our way back to the house grabbing a couple chairs to set up closer to the river. In our new seats we were intrigued by the outline of leaves in the shape of a dragon’s head. The lightning flashes seemed to be the flames coming out of this pictorial dragon’s mouth. This was repeated multiple times and I have to say I was intrigued enough to make note of it later in my journal.
I love the way Abba Father will paint the sky for us. He is the best “Dad” in the world!