Slice Of Life – Page 3

December 20, 2008

What Does The Day Offer?

The sun is shining despite the ice cold that has dropped down into part of the world. Now the cold would normally keep me inside but sunshine draws me to come out and enjoy what the day has to offer. I have a vague idea of what sounds like fun but my pals are all pretty busy getting ready for the holiday so I will have to seek out my own adventure. Time to grab a coat and some gloves and be on my way…

November 18, 2008

What Are His Special Dreams?

His son lay upon his chest resting. Going deeper into his special dreams I wondered what he sees when his eyes are closed. Is he already free in his mind and I don’t recognize it because I am expecting him to be like other little boys?

What is autism?

November 2, 2008

A Promise To Keep

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Saturday it was raining heavily in the park there in San Francisco but we had several tents to shelter us. There was a serving area for people to come and get something to eat. We offered prayer to anyone who desired it. That is how I met William. He was an older man whose black hair was fading to gray and his face wore a certain sorrow. Sitting down in a chair beside him, I had heard him tell my friends he wanted prayer for more love.

We put our arms and hands out to touch William who seemed grateful as he bowed his head with us in prayer. I could feel him start to shudder and tears began to flow from his eyes as we spoke to the Lord about the love William was looking for. He reached into his pocket for a small piece of pink material he was using for a handkerchief and kept dabbing at his face. This man’s sorrows were deep and his cry for help hurt our hearts too. No one should suffer this much alone.

After we finished our prayers William stayed there with us and continued to share his heart. I tried looking deep into this man’s eyes; I didn’t want to forget any line on his face. He kept apologizing for the tears but said they felt good, like a needed cleansing. We let him cry with us and listened to all he had to say. I didn’t want to interrupt so I just kept my arm around his shoulder to let him know we were there in love.

Before he left, William looked around and asked us to remember to pray for him. It was an easy promise to make. I hugged him and whispered into his ear that though I may not see him again this side of heaven, I’d be looking for him on the other side.

November 1, 2008

Roy, His Name Was Roy

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Turning away from the stage I felt the need to look behind me. Across the park I could see two men standing together in the pouring rain. One man was dressed in a dark coat and hat. He had his hand on a younger man’s shoulder in such a way I knew he was praying for him. This same young guy passed by a few minutes earlier but he didn’t notice us as we stood under our umbrella. He seemed under the influence of something more than the music.

Watching the interaction between these men, I was inwardly moved by something I couldn’t define. I began to pray and as I spoke from my heart I could feel hot tears on my cheek. It felt important to engage myself in this moment despite not knowing these men or them even seeing me.

After a minute or two the young guy seemed agitated and pushed himself away from the praying man. By the body language of the one in the dark coat, I could see determination. He did not stop loving and praying for this young man. He kept walking with him a short distance and finally something spurred the young man to turn back and hug the man tightly. His hug was long and genuine. The younger man was seemingly being drawn away but he kept stepping in close to hug the man in the coat as though apologizing. Clearly he was hearing the love being offered and still he struggled to accept it. Finally he waved once more and walked away for good.

My heart was wrenched as I watched the man in the coat look after him for a long moment before he turned back and began making his way towards the stage where we all stood. Trying to focus again on the music, I kept glancing over to check on this man. He was about twenty feet from us and whether from tears or from frustration, I could see him begin to wash his face with the rain water coming down over him.

Hesitating for a mere moment or two I looked at my husband and simply told him I’d be right back. The man in the coat was kneeling in the rain and it was clear he was beginning to pray. I already knew who he was praying for. Kneeling down next to him on the wet cement I merely asked, “What was his name?”

“Roy, his name was Roy” was all he said.

There under the pouring rain I latched onto my friend’s arm in the dark coat and we prayed together for Roy’s soul and his salvation. I never asked the name of my friend in the coat and hat. Him I recognized as my brother.

October 21, 2008

One Woman Helping Another

Yesterday while running errands I had to stop at a bank for some cash. After all, who carries cash these days? I pulled up to the front of a nearby bank and realized I was pretty close to a large pickup next to me but there wasn’t much room on the other side of me either. As I started to open my door I saw there to be an elderly woman in the passenger seat who was trying to open her door. We couldn’t both exit our vehicles at the same time so I sat and waited.

Someone who looked to be her daughter came around and opened their passenger door wider, helping the woman step down out of the cab. I rolled down my window asking, “would you like me to back up?” thinking they might need more room. It was then, this elderly woman looked straight at me and spoke, “no it just takes me some time to get out.”

Although I had been in a hurry prior to turning into this parking space suddenly time didn’t seem to matter to me. I was content to sit there for as long as it took for these two women to clear the pathway. What a precious moment; one woman helping another who needed to take more time. A good lesson for me.

September 21, 2008

Stuffed Animals

We had an overnight trip out of town this weekend and when we finally rolled back into our driveway it felt great to be out of the car. Opening the door to our home is when the real fun begins. The tribe of pets comes to greet us and at first they seem rather grateful to see us. This lasts about a couple minutes. Walking away to put our bags up and change clothes, suddenly these grateful creatures turn into master inquisitors.

The dog begins to sniff at every article we have brought home with us, wanting to know where we have been and what other creatures got to enjoy our company. The cat merely prowls up and down the hallway moaning his discontent that we didn’t ask his permission to be gone for longer than an hour.

Sitting down for a cold ice tea it’s time to wonder if “stuffed animals” would offer just as much comfort?

August 20, 2008

Thrashing Fish Out Of Water

Grrrooowwlll! Is that in the vocabulary? I suspect not but it certainly should be. Some days just are not all smiles and sunshine regardless of my trying to make it into something it’s not . This is when I can feel the irritations oozing into my face like some freak of nature. When I start feeling irrational in my temperament I begin to inwardly thrash about as though a fish out of water.

My head is telling me “scream at someone or better yet slap them, that’d feel pretty good” and yet my heart puts me in check to say, “it’s not their fault, get a grip woman!” Oh my, how does one live the abundant life of a day when it’s all you can do just to get through it? Since I can no longer whine like a baby, “I want my mommy” I think I have learned to substitute that whine with, “I want my couch and a remote!” Experience teaches these items will not feed me what I lack however, so I keep eyeballing my sneakers.

Perhaps a good walk and talk with my big “Daddy” will fix me right up. I can already feel the fangs in my growling face starting to diminish just thinking about time alone with Him.

Psalm 107:28-31

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

August 14, 2008

A Mailman’s Note

Our dog got loose today and spent the better part of the morning wandering our front yard. We were at work so of course we were blissfully ignorant to our “pork-a-lope” having such freedom. (Pork-a-lope is our affectionate nickname for Brew since he hops up and down on his front paws like some antelope yet he’s fat as a pig.) We still have mail delivered to a box in the front yard and when my husband gathered the letters, there was a note from our mailman. He wrote us the tale of our wandering beast and how they’d had a “talk” to coax him into the back yard.

This brought pleasant smiles to our faces for so many reasons. We sometimes forget there are still nice people all about us and even some who will take time out of their busy day to care for an unknown dog. Our hope for humanity still having people of worth is restored once again.

We want to thank our mailman but a note doesn’t seem adequate, so perhaps a small gift for his kindness will await him in our mailbox tomorrow.

June 27, 2008

Joy & Pain Intermingled

Joy and pain can be intermingled. Yesterday was one of those days and I strived to change the pain portion but could not. My pain was not of my making but caused by another and yet I doubt they even knew how deeply the knife was in my heart by their actions. In that moment I could hear the whispers of the old man wanting to be resurrected. I heard him speaking to me of anger and retaliation but I recognized his whiny voice quickly this time and refused to enter the arena of contention.

With tears burning my eyes and needing humbleness I did not feel, I picked up my phone and called my sister. She spoke for me where I had no words. She was my strength when I could not walk my path. Once more I was refreshed and I later gathered with my family to find joy in my heart again. Glory to glory I continue on day by day.

2 Cor 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

1 Thes 5:14 ….comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak….

June 16, 2008

Who Was That Masked Woman?

“You’ve changed!” Clearly it was an accusation and I accepted the truth as spoken. A loved one dear to me was hurt and yet I couldn’t fathom how to comfort him except to hear him out and just be in love with his heart despite its anguish.

It raised a question and I must confess in that hour I had no answer. I had prayed for so very long for a changed heart; one that wasn’t filled with selfish and personal lusts, both in flesh and materialism. I prayed I could be different, seen in a new light, flaming brightly; a light of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and although not my favorite, even self-controlled.

I had loathed my bad behavior of old and to realize someone I loved longed for the “old” me was a surprise. I asked more questions to find out what it was that was missed. Listening closely I realized it’s not the old nature that is really missed so much as the new nature needing to be understood. This will take time and work beyond anything I can accomplish in myself so I will be in the waiting place.

This conversation had me reflecting upon myself, now and past. When I was younger I can remember thinking I was a depressed and introverted personality. To be outgoing and joyous was great, but as soon as I was alone darkness crawled back in and I felt like a fraud. I started to think of myself as the masked woman who wore one face in public and quite another when I was alone. As I mature, I am awakening to the real truth. It was never the depressed girl that was real; she was simply the prisoner of circumstances, hurts and a wounded soul. Once the mask of darkness was removed, my joyous light could be seen by all.

Changes no longer seem fearful however lack of change is death to me. I cannot put on the mask of old again, it just doesn’t fit anymore.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!