Sunday, June 30, 2013

Many Questions but No Answers




For three days, I watched them climb at the bottom of the screen. They returned to the patio floor and waited. The teeny lizards’ mother was nowhere in sight. How could they manage on their own? 

Across the lake, a great white egret perched on a bare limb suspended above the water. He basked in the warm sun. Suddenly from down the lake, a large blue heron headed for his favorite tree. Giant wings propelled him toward the trespassing egret. 

Like a perfectly choreographed dance, at the last moment the egret swooped to a neighboring tree. Without even a squawk, the heron demanded his place. How did they agree on the outcome? 

Crickets joined in a deafening chorus with a crescendo, a simultaneous pause, and finally, a decrescendo. The music came from the left and then from the right. Who was the conductor for the orchestra?

Turtle heads stretched above the lake. How could they stay suspended? Did their necks hurt from the strain?

Watching and listening to wildlife fascinates me. How do birds know their special songs? Do they try different foods to find the best for them? How can cana lilies flourish on land and also when flooded? Questions fill my mind when I gaze at the beauty and intricacies of nature. However, I don’t need answers to enjoy my retreat. Time, patience, seeing eyes, and listening ears enable me to learn and relax. 

Life is also filled with unanswered questions. Why are there wars? Why do people starve? Why do children rebel? Why are innocent people affected by horrible tragedies? Why do loved ones get sick and die? No answers come.

There are also no answers for these questions. Why do some people always have enough to eat? Why do some people live in secure homes? Why can doctors help many people? Why do some people have churches where they can worship? Why are Bibles allowed in only some countries? Why are people free is some countries? 

It is easy to ask questions when times are difficult, but are there questions about the blessings? God’s plan is not clear to His people who must have faith and trust in the outcome. 

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24 (NIV)

Lord, thank you for constant blessings in a difficult world. Help me appreciate what you have given me even in hard times. Amen

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Lesson from an Old Bike




“Rebecca,” my dad called. Dressed in his paint splotched white overalls, he waited for me to join him outside. 
To supplement his meager teaching and coaching salary, dad painted houses and barns in rural Indiana on weekends and each summer. One of his customers had given him a surprise for me.
It was like Christmas. My insides bounced with excitement. A blue twenty-six inch bicycle with a huge basket stood ready for me. I could hardly wait to jump onto it and whiz down our gravel driveway. 
Dad held the bike so I could climb on it. My short legs pumped my body up and down on the large pedals. He grasped the seat and ran down the drive. The handlebar wiggled. Each time he let go, I wobbled and fell. My dream disappeared.
Day after day he would trot up and down the gravel with me while I tried to master bike riding. When he was at work, I would drag the gargantuan vehicle out of the garage and attempt to maneuver it. 
He thought I could do it. But after a while, I gave up. It was too hard.  I was tired of gravel in my knees and elbows. I decided to wait until I grew up.
A younger friend changed that. One day Marcile and her parents stopped for a visit. As the adults talked, we played in the yard. When she saw my bike, she asked if she could ride it. I knew she wouldn’t be able to but gave her permission. 
With little effort, she took the bike onto the bumpy drive, got on it, and took off. She couldn’t reach the seat either, but that didn’t deter her. As she expertly rode, I cringed. How could a younger friend do what I couldn’t do? 
Determination and pride overtook my fear of failure and bruised knees. When she finished, I grabbed the handlebar, hoisted myself onto the pedals, and jiggled away. Slowly the bike steadied, and I was really riding. 
A used bike, a younger friend, and a dad who ran alongside me all helped as I  achieved my goal.  While growing up, my brothers and I didn’t have lots of new toys. We did have parents who provided for our needs, loved us, and spent time with us. 
Like my parents, God doesn’t supply every want but does provide for the needs. He loves His children and desires to spend time with each one. 
Know this, my God will also fill  every need you have according to His glorious riches in Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King. So may our God and Father be glorified forever and ever Amen. Philippians 4: 19-20 (The Voice)
Heavenly Father, thank you for walking alongside us and giving us exactly what we need. Help us to accept it when we don’t get what we want. Thank you for your constant love. Amen

Saturday, June 15, 2013

A Different Fathers' Day




Hundreds of cards lined the shelves. I scanned the collection to find the son category, and quickly found an appropriate one for Chris. 

Before tears spilled out, I hurried away from the cards screaming Fathers’ Day. For the first time in my life, I had no dad to receive my card. 

Since his daughter Stephanie’s death last year, Alan is a father with no daughter. Now, I am a daughter with no father. 

Grief prowls and snatches happiness unexpectedly. I had entered the store to purchase small items for my granddaughters’ long car trip. When the cards screamed Happy Fathers’ Day, grief took me close to tears and reminded me of what was lost. However, it also brought years of memories to mind. How thankful I am for the times I had with my dad. 

I can better relate to others who also have no dads. Some lost them recently. Some long ago. Some never knew a loving dad. 

Even though I won’t see my dad on Fathers’ Day, I can celebrate the years I did have and also rejoice with other dads in my life.

Fathers’ Day can be a day of joyful remembrances, perhaps sprinkled with tears. My Heavenly Father comforts and understands.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for earthly fathers and that you are our Father who never leaves. Amen

Monday, June 10, 2013

The Rains Will Stop




Rain and more rain. The water barrel overflowed. The lake devoured more of the shoreline. Trees and flowers along the bank waded in the dark water. Pine boughs sagged. Sheets of rain rippled the lake, and bubbles danced on the surface. After days of intermittent rain, a tropical storm off shore brought even more.

For the last few months, drought lead to forest fires. Rain brought relief. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop on command. A sinkhole formed. Flooding caused damage. Day after day it continued.

Even the ducks hid from the onslaught. In complete solitude, I studied the lake. Watching the rain, brought to mind the flood of trials in my life the last several months. 

Clouds concealed the blue sky. Yet, I knew the sun was still there. I also knew that eventually, the rain would stop because it always has. Sunshine would return.

In the same way, through difficult circumstances, I know God is still there even when I don’t see Him. The trials will lessen because they always have. God will strengthen me because He always has. He is in charge and not me.

Joshua 1:9 This is my command; be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go. (The Voice)

Heavenly Father, thank you for being with me in all circumstances. Help me to remember that you are near even when I don’t notice you. Amen

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Morning Lessons




Orange day lilies snuggled next to white African lilies. Clumps of white and mauve periwinkles jiggled. Purple lilies of the Nile waved in the breeze.

Twin lizards raced up and down the patio screen. A turtle head broke the water and looked at the lake. From the bald cypress a bird whistled.

A frisky squirrel scampered down the oak, across the grass, and onto the patio near my chair. I jumped. He glared. Apparently, I was in his favorite chair. I clapped and he ran to the edge of the porch. He took two steps toward me and then two back. When I refused to leave, he retreated and disappeared.

A series of loud quacks caught my attention. A white duck furiously propelled himself against the wind to the far shore. He joined a red headed muskovy.   Both of them tipped forward bracing against the strong wind. If the wind had stopped, they would have fallen face first into the dark water. 

Suspended above the lake, a blue heron huddled on a bare limb. His head disappeared into his wings making him look like a feeble old man. His compressed body  appeared much different than when he majestically flew above the water or when he strolled the shore for food. He lifted his head and bellowed with a commanding but grating noise. 

Larger waves tumbled over the lake. Leaves rustled, and limbs shook. I watched and listened for God’s teaching in the serenity.

From the heron I learned to take time to rest and retreat from problems. The squirrel taught me that when something obstructs your plan, look for another way.
The ducks showed me that when life is hard, put your head forward and keep pushing. The gorgeous flowers reminded me to stop and enjoy the beauty of life. 

For months, I have faced continuous and difficult trials, but with God providing for me, I have endured. I am so thankful for the hundreds of prayers, cards, hugs, food, emails ... God has used all of you whether you knew it or not. 

For a couple of weeks after my dad’s death, mother rallied and was stronger than she had been in months. She went from the wheelchair to the walker and was determined to get better. However, for the last week, her strength has waned, and she had spent more time in bed. A horrible, annoying cough has caused her to weaken and return to the wheelchair. Continue to pray for her and the rest of the family as we deal with losing a husband and dad. 

Yaweh Touri, the Rock, thank you for being our rock through many trials. Thank you for using your creation to teach us. Amen