Be Excited

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV

“Can I take the mice out of the cage so Grandma can hold them? Molly asked.

“I don’t think Grandma wants to hold them,” her mom Anne replied.

Molly’s bright blue eyes searched mine. “Why?”

“ I just don’t want to,” I said not wanting to go into my aversion to any kind of rodent. 

Her tiny hand stuck carrot shavings into the cage for the three fancy mice. That might have been their type but to me they were still just creepy critters. 

Molly enjoyed taking care of them. 

“Sunshine’s getting big. I think she is going to have a baby,” Molly announced with three year old authority. 

Before I could comment, she continued. “Don’t get excited. She might be eating too much.”

Anne and I laughed. I definitely wouldn’t be excited about having more mice but her remark made me think. 

Life is exciting to three year olds. Grownups often lose the ability to get excited. Life becomes mundane, tiring, and  stressful. Excitement is lost. 

For many months, I have written in a daily journal of thankfulness. Even in my darkest times, I have looked for excitement. Some days what I found was small but  took me out of my pain, if only briefly. Writing them down gave me hope and encouragement. 

My entries ranged from tiny to huge. Alligator swimming on the lake. Pink desert rose. Intricate spider web. Hug from a friend. Flowers from Alan. Piles of sympathy cards. Rain on the lake. Visit from a friend. My Bible. Turkeys in the yard. Pens. New bike. Tweeting birds. Prayers for me. 

No matter how bad the day might be, there is something to be thankful for and get excited about. 

Father, help us to be thankful and get excited even when life gets hard. Amen

Don't Forget

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles. The Voice

Another hard day. After over a week of multiple activities, nothing was planned. I tried to whittle down my never ending list of phone calls, signing papers, computer work, and other tasks. It was lonely with no one to talk to.

For a diversion, I took time to add yellow and purple flowers to my garden before the day became scorching. Revived, I returned to more mundane chores. 

When I went inside, I noticed it wasn’t much cooler than outside. I called the man in charge of our home warranty to see what I should do. I waited all day for someone to come. A new house should not have a broken air conditioner--especially on a holiday weekend. Alan would have handled this. 

Later when I returned a text to my cousin, Ruth, tears started. The message about her grandson’s graduation dinner, reminded me of Alan’s regret. He was sad that he would not be able to see our granddaughters graduate or get married. 

Finally, the AC repairman arrived around 7 p.m. He worked. I waited and kept peeking out the window. The side of the unit laid on the ground with a jumble of parts. My hose stretched across the mulch. 

As dusk set in, I ventured outside to see what he could tell me. I found him working on the inside unit. The problem required a new part which had to be ordered. He was trying to temporarily fix the problem. 

“I feel badly that you had to be here for so long. Especially on a Friday,” I said.

Though he was drenched, he said, “I feel badly that you were hot.”

He made the hassle of the whole situation, not quite so bad. Alan had always taken care of our repairs and was good at it. But I often feel rather helpless and unqualified.

After seeing the truck by my house for so long, my neighbor called to see if I was ok. She offered a room and help. Anne called to see if I wanted to go to their house. A couple of friends also offered a cool place to stay. At that time of night, I didn’t feel like going out. Because of the fans and repair job, I was cool all night after all.  

When I sat down to pray, immediately I heard God say, “I’ll take care of you.”

Tears returned. Why do I keep forgetting? Though I no longer have the security, companionship, and love of Alan’s presence, I am not alone. 

God surprised me. A kind repairmen showed up. Friends and family offered help. Flowers rejuvenated me. Sandhill cranes passed my window. Sunshine sparkled on the lake. Alan’s picture smiled at me. Loneliness comes, but I am not alone. 

God has blessed me and continues to comfort me. My life has changed but God hasn’t. 

Father, your presence comforts and holds me up. Though I may be sad for what is gone, you remain. Amen

Trials of Life

This is one of my earlier writings. My life this past year has put many things in a different perspective. 

Rebecca Carpenter

Trials of Life

December 28th, 2006 

     As I sit in my comfy chair, encased in a warm throw and flannel pj’s, with a cup of hot tea, I feel very warm and secure.  Outside, the sun is shining brightly, and the birds are chirping in the crisp December morning.  Compared to cold, snowy conditions up north, our cold snap is like a warm winter respite, but to us Floridians, it is frigid.

     The difficult circumstances that come into our lives are also often relative to what we are used to and what we think that we can tolerate.  Some people fall apart if the store does not have their favorite food. Others quietly endure when there is hardly any food for their family. Some become agitated if they do not have the most fashionable styles of clothing. Others are thankful for hand me downs.  

Some people desire bright, shiny expensive cars to fuel their pride. In some areas people make do with a rickety bike.  Some think they must have homes in prestigious communities in order to feel important. Others are thankful to have a leaky roof.  

Compare having to curtail some physical activities to not being able to walk or run at all.  While some parents are annoyed when children interrupt their favorite tv show, others do not hear from a wayward child for months or years.  When children become cranky, loud, and irritating, think of parents who will never again have  the opportunity to hear or see their children.

     Each person has personal trials and tragedies that must be overcome and endured.  However, situations that may seem monumental are actually just small bumps in the journey of life. God can give strength and comfort for the small trials as well as for the huge ones.  He can also help each person determine what is truly significant.  

The Lord will keep yo from all harm-He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 122: 7-8 NIV

Father, thank you for being with me even when I need to adjust my thoughts and desires. Help me be thankful for what I have and pray for those who are in difficult situations. Amen

Mother's Day-Minus a Mother

Buy jewelry.

Take her out to lunch.

Surprise her with a vacation.

For weeks the media bombarded me to make Mother feel special on May 11. What was I supposed to do when she was no longer with me? 

Three weeks ago she joined my dad in heaven. She gained a new body free of pain and suffering. That gift was better than flowers or a new dress.

However, I wanted to celebrate another Mother’s Day with her. Talk. Laugh. Hold her hand. Give her a kiss and tell her how much I love her. 

Instead, I will celebrate her life and remember the good times. Her life demonstrated faith, love, and kindness. I watched what she did and knew she loved Jesus and those around her. She didn’t need accolades but quietly went about serving. 

If your mom is gone, remember her life. If she is still here, celebrate with her. Let her know you love her. 

Laughter Instead of Tears

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

I gathered my reading materials for my morning devotions and settled myself on the patio with my cup to tea.  Sunshine sparkled on the lake as I thought of my dad. 

When I opened my first book and looked at the date, I laughed. For several weeks, I thought Friday was May 8. I had anticipated a gloomy day. The first anniversary of my dad’s death. I had worried about being alone and sad. 

With my now often cloudy mind, I had looked at the calendar wrong and spent needless time worrying about what the day would bring. 

Yesterday there were times of sadness but just the normal grief that has become my companion. Today I can remember him and rejoice in having him for over 88 years. 

My blunder reminded me that most of what I worry about never happens. It is a useless activity that robs me of happiness.

Heavenly Father, help me remember that worry robs me of peace and contentment. Amen

Grandpa in Heaven

After a frustrating day dealing with bureaucracy about mother’s death, I needed a lift. Molly always makes me forget the trials of life, and her three year old exuberance makes me laugh.

She was ready to play when I arrived at her house. Anne, Ashlyn, and Emily worked on homeschool lessons so I planned to keep Molly occupied. 

She matched letters on a geoboard and then rushed to show me M on the computer program she had been working on. Her attention jumped from one activity to another. 

“I used to throw my stuffed animals at gampa,” she stated.

“What did he do?” I asked.

She grinned. “He threw them back.”

“Grandpa was funny.”

Her penetrating blue eyes met mine. “Gampa is still funny in heaven.”

When I miss him so much, I tend to forget that he is home in heaven and doing fine. Molly doesn’t forget.

Later as we played a game, she announced. “I love gampa. I’ll still love him when I’m in heaven.” 

Her random statements caught me off guard. Though adults think children don’t grasp the extent of death, Molly seems to understand more than I do at times. Her childlike innocence  and faith help me deal with my losses. 

She misses her buddy, grandpa, but her faith lets her accept his place in heaven. She talks about him whatever she is doing. He continues to be a part of her life. I hope she never forgets.