The Giraffe and the Clock

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8: 28 NKJV)

            Crash! I watched in horror as our three foot tall wooden giraffe plummeted to the tile floor. Its head went in one direction and an ear in the other.

            Instantly, my hands covered my face. Even though I saw the electric cord grab its legs as I cleaned the floor, I couldn’t stop the fall.

            Several years ago, Alan carefully carried the stately figure home in his bag on one of his numerous trips to Africa. The souvenir was a treasure to me and reminder of his love for African missions.

            After the shock wore off, I reached down to inspect the broken pieces and picked up the long body.

            Thump!

            The wooden body hit the dust mop I had been using. It fell against the wall and rammed the wooden wall clock. It was a treasure my grandfather made for me years ago.

            How could I break two special items from two men I loved within minutes?

            Tick Tock.

            My anguish turned to shock. For three years, my clock wouldn’t tell time or chime. It had become a decoration but not a working clock. But with a smack by the mop, the pendulum swung and the Westminster chime filled my home.

            As I regretted the disfigurement of the giraffe, I marveled at the revival of the clock.

            While the clock ticked. I began a repair job for the animal. At Alan’s workbench, I found a bottle of glue. When it wouldn’t come out of the tiny hole, I took the cap off to examine the contents. Unfortunately, I turned the bottle too far and it gushed out like water. Paper towels soaked up the mess. Then I looked for more glue.

            The contents of the second bottle clung to the sides like molasses. Finally, it trickled out the teeny hole onto the broken head. With a series of rubber bands, I secured the head and hoped it would hold. When the head was stable, I would try to reattach the ear.

            In bed that night, I could hear the rhythmic ticking of the clock which seemed to lull me to sleep. However, the lusty chimes every quarter hour roused me. For years, the clock was part of my life and didn’t disturb me. But the new sounds kept me awake. After an hour of trying to get to sleep before the next chime, I reluctantly stopped the pendulum and wondered if it would ever start again. Fortunately, the following morning it resumed its swing with a gentle prod.

            The restoration of my clock came about because of the brokenness of my giraffe. What I initially thought was a terrible situation had a surprise ending.

            I have found that losing Dad, Mother, and Alan caused much grief, stress, and pain. Because of what I have gone through, I have been able to comfort others who are also hurting. That has been a surprise too.

Dear Lord, thank you for redeeming the pain, accidents and stresses. Help me to reach out to others who need comfort and to know about you. Amen

God's Awesome Connections

God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams. He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church. Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus. Glory down all the generations. Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

(Ephesians 3: 20-21 The Message)

            “Pastor Gus is looking for you.” Those words greeted me when I stopped at the information desk at church.

            After wandering through the foyer, we found each other. He smiled as he began his story.

            “Before I left for church this morning, I put one of your books in my bag. I didn’t know why. Two sisters came up to me for prayer. One lady lost her husband this week. I got your book and gave it to her. I want you to meet her.”

            He took me into the sanctuary to meet the two ladies. I gave each of them my card so they could contact me or read my blog. They were both surprised that I was the author of the book Pastor Gus had given to her. We talked and hugged before I left for my next assignment.  

            I had been asked to be part of the Lenten reading with a new friend from the Connect Team. The purpose of the team is to connect worshipers and team members to the church and to each other.

            After my partner and I participated, we sat down. During communion, he whispered to me. “Do you see the lady in the front row? I met her a couple of weeks ago while I was connecting with people before the service. I talked to her this morning. She told me her husband died this week. She’s here with her sister.”

            I told him about my earlier encounter and wondered at first if it was the same widow. I watched her as people passed in front of her to take communion. Tears filled my eyes as she wiped tears away. I recognized that pain and wanted to comfort her.

            Should I go up now? Should I wait until after the service?

           

            After debating with myself, I decided it would be better to wait. As soon as the service ended, Tim and I maneuvered through the crowd to her side. The two ladies smiled at him. He introduced us.

            She told me about her loss. I told her about mine. We connected and hugged. I gave her one of my business cards and Tim told her about my book.

            My mind could hardly grasp the events that morning. Members of the Connect Team had been asked to read at the services that weekend but rarely did I attend that particular one. My husband Alan and I had a long time friendship with Pastor Gus. Months earlier, Tim and I connected on the team and shared some of our trials. Because both men knew of my grief and the book that came from it, they connected me to the two recent widows.

            When I thought of the hundreds of people watching live and online, I thought of backing out. Thankfully, I didn’t. Accepting the invitation to read led to many blessings. Not only were two widows comforted but the rest of us directly involved were blessed by God’s faithfulness. That blessing extended to everyone who heard the awesome connections that God orchestrated.

Heavenly Father, thank you for arranging events in just the right way and at the right time. Help me to be open to special opportunities. Amen

Reversed Hospice Care Ministry

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”(1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NKJV)

            During one of our phone conversations, Bill stopped, “Can you wait a minute? One of the volunteers is leaving.”

            “Sure,” I replied.

            He continued talking. “ You do well on your test.” Then he said a beautiful prayer for the young student volunteer.

            “The young man is in college and concerned about a test. I pray for each volunteer who comes,” he told me. “We also read Scripture.”

            When he required extra care and could no longer live alone after idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis attacked his lungs and destroyed his independence, Bill entered the Hospice Serenity House as a patient.

            Of course, he remembered the years when he volunteered with Young Life, taught Sunday School and ministered to hundreds of teenagers. That life was over.

            We met at church many years ago. But over time, life took us in different directions.  After Alan was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, I learned that Bill had it too.

            Though we lived in different states, we reconnected and share concerns and celebrations. He continues to encourage me as his disease progresses. He has shared my book with friends and arranged for his church to buy several copies.

            Instead of giving up when he entered hospice, Bill started a new ministry from his room. No longer can he get out but he ministers to those who come to help him.

            One volunteer called me after he told her about my book of grief. Her similar journey helped us form a bond. She said he encouraged her to read her Bible. She marveled at his responsiveness and care for the volunteers.

            Even with his terminal illness and little energy, Bill continues to bless people with his prayers and compassion. I am thankful for his friendship.

           

Dear Lord, help us to use each opportunity to be a blessing to those around us. Amen

             

What Are You Giving Up For Lent?

Watch what God does and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly, what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. (Ephesians 5: 1-2 The Message)

            During Lent, the forty days before Easter, many churches encourage people to give up something. It is a period to repent and spend more time with God. Avoiding sweets or fasting from all food is one option. Turning off the television or the Internet is another popular idea.

            I didn’t grow up with this tradition nor has it usually been a part of what I do as an adult.  However, as I thought about Lent this year, I decided I would participate.

            Instead of relinquishing more traditional things like certain foods, I decided to give up undesirable actions or behaviors. For instance, letting go of gossip, anger, unforgiveness, criticism, judgmental attitude… Replace those actions with compassion and love. Think of others first. Love like Jesus.

            He loved the displaced, rejected, and unruly. His eyes went beyond the outward appearance to the heart. His love and compassion changed lives.

            Being like Jesus won’t be easy when someone cuts me off in traffic. When a young man begs at the intersection, I will pray for him instead of judging his actions. Perhaps give him a bag of small items and Scriptures. When someone jumps in front of me in line, I can smile instead of frowning. The endless list of opportunities will keep me busy.

            Does anyone want to join me? Let me know what you are giving up for Lent.

           

Dear Lord, help me give up behaviors that separate me from you. Show me how to show your love. Amen