An Attitude of Thanksgiving

A small plane hummed and crossed the clear, blue sky. Ducks gathered on the glassy lake. A pair of great white egrets and a blue heron sauntered through the shallow water. Blackbirds bellowed. Sunrise illuminated my garden. 

Thankfulness filled me. God created every part of my retreat from the short peppermint to the towering bald cypress. Silent lizards to trumpeting blue herons. Billowing gray moss to waving pink azaleas. Soft grass to rough pine cones. Each had a unique place in His world.

While enjoying my favorite sanctuary, I thought of those in Israel and Afghanistan, who have no peace. Wrapped in my warm robe and draped with blankets against the chilly morning, I remembered the homeless in woods not far away and huddled refugees in camps and caves with no warmth. 

As I prepared for an abundant Thanksgiving dinner, images of hungry children in the hills of Peru and refugee families in Ethiopia eating UN rations came to mind.

My closet full of clothes seemed extravagant compared to Haitians with no change of clothes. 

My daily Bible reading from my newest version reminded me of Christians with no Bible at all. For Christians in Sudan, it is illegal to even own one.  

The list in my head went on and on. Why was I chosen to live in a country with so many opportunities and freedoms? Why weren’t they? What will I do with my blessings? 

In spite of trials and hardships, God has always provided for me and given me hope. No matter what is going on, there is someone who is worse off. 

As our culture becomes so obsessed with sales, shopping, and getting more and more stuff, take time to be thankful for what you have. The most important things are not bought with money. 

Come offer thanks to the Eternal; invoke His holy name. Tell other people about things He has done. Sing songs of praise to Him; tell stories of all His miracles. Psalm 105:1 (The Voice)

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings you have given to me. Help me to bless others as you have blessed me. Amen

Remember and Be Thankful

Wind rippled small American flags all around our neighborhood. One patriotic couple quietly places flags along our streets as a tribute to those who have served and are serving our country.

Each time I pass by the brightly colored banners, I remember family members and friends who have sacrificed for our country. 

I also think of ill clad soldiers who followed George Washington and those encased in gear in Afghanistan. Sailors on wooden ships forming a blockade of American harbors and those sailing the world on gigantic aircraft carriers. Forces joined in Europe fighting Hitler and those with U.N. troops maintaining peace in Africa. A father in a submarine or mother in Iraq. Fliers in open cockpits or ones in Stealth bombers. Lonely outposts of the emerging West or offices at the Pentagon. All serving.

Veterans come in various sizes, shapes, colors, ages, and skills. For over two hundred years they have endured, sacrificed, and served. Lives have been altered. Many snuffed out. To every one. Thank you for serving and protecting us.  

My Autumn

Surrounded by blackness, I rocked in my wicker chair before dawn. With an afghan tucked around me, I read my Bible and daily devotionals by the porch light.

As dawn lifted its black veil, silence was broken. A boisterous tirade between unseen cardinals sounded. Lifting his huge wings, a blue heron bellowed and crossed the lake. Loud warblings ricocheted from shore to shore. Morning bird tunes played background music as light increased.

A sand hill crane flapped gigantic wings and took flight. White ducks resisted the wake up call and snoozed on the bank. Squirrels squawked from towering trees.

Filmy haze tiptoed above the water. Yellow leaves sprinkled the oak like an ice cream topping. Palms, pines, and live oaks clutched their leaves refusing to bare themselves. 

Shivers told me autumn had arrived. Flowers faded. Growth slowed. Leaves lost luster. I missed the vibrancy of summer but found loveliness in the change. 

An upcoming birthday reminded me that I’m also entering autumn. Older limbs don’t bend or flex on command. Stamina has decreased. Wrinkles and bulges appear. Sleep often eludes.

But in retirement I traded lesson plans, meetings, and endless paperwork for reading, writing, traveling, volunteering, and visiting. There’s time to savor sunrises and sunsets.  Granddaughters and daily walks bring enjoyment.  

New opportunities come with each advancing season.

Great News

Today we found out that Alan is officially in the study with the trial medication for his lungs. He will begin the infusions on Thursday and continue every three weeks for forty-five weeks.

We really feel that God is working. Two hundred thousand people have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with thirty to forty thousand more being diagnosed each year. This study is accepting only thirty participants throughout the entire USA, and Alan is one of them. 

There are no medical cures, but the first trial of this medication has slowed down the progress of the disease in some patients. We pray that his lungs stop deteriorating and that his lung function improves. 

Even though science can’t cure it, God can perform miracles. We would love to have a complete cure but know that might not happen. We are open to whatever God plans. 

During this whole process, we can use lots of prayers. There has been a significant decrease in Alan’s lung function and what he is able to do. We are making lifestyle changes and appreciate each day. Every day is a blessing, and we want to make the most of each one.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

Alan and Rebecca

A Time of Comfort

Recent health issues of family members brought tears and fears for the uncertain future. But in the peaceful dawn, God spoke.

Blue gray clouds drifted across the pale sky. Dark reflections colored the lake. In the dimness of morning, not a leaf stirred. Only tiny ripples wrinkled the water.

Breaking the serenity, crickets hummed. Birds sang softly. A solitary white lily rose above a mass of green. Pink blooms sprinkled azalea bushes. With the rising sun, color and music returned.

Blushing clouds replaced the gray with a striking contrast to the silent darkness. Within minutes, rose turned to white. Dreariness disappeared, and beauty took its place.

Life offers unexpected and quick changes too. Even in the gloominess and tragedy of trials, His presence gives hope and comfort. The loveliness of creation and acts of kindness all touch hearts with God’s love.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Heavenly Father, thank you for speaking and comforting through your creation and your people. Amen

Wrong Word but Powerful Message

“These ice packs sure are condescending,” Alan said from the kitchen.

I looked up as he placed the packs on the counter. Confused by his words, I asked, “What did you say?”

“These ice packs are condescending. There’s water all over them.”

Unable to stifle my laughter, I answered between snickers. “You mean condensation. Condescending means looking down at someone.”

He nodded and giggled after hearing my definitions. Then he joined me in my hearty laughter.

How I love our times of laughing. We both provide plenty of situations that bring humor to our lives. Chuckling together brings happiness but laughing at someone is condescending. 

Alan still needs prayers as we wait for final approval for the study for his pulmonary fibrosis. The company approved him after the multiple tests but paperwork is not complete from many people. The first infusion is now set for October 25. We will rejoice when the needle goes into his arm that day, and the medication begins flowing.

A Sacker

While watching pre-game football commentary, Alan turned to and said, “That guy in the middle was a sacker.”

Even with my limited knowledge of football, I had heard of sacking but had not heard anyone called a sacker. Something didn’t sound right.

“He’s what?” I asked.

“He used to be a sacker,” Alan replied.

My mind quickly jumped into Alan mode as I attempted to figure out what he meant.

“Do you mean bagger?”

With a smile he answered, “Yes, he used to work in a grocery store.”

“It is a bagger. Not a sacker.”

We erupted into laughter. Often I have to decipher what he means from what he says. He chooses words that are similar but not correct or ones that sound almost the same with completely different meanings. 

His inadvertent mistakes bring us constant laughter. He could be offended when I giggle at his goofs. He could clam up to prevent saying the wrong thing. But he continues talking, and we enjoy the bloopers.

Humor connects people and tickles our insides. At least for a while, burdens are lifted, and gloom lightens. Even during the darkest times, laughter acts as a healing medicine.

Dear Lord, as we journey through life, let us remember to not take ourselves too seriously and enjoy laughter. Amen