What a wonderful sound! I woke to the roar of rumbling thunder. A few minutes later, gentle drops of rain began falling, which turned into a serene, steady rain. To the scorched grass, wilted plants, and depleted lakes, it was a welcome relief. Forest fires have been raging across drought stricken central Florida. Houses burned, and people displaced as consequences of the wildfires. Rain will reduce chances of more fires and help put out existing ones.
I watched rain popping like popcorn on the lake. I realized how beautiful and soothing it was. Had I always looked at rain like that? Of course not. Sometimes it ruined my plans for outside activities. It dirtied my newly cleaned windows. It drowned sensitive plants and flooded my lawn. Why was I so excited about it this time?
Today’s rain gave life to parched plants and replenished the low water level. Appreciation and abundance are often not companions. Only when something becomes scarce or nonexistent, does it become important.
Jesus said, “I am the Living Water.” That fact becomes real when we are scorched, parched, and desperate for relief. What a joy to give up trying to change situations on our own and let the Living Water revive us, wash us, and give us the strength to grow, mature, and branch out. Sometimes we only need a gentle rain, and other times we need a thunderstorm to get our attention. In either case, the Holy Spirit knows exactly what we require and provides it.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Journey to Haiti
A Missionary Flight International cargo plane lifted off from Ft. Pierce, Florida, bound for Haiti. The WW II plane held sixteen short term missionaries and a missionary from Open Door Haiti, who lives in Florida.
Scales weighed each team’s combined luggage before weighing every passenger. Quite different from a commercial airline.
Alan’s team consisted of himself, the missionary, Brian, and his nephew, Hunter, from Arizona.
Intense heat slammed the passengers when they stepped off the plane in Cap Haitien. There was no air conditioned walkway or helpful baggage handlers. Passengers helped unload the plane.
After a short drive, the trio arrived at the Open Door Haiti compound in a nearby town. Surrounded by a high concrete wall, stood a church, school, medical center, kitchen, and dormitory. Most of their time was spent in the confines of the protected area.
During weekdays, a generator produced electricity and ran fans which provided a little relief from the heat. However, the expense was too great to run it at night and on weekends. Small battery powered fans, helped some at night, but with little breeze, stifling heat remained a constant.
Thankfully, Alan used the pastor’s computer to send emails so we could keep in contact. Each one mentioned his activities and the oppressive heat-often more than once.
His eyeglass ministry began very slowly. With few clients in the beginning, he was able to spend time building relationships with team members. The schedules of two other teams overlapped with his team so there were people to meet from around the US and Canada. His previous mission experiences enabled him to share, encourage, and mentor.
Though his original project didn’t go as expected, God had a better plan. Bonds formed. Friendships began. Lives were touched.
He could have been discouraged because he didn’t give out his normal supply of glasses. However, he took it in stride and realized that God was working.
Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Dear Father, help me to not be discouraged when my plans don’t work out. You are the one in charge. Amen
Scales weighed each team’s combined luggage before weighing every passenger. Quite different from a commercial airline.
Alan’s team consisted of himself, the missionary, Brian, and his nephew, Hunter, from Arizona.
Intense heat slammed the passengers when they stepped off the plane in Cap Haitien. There was no air conditioned walkway or helpful baggage handlers. Passengers helped unload the plane.
After a short drive, the trio arrived at the Open Door Haiti compound in a nearby town. Surrounded by a high concrete wall, stood a church, school, medical center, kitchen, and dormitory. Most of their time was spent in the confines of the protected area.
During weekdays, a generator produced electricity and ran fans which provided a little relief from the heat. However, the expense was too great to run it at night and on weekends. Small battery powered fans, helped some at night, but with little breeze, stifling heat remained a constant.
Thankfully, Alan used the pastor’s computer to send emails so we could keep in contact. Each one mentioned his activities and the oppressive heat-often more than once.
His eyeglass ministry began very slowly. With few clients in the beginning, he was able to spend time building relationships with team members. The schedules of two other teams overlapped with his team so there were people to meet from around the US and Canada. His previous mission experiences enabled him to share, encourage, and mentor.
Though his original project didn’t go as expected, God had a better plan. Bonds formed. Friendships began. Lives were touched.
He could have been discouraged because he didn’t give out his normal supply of glasses. However, he took it in stride and realized that God was working.
Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Dear Father, help me to not be discouraged when my plans don’t work out. You are the one in charge. Amen
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Monster in my Kitchen
A gulp of air stifled my scream. A gigantic, ugly creature blended into the marbled countertop. Its waving antennae, hordes of brown wings, and long, creepy legs revolted me. His beady eyes glared at me. I stared back as I planned his destruction.
What could I use for a weapon? I immediately scanned the sink area while keeping an eye on the intruder. The closest thing was a white dishcloth. While not the best item, it was within reach. Moving away to get the swatter from the pantry would give him time to escape.
I reached furtively for the cloth and held it over my head. With lightning speed, my hand crashed into the unsuspecting monster. I swept him into the sink. Dead.
A leg wiggled. He struggled to stand.
“Ugh! Ahhhh! Eeeeek!” I wailed as he fought. A knife slashed and stabbed to get him into the drain. Finally, he was past the rubber gasket and into the pipe. I quickly turned on the water and pushed the disposal button. His menacing body joined the flow to the sewer.
Relief. Peace. Then alarm filled my mind. Was he alone? Did he leave his family behind? How long had he lurked in the shadows?
A quick look produced no more unsightly critters. However, roaches usually stay hidden in the daytime and only come out at night. Others could be safely tucked away. Only the light had revealed the monster in my kitchen.
Often people have secret attitudes, thoughts, and actions hidden in the shadows too. Unkind remarks, gossip, prejudice, lies, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, drinking, drugs, gambling, pornography, adultery ... They all produce pain and destruction. Only with the Light are the monsters revealed and destroyed.
John 3: 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come to the light for fear his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. NIV
Dear Lord, expose the monsters and reveal the Truth. Amen
What could I use for a weapon? I immediately scanned the sink area while keeping an eye on the intruder. The closest thing was a white dishcloth. While not the best item, it was within reach. Moving away to get the swatter from the pantry would give him time to escape.
I reached furtively for the cloth and held it over my head. With lightning speed, my hand crashed into the unsuspecting monster. I swept him into the sink. Dead.
A leg wiggled. He struggled to stand.
“Ugh! Ahhhh! Eeeeek!” I wailed as he fought. A knife slashed and stabbed to get him into the drain. Finally, he was past the rubber gasket and into the pipe. I quickly turned on the water and pushed the disposal button. His menacing body joined the flow to the sewer.
Relief. Peace. Then alarm filled my mind. Was he alone? Did he leave his family behind? How long had he lurked in the shadows?
A quick look produced no more unsightly critters. However, roaches usually stay hidden in the daytime and only come out at night. Others could be safely tucked away. Only the light had revealed the monster in my kitchen.
Often people have secret attitudes, thoughts, and actions hidden in the shadows too. Unkind remarks, gossip, prejudice, lies, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, drinking, drugs, gambling, pornography, adultery ... They all produce pain and destruction. Only with the Light are the monsters revealed and destroyed.
John 3: 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come to the light for fear his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. NIV
Dear Lord, expose the monsters and reveal the Truth. Amen
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Therapy for Seniors
Sometimes as we get older, it seems like nothing works quite right or looks as good as it used to. Wrinkles appear, parts sag, necks double, hair thins, age spots materialize, and veins darken. The mind is young, but the body isn’t. Alan and I recently had a couple of incidents that perked us up and made us laugh.
While on our last cruise, we lamented the way our clothes had tightened. We knew that we had eaten much more than normal, but the food was always so tempting. On the elevator one day the occupants were discussing the problem we were all having with gaining weight. A lady that we had never seen before looked at both of us and said only to me, “You have not gained any weight.”
“Thank you,” I replied with a smile.
After she stepped out of the elevator, Alan and I burst into laughter. She had no idea if I had gained weight, but she made my day.
After we returned from our cruise, we decided it was time to get our yearly flu shot so we stopped at a local Walgreens. The young clerk took our information and directed us to the window. Alan sat on a stool, pulled up his shirt slightly, and waited for her to give the injection. When she saw his arm, a look of astonishment covered her face. “Ohhh!”
“I bet you did not expect that, did you?” I asked thinking she had seen his bird tattoo.
“No,” she answered with a smile.
When he raised his sleeve more, there was another look of total surprise followed by a wide grin. “I won’t have trouble finding your deltoid,” she announced.
We figured she was totally shocked to see such muscles and a tattoo on a seventy year old man.
Alan had not been feeling well for a few days and then had to endure several medical tests before we stopped at Walgreens. However, it was amazing how he perked up because of the smile and comments of the young girl.
We will take the compliments however we can get them.
While on our last cruise, we lamented the way our clothes had tightened. We knew that we had eaten much more than normal, but the food was always so tempting. On the elevator one day the occupants were discussing the problem we were all having with gaining weight. A lady that we had never seen before looked at both of us and said only to me, “You have not gained any weight.”
“Thank you,” I replied with a smile.
After she stepped out of the elevator, Alan and I burst into laughter. She had no idea if I had gained weight, but she made my day.
After we returned from our cruise, we decided it was time to get our yearly flu shot so we stopped at a local Walgreens. The young clerk took our information and directed us to the window. Alan sat on a stool, pulled up his shirt slightly, and waited for her to give the injection. When she saw his arm, a look of astonishment covered her face. “Ohhh!”
“I bet you did not expect that, did you?” I asked thinking she had seen his bird tattoo.
“No,” she answered with a smile.
When he raised his sleeve more, there was another look of total surprise followed by a wide grin. “I won’t have trouble finding your deltoid,” she announced.
We figured she was totally shocked to see such muscles and a tattoo on a seventy year old man.
Alan had not been feeling well for a few days and then had to endure several medical tests before we stopped at Walgreens. However, it was amazing how he perked up because of the smile and comments of the young girl.
We will take the compliments however we can get them.
A New Tattoo
“If you buy a Kia, you get a free tattoo,” Alan announced.
“What? That's strange,” I said.
“That's what they said,” he replied.
The peculiar promotion rivaled a recent one we saw at a Sanford truck dealership. They were giving away an AK-47 with each purchase. The world has become strange but a free tattoo?
“Can you replay that?” I asked.
With the wonders of modern technology, he was able to start at the beginning of the commercial. We both listened.
A booming voice announced the wonderful deal. “If you come in now, you receive a new I Pad.”
I collapsed into a chair. A duet of laughs filled the room. Each time our eyes met, we began snickering again.
A sheepish Alan said, “I guess I didn’t hear it right.”
“That wasn’t even close. Tattoo--I Pad.”
Life with Alan is full of surprises.
“What? That's strange,” I said.
“That's what they said,” he replied.
The peculiar promotion rivaled a recent one we saw at a Sanford truck dealership. They were giving away an AK-47 with each purchase. The world has become strange but a free tattoo?
“Can you replay that?” I asked.
With the wonders of modern technology, he was able to start at the beginning of the commercial. We both listened.
A booming voice announced the wonderful deal. “If you come in now, you receive a new I Pad.”
I collapsed into a chair. A duet of laughs filled the room. Each time our eyes met, we began snickering again.
A sheepish Alan said, “I guess I didn’t hear it right.”
“That wasn’t even close. Tattoo--I Pad.”
Life with Alan is full of surprises.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Highway Homeless
Uneven letters on a cardboard sign. Cars stopped at the exit ramp. A bedraggled man.
Was he on drugs? Had he been drinking? Was he actually homeless? There were no answers.
One homemade muffin remained in the plastic sandwich bag. “Give him mine,” my mom offered.
Before the light changed, I dangled the bag out of the opened window. With a huge smile, he took the muffin. “Thanks. Have a wonderful day.” Then he left. For a moment, that man was not invisible.
A similar, but even more disturbing, situation occurred the following day. At the stoplight of a very busy intersection, two figures stood on the concrete median. One held a cardboard sign. Homeless mother, 2 children, please help.
For years homeless men have stood on street corners around the city. I often avoided their eyes and looked the other way. It was too hard to watch. However, a mother and teenaged daughter brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t look away.
I rummaged in my purse. A granola bar appeared. Through the passenger window, I passed the bar to the middle-aged mother. “Thanks.”
She handed it to her daughter. Immediately, the girl ripped the paper and began eating. My heart ached to watch them standing there surrounded by traffic.
I will never know the circumstances that took the trio to the streets. Whatever caused them to beg was not good. Their situations weren’t permanently altered by the brief exchange. But maybe a glimmer of hope shone into their lives. I felt God prodding me to give and be compassionate.
What comes next? A few ideas came to mind. Pray. Hand out information about local ministries. Give Bible verses with each snack. Look into their eyes. Smile. Listen to the still, small voice. Be obedient.
Was he on drugs? Had he been drinking? Was he actually homeless? There were no answers.
One homemade muffin remained in the plastic sandwich bag. “Give him mine,” my mom offered.
Before the light changed, I dangled the bag out of the opened window. With a huge smile, he took the muffin. “Thanks. Have a wonderful day.” Then he left. For a moment, that man was not invisible.
A similar, but even more disturbing, situation occurred the following day. At the stoplight of a very busy intersection, two figures stood on the concrete median. One held a cardboard sign. Homeless mother, 2 children, please help.
For years homeless men have stood on street corners around the city. I often avoided their eyes and looked the other way. It was too hard to watch. However, a mother and teenaged daughter brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t look away.
I rummaged in my purse. A granola bar appeared. Through the passenger window, I passed the bar to the middle-aged mother. “Thanks.”
She handed it to her daughter. Immediately, the girl ripped the paper and began eating. My heart ached to watch them standing there surrounded by traffic.
I will never know the circumstances that took the trio to the streets. Whatever caused them to beg was not good. Their situations weren’t permanently altered by the brief exchange. But maybe a glimmer of hope shone into their lives. I felt God prodding me to give and be compassionate.
What comes next? A few ideas came to mind. Pray. Hand out information about local ministries. Give Bible verses with each snack. Look into their eyes. Smile. Listen to the still, small voice. Be obedient.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Small Town in Iowa
Tucked away memories came to life when Alan and I strolled the streets of his boyhood town. White clover blanketed lawns. Narrow sidewalks, cracked with age, bordered quiet streets. Pink and white peonies waved a greeting. Rustling, green leaves shook overhead. Far from the hectic pace of the city, we had returned to Iowa for his family reunion. A slow paced, friendly atmosphere embraced us and reminded us of earlier days in Iowa and Indiana.
An eclectic mixture of homes lined the streets. Colorful flowers edged homes, walls, and fences. Wicker chairs on wraparound porches waited for neighborly chats. Manicured lawns with bright flowers surrounded well kept houses. Ladders leaned against unkempt structures. Tall grass partially camouflaged old toys, ancient tools, cement blocks, and even a white toilet. Long forgotten cars rusted amid weeds. What contrasts.
Stately three story homes brought imagined stories of happy owners, family get togethers, and fulfilled dreams. Broken windows, boarded up doors, and overgrown yards formed tales of lost jobs, unemployment, and despair. Each house held secrets from the past.
A chubby robin swooped past us. Secured between electrical wires and under the gutter, her nest rested securely. Worms dropped into teeny, uplifted beaks. Spring had arrived.
A sweet, distinctive aroma perfumed the air. White lilacs adorned the street. The lovely scent brought back memories of a simpler time.
A huge courthouse anchored the center of downtown. Carved columns stood as sentries beside large entrance doors. White domed lights clustered atop stone torches. Above the doors, words of wisdom were etched into the blocks. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jasper County for just and good government. Where law ends, anarchy begins. When the courthouse was built in 1840, the country was much different, but the words remain true and powerful.
In the circular reception area, we gazed up above the third level to the glass designs of the rotunda. The intricate beauty was a contrast to the simple stone exterior. Old wooden benches called us to rest before venturing back outside.
A smattering of white clouds floated across the brilliant, blue sky. Like a beacon shining in the night, a large American flag stood as a reminder of our values and freedoms.
As part of the veterans’ memorial, a soldier holding a stricken comrade pleaded for help. Engraved on bricks near the statue were names of local veterans. A reminder of the thousands who have served and continue to serve.
Leafy trees at each corner of the square swayed in the breeze. Small shrubs, lilacs, and tiger lilies accented the manicured grass. Small businesses filled spaces around the square. The picturesque town square continues to symbolize small town America.
An eclectic mixture of homes lined the streets. Colorful flowers edged homes, walls, and fences. Wicker chairs on wraparound porches waited for neighborly chats. Manicured lawns with bright flowers surrounded well kept houses. Ladders leaned against unkempt structures. Tall grass partially camouflaged old toys, ancient tools, cement blocks, and even a white toilet. Long forgotten cars rusted amid weeds. What contrasts.
Stately three story homes brought imagined stories of happy owners, family get togethers, and fulfilled dreams. Broken windows, boarded up doors, and overgrown yards formed tales of lost jobs, unemployment, and despair. Each house held secrets from the past.
A chubby robin swooped past us. Secured between electrical wires and under the gutter, her nest rested securely. Worms dropped into teeny, uplifted beaks. Spring had arrived.
A sweet, distinctive aroma perfumed the air. White lilacs adorned the street. The lovely scent brought back memories of a simpler time.
A huge courthouse anchored the center of downtown. Carved columns stood as sentries beside large entrance doors. White domed lights clustered atop stone torches. Above the doors, words of wisdom were etched into the blocks. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jasper County for just and good government. Where law ends, anarchy begins. When the courthouse was built in 1840, the country was much different, but the words remain true and powerful.
In the circular reception area, we gazed up above the third level to the glass designs of the rotunda. The intricate beauty was a contrast to the simple stone exterior. Old wooden benches called us to rest before venturing back outside.
A smattering of white clouds floated across the brilliant, blue sky. Like a beacon shining in the night, a large American flag stood as a reminder of our values and freedoms.
As part of the veterans’ memorial, a soldier holding a stricken comrade pleaded for help. Engraved on bricks near the statue were names of local veterans. A reminder of the thousands who have served and continue to serve.
Leafy trees at each corner of the square swayed in the breeze. Small shrubs, lilacs, and tiger lilies accented the manicured grass. Small businesses filled spaces around the square. The picturesque town square continues to symbolize small town America.
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