Anticipation. Glimpses of fear. Excitement. Complications.
Throw away the contacts and have nearly perfect eyesight. The rewards outweighed the risks. Fear was put aside, and I put my eyes in the hands of a master. His training and experience gave me confidence in the outcome.
Likewise, I have put my life into the hands of the ultimate Master. Unfortunately, fear of the unknown sometimes causes worry and trepidation. When I know and trust Him, fear should cease.
Only He knows the final result. Imagination writes all sorts of unpleasant endings. Worry and dread intensify pain and hide joyful opportunities but don’t change outcomes. They only make the journey more unpleasant and complicated.
Philippians 4: 6-7 “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (MSG)
Heavenly Father, as I go through the day, help me to pray and rely on your care. Amen
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Really?? No Pain??
With his hand poised, the doctor jammed the needle toward her bone. When he couldn’t penetrate it, another doctor forced the long spike through skin, muscle and bone. He succeeded in withdrawing bone marrow for the biopsy.
When the oncologist announced the need for another bone marrow biopsy, my family wondered why. With leukemia, diabetes, arthritis and other issues, my mom had been through so many tests and pain. She had been told previously that she would never have to endure another one. What happened?
The doctor explained that he couldn’t determine why her condition had worsened and the medications weren’t helping. He hoped the biopsy would give clues.
I was concerned about the pain of the upcoming test. Since Alan and I would be out of the country with no internet access, we wouldn’t know how it went until we got home.
I couldn’t be there but knew that God would be. I prayed that the test would go well and that she wouldn’t have intense pain. Over and over I prayed.
After the ship pulled in, I called. “How was your biopsy?”
“My doctor couldn’t get the needle into my bone. Another doctor had to do it,” she answered.
She continued as my mind filled with horrible scenes of terrible pain from the probing needles.
“They kept numbing it and I didn’t even have a tear.”
I was amazed. Her previous tests brought overpowering pain and tears. God answered the prayers. Miraculous.
Reflecting on the answer, I realized that my prayers are often too general. Be with so and so. Heal them. Watch over them. Give peace.
A specific prayer for reduced pain was answered. What a blessing for my already weak mother.
God listens to all requests both big and small. We pray and God determines the answers.
John 14: 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Dear Father, thank you for answered prayers. You are the one who determines what we need. Amen
When the oncologist announced the need for another bone marrow biopsy, my family wondered why. With leukemia, diabetes, arthritis and other issues, my mom had been through so many tests and pain. She had been told previously that she would never have to endure another one. What happened?
The doctor explained that he couldn’t determine why her condition had worsened and the medications weren’t helping. He hoped the biopsy would give clues.
I was concerned about the pain of the upcoming test. Since Alan and I would be out of the country with no internet access, we wouldn’t know how it went until we got home.
I couldn’t be there but knew that God would be. I prayed that the test would go well and that she wouldn’t have intense pain. Over and over I prayed.
After the ship pulled in, I called. “How was your biopsy?”
“My doctor couldn’t get the needle into my bone. Another doctor had to do it,” she answered.
She continued as my mind filled with horrible scenes of terrible pain from the probing needles.
“They kept numbing it and I didn’t even have a tear.”
I was amazed. Her previous tests brought overpowering pain and tears. God answered the prayers. Miraculous.
Reflecting on the answer, I realized that my prayers are often too general. Be with so and so. Heal them. Watch over them. Give peace.
A specific prayer for reduced pain was answered. What a blessing for my already weak mother.
God listens to all requests both big and small. We pray and God determines the answers.
John 14: 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Dear Father, thank you for answered prayers. You are the one who determines what we need. Amen
Friday, November 11, 2011
11/11/11
An ill equipped, poorly trained young man in ragged clothing fought to establish our country. Only a few years later, another war brought soldiers together to protect our newly formed nation.
Over the years, locations changed to foxholes in Europe, jungles in Asia, the sky over the Middle East, oceans of the Pacific... Both on American soil and around the world, our armed forces have sacrificed and served courageously.
Never has everyone agreed on policies, strategies, and involvements. Politicians debate. Citizens protest and argue. Lives continue on. All possible because of men and women who serve in the armed forces.
No matter what our views are on present involvements, we should all agree to show appreciation to our veterans. Each of their lives has been altered, families changed, and dreams often dashed. Yet, they continue.
Reach out to a veteran. Make a phone call. Buy a meal. Visit a friend or nursing home. Send a card or email. Fly a U.S. flag. Say a prayer.
God bless America and our veterans. Thank you to all who have served and are serving.
Over the years, locations changed to foxholes in Europe, jungles in Asia, the sky over the Middle East, oceans of the Pacific... Both on American soil and around the world, our armed forces have sacrificed and served courageously.
Never has everyone agreed on policies, strategies, and involvements. Politicians debate. Citizens protest and argue. Lives continue on. All possible because of men and women who serve in the armed forces.
No matter what our views are on present involvements, we should all agree to show appreciation to our veterans. Each of their lives has been altered, families changed, and dreams often dashed. Yet, they continue.
Reach out to a veteran. Make a phone call. Buy a meal. Visit a friend or nursing home. Send a card or email. Fly a U.S. flag. Say a prayer.
God bless America and our veterans. Thank you to all who have served and are serving.
Monday, November 7, 2011
How Old???
Officially a senior citizen. A Medicare card. Starting at forty, my fast forward button stuck and years sped by. How did it happen?
As a child, I longed to be older. Looking ahead when I could go to school, ride a bike, date, drive, attend college, get married, have children ... There was always an enticement just ahead. Life was simple, safe, and usually smooth.
Appreciation for those times came later. Now I remember fondly the endless stamina, smooth skin, flexible limbs, firm body, clear eyes, and unclouded memory. Occasional aches dissipated quickly. Delightful times with family and close friends produced pleasant memories. Small town life in Indiana sheltered me from turmoils of the world.
Bubbles burst and the insulation ripped apart. Pain, heartache, and uncertainty crept in. But they weren’t alone. Boundless opportunities and exciting possibilities appeared.
Sixty-five is no longer considered the end of life but the launch into another stage. Steps slow, memories falter, bones creak, eyes dim and hearing fades. No longer are excuses needed for dust on furniture and weeds in gardens. Resting in the afternoon is normal. Simple meals suffice and eating out becomes routine. Volunteering replaces stressful jobs. Alarm clocks rest. Playing involves grandchildren. Spontaneous, fun activities overtake boring chores. A sense of humor is essential.
Each day is a treasure to be cherished. Instead of lamenting the past, I plan to embrace the future.
As a child, I longed to be older. Looking ahead when I could go to school, ride a bike, date, drive, attend college, get married, have children ... There was always an enticement just ahead. Life was simple, safe, and usually smooth.
Appreciation for those times came later. Now I remember fondly the endless stamina, smooth skin, flexible limbs, firm body, clear eyes, and unclouded memory. Occasional aches dissipated quickly. Delightful times with family and close friends produced pleasant memories. Small town life in Indiana sheltered me from turmoils of the world.
Bubbles burst and the insulation ripped apart. Pain, heartache, and uncertainty crept in. But they weren’t alone. Boundless opportunities and exciting possibilities appeared.
Sixty-five is no longer considered the end of life but the launch into another stage. Steps slow, memories falter, bones creak, eyes dim and hearing fades. No longer are excuses needed for dust on furniture and weeds in gardens. Resting in the afternoon is normal. Simple meals suffice and eating out becomes routine. Volunteering replaces stressful jobs. Alarm clocks rest. Playing involves grandchildren. Spontaneous, fun activities overtake boring chores. A sense of humor is essential.
Each day is a treasure to be cherished. Instead of lamenting the past, I plan to embrace the future.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Sandwich
With one hand, he opened the door for us. In his other hand, he clutched a cardboard sign. Homeless.
My two older granddaughters and I thanked him as we walked into McDonalds. He stayed outside while we ordered our lunch. We ate. He sat.
His plight tugged at me. We talked about his situation and how difficult it must be.
“We’ll buy him a sandwich,” I told them. What kind of grandmother would I be to ignore him?
“I’ll go get it,” Caitlynn said quickly with a smile. “Can I take it out to him?”
“No, we’ll wait until we leave.”
When we looked outside, he was gone. However, another homeless man had appeared at the curb with his small dog.
As we started toward him, Caitlynn took her sister’s hand. “What do I say?”
“Tell him we have a sandwich for him. Look him in the eye,” I answered.
The two teenagers approached the unkempt man on the curb. He looked up.
She thrust the small bag at him and said, “Here is a sandwich for you.”
“Thank you.”
“We never know what people have been through,” Caitlyn said as we returned to our car.
How right she was. For anyone, especially teenagers, to look beyond themselves was an important discovery. Few words but important lessons. Reach out to touch lives and feel compassion. Let people know they are special and not just an annoyance. Children learn from our actions more than our words.
Matthew 18: 4-6 “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Dear Father, show me how I can be an example of your love. Amen
My two older granddaughters and I thanked him as we walked into McDonalds. He stayed outside while we ordered our lunch. We ate. He sat.
His plight tugged at me. We talked about his situation and how difficult it must be.
“We’ll buy him a sandwich,” I told them. What kind of grandmother would I be to ignore him?
“I’ll go get it,” Caitlynn said quickly with a smile. “Can I take it out to him?”
“No, we’ll wait until we leave.”
When we looked outside, he was gone. However, another homeless man had appeared at the curb with his small dog.
As we started toward him, Caitlynn took her sister’s hand. “What do I say?”
“Tell him we have a sandwich for him. Look him in the eye,” I answered.
The two teenagers approached the unkempt man on the curb. He looked up.
She thrust the small bag at him and said, “Here is a sandwich for you.”
“Thank you.”
“We never know what people have been through,” Caitlyn said as we returned to our car.
How right she was. For anyone, especially teenagers, to look beyond themselves was an important discovery. Few words but important lessons. Reach out to touch lives and feel compassion. Let people know they are special and not just an annoyance. Children learn from our actions more than our words.
Matthew 18: 4-6 “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Dear Father, show me how I can be an example of your love. Amen
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Clarificatiion
“Grandma, can we go on the carousel?”
“Emily, mommy told us not to ask,” her older sister Ashlyn admonished.
Undaunted, Emily continued. “Mommy said not to ask if we could go on the carousel. Mommy said not to ask if we could go on the train. Mommy didn’t say that we couldn’t go if someone asked us.”
While struggling to keep a straight face, I looked into her little face. Her five year old mind had the perfect solution. Listen to mommy but let grandma know that participating would be fine.
As adults don’t we sometimes use the same reasoning? The tax code didn’t actually mean that. No one at work said that it couldn’t be used at home. It wasn’t really a lie; he just didn’t ask that exact question. That wasn’t gossip; just a detailed prayer request.
Proverbs 16: 2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Dear Lord, guide me to do what is right and not twist the truth. Amen
“Emily, mommy told us not to ask,” her older sister Ashlyn admonished.
Undaunted, Emily continued. “Mommy said not to ask if we could go on the carousel. Mommy said not to ask if we could go on the train. Mommy didn’t say that we couldn’t go if someone asked us.”
While struggling to keep a straight face, I looked into her little face. Her five year old mind had the perfect solution. Listen to mommy but let grandma know that participating would be fine.
As adults don’t we sometimes use the same reasoning? The tax code didn’t actually mean that. No one at work said that it couldn’t be used at home. It wasn’t really a lie; he just didn’t ask that exact question. That wasn’t gossip; just a detailed prayer request.
Proverbs 16: 2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Dear Lord, guide me to do what is right and not twist the truth. Amen
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Horrific Experience
While looking out the window, a terrible tragedy unfolded in front of me. With no warning, the roof and walls of a tall building collapsed by the power of a raging flash flood. I was paralyzed.
“We have to close the window!” I screamed.
Just as the latch snapped shut, water reached to the seventh story window and continued rising. Like staring into a gigantic aquarium, I peered through the window in disbelief. An awful realization hit.
“We’re trapped. How can we get out?” I wailed.
Before I could devise a plan or faint from fright, the nightmare ended. For several minutes, the horrific scene played over and over in my mind.
Before bed the night before, the evening news showed the horrendous crash of a stage at the Indiana State Fair. While the reporter told the details, the shocking scene played over and over. The tragic event caused a heavy heart for the victims, their friends and families. My home state grieved. So did I.
Unconsciously, that horrific experience festered in my sleeping mind. Thankfully, the dream only occurred once but still had an impact.
Both good and bad experiences mold us. Whatever is allowed into our lives influences our thoughts and actions. A diet of trashy or violent movies, books, and computer sites can cause acceptance in real life. Cursing, sarcasm, and putdowns affect relationships. If all of this affects adults, think how it shapes children and young people. In our anything goes society, we are surrounded by unpleasant and disturbing events and situations. It takes an effort to ignore and avoid them.
Whatever is put inside rattles around and often comes out in unexpected, unhealthy ways. Garbage in. Garbage Out.
Proverbs 4: 14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it.
Dear Lord, guide us and protect us from the evils of the world. Amen
“We have to close the window!” I screamed.
Just as the latch snapped shut, water reached to the seventh story window and continued rising. Like staring into a gigantic aquarium, I peered through the window in disbelief. An awful realization hit.
“We’re trapped. How can we get out?” I wailed.
Before I could devise a plan or faint from fright, the nightmare ended. For several minutes, the horrific scene played over and over in my mind.
Before bed the night before, the evening news showed the horrendous crash of a stage at the Indiana State Fair. While the reporter told the details, the shocking scene played over and over. The tragic event caused a heavy heart for the victims, their friends and families. My home state grieved. So did I.
Unconsciously, that horrific experience festered in my sleeping mind. Thankfully, the dream only occurred once but still had an impact.
Both good and bad experiences mold us. Whatever is allowed into our lives influences our thoughts and actions. A diet of trashy or violent movies, books, and computer sites can cause acceptance in real life. Cursing, sarcasm, and putdowns affect relationships. If all of this affects adults, think how it shapes children and young people. In our anything goes society, we are surrounded by unpleasant and disturbing events and situations. It takes an effort to ignore and avoid them.
Whatever is put inside rattles around and often comes out in unexpected, unhealthy ways. Garbage in. Garbage Out.
Proverbs 4: 14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it.
Dear Lord, guide us and protect us from the evils of the world. Amen
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