A Marred Image

For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

(Psalm 18:28 NKJV)

            Because of shortened fall days, darkness welcomed me when I stepped onto my patio. With a small light, I studied the Bible and read my daily devotionals.

            In the quietness before dawn, leaves rustled. A hidden bird chirped. Blackness concealed the lake.

            Bit by bit, light intensified and broke through. Across the lake, a blushing sky appeared with the dawn. Overhead, an expanse of azure brightened my morning with an expectation of a sparkling lake.

            But a very different picture emerged. Blobs of algae marred the surface of the water and destroyed the image in my imagination. Instead of a glittering lake, I saw a mottled mess.

            Other sights added to the gloominess. A brown limb, broken by Hurricane Irma, dangled from one of the cypress trees. Dead stems covered plants near my porch. Clumps of decaying grass remained from the previous week’s mowing. The dismal scene looked much different from the usual cheery one.

            However, when I stared at the forlorn picture, sunlight blazed between the pine trees and formed a path across the lake. Tiny clouds danced above the water in the stream of light. Dew sparkled on the grass and orange flowers. A spider web glistened. Small touches of beauty transformed the setting into something lovely.

            Often, anticipation doesn’t match reality. A choice is made to focus on what is marred or appreciate surprises of hope and encouragement within the messes of life.

Creator, help me see and embrace the gifts of hope and encouragement even in the trials of life. Amen

            

Thankfulness After Hurricane Irma

“I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

            In my area of Central Florida, life’s returning to normal after Hurricane Irma. Towering piles of tree debris line now open roads. In some neighborhoods, dangling wires remain but power has been restored in most areas.

            A few days earlier when I drove down the interstate, convoys of power trucks joined normal traffic in both directions. Tears pricked my eyes as I saw license plates from Kentucky and Maryland. Others were too far away to see their states.

            While driving through a neighborhood, power company trucks lined a narrow street. Workers directed traffic, searched for problems, and perched high above the street as they repaired wires. My thankfulness for their tiring work increased as I neared them. Tears blurred my eyes as I read “Dallas, Texas” on the side of their trucks.

            After their state suffered horrible effects from Hurricane Harvey, those men traveled to Florida to assist us. I could hardly mumble my thanks to one of the workers without breaking down in tears.

            As Floridians endured time without AC, TV, phones, and internet, thousands of utility workers, first responders, insurance adjusters, garbage men, tree trimmers, electricians, and countless others slaved in the wind, rain, and heat to do their jobs.

            Every time I see them in person or on the news, I think of the sacrifices they have made. Not only do they face dangerous situations, but they are fatigued like the rest of us. However, they are also away from their families and homes. Some for long stretches of time.

            Thousands of workers display the true spirit of America. Our diverse country always comes together in a crisis. Pray for the strength, safety, and peace of all affected by the storms, fires, and earthquakes here at home and in other areas.

Heavenly Father, we don’t know why so many tragedies are striking the world right now but we know You can make something good out of it. Help us to be thankful and patient as we recover. Amen

After Irma

 Red brake lights glowed as I approached the St. Johns River bridge. 

            On, no. With a traffic jam, I wouldn’t get to church on time for lunch.

            As I crested the bridge, lights dimmed with no evidence of a crash. My eyes locked on the caravan in the right lane. White power company trucks stretched as far as I could see down the interstate.

            News reports told of workers waiting at the Daytona Speedway to begin repairing electrical lines after the hurricane passed. But actually seeing the trucks brought tears. I thought of millions in Florida without power because of Irma.

            When I neared the trucks, I saw they were all from Maryland. They left their jobs, families and friends to engage in dangerous work to serve Floridians. 

            An Indiana cousin’s coworker’s husband had been dispatched earlier. Workers from several states worked in areas hit by Harvey and then came to the disaster in Florida. 

            Thank you, Lord, for sending us help.            

            Throughout the time before, during and after Irma, people stepped up to help one another. I wanted to personally thank the drivers but couldn’t do that in expressway traffic.  I waved but from their high perches they probably couldn’t see me. I was so thankful for them.

            Their destination was a mystery. Perhaps they stopped near Orlando or traveled further to south Florida. Wherever they ended up, their presence blessed Florida. 

            At church, I joined an army of volunteers preparing to serve a free, hot lunch to our weary community. A day earlier, church staff decided we needed to be Jesus to those affected by Irma. An invitation spread on Facebook and Z88, a local Christian radio station. Volunteers and hungry residents shared the news and hundreds showed up. 

            Tables, chairs, volunteers and staff prepared the large foyer. Grills began cooking hot dogs and hamburgers.  For almost three hours, nonstop cooks stood over stifling grills. Tables of lemonade and water waited for hot, thirsty visitors.

            Before the designated time, people arrived. With so many coming, we began serving early. The grills couldn’t keep up with the demand. As people waited at my table, we talked to them and listened to stories. Most had no power. Some had no water. 

            We offered food, cool drinks and encouraging words. The never ending line extended beyond my sight. Church friends and strangers passed by me. They came from communities around Orlando. All thankful for the respite. 

            An assortment of people passed by. Elderly in wheelchairs rolled past. Young parents with children in strollers. Families with several children. Middle aged parents with teenagers. Volunteers stepped up to help carry plates and get drinks. They prayed for individuals. 

            Because no one knew how many people would show up, food ran low. Staff made trips to find additional food in a community with few open stores. Boxes of bagged snacks next to me dwindled to nothing and then more boxes appeared. Hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on an additional grill. Pulled pork, pulled chicken, slaw and baked beans appeared at the end of the lunch. 

            Visitors could also take home a meal for a friend or family member who couldn’t attend. Those meals ran out too but more appeared. 

            Volunteers of all ages cooked, served food, provided drinks, cleaned tables, welcomed visitors, and most of all loved like Jesus. As some volunteers came from powerless homes, they put aside their own problems for the day to serve someone else. After days of stress and uncertainty, the festive atmosphere lifted spirits of everyone.

            When I looked at the variety of people in my church who were talking, laughing and praying together, I knew we were being the church without even entering the sanctuary. We didn’t talk about theology but just loved those around us. What a way to be Jesus.

The Approaching Storm

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

            A full moon illuminated my lawn when I stepped into the predawn blackness to retrieve my newspaper. In awe, I stared at the luminous moon, twinkling constellations, and glowing planets. The serenity of the sky contrasted sharply with images of massive hurricane Irma charging through the islands and on to Florida and states further north.

            With mandatory evacuations in South Florida and others trying to flee the state, bumper to bumper traffic stretched from the Keys to the northern border. Airports filled as travelers tried to make flights before airports closed. Canceled flights brought more stress for harried residents and tourists.

            People spent hours and hours waiting to purchase water, batteries, generators and gasoline. Retailers watched shelves empty within minutes. Truckers delivered goods constantly with little rest. The highway patrol kept gas lines moving at stations along the turnpike.

            For years, overactive newscasters and meteorologists predicted numerous and strong hurricanes. Most of the time it never happened. People became complacent. But after the recent disaster from Harvey and visuals of a massive Irma, people listened.

            Preparations began early. Constant coverage informed but also frightened as updates often changed directions of the approaching storm.

            From the Florida Keys, low lying regions, coastal areas, and mobile homes, residents were told to leave.

            Governor Scott said, “Things can be replaced. Families can’t be put back together. No one will be able to rescue those who remain behind to ride out the storm.”      Thankfully, most are in the process of leaving.

            As I prepare my house, questions come. Will my house be flooded? Will the roof hold? Will streets be cleared for me to return home from Chris and Anne’s? Will my windows break? Will a tree fall on my house? Will we take a direct hit?

            During my morning devotions on the patio, I stared at the sky over the lake. In the midst of uncertainty and turmoil around me, God provided a place of peace. Above the dark forest, a border of dazzling sunlight highlighted bluish clouds. Seconds later, the sun emerged and lit up the entire lake.

            The unexpected display reminded me that God is near even in our storms. While I can make preparations to protect myself and my home, only God is in control.

            Please pray for those who have already been impacted by the storm and for those of us who wait. Pray for safety and compassion as we all face an unknown outcome. Pray that God will be seen clearly.

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding us of your nearness even in the storms. You can stop the winds or change the path. Even if you don’t, give us strength to face them. Amen  

The Chipped Tooth

In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. (Psalm 87:7 NIV)

            Forty-nine years ago, a silly mishap broke my front tooth. The ragged remains left me in tears and despair. In college away from home without my dentist, I felt lost and worried about my upcoming wedding with a broken tooth.

            I don’t remember the details, but someone got me in to see a dentist. A temporary fix kept me from hiding until I could get home to see my own dentist. He provided a perfectly colored crown that lasted for years and years.

            Since that time, I cringed at every cleaning when the crown was scraped and polished. I didn’t want it damaged.

            At my latest cleaning, the dentist noticed a rounded crack on my front crown. She grabbed her I-phone while her assistant pulled back my gums like she was examining a horse’s mouth. The pictures clearly showed a problem.

            I hated the thought of enduring the process of getting a new crown. However, that wasn’t even an option. My dentist was leaving the following day for a trip to the mountains to view the solar eclipse. She planned to return on Wednesday after I left on Tuesday for a trip to Indiana.

            The assistant came in with a device to make a mold of my tooth. After sitting with the gooey stuff in my mouth for three minutes, I couldn’t open my mouth. My teeth stuck like cement. She had to yank on it to pry it loose. I thought I would see my teeth like a set of dentures when it came from my mouth. Fortunately, my teeth stayed intact. At least the mold would help hurry the process when I had to get a new one.

            “Make sure you’re careful when you eat,” my dentist and her assistant both said.

            All the way home, I worried about the situation. Should I go on my trip and risk having it break off or cancel my trip and get it fixed as soon as she got back? I kept changing my mind.

            My cousin and his wife stopped by soon after I arrived home. Since he is a dentist, he looked at the damaged crown and said it could break while I was gone. But he told me to go on my trip.

            His wife said, “They do have dentists in Indiana.”

            Later that night, I continued to play the scenarios over and over in my mind. Finally, I put my worries aside and decided to make the trip.

            Being careful meant no delicious corn on the cob. Of course, I could cut the kernels and eat it. I could dice food into small pieces and not bite anything with my front teeth. With those precautions in mind, worry slipped away.

            Then I realized my concern wasn’t just for the possibility of pain or difficulty eating but embarrassment and pride at having a ragged tooth and looking ugly.  

            Of course, finding a dentist in an unfamiliar town who could help me might be difficult. When I remembered the numerous times God provided for me in the past, I had confidence He will continue to provide for my needs.

            I thought of people disfigured by many terrible situations. My problem was not as severe and could be fixed. Because of my cracked crown, God spoke to my heart.

Dear Lord, thank you for taking care of me in all sorts of situations. Help me remember what you have done in the past so I won’t worry about the future. Amen

Home from My Hawaiian Mission

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

(John 13: 34-35 NIV)

            My latest mission trip is over. Three months before he died, Alan and I went to Jamaica on our last official mission trip. Since then, my desire to travel has diminished along with wanting to join a group to minister in a foreign country or even in another state.

            However, grief has made me more aware of the hurts and needs of those around me. My heart aches for those in pain and grief. God constantly places people in my world who need comfort, encouragement, and understanding.

            A young mother wheeled her daughter’s stroller into the waiting area by the gate. Her cherub smiled at me. I waved and smiled back. She waved and we continued our game until she and her mom boarded the plane.

            A twinge of sadness hit me as I walked the ramp without Alan. But instead of dwelling on my loneliness, that morning I prayed God would show me someone I could help during my trip.

            On the plane, I looked for my seat and was surprised to see the window seat taken by the mother and my tiny playmate. Even though she didn’t act like she needed comfort, I was glad they were my seatmates.

            “I hope she is ok. This is her first flight. I hope she doesn’t bother you,” the mother said.

            “I’m a grandma and was a teacher for a long time,” I said. “She will be fine and won’t bother me.”

            The mother shared about her job working for a company that promotes baseball and softball. When I told her about my granddaughter Ashlyn playing softball, she said she played too. In fact, she got a scholarship to the University of Florida and continued playing professional ball for a few years.

            Later, I told her I was alone because of the loss of my husband. Then I found out that her dad, who lived with her, died a few months earlier. Three weeks later, her mom’s long time boyfriend passed away unexpectedly. Both deaths affected her and her mom.

            “I want to give you one of my books. I wrote it after losing my parents and husband in a short time. God has gotten me through it,” I said.

            “Thank you so much. I’ll read it and give it to my mom who is having a hard time. When I saw you in the waiting area smiling at my daughter, I hoped you would sit by us.”

            God orchestrated my mission that day by connecting us. I understood about having a child and flying alone. My book offered comfort for her and her mom.

            Their presence kept me from lonely and made the five-hour flight go quickly.

            My mission trip wasn’t an organized group of people with a specific destination and purpose. But it was being open to the opportunity next to me and began my mission to Hawaii.

Loving Father, thank you for putting specific people in our lives. Guide us in how we can minister wherever we are. Amen