FRIDAY WISDOM FROM C.S. LEWIS
Posted in Faith, Inspiration
Tagged courage, FAITH, Heaven, humility, Inspiration, Jesus, life, quotes
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WHERE DO I GET MY MATERIAL?
Many of my fellow bloggers have such creative minds. They seem to be able to turn stories of reality int0 great comedy stories or routines. Like Mark and his Yegg’s mysteries or Mitch’s tales from his youth, which always stir a laugh or more. I have also been blessed to be able to turn some of the most discouraging events into something funny. For example, the senior group I collaborate with on radio episodes to present to other seniors in our community are often based on real life events. Eventually I may put some of my own experiences into book form, but it seems they keep coming faster than I can keep up with lately.
A week ago, Monday, my husband had his 9th urological surgery to hopefully repair a problem he’s been dealing with for this entire year. The surgery went well, until Friday when he was in excruciating pain. That’s not the funny part. He was again admitted to the ER and the hospital. That’s not the funny part either. He was going to be released on Sunday and called to let me know. When he called, he discovered that I had been up all night with extreme pain and nausea. That’s still not the funny part but wait. It’s coming. He then arranged to have my daughter come and get me to the ER. I had a number of kidney stones that were causing all the trouble. So, I was admitted to the hospital too. I know, it’s not even remotely funny for both of us to be in the hospital, but we were. His stay was extended, and I went in for surgery. Here’s the funny part – ready? We had talked about going to a nice hotel for our 58th wedding anniversary last month but spent it instead at the urologist’s office. Now we were spending the weekend, in a $10,000 a day luxury hotel – in separate rooms on two different floors.
My room was lovely. Prior to Covid, it was a pre-delivery room in the maternity ward. There I was in a room designed for birthing, giving birth to several kidney stones. (that’s another part of the funny stuff.) Our pastor stopped by to see me and asked if Paul and I were in for a two-fer. Since I have difficulty hearing there were the incessant questions – “What was that?” and “Sorry, I can’t hear you.” One nurses aid asked if I needed a toothbrush and I thought she was asking if I had a juice box.
My point is that we can dwell on the difficulties we face as we get older with discouraging hearts, or we can laugh in the face of them. I prefer the latter. We both arrived home on Tuesday and are glad to be here. We both slept well and even had a continuous dream. Paul dreamt he was in the backyard tracking raccoons while I was dreaming of a huge raccoon running through our yard. Either we are experiencing too much time together, or we are actually becoming one person.
There is more to come, but I’ll leave you with this much today. You’re not going to believe what happened next. My life with the man I married has been filled with ups and downs, but we have learned to laugh at our adversity. I think that’s what Robin Williams meant in the above quote. I also know that God loves a cheerful heart. Because of that, we continue to create funny stories. Reality really is much funnier than you see on TV.
Posted in aging, anxiety, Humor, Inspiration
Tagged adversity, Depression, humor, illness, Inspiration, laughter
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FALLING IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN!
I’ve been absent for a while because of illness. Not just me, but the long, drawn-out issues my husband is struggling with. Through this time of our lives together, we still enjoy each other’s company and can laugh in spite of adversity. I wrote this poem a few years ago, but it truly explains the love we have for each other. I’m sure it isn’t much different than many others, but entering our 80th birthdays this year, we have many new challenges, which have brought us even closer together – as well as with our God.
We became one flesh, one life, one entity because of love,
That love came not from selfishness,
Not from personal desire,
Not from vanity,
But it was a pure love,
Selfless,
Caring,
Compassionate,
Sympathetic,
A result of our oneness,
Yet in spite of our individuality,
We were joined together,
The three of us,
You, me and God our Father,
We walked through dangerous paths,
We stepped into difficult situations,
We made mistakes,
We picked ourselves up,
The perfect union,
Which will last through our old age,
And into eternity.
POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©
Posted in aging, God, Inspiration, marriage, Poetry by Kathy Boecher
Tagged adversity, aging togetherr, Blessings, eternity, illness, Love, marriage, Poetry by Kathy Boecher
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POWER WITHIN
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Miles and miles of timber,
Kissed tenderly by the early, morning sun,
The sound of rushing water from a stream nearby,
Smoothed by the caress of the dawn of a new day,
Cascading,
Swirling,
Crashing,
Descending.
We often fall,
We sometimes fail,
We have no wings,
But we can fly,
We have no cage to hold us,
No bondage to deter,
But we can face the crashing falls,
Of each and every day,
We have no power to save ourselves,
But God provides the way,
He guides us to still waters,
Amidst the storms of life,
He holds us back when we rage,
When we can’t contain ourselves,
When no earthly power can,
He directs our paths,
Refining,
Redefining,
Claiming,
Breathing new life into us,
So that our regenerated souls at last,
Lead us to Him.
IS YOUR LIFE MEANINGLESS?
Ecclesiastes 2:11 “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
I find it interesting that time is supposed to move us ahead, but it really doesn’t. In reality, time just repeats itself and history sometimes returns to haunt us. It seems that we go in circles and continue to make the same mistakes our ancestors did. Aren’t we supposed to learn from our errors?
When we think about what we do to make our mark on the world, it really doesn’t amount to much. Whatever we accomplish here will not be remembered for long after we are gone. Even the very famous lose their notoriety once they enter the grave. One perfect person did leave His mark on the world though. Jesus’ accomplishments are still recognized and hopefully we will continue to pass on what He has done for generations to come. No matter how hard we work in this life, it is all meaningless without our savior.
“TANGLED” BY KATHY BOECHER©
We weave an intricate web of silken threads to create beautiful patterns,
Somehow those webs get tangled and their original intent turns ugly,
In our desire to construct the perfect life, we make sacrifices,
We struggle, we set a plan in motion,
But at every intersection,
We get trapped or,
We trap someone else,
The best laid plans of men are meaningless,
Unless we nurture and put God’s blueprint into action,
That doesn’t mean it will be flawless,
Because we are creatures of inherited sin,
Because we sometimes reach too high,
Put too much stock in our own endeavors,
Rely on our own intellect,
Think we know better,
The web of life will always have bumps and hiccups,
But if we place our faith in God,
A perfect life awaits,
A life that lasts forever.
Posted in Faith, Inspiration, jpoetry/prose, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, purpose, time
Tagged FAITH, God's plan, Inspiration, Jesus, meaningless, perfection, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, Salvation, time
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GENERATION GAPS?
So much has changed over time – or has it? I think the generation gaps we hear about are more like stepping-stones to building future generations. In my lifetime alone, I’ve seen technology change tremendously. I grew up with one of the first television sets – a 7″ black and white screen placed in a huge piece of furniture called a console. Today, these modes of entertainment are now almost as big as a movie screen. Computers were in the very early stages when I was a kid. A smart phone was one you had to crank to get the operator’s attention. Now all we have to do is press a button and we’re instantly connected to each other. With all the changes over time, we often forget some of the basics to life.
I remember hearing stories about the good old days when I was a child. My grandmother would talk about riding a horse and buggy to town every Sunday for church and spending the rest of the day with relatives. There were no telephones, no washing machines, dishwashers, televisions or modern conveniences, but they were still good times. Now, as a grandmother myself, I look back at the days of my youth as the good old days. My family didn’t own a car until I was 17. We went everywhere on the streetcar or we walked. Family was still important, even though we didn’t see them every week. There were enormous family reunions at least once a year and I spent most of my summers with my grandparents on their farm.
We played in the dirt and didn’t use hand sanitizer. We drank out of the same drinking glass. We never wore seat belts. We saved our money until we had enough to buy something we really wanted. Women were treated with respect – not as competitors. We made our own toys out of old cardboard boxes. We hung sheets up in the backyard and put on plays for the neighbors as entertainment. I know there are a lot of things to be thankful for in this modern age, but there will never be anything like the “good old days.” Maybe the good old days are just the good memories we save from those times.
Each generation has something to offer the next. It has to do with things like teaching integrity, respect, communicating, working together. We can let them know they need to accept responsibility for their actions, help one another, build lasting relationships, rely on God to get them through any circumstance. All those things will help to build the future. If we dwell on the negative and forget about the gifts we’ve been blessed with over time, we will never be happy.
Time changes things, but the basics remain the same, as pointed out in Luke 1:50-53.
“His mercy is from age to age, to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their throne but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.”
Posted in aging, America, change, Encouragement, Faith, Family, goals
Tagged adaptation, AGING, change, FAMILY, Future, generations, good old days, Inspiration, memories
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LIFE CHANGING SEASONS
When fall is in the air, all sorts of thoughts come to mind. The temperatures will soon be turning cold; winter is just around the corner. Leaves are changing color and need to be raked. Apples are ripe for picking and making into pies and apple crisp. We start cooking comfort food like stew, chili and soup. The hot days of summer are gone and days are shorter now.
I absolutely love this time of year, but the thought of six cold months ahead, is downright depressing. Seasons can be like the ages of our lives. In spring everything is full of promise. In the summer all is alive and thriving. In the fall we begin the aging process – we wither and dry up. In winter we die. Each year is a reminder that our time on earth is temporary, but our lives don’t end when we die. Death is just the beginning of the most wonderful season – eternal life.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us this time of grace on this side of eternity, to grow in your truth and to do the work you want us to do. Thank you for the change of seasons and the beauty each one brings. Thank you for the days you have allotted to my husband and me as we travel through this world. I also pray for him as he is undergoing another surgical procedure today. May this be the one that will give him the help that he needs. I know his faith in you has never wavered. He is your good and faithful servant, and if it is your will, may he have many more years to serve you. Amen!
Posted in aging, anxiety, Faith, healing, Inspiration
Tagged AGING, changes, FAITH, healing, Inspiration, prayer, seasons
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OCTOBER CHILL
The heat of summer crunches under fallen shards,
Remnants of that which once was full of life,
Giving way to gorgeous color everywhere,
God’s paintbrush embraces the trees,
Scrumbling brilliant hues throughout the landscape,
Purveying jewels to adorn the countryside,
Filling the sky with burnt orange, crimson and golden clouds,
Autumn reminds us of our earthly journey,
Soon we’ll be blanketed with white,
Entwined in ice,
Struggling to keep our balance,
Watching icicles form,
But for now,
Enjoy,
The brocaded tapestry of a coat of many colors,
Created by the One True God.
Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, change, inspiration.
Tagged art & poetry from the Boechers, autumn, encouragement, FAITH, Inspiration, Jesus, seasons, transformation
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WHAT’S YOUR STORY – REALLY?
Everyone has a story. Maybe more than one. In fact, most of us are a complex bibliography of a huge assortment of stories. There are those events in your life that make up the memories of the past. Memories – good or bad – become stored in our brains for future reference. If you are a writer, you know how important memories are. Maybe your story has to do with a bad memory. Did that memory define who your are today? Most psychologists would agree that it does. We also have access to current events that affect our story. Is it politics, war, modern history repeating itself? Maybe the economy is in the process of defining you. Perhaps your story isn’t concerned with such things.
You may be in search of the “American Dream,” which seems to have become a nightmare of sorts. Our story can also be attributed to our dreams. I happen to have some of the most vivid ones – in technicolor, with just the right lighting and costumes. It’s a secret place where the devil likes to infect my brain from time to time – often causing me to wake in a cold sweat.
Your story may be completely different than the one you present to others – a masquerade of sorts – for the benefit of the audience. I suppose many would say that of me or any other performer, who puts their story on a stage for all the world to see. Are you telling the true story of who you are when you relate to others? You might be afraid to reveal the truth of your journey, because you would be judged in a bad way. Is your story a do-over? Have you changed its course over time? Are you willing to share the darkest secrets of your life with everyone, or do you prefer to have them think only the best of you? Sometimes our story can benefit someone who is going through a rough patch. It might allow them to feel comfort that they aren’t the only one suffering in such a manner.
When our life story is laid out before our Creator, what does He see? He knows everything about us – all our inmost thoughts and deeds. He is aware of our weaknesses. He has laid down a strict set of rules for us to remain obedient to Him. Are we? We know the wages of sin is death and yet there is nothing we can do about that outcome. The only answer comes through our story with our Savior, Jesus. He made it possible for us to appear whiter than new fallen snow, before our Maker. That’s the best story ever – and it’s the truth!
Posted in Uncategorized
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BEACHED
Cool, refreshing waters wash up on an empty, tranquil beach,
The final days of summer have washed over us and we are spent,
Our days pass so quickly as we grow old – or not at all,
Time escapes and ends up somewhere in infinity,
Still there is hope,
For those in their final years,
For the broken,
The crushed,
The weary,
The lonely,
There is a fresh beginning right around the corner,
New start,
New hopes,
New goals to reach,
New people to meet
New adventures to make,
New life,
Live it.
Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, eternal life, hope, Inspiration
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Auitumn, change, encouragement, FAITH, God, God'/s promise, Inspiration, seasons
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FIRST SNOW – A COLLAGE
This year has been filled with surprise after surprise. I believe 2022 will go down in history as one we’d love to forget. This morning the sky opened up and gently expelled flakes of white upon an already colorful blanket of reds and oranges. Another surprise. We always seem stunned to see the first snow of the season, but we shouldn’t be. Snow is a mainstay in Minnesota. In a way those giant flakes of white could be construed as manna from heaven, being poured down on a weary world. It is like a washing away of all the ugliness that has transpired for the past ten months or even longer. As it actually begins to stick to the ground, I’m wondering if this is yet another sign of the state of our world right now. God has been speaking to us and we seem not to hear Him.
Maybe shaking the crystal snowball will get our attention. Remember how as children we were fascinated as fake snow flew through the confines of an orb, and dusted everything with a coating of white? Somehow that same feeling is closing in on me right now as I look out my window and watch giant flakes of cleansing snow, caress the landscape. Perhaps it’s just an omen of what is to come. Maybe, as the Farmer’s Almanac indicates, we’re in for a long, long winter. Whatever the case, there is nothing like the first snowfall of the year.
As I sit here viewing this glorious first look at winter, I can’t help but be hopeful. God is still in His sanctuary. We have His protection, no matter what comes our way. He has washed us clean of all the bigotry, hatred, bias, racism, fear, depression that comes from a long time in the wilderness. He is still in control, whether we believe that or not. Nothing will get in His way, except our inability to believe that He exists.
Moon beams sift through pines on new fallen snow,
Light sufficient to find the way back home,
Heavy load weighs on icy roads below,
Weight of the world upon that glistening dome.
The tree of life stands firmly in its place,
It will not move in any time or space,
For God so loved this world He would not spare,
The One who came to us – His love to share,
To melt the ice of frozen hearts in sin,
Refreshed and washed as white as snow by Him.
POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER
Posted in change, humor, Inspiration, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, snow, Uncategorized
Tagged autumn, Inspiration, Octobr, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, seasons, Snow, time in the wilderness
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POLITICAL ADS OVERLOAD
Wednesday around here, usually means it’s time for garage sales. We’re getting to the end of the season for that sadly. I love looking at other people’s trash and trying to imagine how to use it in and among my own trash. Like I said, the season is about to end with the onset of colder months. No one likes trudging through the snow to visit a garage sale. The fact that I often look for signs leading to them, brings me to another form of advertising that appears on people’s lawns and street corners. The political advertising season is heavily crowding out the yard sale signs and making them impossible to see. Like most of my friends, we are all sick of this massive advertising campaign, aimed at getting votes. I would imagine that millions or more dollars are being spent on these few months before an election to brainwash with pictures and names of various candidates. Wouldn’t it mean more to use that very same money to do some good for the community these people are running to rule over?
I firmly believe that everyone should be limited to how much they spend on posting their faces all over the place. This form of brainwashing should not be tolerated. Not only is it a waste of money, but it’s hiding the yard sale signs – making people really mad – irritating everyone who sees them – really not accomplishing what they set out to do. When we get this close to an election, you can’t take a walk around the block without being greeted by a Republican or Democrat candidate. They are plastered on lawns, billboards, the screens of our televisions and the media often takes a stand on one or the other. Because we are a free nation, we’re allowed to do these things, however, it seems to me that it’s just a form of agitation, which our country doesn’t need right now.
If you have any common sense, you’ll do your homework before going to vote. Find out what the candidates have accomplished so far and if they have the gumption to carry through on their promises. You can bet that most of them will forget what they promised the minute they’re elected. So, I propose that all the money used for political advertising is placed in a special account to be used for things like homelessness, medical care for the aged, help for those who can’t take care of themselves – I think they call it charity. Maybe we’d be looking at a whole new world.
Posted in America, change, country, Elections, FPRGIVENESS, Humor, politics
Tagged autumn, brainsashing, change, clutter, elections, garage sales, humor, opinion, p;olitical ads, Politics, rant
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EXPLOSION OF THE SENSES
Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Not only are our eyes exposed to a feast of brilliant colors, but the sounds change too. We hear geese migrating in search of warmer climates and honking all the way. There are more birds at the feeder lately too. Squirrels are busy gathering sustenance for the coming winter months. How majestic is our God. He has His eye on His entire creation, every second of every day. He charts the paths for the birds to fly. He leads the critters to food sources that will keep them alive. He hears our prayers – every single one of them – and answers them with our best interests in mind.
We live in a small town, just north of Minneapolis. We’re close to all that we need to keep us going every day, but we are also able to escape the city within just a few miles outside our backyard. We generally get in our car at least once a week and travel through wooded areas – visit parks surrounding two large rivers that feed them and enjoy all that God has to offer. These little trips are a way for us to refresh and regroup and get closer to our Creator. The trips are short, but enough for us to enjoy the changing seasons and escape the city sounds, smells, sights, feelings and tastes. It is a sort of respite from all the chaos that is going on right now in our neighborhood. You see, our home sits very close to a major highway which is currently under construction. Even though we live in a small town, there is crime around us. There is danger everywhere, but God has placed His protection around us too. He has given us opportunities to venture to other places and enjoy His handiwork.
If you want to enliven your senses, get out in nature. Especially right now when the colors are amazing. The metamorphous of life is taking place. Survival of the fittest is in the works. There is so much to enjoy right now. God’s paintbrush has been working overtime.
Posted in America, God, Inspiration, Travel
Tagged autumn, beauty, change, God's Creaation, Inspiration, provision, seasons
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EYES WIDE OPEN
We’ve had a taste of feasting our eyes on other people’s eyes in the past three years. Masking has made it difficult for us to get a clear picture of what a person is actually thinking, but our eyes tell a lot. Even though the rest of our face was covered, the eyes could display anger, frustration, hatred, love, and many emotions that are within us. They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, and I believe they are very important to our spiritual as well as physical sight. In our age of technological advances, it hardly seems necessary to use our minds. Our information is right at our fingertips. Wouldn’t it be interesting if at some point we eventually wind up like E.T. with our line of communication being our pointer finger? Our eyes take in all kinds of information – some that isn’t always good for us. Our mind may have difficulty processing the good from the bad, especially with all the eye candy being bantered around us.
We’ve been designed as visual creatures. Our eyes are an important part of our makeup. We often look only at what’s right in front of them. We need proof – we need to see for ourselves – we need to have the drama laid out before us so we can experience the beauty of a story or an image. My husband knows how to craft beautiful images through his art. I use my gifts to turn stories into performance drama. There are so many talented authors who have transferred their thoughts into beautiful words for the eye to read and places to stir the imagination.
Until we no longer have use of our eyes, we rely on them for many things and yet we’re often blind to the truth that’s right in front of us. The clarity of God’s Word requires only one thing from us and that’s opening our eyes in faith to what its pages hold. We don’t need to be an intellectual – we don’t need to be a theologian – we don’t even need to be a believer. In faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit, our eyes will be opened to the beautiful plan God has designed for each of us – a plan that goes far beyond what our earthly life provides. It’s the nourishment that God has prepared for everyone in eternity.
Posted in Bible, Faith, Jesus
Tagged Bible, eyes, FAITH, holy spirit, inspiration & encouragement, Jesus, open mind, vision
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FEARFULLY, WONDERFULLY MADE
When I look in the mirror first thing in the morning, I’m sad to say I don’t always like the reflection, but that’s just my vanity talking. If I look at the inner workings of the human body, mind and spirit, it is amazing to realize how we are so intricately made.
Every little piece of us is dependent on the other for survival too. The beauty of it is that God knew us even before our conception. He formed us before we were ever born. How can anyone say that an unborn child is not a life? Every life is important and special to the one who created it. Praise God for giving us the air that flows through our lungs, the blood that rushes through our veins, each miniscule cell that helps to keep us going, because God doesn’t make junk and every single life is extraordinary.
Psalm 139:14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
MEDICAL MISHAPS
We’ve all experienced some pretty weird things when it comes to medical issues. My acting troupe, “The Jewels of deNial,” has recently combined their talents to create this next episode of our radio show called, “Medical Mishaps.” The collaboration of events in all of our own lives have melded into a really funny skit, including being on a ward as a patient, waiting in the ER, all the necessary medical forms to be filled out and a plethora of other things we must laugh at to get through.
The entire purpose of our shows is to demonstrate that life doesn’t have to be a bowl of cherry pits. We still have opportunities to laugh at ourselves and even lighten up some of those very situations. Agomg doesn’t have to be the end for any of us. We can continue to live, even through the dark times, when we maintain our sense of humor. Today we debut this episode at our home theatre. Northern Starz Theatre Company has been a real blessing for me. After retiring from a very long career of teaching drama, costuming countless shows, writing just as many and herding kids onto stage, I felt a real void in my life. There’s something about the theatre that gets into your blood, just like any of the arts do. I found this little theatre nearby and discovered a real gem while doing so. I became involved and so did some of my friends and my granddaughter. It became a haven for using some of my gifts that weren’t yet ready to retire. I don’t think they ever will. In fact, I fully expect to be doing this on the other side of eternity. When it comes to casting, I won’t have to look far for a John the Baptist or Simon Peter. They’ll be right there.
Back down to earth, the little community theatre, Northern Starz, is truly dedicated to the community. They include everyone from the very young to us old fogies and those with special needs. They offer something for everyone. So, I will be breaking legs for some time to come as I continue to be afforded my love of theatre and for as long as God wants me to serve Him on this planet.
Posted in acting, aging, Inspiration
Tagged acting, AGING, encoragement, FAITH, humor, Inspiration, laughter, medical issues, performing arts, purpose, retirement
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AGE OLD QUESTION – WHO AM I?
Carl Sandburg was an American poet who won 3 Pulitzer Prize awards or poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. He was noted for his many volumes of verse and keen observations of life. When he passed away in 1967, President Lyndon Johnson said of him, “Carl Sandburg was more than the voice of America, more than the poet of its strength and genius. He was America.” In the poem, “Who Am I?” Sandburg captures the truth of what life means. We’re all placed upon this earth for a purpose.
Another man of note, King Solomon, wrote these words in Ecclesiastes 3:10 – 15:
“I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”
God created man for a purpose. Each of us is unique in our own way. We’re affected by many things throughout our existence and those things will in turn affect our relationship with our Creator. When God created us, everything was perfect. There was no sin. There was no hate, anger, fear, guilt. The world of God’s making had no flaws. When sin entered the world, everything changed. Our battle with truth began and our purpose was diminished. There was no way to redeem ourselves, so God provided One. He sent His only beloved Son, to take on human flesh and pay the necessary ransom for our souls. His perfection was the asking price. The perfect unblemished lamb, Jesus, Christ, was the only One who could carry our sins to the grave.
So who are we, in the scheme of things? What is our purpose in this life? I think the key phrase in Ecclesiastes is this – God does it so that people will fear him. Fear, in this context, is meant as reverence and awe. When we look at God in this way, to honor and praise Him, we are showing Him the greatest respect. Yet even our act of reverence isn’t going to earn us a place in heaven. Our works and deeds mean nothing, unless they are done for the benefit of others and without fanfare. Our good works are a result of what God has done through us.
So, who are we? We are God’s handiwork – not puppets or sculptures of stone. We are created in a way that defies modern medicine. The intricacies of our bodies are so complex, they probably will never be fully understood. We have been enriched with a mind that can reason, solve problems, invent and create. We also have a soul that was purchased at a great price. Now it’s our time of grace – appointed by God Himself, to benefit the rest of creation. He has a purpose for each one of us and He will show us what that is as we continue through this veil of tears. When we see Him on Judgment Day, we will understand completely.
Posted in aging, purpose, SELF ESTEEM, work
Tagged Creation, FAITH, God, good works, purpose, self-esteem, who am I?
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BEING A MOM – EXPECTATION & REALITY
So, you’re having a baby! One of the most fulfilling, life-changing, magnificent, delightful, loving events in a woman’s life. It will definitely change you forever. When you first get the news that you’re going to carry a child within your own body for nine months, you become elated and full of hope and promise. By the end of the first trimester, you will wonder why you ever allowed this to happen to you. If you haven’t succumbed to morning sickness – experienced mood swing – or find it difficult to squeeze into your sweatpants – just wait. It gets better. By the end of the second trimester, you are beginning to walk like a duck. Your profile remains the same, except for the bump that is rapidly increasing in size. Shoes are no longer an option, because your feet are now two sizes larger than before. Chances are, you’ve already lost sight of them anyway. The morning sickness has been replaced with a voracious appetite. Your mood swings are even greater. There is absolutely nothing that your husband can do right, By the third trimester, your once slender body has been invaded with stretch marks. Your ankles resemble elephant feet. You’ve given up hope of ever seeing them again. By this time, you have been showered with gifts for the new baby – attention has shifted from you to that same child – you’re beginning to wonder if you can be a good mom. Then the child is born and everything you ever thought about motherhood is about to change forever.
The beauty of giving birth is that even though you go through pain and suffering to get there – you have something wonderful to show for it. The helpless, little body you hold tightly in your arms, is totally dependent on you. You will now be expected to care for, instill values, protect, teach, love, be a friend as well as an enforcer. Your life will never be the same. You now have their vulnerable, little life in your hands.
All the things you dreamed about, during those nine months prior to birthing your first child, are about to go up in smoke. You will now be responsible for another life, other than your own. You are about to take a step down on the ladder of life, because it is no longer about you, but truthfully, it has never been all about you. You know you will have to clean little bottoms, mop up vomit from the floor, increase the amount of laundry and extend the budget to limits you hadn’t planned on. What you aren’t always prepared for is the endless attention a child needs. You will not always get the dishes done. You may not even be able to hide them in the dishwasher. Meals will often be frozen pre-cooked and less flavorful than homemade. Your hair may not get washed. A bath is like a weekly reward. You will be lucky to get your makeup on, teeth brushed and roll some deodorant under your armpits. You will wake in the middle of the night to the sound of fierce hunger and must provide immediately. Your husband will not understand why you have lost that “lovin’ feeling.”
OK, this is beginning to sound like a warning to never have children – not true. The fact is, having a child is one of the most rewarding, blessed, holy, self-sacrificing job a woman can ever hope to have. The key to being good at it is dependent on your relationship with your own heavenly Father. He will give you the courage, the fortitude, the strength, the understanding, the compassion and the selfless love necessary to be the best you can be. The house may always be a mess. You will have an endless stream of unmatched socks. Your hair is on the low end of your priority list, but you are holding the future in your arms.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3
Posted in Family, God, motherhood, parenting
Tagged expectations, FAITH, FAMILY, Inspiration, motherhood, parenting, perfection, reality
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WHAT IS A FAMILY?
“Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built.” James Dobson
Having or being part of a family requires a lot of dedication, patience, sense of humor, ability to compromise, patience, listening, faith, endurance, persistence and did I mention patience? This weekend, our family pitched in to give us their help around our house. We had two chairs that needed repairing, some branches to be taken down, trim work that needed restoration, and they came to bat for us. Our children are definitely a blessing at any age, but it seems we turn the tables on them when we get old and now require their assistance like they did when they were learning how to live. We’re in the midst of a metamorphous at 80 years old. Our bodies have given way to gravity. Muscles have been replaced with droopy skin and if you have a tattoo with a ship on it, the ship has most likely sunk. Our minds are still intact, but our bodies have difficulty getting up and back down again.
When we started our lives together so many years ago, and began to plan to have children, we weren’t thinking about raising responsible adults, but somehow that happened. The days of having them help with chores around the house was designed to teach them, but it was also a tremendous help to us. The scolding to clean their rooms seemed a never-ending story. Helping with the lawn mowing, shoveling, doing the dishes were all tasks that helped them learn how to work together and solve problems.
I had one sibling – a sister who was born almost five years after me. We didn’t hit it off in those early years. In fact, I often came up with ideas to make her life miserable. She never fails to remind me of those deeds either. For example, when it came time for us to do the dishes, I conned her into believing I would be responsible for all the dishes except the silverware. She didn’t realize I was talking about the scalded, darkened, pots and pans as part of the silverware. I was only trying to be creative and teach her how to think outside the box. Oh, the things she put up with.
My own children had chores to do, but they weren’t made to feel like slaves, although they never received a monetary allowance. They often grumbled and complained while doing them, but we are now reaping the rewards of what they learned so many years ago. Thankfully they are making their own lives now, and they still include us.
Thank you, God, for family. Though miles may at times separate us – though time is often hard to sacrifice – though it seems like we are now the children, and our children are our parents – we’re eternally grateful for the blessings we receive through our family. Your love is amazing. Thank you for giving us this wonderful gift. Amen!
Posted in enouragement, Family, parenting
Tagged FAITH, FAMILY, God, Inspiration, Love, parenting, working together
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