Category: Faith

Posted on in Aging, Art, Faith, Family, Humor, Music, Special Event

July 1984 and 250 Celebration

Everything in the stores is red, white and blue anticipating the celebration of the birth of our country. I even saw a Coke in a round bottle in red, white and blue for the FIFA games! Have not seen this much patriotic color since after 9-11. READ ON CAREFULLY OR YOU MIGHT MISS IT.

Looks like something a six year old would delight in!

So imagine my surprise when I recently unearthed this quote from our son. He had to be all of six years old!

Jeff, “You should have seen who played the Star Strangle Banner!”

I never wrote down who played the Star Strangle Banner that year, but it might be an appropriate name for the theme this year. God help us all.

Posted on in Faith, Humor, Illness and Health, Just do it, Marriage and Memories, Special Event, Surrender

Text Message

“Hello. Sadly. I must make you aware that our wonderful member ____ ______ passed away last evening at Jewish Hospital. Please pray for all of us especially her husband, _______.”

What? She’s dead? I was just at Jewish yesterday dropping off a neighbor for a 3 day chemo stay. She was still in the hospital? Had I known I would have held her hand and whispered a prayer over her.

I cannot believe she is gone! I will never have her tease me with her droll humor again? Did she suffer? Last I heard there was something with her lungs. Was it the cancer that took her out? WHAT?

I am in shock. I am reeling with this sad news. She taught us the principles from Capacitar Emotional Freedom tapping for ‘unblocking and healing strong emotions’. When Bob and I were driving through North Dakota I was trying to tell him about how tapping works to lower stress. When we drifted over the center line he blurted out, “Tap faster! Tap faster!” Then we passed a road with her last name. It was hilarious. When I relayed the story to her, she caught the joke immediately. https://treasuresinplainsight.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=4358&action=edit

She was a friend. A dear companion. We did Journey Together In Stitches, (JTIS) not just sharing patterns, but comic relief and life. She knew the Catechism by heart. She could quote our baptismal vows better than any other lay person I know.

She hated big corporations, especially Amazon that she felt robbed her friend in the disposable diaper business. She refused to buy from Amazon. Would not receive a gift if it came through Amazon. A woman of principles.

She used to put on this pouty little black girl act when I would say something declarative. “Don’t be thinking you can tell me what to do!” And then she was off, telling me off and making us all laugh. Once I finally said, “Your mamma must have had her hands full with you!”

And now she is with her mamma. And her daddy. And we are left here alone, without her.

I bought her a Grogu because she was so enamored by him. What will happen to her Grogu now? What about her yarn and hooks and patterns? I am just too sad to even think about this more.

It is a shock. She would brag on her neighbor the master gardener.

She was loving. She was kind to all of us. We will miss her dearly. She took Education For Ministry classes with our fellow knitter, Lizann, taught by my dear friend Hawley. I still cannot comprehend that she is dead and gone to Jesus.

I have been told we can expect this as our peers grow older, but I was not ready for this shock. I am so sorry I did not go inside the hospital and ask if she was still a patient there. I assumed she had gone home. Oh Lord, what a loss. I had texted her and emailed and called. When there was no response I thought she was just tired or busy.

Now I will never hear her voice again. This is raw loss. Worse than bloody meat. This is pain and angst, aching loss and not to be filled by anything else.

She was always making a prayer shawl, a blanket for CASA kids or something for a niece or nephew. The colors she put together were lovely. She could encourage Mary like nobody else. “You do too know how to crochet! And your creations are beautiful!”

The three of us had birthdays in November. We would try to celebrate at JTIS with a fun dessert for all.

I suppose she would tell me to go do tapping to relieve my sorrow. I am not sure that will work this time, my friend. You will be sorely missed.

The magazine Psychology Today reports on the benefits of tapping. This article focuses on anxiety, but it has proven to have multiple uses. I hope you will look it up!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/soul-console/202503/tap-your-way-to-calm-in-5-minutes-with-5-steps

Posted on in Faith, Memories, Poetry, Yield

Theme on The D’s

Written many years go, but I did not date it.

Daring 
to do
differently
As she has
desired 
for decades
damaged but not decayed
She develops ...
and decides
to desire growth
and divine interaction
as a way of life.

Decrepit death tries
to devour
her delight
but no demon
in the depths
of hell 
can derail God 
as God determines
to deliver her.

As she differentiates delight from darkness
deceit, deception, duplicity all drop off
her diet is determined
by the choices and decisions
made in light of the Dayspring.
She of God's love
disdains the deadly darkness
digesting His desire for her
Donna diagnosed her
deviations and depression.

With depth of insight
she demonstrates
the degree of deep love
the Deity has for her.

She decorates her decorum
with daily doses of love and light
her dimensions decrease.
She learns to declare the glory
decry the falsehoods and decrease the lies in her life

Her life is a dual effort
her push dwarfed by Diety's pull
the dynamic of duality with Deity
demonstrates dominance in Donna's duel with darkness.

Diety's diamond
begins to shine
as she disperses holy light.
The drumbeat of time discloses a detainer.
The decree of God declares 
"the truth continues to set free
{even Donna}.  

From dementia and death
into delirious joy and 
deluxe diversity
of durable daily dozen
steps to wholeness.

Divinity she doth don
as she disentangles from the darkness
Detested dormouse role
does a duet with duty in the dustpan
disavowing her of dowdy and destructive ways
destined for the dump of
determinations unfit for disbursement
in the light of life.

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health, Marriage and Memories, Obedience, Praise, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Surrender, Thanks, Trust

Think on This One

Grateful living is important in the world because in our constant pursuit of more and better we can easily lose sight of the riches that lay right in front of us and within us. Guri Mehta

Are you in a constant pursuit of more and better?
Do you easily lose sight of the riches that are right in front of you?

I can do both of those things. I can be in constant pursuit of more and better, and likely do it with no conscious effort. So soaked in this American culture, asking where is the next great thrill? Where is the next thing I can afford to add to our collection of things? Things we cannot possibly take with us.

What about the things right in front of me? Can I realize there are riches? Not just compared to impoverished countries, but compared to my life decades ago. Yes, there was a time we barely scraped by with the funds Bob earned. We worked and scrimped and saved. Now we are both retired from earning wages and live off what we saved and what he inherited from his parents. Living conscious of our means we seek to not go into debt we cannot repay.

But what about the non-monetary things? The experience of living in close proximity with the neighbors who are both terribly ill makes us more aware of the treasure our love and marriage provide. They have five or six more years of marriage than we do, but in this day and age the longevity of our relationship is nothing to sneeze at. We are blessed.

I have always said, “Divorce is not an option. Murder maybe, but not divorce!” And yes, there are times when we each think of murdering the other. We have not changed each other over this half a century as much as we have adapted to one another. Yet, we are deeply blessed. Grateful living indeed.

As my chronic pain seems to increase and health challenges arise I want to see the life I have as one to be celebrated with gratitude. As evening falls and the physical problems seem to intensify I want to find a way to enter into acceptance of them and rest without trying to do battle. It has been said that we increase our suffering by resisting and wanting things to be different than they are. I know that to be true.

Lord, I need your help to come to the place of rest in all of this. Your remind me in Matthew 11 “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Yes, Lord, help me enter into your rest when it comes to evening pain and distress. Help me rejoice in your presence and great promises. I know you have promised to stay with me to the end. Be very present Lord, I pray.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:19-20 NRSVUE

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Memories, Music, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Every Day

I first heard about CeCe Winans many years ago when I worked at “Having The Courage To Change,” a housing center for women who were coming out of prison and/or drug and alcohol treatment. The women there loved her music and soon I did too!

Do you worship every day? If not, try this one.

All my life you have been so so good.

I’ve known you as a father. I’ve known you as a friend.

As the saying goes: “No god, no peace. Know God, know peace.”

I do not care how you worship. Do you know Jesus and have you spoken with him today?

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Humor

Your Estimated Wait Time …

IS IN EXCESS OF ONE HOUR. What?!??

Have you ever wondered if you would still be on hold when you die?

Perhaps this company fired all of their representatives? Maybe they have gone out of business and this is their joke on the customers?

Playing the solo by Kenny G is not calming me. Actually, I am getting nauseous after listening to it for 17 minutes. There does not seem to be any other way to get through to them!

To which I replied, “I don’t think I am very important to you!”

When the next available team member comes on the line (assuming they come on the line?) I will try to be patient and kind with them. None of this is their fault.

I wonder why they do not offer “We will return your call when it is your turn”?

I finally hung up. Tried again. Same result. Tried a different number. Same result. Grrrr.

If they had offered a website I woudl have tried it, but no, just this phone number.

Obviously this is an experience for many cartoonists!

Posted on in Art, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Look, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Yield

Trinity Sunday

Last Sunday we celebrated the Trinity at church. “O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” ends the collect for the day. The unfathomable, unknowable, ever present and loving God. We practice devotion and know some how that the Trinity is one.

Our Prayers of the People began with: “God who is unknowable and yet as close as our breath, help us to see you. ” Yes, God, open our physical eyes and the eyes of our heart to know and see and experience you.

I have been taken lately by tiny diagrams. The above was on our bulletin cover.

Using the Grateful Living challenge I have noticed that a tiny image is used in the corner of each daily practice. This little line drawing summarizes the challenge of the day. Oh I wish I could draw like that!

Superhero
Sharing joy
One playful joyful way to stand up
Share joy with others

And perhaps that is how our Trinity one God does things. Simple line drawings, opening doors for us to share with others. As humans we complicate almost everything having to do with God. Jesus taught us simplicity. Will we cling to that simple way of knowing, being known, loving and loving others?

May you know the Trinity as One. May you see the path before you as well lit and as something you can follow. Look to the One who loves you best and take the next step!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Illness and Health

Seasonal Allergies

I don’t know about you, but my ‘seasonal allergies’ have decided to afflict me year ’round! Climate change is likely to blame, but gosh. I am using up tissues as fast as I can find them.

If I go out and sneeze, I will invariably need a tissue within minutes! If I stay in the house and sneeze, better have a tissue close by. The other day I actually purchased tissues at a store because some how I had used every packet from my purse and not replaced it. Ugh! It was either that or sniff continuously through the store.

I just need to NOT run out of them!

Even the beagle gets runny eyes and a Benadryl helps her clear that up. And sneeze? Oh my can this beagle sneeze! Reverse and otherwise.

My husband says I sneeze louder than anyone he knows. I have to wave at him if we are in the car and I feel a sneeze coming on. Otherwise, he gets startled. Certainly do not want a car wreck over a sneeze! I do not understand people who do little tiny sneezes. I never function that way.

Itchy eyes, headaches, sneeze upon sneeze.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says: Allergies and viral infections can cause rhinitis. The word rhinitis means “inflammation of the nose.”

Rhinitis! Yep I feel like a rhino when my nose goes off! Here is the least offensive diagram of rhinitis that I could find.

Yep, I’ve got it all!

So the next time you hear someone sneeze say, “God bless you!” Because only “Bless you” does not get it. And if you have a clean one, offer them a tissue.

Posted on in Faith, Joy, Listen, Moving, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Worship

Brad

Our church was gifted with a young priest for about 2-1/2 years. His name is Brad. He did all sorts of things that enlivened our faith and our walk. Recently it was time to tell him good-bye. He was given a job across the river in Northern Kentucky to be head rector at a church there.

On his last Sunday with us our Pastor, Roger, called all the kids up to lay hands on Brad and pray over him as he moves to his new church. Three of the kids are his very own children and one is a family friend.

It was a powerful moment. Have you ever had children pray over you? There is nothing quite like it!

I plan to forward the photos to Brad for his remembrance of that holy moment. By the way, folks at our church know that photos are taken during the service. There is not a problem posting these, especially since I am not naming the children.

Pray for the children. Pray for those moving into a new position of leadership in the churches. Pray for all church leaders. May the Lord bless us, his children and the sheep of his pasture.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord is God!
    It is he that made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him, bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures for ever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100 RSV

Last week at church I kept thinking I could hear his voice among the congregation. Another parishioner told me she expected him to walk around the corner at any moment. We will miss him. We came to love him and that made letting go all the harder.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Look, Memories, Nature, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Worship, Writing Life, Yield

New Project

My new project entails gathering the object lessons the Lord has given me over the years to encourage me and keep me walking the road laid out before me. I will likely post of few of these during the coming months. The following is entitled “Called At the Beach To Write More.”

How does an object lesson usually come to you? Mine can jump up any time I call upon the Lord for guidance. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    so I shall be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3 NRSVUE

While walking the beach in Florida we were searching for shells. I came upon this one. It is called Sunray Venus Clam.

It reminds me of lined paper. (College ruled is my favorite).

Then I came upon this one.

Atlantic Pen Shell

That got me thinking about ink wells, and fountain pens. Oh my, this was a call to write more!

Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so that a runner may read it. Habakkuk 2:2 NRSVUE

Years ago a cousin older than me gave me the above verse to hold to. I was not certain she heard right. Time has shown she evidently heard exactly right for me!

The shells comprised another confirmation that I am to write and keep telling what God is doing in my life and can do in the lives of others. I keep these shells around to remind me, lest I ever doubt the call again. Or for the times I get just plain lazy about it. Lord, prod me with the shells and forgive me for being lazy, I pray.