Category: Thanks

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Look, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust

Amy and Tamara Inspire Again

I have been experiencing this and trying to express it since the surgery on June 15. Still clumping around in the boot and hoping this cheers those of you who are struggling.

August 15 Amy Carmichael from Edges of His Ways
For the tempted. (1)
Psalm 77:3, P.B.V.: When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God.
“Have you noticed how, when you are in heaviness, you are always tempted to think about yourself–your uselessness, your failures, your nothingness–yourself in one way or another? I have known this temptation and have constantly found it tormenting others. To draw one’s thoughts to oneself is a long-tried and most successful wile of the devil.

“Straight against this is the word we have in this psalm, “When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God.” I will turn my thoughts from myself to my Father who loves me and does not stop loving me, though I am useless and a failure and less than nothing at all.”

The meditation app Calm on the same day brought forth the idea of how we fixate on certain things as required for our contentment. We are ever reaching for one thing or the other than what is for our happiness and contentment. Both Amy Carmichael and Tamara Levitt encourage us to find peace right where we are. Right now. With things as they are.

Tamara says, “The stories we tell ourselves about our lives suggest there is always something missing, some incomplete piece keeping us from happiness.” She reminds us that it is “unhealthy to place our happiness on some ever-elusive external goal.” She challenges us to find satisfaction with who we are right now. Amy stated we might feel “useless and a failure and less than nothing.” Tamra suggests we turn loose of the idea of something missing and cling instead to what is here, right now, as enough.

Tamara says, “When we rely on external factors as the key to happiness we only perpetuate our discontentment. She quote B. Grace Bullock as saying, “Once you shed your distorted lens and self-doubting beliefs, there’s a good chance you’ll discover that you’re pretty awesome. And that the light burning within you is a far more accurate reflection of who you are than the stories you have been telling yourself.” That is when contentment becomes possible.

Shed your distorted lens

So my struggle the last couple of months has been to stay in the present, realize that even with physical limitations I can turn my heart and mind towards God. If I stop telling myself distorted stories and think upon my God, contentment is possible. Just now.

As I am.

Right here.

Give it try!

Posted on in Art, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Illness and Health, medical treatment, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Greeting Cards

I received so many nice cards while I was recovering from toe surgery! I eventually stapled them to a ribbon and hung them from the curtain rod in the dining room. A few of my favorites I actually read multiple times. The sentiments, though written for Hallmark or Day Spring audiences, spoke to me. I hope they find meaning in your heart also.

(Ugh I am still trying to find the most comfortable way to situate myself while writing at my desktop computer. Not easy with one leg elevated!)

It looks much better now, but still swells and then throbs.

The first card remains the funniest. I had confided in my friend Kathy that I was uncertain how I would manage the bathroom on one foot. She was right there when Bob brought me home from the outpatient procedure. She left a card and a small gift for me to open when I was up to it. The gift was this block sign:

And I have relied on her! She will text she is “going to Kroger. Need anything?” And whether I ask for an avocado or throat lozenges for dry mouth, she will find it and bring it to me. Her card was the funniest.

The sentiment reads, “Hope crappy turns into happy …get well soon!” Yes the perfect card for the event and the proloooonged recovery. And sort of looks like Lucky, too!

A little over half way through this recovery I go this one. “Stay positive. Stay hopeful. Keep going.” How did this dear friend know that I would be tempted to negativity. Tempted to lose hope? Tempted to just give up? Likely because I often confide in her my prayer requests. The card shows a close up of the center of a daisy. That is the flower I think of when I think of my daughter. Her birthday is in June and that is when many daisies here bloom. The inside sentiment reads, “I know you’re working hard at getting better, and I want you to know I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way.”

My life has sudden filled with 3 women named Debby. This particular Debby nails it on the head every time! Each Debbie is a blessing in her own right. One has a sister named Sandy. I am able to remember her name as I have cousins who are sisters: Debbie and Sandy!

Another recent card reads: “May each new day bring you gentle reminders of God’s ever-faithful love as He strengthens you with His healing touch.” I would read this and center myself in the knowledge that God loves each of us and I would look for the reminder round about me. There was always something there to cheer me on.

Another card came from a neighbor. This particular woman had been through several crises the last couple of years. I remember praying over her and trying to calm her during one in particular. I am not aware of this couple attending any church, but I try to share my faith wherever I am. They do know I am willing to pray for them whatever they are walking through. When she presented the card to me with a very generous gift card she seemed to take delight in telling me she remembered me talking with her about patience. Now is was her turn to reinforce the message about patience! Her card read, “Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes everything you’ve got …. and you’ve got a lot – a kind heart, an amazing spirit, and people who really care about you.“

I placed that card on the kitchen counter where I could read it easily from the wheelchair I had to use after twisting my knee (adding insult to injury). It brought me great encouragement and comfort.

These are a few of the things that gave me pause to give give thanks to God. If you are compelled to send someone a greeting card do not underestimate what it might mean to the person receiving it. You never know how God might use you for such a time as this!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Focus, Nature, Thanks, Traveling

What Do You See?

Bob took me for a drive around the Lake at East Fork State Park as we ate our soft serve ice cream cones from Legendairy in Bethel. This little pond is one of our favorite places to watch the seasons unfold.

First I saw duck weed, lots and lots of duckweed

Then lily pads

But wait are those pink blooms? pink water lilies?

Nope, those are wild mallows blooming on the edge of the pond

Here I have blown up the image for you

Earlier I mentioned our mallows in the garden. I have been delighted by all the wild mallows I am seeing this year. The lake edge is a perfect example!

We took one turn off and as we came out I spied a plant with a butterfly. By the time it registered from my brain to my mouth we had passed it. On our way back I asked Bob to turn in at that spot. Here is what we found.

There are at least 3 butterflies in this photo

I especially wanted to show him (below) the shape of the sepal and how it seemed an extension of the plant’s stem.

The center flower cupped by sepal

The plant is commonly known as a teasel. “The dried heads of the plant were once used in the textile industry to raise the nap on woolen cloth.” Wikipedia

The butterfly is a silver spotted skipper.

Great ice cream. Terrific, relaxing drive.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148: 7-13 NKJV

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Focus, Illness and Health, Joy, Just do it, Look, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Thanks

A Little Bit of Awe

Bob reads Time magazine. I occasionally pick it up if there is an article that catches my attention. In the throes of this recovery from surgery we both caught a wicked cold. The headache and coughing are exhausting. When I moved his magazine this article caught my attention, “5 Ways to Experience a Little Bit of Awe Every Day. ”My first reaction was , “Not again!?”

I was finding it difficult to think about awe in the midst of the ripping sound of Velcro, hot ortho boot, inability to move about the house without forethought and planning, gripping abdominal pain from coughing so long and so hard. Now someone wants me to find awe?

When I finally stopped long enough to read the article I realized the exercise was exactly what I needed. Dacher Keltner a psychologist and author is quoted as describing awe as the feeling you get “when you encounter things that are vast and beyond your frame of reference,” shifting attention away from self and toward something larger.

You can read the article here. https://www.pressreader.com/australia/time-international/20260727/281754161083947

I read through the list of 5 ways and made myself look away from the coughing and the lingering limitation to my walking ability. I found indeed there could be a shift in my thinking. I knew this to be true, but have not experienced this noticeable shift in several months. The shift is very difficult when you feel unwell.

For example, we had some nasty storms pass through our area recently. One tornado came within a handful of miles from our house. We watched the neighbor’s trees twist and turn in the wind as never before and the elephant ears in our garden were being whipped into a frenzy. I wondered what would happen to the newly bloomed mallow flowers on the shrub next to the giant ears. Two days later we were both marveling at how the flowers seemed to be entwined and hugged by the elephant ears in our garden. In other words, the plants were still standing and prospering despite all the storm threw at them.

If you don’t feel good and are limited in your physical function one challenge you don’t want to encounter is the invasion of the tiny black ants. One treat I am allowed is a couple of ginger snaps or a few select low carb cookies with my morning coffee. I opened the can with the coconut cookies and it was literally crawling with ants. So many in fact that I just threw the cookies away. There was no way to pick off a few and save the cookies.

Bob helped me pull things out of the closet and vacuum up ants. I sprayed bug killer and shut the pantry door. If would take hours to wash things off and replace them in the pantry. By the time I was finished I was exhausted. At some point in the housekeeping event I remembered the verse about consider the ant you sluggard, while contemplating how do they even get inside this house? Look they are congregating around the edges of the dishwasher. How do I spray there?

6 Go to the ant, you lazybones;
    consider its ways and be wise.
7 Without having any chief
    or officer or ruler,
8 it prepares its food in summer
    and gathers its sustenance in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O lazybones?
    When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want, like an armed warrior. Proverbs 6:6-11 NRSVUE

We find those tiny critters on the dining room table. I will occasionally find one walking up my arm. I am getting to the point if I feel like something is crawling on me I check to be sure it is not an ant.

There is the reset button! This invasion did not have to be more fuel for frustration and despair! We may never win the battle with the ants, but we can hold a little bit of territory. There are likely ten thousand upon ten thousand ants living in our backyard alone. When Bob pulls up a solar light to change the battery he often encounters them going mad up his arm and all over the light. A moment ago he saw none. Then wham he is battling for his own skin.

This marvel is occurring in all the neighbors houses. Some even find the ants where this is no food about such as in an office. Yet the ants explore and send out sentries and food gatherers. Can we just for a moment be in awe of them?

This awe is one thing that makes it possible to turn away from the attention my ailing self demands and look to the Lord. This marvel, even for a moment, helps me move towards praise and pray again. It is no slight thing to find a way to focus on the Risen Christ when your body of flesh is clamoring so loudly. Here again is a big reason why I admire Amy Carmichael so much. Her writings delineate her turning away from the flesh and the world to God Almighty.

You might want to try it today, if even for a moment.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health, Praise, Rest, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Worship

Limitations Can be Fun?

Everything, even the hard things, are wrapped up in the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and His loving-kindnesses “have been ever of old.” Psalm 25:6 I have searched, but I cannot find the place Amy Carmichael is quoting from with this passage about even the hard things.

I have been trying to sing “Li-mi-ta-tions can be fun,” but through the sarcasm I try to realize the truth of the matter.

Amy quoted Isaiah 63:7: I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses. Douay-Rheims 1898

I am truly sick and tired of the limitations after foot surgery. Then Bob and I both caught a VERY NASTY cold. What a mess. Doc said it is not covid or the flu. Likely a virus. I wondered about covid as I coughed so hard I feel as if I tore all of my abdominal muscles. You know it is bad when you wonder if it might be less painful to cough with a corset on? So yep, holding my belly and trying not to cough though coughing has been productive and gunk is clearing out of my sinuses and throat. Doc said 7-10 days until I feel better.

“Everything, even the hard things are wrapped up in love.” I have been searching for the love wrappings here. At times that wrapping is difficult to discern! Over a year ago my granddaughter gave me a bunch of crocheted squares that she grew tired of. She thought perhaps I could join them into a blanket, “or something.” They were placed in an area with other unfinished crochet projects. With this arthritic right thumb I have to be careful how much I actually crochet or I aggravate the joint into throbbing pain. When I grew tired of making hats for children I began putting an edge on the squares and noticed right away the increase in thumb pain. So I did just a bit a day. Soon I had the squares joined and began to plan how to increase the overall size.

I had purchased similar yarn to join the squares. I even have a deep turquoise but uncertain I will use it. I did not try to match the yarn she used. Besides, she had thrown away the wrappers, so I could have searched for a long time and would likely never find it.

Here I am seven weeks into this recovery. It has been difficult to pass the time without losing my cotton pickin’ mind. There is some what of a routine, but I would gladly toss that routine out the window for the ability to function without foot pain and swelling; from 4:00 PM on is the worst.

There are times I wonder if doc implanted a chameleon foot in place of my other one? It can turn the most awful shade of purple if I leave it hanging down for too long.

The other day I was remembering how I used to be able to pick things up with my toes. Those days are gone at least for the left foot! Looking for chameleon photos just now I wondered if this new toe could fetch me snacks like this chameleon is about to enjoy?

Love those little front paws/hands!

Nope, I have not learned origami though I started one piece. When the pattern got difficult I realized I was losing my patience and put it aside.

I have been able to do more things around the house than those first few weeks. Bob tells people he used to have to do 200 things for me everyday. Now he is down to about 40? Sometimes if I ask him to do something he will tease me saying, “45!” Such a clown. My strength and endurance is increasing.

Several friends have come from time to time to work on my list of things to do that I cannot do. They have been such a blessing to us both! Their help reduces the things I require from Bob. Lord knows, he has been doing PLENTY!

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
    the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us
    and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Isaiah 63: 7 NRSVUE

Grateful for the healing that is occurring. Grateful for a loving husband willing to do whatever I ask during this time of recovery. I praise God for church family who lift me constantly in prayer and in person, through texts and greeting cards, always there with me through this long season of recovery.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Joy, Just do it, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust, Worship

Zing!!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV

And God said, “Gotcha, Molly!” Indeed my attention was fully clasped upon that verse.

Yep, I have at times been less that patient in my afflictions. Not always joyful in hope. Trying to be faithful in prayer, but even there I often fall so short.

And where was I convicted? While watching a movie on the channel Great American Family. During recovery, I spend most afternoons watching a movie and trying to do a few rounds of crochet. This particular channel is showing Christmas movies and at commercial breaks they show a Scripture verse.

So there I was with foot elevated, coughing and being convicted that maybe I could live Romans 12:12 a bit better.

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12 NRSVUE

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 NLT

Rejoice, be joyful – can you do that even when forced to stillness, Molly?

Patient in affliction, in trouble – healing is going to take almost every single day of this summer season. And then I will need to learn to walk with this new equipment in my toe, or as my friend Dan said, my own “hardware store” in my toe.

Persevere, keep on, be faithful in prayer – yes, those needs, Molly. There is the one across the street still battling cancer and now a widower. The church as we try to reach the hurting with the Good News and comfort of Jesus. There is Pete’s family as they prepare his house for the market and decide what to do with his belongings. The one who suffers from Parkinson’s. The two widows down the street. The other with the awful struggle with antisynthetase syndrome. She who is practically bedridden with back pain and a variety of other ailments. The needs for prayer are always there, Molly. Will you be faithful as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray?

Lord, forgive me I pray for falling short of this call from Paul. Help me to bring joy to your heart. Help me to hear you singing over me. Please do not stop encouraging me to do better as your child and daughter of the King of Kings. Amen.

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Illness and Health, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship

Amy Carmichael

Have I told you how much I treasure her book The Edges of His Ways? Oh what a challenge and encouragement and comfort her writing is to me. I think I will tire of it and another year passes with me reading a passage each morning and pondering the meaning for each of us in the current year.

Is this passage she writes:

“As I read the New Testament over and over, I am more and more impressed by the way suffering was taken for granted as something appointed; but always there is the thought of joy not far off. In our Lord’s private talks with His disciples there is continually and clearly that “Must” of suffering, and the joy to follow. We often act as if the place that is called Calvary had been taken out of the landscape of life, or were an accident there. It is not so; but just out of sight is the joy that is set before us, and there is the power which can enable us to treat the invisible as visible, the promised as present.”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NRSVUE

That describes suffering we more than likely will never have to endure.The example is set for us though by our Savior. Whatever the suffering, endure it. Disregard or despise any shame involved with that suffering. Always reach for the joy set before us. What joy you may ask? The joy of eternal companionship with the Trinity. The joy of the promises of Jesus: we are never alone. We will know His voice. EVERYTHING we need has been given to us.

My friend Chuck who has an acute form of leukemia recently texted me, “Our faith and the good Lord’s strength are what gets us through each day. I still have a big hallelujah even on the worst day.”

So I sent him the song Hard Fought Hallelujah performed by Brandon Lake, John Batiste and Jelly Roll.

I have no idea what the purpose the water on stage was, except maybe to symbolize the Holy Spirit?

“And there is the power which can enable us to treat the invisible as visible, the promised as present.” Thank you Amy and the folks who continue to make her writings available.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health, medical treatment, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

My Neighbors

I have told you about my neighbors who were both diagnosed with different forms of cancer. His is acute lymphoma requiring many transfusions, chemo drugs, pump, hospitalizations, etc. Hers was pancreatic and she was given 3-6 months to live. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf.

Recently she was hospitalized after being very ill and in bed at home for about 4 days. They got her re-hydrated but it was decided she should enter the Hospice program. She was admitted to Hospice on Friday I believe. We were all praying fervently for her. Saturday morning she was unresponsive. She passed on Sunday morning. May she rest in peace eternally with God our Father.

She suffered very little pain which is amazing as Pancreatic is said to be one of the most painful cancers there is. Her prayer for several months was that the Lord would simply take her home. I was always baffled by why she chose to undergo chemo, but she did. My prayer when she was admitted to hospice was that she would not linger, for the sake of her husband and children. She and Chuck were married for 63 years.

Please pray for her husband, Chuck, and their 3 sons. I heard there will be a celebration of life sometime in August? I have no details on that.

Ginny had the most incredible lovely white hair. She could cook like a professional. She made a popcorn treat that we took to calling ‘crack.’ She had her sons make some right before she went down hill. Knowing I was recovering from foot surgery she sent some to our house with the instructions to eat 4 pieces for pain! Or however many I needed. Always the clown.

She volunteered for years at Clermont Mercy hospital as a transporter for same day surgery patients and also at the front desk. She told so many stories about her youth I would have trouble relating them to you here. She will be greatly missed.

Posted on in Faith, Family, Joy, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Last Sunday

I finally made it back to church last Sunday! Bob, my trusty chauffeur, drove me there. I used the walker to get to my chair in the outdoor setting on the lower parking lot pavement. I was grateful for the breeze and the shade of the oak trees. The trees reminded us there had been rain the night before as the occasional drop from the leaf surfaces fell upon us. Just made us smile! It was good to be with my family of believers. I was so tired by the time we returned home!!

Rev. Alice Connor revised this service from “Sundays and Seasons, Setting 1. Here are portions.

" O God most mighty, O God most merciful, O God our rock and our salvation, hear us as we praise, call us o your table, grant us your life.

"O God, you are Breath:
send your Spirit on this meal.
O God, you are Bread:
feed us with yourself.
O God, you are wine:
warm our hearts and make us one.
O God, you are Fire:
transform us with hope.
O God most majestic,
O God most motherly,
O God our strength and our song,
you show us a vision of a tree of life with fruits for all
and leaves that heal the nations. Amen."

Ponder that for a while. Read the above again. God has promised that we have been given everything we need.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NRSVUE

O God open our eyes and our hearts to see your mighty provisions for us. Help us to open our hands, our hearts and our eyes to receive your goodness.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Faith, medical treatment, Music, Nature, Prayer, Surrender, Thanks, Worship

Goodness of the Lord

One thing I really missed during this first week of recovery is sitting in my prayer chair. Have not figured out how to get the knee roller so I can sit there. Then there is the challenge of rising from that chair. A low swivel rocker…

I read from the Amazing Grace devotional. She wrote, “Though a dream may have risen a little out of reach for now, they are still on the scale…{One side of your scale may be a little weightier.} This is as it should be right now, but it won’t be this way forever. Unless the scale crashes to the ground, you are in balance – no matter how uneven the sides. As long as you remember to seek his wisdom and walk in his truth, it isn’t going to crash.”

This morning sitting at the dining room table I heard a not familiar bird song. Cornell’s Merlin Bird ID told me it was an eastern towhee. They are lovely birds sporting three colors. I could not see it but definitely was blessed to hear it.

I miss watching for the eastern cottontail rabbits. And wouldn’t you know it I looked up and in the distance there was one, right in Sherry’s yard. At about the same turn the song below came into my mind. I hummed along as I watched the rabbit greet ANOTHER rabbit with arial jumps. Must be mating time again! I often watch the rabbits with binoculars, but was blessed to see them this morning without the aid of those, (besides they are in the bedroom, on the floor).

Been trying to add a YouTube link for the song I was hearing. I cannot get it to work! So if you go to YouTube maybe copy and paste this link

https://youtu.be/b4EsaIBMp9c?is=gYjxoOOi697NW8hb

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Right here with me at this table. My foot resting on the parked knee roller. Trust me, it does not like to hang down! As I start to finish this entry the rabbit has gone from the shadows to bright sunshine. It is as if the Lord is declaring He sees me as I seek to see him. “You shall seek me and find me when you seek for me with all of your heart.” (NIV paraphrase)

“When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13 NRSVUE