Sunday, January 19, 2020
Take a breath
Many years ago our oldest son struggled with bouts of allergies and croup. I remember one night when he was 3 years old. He woke up from a fitful sleep unable to breathe. John and I quickly bundled him up and got him ready to go to the hospital. It was extremely cold outside, well below zero. As soon as John carried Carl outside though, his breathing stabilized and clear, cold air flowed freely through his lungs! After going to the emergency room, John found out that simply bringing our little boy into the cold air could help him breathe freely for a few minutes.
In the vitriolic atmosphere of the Trump impeachment debate, I have grown weary. I have tried to take in all points of view. I have tried to be fair and listen to CNN, MSNBC, and FOX news. Also, over the years, I have read a lot of autobiographies by past presidents and their wives on BOTH sides of the aisle. I prefer listening to their own words and ideas and motivations without hearsay. I have learned that they were all human with strengths and weaknesses. They were neither all bad nor all good.
So, at this time of anger and divisiveness, I wish....that every elected official would go outside and TAKE A BREATH!!!!! I pray that the clear, cold air of truth would surround them and cause each of them to breathe freely and think clearly. I hope that their brains would receive a fresh dose of clarity. Afterwards they could go back inside, examine the evidence and discuss it without bias instead of an already assumed conviction of either right or wrong.
I pray that they would remember that we are all citizens of the same country. To quote C.S. Lewis in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", (he says something to this effect)...."Let's save our strength for fighting our enemies! We are friends."
Have a good day! Love, Sue
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Finding hope
Fifteen years ago my teenage daughter and I were in a bad car accident. The result was a lot of pain and broken bones and multiple surgeries for both of us. It was a difficult time. I not only had physical problems but I also dealt with the fact that I had caused the crash so all of Rachel's pain was ultimately my fault.
As a parent, I had spent most of my adult life caring for my children. It was my single most important task, an assignment from the Lord that I tried to take very seriously. Now, my baby had to undergo all sorts of things that caused her pain, physically, mentally, and emotionally and it was all because I had failed to protect her.
It took time to heal. We were both able to continue life and go forward but both of us have physical challenges that have continued to impact our lives daily. To her ultimate credit, Rachel forgave me for my part in her pain and has become a truly impressive woman who radiates joy.
I have been so thankful for that forgiveness. It has been a gift to me even as I deal with the physical ramifications caused by the accident.
Even though the accident was terrible and awful and the results long lasting, in many ways I am so glad to have had it. I know that sounds ridiculous but I have learned so much from that experience. In some ways I feel like it has been tremendously good for me.
Shortly after one of the subsequent surgeries on my foot, at a time when I was still in a non-weight bearing walking cast and feeling just a wee bit sorry for myself, I went to a wedding. The church was beautiful and festive. There were about eight to ten steps in front of the altar area where the bride and groom would give their vows. Impressive to be sure but definitely not handicap accessible.
The time came for the Scripture reading. The man chosen by the couple to do the reading began to make his way out of his seat and up the steps to the lectern. I was seated very close to the front and had a perfect view of the man as he struggled up step by slow step. It was obvious that he suffered from some lifelong disability. I'm not sure what the specific problem was but his legs didn't work well and it was very hard for him to climb those steps.
It was at that point that I felt a major shift in my thinking. I began to thank the Lord for being with me in the midst of everything. Before the accident I would have felt moved with compassion. Now, instead of just feeling bad, I realized the emotional strength of the man and admired his determination. I was blessed by the love he displayed to the young couple as shown by the exertion he put forth to honor them. I was inspired by him. He was not allowing his affliction to define him nor was he living in self pity. His willing bravery helped me to "see" his situation in a way that I might have missed before and gave me more insight into my own life.
There are all sorts of afflictions in life. Hurts and wounds can be physical, verbal. emotional. financial, or they can come in a wide array of other areas.They can be devastating or just plain old annoying. Pain in any of it's vast forms affects all of us. Nobody is immune. We live in a fallen world.
BUT......our problems, big or small, can be used for our ultimate good. God's goal for us is to purify our hearts, to teach us how to love and trust Him. When we come to Him in repentance He proclaims that He will absolutely, positively never leave us alone.
Like Andre Crouch's song says..."If I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know that God could solve them, I wouldn't know what faith in God can do. Through it all I have learned to trust in Jesus, I have learned to trust in God. I have learned to depend upon His Word."
I love old hymns. One that continues to help me in my Christian walk was written in 1882 by Louisa Stead after a great personal loss.
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know "Thus saith the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus. How I love Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more!"
Have a good day! Love, Sue
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you !"
Psalm 27
As a parent, I had spent most of my adult life caring for my children. It was my single most important task, an assignment from the Lord that I tried to take very seriously. Now, my baby had to undergo all sorts of things that caused her pain, physically, mentally, and emotionally and it was all because I had failed to protect her.
It took time to heal. We were both able to continue life and go forward but both of us have physical challenges that have continued to impact our lives daily. To her ultimate credit, Rachel forgave me for my part in her pain and has become a truly impressive woman who radiates joy.
I have been so thankful for that forgiveness. It has been a gift to me even as I deal with the physical ramifications caused by the accident.
Even though the accident was terrible and awful and the results long lasting, in many ways I am so glad to have had it. I know that sounds ridiculous but I have learned so much from that experience. In some ways I feel like it has been tremendously good for me.
Shortly after one of the subsequent surgeries on my foot, at a time when I was still in a non-weight bearing walking cast and feeling just a wee bit sorry for myself, I went to a wedding. The church was beautiful and festive. There were about eight to ten steps in front of the altar area where the bride and groom would give their vows. Impressive to be sure but definitely not handicap accessible.
The time came for the Scripture reading. The man chosen by the couple to do the reading began to make his way out of his seat and up the steps to the lectern. I was seated very close to the front and had a perfect view of the man as he struggled up step by slow step. It was obvious that he suffered from some lifelong disability. I'm not sure what the specific problem was but his legs didn't work well and it was very hard for him to climb those steps.
It was at that point that I felt a major shift in my thinking. I began to thank the Lord for being with me in the midst of everything. Before the accident I would have felt moved with compassion. Now, instead of just feeling bad, I realized the emotional strength of the man and admired his determination. I was blessed by the love he displayed to the young couple as shown by the exertion he put forth to honor them. I was inspired by him. He was not allowing his affliction to define him nor was he living in self pity. His willing bravery helped me to "see" his situation in a way that I might have missed before and gave me more insight into my own life.
There are all sorts of afflictions in life. Hurts and wounds can be physical, verbal. emotional. financial, or they can come in a wide array of other areas.They can be devastating or just plain old annoying. Pain in any of it's vast forms affects all of us. Nobody is immune. We live in a fallen world.
BUT......our problems, big or small, can be used for our ultimate good. God's goal for us is to purify our hearts, to teach us how to love and trust Him. When we come to Him in repentance He proclaims that He will absolutely, positively never leave us alone.
Like Andre Crouch's song says..."If I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know that God could solve them, I wouldn't know what faith in God can do. Through it all I have learned to trust in Jesus, I have learned to trust in God. I have learned to depend upon His Word."
I love old hymns. One that continues to help me in my Christian walk was written in 1882 by Louisa Stead after a great personal loss.
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know "Thus saith the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus. How I love Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more!"
Have a good day! Love, Sue
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you !"
Psalm 27
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Swish! Snap! Pop!
Swish! Snap! Pop! Crackle! The night sky was alive! I looked up as the entire sky lit up with every color imaginable! Streaks of pink, orange, yellow, green, purple and and a multitude of their various hues erupted in bursts of magnificent fireworks! Only this was unlike any fireworks display that I had ever encountered before. It seemed as if each eruption brought with it a kind of unworldly music.
I quickly ran inside our house to grab John and Rachel. I wanted them to share this unusual event with me. Living in Minnesota, I had often seen the Northern Lights. In the fall, they could occasionally be seen on the northern horizon where they appeared to be far, far, away. Strangely, tonight they seemed to have come to visit us. They were located directly overhead and created a private magical wonderland for us to enjoy. We stood for a long while straining our necks trying to discover where these brilliant strokes of color went to as they flashed their way from what seemed to be their starting point right above our stately pine trees to a never ending place above us. The dancing flames of light went up and up and up! Twenty, thirty or more of them filled the sky at one time before pausing for a split second and continuing their awe-inspiring show.
Eventually our necks grew sore and demanded that we take a break. We went over to a nearby hill, laid down on the grassy slope, and continued to gaze in wonder at this amazing scene. The lights seemed to get brighter and brighter the longer we watched but after an hour or so we grew cold and regrettably had to go back inside.
I wish that I had the ability to recreate that night. Mere words cannot capture the magnificence of it or convey the overwhelming onslaught to our senses. Today, think of one of the most amazing things that you have ever experienced and remember this.....
"The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the firmament proclaims his
handiwork...."
Psalm 19:1
Also.....
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard.
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has
prepared for those who love Him."
1 Cor. 2:9
Have a good day! Love, Sue
I quickly ran inside our house to grab John and Rachel. I wanted them to share this unusual event with me. Living in Minnesota, I had often seen the Northern Lights. In the fall, they could occasionally be seen on the northern horizon where they appeared to be far, far, away. Strangely, tonight they seemed to have come to visit us. They were located directly overhead and created a private magical wonderland for us to enjoy. We stood for a long while straining our necks trying to discover where these brilliant strokes of color went to as they flashed their way from what seemed to be their starting point right above our stately pine trees to a never ending place above us. The dancing flames of light went up and up and up! Twenty, thirty or more of them filled the sky at one time before pausing for a split second and continuing their awe-inspiring show.
Eventually our necks grew sore and demanded that we take a break. We went over to a nearby hill, laid down on the grassy slope, and continued to gaze in wonder at this amazing scene. The lights seemed to get brighter and brighter the longer we watched but after an hour or so we grew cold and regrettably had to go back inside.
I wish that I had the ability to recreate that night. Mere words cannot capture the magnificence of it or convey the overwhelming onslaught to our senses. Today, think of one of the most amazing things that you have ever experienced and remember this.....
"The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the firmament proclaims his
handiwork...."
Psalm 19:1
Also.....
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard.
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has
prepared for those who love Him."
1 Cor. 2:9
Have a good day! Love, Sue
Monday, January 13, 2020
Aging
A few years ago a friend recounted this story from when he was fourteen years old......
One day this boy and his cousin were going to go fishing with their grandpa. The boys gingerly hopped into the boat and waited impatiently for their seventy year old grandfather to slowly make his way. He was being very precise and cautious, placing his feet firmly inside the boat while he used his hands to steady himself. Finally, the young boys had had enough. "Hurry up, old man!" they teased.
Their grandfather sat down, looked at them and sighed. With a wry grin on his face he said, "Ya know boys, to you I have always been old but for me it is a brand new experience!"
I chuckle every time I think of this story. Getting older is a new experience to be sure. For years and years I had the physical capabilities to usually handle whatever I needed or wanted to do. I have never been a star athlete but I enjoyed a body that could run and jump and play just fine. Not so much anymore. Now, I frequently think of a quote by George Burns. "You know you are getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you should do while you're down there."
I am definitely there. I don't appreciate the physical challenges of aging but there are certain things that I like about getting older. I like the fact that I have lived through many decades. It makes it easier to understand the world as it is today. I like the fact that I have a boatload of memories both good and bad. When I remember the good times, I am encouraged. When I remember the bad ones, after I have taken a few minutes to straighten my thoughts, I try to learn from them. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes not, but that is okay. Some hurts and bad memories take longer to process than others.
I find it fascinating to watch my children and grandchildren grow from babies into honorable and stimulating men and women. Over the years I have had to hold my breath a bit when some of their decisions seemed questionable to me. Sometimes, I have felt my chest puff up with pride as they succeeded at whatever they were trying to do. All of these emotions are okay. Their good times encourage them and their bad ones create more character in their beings.
Mostly though, I find that the older I get and the more I learn about the Lord Jesus Christ, the more I am able to trust Him. I am able to experience more fully what the songwriter says......"The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows. The more that I love Him, more love He bestows."
Have a good day! Love. Sue
One day this boy and his cousin were going to go fishing with their grandpa. The boys gingerly hopped into the boat and waited impatiently for their seventy year old grandfather to slowly make his way. He was being very precise and cautious, placing his feet firmly inside the boat while he used his hands to steady himself. Finally, the young boys had had enough. "Hurry up, old man!" they teased.
Their grandfather sat down, looked at them and sighed. With a wry grin on his face he said, "Ya know boys, to you I have always been old but for me it is a brand new experience!"
I chuckle every time I think of this story. Getting older is a new experience to be sure. For years and years I had the physical capabilities to usually handle whatever I needed or wanted to do. I have never been a star athlete but I enjoyed a body that could run and jump and play just fine. Not so much anymore. Now, I frequently think of a quote by George Burns. "You know you are getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you should do while you're down there."
I am definitely there. I don't appreciate the physical challenges of aging but there are certain things that I like about getting older. I like the fact that I have lived through many decades. It makes it easier to understand the world as it is today. I like the fact that I have a boatload of memories both good and bad. When I remember the good times, I am encouraged. When I remember the bad ones, after I have taken a few minutes to straighten my thoughts, I try to learn from them. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes not, but that is okay. Some hurts and bad memories take longer to process than others.
I find it fascinating to watch my children and grandchildren grow from babies into honorable and stimulating men and women. Over the years I have had to hold my breath a bit when some of their decisions seemed questionable to me. Sometimes, I have felt my chest puff up with pride as they succeeded at whatever they were trying to do. All of these emotions are okay. Their good times encourage them and their bad ones create more character in their beings.
Mostly though, I find that the older I get and the more I learn about the Lord Jesus Christ, the more I am able to trust Him. I am able to experience more fully what the songwriter says......"The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows. The more that I love Him, more love He bestows."
Have a good day! Love. Sue
Caleb's Game
Back and forth, back and forth. Two teams of children giving all they had to get points up on the score board. This basketball game was a bit lopsided but it was entertaining none the less.
Earlier that day we had brought our grandson, Caleb to downtown Minneapolis to play in a fifth/sixth grade basketball tournament. When we got there, we discovered that Caleb's team of 9 and 10 year old boys was going to try and defeat a group of 12 and 13 year old kids. Standing beside our little boys, the other team looked monstrous! They were all at least a head taller than our team and occasionally much more than that. Height is quite an advantage when playing basketball!!!!
Caleb and the rest of the boys went out on the floor to begin the game. John and I looked at each other with dread in our eyes. How in the world could these little boys pull off the impossible against these giants!!! We saw no hope and cheered and cheered regardless. Maybe our enthusiasm could inspire a miracle!
The game began and we watched in horror as the other team made basket after basket after basket. The score ratcheted upwards in their favor. I closely watched my little grandson for a look of defeat on his face. He hadn't given up yet and kept trying and trying to practice what he had learned of the game so far. Soon Caleb made a basket and then another! Four points on the board!!! We began to believe that maybe it was possible.....could they defeat these enemies of their success? We cheered harder and harder. Caleb and the other boys were dripping in sweat as they struggled to win.
The game was over and we had lost. I can't remember for sure what the final tally was but I think that the score was 57 to 6. A possible devastating loss to my sweet little grandson! He came running off of the floor, gulped some water from his bottle and grabbed his coat. I was a bit worried that he was waiting until we were alone to cry in frustration so John and I were just about to start saying every platitude we could think of (good game, you did your best, it will be better next time, etc., etc.) when ........
Caleb turned to us, his red face flush with exertion and proclaimed, "WOW! That was sure FUN!!!!!!!!"
Amazing! That was not what we expected to hear! Then, as I looked at his triumphant and excited expression I realized that he had won! He had faced a huge challenge and tried his best. He was exhausted but feeling victorious in his defeat because of that little truth.
Too often I look at the obstacles that I face in life and feel like giving up before I begin. I am trying to remember that being successful or victorious in every challenge that comes my way is not the point. The point is to remember that Jesus is with me and that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I don't have to be perfect. I need only to be willing and give each trial my fierce determination to maintain a right attitude. I need to show up and "try" in life. I am not alone on this path of life. I have the Lord who not only gives me strength but joy....flush, red faced type joy...., in every situation. Then I am victorious!
Have a good day!
Love, Sue
Philippians 4:13, Nehemiah 8:10
Earlier that day we had brought our grandson, Caleb to downtown Minneapolis to play in a fifth/sixth grade basketball tournament. When we got there, we discovered that Caleb's team of 9 and 10 year old boys was going to try and defeat a group of 12 and 13 year old kids. Standing beside our little boys, the other team looked monstrous! They were all at least a head taller than our team and occasionally much more than that. Height is quite an advantage when playing basketball!!!!
Caleb and the rest of the boys went out on the floor to begin the game. John and I looked at each other with dread in our eyes. How in the world could these little boys pull off the impossible against these giants!!! We saw no hope and cheered and cheered regardless. Maybe our enthusiasm could inspire a miracle!
The game began and we watched in horror as the other team made basket after basket after basket. The score ratcheted upwards in their favor. I closely watched my little grandson for a look of defeat on his face. He hadn't given up yet and kept trying and trying to practice what he had learned of the game so far. Soon Caleb made a basket and then another! Four points on the board!!! We began to believe that maybe it was possible.....could they defeat these enemies of their success? We cheered harder and harder. Caleb and the other boys were dripping in sweat as they struggled to win.
The game was over and we had lost. I can't remember for sure what the final tally was but I think that the score was 57 to 6. A possible devastating loss to my sweet little grandson! He came running off of the floor, gulped some water from his bottle and grabbed his coat. I was a bit worried that he was waiting until we were alone to cry in frustration so John and I were just about to start saying every platitude we could think of (good game, you did your best, it will be better next time, etc., etc.) when ........
Caleb turned to us, his red face flush with exertion and proclaimed, "WOW! That was sure FUN!!!!!!!!"
Amazing! That was not what we expected to hear! Then, as I looked at his triumphant and excited expression I realized that he had won! He had faced a huge challenge and tried his best. He was exhausted but feeling victorious in his defeat because of that little truth.
Too often I look at the obstacles that I face in life and feel like giving up before I begin. I am trying to remember that being successful or victorious in every challenge that comes my way is not the point. The point is to remember that Jesus is with me and that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I don't have to be perfect. I need only to be willing and give each trial my fierce determination to maintain a right attitude. I need to show up and "try" in life. I am not alone on this path of life. I have the Lord who not only gives me strength but joy....flush, red faced type joy...., in every situation. Then I am victorious!
Have a good day!
Love, Sue
Philippians 4:13, Nehemiah 8:10
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Restart
I have not written on this blog for a very long time. I constantly compose lines in my head describing events in my life both big and small. But........by the time I get around to writing those lines down I have either forgotten them or decided that they weren't all that great anyway.
Consequently, I have not written here for a very, very long time!
I have decided to change. A few months ago, my son asked me why I never wrote on the blog anymore. I told him that my reason was that so very few people read it anyway that it felt kind of silly to write it. Although I'm not sure that that was the entire reason, his reply cut to the quick of my heart. "But Mom, I always read it and I check it often to see if you've written anything new."
My son lives 1500 miles away and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him! I have four children and they all live too far away from me for daily or weekly interaction but I think of all of them each day. . (My husband claims them too but these are my thoughts, not his, right now,) I would like to talk with each of them many times a day but since they are all adults and have busy lives of their own I don't try to do that. I try occasionally to send them short texts and when I need to talk, I call or text them to call me. I want them to be strong, independent people but there are times when I miss the daily knowledge of what is going on in their lives.
The other day this same son called. He had been in the hospital for two days in a coma. He couldn't remember the previous week of his life. As of right now, the diagnosis is uncertain. I hope and pray that there is a simple reason for this for sure!!! It was distressing to hear him express his frustration and puzzlement over this strange turn of events. He has had to deal with lots of health issues over the years and and this last one topped them all for strangeness. As his mom I wanted to fix it and to care for him like when he was my little boy. At forty years old though I know that neither he nor his wife would appreciate that effort. As I thought over what I could do, the most obvious was to pray and ask the Lord to care for him and to heal him, to comfort him and his wife as they look to the immediate future. I pray that the Lord will bless them richly especially in hard times.
As I continued to think and pray, I decided that maybe it was time to honor his request that I restart writing this blog. So, my dear son, Carl, here it goes....... again......
Consequently, I have not written here for a very, very long time!
I have decided to change. A few months ago, my son asked me why I never wrote on the blog anymore. I told him that my reason was that so very few people read it anyway that it felt kind of silly to write it. Although I'm not sure that that was the entire reason, his reply cut to the quick of my heart. "But Mom, I always read it and I check it often to see if you've written anything new."
My son lives 1500 miles away and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him! I have four children and they all live too far away from me for daily or weekly interaction but I think of all of them each day. . (My husband claims them too but these are my thoughts, not his, right now,) I would like to talk with each of them many times a day but since they are all adults and have busy lives of their own I don't try to do that. I try occasionally to send them short texts and when I need to talk, I call or text them to call me. I want them to be strong, independent people but there are times when I miss the daily knowledge of what is going on in their lives.
The other day this same son called. He had been in the hospital for two days in a coma. He couldn't remember the previous week of his life. As of right now, the diagnosis is uncertain. I hope and pray that there is a simple reason for this for sure!!! It was distressing to hear him express his frustration and puzzlement over this strange turn of events. He has had to deal with lots of health issues over the years and and this last one topped them all for strangeness. As his mom I wanted to fix it and to care for him like when he was my little boy. At forty years old though I know that neither he nor his wife would appreciate that effort. As I thought over what I could do, the most obvious was to pray and ask the Lord to care for him and to heal him, to comfort him and his wife as they look to the immediate future. I pray that the Lord will bless them richly especially in hard times.
As I continued to think and pray, I decided that maybe it was time to honor his request that I restart writing this blog. So, my dear son, Carl, here it goes....... again......
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