Laughter and Dog Tales

It's a gorgeous morning. The sound of birds singing is loud and melodic. A lawnmower is hard at work cutting grass. Sarah the Wonder Dog is fast asleep. A car roars by -- and I do mean ROARS.

Never mind, Sarah is wide awake now. That car must have jerked her out of her sleep. She seizes every opportunity to explore and enjoy life. She was so funny last night. Friends came over for a visit. There was much laughter as well as Sarah showing of for everyone.

She is a riot! There isn't a day that goes by without me catching her up to something. Lately she has this thing for watching TV. She has to protect me from anything that might try and escape and get me. She especially goes after dogs -- they don't stand a chance. I have to mute it when dog food commercials come on; otherwise she is after them!.

When we were visiting last night Sarah was in full entertainer mode. She barked, she sat, she did things on command. Needless to say she received much loving and laughter.

Watching her this morning got me to thinking. Too often we pick up on the seriousness of the Gospel message. Now don't get me wrong -- it is serious stuff. But, honestly, I think we can get so consumed in the seriousness of life that we quit looking for the joy.

Think about it. I know these are difficult days in our nation and in our world. If there be a time we need joy it is now.

So I've been thinking about places in Scripture where it actually comes across as funny -- but too often we miss it.

• When elderly Abraham and his wife, Sarah, are told they are going to have a baby her first response is "Do what?" She is way past child bearing days. This is nuts! Not so when she delivers a precious baby nine months later. 
• When Jonah is spit out of the huge fish (some call it a whale) where he spent a few days and nights -- ugh. Think about how he looks ... and he goes to Ninevah to deliver God's message of salvation. "Repent!" he says. They repent.
• When Eve blames the serpent for coaxing her in to eat fruit from the forbidden tree, Adam might very well be thinking, "Great! Now I have a talking snake to encourage her temptations."
• When Mary delivers the news that Jesus is not dead, he is risen, some of them just stare at her. A woman! A woman delivers the most incredible news. How can it be true -- God doesn't use a WOMAN to deliver important Gospel truths! That's absurd.
• When Paul and Silas are in prison an earthquake hits causing their cell door to open. Imagine the surprise on the jailer's face when he finds them - still in their cell and singing. I'm pretty sure he might respond with "Whoa..."

So many other events come to mind and I'm glad they do. It's important to me that I remember the great complexities of the Bible -- for it is a very complex book. I love reading all the good stuff -- not so much on the bad stuff. But it is all in there -- for everyone to see. It is a reminder that on our good days and not so good days, God loves us still.

A pretty cool thing to think on this morning ...

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

--Proverbs 3:5-6--

CHOICES!

CHOICES - CHOICES - CHOICES!

Have you ever felt like you were standing in front of a chalkboard, needing your life answers all spelled out only to see it confused you even more? I've said to God more than once that I would be most grateful if he would just give me a sign, provide a miracle, make the writing on the wall very clear to see. He just doesn't get it. I tire of the chaos. I don't like the drama. Change isn't fun.

I don't know why God won't take my advice. I mean, more than once I have made it clear that I think I have some pretty good ideas and I think He should listen to me. It never seems to happen. (And all of humankind arises in thanks that I am not in charge)

Too often it seems:

• we have road signs that point in all directions but no sign that makes it clear which direction to go. 
• we have NO road signs to warn us and prepare us for the bump in the road that is ahead
• we completely miss the signs
• we realize - later on - that our stubbornness kept us from being willing to see the signs

Please realize I'm speaking about me. I can only assume there might be someone out there who fills the same but then again, one should never assume!

I shared a portion of one of my favorite Scripture about hope the other day. Today I would like to share the rest of it:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only THAT, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given for us. --Romans 5:1-5

I'm OK with all that. I know that part of living is working through the "unexpecteds" of life. I just can't get through to God that I would be just fine without the "unexpecteds". Show me the plot -- I love knowing the ending. Give me a detailed written note and I will follow it to the tee. OK, no I won't.

I go back and read the silly content of this post and realize - painfully so - how often I am guilty of intentionally keeping my eyes closed as I don't want to choose the signs offered me. I want to go my own route. "I did it my way!" - as Frank Sinatra would sing so do I sing to my stubborn, pig-headed self.

Why do I have to be that way? It's like I intentionally make things more difficult because I'm convinced I know the better way.
Jesus is nuts if he thinks I'm going to forgive THAT person for what she did!
He is crazy if he thinks I'm going to forget what was done to me.
He's nuts if he thinks I'm not going to pout a little because I didn't get my way.

Good grief! Join me at the table and I'll share some of my whine to go along with the cheese. (Nope, that's not a typo ...)

Oftentimes HOPE wins out -- those are the few times it's a good day and I'm using the common sense of realizing God knows far better, loves me far more and wants only the best for me anyway. On those days I cling to the HOPE of what is yet to be and REJOICE in what is -- even if it feels rotten at the time.

I just think it's important to show the good, the bad and the ugly along with the great, the glorious and the beautiful.

I really, really hope today is a gloriously beautiful one.
I really, really hope when I encounter others today they see my HOPE is in the Lord, my peace is in Christ and my joy is filled by the Holy Spirit.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

To God be the glory!

JOY Comes In the Morning!

I started out yesterday thinking I was doing okay. Later in the day I read the physician's summary following my morning appointment for a surgical consult.  After reading that document I called my brother and we had a good laugh over it. He said, "Maybe you need to go lie down!" I told him I thought I should. I'm surprised, actually, that I'm not dead with all the diagnoses on my chart. Goodness!

Truth is those diagnoses on that summary -- all accurate. Ouch.

But why not have a good laugh? It's better than crying.

Dan then went on to ask me if I was OK with the news the surgeon gave me. I burst out laughing and told him I might as well be. We both agreed I just have to forge in to things full steam ahead, do what I have to do and keep working to a day of better health.

You know as I was letting the doctor's news sink in I kept hearing in my heart one of my favorite promises from Psalm 30. The Psalmist tells us that Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

I love that text because -- here's that word I love again -- it points to HOPE.

No matter what is going on, no matter how tough things get -- there is a new day coming. A day is coming when the tears will be no more. A day is coming when the bad news will turn to good. A day is coming when laughter and joy will ring in your heart.

We can all relate to that and cling to that promise: Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

• Been fired? A far better career is around the corner.
• Hurting over a broken relationship? The time will come -- if you so choose -- for a day of forgiveness and reconciliation. 
• Waiting on test results? No matter the news you receive if you attack it with sheer determination, you have already beat it. Attitude is half the battle.

Today I cling to HOPE 

and choose JOY to rule.

I'll be the first to admit I've dealt with some depression the past few years. That long night of weeping has carried over for several consecutive nights. That's OK because I believe it's important to really deal with things. And sometimes that doesn't mean it's going to be all laughter and hugs and jelly beans and smiley faces. You have to go through the dark to enjoy the sunrise.

Even with a hard road ahead I feel nothing but HOPE and JOY -- it's time.

You will know when it is your time. And when it is, enjoy the warmth of the sun on your soul!

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

HOPE, HOPE, HOPE

I was awake during the night so I turned on the TV to catch up on the news. I quickly found myself wishing I had turned on cartoons. The news hasn't been so good of late. It is heart-breaking as well as frightening the level of anger and hatred in the world. The number of mass shootings and other kinds of attacks are staggering.

We could easily get discouraged.

We could easily lose all sense of hope.

My devotion this morning from Luci Swindoll said this:

Eugene Peterson says when we live expectantly, 'we can round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives.' through His Spirit. Hope is our opportunity to look at life with excitement and anticipation. There is something about it that opens the floodgates of heaven. Not only are we the benefactors of His blessing and grace, we're given a chance to grow in the process. Our patience is developed, our character is refined, our minds become more alert and our eyes stay fixed on the prize. Life is framed through a wide-angle lens... Even if we don't get the exact thing we were hoping for, life comes into clearer focus. -- Women of Faith Devotion Bible

 I've gotten a few private posts from friends who have been reading my posts. They write to say how amazing and how wonderful I am. I laugh. Amazing and wonderful I am not -- far from it. I mess up the most. I can be the grouchiest of them all. I know there are people who would line up to tell you how amazing and wonderful I am NOT. 

What I am is a person filled with HOPE.
HOPE nudges me and reminds me there is a "yes" when the world shouts "no."
HOPE reminds me even when everything seems dead or dying around me, it will continue to nudge its way through the dirt and breathe in abundant life.
HOPE encourages me to look up when the darkness of the world tries to pull me down.
HOPE reminds me my name is Beloved, Child of God

I love the Book of Romans. It is an incredible book found in the New Testament of the Bible. In chapter 5 we are reminded: 

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope

Romans 5:1-4

That text reminds us to find our hope in Jesus Christ -- not in some dynamic personality. 

Too many times it seems we fall in to the trap of worshiping some person -- a sports star or movie star or boss or political figure or spiritual leader or family member -- BAD idea.. BAD, I say! Say it with me:  BAD!

Because we are human we fall -- every one of us. It is by the grace of God we get back up again. In so doing we extend grace to one another, forgive and move forward.

We only worship our living and loving Lord. He cannot fall or fail. It is in Him our HOPE rests.

I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching -- I'm just sharing from my heart. I had to do so after watching the news!

It's time for a nap.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Do WHAT?

I sat out on the porch this afternoon. It was nice to have Sarah out running and barking at every little thing that moved. Any time someone walked by Sarah had to "talk" with them a bit. She's my own personal Good Will Ambassador.

As I visited with one friend who stopped by my phone rang. I automatically put my phone on speaker as I hear better that way. So I answer this phone call and immediately a stranger starts spewing forth a litany of hatred and foul language. My friend and I look at each other, eyes wide and mouths hanging open.

I didn't recognize the number so I interrupted the caller. I let him know I thought he must have a wrong number.

OH MY the words that really rang out then.

He told me I had no right to tell him he dialed the wrong (blankety blank blank blanking blank) number. He had every (blanking blank blank ... blank blank blank blank blank) right to call my number if he (blanking) wanted to.

I've never been so stunned in all my life. I asked him if he even knew me.

Turns out he was just free-dialing numbers and letting whomever answered have it. Lucky me.

So I continued talking with him. I had to get to the bottom of this. I asked him, "What has made you so angry that you are calling complete strangers?"

He let me know he had been (blanking blank blanking blank blank) fired from his job ... something about someone complained that he had a "short fuse". (Go figure ...)

I told him how sorry I was to hear of his being fired and it was obvious he was really hurting over it.

Silence

I told him I was happy to listen if he wanted to talk about it -- one exception: I commented on his flavorful language but would appreciate him leaving it out for the rest of our conversation.

Silence

I asked if he was still there.

I heard a sniffle. He told me he hadn't bothered calling anyone he knew because he knew they would hang up on him so he had started dialing numbers out of the blue. I was the first one who did not yell back, cuss him out or hang up on him. He asked me why.

I told him it seemed the right thing to do. And then he snarled "Oh, you're one of THEM, aren't you?" (At least there was none of his flavorful words!) I asked whom who "THEM" are. "Jesus-freaks, God lovers, go ahead, go ahead and preach at me."

I told him I actually am a "Jesus freak" but I don't preach AT people. I shared with him my love of Christ is what causes me to respond the way I do. I said, "Listen, this is who I am. I don't apologize for it. I didn't just you, how about you affording me the same courtesy?"

That threw him.

He told me he was really sorry he had been so disrespectful.

I told him I appreciated that and encouraged him to talk. We went on to talk for thirty minutes and had a really nice conversation. In the end he realized it isn't the end of the world. He also admitted he had been allowing his anger to get the best of him lately. We talked about other possibilities -- other ways he could respond.

I was surprised when he asked me to pray for him. I did and it was a sacred moment.

We never know when an opportunity to be our best encourages another to bring out the best in themselves.

As a believer I have the great privilege of getting to serve others. My prayer is that tomorrow is another good day for me to be my best so I might bring out the best in another. And I pray that is the same the next day and the next. I know that won't always be the case. I am human and I do a great job of being grouchy at times. And for that I'm sorry -- especially when it means I share that grouchiness with another.

I mean -- we never know ...

Next time the phone rings, stop and take a breath before you answer.
You never know ...

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Call If You Need Anything

It was a busy morning. Now don't get me wrong -- I haven't done a blasted thing! But it became a morning where I was forced to do that which I can't stand ... "call if you need anything"

I am sure I am not the only person who has battled with this. I cannot stand to ask for help. Anyone with me on that?

And I think now more than ever I have been particularly stubborn about it because I want to prove that I can handle living alone. I do NOT need to go in to a rehab center.

You see, while I am out on medical disability -- I have an injury to add to the list. My Meniscus is torn on both sides of my right knee. Hey -- I figure if I'm gonna do it I might as well do it up right! Yep ... right.

So I'm awaiting my surgical consultation and pending surgery and am home alone using a walker to get around. The doctor ordered a wheelchair and it is being delivered this afternoon.

It happened.
I reached a point I realized there were things I could not do.
OUCH to my sense of stubbornness and pride. I hired someone to come in and clean this morning -- MUCH needed as I can't do any of that right now.
I had to contact my brother to come out and attend to some things in the house.

Oh my goodness have my stubbornness and pride taken direct hits today.

And yet in my heart I remember how passionate I used to be in preaching on how we are called to serve one another in love.  How many times did I counsel with people who battled needing help and I pointed out what a gift it is we give others when we allow them to do something for us! All the time we spend doing for others -- we must realize so, too, do others love getting to do for us.
It's a cyclical thing.

Serving one another is a beautiful thing -- if we allow it to be so. I think on all the hatred and darkness that is trying to envelop our world. I don't know about you but when I get to give to another my heart is filled to overflowing with joy.

As we think on the world and all the hatred and darkness that tries to envelop us -- it is a great part of giving back to God's people in God's world. It is a conscious decision to have a personal attitude adjustment that will, in turn, help others in our midst to desire their own attitude adjustment.

So I did just that today -- willingly adjusted my attitude, allowed others who did things I needed them to do, and opened my heart back to JOY. What a wonderful day it has been! I don't deny that my leg hurts, is swollen and even my foot is numb -- but my heart is full of love, gratitude and joy. One of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen, says this: "Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."

SO TRUE!

So I will go in to tomorrow choosing JOY, an open heart willing to receive and a spirit of gratitude.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS!!!!

I truly am enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

After the Storm

It was a perfectly peaceful afternoon yesterday when all of a sudden - BAM! A clap of thunder hit so suddenly it shook the house. In one leap Sarah was on her feet standing in front of me with her eyes all wild-looking and this expression on her face that said, "Well! You know what to do!"

I slid forward so she could jump up behind me in the recliner. She burrowed her head down between my leg and the side of the chair. After a few seconds she re-surfaced, looked around and started panting like she just finished running a marathon.

I'm happy to say we survived the storm.

I was reminded of a storm years ago when I was at the beach with several family members. There was an incredible storm at sea. It was so powerful, so beautiful we turned all the lights out and sat in the living room and watched the storm for hours. One of my little cousins said, "It's as if God designed us our very own light show!

As beautiful as it was I couldn't help but wonder about any ships at sea in the path of that storm. It might seem a thing of beauty from far away but when we're right in the middle of it, the storm isn't so beautiful. 

It's all a matter of perspective ... which takes me back to Sarah. 

I'm pretty sure I need the Dog Whisperer to come to the rescue.
I love a rainy afternoon -- it is so relaxing. 
Sarah, however, starts shaking as if on cue the minute it starts raining --- never mind the thunder!

So yesterday the storm gradually fades away. We hear thunder in the distance, growing weaker and farther away.

I was amazed as I noticed something Sarah was doing: she would stop panting and listen. If she heard any rain or thunder she started panting again. It was as if she had conditioned herself to panting being connected with the storm. Good grief!

As much as I was rolling my eyes over this observation I realized how similar that behavior is to ... me!

We all react differently in the storms of life.
I've noticed my behavior has been different the past few years from all the rest of my life. I realize this is due to feelings of insecurity. I continue to deal with short-term memory loss issues therefore I don't trust my ability to make decisions. I lean very heavily on my brother, Dan, to help me.

I guess you could say I pant through the challenging times -- only coming up for air long enough to stop freaking out and look around to see if the storm has passed! It makes me wonder ... have my feelings of insecurity rubbed off on my dog? 

We never know how much of an influence we are.

I pray that, with this new understanding of our responses to the storms in our life I can work on my own responses and, in turn, help Sarah too.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com 

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

Save Me From the STORMS!!!

SWEET SARAH ...

She has got to be the happiest fur-kid I've ever had. She thinks every person who comes to the door is coming to see her. So how is it that this dog who loves life, loves to "talk" and "sing", has never known a stranger -- is terrified of thunder? Her little doggie ears hear it before I do. I know it's coming as her little ears go flat on her head, that tail is tucked in and she stares me down. 

The next thing is for her to get to her place of safety which is behind me on my recliner. So now I'm sitting on the edge of my recliner with Sarah curled up behind me, trembling and panting. Her head pokes around my left side and inches up under my left hand - where it stays the entire time. 

By the time the thunder reaches my hearing Sarah is in full panic attack mode. 

It doesn't matter that she is safely snuggled under my protection. There remains an intense fear that there is no hiding from the monsters that reside within the sound I know as thunder --- she only knows it is something horrible trying to invade her safe space. To her it is a horrid beast that roars around her, inching closer and preparing to pounce.

No matter how unrealistic her fear is it is real to her.
No matter how hard I try to comfort her there is no calming her jagged nerves.

It roars around us and she knows the only thing between IT and her is ME.
And yet I wonder does she know I will do everything I can to protect her -- whatever the storm may be?

AND THEN THERE'S ME ...

It could be that Sarah knows my true reaction to storms and realizes I'm no help at all as I LOVE storms! 

It was the early morning hours of 1989 and Hurricane Hugo was lashing out at us with sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts over 100 mph. I was attending Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, North Carolina, a sleepy school town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. I was on the first floor of our dorm with all the other girls who lived there. I've never seen so many stuffed animals in all my life.

When there was a slow-down in the howling winds outside, one friend and I went for a walk. I just HAD to see what was going on and even get some pictures. The devastation was mind-boggling. Huge trees had been picked right up out of the ground as if they weighed no more than a matchstick and tossed aside. it was everywhere, signs of flooding, downed trees ... unfortunately some of the trees chose to park themselves on top of cars lined up in the parking lot.

We began to notice we were starting to lean into the wind and we realized the storm wasn't over! It was extraordinary! It became a fight to get back to the dorm. The power of the wind began lashing around us and the rain was stinging our faces -- it was fantastic!

We encountered a security guard ... he was not pleased to see us.
It was suggested we return to our dorm and not leave it again.

That storm ripped through the area and caused power outages for weeks. 
It shook lives and uprooted people all over the state.

And here I am twenty-seven years ago and I remember it as if it was yesterday.

My hunger for storms as not diminished.
I have this fascination - and respect - for storms that I cannot explain.

My dream vacation is to spend a week with storm chasers. 

I wonder what that says about me?

Like Sarah, I don't like it when some horrible storm invades my space and uproots me. Of course my scary storms look like: 

• poor health
• job changes
• death
• loss
• broken relationships

That's when I see myself curled up and shaking, seeking shelter behind my protector. And I am reminded, no matter the storm, we truly do have a Comforter 

Psalm 46:10 reminds us Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.

More on storms another day ...

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

Who Is My Neighbor?

It's amazing how quickly I have gotten spoiled to my next-door-neighbor. Ardith called me a few weeks ago, concerned that she and John hadn't seen me out and about. I told her about my led pain and being commanded to "no weight bearing" until we figure out what is going on. Now -- normally people say something like "if you need anything you be sure and let us know" and then you agree to let them know, which of course you don't (let them know, that is). 

Ardith did not do that. She just showed up.


The next day there she is at my door with my mail and a tomato sandwich. You can't beat a good tomato sandwich and nice visit when you've been alone for a few days!

She came in just a fussin' that I'd been over here by myself all that time. I assured her my brother and sister-in-law had been getting groceries and getting my mail. She wasn't having anything to do with that. She was on the case now and she would handle everything.

Which she has done beautifully.

Everyday Ardith has come over with my mail. She checks ahead of time to see how I'm feeling. If it's a bad day she knows I haven't eaten so she brings me lunch. Otherwise she gets my mail and her two grandchildren come with her so they can spend a few minutes playing with Sarah (my fur kid).

Sarah looks forward to getting to play with the kids and I look forward to some good conversation with Ardith. I'm not sure which one of us is more excited, me or Sarah. Leave it that it does us both some good.

Ardith is gone this week. They're out of town vising family up north. My sister-in-law is over on the west coast so it's me and my brother this week. Bless his heart. It's not like he doesn't have enough to do but he's over here helping out, getting my mail, going to the grocery store, taking me to the doctor.

I share all this because it got me to thinking about one of my favorite Bible stories -- The Good Samaritan 
The basic question being asked is WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? 
It's a great story! You can find it in Luke 10:25-37

 I have to be honest. I'm not so sure we ask that question as often as we should anymore.
Seems to me we've gotten caught up in SELF.
It's kind of hard to wonder how others are doing when we're consumed in using our time taking selfies.

Besides, when I posed that question to someone -- the question about caring, that is -- their  response was "who cares"? Classic.

Ardith and I will get on a good rip about that next week when she returns.

In the meantime, I don't think it would hurt any of us to think kinder thoughts, share kinder words, express kinder sentiments -- even to people we don't even know. Not to get political but something tells me there are some folks who would enjoy a kind deed or word shown them at the Republican National Convention this week and I'm sure it will be just as true for the folks who will be at the Democratic National Convention next week. 

We don't have to be off at some convention -- we could be on vacation, at work, at home, on vacation (I repeated that ... I must really want to go to the beach).

I realize my thoughts don't seem to go too deep today. That is intentional as kindness does not need some national holiday proclaimed before we can act on it. It doesn't need a tragedy to occur before we realize what is needed.

We can choose to intentionally CARE

We don't need to let dark days get any darker
police shootings ...
revenge killings on police ...
hatred and bullying on social media
rise in road rage incidents
The list goes on and on -- but it doesn't need to

I DARE YOU to secretly perform one (or two or three) random act(s) of kindness  ... and don't tell anyone about it.

Enjoying the Journey, 

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

Do I Have Any Mail Today?

"My name is Oscar T. Bailey. Do I have any mail today?"

I looked through the resident mail boxes and found his empty slot.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bailey. There doesn't seem to be anything here for you today."

Next thing I know Oscar is coming through the window and has his hands around my throat. There was no time to react. All I know is it took two nurses to pry his hands from my throat.

That was my introduction to Oscar T. Bailey. He was one of many residents who lived at the skilled nursing facility where I worked at the time. After that first traumatic encounter with Oscar, I knew to make sure he had "mail" every day. It could be in the form of an old magazine or an index card. Oscar was happy as long as he got something.

After awhile it seemed silly  to give him all these things that would otherwise go in the trash. I don't know ... it just seemed his life, any life, deserves more than to receive the "left-overs". So from that day forward Oscar received postcards with various messages on them:
You are loved.
You are special.
Give someone a hug today.

After a few weeks his postcards became more personal:
Good morning Oscar -- today is going to be a beautiful day!
Happy Thursday, Oscar! Enjoy your day!
Oscar -- You are so special!
God loves YOU, Oscar

I thought I was in trouble with that last card.My hand went to my throat as I watched Oscar stand there, frozen in front of me. After what seemed an hour he looked up at me. In a voice thick with emotion he asked me, "God loves Oscar T. Bailey?" I nodded and assured him of God's love for him. I took several days of him receiving the same message before it really sank in. 

On that day I watched as Oscar took his mail and crossed through the lobby to sit on a nearby bench. He sat there a long time until I noticed a sudden shift in his emotions. I found myself drawn to him so I went over to him and very quietly spoke his name.

"Oscar?"

Through tear-stained eyes he looked at me.

"God loves Oscar T. Bailey?"

"Yes, Oscar. God loves YOU. God loves Oscar T. Bailey."

"God loves me. God loves Oscar T. Bailey! GOD LOVES ME! GOD LOVES OSCAR T. BAILEY!" He was shouting and jumped up, pulling me along with him. He gave me the most incredible hug and then he was off, going up and down the halls and calling out to any whose attention he caught of God's love for them as well.

Oscar was one of those people who became entrenched in my heart.  It was very difficult saying good-by to him when I left that job.

We all have those people -- the ones who have a place etched permanently on our hearts and in our minds. It took Oscar awhile to truly grasp the reality of God's love for him. I think such is the case for each of us. It is difficult to hear and receive such an incredible message of love and grace. 

It was thirty-one years ago that I met Oscar. Ever since then it became my passion to make sure everyone heard the message of God's love. It remains my passion to this day. May YOU know the amazing grace and abundant love of God this day!

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will  make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3::5-6

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to ...

The thing about interruptions is that they ... interrupt you. They are annoying. They are intrusive. They think their agenda is far more important than the agenda we have claimed as our own. 

So here we are -- out living life. And then, BAM! An interruption to interrupt ALL interruptions ever interrupted in history. (My English Lit.  Professor is wringing her hands about now. "She didn't learn a thing!") Truth is, I've had so many interruptions the past few years that I've learned how to grab hold and hang on for the ride. I am a work in progress so perhaps I should change that to read I'm learning to grab hold ...

I love to play the piano. There is something soothing in running my fingers over the keyboard. Sometimes I will sing and others I let the sound flow from my fingers. There is an important practice you learn early on in Music Theory and that is the necessity of the REST. 
A rest can add incredible beauty, a needed breath, even a sense of anticipation that the mood of the music is changing. A rest is incredibly important in the overall picture. I've heard pianists that seem to fight the rest. They bang on the keyboard, not differentiating from the haunting beauty that can be found in the slowing of a piece. We aren't intended to pound through life.

But we do.

We don't like to be interrupted or invited to come to a STOP. There is too much silence. And the silent places drive us nuts! I am a visual learner so visually I would say this looks like:

I see an explosion of notes where no one is listening to anyone but everyone is screaming and pounding away trying to have the final say. 

It is painful to hear.

I used to run from the silence. I wasn't aware of it but I did. That has been and continues to be very important in this season of healing. Sometimes the silence is overwhelming as I go for days without seeing or talking with anyone. Yet it is in the silence that I find myself drawn into some of the most sacred moments. 


The silence I used to run from I find now I run to it. And in so doing, the rest finds itself beautifully woven to the music that now is a lovely, grace-filled experience. 

And it is good.

I go into a day that I could easily fill with noise. I refuse to do that. I will, instead, invite the rest -- the silence -- that I might breathe in to the day. It is my prayer someone else might experience peace in me and in so doing, bask in their own grace-filled moment.

Your choice: are you going to bang through your day or invite moments of silence? You might be surprised in the encounter.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

Yeah I know, I know -- You won't give me anything I can't handle ...

I've always loved the saying "Lord, help me to remember there is nothing that You and I can't handle together today."

Sadly, the entire quote is often left out for it ends with: "I just wish You didn't have so much confidence in me." I love that!

I don't make New Year's Resolutions -- unless you count my resolution to make no resolutions. I did, however, feel compelled to declare that this would be "my" year.


I took on 2016 as my personal year. I saw this as my season of healing: mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. To a degree there is some truth in that. I had to physically heal from Shingles. There were all-time high issues with seasonal allergies. I got to be in the "miserable with allergies" group. That was great. It seems most of my opportunities for healing have been in the physical realm. I'm sure that is because I SO have it together in the other categories ...

Currently I get to understand better what it feels like for the numerous people in our culture who have to rely on walkers in order to well ... uh, walk. I had an appointment at my Orthopedic Specialist's office and I am convinced the "Better Living With Your Walker" convention was taking place there. I'm so glad I wasn't left out. I took my walker and shuffled right alongside a 90-year-old.

Ok so to say I shuffled alongside her is a bit of an exaggeration. She stayed ahead of me by at least three walker lengths the entire time. That was very special. My 52-year-old self wanted to haul off and hit me. Guess I need to keep working on the maturing of the emotional self.

What hit me is anyone's guess.
What I did to get hit is anyone's guess.
How long it will go on (expletive, expletive, expletive) I can't even begin to think that way.

They did an MRI on me last week. I go to the doctor tomorrow to find out the results of the MRI. I don't think I've ever looked forward to seeing the doctor as much as I have this appointment. You would think it was a Christmas countdown. Rather than "Only 16 Shopping Weeks Until Christmas" I have "three weeks until I go to the doctor" or "Three days until I go to the doctor". I have no doubt I will end up thinking "three hours until I go to the doctor" ...

I wish these were the days of Star Trek. I don't care how weird he/she looks. I just want to have Dr. So and So come up to me, run this little box that makes all kinds of cool noises
over me, get the diagnosis from the scan, and zap me with some instantaneous cure. 

It won't happen that way. Pretty sure of it.

You would think I had heart disease or some rare form of cancer for the way I'm carrying on. Nope --- it's a bum knee. That's it. But it's a darn painful bum knee. 

And I didn't need to grow in that area. I'm pretty sure I've always been grateful and appreciated my many opportunities to walk. I'm pretty much a hermit these days. I'm taking my own life -- and possibly others -- in my hands should I try and go out and fall. That would be BAD.

SO -- how have I grown from this?

I'm thinking
Thinking ...
Thinking ...
Thinking ...

I'll keep thinking on that ...
      ... and then I'll get back with you.

In the meantime I continue ...

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

Proverbs 4:5-6

I Must Be Gay Too!

I've been watching a lot of movies lately as I remain confined to this blasted chair due to my leg. Last night I watched "In and Out," a comedy featuring Kevin Kline. Kline plays a High School Teacher who will be married in a few days.

The movie opens with the entire community excited about the upcoming Academy Awards. One of their own has made it big and is up to win Best Actor. When he does win everyone is thrilled. The excitement quickly turns to shock when he thanks his Drama Teacher (Kline) for guiding him along the way. And then he announces that his teacher is gay.

The tone of the movie changes immediately.

The man everyone loved and thought they knew, the man who teaches their children is ... GAY. He's gay!

He is no longer accepted in the community. Others go out of their way to NOT discuss the matter. They are distant but polite.

High School Graduation comes along. It is then that the graduating students, family, and other members of the community learn of (Kline's) firing and everyone questions this. The principal tries to explain (uncomfortably so) that he needs teachers that are a positive influence on all the students.

One of the graduating students stands up and declares: I had Mr. Brackett (Kline) for Drama. He coached me in track and he helped me get a scholarship to the college of my choice. So -- I must be gay!"

One by one people stand up and share how Mr. Brackett positively influenced them and then each one says: "I must be gay too!" until everyone in the auditorium is standing and applauding Mr. Brackett and his positive influence on their community.

I couldn't stop thinking about this movie last night. I think it's because I kept hearing the voices of today:
"I'm gay"
"I'm straight."
"I'm black"
"I'm white"
"I'm a woman."
"I'm Hispanic."
"I'm a Christian"
"I'm not"
"We all deserve to be treated equally"
"Only certain people should be treated with dignity and respect"
"You agree with my way and my way alone"

And then when we disagree or are obviously different or try to speak up -- someone pulls out a gun and lives are changed -- and not for the better.

I find it difficult to turn on the T.V. these days. My heart hurts as I learn of yet another terrorist attack ... of some teenager being shot by a policeman.

Some days it feels as if we're fighting a losing battle and the influence of evil is winning. I have to shake those thoughts off -- close out the feelings of fear and yearning for love and common sense to prevail. I do better at it some days than others. 

In the meantime I know my prayers are heard and I cling to the promise that God is in our midst. 

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6