The Thing With Weeds

A dear friend of mine is in the Ukraine doing mission
work. He has been doing this for about twenty years now -- ever since we met some wonderful Ukrainian families at the church where we were both on staff. 

Woody plans to purchase a house with some land on it. Enough land, in fact, to start gardening. Oh my.

As we talked and laughed about his current adventures his thoughts returned to the home and the land he wants to purchase. Our conversation continued to return to the land and he eventually told me he might need my guidance on farming.. Me? MY guidance? OK - even I remember the basics.

Watch out for WEEDS!

The thing with weeds is that they can grow and spread and choke all other living things. You need to pull the weeds and carefully clear around each plant.

WEEDS are BAD!

That's a little dramatic. Not ALL weeds are bad. Some weeds, in fact, are really good in your salad.

What is important is discerning between the two. If you don't get the weeds out they will choke out the vegetables and the flowers.

The book of Proverbs (24:30-32) tells us: 

I went past the field of a sluggard,
    past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
 thorns had come up everywhere,
    the ground was covered with weeds,
    and the stone wall was in ruins.

Even the stone walls were run over by weeds -- all because someone didn't take the time to do what needed to be done. The thing about weeds is that they don't ever really go away. Go ahead. Go out in the garden and weed and clear around everything. The heads of little weeds will show themselves the next morning. I don't believe that is necessarily a bad thing. It is a reminder of the need for discipline in our daily living. If we ignore something, the weeds will overtake it.

It goes without saying that this makes me think of the weeds in my life. Far too often I allow them to take over and I feel as if I'm suffocating. It's important we name our weeds -- even if it is painful to do so. 

In the naming, the weeding -- the healing -- begins.

It's time for me to finish my early morning coffee and reading/writing time. I have some weeding to do. It's way past time.

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

I Think I Shall Wear My Tiara Today!

I've been going through my computer sorting files, cleaning some out, rearranging pictures in files. It can get rather tedious. I didn't realize just how many pictures I have. Good grief! There are many memories in those pictures. I guess it is true that "a picture is worth a thousand words". I look at one and a floodgate of memories rushes in. 

I came across a picture of an especially fun day with two friends I miss dearly. When I lived in Hendersonville (N.C.) Patricia and Letha and I enjoyed being together. We loved a good laugh, we were mischievous and we easily entertained! 

We were out one day and one of us found some tiaras that we all agree were made just for us. I declared we had to wear them the rest of the day and then it was on! Every store we went in we declared it was the others' birthday. 

People stared.

I don't know why. I've seen far more -- creative -- things in public. We looked downright cute and we were having a darn good time if I say so myself. 

So no matter the stares, we kept the tiaras on all day. 

I'm glad we did that silly thing and wore those silly tiaras because several years later I look at that picture and I realize we should all wear our tiaras because we are all children of the King. The Psalmist reminds us:

... the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.

In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him ...

Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God ...

- Psalm 95

And throughout God's Word we are reminded that WE are the children of this - our great God. So if we are His children - well - then, we are royalty. PUT ON THOSE TIARAS & CROWNS and wear them proudly! (Ok, be prepared for some strange looks)

The point is: we live listening to and believing what the world tells us: "you don't measure up" - "you aren't good enough" - "you aren't good-looking enough" - blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

I say enough of that. YOU are a Child of God - YOU are a member of royalty. Try hearing that you are God's Beloved and YOU MATTER. Gotta go. My tiara needs polishing.

Fine Art of Fishing

For some reason this morning I'm filled with memories of weekend camping, cookouts, fishing and river rafting trips with my family. Uncle Walter Masters was the family “river guide”. In we went, some piled up in rafts – others in inner tubes. These were the days before the Nantahala became the booming business that it is today. Back then you were on your own – you picked your spot to get in the water and off you went.

We camped around the lake. Most of the kids (me included!) spent our time in the water splashing and laughing. Aunt Peggy instructed the older boys on gathering the firewood and getting the campfire started. Mom and Dad had our big tent set in the perfect spot and spread out all our sleeping bags.

It was ideal.

I went out on the lake to go fishing with my brother, David. He was (and is) a bit of an imp. It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon out on the lake. It couldn’t have been more perfect and I was so excited to be there with David. He told me if I let my bait get too far down in the water the giant catfish that lived on the bottom of the lake would grab it and jump up and get me too! Needless to say I believed anything my big brother told me.

I made sure my lure/bait bobbed right on top of the water so I could very clearly see what it was that might be interested in taking a nibble. I had a brilliant idea (or so I thought). I would watch closely and if I saw something coming that I didn’t want to catch, I would snatch my bait up out of the water!

For years I have thought of that particular fishing trip as an analogy to my faith journey. Sometimes I go out in fear and refuse to go too deep. I’m afraid of being rejected, afraid of offending someone, afraid of being hurt. There are other moments in my life when I live out my faith very carefully. I don’t want to dig too deep because I might “catch” someone who is high maintenance and I don’t have time for that!

I love that Jesus took everyday events and turned them in to teachable moments. He did so with fishing. That was something the disciples knew about and understood. They were not catching fish. He suggested they go to the other side of the boat and cast their nets. They did and when they began dragging the net in -- BOOM! It was SO heavy as it was laden with fish!

I think now more than ever Jesus Christ calls his believers to fish. 
He calls us to reach out in a spirit of love and grace. 

I think I'm going to do some fishin' today

He Knows My Name!

Yesterday Sarah and I enjoyed some time out on the front porch. Sarah likes to do that. She's able to sit regally and gaze out over her kingdom. Her full name is HRH SARAH (Her Royal Highness). If you've ever met her you know that fits her perfectly.

As I'm sitting there reading and Sarah is watching over her kingdom I notice one of my neighbors and her two dogs headed our way. This neighbor's name is Sarah. She has two huge and beautiful Great Danes. Those dogs are gentle giants. They really look more like ponies, especially when Sarah takes them out for walks because she is so petite. Their names are Cagney and Lacey. (If you were around in the '80's you might remember the show with that name). 

We are all friends and we all like to talk. The problem is it kind of happens all at the same time.Cagney is first up the embankment and lets out a friendly "YIP!" to Sarah ----- and it's on. She goes tearing down off the porch and they have the funniest "conversation". They don't just bark, they have quite a repertoire. There is some barking in the midst of a "yip" and some howling along with heads turning one way and then the other, as if truly engaged in a critically important conversation. And who am I to say otherwise?

Sarah and I then try to talk. I call out to her and my Sarah comes bounding up the steps and looks at me. "Well?" -- truly the expression on her cute little face seems to be saying that. I tell her, "No, no. Not you - the other Sarah." I'm pretty sure I hear her sigh as she goes down the steps to resume her talk with Cagney and Lacey. This happens a few times as we try to talk and at one point I recall us laughing so hard that our laughing and the dogs howling was quite a concert. 

We say our good-byes and we watch as Sarah, Cagney and Lacey are on their way down the road. I find myself thinking of how confusing all our gibberish must have sounded. I wonder about the gibberish we humans make on a daily basis -- refusing to listen to the other while allowing our own voice to raise higher and higher to make sure we are the one with the last word.I wonder what God thinks of that? How does He sort through all our gabbing?

In the midst of these thoughts I pick my book back up to read on of God's glorious character -- loving us so much He created EACH ONE of us to be our own beautifully unique self. It's a small book with powerful words. It is written by Tommy Walker, the author of many of my favorite worship songs. This particular one is He Knows My Name. He says this:The first phrase of the song ... says "I have a maker," which reminds me of the mind-             boggling fact that each one of us is formed by the hand of God. That means we can be       assured that we have value and are precious simply and for no other reason than the           fact that we are created in His image. Isn't that amazing? We are small, in-process               versions of our big creator God. Flowers bloom, waterfalls cascade, cheetahs run fast          and birds fly high; but none of them is made in God's image -- only we are. And not only        did He make us, but He also made us with a purpose: to reflect who He is and give Him        glory with our lives."

I sit and think on that paragraph awhile. I find myself thinking through that same paragraph again this morning. I don't like the thoughts that surface but I know they are true: God created you and me and my next door neighbor and your cousins and the local pastor all in His name. That's GREAT! That's the way it should be! But there's more ... God created the murderer, the terrorist, the rapist, the shoplifter, all the "bad" people. God created them too. 

Just as He created us each a unique and beautiful creature, so too He gave us the choice to reject or embrace that truth. I admit it. I partially embrace it right now. I have a profound sadness in my heart and a burning, growing sense of fury in my soul. I have never been one who had a desire to see someone die but that dark part of me wishes that outcome for several people right now. You know, the "bad" people who are out there killing.

It's tough. Scripture tells us not to judge. It also tells us to love. God not only knows my name and loves me, He knows the name of the shooter and calls him his "beloved."  (Psalm 139) That's downright offensive. 

I wish God didn't have to be so loving.

Why can't He be more selective?

What does God say to me about how I love and who I choose to love. I believe CHOOSE is the key word. I'm supposed to choose. Instead, I embrace the beautiful me that I am and I am working on seeing and celebrating something possible for all those "bad people. 

God knows my name and speaks it clearly and tenderly. May each of us choose to live to the unique person He made us to be.

A NEVER ENDING PARADE OF STUPID

I watched the musical “Hair Spray” the other day. It was written for the 1960’s but it easily applies to the state of our culture today. And it makes me nuts.

As a child growing up on a large farm we regularly had people stay and help put up the tobacco or harvest the tomatoes. Dad had a buddy of his come out often to help out. He was Africa-American. I loved Charlie. He was a kind man with a wonderful laugh and he loved working out in the fields with Dad.

My parents taught me to look through the eyes of love and see everyone in the same image: the image of God. I was to respect them and be thankful for their presence. I remember one particular summer day walking in to the kitchen to find a family member busy washing the dishes while Mom peeled tomatoes in preparation for canning them. As she washed the dishes I noticed she put one plate, one cup, and one fork in a pot on the stove. After I walked over to look down in to the boiling water covering the plate, cup and fork I was confused. I looked at her washing other dishes in the sink other than the dishes in the boiling water. When I questioned why she was doing that she told me it was just to be sure and sanitize them.

That wasn’t enough for me. I needed to know “why” – why could she clean all the other dishes one way but this simple plate, cup and glass had to be sanitized. She blushed and mumbled something about that’s what she needed to do to ensure all the germs were gone. I was so angry. I didn’t have to ask – I knew it was the plate, cup and fork Charlie had used.

What made him so different?

Why was he so much dirtier than the rest of us?

I was nine-years-old at the time and it was my first painful introduction that we are NOT all treated equal or considered equal. Though still a child and enjoying doing child-like things, a part of me grew painfully fast that day. I have never forgotten it.

In the musical Hairspray Penny Pingleton is a darling white teenager who falls for Seeweed J. Stubs an African-American who is not only gorgeous but intelligent. Queen Latifah plays the role of Motomouth Maybelle, also Seeweed’s mom. When she realizes her son and this cute white girl are falling for each other she crosses her arms, shakes her head and tells them. Love is a gift. A lot of people don’t remember that. So you two better brace yourselves for a whole lot of ugly coming at ya’ from a never ending parade of stupid.”

It seems we have an epidemic of stupid going on out there ------ and it is growing.

Here’s what is weighing heavily on my heart today: what can I do to make a difference? How can I participate in a positive avenue of change?

I don’t have the answers. I know this much – it is 2:00 in the morning and I can’t sleep as all this weighs heavily on my mind and my heart. How do I be an instrument of change? How can I join with others to spread a message of love and equality rather than one of distrust and anger?

Until I receive some great vision I will continue to treat my neighbor the way I desire to be treated: with respect and dignity, with love and grace.

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

Penelope Pig Has Taken Flight

 Saturday, July 9, 2016

I've been thinking recently about this cute little crystal pig I found at Pier One a few years ago. They already named her for me. Wasn't that considerate?

PENELOPE PIG is her name. I started to change it but thought the name rather fit. I am talking about a crystal pig here. It's not as if world peace will be threatened should I change her name.

Penelope is this tiny and cute little thing that represents a huge hiccup in my life. Forget that, it wasn't a hiccup. It was a downright loud and rude burp. Truth be told, her rude entrance in to my comfortably planned life (ouch) is the best thing that could ever have happened. I’m the one that opened the door and let her in, after all.

"The day I'm ever out of the pulpit and no longer preaching is the day pigs will fly," I smugly and assuredly said

"I can't believe people actually try to say they cannot work with this! Why, the day I ever let Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue even TRY and take me out of full-time work -- well, that will be the day pigs fly," I bragged

If you're anywhere near me -- get out your umbrellas 'cause it's raining pigs!

It isn't a spring shower. It's a full-blown gully-washer, as we like to say here in the south.

So my health was so bad -- but I didn't realize it until I had some distance from work. After that it was talking with friends who pointed out things I was then able to see. I stayed so exhausted all the time I started nodding off in meetings. I had to go home daily to take a nap to be able to get through my day. I started forgetting things. 

That is not to say I went quietly. I was furious at myself and my inability to continue to carry on. Being out of work on medical disability had NOTHING to do with my plans. Makes me think of one of my favorite movies, "Evan Almighty" that stars Steve Carell as "Evan" and Morgan Freeman as "God."

In one of my favorite scenes Evan and God are talking and Evan says to God,

"I don't understand why you chose me."

"God" - "You want to change the world, son. So do I.

"Evan" - "You have to understand this whole building an ark thing is not part of my plan ...

"God" -- (uncontrollable laughing)

"Evan" - WHAT???

"God" - Your plan (more laughing)

"Evan" - An ark. AN ARK! I don't even know how to begin!

"God" - I hear that a lot. People want to change the world but don't know how to begin."

2007, Universal Pictures

I felt just as helpless after leaving work. I had NO CLUE what was next - when I would get better - where I go from there. Where was I to possibly begin?

It has been four years now and in some ways my health has worsened. Many people who used to love to be around me have no time for me anymore. I don't blame them. I didn't want to be around me!

But here's the thing. I have always said I believe God redeems all things. I still believe that and I see it in my l life.

• My family I never had time for: I cherish time spent with my brothers and sisters-in-law and precious niece now
• I have reunited with friends from years past. Sure wouldn't have had time to do that!
• My prayer life continues to increase and I cherish that.
• My Granny Masters taught me how to crochet when I was eleven and then life happened and I was far too busy doing too many important things for God. Now I cherish my time WITH God as I crochet .... a scarf for this person, a prayer shawl for that one ... 
• I am learning to listen to my body and realize when I can push it a bit more and when it's a stay in the recliner day.

It is my heart's desire that my health improve so I can return to the active work force one day. I don't know what that means or when. So I've put "my" plans aside and am trusting God more and more to show me.

Don't get me wrong. I in no way believe I am some puppet on a string. God created each of us with brains and usually there is an objective to such things: use them. I look forward to the choices God sends my way. 

So the pigs are flying and I'm trying to find my way.

I imagine I'm not alone. There is no way you can tell me someone else hasn't said the same thing: "The day that ... is the day pigs will fly!"

Open up your umbrellas, friends, and let's look forward to the new adventures ahead.

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

SHAKEN

I sit here in the early morning enjoying my coffee and looking out as the sun peaks over the tree tops. I watch Sarah as she enjoys running around the yard and exploring her kingdom. I sit in silence listening to my world wake up. Birds are talking to one another. The horn goes off at the plant down the street announcing it is time for the night shift to end. There is laughter as a neighbor walks her dog and gets tickled at how excited (Izzy, her dog) is over everything she encounters. I wave at John and Ardith, sitting out on their front porch and enjoying the early morning as well.

And then I go inside and turn on the T.V.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who cannot figure why this has to be so complicated.

So here goes the discussion of human nature ... we are broken, we are angry, we will do what we feel led to do. But we can be better than that. We were created to be better than that. 

We seem to have conveniently forgotten some important things:

          RESPECT 

for all, not just a select few

          KINDNESS 

far easier, far better than an attitude of hate

          EQUALITY 

No one, NO ONE has the right to say he or she is better than 

another person due to his/her skin color, status in society, monetary value

ALL LIVES MATTER

I don't care if you are black, blue, white, 

gray or green.

I don't care if you are straight, gay, transgender, eccentric

YOU have something to offer to society

And now these three remain: 
faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love. 
-- 1 Cor. 13.13

Jesus said the greatest of these is
LOVE

        LOVE

                LOVE

Everyday, everywhere, no matter the mood you're in (ouch ... I'm so guilty) -- we are to LOVE

Somewhere along the way in our stubborn minds we decided "it's all about me". 
Somewhere along the way we said "screw our neighbor - I'm looking out for me and my family"
Somewhere along the way we decided the actions of a few idiots is a reflection on who we all are.

I DON'T THINK SO

Yes, I'm a Christian and I try to live my life according to my faith. And in being all honest while I'm on this soapbox -- I really mess up sometime. I'm SO thankful God forgives, God calls me to return to Him and so I run and enter the presence of the Holy One.

I don't care whether you are a Christian or not. I wish you were. But God gave us free minds to use them. God gave us the opportunity to make our own choices in the direction of our lives.

So no matter what you believe -- no matter who you worship -- our writings teach us all that LOVE is the better way. Go ahead -- ask a true Muslim who lives a life of peace and commitment to his or her faith. You will be told the importance of love. Ask the Jewish Rabbi what they profess. You will hear an emphasis on LOVE. Ask the Greek Orthodox of their teachings and you will hear an emphasis on LOVE. Ask the New Ager and you will be told of the focus on love and harmony.

How I wish I could snap my fingers and release hate from the world. Sadly it is not that easy. I DO think, however, it would be a lot easier if we vowed to joining hands -- literally and figuratively. We could send an incredible message that 

• WE will no longer be afraid
• WE stand as one
• WE will fight back against the war of cruelty, racism, hatred, fear

Black and white, police officer and doctor, sanitation worker and priest, stay-at-home mom and teacher, NFL teams and bowling teams -- fill in the blank, EVERYONE has a place

For me THAT is an indication of GRACE reaching out -- welcoming, loving, making a place in the circle for ALL

Then and only then -- when we begin to look at each other through the eyes of love rather than the eyes of distrust -- then we will begin to make a change in our world. 

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