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Friday, June 18, 2010

Reflecting His Presence

This morning, Burt and I are enjoying the beauty (and temperature!) of the North Georgia Mountains. We came up to Brasstown Valley Resort for a few days of R & R. It has been wonderful, being away with just ourselves. I rode with my husband while he played a round of golf, and although I don't ever aspire to be a golfer, I enjoyed seeing the beautifully groomed course, situated in the valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains forming a backdrop. I didn't bring any golf shoes with me, so I took off my sandals and pampered my feet in the carpet of grass. Then I pampered them even more with a trip to the spa!

It is hard to say which is more delectable, the food or the setting in which it is served. We have sat on the porch overlooking the valley/golf course at each meal. Breakfast is refreshing, and the afternoon sunsets are glorious. But this is only a part of the story.

For three days, the Lord has let us relax. Then this morning at breakfast, He took us off the bench and put us back into the game. He sent us a server with a hungry heart. His name was Jonathan, and one word led to another, until we found ourselves discussing things of a Spiritual nature. At one point, he asked Burt if he ever "preached" or spoke at churches or places like that. When we said no, we just shared what God seemed to want us to say to whomever He sent across our path, the young guy seemed fascinated. He wanted to know if we were staying longer because he would like to talk some more. We exchanged contact information, and then agreed to meet him this afternoon when he gets off work at 3:00P.M.

Somehow, this young man saw something in us that he was seeking. He had a heart that was hungry and a mind that wanted answers. We didn't seek him out. He was led to us, and our spirits connected. Our job is not to answer every question that he has. Our responsibility is simply to not blur the reflection of Christ that should be on us.

God's ways are so wonderful. He has allowed us time to enjoy one another, as well as His magnificent creation, and maybe even set the course for another person's life. what a privilege and an honor to be the reflection of Him!



Saturday, June 12, 2010

The Family Returns

Thankfully, I am blessed to have a husband who not only understands my need for R&R, but is willing to accompany me to some wonderful place that is seems God always provides just before I jump off the edge. One of these occasions happened immediately after Memorial Day following a visit from our children. The family group consisted of four of our five sons, three wives (one pregnant), a 22-month old grandson, an 18-month-old granddaughter, a 3-week-old newborn granddaughter, and three dogs (much to the consternation of our dominant male cat).

When boys come home, they hardly ever come alone, regardless of their ages. They generally will have friends, girlfriend, or wife. They also bring with them various accoutrements, all pertaining to some form of activity. From the moment they arrive the foyer of our house is practically impassable because of the collection of guns, fishing rods, boots, cameras, Frisbees, footballs, the latest exercise-related paraphernalia, and camouflage bags containing mysterious items that I have yet to identify. The girls come with certain equipment as well, now mostly pertaining to childrearing, i.e., diapers and wipes (three different sizes), baby appropriate food (organic), and the quintessential collection of favorite toys for each child. Soon the counters in the kitchen and laundry room disappear under the assortment of diaper changing stations, sippy cups, bottles, and breast pump equipment. My kitchen becomes a lab for preparing toddler meals and sanitizing nursing items.

I have found that the challenges of having our grown-up family at home are things that nobody prepared me for. It was a big adjustment when I had our own children, and found myself being a mother. At the same time I was also a daughter and a daughter-in-law. In the course of a few fast years, my role included being a mother-in-law, and now a grandmother…as well as a wife. I never realized how difficult it could be to juggle all those titles at once. I have the type of temperament that wants everyone around me to be happy, and if I perceive they aren’t, it somehow becomes my responsibility. Sometimes I’d like to post signs in my kitchen that say things like “Kitchen closed because of illness; I’m tired of cooking!” but somehow I can’t bring myself to be that cold. Besides, my family would be appalled to think that their servile mother could be guilty of such attitudes!

Anyway, the challenges of trying to make sure everyone is having a good time and that all the needs are being met sometimes gets to me. For instance, I’ve discovered that buying groceries for an anticipated visit from the children can be daunting. Trying to remember everybody’s favorite cereal, who’s eating sugar and who’s using a substitute, who need fiber and who doesn’t (I mean… who doesn’t?), who wants red meat and who likes fish, what likes what kind of snacks, what flavor/brand of ice cream, bread, or dog food are acceptable, and where in heaven’s name to find plain whole-milk yogurt for the toddlers in a small town like ours can wring me out! Now that there are only my easy-to-please husband and me at home alone, we can easily be satisfied with a simple salad or a bowl of cereal, or our frequent spur-of-the moment meals in town, but when we have an army to feed, that gets a little pricey! Don’t get me wrong; our family members are more than happy to cooperate and bring/cook/or do anything I ask to help. I just can’t remember that it isn’t all up to me! That’s why I have to brace myself against having a meltdown in the middle of Winn-Dixie and having to explain to my husband why it took two hours to finish shopping.

I’ve also found that I need to feel organized when they walk in the door. Don’t ask why it makes me feel better to know that my sweat pants are folded in the drawer, the kitchen knives are all sharpened, and the grass cut before they come, but that makes a difference. It also helps to know that the floor is vacuumed, mopped, and free of small objects for the little explorers, and that the sheets are all clean and the bathtubs sanitary. I’m much more relaxed to know that I don’t have to run interference for them when they come in.

The biggest challenge of all, however, is monitoring everybody’s emotional health. I thought that once the boys became grown men, they would have worked out their differences and accepted one another as the wonderful individuals that they are, leaving behind the irritations and temperament traits that can cause clashes. I was wrong. Now the best I can pray for is that will deal with issues in a mature way that reflects their Christian character and privately enough that I don’t have to be drawn in to the conflict. For some reason, it is sometimes hard for me to realize that I don’t need to be the referee, although they have tried to instill that in my head all their lives. Now that there are wives to consider, things can get even more complicated, not because the girls are difficult, but because, like me, they hate to see any disagreement among the brothers. I also am sensitive to the fact that we still have two bachelors within the family, and I don’t want them to feel less validated because some of the brothers have wives and children.

So when the last of the tail lights disappear down the driveway, I find myself physically and emotionally depleted. It’s time then to recognize that what I need is a long bubble bath, a good night’s sleep, and some time with the earthly father who is responsible for all this, as well as the heavenly Father whose plan it was from the beginning.




Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A Missed Opportunity

This morning I missed a privileged opportunity. I had the perfect time and the perfect place selected to meet the ultimate Life Coach. We were scheduled to meet on the dock of our lake, located about 1.5 miles away from our house. This spot is perfect for meditating, reading, writing, and conversing. The only sounds to be heard are the twittering of birds and the occasional splash of a fish breaking the lake's surface. A peace prevails there, especially in the early morning when the mist is rising from the water and the sun is parting the curtains of the day. A perfect venue for meeting such a phenomenal mentor.

I got up when my alarm beeped at 6:00A.M., but by the time I had stalled in the kitchen making coffee, searched for the car keys, thrown on my sweats (I mean, really, how long should that take), gathered my Bible and writing materials, and... oh, yeah... checked a couple of e-mails, it was 7:15 before I made the arrival at the dock.

I was aware that this was no ordinary Life Coach. I mean, this is the Coach of all Coaches. A I sat there for brief time of solitude and reflection, and I pondered some of the extraordinary promises that He had made to me. For example...

He promised that I would never have a need that He wouldn't supply (Phil.4:19).

He promised me success (Prov. 16:3).

He promised me peace of mind (John 14:27).

He promised I'd have joy (John 16:24).

He promised He'd protect me (Psalm 91).

He promised me strength (Psalm 18:32).

He promised the He would always be there for me (Heb.13:5).

He promised that He would always answer my calls (Jer.33:3).

He promised that I could have an audience with Him 24/7 (Heb. 4:16).

He promised that if I would draw near to Him, He would draw near to me (Jas. 4:8).

His services are free and His love is perfect.

And I missed some prime time that I could have spent with Him. In a short 45 minutes, someone appeared to measure the dock for sunscreens. Then I had to hurry home to dress for an appointment...and the day flew by. I thought about a song that was recorded by Larnelle Harris several years ago. It's called "I Miss My Time With You." The words always bring a pang of remorse when I neglect opportunities like today.

There He was just waiting
In our old familiar place
An empty spot beside Him
Where once I used to wait

To be filled with strength and wisdom
For the battle of the day
I would've passed Him by again
But I clearly heard Him say

I miss My time with you
Those moments together
I need to be with you each day
And it hurts me when you say
You're too busy, busy trying to serve Me
But how can you serve Me
When your spirit's empty
There's a longing in My heart
Wanting more than just a part of you
It's true
I miss My time with you

What will I have to offer
How can I truly care
My efforts have no meaning
When your presence isn't there
But You'll provide the power
If I take time to pray
So Ill stay right here beside You
And you'll never have to say

"I miss my time with you."

Our Family 2015

Our Family 2015