Rebecca Carpenter

    Stillness.  I am always amazed at the sounds I hear when I think there is only silence.  Thre is a sereneness across the lake this morning because there are no blaring radios from the workmen who have not yet arrived.  There are no loud mowers or edgers.  However, as I listen caarefully there is the faraway purr of a small plane and the distant drone of cars on the highway.

     There are also some rather loud sounds as many birds call to each other across the lake with their chirps, caws, and whistles.  How many times have I missed all of the peaceful sounds because they were overtaken by the loud, boisterous ones? 

      How many times in my life have I missed the quiet moments because I only heard the loud ones?  Did I miss the request to “look mommy” from a small child because I was on the phone?  Did I miss the story of a spouse because I wanted to watch a special tv show?  Did I miss the gentle hug of a child because I was in a hurry to leave?  Did I miss the smile of a friend because I was thinking about myself?

      Treasures come in all sizes-large and small.  We need to make sure that we do not miss the seemingly small ones because they may be the most important ones of all.

    He’s back!  The food in the bird feeder is almost gone now because the pesky squirrel has taken over.  It makes me sad since the birds rarely frequent the feeder anymore because of the squirrel’s presence.

    As I watch him, I think of my choices.  I could take the feeder down but then none of the birds would ever get any food–including the doves that eat what he drops.  I could let the food run out and hope that he would become discouraged, leave, and not come back even when there was food.  I do not think that would happen.  I could patrol the feeder with a stick and loud noises.  That would take a lot of time and make the neighbors think that I was really weird.  I could leave it and watch the squirrel with his unusual antics as he scrambles to the feeder, hangs upsidedown, and constantly scans the area for intruders.  He isn’t my favorite creature, but I have to admit that he is rather fun to watch.  It is amazing how he climbs, jumps, and runs up and down trees, poles, and across the yard.  He is also one of God’s wonderful creations even though I like to watch the birds better.

     Many times in our lives we experience distractions and obstacles that we want to eliminate.  We might try fruitlessly to get rid of them and just become more agitated.  Maybe there is something that we should be learning and even enjoying-though it is hard to admit.  We do not ask for those situations that disrupt “our plans” that we have all mapped out.  However, God is the ultimate planmaker and knows what will help us to mature and become stronger.  If we listen to the Holy Spirit, we will be able to follow His plan and have the strength and wisdom that we need to overcome the distractions and obstacles that are placed in our lives.

    As I return to my morning sanctuary, I look out to see what is in my vicinity today.  There is a small lizard scampering across the patio-then stopping to gaze around while his red throat billows out.  There is a blue heron flying to the top of a nearby pine tree.  A fish comes to the surface producing gently moving rings across the lake.  An unknown type of bird is squawking loudly.  Gentle chirpings can also be heard in the near silence.  Two doves fly from the base of the bird feeder down by the lake.  A small, annoying bug circles my face.  A black snakebird and large, blue heron are squawking and lunging at each other high in the pine tree.  Another snakebird is perched on a submerged branch waiting for its breakfast.  I have come to this place for months but  often have only seen the lake, grass, sky, trees, and some birds–the big picture.  In the process, I have missed out on the details and real life of the area.

     As I go out into the world, I often only see the big picture there and miss many opportunities that God has for me.  Did I see the gorgeous sunset that He wanted to use to encourage me?  Did I miss the laughter of children who can always make me smile?  Did I miss the sad face of the store clerk who needed a kind word?  Did I miss the tiredness in the eyes of the tollbooth worker who needed a thank you?  Did I miss playing a game with a small child who just wanted to spend time with me?  Did I miss calling a friend back who just needed someone to listen?  Did I miss hugging someone to let them know that I care?  Did I miss telling a family member that I love them?  My eyes do not often “see” the really important things that are in my path. 

      The lake and retirement have caused me to slow down and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation more than I used to do.  However, we do not need a lake or lots of extra time in order to slow down and grab the opportunities to share God’s love each day.  It makes such a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.

    Life is so quickly changed-an accident, illness, divorce, death, a cross word, or dark secrets shared.

    As I went out onto the porch this morning, I could not see across the lake because of the intense fog.  Because of the fog, I could imagine that all of the houses beyond it were intact, trees were standing, and flowers were blooming.  Or I could imagine that the houses were all destroyed, trees were toppled, and flowers were flattened.  Our thoughts can make us happy, sad, elated, or depressed.  Only God can lift the fog and reveal what is really there.  He can allow us to see what if going on in our lives and the lives of those around us.  Worrying does not change the reality.

    When the fog is lifted and the picture is not pretty, we can help clean up the mess, assist others in repairing the damage, and remember that God is the ultimate rehabilitator.  When the life of someone we love is like a house with the walls caving in, we can’t hold the walls up–God can.  We can’t replace the trusses alone–God can.  We can assist in rebuilding when the owner wants to rebuild.  We can offer food and water to the owner for strength to rebuild.  We can pray and offer godly advice during the rebuilding process.  We can sound the alarm to others near the site of the destruction so that they can protect themselves.  Sometimes those near the one being torn down have even contributed to the decline.  Sometimes they were there to help build up but that “house” has rejected the offers of help.  Surrounding lives have to gird their walls for protection so that they do not come down too.

     We can’t stay in our “houses” so that we won’t ever be hurt, but we also can’t allow ourselves to remain outside helping so much that we neglect our own “houses”.  It is so easy to take on the responsibility of  caring for others because we love them.  However, loving is sometimes shown best by guiding them and then letting them take responsibility for their own actions which may have hard consequences.  In all of these circumstances, God is the answer.

     The day after we returned from our mission trip to New Orleans, I could not get motivated to do much.  I felt totally wiped out and realized that it was an emotional letdown from all that we had experienced.

     Each day that we were there we saw evidence of Hurricane Katrina-the destruction of the city and the upheaval.  We heard incredible stories of loss.  Seeing and hearing it first hand made a tremendous impact on all members of our team.

     I had seen numerous pictures of the area but was overwhelmed by the mile after mile of destruction.  Knowing that it will take 10-20 years to rebuild is incomprehensible.  At times, I felt like crying for all of the people in the gulf area who have been affected.  I felt such sadness at their enormous losses.

      But as we met so many Christians and talked with them, I was amazed at their resilience , acceptance, and hope.  Even though many had lost everything or nearly everything, they were not giving up.  They were rebuilding and continuing to help others.  We constantly heard the theme that God was using this tragedy to wake up the church and to spread the gospel.  They are working together-black, white, hispanic, rich, poor, middle class, young and old.  The storm did not descriminate and barriers are being broken down.

     I was made aware of how it is much easier for me to associate with those who are like me.  I need to reach out to those who are different from me and to those who may not seem too lovable.  When the storm stripped away material goods, the people were pretty much the same.  They all required food, water, and shelter and wanted to protect their families.  God has made each one of us, and we have all had various opportunities.  Even though we are in different situations, He has commanded us to love one another.  The gulf coast has endless opportunities where we can serve with the love of Jesus.  However, we also have endless opportunities in our own communities where we can serve.  What are we waiting for?

     Destruction. Devastation. Abandonment.  This is what we saw in June 2006 as our mission team from Orlando drove mile after mile through the New Orleans’ area.  We felt sadness when we thought of the families that had been displaced and separated. 

     On Saturday we were invited to help with a weekly lunch feeding ministry at the killing field.  Strange name I thought.  We were told that the area was one where clashes occurred because of drugs.  When we arrived, we found the ministry group had set up in a grassy area by a major highway in an impoverished area with much destruction which was the perfect place to serve.  Music was playing loudly from speakers on the truck, tables were ready, water was cooling, and food was prepared.  We were each assigned a duty and were ready to serve those gathered.

     The day was extremely hot, and there was no shade.  People began lining up to receive barbequed chicken, green beans, fruit, salad, and cool water.  Many requested additional plates for family members or friends.  Some who asked for extra meals were probably assuring that they had plenty of food for later.  We spoke to each one, asked how they were doing, and gave the food with a smile.  Incredibly, they returned the smiles and said that they were doing great.  How could that be?  They were living daily with the horrible devastation but were so grateful for what they had left.  Most were still not back in their homes and had so much work before them, but they kept thanking us for what we were doing which to me was only a small contribution.  What wonderful attitudes they had!  We felt so blessed by them even though we had gone there hoping to help them.

     One lady touched my heart when she said that she wished that she had a tarp.  Since we had had so many tarps in Orlando after our hurricanes, I assumed that she meant so that she could protect her roof.  However, she continued and said, “I would put it over you so that you would not be so hot.”  That was so humbling to me. 

     Residents of the area, workers on the homes, policemen, and those of us serving all shared lunch that day.  However, the love that was shared in Jesus’ name was even more important than the food.  There was no violence or drug activity in a place that had formerly been used for that purpose.  There were people of all ages, economic levels, and races joining together in harmony.  We were amazed during our visit to hear how God was working in New Orleans because of Katrina.  We kept seeing hope in the middle of the chaos and hope for the future.