Archive for February, 2009

Home from the Middle East

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

 Home again after an arduous but rewarding trip to Jordan and Egypt.  Day after day I was amazed at the incredible evidence of ancient civilizations remaining after thousands and thousands of years.  Walking the streets of Petra and gazing in awe at the treasury carved out of solid, red rock towering over me.  Climbing the stones on the pyramids of Giza and entering the tunnel of the queen’s pyramid.  Marveling at the hieroglyphics painted brightly on walls of tombs in the Valley of the Kings.  Feeling tiny next to gigantic, etched columns of huge temples in Karnak and Lexor.  Each day revealed extraordinary evidence of ancient people.  When I studied and taught world history, I dreamed of some day visiting those sites but never imagined that I would be able to do it. 

            As wonderful as it was to see the relics of the past, there were other memorable experiences during the trip.  Alan and I met many people who enriched our lives—both locals and those in our tour group.  Observing the lives of people in that area of the world, made me so thankful for what I have here in the US.   I can safely drink tap water and eat raw vegetables and fruits.  I have clean public restrooms where I do not have to tip someone to give me a few squares of toilet paper.  I can wear contacts since there is clean air.  I am not coated with dust each time I go outside.  Those small things became much more important when I did not have them.

            Even though I had been to Israel and heard the daily calls to pray, I had never been in a predominately Muslim country.  Mosques proliferated both countries with only a few churches in evidence.  All Muslim women had head coverings with some wearing burkas and only had their eyes showing.   Many men also wore traditional head coverings.  The constant evidence of their religion reinforced my gratitude that I live in the US where I can freely worship.  However, I thought of how our country has changed during my lifetime from predominately Christian to one where we have had many rights taken away.  Christian displays, activities, and prayer have been banned over the years.  Groups have challenged our beliefs and restricted our activities while most Christians have complained quietly or not at all.  If the area of the world where Christianity began can change to make it a very small minority, can the same happen to our country?  I feel very strongly that Christians must be more bold and active in preserving our rights while we share our beliefs with the world.  I certainly do not want our country to be transformed into a nonChristian one like I have seen recently.

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The Unsightly Yard

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

 

            Droopy, brown leaves circled the cana lilies.  Pink azalea blooms peeked out proudly between withered blooms and dark leaves.  Green grass had been transformed into a huge, brown expanse of dead blades.  Yellow leaves mixed with green on day lilies.  Formerly, bushy, green hibiscus stood like bare skeletons by the walk.  Brown sticks had replaced feathery ferns.  A small gardenia tree was half brown and half green.  However, pine trees, wax myrtles, and native palmettos remained a healthy green.  Every plant in the yard had been hit with frost and freezing temperatures which occurred only occasionally in Central Florida.  Their reactions varied according to their placement, hardiness, and maturity.  Several had been covered to prevent damage, but in some cases that was not successful.  Others were preserved by their placement in the yard getting warmth from the house, lake, or other plants.  A few did not survive the extreme weather,  but most will recover after deep pruning and special care.  Several were not adversely affected at all because they were native to the area and could withstand the variety of weather conditions.  The yard looked dreary, forlorn, and somewhat hopeless, but I knew that with care the beauty would return. 

            Like my lawn, we are hit with extreme circumstances which can destroy us, cause damage, or hardly affect us at all.  When we are in the wrong places without God’s covering, we have significant damage.  However, when we rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us to the right locations, we stay strong and vibrant.  We can become damaged by situations which require painful pruning but emerge to be strong and healthy. 

            Are you where God wants you to be?  Do you use the strength of the Bible in your daily life?  Do you use the power of the Holy Spirit to withstand the gales of life?  Even when it seems as if we are permanently injured and of no use, we can be revived and used in God’s garden.

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Touch of Defiance

Monday, February 9th, 2009

 

            “No.”  Emily stated emphatically with her little arms crossed over her chest.  “I don’t want chicken.  I don’t want muffins.  I want jello.” 

            Ashlyn obediently sat across from her sister at the child sized table.  Her plate held a barbequed chicken sandwich, red jello, and tiny blueberry muffins she had helped prepare.  After we said a prayer, I left to fix my plate.

            Ashlyn attempted to entice Emily to try the chicken and muffin, but Emily kept refusing.  Then Ashlyn broke off a morsel of her muffin and handed it to Emily who relented and stuck it in her mouth.  With a smile, she announced, “I want a muffin.”

            The coaxing helped her see that what she had refused really was worthwhile. With her resolve broken, she agreed to eat a salad, cheese, and muffins.  In fact, she wanted to keep eating more and more muffins. 

            Emily’s defiance reminded me of how we often respond to God.

            “No, I don’t want to do that job.”

            “No, I don’t feel like helping that person.”

            “No, I don’t want to give more to the church.”

            “No, I don’t feel like reading my Bible.”

            “No, I don’t want to spend more time praying.”

            “No, I don’t want to forgive them.”

            We fold our arms, stamp our feet, and announce our demands.  Maybe, like Emily, we are trying to assert our independence or maybe we are afraid.  Just as I knew that Emily required more than jello to sustain her, God knows what is best for us. Like Ashlyn did with Emily, He sometimes has to gently coax us to follow His direction. I can imagine Him smiling as He watches us go from willful defiance to joyful acceptance.      

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The Mosquito

Friday, February 6th, 2009

 

            Before me stood magnificent, lofty pines, a stately cypress, and sturdy oaks.  A dark snakebird poised his long wings into the air to dry.  A great white egret pierced the water, spread its huge wings, and lifted itself into the majestic, blue sky.  Ducks swam slowly across the rippling lake.  A variety of plants flourished in my yard with a profusion of color: Mexican petunias, agapanthus, azaleas, crepe myrtles, fountain grass, and day lilies.  They all seemed large and lovely in the early morning light. 

            From being lost in the beauty around the lake, my attention instantly turned to the mosquito that landed on my leg. Immediately I slapped, but it ducked out of my reach and poised itself on my book.  I raised my hand again to squash it when I noticed its leg move.  I leaned forward to examine the dark insect.  Its legs were the thickness of a human hair.  I wondered how it could even stand on those tiny legs.  One front leg tore at the page of my book as if digging into the words while a back leg scratched the back of the miniature creature—composed of a distinct head, thorax, and abdomen. Teeny eyes scouted the page searching for danger.  Wee antennae protruded from the top of the minute head. Over the years I had seen hundreds or even thousands of mosquitoes and disposed of many.  However, I had never examined their intricacies nor appreciated the delicacy of their creation.  I only thought of them as annoyances with no actual benefit.  However, when I scrutinized the tiny insect, I realized that it was also a marvelous creation of God like the much larger and more enjoyable plants and animals that I noticed every morning. 

            I do not know why God produced mosquitoes, but  I am sure there was a higher purpose than to agitate me with their incessant buzzing and hurtful biting.  After noticing the lowly mosquito I realized that there are many other creatures that I have not fully appreciated nor cared about.  As I take my eyes from the prominent individuals in the world to the smaller almost hidden ones, I wonder what other astonishing discoveries I will make.

                                   

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How God Speaks

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

                                   

            In our sermon this week Joel stressed how God speaks to us in many ways.  Not only does He speak through the Bible and prayer but through His creation, situations, and people-both Christian and non-Christian.  That validated what has happened to me more and more frequently the past few years.  As I sit on my patio each morning, God communicates with the birds, flowers, trees, insects, clouds, sunrises, and the lake.  I receive lessons that are helpful to me which I share with others in my writings. 

            My granddaughters are a constant source of inspiration for my writings as they go about being normal little girls.  They do not intend to offer valuable words of wisdom or teach me a lesson, but they do.  As they continue to learn more about Jesus and walk with Him, they greet Him as a special friend without big, fancy prayers or deep theology.  In their childlike innocence they possess assurance that He is with them and will take care of them which is a wonderful reminder to me.

            Words attributed to St. Augustine stated, “Share the gospel and use words only if necessary.”  Like the girls, I am constantly sharing lessons with those around me even though I am often not aware of it.  Unfortunately, the impressions may not always be positive.  If I ignore an elderly lady who is struggling with her grocery cart and move ahead of her in line, is that being a good Samaritan?  If I scowl at the harried mother pulling whiny, unruly children to the restaurant table, am I showing the love of Jesus?  If I am impatient with the new clerk who is slow and inefficient, am I encouraging him?  Those situations would have vastly different outcomes if I offered assistance, presented a smile, and spoke affirming words. Just as God speaks to me through others, I can do the same for them.  By taking the time to show God’s love in both small and big ways, I can spread the gospel into the world.

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