You Light Up My Life

 

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. ~Genesis 1:3

We are definitely in the middle of a typical summer storm pattern here in the South.  The hot days cause a lot of evaporation that encourages the formation of thunder storms, possibly severe, to crop up in the late afternoons or early evenings.  Last Friday night testifies mightily to this seasonal phenomenon.

It's 7 o'clock, and Danny and I have just begun playing our ritual, after-dinner backgammon games.  Being the weather fanatic that he is, he has his phone open to his favorite radar detection app, so we have an accurate prediction of there the current storms are heading and when they might arrive on our doorstep.  As I mentioned in a previous post HERE, we rarely lose our power during storms, even in the worst ones.

But as life teaches us time and again, there are exceptions to every rule.

BOOM!  Our lights vanish in the blink of an eye.  Danny springs into action.  He grabs two flashlights within arms reach of the kitchen table and hands one to me.  Then down the stairs he goes to the laundry room where are emergency lanterns are stored.  He returns in no time and at least, with the extra lights, we can see enough to make do.  But what about our backgammon games?  It's obvious that one of our lanterns will have to be elevated so it can illuminate the board.

Yes, that's an industrial-sized roll of clear wrap we've had on our kitchen island since we purchased it in February of 2022, and it's still going strong!  It seems like a good idea at the moment, but we quickly realize that parts of the board are still in shadow.  Danny selects another type of lantern to sit on the other end of the board to see if that improves things.

It does, but something still doesn't seem quite right.  Yes, pun intended, a lightbulb goes off in Danny's head.  He has recently purchased a battery-powered light for his music stand, and has a strong feeling it just might do the trick.  Voila!

Happily, our games can now continue, even though I lose more than I win.  I wish I could say I'm a graceful loser, but I'm not.  Danny has so much patience for which I'm most appreciative.  After we play round after round, we're ready to switch gears.  Danny finds one of my favorite shows on my phone which we set up on a special tripod bought to make our FaceTime calls with family members hands-free.

The hour-long show concludes, and as it does, our power returns!  Just in time for me to get ready for bed without having to tote a flashlight with me.  And thankfully, too, with the a/c back up and running, we can rest assured of a cool and comfortable night's sleep.

I must confess that I have, at times, teased Danny about his prepper tendencies.  Not anymore.  He literally embodies that old boy scout motto:  Be prepared.  All his gadgets sure come in handy on this dark and stormy night.

So, honey, thank you for being here with me through the good times and the bad.  You always and ever, light up my life!

Amen!

No Matter How Different

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is is the same God at work. ~1 Corinthians 12:4-6

In kindergarten, our oldest grandchild, Virginia, is introduced to the concept of making frames out of colored popsicle sticks.  Her artwork may seem primitive at first glance, but I see promise.  Her Papa and I still cherish it to this day, and it's proudly displayed on a small table beside my computer desk.

I surmise that, as much as she loves to draw and color, Virginia might just have a gift for art, one she can realize more fully as she grows and matures.  The once five-year-old is just about to turn fifteen.  No, I can't believe it, either!  And my hunch about her artistic abilities has come to fruition in those ten short years.

Her mom, Sarah, sends us these photos of her most recent creations.  I'd love to know what you think.

And Virginia's favorite character, Hugh Laurie, from Dr. House.

When we chat this past week on FaceTime, I tell Virginia how marvelous it is to have been given such a talent by God, and that she should continue to develop it for His honor and glory.  She gets it.  This isn't about her prestige, her ability, and perhaps, her future notoriety.  It's all about being thankful to the One who, in His gracious generosity, bestows unique gifts upon all His children.

I hope and pray that Virginia will always place her love for God above every other love in her life, and choose to be a servant leader in any and every endeavor she undertakes, whether it be in the field of art or in an occupation she can't even yet imagine.

And isn't that what we all should aim for in our lives?  Because no matter what our achievements and accolades received in and by this world, they cannot hold a candle to the One who makes it all possible.

For all of us, no matter how different our gifts might be, we can rest assured that it is the same Lord and God at work in us.

Amen!

There, but for the Grace of God

Our house in the winter months

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. ~Ephesians 2:8

I'm sure that those of you who regularly read my posts already know how enamored I am with living in a forest.  Our home can truly be called The Little House in the Big Woods.  As summer is literally heating up, having this much shade all around moderates the severity of the temperature and cuts down on our air conditioning costs.

I wouldn't be honest, though, if I didn't admit that there are some drawbacks now and then.  Danny is vigilant in keeping his eyes on all our trees to determine whether any limbs are dead or dying, and if the location of such branches poses a threat to our roof, decks or driveway.  When the consensus is a "yes," he will promptly contact a trusted tree removal company to mitigate the chances of damage to the property.  In rare cases, we've had to have entire trees cut down due to disease and even a once-in-a-lifetime (knock on wood) lightning strike that adversely affects two giant pines that were growing close together in the back yard.

Last Tuesday, we experience a particularly drenching rainfall accompanied by thunder and downdrafts to beat the band.  No tornado sirens scream, but since I'm here in the house by myself (Nicco has taken Danny for a pacemaker check in downtown Atlanta), it's all I can do not to head downstairs to our safe room.  Thankfully, the storm is short lived.

But the damage is done.

A dead limb, not previously perceived as an immediate threat, succumbs at last to gravity's pull.  Not during the actual storm, mind you, but two days later, making it that much more dangerous for the unsuspecting.  What shakes me up the most is where it lands - right over one of our two compost piles!

And the place from which it broke.

All I can think of, and thank the good Lord for, is that Danny was not dumping the raw waste from our kitchen into that compost bin at that fateful moment.  The weight of the limb and its impact could have killed an elephant, let alone a human being.  There but by the grace of God, could have been Danny when that ill-fated branch fell.

Ahh!  The grace of God is truly amazing, indeed!

Amen!

God's Peace and Presence

 

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. ~Isaiah 55:12

I'm so grateful to live where we do.  When I need to be reminded of God's peace and presence, all I have to do is step out on our deck, sit on one of our benches and look up.  The trees, their branches laden with a myriad of summer leaves, tower above me, their soaring heights forming a cathedral ceiling of green.  Their light-seeking faces lifted in prayer and praise to the One upon whom they depend for life and growth.

And in the winter months, when twigs and branches display skeletal features, still they stretch and strive to adown the sky with unique acclaim for the One who created them.

When the weather is inclement and precludes sitting outside, I can always find solace in God's word.  I keep my Bible, devotional and grace journal in what Danny and I unceremoniously call the "Middle Room."  This is originally Nicco's bedroom growing up.  Now it serves as a place of study and reflection for me, and the space where we break forth into singing as we practice the praise songs we sing at our church.  So many positive vibes and thoughts happen here.  It creates a quiet, yet palpable, spirit of peace.

The table itself is a source of joy for me.  Many a happy meal is shared by both my mom and dad when just Danny and I would visit.  Later, after dad's passing, Virginia and I would often go to their home in Oxford, Georgia, to stay with mom for the weekend.

Yes, that is a very little Virginia at age seven!  But she is seated at that very same table where memories continue to be made.

There is a part of me that wishes the both of us felt confident enough, health-wise, to travel like we used to, seeing sites that aren't in our own backyard, but those days aren't in the offing.  All the more reason to thank the Lord for all His past blessings that give us cherished memories, and to embrace the blessings of each new day He sees fit to give us.

And if you're planning a vacation away with your family or friends this summer, may you go out with joy, and be led out with peace in all your adventures.  I would love to hear about your plans in the comments!

As for me, I'll be content to sit on our deck, and hear the birds singing along to the rhythm the rustling trees create as they clap their hands for joy.

Amen!

God Shed His Grace

 

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. ~Psalm 42:11

When I happen upon this quote by the Reverend Billy Graham, I'm instantly inspired.  My word for the year - GRACE - clamors for my immediate attention.  But it's the way he links grace with mercy and hope that really gets my thoughts whirling.  How is hope even possible for our minds to grasp if our loving Father didn't place it there when He created us?  And how can we even begin to comprehend the depth of God's mercy and grace unless we confess that we are sinful beings in desperate need of a Savior?

It is all interconnected.  Inextricably intertwined.  A trinity without which we neither live, move nor have our being.

Simple, isn't it?  Then why, when we see the chaos and confusion in our world today, are so many people despondent and discouraged?  Their souls, as so aptly expressed by the psalmist, are cast down and despondent.  They crave solutions, release, happiness, freedom, but hopes placed upon anything other than God will never satisfy.

To paraphrase a popular song (or two), they are literally looking for love in all the wrong places, not realizing that they can't get no satisfaction outside of God Himself.

Blessedly, here in the United States, there appears to be a spiritual revival afoot, especially among the younger generations.  This could not happen at a more crucial time in our country's history.  In a Fox News op-ed written by the Reverend Samuel Rodriguez and published on June 1st, he states in part:

This is the age of Aquinas and Augustine, of Kierkegaard and Lewis, of Tolkien, Lennox, Wright, and others.  An age where orthodoxy is not an obstacle but a lifeline.  Young men and women are hungry for truth, tired of relativism, and ready for something real.  This is the pendulum swinging back.  Not toward nostalgia - but toward a rediscovery of eternal absolutes.

He goes on to highlight the cultural shift in perceptions about God and Christ as witnessed in American Idol contestants unapologetically performing worship songs, to the NFL players (and many college players, too) sharing prayer time before and after games.  Rodriguez attests:  The name of Jesus is being lifted - not with fanfare, but with authenticity.

If this trend continues to gather steam and attention, who knows how many lives can and will be saved for eternity?  A nation that places its hope in God will not just survive, it will thrive!

So, thank you, Reverend Graham.  The evangelism to which you committed your long and illustrious life has proved fruitful, indeed.  God's mercy is reigning over this land, so there isn't a reason for any of us to be downcast.  May we freely lift our unified voices to boldly and joyfully sing:  America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

Amen!

Under Pressure

 

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ~Psalm 46:10

I am a homebody.  There is nothing I like better than to have an entire day stretching before me without one appointment or obligation that involves leaving the house.  I prefer, above all, being able to stick to a daily routine of meaningful activities balanced with quiet times of prayer and reflection.  While others might perceive this as boring, I find it completely satisfying.

Last week, however, is anything but routine.  Between Danny and me, there are three medical appointments.  That's three too many, if you ask me, but they aren't the kinds you should or could postpone.  On Monday, I meet with my cardiologist to review some recent tests I have done.  The next day brings my annual physical with blood work to boot.  Thursday, we are at the dermatologist so Danny can have her check for any possible signs of potential skin cancer.  No worries!  Everything is super-duper for two folks in their seventies.

But there is one concerning issue that only applies to me.  When the medical assistant takes my blood pressure at the two appointments previously mentioned, it's WAY higher than it has ever been.  Am I alarmed?  You bet!  I'm already on a regimen for controlling blood pressure, so this isn't the news I want or expect to hear.

The remedy?  I'm taking my blood pressure at home for several weeks to see if it returns to what I consider the normal range for me.  Danny, with his love of spread sheets, faithfully tracks the daily tally.  After a while, we'll send the results to both doctors to see what their verdict is.

Surprisingly, neither my cardiologist nor my primary care doctor show undue concern at the numbers recorded in their respective offices.  Perhaps, both suggest, it's a bad case of the dreaded White Coat Syndrome.  Only time, and a quieter, less stressful schedule, will tell.

We don't begin recording the at-home blood pressure until last Friday.  Yes, we are out and about for some errands that day, but basically, the blood pressure is better.  I'm feeling hopeful, and the fact that Danny is leaving the blood pressure cuff in plain view helps me feel less anxiety and trepidation.  That's because it's now a part of the daily routine.  By Saturday (the day I'm drafting this post), I can joyfully state that all has returned to normal!

Yes, we will continue to record the readings, twice a day, if need be, and at approximately the same time each day.  I'm feeling optimistic as the week ahead holds nothing pressing in the way of out-of-the-ordinary activities.  There will be plenty of opportunities to simply be still, immerse myself in God's Word, and know that He, and only He, is in full control of whatever may happen down the road.

Whether you're a stay-at-home type like me, or a person who can't wait to tackle the next adventure out in the world, know that God cares for you, infinitely and intimately.  When the pressure's on, depend upon Him to relieve you, taking your every burden on Himself.

Amen!

Hand in Hand

 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10

If you are age 50 or above, your eyes, more than likely, require help in order to comfortably read a book or focus on the details of a photo.  I can't function if I don't have my readers with me everywhere I go.  They are indispensable to me.

So, why do I wait so long to put them on a lanyard?  Honestly, it is a preconceived notion of mine that only "old ladies" wear their readers around their necks.  I don't want glasses dangling from an outdated-looking chain, advertising my age faster than my face can.  How vain is that?  I know I need to get over myself because I tire of leaving my glasses in another room or having them flip out of my shirt collar and crash onto the floor every time I bend over to empty the dishwasher or make the bed.

Resigning myself to the prospect of attaching a chain to my readers, I'm pleasantly surprised to see a friend at church wearing a much subtler lanyard to hold hers.  So unobtrusive, in fact, that I have never even noticed it before.  And there is NOTHING old lady about her!  When I ask where I can find a lanyard like hers, W. actually sends an Amazon link to my phone right then and there.  I place my order that very afternoon, and I'm so pleased with the purchase!

Yes, wearing the lanyard does take some getting used to after all these years of going without, but the relief of securing my readers so that I know where they are at all times makes any adjustment required of me seem trivial.  The glasses are upheld by the firm grip of the lanyard and the fear of being dropped is dispelled.

When we trust in God completely, we are held securely by His righteous right hand.  We know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He is who He says Hi is.  We can lean into His strength when we are weak, and rest assured that He will help us through every earthly struggle.  Just as the lanyard's hold on the readers is sure and certain, God's hold is infinitely firm, tenacious and forever.

Jesus is always there to offer His righteous right hand.  Will you accept it?  Are you already walking hand in hand with the Lord?  Please share in the comments.

Amen!