"And, They Called It Puppy Love . . ."

Mark 7:23
"Lord," she replied, "even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."

My younger brother, Bill, and I are beside ourselves with excitement.  Our family is moving from an apartment to our very own home!

But, even more thrilling for us is that, at long last, we can finally have a dog.

I've made it known to my parents for years that I can't wait for the day we bring home a puppy.

"I promise," Dad tells me, "we'll get that puppy when we buy a house.  And, I'll make sure that house has a big, fenced-in yard for the dog to play in."

Good to his word, Dad takes the family to view a litter of mixed/Springer Spaniel pups three days before our scheduled move.  We all agree on a spirited, affectionate, albeit short-haired, white and black female.

We name her "Dutchess".  Not "Duchess" for royalty.  "Dutchess".  Because, surely, this active, inquisitive pup will get herself  "in Dutch" in no time!

Which she does.  Chewing on shoes.  Gnawing on furniture.  Shredding rawhide bones like paper.

Eating half a cake when Mom isn't looking.

Eating anything and everything for that matter!

But, the one thing Mom and Dad tell Bill and me NEVER to do is feed her from the table.

"It will make a horrible beggar out of her," Mom warns.  "Dutchess needs to learn good manners."

So, we don't offer her a morsel during mealtime.

That does not deter Dutchess from sitting by us, her soulful, amber-brown eyes keeping a sharp lookout for the errant carrot or escaped scrap of hamburger which falls from plate to floor.

She soon figures out where to place herself.  Right by brother, Bill.  Who, more than the rest of us, tends to let his food get away from him.

Dart!  Snap!  Gobble!  Gone!

All in a twinkling.

Then, Dutchess returns to her spot.  Regains her composure.  Waits patiently at attention for the next crumb to fall.

Hoping for more.

Happy with what she gets.
~
Can you find happiness even in the 'crumbs' of life?

Will you pray with me?
We are so thankful, Father, that You have called us Your children and invite us to feast at Your divine table.  May we ever remember and pray for those who are hungry in body, mind, and spirit.  Give us grace to feed them with the knowledge and love of Jesus, the Bread of Life.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 89:1-18 or 89:19-52
Genesis 49:1-28
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Mark 7:24-37  

"'Cause He's Got High Hopes, He's Got High Hopes . . ."

Romans 8:24
For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?


Hope . . .

A simple word that packs a powerful punch.

Right up there with "love".

Generates expectation.  Longing.  Promise.  Faith.

From the smallest want to the grandest.

I hope . . . You hope . . . We hope . . .

For the sun to come out.  No traffic.  To be on time.  To get well.  A job promotion.  Successful marriage.  Better times.

And, we hope not just for ourselves, but for those we love.

I hope . . . You hope . . . We hope . . . that they . . .

Have sunny days while on vacation.  Safe travel.  Make their flight.  Don't get hurt.  Land that position.  Have a blessed relationship.  Get through the rough times.

When we hope, we soar on the wings of anticipation.  Desire enthralls our hearts.

We fly freely toward the dream.  The goal.  The aspiration.

In hope, we keep going.  Keep moving forward. 


We hope because we are human.

We are human because we hope.

We hope in faith.

And, in faith, we find hope.
~
What are you hoping for today?

Will you pray with me?
Thank You, Father, for fulfilling our hope of salvation by sending Your Son, Jesus, to die for us and for our sins.  It is in hope we await His coming again in glory.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 66, 67 or 19, 46
Genesis 48:8-22
Romans 8:11-25
John 6:27-40 

Hanging in the Balance

1 Corinthians 10:12
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

As I've shared here recently, one of my "take-ons" for Lent has been to resuscitate a simple yoga routine I practiced years ago.

My faithful work outs at the gym have strengthened my arm and leg muscles.  This has made holding some poses easier than I recall from the past.  It's also created a tautness that begs release.  The welcome relief the yoga stretches provide.

There is one pose, however, whose difficulty surprises me.

It is the tree pose.

Where I tighten one leg, imagining it to be as strong and sturdy as the trunk of a tree.  Balancing on that leg, I slowly raise the other to, ideally, rest along my inner thigh.

Yeah, right!

I'm lucky if I can attach it to my calf.

My poor foot and ankle, the roots of my trunk, want to wobble and sway beneath me.  Especially, on the left leg.

Even though my elliptical-trained legs are unflinching.  And, my eyes are focused firmly on a "point".  I lose my balance.  Become frustrated.

And, more determined than ever to make it work.

Which makes me momentarily forget my breathing.  Something I am trying to keep at the height of awareness during my poses.

I regain my composure.  Relax.  Listen  to and feel the rhythm of my breathing.

And, try again . . .

To stand firm for real.

To balance.

And, not to fall.
~
Today marks the half-way point in Lent.  How are your resolutions holding up?

Will you pray with me?
We know, Father, that when we stand firmly in You, we will not stumble or fall.  Plant the feet of our souls solidly in You as the roots of the mighty oak are set in the earth.  Bring balance to our lives in all we do.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 87, 90 or 136
Genesis 47:27-48:7
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Mark 7:1-23  

The Luck O' the Irish

1 Corinthians 9:18
What then is my reward?  Just this:  that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

It is the summer of 1976.

Along with thirty other college students, I have completed and eight-week literature study of British authors in their native setting.  Yes!  Staying in London and Oxford and Edinburgh.  Taking in all the marvelous sites these historical cities have to offer.

With plenteous bus tours to the countryside.  Stonehenge.  The Lake Country.  Loch Ness.  Salisbury Cathedral.

It has all been glorious!

Now, ten days of travel on our own stretch invitingly before us.

Weeks hence, three of us decide we will spend our free time in Ireland.

We take  a train to Wales and board a ferry at the port of Holyhead.

Docking in Dublin, our first order of business is to rent a car.  We have traced the routes we wish to take and sites we want to see, but, in our youth and naivete, we don't bother to reserve places to stay.

We'll just wing it!  Hope for the best.

Why, there's bound to be a Bed & Breakfast anywhere we turn.

This is an adventure!

Aside from charging the obvious Americans what we all agree is a monstrous amount for a rental vehicle, we delightedly take the car.  The nightmare of negotiating the hideous confusion of Dublin traffic and acclimating to being on the "wrong side" of the road is quickly and thankfully behind us.

We are out of the city.  Into the country.

In the middle of nowhere.

It happens . . .

A flat tire.  Which, none of us knows how to fix.

The only abode in sight is a modest farmhouse set 200 yards from the road.  We head for it.  Praying the occupants will kindly allow us to use the phone.

A humbly dressed woman with a pleasant face and a smile betraying the loss of not a few teeth greets us.  We learn, to our chagrin, there is no phone.

"But, my husband will be here shortly.  I'll send him to help you," she graciously assures us.

Within moments of returning to our car, a ram-shackle, out-dated pick-up truck rattles and coughs down the road to the house.  It is the woman's husband.  Who, immediately upon reaching home, turns promptly around and heads our way.

He nods politely and gets straight to work without a word.  Our chorus of thanks fall on deaf ears.  In ten minutes, our tire is changed and we are good to go.

We try to pay him for his help.  Compensate him for his time.

He's down on his luck.  We know he could use the money.

The farmer holds up his hand and shakes his head in firm refusal.  When we insist, he simply climbs into his truck and roars away.

Just like that . . .
~
Have you ever been helped by a stranger who desired nothing in return?

Will you join me in prayer?
Thank You, Father, for the blessed souls in this world who selflessly give of their time to meet the needs of others.  May we all show the same caring and kindness as this farmer in Ireland did to three hapless and wayfaring strangers so many years ago.  Grant us the grace to do so.  Amen.


Readings
Psalms 95, 88 or 91, 92
Genesis 47:1-26
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Mark 6:47-56
 

Havin' a Great Time! Wish You Were Here . . .

Mark 6:30
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.


My husband, Danny, doesn't make many business trips, but, when he does, I am not a happy camper.  Because, until just recently, I can never go along.

Working full time and caring for his boys preclude entertaining any idea of accompanying him.  It's not that I mind staying at home and juggling the tasks.

It's that I miss him.  Miss him coming home in the evening after work.  Sitting down with me.  Sharing the news of his day.  Wanting to hear about mine.

Not that, while he is away, Danny doesn't call me or send e-mails.  He does.

But, it's not quite the same . . .

It's bits and pieces and snatches of information.  It's hard for me to connect the dots.  To see the big picture.

And, there's always something I mean to tell him.  And, forget.  Remember when I'm about to go to sleep and it's too late to call.

Oh, how I look forward every moment to the day Danny is home!

And, after what seems like an eternity, when that day arrives, all is well with my soul.

Now, in showing me the many photos he's taken while away and talking about the people and events he's experienced, Danny makes me feel as though I am part of it all.

He's so eager to share and I to listen.  I watch the missing pieces of the story fall into place.  See the picture revealed by connected dots.

So grateful he loves to share.

So grateful to have him home.
~
Do you have someone special with whom you enjoy sharing your day?

Will you pray with me?
Thank You, Father, for always being there to listen to us when we go to You in prayer.  You know all our comings and goings even before we share them with You, but You enjoy hearing them all the same.  To You be all honor and glory.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms (83) 42, 43 or 85, 86
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34
1 Corinthians 9:1-15
Mark 6:30-46 

The $99,000 Answer

1 Corinthians 8:2
Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.

In the classic "Honeymooners'" episode, "The $99,000 Answer", blow-hard Ralph Kramden chooses the category of Popular Songs to compete in the show.

He tells his wife, Alice, "I know all about popular songs!"

She retorts, "But, Ralph, you're not an expert."

"What do you mean, I'm not an expert?"  He argues.

And, with only a week to prepare for the show, Ralph announces that he is going to buy sheet music, records and rent a piano for his buddy, Ed Norton, to play so he can practice, practice, practice.

"But, Ralph," Alice counters, "that will cost us a fortune!  It'll take every penny we have saved!  We won't have one cent left in the bank!"

Ralph replies cockily, "And, when the smoke clears, we'll have $99,000."

Faithfully, every night for a week, Ralph and Norton practice together.  Things are looking up for Ralph as he rattles off hundreds of tunes and their composers without a hitch.

But, there is a catch . . .

Before getting to the meat of a piece, Norton has the irritating habit of playing a snippet of "Way Down Upon the Suwanee River" by Stephen Foster as an introduction.

Ralph never thinks to ask the name of this tune, much less the composer.

Swaggering confidently onto the stage and brazenly announcing he will be going for the $99,000, Ralph is poised for his first question.

"Listen to this tune, Mr. Kramden, and tell me the composer!"  The host booms.

The unmistakable strains of "Suwanee River" fill the air.

In those few miserable seconds, all the wind is knocked out of Ralph's sail.

Humiliated, he answers weakly, "Ed Norton?"

Poor Ralph!

Foiled, yet again, by his know-it-all bravado.

For pride goes ever before the fall . . .
~
Have you encountered a "know-it-all" in your life?

Will you pray with me?
Make us ever mindful, Father, that any knowledge we have is a gift from You.  Keep us humble in what we know and willing to learn more as we live and grow in Your love.  Thank you for Your forgiveness when our pride gets the best of us.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 119:97-120 or 81, 82
Genesis 45:16-28
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 6:13-29  

"On the Road Again . . ."

Mark 6:7
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.


Two summers before I meet Danny, I choose to do something which, at the time, is a radical decision for me - to take a vacation.  

On.  My.  Own.

Well, not exactly on my own.  My Norfolk terrier, Maggie, will be with me.  The most blessed and comforting companion I could have.

But, as a single woman with grown children, I am weary of waiting for things to happen to me.  I want to make things happen!

After all, I could be single the rest of my life.  I need to learn to fend for myself.  To enjoy life.  To take risks.

To face my demons.

To live fully, completely, into my moments.

I assure my loving and concerned parents that I'm not all that crazy.  Yes, I can do this.  I have to.  Don't worry, I have Maggie.  I have a cell phone.  I will call.  You can call.  Here's where I'm staying.

Whew!  It's great to be loved.

I plan ahead and pack accordingly.  On the day of departure, I load the van, help Maggie into the passenger seat, close the door, and plant myself in the driver's seat.  

And, we're off!  To a quaint, tiny, pet-friendly cabin near Helen, Georgia.

 Where trails and streams and waterfalls abound and beg our exploration.

A perfect vacation for this outdoor lady and her trusty dog.

Whose company I am so grateful to have.

Who makes me feel braver and more capable than I could ever feel if I were actually . . . on . . . my . . . own.

My precious, happy-go-lucky Maggie.  My confidant.  My faithful friend.

My fellow sojourner on this journey called life.

The journey we embrace together with grace.

Knowing, in hearts shared, the demons are defeated.
~
Have you ever vacationed on your own?

Will you share this prayer with me?
We know, Father, that we are not intended to walk this life's journey alone.  Even when we feel there is no on with us, we can rest in the knowledge that Your Son is ever beside us, walking with us, and carrying us when we grow weary.  We thank you for every good gift, every blessing, every friend.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 78:1-39 or 78:40-72
Genesis 45:1-15
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Mark 6:1-13