Abundant Living

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I get to wondering about the craziest things.

John and I recently travelled to Chicago. On the 12-hour trip, in an effort to stay awake and keep John awake I downed a can of Pepsi, followed by a large cup of coffee. I rarely consume caffeine and discovered very quickly that it would do more than keep me awake… it required numerous bathroom breaks!

Entering the “Women” side at the service centers, I was faced with a decision… “which stall?” And that started me wondering what criteria women (and men) use to make that choice.

I’ve seen women cautiously push the door open to get a glimpse inside the stall. Undoubtedly it’s the state of the interior they’re checking. Is the seat dry? Have contents been flushed? Is the floor dry? Sufficient supply of paper? With just a glance, they make up their mind to either enter or exit… leaving it for the next needy traveler. Actually, I’ve seen the condition of the commode cause some women to suddenly decide that they no longer need to use the bathroom at all. Amazing!

There are those who prefer the stall farthest from the entrance. Others scan for feet and choose to have at least one empty stall between themselves and those feet. I suppose in either case privacy is paramount.

Young moms have told me they choose the “handicap” stall so they can line their gang of preschoolers up against the door and still have room to bend. And I’m sure that more than a few claustrophics choose that one as well.

Others are fast decision-makers… either because they were born that way, or because they’re just in too big of a hurry to weigh the choices.

I even remember that years ago (this really dates me), some public restrooms had a few free stalls and several “pay stalls.” Those willing to put in their quarter expected “squeaky-clean,” but didn’t always get what they had paid for.

Mmmmm… appearance, cleanliness, privacy, urgency, comfort, convenience, cost. I recognize that these are criteria I use to make lots of daily choices. Choosing a bathroom stall is pretty insignificant in the whole scheme of things. As my mother-in-law, Betty, used to say, “In light of eternity what does this really matter?” However, there are choices that carry way more significance… not just for the here and now, but for the now and forever.

I observe that many of my choices are in reality “me” decisions. What do I want? What do I like? What benefits me? Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5).

So if I truly adjusted my attitude from “me” to “Christ,” I wonder how differently I would look at the decisions I have to make: when to get up or go to bed, how to spend my time, what I would eat, the people I would talk to, how I would talk to them, what I would give away, what I would keep… hundreds of daily choices. “Me?” or “Christ?” That really simplifies life a lot. Okay, so maybe the choice of bathroom stall wouldn’t be affected. Maybe Jesus wouldn’t care about that… but then again… I wonder.

Posted in General

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Do everything without grumbling or complaining. (Philippians 2:14)

So I’m wondering… did Jesus heal only happy, good people? I mean, if I were Jesus, I’d be delighted to help the beggar who was singing in the rain, or the paralytic who was knitting blankets for refugees, or the leper with the huge grin on his face. But I’m not Jesus… obviously.

Amazingly, He seems to not restrict His goodness only to the good. And it puzzles me that He dishes out blessing to some pretty undeserving (in my opinion) people… prostitutes, persecutors, thieves, even murderers. Sometimes it appears He even withholds His answers to prayer from some very saintly saints… surely they should be the first on His list of candidates for miracles.

Last weekend I met an incredible young man, Sam (not his real name). He has been blind all his life. Yet I heard no complaints from Sam. He has completed college, lives on his own in a third floor apartment, walks to work every day unassisted, and holds down a good job. I got the feeling that Sam “sees” a lot more than most of us. Rather than allowing challenge to enslave him, he has learned to let his challenge enrich him.

I assume Sam has asked God to give him the gift of sight. I’m sure if I were him I would have begged God repeatedly. Perhaps Sam’s even been prayed for more than once, to receive a supernatural touch. But as of yet his physical eyes are sightless. I think Sam ought to qualify as the next recipient of Jesus’ healing touch.

And perhaps he will be. But then again, maybe he’ll continue living minus his fifth sense. Maybe he’ll grow old that way. Maybe he’ll die that way.

I don’t understand it all. But one thing I think I know… Sam won’t complain either way. He’ll praise God regardless. He knows that some day morning will come and there will be joy, but in the meantime, he’ll have a song in the night! And perhaps that’s the greatest healing there is!

Posted in General

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Yesterday my daughter told me about a friend of hers who, together with her husband, has been facing a huge problem. Michelle (not her real name) said that she had found prayer very difficult, often wondering whether it would in fact do any good. Still, in talking with others she would always claim to believe in prayer and would be grateful when people would tell her they were praying for her situation.

Recently a question began running through her mind, “If I say I believe in prayer, shouldn’t I be demonstrating that belief in some way?” Then she was honest enough to admit that her actions indicated she really didn’t place a high value on prayer at all. As a result of that objective look at herself, she has committed to getting up early every morning to pray for an hour about the challenge she and her husband are facing.

Michelle is grappling with something Jesus put into words in Luke 6: 46-49: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

It’s a question I ask myself regularly… “If I really believed what God says about this or that, how would I act?” Some examples:
Scripture says, Don’t be anxious about anything, so why am I worrying?
The Bible says, Fear not, for I am with you, so why am I up tight and afraid?
God’s Word says, Honor others above yourself, so why do I demand my own way?

Long ago a professor challenged me. He said, “Sharon, you will get things fixed in your life when you get desperate enough. But quite frankly, I don’t think you’re desperate enough yet.” He was right… when I finally got desperate for God, I began to take Him at His word and act accordingly. Then change happened.

So, I think I’m desperate again. I say Jesus is my Lord, so I realize I need to reinstate some activities that corroborate that claim. Therefore, as of today I have five verses written on a paper which is in my pocket. I am reading them over and over, working on memorizing them and determined (maybe desperate?) that regular Bible memorization is moving from my back burner to my front. After all, I say it’s important don’t I?

It’s a good feeling… this desperation. It gives me renewed hope, renewed expectation, renewed joy. I recognize that there are lots of things I should get desperate about… but admittedly I’m not quite there yet. I think getting me there is one of the Holy Spirit’s jobs. And He’s excellent at pointing out the next project precisely when I need it!

In the meantime, I’ll be repeating and repeating and repeating. Thanks a lot, Michelle!

Posted in Prayer

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

He removed the extra pair of wheels from his son’s bicycle. Then our son-in-law gripped the back of the bike seat, steadying four year-old Josiah for his first attempt at riding sans training wheels. Off Josiah rode, pretty tipsy at first, then faster and faster, with Daddy running hard behind, all the while advising, coaching and cheering his little boy.

A couple of loops in the parking lot and suddenly Josiah was pedaling without Dad panting and hanging on behind. His mom and dad, grandpa and grandma (that would be me!) and siblings whooped and hollered! What a milestone in a child’s life. Suddenly he was a cyclist… changed forever!

The next day Josiah announced confidently that he would be glad to teach a playmate of his how to ride bike. Twenty-four hours and he already considered himself an expert! How quickly he seemed to have forgotten his father’s steadying hand and sound advice that made it all possible. Ah… such is human nature! Such is my nature!

Josiah’s Daddy is proud of his son’s achievement. And he grins at his son’s youthful exuberance. His ego isn’t wounded by his child’s over-confidence. He knows that there are more lessons ahead when once again his little boy will need his father. He knows there will be some painful stumbles and wipe-outs and he’ll be there for his boy. He loves Josiah enough to keep on teaching him, even when he knows he might not get the credit.

How often I have welcomed my Father’s help… even begged for it! Then, when I think I’m cruisin’ just fine on my own, I forget about the One who taught me everything worth knowing! ‘Til I fall, that is… then I’m crying. But somehow Jesus is always within earshot! It’s Him that picks me up, brushes me off and gets me going again… and again… and again. And when I need to master the next new skill, He’ll be there.

My grandson’s biking serves as a daily reminder of the many good lessons God has taught me and continues to teach me ever so patiently. Now Josiah flies on his bike. It doesn’t wobble anymore. He doesn’t crash at the bottom of the hill. But the other day I asked him, “So, tell me, who taught you to ride bike?”

“Daddy did!” he stated emphatically.

I guess if a four year-old can remember to credit his Daddy, maybe I can credit mine too!

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:17 & 18)

Posted in General

Friday, February 27, 2009

Is it just me, or does it seem to you that people all over the world (and most definitely in the good ol’ USA) are looking for a “savior?”

Watching bits of the presidential inauguration and subsequent coverage of President O.’s comings and goings impressed me with the huge hopes many folks have for our new Chief Executive. I too have hopes.

But I’m not sure I’m hoping for the same things that many fellow countrymen desire. It appears that the yearning of the masses is for government to magically rescue the floundering economy and provide unlimited refills for their drained bank accounts… at no extra cost! They want to live the American dream and be spared the American nightmare. I guess it’s just human nature to be more interested in the here and now, the me and mine.

The testimony of an Italian citizen comes to mind:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13) Good reminder Paul! Bet you didn’t know those words would be apropos two thousand years after you wrote them, did you?

Paul, a church-persecutor-turned-church planter was a citizen of Rome, an empire ruled by men of great power and influence. He advised his contemporaries to pray for the king and all those in positions of authority (I Timothy 2:1). Yet he also reminded them that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

It shows my age, but I used to love a TV game show… To Tell the Truth. Three individuals claimed to be the same person. A four-member panel fired questions at them and then cast votes for the person they believed to be “the real ______.” More than once the questioners almost fell off their chairs when they realized they had been duped by an articulate imposter.

So all that being said, today and tomorrow whether the stock market soars or sinks, I will choose to be content. I’ll pray faithfully, asking God to direct the hearts of all the leaders of my country toward righteousness. And I’ll keep hoping for the best for our nation! But when I turn off Fox News, Dateline and Rush Limbaugh… when I throw the Sunday newspaper in the trash and drop the World magazine into the rack of never-to-be-seen-again periodicals… I’ll sit back, grin and wait for the end of the show, already knowing that when the real Savior of the world stands up, He won’t be either Republican or Democrat.

Posted in General

Friday, January 23, 2009

So… the two-pound bag of pistachios has been emptied… mostly into me! The melt-in-your-mouth dark chocolate truffles have all melted… in my mouth! Dusty decorations are once again stored in their corner of the basement. The new year is here in full force!

One of my favorite sayings comes from the movie, Anne of Green Gables. Anne, the main character, is a feisty orphan who has a knack for getting into predicaments. Her teacher walks Anne home from school one day and listens to her lament over her habit of getting into trouble. The kind and wise teacher says simply, “Remember Anne, every day is a new day with no mistakes in it.”

How Biblical! Whether the script-writer knew it or not, that exact message is found in Scripture. Lamentations 3: 22 & 23 says, It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

With the Lord, not only is 2009 a new start, but today is too! In fact, every day I get to begin again. I cannot comprehend why my Heavenly Father should put up with me. It seems I never make it through a single day without some mess-up. Yet, amazingly He forgives, picks me up, brushes me off and gives me a second chance… and a third… and a 3,245th! That is the unfailing mercy of God! What a priceless gift!

I received some nice gifts on December 25. But every gift I opened Christmas morning is already growing old. Eventually each one will fall apart or be discarded. But how thankful I am for Divine, never-ending mercy that gives me unlimited fresh starts. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving!

It is the gift I know I’ll need today and tomorrow and any time I receive another two-pound bag of pistachios!

Lord Jesus, thank you for a new day with no mistakes in it. Help me keep it that way! And in the event that I ignore Your gentle voice, do whatever it takes to get my attention, so I can fess up and begin again with a clean slate. Thank You for Your compassion that never is depleted! How great is Your faithfulness!

Posted in General

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Christmas morning has to be one of my favorite childhood memories. My father developed quite a detailed plan for Christmas mornings. I often heard my friends tell how they would jump out of bed at daybreak, run to the living room and start tearing into the multitude of presents there. No such luck for my brothers and me! At our house things were done in a much more dignified and orderly way!

Each Christmas my parents filled a stocking for each of their three children. It usually contained some candy, a big navel orange and a red delicious apple. Some years we received a tangerine too which was an extra special treat. Besides the stocking they purchased one main gift for each child. This was typically a toy or gadget that we had particularly asked for. They never wrapped this item, but propped it in plain sight right under the Christmas tree.

However this presented a problem… my older brothers and I had our bedrooms on the second floor of our little house. The staircase descended directly into the living room. And my parents wanted us to eat breakfast in the kitchen before gift-opening. So my dad got the bright idea of blind-folding us to lead us down the steps, through the living room and into the kitchen. Most years he just plunked a brown paper bag over our heads and led us down one by one. Oh the excitement, knowing we were so close to our special gift, but not yet allowed to see it!

We ate breakfast, washed and dried the dishes (of course we had no dishwasher!) and then waited in our den while my father went to pick up my grandparents who would join us for the morning. This caused about a half hour delay. We thought he’d never return!

When he arrived home with Grandpa and Grandma, they joined us in that tiny room for the traditional reading of the Christmas story. Then all the grown-ups would require us kids to wait in the den, while they settled themselves comfortably in the living room.

FINALLY… they’d call to us, giving permission to enter the room! What a thrill as we would fly into that room and see immediately the gift that had been purchased just for us!

Funny…as I think back, I remember only a few of those presents. What I remember with greatest fondness is the joy of holding my father’s hand and just letting him lead me… knowing that in his own good time, all the wonderful gifts would be revealed!

I Corinthians 2:9& 10 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” I know my heavenly Father has glorious surprises in store for me: incredible answers to prayer, amazing lessons to be learned, fantastic experiences still ahead. Some are just around the corner. Some are farther along in this waiting game called life. But I know He’ll reveal them at just the right time! After all, that’s what faith is: believing what you don’t see yet. For now, it’s as though He gently leads me from one wonderful blessing to the next with a brown paper bag over my head. But that’s okay… because I think maybe the best part after all, is just holding His hand!

Posted in General

Friday, November 7, 2008

In the last few weeks our nation has faced a serious financial crisis and an emotion-packed presidential election. When I was shopping today I heard two women commiserating about the “hard times” we’re living in. I too could be tempted to fear (an emotion I’ve often had to work hard to conquer). Then one of my grandchildren runs to me, “Grandma, Grandma, would you read me a story?” “Grandma, Grandma, play the piano please!” “Grandma, Grandma, sing me a song!” Suddenly my perspective changes.

Our daughter Monica, her husband Madhav and their three children, Josiah, Micah & Mercy recently moved in with us. They will occupy the third floor of our old house while they wait for their Maryland home to be sold and a new home purchased here in Pennsylvania. It’s lively having a 4 yr. old, 3 yr. old and 2 yr. old in the house again (oh, and they are also expecting another baby in January!), but the simple trust of the children reminds me daily of the unwavering confidence that should characterize children of God.

My grandchildren do not fret about money or politics. They believe that their parents will watch over and protect them. And that is precisely what their parents do… they love their three so much. The children’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being is paramount to their dad and mom.

How much more then must our heavenly Father care about us, His children that He adopted into His very own family? As fiercely as Josiah, Micah & Mercy are loved by their parents and grandparents… that must be just a tiny fraction compared to the amount of love our Lord feels toward His kids… you and me!

Ahhhh… how good to rest in the peaceful assurance that the God of the universe is looking out for us! And in light of what we know He is preparing for us, how can we get too upset about the temporary problems of the here and now?

I ran across a couple of interesting quotes from Saint Cyprian who was a Christian bishop living in North Africa in the second century A.D. He lived in tumultuous, uncertain times, similar to today…
“It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and a wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians … and I am one of them.” (St. Cyprian, 200-258).
He also wrote, “The Kingdom of God is drawing nigh, my beloved brethren. The reward of life, the eternal joy of salvation, perpetual gladness, the lost paradise – this is what we shall inherit when this earthly life passes away. A heavenly, eternal glory will replace vain, worldly pleasures. Is this any time to be despondent or fearful? What room is there here for anxiety and solicitude? Who, in the midst of these things is trembling and sad, except he who is without hope and faith?”(excerpt from his treatise, “On Mortality”)

So, I read a book, or play the piano with my grandchildren. And as I do, I remember that “Papa” God is watching over me too! And if I listen real hard I think I can almost hear Him singing me a song!

Posted in General

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Heart-pounding, dramatic, appreciative, puzzling, amazing, impactful. What do these adjectives have in common? Don’t strain your brain. I’ll tell you.

Thursday evening, September 19 my husband, John, became deathly pale and short of breath. By midnight he could barely stand. This prompted a heart-pounding drive to the ER. John was rational enough to tell me a couple of times to slow down. He didn’t want me to be pulled over by a policeman and have to give a lengthy explanation for my speeding.

Next was the admission and suspected diagnosis of internal bleeding… but where? Around 11 a.m. Friday he was wheeled away for an endoscopy (tube with a camera threaded down the throat). The results? “Dramatic findings,” were the doctor’s exact words. For you medical lingo junkies, John had a dieulafoy lesion in his duodenum, causing blood to spurt into his digestive tract. The doctor located the site of the bleed and cauterized it. John remained in the hospital a few more days, received five units of blood (evidently he had lost a lot), and returned home Monday, September 22, feeling “like a million dollars.” To put it mildly, we were extremely appreciative to the doctors, medical staff, family and friends who cared and prayed, and of course the Lord for the good outcome.

Three days later John developed a puzzling bleed in his urinary tract and thus began over a week of more tests, procedures, doctor’s consults, etc. This “issue” seems to be resolved for now, although he may yet have to undergo a few further tests.

Through this anatomical adventure, John and I have frequently commented on how the human body is truly amazing! Of course we know it is that way, because it was designed by our amazing Creator! It is incredible what doctors can do, but even more miraculous that God made the body capable of healing after such damage.

Crises, particularly those that are life-threatening to myself or a loved one, strike me anew with the fragility of life. Such brushes with eternity are impactful to say the least.

As Francis of Assisi wrote in “Letters to Rulers of People”… Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in His sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received… but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. Paul similarly urges Timothy… Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (I Timothy 4:7,8)

So I thank the Lord for these unexpected “events” that remind me of what’s most important and even prompt much-needed spiritual tune-ups from time to time. Hopefully I won’t need another for quite awhile!

Posted in General

Thursday, August 14, 2008

As far back as I can remember I’ve had a love for words. Maybe it started when my father began paying me a quarter for every new word I learned and began using in everyday speech. “Idiosyncrasy” was one of his favorites. When I managed to incorporate that into a simple conversation, he was delighted. “Ah, that’s a great word! Don’t you just love it?” he asked.

      So it’s probably not surprising that I found spelling, grammar and vocabulary to be fun and interesting. Eventually these paved the way for me to enjoy speaking, writing and even learning foreign languages. My Dad simply said God had given me the gift of gab.

      I suppose it’s just natural to now find myself plunging headlong into the world of “blogging!” The enormous Webster’s on my shelf doesn’t even list “blog.” Yet it seems that almost everyone I talk to is either reading or writing blogs. And although there are undoubtedly those who use blogs in meaningless or even detrimental ways, they certainly can be used beneficially.

      When our daughter and son-in-law travelled to China last year to bring home their new little daughter, it was wonderful to follow the journey via their blog entries. And recently when the grandson of friends underwent serious surgery, a blog kept hundreds of people here and overseas updated on his progress along with specific prayer requests.

      So… here I am arranging on a screen a bunch of letters which I hope will:

1.      Provide a way for me to share my personal walk of faith with others who are also on this same journey. (It’s funny…somehow when I see my life staring back at me through my own words, I’m deeply challenged!)

2.      Be a source of encouragement, motivation, help, and information that is practical to the demands of daily life (and maybe throw in a little enjoyment as well?).

3.      Point people (you and me both!) to Jesus Christ. He is God’s perfect Word of choice…totally apropos for revealing God’s heart to mankind. He is God’s amazing “entry” into this tangled world-wide web in which we all live. Read Him and you read the best blog ever! John 1:1 & 14 … In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

      As my father would say, “That’s a great Word! Don’t you just love it?”

Posted in General