“Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.” Psalm 127:3 (CEV)
A Mother’s Refrain
There is no song so beautiful
No tune as pure and sweet.
A rhythm written lovingly
Echos her heart beat for beat.
It’s sung when they are tiny
Rewritten as they grow.
The lines are full of hopes and dreams
And love that overflows.
The verse not often spoken
But plays softly in her soul.
Composed of failure and success
A chorus of life made whole.
She lifts her voice in thanksgiving
When she sees all they have done.
And sings of them as always
Though they’re thirty-five and thirty-one.
This melody so enduring
Tells her stories of joy and pain.
Truly the greatest hymn ever written
None other than a Mother’s Refrain.
Offering this poem today as part of http://www.fiveminutefriday.com where the prompt is “Refrain”. There are many meanings for the word and I’m sure just as many different writings for you to read if you click on over. Once again, I thank you for being here with me. I pray you are well and safe. God Bless!
”I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12 (BSB)
Backward Perspective
There is much suffering surrounding us today. Many face physical and mental health challenges, financial difficulties, exhaustion, and even death. We are a world that is grieving what has been and the unknown yet to come. I’m so very grateful that for now, my family and I are well and adjusting to this new way of life as best we can. My heart aches for, and my prayers go out to those who are in the midst of much more agonizing situations.
There’s no doubt that living in a very rural area has protected me from many of the effects resulting from this pandemic. That being said, it hasn’t stopped me from at times, becoming overwhelmed by worry and allowing my fears to carry me away into a wave of panic. My thoughts have swirled around the safety of my friends and loved ones, the well-being of my daughter who’s expecting, the miles that separate me from my children, mom, sisters, and grandchildren, the growing case numbers in our state and country, and wondering what our future will look like. The list goes on and I’m sure you could add to it! Under the best of times, I have to fight the current of worry and fear, and in these worse times? There’ve been days when it’s felt as if their weight may just pull me under.
Luckily, this week I’ve had a change of perspective and it came in an unexpected way. Opening my post office box, I was surprised to find a note from my mom. Inside the envelope I found she’d enclosed two letters I’d written her in November of 1985, days after we’d experienced a deadly flood. (She’d been “isolation cleaning” and found them tucked in her desk.) As I removed the pages from the envelopes addressed in my own handwriting and began reading the raw, emotional words within them, I was transported back to a devastating time in my life. Those were days where it was hard to speak because there were no words and nights where the only sound was the raging river that made its way where the road once had been. No electricity. No water. No heat. No communication. No way in and no way out. Everything had changed overnight and there we were: isolated.
So how did reliving those heart wrenching, sorrow-filled, scary, uncomfortable months change my perspective? First of all, it reminded me how much better off I am in isolation now than I was back then. Even with the restrictions, I have everything I need right at my fingertips! More importantly though, looking back has helped me remember that as difficult as that time was, we saw God at work in many unexpected ways and received blessing upon blessing in the midst of all the challenges.
Sometimes, a backward perspective can help us move forward.
As funny as it sounds, those words I wrote thirty plus years ago helped me realize that I. Am. Here! Even though the flood of 1985 was something we never expected to experience and at the time, couldn’t imagine what life would hold in the future, I’m now living that future. I made it through! And that, my friends, gives me hope for today! I pray it brings some to you, too! Yes, life changes, but I’m learning that remembering God’s faithfulness in our past can help us trust in His unchanging love now and in whatever the future holds.
I’ve decided to keep my letters where I can see them for a while so that if I find myself beginning to sink back into worry or fear, they’ll prompt me to change my perspective, stand firm, and remember, “I am here!” Thanks be to God!
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
Psalm 103:2 (NLT)
Today’s prompt at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com is “Perspective”. I don’t know about you, but I need to change mine more often than I’d like that’s why I think these old letters have made such an impact on me. If you’d like to read what others have written on the subject, just click over and enjoy! Please know that I am so grateful for your presence here. If you have a prayer request please leave it in the comments and I will be honored to pray for you. God Bless and stay safe!
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18
Another
I open my eyes
What day is this?
One seems to blend with another.
The scenery’s the same
The company, too
I miss my grands and my mother.
I close my eyes
So many needs
I lift them one after another.
The fear’s the same
The worries, too
I pray that we’ll soon recover.
I open my eyes
And look for the good.
I list them one, then another.
The helpers, the healers,
The sacrifice, the love
Opportunities to serve our brother.
I close my eyes
But before I sleep
I count blessings, another and another.
The world has changed.
I hope we have, too.
New priorities for us to discover.
Yes, I open my eyes
What is this day?
A gift! Let us be grateful for another!
“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NLT)
It’s April, Poetry Month, and I haven’t written one poem so figured today was a good day to do it! Joining with my friends at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “Another”. I’m pretty sure there will be lots of inspiration and encouragement there! Click over and see for yourself! I hope you are safe and well! Thank you for stopping in! It means a lot to me!
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14 (NLT)
Do It Now
Someday, I’m going to forgive him….
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to tell her how much she means to me…..
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to do more for my church…..
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to publish a children’s book…..
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to be a better Christian, daughter, wife, mother, MiMi, friend…..
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to stop striving for perfection, control, attention, worth…..
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to live as the one God designed me to be, not who I see in the mirror…..
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to trust….
Do it now!
Someday, I’m going to stop saying someday…..
Do it now!
Someday I’m going to _________….
For whatever you’ve filled in the blank with, join me in saying:
Do it NOW!
Living in this unexpected, uncertain time has already taught me many things. I’m sure it’s the same for you. One of the most significant for me, is that we don’t know what the future holds, not even tomorrow! And here’s the funny thing, I’ve never known; and yet somehow, I thought, and maybe you have too, that I did. So in the midst of nothing but the unknown, I’m challenging myself to learn to stop being a “someday” gal and instead, live seeking God’s direction and then: Do it now!
Anyone want to join me?
“Never boast about tomorrow. You don’t know what will happen between now and then.” Proverbs 27:1 (GNT)
The prompt this week at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com is “Now”. Pretty timely right? I’d love for you to share in the comments so things you want to do now instead of someday. Hope you know how much I appreciate you joining me here and if you’d like to read more offerings just click on the link above. God Bless and stay safe!
“Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.” Mark 8:25 (NLT)
The Three Mirrors
Back in the dark ages when I was in high school, Driver’s Ed. was required before you could get your license. I remember nervously awaiting my first time behind the wheel. When it was finally my turn, was I ever disappointed because we didn’t go anywhere! We never even turned the key. The lesson was spent in preparing to start the car: sliding the seat to where the distance to the pedals felt comfortable, positioning the seat back, fastening the safety belt, monitoring the lights and gauges, and coming last but not least, looking into the three mirrors.
The three mirrors…. My teacher stressed the importance of adjusting them, so as the driver, I could see clearly behind me before ever moving ahead. I was also taught to glance often in each one in an effort to remain aware of what was behind me, but not to spend too much time looking back. And then, I learned how their use could help me safely change lanes when the need arose. Lessons from so long ago ( I won’t tell you HOW long) and yet I still use them today, each time as I travel down the road.
Why bring up my schooling of yesteryear? Because I’m realizing that during this strange time of isolation and social distancing, like the three mirrors, my own vision is also being adjusted. Waiting nervously to have this behind us, I’ve begun to see that in the midst of this uncertain, challenging time there are lessons I may need to learn:
When the waiting is over, clearly look back on this experience before moving ahead. Prepare before just proceeding back into “normal life”. I don’t want to slide back into being comfortable and taking the little things of life for granted. I do want to position myself to best see what needs lie ahead that I might meet, and I want to move through my world a little more safely by monitoring the mark (or germs) I and others might leave in our paths.
Don’t live in fear by spending too much time dwelling on all that’s happened. With #1 being said, it would be easy for me to let anxious thoughts prevent my moving on and out. While looking back is important for learning, staying there will get me nowhere. And,
Be aware of the positive things that have resulted from this time of slowing down and staying in, then, make the changes needed to proceed. I’ve loved hearing and reading about parents interacting with their children, projects being done, dinners eaten together, books being read, games being played, neighbors helping neighbors! All these wonderful things happening and even some in my own life too, that never would have occurred under normal circumstances. I want to be watching for ways to help those kind of things continue!
Yes, my eyes have been opened and I’m seeing a little more clearly that I have a lot to learn! These are just a few lessons I’ve been taught as a result of what’s going on today. Ones I hope I’ll now remember and use everyday as I journey down this road called life. What about you? What are you learning as you travel through this time of uncertainty and accommodation? I’d love for you to share them in the comments!
I hope you are staying safe, doing well, and when this is behind us, if your vision, like mine, is being adjusted, then I pray that together we might just be the key that puts us all on the road to a better way of life! Oh, and let us not forget to check those mirrors! God Bless!
Even though it’s not Friday, I’m writing to join the others who have participated at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and shared their ideas about the prompt “Adjust”. I’m late, but there’s definitely still time for you to click over and read some great thoughts! As always, I thank you for being here!
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Fixed Focus
Filled with excitement, I walked into the studio for my first ballet lesson. Wearing my new purple leotard, I felt gracefully light on my feet. We lined up in front of a mirrored wall and music filled the room. I pointed my toe, what form! I stepped this way and that, what poise! It was when we began to spin, as ballerinas do, that things began to go wrong. What dismay! Without warning, I suddenly found myself lying on the floor, the room whirling around me.
Our instructor quickly untangled my feet, helped me stand, and proceeded to use me as a teaching opportunity. She explained the importance of a dancer picking a focal point and keeping their eyes on it instead of trying to see everything around them as they spin. Fixed focus results in better balance and control of the direction the dancer is moving she told us. As you might have guessed by now, my dancing career was alas, short lived.
Life has become somewhat like my ballet lesson of long ago, hasn’t it? We’ve been moving this way and that, smoothly through our days, when without warning, everything began spinning out of control and now we find ourselves floored at what’s happening. I feel certain I’m not alone when I tell you that my mind has been whirling and twirling: “COVID-19.” “Social distancing.” “Stay at home order.” “Essential services.” What dismay!
We want to know what will happen tomorrow, next month, with our bank accounts, with our temperatures, with our loved ones, and our neighbors. The oh-no’s and what-ifs fill our minds. Taking it all in is dizzying and can easily put us into a tailspin!
Thankfully, we have an “Instructor” who will untangle our thoughts and help us stand in this, and in any challenging time. His Word teaches us that to finish the race (or the dance) we must stop trying to envision everything that might happen because it only serves to trip us up:
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:2-3 (NLT)
I’m reminded in this uncertain time, that to perform at our best, we must choose Jesus as our focal point, keeping our eyes securely on Him and trusting that He’s in control of the direction we’re moving. Of course, the unknowns, concerns, and questions of the changing world around us continue to upset our balance but we’re not doing a solo. He is with us and He cares. So, whether we find ourselves crawling, walking, or running, through these next days and weeks, let’s remember to fix our sight on things above. It won’t make everything else disappear but it WILL help keep us from spinning out of control.
I am tardy is joining with the skilled writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com where the prompt on Friday was “Tomorrow”. Well I kept putting off till tomorrow and am only finishing now on Monday. I’m looking forward to reading others’ ideas on tomorrow. I know you’d enjoy it too. As always, thank you for being here!
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NLT)
Sacrificial Love
We watched the sun set over the ocean as we finished our dinner. Walking back to the hotel as darkness closed in, just a faint hint of the watercolor sky we’d admired remained. With a few more blocks to go, the only light for our path now came from the small, local businesses that were still open. As we strolled along, filling the night with talk of our plans for the next day, I began to nervously notice that the darkened entrances of some of the stores seemed to be meeting places, holding shadowy figures huddled together. I didn’t mention my apprehension, our pace didn’t change, but in an instant his position did. Without a word, my husband of only a few days left his spot on the street side of the sidewalk and placed himself between me and the potential danger in the dark. With his arm wrapped tightly around my waist we continued on toward the warm glow of lights welcoming us back to our home away from home.
We’d fallen in love quickly. New love became committed love, but** it was on that short walk, just days into our marriage, when I first experienced my husband’s sacrificial love: that rare offering when we lay down what’s best for us for the sake of someone else.
“For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the alter day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:10-14 (NLT)
“This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NLT)
“Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:7-8 (NLT)
Yes, Jesus is the perfect example. He left his spot in the garden (even though He’d asked not to have to) and placed himself between us and the darkness of sin and evil by going to the cross. Despite knowing the danger that awaited Him, Jesus offered his life anyway for me and for you. There is no greater Sacrificial Love!
We can’t match the sacrifice Jesus has given us. As the passage in Romans tells us, we’re not likely to actually give our lives for another; but that doesn’t mean we can’t lay down our schedules, our priorities, our wallets, even our phones, for the sake of making a difference in someone else’s life. The ways to offer sacrificial love in our world are endless. And think about what would happen if we offered more and more!
A lot’s changed since that honeymoon walk 36 1/2 years ago, but one thing that hasn’t? Without a word we just know when to change spots to help each other make it through the darkness. And isn’t that what we should all do for each other? Stroll together, offering light for the path, until Jesus wraps His arms tightly around each us and welcomes us Home.
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV)
Where Are You Rushing To?
Tis’ the season or so we say
And yet we rush through every day.
Errands, parties, calendars full.
Obligations in every direction pull.
The Salvation Army bell that rings.
The choir on the corner who sings.
Their tunes fall upon our deaf ear
We’re too distracted to even hear.
Wrap a gift for a child in need?
Too busy for that, yes indeed!
Cookies for church? We wish we could.
No time for the lonely in our neighborhood.
The more we hurry the less we do
Of what we know God’s calling us to.
Keeping up fills our mind
Instead of joy we just feel behind.
But what if we rushed in a whole new way?
Straight to the manger filled with hay.
Like the Shepherds did of old.
Do we desire to be so bold?
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” Luke 2:8-16 (NIV)
Christmas isn’t about what we get done.
It’s a celebration of God’s own Son.
So let’s rush to the Christ Child; make no delay
Bow down, worship, and rest in His peace today!
Joining in with the other talented writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to ponder on the prompt “Rush”. I know you’ll want to hurry over and read what they are offering too!
“It was strong and beautiful, with wide-spreading branches, for its roots went deep into abundant water.” Ezekiel 31:7 (NLT)
There are lots of hard decisions to make in life but I never really expected one to be about a tree. We went back and forth, pros and cons, heart and logic, but in the end, hard as it was, we decided it had to come down.
A beautiful tree, it stood tall above our roofline and that was the problem. Building a new house in its shadow was risky. A storm with a strong wind could topple the giant right onto our home, crushing everything underneath. It made sense to simply push it over. As it turned out, there was nothing simple about it! Our majestic pine had roots that ran wide and so deep that even with a backhoe bucket pushing with all its might, the tree held tight. With persistence and hard work, the towering conifer finally shuddered and fell, revealing an intricate and strong root system when it did.
There is a lesson for me, for us, in the example of our tree:
“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
The storms of life come at us, too. We can easily be blown off course, crushed in spirit, pushed to our limit! That’s why we need our hope and confidence to be grounded in God. ** Paul said it better than I ever could:
“I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)
As we ponder on these words today, let’s remember that though we may sometimes find ourselves trying to stand firm in the midst of a whirlwind buffeting our souls or that our peace has been tempest tossed: We are rooted in love! And not just any love, but an intricate love so strong and so deep that it nailed Christ to a tree that we may be made complete in Him. When we make the decision to accept His sacrifice, we can be confident that despite our circumstances we’re able to stand securely, spread His beauty, and live fruitful lives, no matter where it is we find ourselves planted.
This post is written as part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free Writes Challenge. You can read posts from other writers on the same topics over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com I hope you know that I so appreciate you being here! God bless, Cindy
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
Recipe for Success
Ingredients:
To your life add:
S erving others before yourself; With vigor
U se your gifts; Mix in
C hoosing people over things; For good measure
C omplete what you start and do it well; Include plenty of
E xercise of your body, mind, and soul; Sweeten with
S miles; Now blend all of the above with the
S avior
Combine daily. Serve immediately. There’ll** be plenty to share!
“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8
Woo Hoo! Almost made the five minutes(**)!!! Joining in with the crew over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com writing to the prompt “Success” today. I must have cooking on my mind since my attempt came out a recipe! Variety is the spice of life! Click on over and see the other offerings too! I’m sure you’ll find some “tasty” choices! As always I’m grateful for your presence here! God Bless and wishing you much SUCCESS! (see above, haha)
