TOO LATE

Last week was so busy and I honestly thought this week would be a bit less hectic. And it has been, but somehow it filled up. I think a few times I got distracted by Candy Crush. I can get distracted easily. Just now I looked over my shoulder and there are rainbows dancing on the office wall. So way cool! Yes, I can get distracted by small things.

And distractions lead to not getting things done and putting things off till tomorrow. Then maybe till the next day. Besides, I don’t have to have the message for church ready until June 16 so there is not big hurry. There will be time.

SCRIPTURES: MATTHEW 24:36, 40-42, 44

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

AND NOW

There are things we can put off until tomorrow. It really doesn’t matter if I beat the next level of Candy Crush or not. BUT there are things we cannot put off.

God loves you. He wants to spend eternity with you. Have you made the decision to spend eternity with Him? Or are you waiting until tomorrow to make that decision?

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

LET US PRAY

O God, I want to be assured of my eternal life today. I do not want to put it off until tomorrow. Amen.

(Now, open your heart and just talk to God. He will accept your prayer. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be long. It just has to be honest.)

BOY IT IS QUIET

Bill has been working in the fields the last couple of weeks and boy has it been quiet. Now, I am not complaining! He loves to get in big boy toys and go back and forth across the field at eight miles per hour. (Go figure. Eight miles per hour would drive me crazy.) (Okay, crazier.) He totally understands that I am not getting up at 4:30 to tell him goodbye or fix his lunch. (Not part of my retirement package.) and he chuckles when he says, “The yard needs mowed.” (He chuckles because he knows I hate to mow and, again, not part of my retirement package.)

I do not mind being alone and I have actually enjoyed the last two weeks. Enjoyed, except for one thing. Boy it is quiet!

I was surprised when I realized how quiet the house is. I turned on the TV and the radio, but that made no difference.

Now Bill would say what I am missing is someone to listen to me rattle on like a junk car. And there might be just a bit of truth in that. But that isn’t it either.

Something was missing. And what was missing wasn’t noise.

SCRIPTURES: ROMANS: 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

AND NOW

That is it! We have been married almost 48 years and many times, because of family needs, business needs or vacations we have been apart. Sometimes for a week or two at a time. Besides, he comes home each night. Why did it seem so quiet this time? Then I realized the quiet was making me think how it would feel to be separated from God. The quiet was like a void.

Although Bill and I will always be connected by our love, we can be apart - separated - by miles and someday, for only a brief time, by death. But separated from God? NO WAY!!!!

How quiet would it be, what void would there be to feel separated from God? If you feel that way, go back and read the scripture. Separated from God? NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

God, I love all the “neithers and nors.” Knowing I am never separated from you takes away my quiet. Fills the void. Thank you for always being with me. Amen

A MOTHER’S DAY THANK YOU

With Mother’s Day only two days away, I am feeling very grateful. I would like to thank two people: Bill (aka Willie) and Terri.

You see, without them I would not be a mother. And my life would not be complete without the lessons they have taught me.

MODESTY: I quickly learned that modesty is not always an option. Not sure if I learned this the first time I went to the doctor and he explained what those stirrups were for or in the delivery room surrounded by people I did not know. (Back in “the day” even fathers were not allowed in the delivery room.) --- Modesty had to be lost in the doctor’s office because by the time I went into the delivery room I just wanted it over with. I did not care who was watching. Yup, modesty went right out the window along with trying to keep that hospital gown tied in the back.

SLEEP: Did you know you can stay awake for days on end? Sleep is so over-rated. Now, I must admit, Willie and Terri were very easy babies to take care of. There was the nightly feeding, but that was a breeze. The lack of sleep hits with the first case of teething. Or the first case of flu. Or an extremely high fever. Those times when only “mommy” will do. When you sit on the couch putting one cold cloth after another on a very hot forehead. Or read the same story over and over because that is the only thing that will help them relax. Those times when you finally, finally get them laid down. When your head hits the pillow -- and the phone rings. Yes, sleep is so over-rated.

INTELLIGENCE: Now I do not claim to be a rocket scientist and my spelling is atrocious (thank you spell check), but I am not the dullest pencil the box either. Or at least I didn’t think so until I discovered I could not answer simple questions, like: Which came first the chicken or the egg? Did the cow really jump over the moon? What is 2 X a(b+c) ÷ 4? (If that is a real problem, then it is a result of dumb luck.) Luckily, I did not have to answer the question of where do babies come from because our cat Cottage Cheese (Yes that was her name.) gave birth in front of all the neighborhood kids. Lesson learned -- there were way more questions that I could not answer than I could. Do not feel sorry for me though. I do know how to get an elephant in the fridge and that you do not bury the survivors.

IDENTITY: To be honest, my identity left when I got married. I became “Bill’s wife.” That was followed with, “Oh, you are Willie’s mom.” And then, “Oh, you are Terri’s mom.” I honestly thought I would, someday resume being Mary. Know what?

I like my identity just fine! I love being a mother. I love being Willie’s mother. I love being Terri’s mother.

With Mother’s Day only two days away, I am feeling very grateful. I would like to thank two people: Bill (aka Willie) and Terri. You see, without them I would not be a mother. And my life would not be complete without the lessons they have taught me.

CHILD’S LAUGHTER: The sound of a child’s laughter is magic. It is sweeter than the softest melody and more powerful than the grandest symphony.

HANDS: I will forever treasure the feel of their hands in mine. A small hand taking mine, as we walked across the street. A small hand holding mine, as we watched a scary cartoon. A small hand holding mine, just because.

INSTANT LOVE: I loved them as they were safe within my womb. I loved them deeply the moment I saw them. I love them now.

Thank you Bill. Thank you Terri. I am so grateful you call me mommy.

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 113:9

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord indeed! I am a happy mother! AMEN

BUBBLES

Some days I feel like this. A bit wacky, but having a great day.

But there are always those other days.

When the kids were small and it was “one of those days”, Bill would come home to find me sitting on the back steps blowing bubbles. He knew better than to ask questions and was quickly prepared for an evening of “yes dear.” Hubby does know how to stay out of the dog house.

I do love to blow bubbles. Bill swears I buy bubble stuff by the gallon and thinks I should buy it by the case. For some reason, I can blow bubbles, watch them spin, change color and float away and just feel better. My body relaxes. My mood changes. It is as if all the cares in the world softly were taken away.

SCRIPTURES

In the beginning God -- Genesis 1:1

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -- Matthew 28:20

I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. -- Revelation 1:8

AND NOW

Sadly, bubbles do not last. As great as they are, they break easily. And, when it is raining and storming, you just cannot blow bubbles.

There is one thing that lasts. One thing that does not break. One thing that is there in the rain and the storm. GOD

I love blowing bubbles but I rest in the Hand of God.

Where do you rest?

FEAR WILL NOT WIN

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 34:4

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

FEAR WILL NOT WIN ! ! ! ! !

How easy it would be to watch the news and lock the door. How easy it would be to stay inside - safe. Away from danger. Away from hate. And evil.

How easy to say it will never happen here. Only there. It will never happen to me. Only to them. I will not read the paper. I will not watch the news. I will just be quiet and wait for it all to end. I will close the blinds tightly and turn my lights off. The phone unplugged. No one will know where I am. Then I will be safe. Then no one can harm me. I will ---

I refuse to allow fear to destroy my life!

I refuse to allow fear to consume me!

I will not close my door to the world! I will not stay inside! I will not sit quietly by afraid to say anything. I will fight hate and evil because I know it can happen here. I know it can happen to me.

FEAR WILL NOT WIN ! ! ! ! !

Evil wins because people stay behind their doors instead of telling gangs they do not want them in their neighborhood. Evil wins because parents want to be friends with their kids instead of teaching them values and telling them no. Evil wins because we have become a society of “you owe me” and feel we do not have to take responsibility for our actions and decisions. Evil wins because our youth receive grades/trophies they did not earn and they do not know how to congratulate the winners and accept the fact that they lost. Evil wins because we forget that, at times, life just plain sucks. Evil wins because violence is a part of our television programs, our movies and our video games. Evil wins because violence becomes acceptable. Evil wins because words like respect, honor and loyalty no longer fit into our lifestyles.

Evil wins when fear makes us hide behind closed doors. Evil wins when fear keeps us silent.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

I refuse to allow fear to destroy my life! I refuse to allow fear to consume me! Fear will not win!

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?

Do you ever look around and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Chair in a bag: Imagine some poor guy trying to carry an armload of those aluminum folding chairs back to the car and his wife is following behind, herding the kids in front of her. Do you think, as he picked the chairs up for the tenth time, he thought, “These would sure be easier to carry if they folded up and fit in a bag with a strap.”

Bottled water: While the man was thinking about putting chairs in bags, his wife was thinking, “This two gallon water jug is heavy and the kids have dropped the cups again. This picnic would be so much easier if the water was in bottles we could just toss when empty.”

Wheels on suitcases: As the family checked into the motel, the kids complained that the suitcases were heavy. The youngest looked at the oldest and muttered, “Sure wish this had wheels.”

You realize the person that came up with a chair in a bag no longer carries chairs, the bottled water industry is huge and those wheels sure are handy on a suitcase.

And I want to know: Why didn’t I think of that? I could be rich selling things people do not really need. Yes, a chair in a bag makes going to the little league game a bit more comfortable than sitting on bleachers. That bottle of water is quick to grab and it is so much easier to pull a suitcase than to carry one.

But if I had thought of those darn chairs, I could be rich!

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23 (KJV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He resoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; they rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

AND NOW

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. Green pastures. Still waters. Restored soul. Fear no evil. Comfort. My cup runneth over. Goodness. Mercy. Dwell in the house of the lord for ever!

I AM RICH!                 I AM RICH!

LET US PRAY

My Lord, my Shepherd, You give me all I need. You gently tell me to rest at the end of my struggles. You direct me to quiet times and give my soul new strength. You allow me to call upon You as righteous and You tell me not to be afraid and give me comfort. Even when my enemies surround me, Your touch anoints me. I have so many blessings that one lifetime cannot hold them and You have made my life easier because of Your goodness and mercy. And when this life ends, I know my next home is Your house. Thank you for making be so rich!!! Amen

ANOTHER WALK ON THE BEACH

One of my favorite places is Jekyll Island, Georgia. It is not real commercial. It is pretty laid back and has an amazing beach. We so enjoyed spending a couple days there at the end of our vacation. As I was walking the beach, I remembered something I had written in 1992.

A WALK ON THE BEACH

I walked on the beach and there did see

How close to life the ocean can be.

The tide, like our days, comes and goes

Our lives, like the tide, have highs and lows.

The tide of life can be strong, its pull never ceases

Leaving our bodies broken, our souls in pieces.

Or the tide may be gentle, leaving us whole and strong

Life fitting together, each piece where it belongs.

Our life is uncertain, no day is the same

We go through life seeking fortune and fame.

But the sand changes, as the wind does blow

And the road isn’t straight, when the tide is low.

As I walked along, many people would go by

Some would keep on going, others would say hi.

Daily we see people, who care and who reach out

But some never quite understand, what life is all about.

So when you walk your beaches, as through this life you go

When the sand is shifting, as your tide goes to and fro.

Remember other people are walking beaches too

Ready to reach out and share the joy of life with you.

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 139:9

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

AND NOW

Is your tide at a high or low right now? No matter which, remember God is holding you fast.