The Melody Lingers On

In church on Sunday, one of the songs was "The Heart of Worship"  The melody took me back to a small church in Marganets, Ukraine, where I attempted to sing the song in Russian, It was such a blessing to sing in their own language.  To sing the words "I bring you more than a song...I'm looking into your heart," really touched me as I felt like I wanted to touch lives over there on that mission trip.

The next year I sang "How Great is our God" in Hungarian as we ministered to the gypsy families in Munkacs, Ukraine. Music carries such a powerful message, and I started thinking about other songs that take me to a different place.

One of my most vivid images has to be "Amazing Grace"-- my Grandad Frazier's song. I can still hear him belting out that song at the old Red House Church when we were kids. He often made  it into a medley with "I'm gonna trust in the Lord" And sometimes "The Old Time Religion!'  So when I hear that powerful song, it always takes me back to Red House church -- the old church is about to fall over now, but the melody lingers on.

Another song that takes me back is  "Shall We Gather at the River" -- as I sing that, I go back to the creek where I was baptized as a little girl.  Out church always sang that at a baptismal service.  Ours were always outside -- I was not a Baptist in those days, so there was no indoor facility.

I went off to college in the late 60's -- it was during the Viet Nam war and there was lots of interest in merging my beloved EUB church with the Methodist church.  It was hard to lose our small denomination's identity and the thought of getting lost in the larger body was difficult for some of us We sang "Pass it on"  and "WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT" as we thought about reaching out to others who were different from us. In college I remember singing  songs every Sunday night at the small church in Morgantown. We sang. "Where Have all the Flowers Gone?" and other folk songs together with the guitars strumming.

'When I married my soldier,  we went to Chapel at Fort Bragg, and they always opened the service with the fourth verse of "My Country Tis of Thee " and some sharp looking soldiers carried the flags in -- "Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, To Thee We Sing..." that one always gives me a bit of a patriotic chill when I hear it even now. Another one that our organist plays occasionally is the Navy Hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save"  But the lyrics of one verse always grip me and remind me of the danger faced by the Army pilots. This was often played at a memorial service and the tune makes me a little sad.

Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.

Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air!

  OK, this project is taking way too long for one post, and I still have many songs and memories to add -- another time. I don't even know if it is of interest to anyone else, but I have so enjoyed reliving the moments!

Sam, God and Duck Hunting.

   I have a "guest blogger" this morning -- I didn't expect such deep thoughts from a duck hunt.  I mean, what kind of nut gets up on a freezing morning and goes out in the woods by himself... you can find a Godwink in the strangest places....

In Sam's own words...

    

       This morning at 5:30 and 31 degrees I went duck hunting. I got to the duck hole before daylight.  I stood watching the dawn. The sun was just peeking above the trees, blue cloudless sky, a thin mist drifting off the water. A turkey gobbled at the first blow of my duck call. At my age I appreciate see’n most mornings but this was prettier than most. I stood there in awe, thanking God for letting me see this. Then, I remembered a big ol’ greenbrier I tripped over coming in, as a drop of cold water ran down the inside of my waders.  As I waited for the patch kit I carry to dry, God gave me a lesson.  Usually it’s a slap on the back of the head after I messed up. Anyway the lesson was sin is like the water. No matter how much you prepare it can still find a way in to your heart and like the water eventually filling my waders, sin will fill your heart. I have talked about seeing God in nature but not shout it from the rooftops. However this startled me so much I thought I’d better write it down.

The Buzzards are Circling!

   It was such a relief to me when my husband retired from his helicopter job -- I don't know why he enjoyed such a risky job.  But the days of risky jobs are not over -- because our 2 story house has trees hovering above it.  And at this time of year, that means leaves in the gutters. So every so often, Sam decides it is time to climb on the roof and clean the gutters.  Yesterday was the day.  So he got out the long ladder that I hate, and up he went.  I stayed outside to watch -- and to go pick up the tool that he was using when it slid off the roof.  He is 65 years old, for heaven's sake, and I am not wanting to be a widow any time soon.  When he got to the steepest part, he tied one end of a rope around the chimney and the other end around himself.  He had this metal ring thing that he could loosen to give himself more slack.  I was standing out there watching -- picturing how I could catch him if he fell off -- wondering if it would then kill both of us. That's when I noticed 2 vultures (Or "buzzards" as we called them in WV) circling our house.  I told Sam that they thought he was going to fall off and die so they were getting ready.
Well -- happy ending -- the gutters are clean again, and Sam is safely still alive and well.  But I started thinking about how the Bible says, "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you."  (Isaiah 41:13)  Sam was not worried on the roof -- he had confidence that the chimney was immovable and the rope was strong enough as long as he held on.  Thanks for reminding me, God, that You, too, are immovable and plenty willing and able to help me -- even when I feel like the buzzards are circling.  I just have to make sure that I am holding onto the rope!!

Making a Difference

I ran across an article this week about serving God by helping others --- the author said that we should daily pray for an opportunity to be a blessing to someone. Then  I heard a radio minister talk about how we were afraid to ask God to use us because we are afraid might send us to Africa.
Anyway, praying for a chance to help someone seemed a little risky --- but since I am a follower, I believe that He will not ask us to do anything alone.  I should have known that the opportunity would come sooner than I expected.
I was scheduled to sing with the praise team this morning at the early service, so I was headed to the church at about 7:15.  As I drove down the little curvy back road, I came up on a car that was parked just barely off the road.  As I passed, I saw a young woman looking out the window, and she had a very distressed look on her face.  I have never done this before, but I just couldn't pass by without stopping to see what was going on.  The girl got out of the car and come to my window.  She said, "I am not crazy.  But I ran out of gas and I am late for work and my cell phone died.  Could you possibly take me to work at the nursing home down the road.?"  I told her to get in, and drove her to work. She was so grateful, and I still made it to church on time. It wasn't until later that afternoon that it occurred to me that this was the answer to my prayer.
Then tonight, right before church started, I read a text message from our music minister --- he is sick --- could I lead the music this evening?  That is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I felt like I had to do the best I could, since no one else was offering to do it.  The scripture tonight was from Jude --- and there was a verse about making a difference in the lives of others. That's when it occured to me that this had been another opportunity to serve --- just like I had asked for.
So, isn't  it amazing how some prayers are answered in the most unexpected ways?

Missing Mother

  This is October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I have been thinking about my sweet mother, taken too soon.  It has been 15 years since breast cancer claimed her life, but I still miss her.  My girls and I are participating in the Race for the Cure again next weekend -- my oldest is actually racing -- Sara and I are more likely "Strolling for the Cure" 'cause they would have to call 911 if I tried to run it! Anyway, Sara especially has been reminding me of the cause, as she has been cutting out dozens of pink ribbons and butterflies for a door decoration at the daycare where she works. She also sat down last night and made pretty pink bracelets for us.
   My mother wrote verses and prayers and thoughts down all the time -- I have many journals that she wrote over the years, and they have been such a blessing to me.  But something odd happened this week.  I was messing with the computer cords because I couldn't get it to connect to the Internet, and I found a little yellow dusty piece of note paper down in that little space.  I have no idea how it got there, but I smiled when I recognized Mother's handwriting. And is this a reminder from God or what?  "Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time." What a thought!! and on the back was another good message.

"Whatever comes to any of us is sent or allowed by God."

I think this is what helped her face this terrible illness with such faith -- she once told me that she knew that hundreds of people were praying for her, and she knew God heard the prayers, so she just had to accept His plan, even if she was not healed from the cancer.  I remember standing in the hall at the hospital as they wheeled her off for the mastectomy.  She had to take her teeth out -- she hated that -- so she had the sheet pulled up over her mouth.  But her eyes were bravely smiling, and she gave us a "thumbs up" sign as she saw us there.

I am grateful for this little scrap of paper -- and for the message of hope that it conveys. I think it appeared as a God wink -- reminding me that He still loves us and has a plan that we may not understand, but He still gives us "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow -- it is well with my soul."

Oh, Well!

I've been reading a devotional book, "Jesus Calling" nearly every morning since last winter, and I look forward to seeing how God speaks to me thru the words of the author.  This little book has been a blessing and encouragement to me this year.  It's on my Kindle, so I can sit in the dark and read and pray before I start the day.  A few days ago I read the entry for September 20 (some days I read 2, so I'm a little ahead!)
It said,
"When little things don't go as you had hoped, look to Me lightheartedly and say, "Oh, well."... Most of the things that worry you are not important. If you shrug them off immediately and return your focus to Me, you will walk through your days with lighter steps and a joyful heart.  When serious problems come your way, you will have more reserves for dealing with them. You will not have squandered your energy on petty problems."
This was the day that Sam and I both got sick -- coughing and sneezing and aching.  And my computer broke.  And Andrew went to the dentist and found out that he needed a $175 filling. And Sara had an upsetting day at work.  And I kept hearing those 2 words -- "Oh, well!"
I remembered Jessica, a newly-wed with terminal cancer.  And Shirley, whose husband died this week. And the shooting victims in Colorado. And I was grateful for the words that I read that morning.  I was glad I had not wasted time and energy complaining about my little problems -- much.  And when the big problems come -- and of course they will sometime -- I hope I will be able to deal with them with the strength I have saved.  My mom always said, "Don't worry until you KNOW there is something to worry about." She was such a great example to me, taking each day as a blessing, even while dealing with chemo and radiation.  So, I hope you will hear me say, "Oh, well" to the daily annoyances and save my worries and complaints for REAL problems!
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."   2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Look up!

    About 10 years ago, when my son Andrew was in 4-H, we bought some blueberry and grapes vines the club was selling as a fund raiser.  We planted them under some trees beside the house -- obviously NOT the best place for them -- and they never did produce anything.  We finally quit looking and gave up.  We don't go around to that side of the house much, and I totally forgot about them.  This weekend, Sam was out doing some yard work -- not his favorite thing -- and he called for me to come and see the blueberries on the vine!  I was surprised  and happy-- I'm going to be having my own berries  for muffins!  So then I looked over at the place where we had planted the grapes, and there was that scraggly vine -- with no grapes, just like I expected.  We stood there talking for a few minutes, then I happened to look up -- and was shocked to see grapes growing from the vine about 15 feet up in the tree!  I don't know how many years we have missed them -- but the vine is way up there!  We haven't looked up before, so the vine may have been producing grapes for several years.
    I wonder how many times I have missed a blessing from God because I  didn't look up?

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

A Single Red Rose

    There's a guy that I "liked" on Facebook known as "Teacher Tipster."  His posts are always  funny and sometimes kind of crazy -- but helpful ideas for my kindergarten class.  But recently he has written on a more serious note, letting his readers know that his wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  But in this message it seems like he had a "Godwink" -- a blessing  to help him know that God would walk through this with them.  

Here's what he wrote today:
      
   "Three days earlier we had received what seemed like the worst news imaginable. Suzy had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. We were scared. In shock. Worried. Confused. At this point, we knew nothing and it was tough to find anything positive about this situation. It was not a good weekend!

But, like always...time marches on. And before we knew it we were both back to work on Monday morning as usual. We hadn’t told anyone other than family at this point. So, when I showed up at school on Monday I knew that I’d have to share what was happening with my principal. I’d need to arrange to have some time off to help Suzy with her hospital appointments. I also wanted to tell my BTFF (Best Teacher Friend Forever) Ms. Murtha what was going on. We’ve taught together for our entire careers and we always keep each other in the loop about big stuff like this.

It was about 7:15 that morning. Murtha dropped by my classroom to say “hey” as usual. I shared the bad news with her pretty quickly. I told her all that we had found out and what our plans were going to be for the next week or so. I realize now that I probably hadn’t dealt with my emotions over the weekend. Like I said...I was in shock! Plus, I had been trying to keep the “strong” face on for Suzy. So, as I was sharing the news I finally lost it. The fear, worry, shock and stress had finally caught up to me. I began to weep. I don’t cry often...but when I do it’s ugly! Just ask Murtha. Hahah! I couldn’t talk and my face was all red, wet and shiny. I just needed to let it all out I suppose.

It took me a minute or two to finally gain my composure. And I had just wiped away the last remaining tears when one of my students showed up at the classroom door. Now, it was only about 7:30 a.m. Our students aren’t even dismissed to the rooms until about 8:00 everyday. So, she was WAY too early to be coming down the hallway to the classroom.

And this was not just any student. It was one of those students that you really had to watch. Don’t get me wrong...I LOVED this kiddo! I could tell you a hundred stories about her that would have you rolling with laughter. One involving “toots that smell like waffles”. Her hard work and academic gains this year were more impressive than almost any other student in my class. But, she did have a mischievous side. She really knew how to push the boundaries. And she could truly test my patience at times. So, when she showed up thirty minutes before class was supposed to start I just knew that she was up to no good!

I was just about to “shoo” her out of the room when I noticed something in her hand. And as she shuffled towards me I could see that it was a single red rose. Now, one more note about this kiddo. It wasn’t often that she brought me gifts. In fact...it had never happened before. No birthday gift. No Christmas gift. No Valentine’s Day gift. No Teacher Appreciation Week gift. She came from a large family and spending that kind of money just wasn’t an option. And of course that’s fine with me! I tell my kiddos that the best gift of all is their hard work and caring behavior. But today...she did have a gift. A rose. In my eyes the universal symbol for love.

My spirits were instantly lifted! I said to her...”What! Oh my goodness girl! You have no idea how much I needed that today!” And I did need it! After the weekend that we had just endured I needed something that just felt good and sweet. I told her “Thank you” and she told me “Your Welcome” and she began to walk out of the class. But, after taking just a few steps, the child stopped and turned back to me. She looked me right in the eyes and said...”Actually...it’s for your wife!” Then, just as fast as she had come in she trotted right back out of the room and was gone.

I couldn’t believe my ears! First, how did she know that I needed such encouragement on this day? And how could she possibly know that Suzy needed it even more than me? And of all the days during the school year why had she chosen this random Monday morning to bring me a gift? Because let me remind you that we hadn’t told ANYBODY about what we were facing. Only our family, the doctors and God knew what was happening! My students knew nothing about the storm we were facing. As a matter of fact, this class had never even gotten to meet Mrs. Suzy in person! Amazing!

It felt to me like Jesus was saying “I love you”. Like He was reminding me that He cares for us. He knew that we were hurting and He used the most unlikely of people to let us know that He had not abandoned us. He wanted to make it clear that He would be with us every step of the way. He sent us that rose to say that He loves us!

Murtha and I just looked at each other with wide eyes! She was just as shocked as I was! And all I could say in that moment was “Thank you God!” It meant so much to me! And it felt so personal. I’ll never forget it. And it may never happen again, but I know that this was more than just a coincidence!

I can’t tell you how much I needed that rose...and the message that it ultimately stood for. God knew that I needed it. And from this day on I’ll always remember that. No matter what’s happening in our lives. The good, the bad or anything in between. He is with us! And He loves us."

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1

I have loved you with an everlasting love...
Jeremiah 31:3

Hollyhock Dolls and Railroad Lilies

On my way to school today, I noticed that the wild lilies were starting to bloom. It took my thoughts back to childhood in my little hometown of Red House, West Virginia.  A narrow road and  railroad followed the wide Kanawha River in front of my house, and I often used the rails as a balance beam -- trying to keep my balance as I walked the short distance to my grandparents' house on the riverbank.  As summer approached, the wild lilies, roses, and hollyhocks starting blooming all along the tracks. I especially loved the tall hollyhocks that grew along the lane and spent many wonderful hours making hollyhock dolls.  The wild flowers grew in a variety of colors, and I would sometimes make a whole wedding party of dolls in colorful hollyhock gowns. 

I had never heard of "day lilies" until I got married and moved to Ft. Bragg with Sam.  A columnist in the Fayetteville newspaper wrote about a day lily garden, and I wondered what they looked like.  I was very surprised to find out that what we called "Railroad Lilies" were actually something special.  Because they grew like weeds, I just took them for granted -- not even considering that they must have been planted by God!  My "Godwink" today was a reminder that the Creator of all those flowers of my childhood was still at work, blessing me with little patches of beauty on my way to school.  

“Why take ye thought for raiment [clothing]? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Crazy Cardinal Godwink

       Last weekend, my daughter Sara and I went to a Sweet Adelines concert in Atlanta, and stayed overnight in a hotel in South Carolina.  I took my Kindle, and was looking for something free or cheap to read before going to bed.  An e-book that caught my eye was called ""Confessions of a Prayer Slacker." I hate to admit that sometimes this title applies to me, so I downloaded it and started reading. The first page --the introduction -- started with this verse. "How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?" Proverbs 6:9  The book reminded me of those church camp mornings many years ago when we started the day by going to a special place outside to have our morning devotions. I had some of the best quiet times sitting under at tree, all alone, early in the morning.  But life happens, and especially in the past few years -- with insomnia and work demands -- I have found it hard to find time for more than a quick prayer in the morning as I drive to school. But as I read this book, the author challenged the readers to faithfully meet with God every morning.  It sounded good -- and I was thinking about trying it -- sometime -- but not sure I would really get up early to do it.
        This is where the crazy bird comes in. I woke early the next morning to a thumping sound at my second story window. I didn't get up right away -- wondering who could be throwing something at my window. Once we locked Andrew out when he went to the car to get something, and he threw gravel at the window for quite a while before we realized that it was not the wind blowing a tree branch against the window. But no one else was with us this time, so I finally got up and went to the window in time to see this red flash.  It was a crazy cardinal, flying into my window again and again. I wondered if he was saying. "How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?"  So I got my Kindle out, read a little more of my book, then turned to the Bible that I also have downloaded. I spent some time reading, and praying -- and watching the bird -- and soon an hour had passed.  Sara was still asleep, so I went back to bed and slept a little more until the bird woke both of us up again.
        Since then, I have managed to get up a little earlier every morning to spend some quiet time with God before everyone gets up.  My Kindle lights up, so I don't even have to turn the lights on to read.  I am just starting, and honestly, some mornings I HAVE hit the snooze once -- but I think about the cardinal -- and the image of Jesus waiting for me to come and spend time with Him -- and I have started to look forward to the morning.  Once more I have found a Godwink in an unexpected place.  My friend Sherry wrote in her blog last week about God speaking through His creation -- also cardinals out her window -- but my crazy cardinal made sure I didn't miss this message!