Only Human--LOL ?????

This has been a day to think about “back in the day”. I remember going to church and knowing that the pastor was a “called” man of God. We had good preaching, teaching and a very genuine “Shepard” of the flock leading us. I know there are still a lot of called and faithful servants of God in my midst. It’s the ones that appear to be in their fields for only the money, fame or just a career.. We seem to excuse away anything these people do by saying they are only human. True as that is we still know we need to apologize sometimes. I don’t mean a phrase like “I’m sorry you are … I mean-- I am sorry I… which is a true apology. If we claim to be in a ministry then of course we are going to be watched more closely. Is that fair? I don’t know but I do know God will give His called servant the portion of kindness and patience they need to fulfill what He has called them to do.

I am troubled today as I have witnessed a rather ugly side of someone in the ministry that I have loved, encouraged and supported the past few years. You see I do not think LOL excuses everything. Nor do I think “we are only human” is the answer either. I could quote scripture but anyone reading this already knows what the scripture says.

I will work through this with God by my side.

I have found much encouragement from my true friends and I am thankful for you all.
God bless

Daddy and His Girls

My dear friend Terri said I should have given a "hanky alert" for this one so consider it done.

My Dad was a very, very good Dad. His girls were his pride and joy.

Many times when we three girls were in a discussion about something, one of us would say “yes, but I am his favorite”. Daddy had enough love for all of us and there was no need for competition. It was just something that we did in fun.

Dad was funny and loved to make people laugh. When Dad died we got a casket that had a “memory drawer” in it. You can only imagine some of the funny things we put in there. Of course we had our very serious notes of love in there too.

After choosing a stone, we needed to decide what was to be engraved on it. The picture says it all. Yes, Peggy was Dad’s favorite. Yes Beverly was Dad’s favorite. Yes Judy was Dad’s favorite. Yes Sherry was Dad’s favorite. We had that put on the stone not only for our precious memories of one terrific Dad but because we thought it would have made Dad smile.

Today when I was at the cemetery and saw the words printed again, I was still very pleased that the stone has not only our names as his children but that each of us still know we were his “favorite”.

Remembering Beverly

Her name was Beverly Jo. She died before I was born. She died of diphtheria. She was two years old. Mom and Dad were very young and she was the second child. Beverly died in my Dad’s arms. I don’t remember a lot of stories about her but I do remember Mom saying she was funny and kept them laughing all of the time. I also remember the day Dad opened a little chest that contained a few of Beverly’s toys. I witnessed that as an adult. That chest had been locked and put up for safe keeping for over 25 years.

Today I drove the 40 miles to Beverly’s grave. I am trying to fill in for Mom and Dad as far as caring for the grave site. Beverly is buried in Dad’s hometown in California, Mo.

For some reason today as I trimmed around the little stone and placed the flowers on the grave I felt overwhelmed with the knowledge that she has been with our Heavenly Father for over 65 years. I also realized that that knowledge is exactly how Mom and Dad survived the death of a two year old.

Dad was my first parent to die. About four years later Mom died. I found among their treasures a little box containing notes and papers concerning Beverly. It became quite clear that at the time of Beverly’s death Mom and Dad were not financially prepared to bury her. There was a little notebook with friends names that had given a dime or a quarter to help pay for the expense. It was humbling to see and feel the love the friends shared with my parents. It broke my heart to think that in my parent’s grief they still had to worry with paying for a burial for their little girl.

I have been to California many, many times. I wonder why I was flooded with memories today. Maybe God was just reminding me that Dad, Mom and Beverly are with Him and just waiting for the rest of the family. I miss Mom and Dad so much. Someday I will meet my little sister. I think I just want to close my eyes and think about a big ole family hug in Heaven when Jesus calls me home.

1 Corinthians 15:52
”In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Just Being Thankful---AGAIN!

I am amazed at the human spirit.

This past weekend we were in Branson Mo. We went to Silver Dollar City early on Saturday morning. I go early to have some of those wonderful pastries in the bakery located near the front entrance. As we passed through the entrance the first thing I saw was a line of people waiting to check out an electric scooter. I recognized immediately that those folks had come early for a much different reason than I had. Some of the guests were elderly but not all. Health reasons of all kinds caused them to need help getting around the park. If you have ever been to Silver Dollar city, you know there are hills. With any disability it would be extremely difficult to get around. It seemed that nothing was going to stop them from having some fun and enjoying life.

I really did not feel guilty for getting to the park early to enjoy my pastry but it sure caused me to once again be thankful for all of my blessings and especially the ability and health to come and go as I please.

My point is that I have a lot of respect for people who just “keep on Keepin on”.

In loving memory of Steve!

His name was Steve Henry.

He was our youth minister. He was totally dedicated to his calling. I was privileged to work with Steve for a short time. In that time he demonstrated an absolute faith in God. He stepped out on faith with every decision he made for the youth of our church as well as all the youth in our town. I served on our youth committee and we often shook our heads when Steve had a new idea for the youth that required money. We would say, “it’s not in the budget” and Steve would say “God will provide”. I want to tell you that is exactly what happened each and every time. Steve sang and played a guitar. That is the picture I often see in my mind when I remember him. It could be around a campfire or in our basement where the youth gathered for a social.

Steve knew everyone in our community and you could often find him at the local high school at lunch just chatting with young people. He was a husband and father as well. His home was always open to the youth. The bond between Steve and the youth was a beautiful thing to see. He could play with them but he was on a very serious mission and that was to see that all were saved. He made it fun being saved and the enthusiasm oozed from his pores.

I never heard anyone say one negative word about Steve. He loved everyone whether young or old. There are so many stories I could tell about Steve. He lived a lot of life in his few short years.

On a Sunday afternoon in February, Steve and his wife were driving to Jefferson City, Mo. for the ordination of his brother-in-law and they were in a deadly accident. Steve died that day at the age of 30. His wife was seriously injured but survived. Our youth were devastated and it was all we adults could do struggling to keep the faith as we cried with and held our youth tightly as though we could make the pain go away.

The weeks and months following this tragedy were difficult to say the least. God was faithful and provided strength for all of us. Through the years, I have seen our young people get married and have families of their own. I believe that our youth leaders should be chosen with great care. They are one of many who set examples that mold our youth and future leaders of our church. Steve was a blessing to all he came in contact with. I am thankful for the time God gave me with him.

I wonder sometimes what triggers memories of lost friends but in this case I know. I was at the cemetery today and saw the stone at Steve’s gravesite. The memories flooded me and when I came home I decided to write a blog about Steve allowing me to remember the wonderful young Christian man he was. I am happy and secure in the knowledge that we will be together again and singing praises to God just like we did here on earth.

If I Were To Say To You Today.......

Ten years ago did you think your life would be what it is today? What would you say? This is the very topic my husband and I were discussing recently. We had to admit that no it is not what we expected. We have received so many blessing from God and are grateful for every one of them. We have had our share of disappointments too. It was enjoyable to look back over our years together, good times and not so good times.

I think of the early married years and know I didn’t have a clue about God’s plan for me. Each day just seemed to turn into another and before I knew it, here we are thinking about “how did we get here?” Well, I guess we were growing and hopefully learning from our mistakes and rejoicing in our victories.

I don’t know why I do this but it is so easy to see God’s hand in everything AFTER the fact. Sometimes I will go through something bad to get to something good. I don’t always get what I want but I definitely get what I need. People, places, things are not always lasting. God puts them in my life for a time and for a reason.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:l

There is no doubt that God knows what is best for me, I just forget that sometimes. I get caught up in so many changes and trying hard to make things right for myself. Not that I am surprising God---He knows exactly what I will do at any moment.

For years in all of the different churches we have belonged to, there was one declaration that was always the same. “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” I do know that it is a wonderful plan of God’s for me to NOT know what is going to happen with each day. Who could handle that? Not me, that is for sure.

Ten years ago I would never have believed that my new love would be Southern Gospel Music. Forums, blogs, chatting on different threads here? Never! I am just excited to see where God leads next. We are traveling and spending time with really great friends and have so much to look forward to. I’ll just keep trying to keep focused on what God wants me to do.

As I am thinking back, it is not so important how I got here. It’s about the journey. I realize God has a plan for me. I am going to keep on keeping on and not think about how I got here. By the grace of God, I am going to keep focused on where I am going.

Labels and Categories--My Thoughts

The labels and categories that I am speaking about are those put on people.

I am truly troubled by labeling all people the same. God made each of us. There was no mold even though we often tease about it. No one label is appropriate for all people, or groups of people. I hear things like “I wouldn’t belong to that club because all of them…” or “I wouldn’t go to that church because they are all…”or “I won’t let my children play there because all of those parents are…” The list goes on and on. These labels then become judgments and I wonder many times how many labels are on me.

I have heard comments such as "Men…" "Guys…" "Girls…" "Women…" Does that mean ALL? I don’t think so.

I believe this kind of labeling and putting people in categories is hurtful. It causes me to immediately become defensive. Sometimes I am defensive for myself, sometimes for my family, and sometimes for my friends.

Everyone has a choice in this life. We can choose to belong to a church, a service club, the country club, etc. I make my choices according to what I believe is right for me. I believe I have a right to my opinion. I believe everyone does. Because someone does not agree with me does not give me a right to judge them by putting them in a category. I am not in the judging business, and according to the bible should not be.

Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

I have decided that there are positive labels on people, and yet we are still different. If I am labeled, I would want it to be:

Saved,

Christian,

Heaven Bound!

A Short "Sweet" Story

When I was a little girl there were small grocery stores everywhere. They all had a little section of loose candy. Some of my friends (classmates) had tootsie roll pops. They were chocolate with the chocolate fudge center. If I remember correctly, they cost 2 cents. I managed to get the money and made my way to the store. I told the sales clerk that I wanted a tootsie roll pop. Now I did not realize that they came in all flavors. Proud as could be, I left the store. When I opened my candy, it was LEMON. I was so disappointed and I did not have another 2 cents.

Years later I told my friend, now husband, about that story. Yes, I still remembered! One day when I left work and got in my car there was a tootsie roll pop on the seat of my car. It was CHOCOLATE!

Obviously, I cannot look at tootsie roll pops without thinking of this story.

My hubby does this sort of thing. He is a really good listener.

That’s my short, sweet (no pun intended) story.

Transferred Blog--"Some Things Require A Lot Of Patience"

I am not a mother and therefore cannot say for sure but I sometimes think that moms and dads are the ones who really understand the concept of patience. A child can be trying and really test a parent’s patience. I know that because I was one a long time ago.

I worked very hard in school. The problem was one that started in the first grade. I was in two different schools during my first year. The first school taught us by sight and the second taught us by sound. Now that was confusing to a little girl trying to learn words and learning how to read. Some time later I was in the small one room school I have mentioned before. We did not get the education that most larger schools gave. My dad picked up the slack this time and started helping me with arithmetic. I was really bad. I am sure it took every ounce of dad’s patience during this process. Fractions, division, multiplication---oh my! it still makes my head spin to think of it. This is really true. I had to learn my multiplication tables TWICE. That is about as strange as having to learn to ride a bike twice. Dad stuck with me demonstrating a lot of patience while I struggled with learning math. Dad did not have much education but he could compete with anyone in math. With a lot of love and time I finally got it.

In order to keep this blog short, I will just say that there are numerous other times that mom and dad had patience with this child of theirs.

I want to tell you that my husband teased my dad about patience. His line to dad was “Jerome, you must have a lot of patience because you sure haven’t used any of them.”

Well, I know Dad had enough patience to teach me math when my teacher did not have time to spend with one child. Now the funny part of all of this is—I grew up to be a banker. A little country girl that struggled with math could have the job she wanted because her dad had the patience and did not give up on her.

OMG, I can almost see my dad smiling down from heaven saying “that’s my girl.”

I will leave with one last thought about patience. It is found in:
Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness"

Transferred Blog--"A Story About My Mom"

One day when I went to visit my mom she was quite upset. She was concerned about a lifelong friend. Her name was Mary. She had not seen her for a very long time. With a few phone calls, I found Mary at a nursing home about 30 miles away.

Mom and Mary were the same age. Both of them were in their middle 80’s at this time. They had gone to grade school and high school together. They were roller skating buddies as well. They stayed close through most of their adult years. They were separated sometime after their husbands died.

I took Mom to see Mary one afternoon. Those two just simply beamed when they saw each other. They were hugging and chatting and having a grand time. I left them to their reminiscing and said I would be back in an hour. When I returned, I looked at the two of them and thought what joy they brought each other that day. They walked to the door side by side with their walkers. They hugged good-bye never knowing that that would be their last visit.

Sometime later when mom was in the hospital we discovered that Mary was also admitted. She was on the same floor and only a couple of doors away.

After mom died, Mary died one month later. They are buried only a few feet apart.

Now they are spending all of eternity together. Those two best friends will never be separated again.