Meeting in the livingroom

 I recently had a lovely hour long conversation with my sister on the phone.  She lives in another state, and we don't get to see one another often. We do our best to stay in touch with one another and call our conversations "meeting in the living room". Because of our age difference and experiences, we don't always share the same viewpoints on things. The "living room" is a place where genuine conversation can take place. Our different thoughts and ideas are easily expressed here without concern of the others approval or disapproval. It is where we can talk candidly about things that we are rejoicing over, or are troubled about, without reservation. 

It is a safe place of acceptance and love.

Because there is a four year difference in our age, we see things from different angles. Although we were raised in the same house with the same parents, our experiences and take on life are different. We're different people.  Even though we have many common experiences and situations, we have traveled different roads in our journey of life.  The living room is where we get to share those  things and invite the other into our place on the road.

We understand that the other has a different view of things, and it grants us the opportunity to learn and see things from a new perspective. It is a place to learn and question, and to the best of our human ability, come to mutual agreement on important issues. It is also the place where grace is lived, accepting the other for their view point with no need to try to persuade or change them. It is a peaceful place of communication.  Talking, listening, pondering and loving one another.

Oh, if only more people could understand the pure joy of being able to meet there.

The well grounded soul

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH the LORD is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26;3,4

Recently the static of the world began invading my peace of spirit. 

Last week there was a fire nearby in the canyon and the smell of smoke brought back harsh memories of four years ago when we had to evacuate, and even though our house was spared, our daughter and her family lost theirs. The fire was brought under control, but the acrid smell as we drove to town filled our noses as we drove past on our way to church and the static noise of life made my flesh respond in the momentary fight or flight. At church a friend asked how I was doing and I responded as well as possible in the current situation. When I asked her the same, she started to tell me things weren't well, but then caught herself placed her hand on her hear and said "in here, I'm OK." We both smiled and agreed.  Things around us can be difficult and make us feel momentarily unsettled, but in our souls we are well grounded.

Later that afternoon after a great lunch and sweet time visiting with our oldest son and his family we were preparing to drive back home when our daughter called us to see where we were. When I told her we were still in town, she said, "You might want to wait before trying to drive home. The road to the canyon is closed. There's another fire." My heart dropped. The thought of not being able to get home if we needed to evacuate again was foremost on my mind. Not only were all our important papers and treasured keepsakes there, but our animals. A quick call to one of our neighbors who was home gave me a bit of reassurance as she said the fire was closer to town than to our place.

Still, the static in my mind and heart persisted.

Our daughter and her family joined us at our son's house and we began discussing whether or not we would try to take an alternate route home. We then received a call from our other son that his wife had taken their youngest boy to the emergency room because he had fallen and it looked like he'd broken his arm. 

ZZZZzzzzzttt!!! the static noise of life made me flinch and groan only slightly.  My daughter across the table from me and my daughter in law sitting next to me saw my reaction.  As she touched my arm she asked "Are you ok mom?"

Fighting the rush of tears I responded. "No...not here." I said indicating my head. Putting my hand to my heart I said "but in here, I'm OK." Both girls smiled and acknowledged they understood.

We stayed a bit longer at our son's house and then decided to take the alternate route home. It meant and additional hour drive. After an already long day, physically I was beginning to feel the effects, but knew I didn't want to wait any longer. At the road block to the canyon we were told the fire had been put out (thank You Lord) but it would still be some time before the mop up was complete and the road reopened. Making the U-turn and getting on the freeway we headed home.

When we had phone reception our youngest son's wife called to tell us that it was a confirmed break on our grandson's arm. We spoke with him briefly and as only a four year old can, he informed us about all that had happened.  He sounded much cheerier than anticipated.

Once we arrived home (thank You Lord for a safe and easy drive) we let everyone know we were safe and that everything up here looked good.

This morning I spoke with all the kids and got updates. The road had been reopened allowing my son in law and oldest grandson passage to work, the four year old had slept well and didn't seem in pain, and that, in spite of the crazy day yesterday, everyone was doing well.

All this got me thinking about how static makes us react. Not only the static of dry air and rugs, hair rubbed with a balloon, but the fun of watching the response of one's hand placed on Tesla Plasma ball. (For a great demonstration of how the Tesla plasma ball works go to https://youtu.be/4ZwZxWgih3U?si=OmC_z1CfGnx9pWRt)

Static can be shocking.

It can make our hair stand on end. 

It can be sticky.

But according to Google "Grounding is a process that removes static electricity from an object by connecting it to the earth. This is done by transferring electrons between the object and the ground using conductive materials like wires, cables, clips, or clamps. Grounding can also be called earthing."

My "grounding" when life's static causes things to be shocking, sticky or even make my hair stand on end, is the faith I have in the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

My friend and I both acknowledge that when we placed our hands on our hearts and said "in here I'm OK."

Because in Him, it is well with my soul.

May the static in your life cause you to remember you are standing on the Solid Rock and are well grounded in Him.

This is not a picture of a Tesla Ball but it was the closest thing I had in my camera. May God richly bless you now and always.

Triumphs that grant us the courage to keep marching

Hooray!! I finally beat the snags that were preventing me from using my new computer effectively.  With the help of a dear friend, we were able to navigate our way through the the technological mine field and won.

Little victories make the battles worth fighting.

It is true in our spiritual journey as well. 

I don't know about you, but there are seasons where it seems like we are deep in the enemy camp and there is little or no hope of escaping unscathed. The army before us seems daunting and we have little courage to effectively battle against them.

But then God reminds us that the battle is His and all we need to do is trust Him to guide us.

I love the accounts we are given in the Bible where the impossible became a  reality. They are the triumphs we are given that grant us the courage to keep marching forward as we follow the Lord. Some of my favorite accounts are  found in the Old Testament. Like Joshua 6  where the people marched in silence around the walls of Jericho for six days and then on the seventh day shouted and the wall came tumbling down. Or  Judges 7 where Gideon and his small army defeated  a much larger army with the element of surprise using torches and trumpets. Then there's the account in 1 Samuel 17 of a small boy using a sling  and a rock to take down a giant who had been harassing the army sent  out  to defeat him.

But my favorite is told in the New Testament  in Luke and John where a miraculous conception and birth and a death and resurrection brought redemption for all who are willing to believe and receive the precious gift of grace God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. Marvelous news of a victory that nothing can defeat.

As we prepare to celebrate what is marked on the calendars as Easter, let us remember that it is NOT about fuzzy little chicks and bunnies, or colored eggs and an overload of candy. Although these are fun  they are not the message of the true celebration. Jesus is alive. He conquered sin and death and is coming back for His people.

Celebrate the triumph. Share the good news.

The victory is ours because the battle has already been won by the Lord. 

Press on and keep your eyes on Jesus

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. " 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 NKJV

"I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the LORD." Psalm 27:13,14 NKJV

Today is the first day in a long time that I have had a PC to use to write my blog.  My old computer finally said "enough" to my poor computer skills, and I had to say farewell to it.

Learning the ins and outs of this new PC has been challenging for this old lady, but I finally managed to get some of the things I desired up and running on it.

As I was struggling to overcome my own frustrations, I was continually reminded the importance of persevering in the face of adversity.  It's easy to give up when we feel as though there is no end in sight to the battle we are facing. That is why it is imperative to keep our eyes fixed on the Savior and not the difficulty.

 Whenever I run into a rough patch in life, I am reminded of the account of Peter walking on the water in the midst of the stormy seas. (Matthew 14:25-33) You see, I am very much like Peter in my desire to do what the Lord tells me to do and have great boldness as I start out. Like Peter, I have seen the Lord do amazing things in my life and the life of those I love. But then I get a bit distracted by the wind and the waves and the noise of the storm, and suddenly my focus shifts. And of course, when it does, I begin to sink, and the at times, wallow, in the adversity rather than returning my gaze to the Savior's face and to cry out to Him for help. But, just like Peter, when I do cry out, immediately Jesus reaches out and rescues me from my self-imposed difficulty.

Oh, what a blessed relief to know He will always save me. I am His beloved and He desires the very best for me, working all things together for my good and His glory.  (Romans 8:28)

And so, once again, I will adjust my position so I am better suited to see Him in all things and will press on. As long as I keep my eyes fixed on my Savior's face, I know I will have continual victory and peace of spirit.

May you find the same in your journey.

To everything there is a season

Today is a bittersweet day. This is the day our oldest granddaughter will be moving out of our home and back with her family. She has been with us off and on for the past 3 years. Ever since Covid and her 18th birthday when her grandfather fell and broke his neck and she rode to the hospital with us. She also waited outside in the car in the parking lot with me for hours waiting to hear an upsdate as we couldn't go in becauase of C0ovid mandates. Afterwards she stayed off and on to help me care for him as he recovered. In that same tine frame fires tore through the canyon and burned her family's home to the ground and she moved in with us.  Rebuilding has taken time, not only for my husband's physical strength, but for the new structure for her family and for her as she has adjusted to life as an adult. 

It will be a good move even though we will miss her. Especially her hugs in the morning and at night. Last night when she came home from work the hug was a little bit longer. We knew today would be bittrrsweet.

But I know her siblings and parents are especially happy they will all be together again. And for that I am happy. 

It's been quite a season. 

But as Ecclesiastes says..to everything there is a season.

So now aa I see this one close I look to the future with confidence that all things are working together for our good and God's glory. Nothing is outside of His notice or care.

So as we enter this season of thanksgiving I will thank Him for the privilege I have had to spend extra time with her. I pray it will have made a positive impact in her life and that whatever seasons she faces in the future she will be able to do so with strength.

As the oldest grandchild she has a role of leadership and I know God has great plans for her and all those whose lives she touches. 

May His blessings be upon all of them.

The Velveteen Grandma: Why I want to be the Velveteen Grandma

The Velveteen Grandma: Why I want to be the Velveteen Grandma: The Velveteen Grandma One of my favorite stories is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. The story is the journey of a stuffed rabbit ...

Living the "Is" not the "What if'"

"...the just shall live by faith." Habakkuk 2:4b

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen." Hebrews 11:1

Every day I need to remind myself to live in the now. As one who likes to "have a plan" and often has a full calender, staying in the moment can be difficult. In part I think it was the way I was raised.  There was often the question mark of the"what if?" that loomed over many of us during the late 50's and 60's. (Yes, I'm that old.)  When I was in grade school I remember the drills in case of nuclear attack. As I high school student the concern was whether or not friends would be drafted to fight in the Vietnam war, and if they would survive if they were forced into service. As a young wife who saw too many families split because of divorce there was always the question of whether my marriage could survive. (I am happy to report 48 years into it we are still madly in love and holding strong.) 

The battle to avoid the pit of the"what if" continues though. The question of which one of us will proceed the other in death is frequently put before us as we age.  Worry could easily consume if we let it, 

But we have chosen instead to embrace everyday that we have together with joy and live well in the moments we have. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed for any of us.

I like how Jesus reminds me not to worry.  " Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. It's not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither so nor  reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to their stature? So why do you worry about clothing. Consider the lilies of the field how they grow, they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all theae things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:25-34 

 I am continually reminding myself that it takes faith and trust to live in the "is".  But God is faithful and trustworthy and my "mustard seed" size of faith is enough. For that I am eternally grateful. May you find His grace sufficient, His love trustworthy, and your joy in Him complete.