help in the nic of time

Flying Cardboard

.

    As my friend and I drove down the freeway one afternoon we noticed a truck in front of us. The driver had his arm sticking out the back window of the cab and he was keeping a large piece of cardboard from flying out the bed of his pickup. We saw it at the same time and remarked at how difficult it would be to keep the flopping piece of cardboard in that truck bed. No sooner had we commented on this when the wind caught the cardboard and sent it flying in the air! We both screamed as we saw it coming directly at us, it was like a great brown butterfly gracefully floating  in slow motion then it came straight at us and suctioned itself squarely on the windshield of our car.

   We could see nothing in front of us as we were going sixty miles an hour in the center lane of a major freeway, it was horrifying! Immediately I thought we were going to die. As my friend slowed a little I stuck my head out the window and slowly guided her to the side of the road, of course we were screaming the whole time, it was real female pandemonium. Once we were safely stopped the cardboard simply slid off the windshield and lay flat on the ground.

   Sometimes life is like this, we can be traveling down the road just fine, minding our own business and then we are hit by the unexpected.

    Seeking God’s help when I am in trouble is sadly not always my first reaction. I am thankful that no matter how I feel, God is my salvation and my stronghold; He will see me through every situation and preserve my life. We can all be sure that even in the midst of trouble we can still come out on top because He is right there with us to see us through to the other side.

    Psalm 138:7

   Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

Since I don't have any photos of the actual event I thought I would down load a few photos just to give you an idea of how we reacted.

seeing the cardboard butterfly drifting toward us.

Carolyn's reaction, she was the driver.

what I looked like to the other drivers who noticed me with my head sticking out of the window.

When we both realized how close to "death by cardboard butterfly" we actually were.

help me notice people

Jesus saw the people

    While wandering around the local chain store with my four year old grandson, we both spotted a certain lady at the same time. I cringed because I knew what was about to happen, you see she was completely bald. When you are an adult you learn to look quickly and then discreetly go on your way, but when it comes to a curious four year old, everyone gets to hear what they are thinking.

   “Look at that bald lady grandma, why would she do that to her hair?” he asked loudly.

I was sure everyone in the store heard him and the heat of embarrassment rose from my neck to my face in an instant. She looked directly at me and started walking my way, I wanted to shrink like a mouse and run for cover. She turned to Connor and explained that her sister was sick and lost all her hair so she shaved her head to make her sister feel better. I was touched by this lady I and asked if we could pray for her and her sister, she looked at me with caution at first then said yes. When we parted ways I felt so blessed inside and was glad that I could be an example of love for my curious grandson. 

 Mark 2:13-15

   Then Jesus went again to walk along the lake. Again a crowd came to him, and he taught them. Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alpheus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” He came.

 Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having dinner with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.

   When I first read these verses my thoughts immediately went to Matthew. What was he thinking at the time? Was he hoping Jesus would notice him or did he want to blend in? He was probably used to being shunned, given his choice of occupation, so I wonder if he was shocked when Jesus invited him to come along with him.   Matthew didn't hesitate, Mark simply says, “he came.” I believe that Jesus’ reputation of love and care preceded him. Matthew didn’t need a healing or a miracle, he needed a friend. Matthew needed someone that would accept him and love him right where he was. His job earned him the reputation of riffraff by the religious leaders of the time but he was much more to Jesus.   

   Jesus saw Matthew; he invited him to be a part of his life, to be a friend and part of his family.

    Jesus is all about people, He loves them. He doesn't care if we're fat or skinny. He doesn't slink with embarrassment if we are too loud or have bad manners. It doesn't matter what our financial status is or our choice of occupation, Jesus died for us all and loves every one unconditionally.

Sometimes a simple hello, or how are you, works wonders. It’s so easy to let the business of the day or maybe even the fears of rejection keep us from ministering to others. Don’t worry about what people may say, just reach out to those around you and prepare to be blessed yourself.

Add caption

My little paleontologist with his fossilized bone

love is patient, even when traveling with small children.

                                                               

                                                            Wrong way  

Years ago I went on a trip out of state with my brother. We were going to visit family and this was our first official trip together. We packed his van loaded up his two kids, hooked up the travel trailer and we were off. Little did I know the trip was doomed from the beginning.  It was a fourteen hour drive full of “are we there yet?” children arguing and lots of stops for tiny bladders and hungry tummies. When we finally arrived there were fourteen of us staying in a two bedroom mobile home. It’s all a bit blurry now but I still shudder at the memory.

After an unrestful and drama filled week of visiting we packed up and left for home. We stopped at a diner on the way and it was another hour of spilled drinks, whiney kids and tired conversation. Before we left we all decided to go to the restroom. My nephew, who was about six years old at the time, came out of the bathroom at the same time I did. I reached up, patted him on the head and to my surprise his head was wet! I asked him why his head was wet and he said he accidentally peed on his head. I was flabbergasted! I just stood there looking at my hand and then his head and wondered how that was even possible! 

 After a quick head wash we started off down the road again. It was my turn to drive so I entered the freeway ramp and a funny thing happened, I saw headlights coming at me. To my horror I realized I had entered the off ramp and I was going down the freeway the wrong way! Paralyzed with fear I just stopped in the middle of the off ramp and slunk down in my seat, I was sure we were going to die.

 In the middle of it all my brother calmly told me to switch seats and he would get us turned around.  This is one of my most embarrassing life moments. I know if my attitude had been better I would have probably seen all the blaring WRONG WAY signs. We finally made it home and to my brother’s credit he has never brought that topic up again, maybe I scared him. 

Ecclesiastes 7:8, 9

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

I love the way the message Bible puts it in verse 8, “Don’t be quick to fly off the handle, anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.

Looking back I sure wish  that I had just been patient and enjoyed the ride. In life there will always be the unplanned and unpleasant but the way we look at it and respond makes all the difference in the world. Whether you are at the beginning or at the end of something ask God to help you see the good and enjoy the ride. Save your self from those embarrassing lumps that come from foolish anger, your life and others will be  much happier for it.

All grown up and I love them to pieces.

God can handle it...

                                                       CASTING CARES

      How many times have I heard these verses? How many times have I recited them to friends and family only to fall back into the same old trap of doubt and unbelief? My area of greatest challenge is trusting God with my family. I have lost a lot of sleep over my children, much more than money or any other crisis that comes my way.

     It’s not that my kids are any trouble. On the contrary, I truly enjoy them and we are all very close, but growing up in a family where worry was just a part of the daily routine, I struggle to trust God completely.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.

      To cast means to “Throw upon”, it indicates an extended projection, not to drop but to fling. We must fling our cares on the Lord, not just drop them at arm’s length making them easy to pick up again. This is what I usually do.

      Psalm 112 puts it perfectly, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will comes to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

     I am constantly reminding myself that God is perfectly able to care for me and my family no matter what comes our way. I have often told my husband that if God was able to get me this far he is certainly able to take care of all of us. Lord knows I kept Him busy in my younger years, I’m the girl who bought the white bikini because it would be see through when wet (shameful, I know) and used to tell my mom we spilled pepper on the stove burner when she smelled strange smoke emanating through the house. (In case you are wondering, I have confessed this to my children and they aren't shocked about anything I tell them anymore) 

   We know that trials do come, sometimes hardships seem inevitable, but we do not have to fear them. Nothing shocks or surprises God, he can handle it all. So fling (far from you) those cares and worries on the one who is totally capable of caring for you, that is your heavenly Father.

 

Feeling the love

A Father to the Fatherless

    Growing up in a broken home was anything but easy. Sometimes we went without the basics like food, clean clothes or a bed to call our own. Sometimes we lived in our car and even once stayed in a church. I used to envy other families that had both parents at home.

    I first met my real dad when I was twelve. Getting to know him was a bit of a challenge, we were so different. One thing I remember most about my dad was when he put me on the bus to send me home after the first summer I stayed with him, I couldn't wait to get out of there. I looked out the bus window and he was crying. Right then I knew he cared for me and I decided that I would work on this relationship.

   It was difficult from the beginning; he was born in the south and i was raised in California. Half the time I had no idea what he was saying and his choice of “country food and ways” were not what I was accustom to. My first visit to North Carolina (which is my birthplace) was like entering another world. We had a “pig picking” in my honor, it’s a big family barbeque and you roast a whole pig. The night before everyone arrived I woke in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Sitting there in my sleepy state I was suddenly startled wide awake staring at a whole pig, head and all, covered in ice, laying in the bathtub next to me.

   We have spent many happy years just getting to know each other. We don’t always agree on a lot of things but we are ok with that, we choose just to love and enjoy each other.

   It wasn't until I was older that I came to realize every family is dysfunctional to some degree. Some of us never meet our fathers and some of us wish we never knew them. Life isn't perfect, but we have a perfect heavenly father who loves us with the true “unconditional love” that we all desire. He wants his children to succeed more than anyone else and is the proudest dad that ever existed.

       

Psalm 68:4, 5

   Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds – His name is the Lord – and rejoice before Him. 

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. (NIV)

The Message Bible says it like this, “Father of orphans, champion of widows, is God in his holy house. God makes homes for the homeless, leads prisoners to freedom, but leaves rebels to rot in hell.”

 

This is the most recent photo and one of my favorites

 

My dad was a prison guard for years, he was highly respected.

 

I just love this photo.

This is my dad naturally, loved by little old southern grandmas everywhere. (he doesn't smoke anymore)

Falling

One afternoon I took my three kids to the movies. We were all seated and ready to watch when I decided to make a last minute dash to the restroom. I was on the inside row by the wall so I had to squeeze myself by all three kids to get out to the aisle. When I came to my middle daughter I thought it would be funny to sit on her lap. Well, my foot caught on something, I think it was my son’s gigantic feet and I tripped and landed on my back in the middle of the aisle.

 By this time I had caused enough commotion for people to really take notice. I had become quite a traffic jam for the movie goers. They stood there with their jumbo sized popcorn and soda in hand, staring down at me in wonderment. I was humiliated! I also bent all my fingernails back trying to keep from falling all the way to the floor. To add insult to injury, when I was able to get myself off the floor, I found all three children looking straight forward pretending they didn't notice.

This reminds me of my personal life, I often “fall” or make mistakes, usually on a daily basis.

 I must remind myself that stumbling or falling does not disqualify me from the love of God. The mistakes I make are not shocking to Him, and He would never abandon or turn His back on me out of embarrassment.  He definitely sees my potential and has promised to continue to work in me until he returns. That is very good news! When I slip up, I’ll pick myself up and not worry what those around think. I may not walk perfectly but his plan for me is perfect and he is patient and willing to carry on that work to completion. I think that makes everyone happy.

Philippians 1:6

I am confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the               day of Christ Jesus.

 These are the lovely three that left me there on the ground like a human speed bump. They are now grown and bring me no end of joy.

Dust Motes

Floating Particles

  My three year old grandson stood in the sunlight that streamed through the living room windows. With his mouth wide open and his tongue hanging out he was catching the dust particles floating around the room. With a big grin he would swallow and say, “mmm, it’s good grandma!”

  In reality all he tasted was dust, he just didn't recognize it.

How often do I walk around chasing dust motes? Why am I so attracted to the ever-changing ideals the world calls desirable? If only I were better looking, if I had more money, if I could travel more, if I were more popular or smarter, these are like floating particles all around me and I chase after them thinking they will make my life better. In reality I am never satisfied, I am constantly looking for something else to give me peace and happiness but end up feeling empty.

  Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

   Our loving Father offers us only the finest. He offers a blessed life and His unfailing and unmerited love, why would we settle for less? Changing my focus to the good things God has for me is where I find true satisfaction. My life is a much happier one when I look to him and draw from his word. It's not that I never have needs or problems but he helps me through it all and makes it all easier to handle. His love and words toward me are like the richest fare that go down deep and cause fullness in life.

 chocolate pudding mustache.