Category Archives: God’s plans for us

An Early Thanksgiving

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A week ago I blogged about our 3 pumpkins, all of which were coveted by a neighborhood squirrel but remained untouched. We couldn’t figure it out till we realized he couldn’t trust the clear glass table to hold him. Though he ran along the railings and could easily have jumped, he never did.

Still trying

Until it snowed.

The thinnest covering of snow suddenly made the table appear solid, and even as the storm continued, the squirrel made his railing-to-table leap and dug in.

The banquet of lifeTiny bits of white pumpkin seeds flew as he nibbled, filling his cheeks with the moist “meats” he’d been craving for weeks.

Once the first pumpkin had been emptied, he moved on to the second…. and yesterday, the third.

 

As I worked at cleaning house for Thanksgiving, I passed the windows many times, always glancing toward the picnic table.

Hard workerHe was there, then gone, then there, then gone, as he made multiple runs to his nest to “wallpaper” it with winter’s food stocks.

Scripture speaks to the benefits of diligence, using ants as an upstanding example of industrious behavior. God wants us to notice the unending parade of tireless workers who labor throughout the summer and well into the fall, stockpiling food. Proverbs then adds, “The ant has no commander, no overseer or ruler,” yet the entire colony works together to accomplish its common goal. (6:7-8) Impressive indeed.

Three's the charm.The writer of Proverbs also says that if we consider the ants (in other words, study them and adopt their habits), we will “be wise.” (6:6) So we’re to conclude, then, that planning ahead and conscientiously acting on those plans is godly wisdom.

Diligence is a character trait highly prized in the Bible. References are made to being diligent in our study of the Word, in our work, in helping the needy, in pursuing godliness, in our leadership roles, in being examples to others, and most importantly, in obeying whatever God tells us to do.

If this seems like an awful lot of hard work, Proverbs also says that when we follow through diligently, the Lord will see to it we’re rewarded.

Banquet participantAs for our backyard squirrel, I had planned to set the pumpkins in the yard for his Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, but by way of his diligence, he got to start his feasting ahead of time.

“The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” (Proverbs 13:4)

 

 

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Praise for a safe trip to Arkansas, despite lots of traffic and snow!
  2. Please pray that in these next 5 days I’ll be able to maximize opportunities to talk about eternity and God, especially with the younger generation.
  3. Pray I’ll have the energy and strength to participate in all the group activities, especially with our 10 grandchildren. The oldest (twins) turned 13 today!

Mary’s Question

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Last Saturday Mary and I shared an afternoon of meaningful conversation while sipping warm spiced tea on a blustery cold day. “Let’s sit in the sun,” she said, appreciating the extra warmth on the couch cushions.

Though Mary’s cancer and the threat it imposes is the #1 topic on everyone’s mind, it’s difficult to know how to best talk about it, or if we should bring it up at all. From her point of view, she doesn’t want to cause others to weep over the situation, and the rest of us don’t want to add to her burden by dwelling on it.

SistersBut on Saturday, the conversation of two sisters flowed in the usual way, and we found ourselves talking through some of the really tough stuff. Mary wondered what she ought to be doing during these days of feeling fine and having good energy. Though she’s made up her mind to live each day to the fullest, what does that look like, hour to hour, day to day?

As we chatted about her options, her conclusion was that she just wanted to do the “normal” things she’s always done: spend time with the Lord; care for her home, family, and friends; continue in her church ministries.

And that’s the thing about a life submitted to God. When time threatens to grow short, no additions, corrections, or changes need to be made. There’s no scrambling to get things right.  “Continuing as usual” is the high-road thing to do. Mary can simply keep doing what she’s been doing all along, and God will continue to bless her and also those she touches.

Oswald Chambers says, “A saint is never consciously a saint; a saint is consciously dependent on God.”

Mary doesn’t have to make big changes, because her M.O. has never been to get brownie points with the Lord by doing good deeds. She hasn’t been keeping score by consciously tallying up which “righteous acts” will please God most.

Instead she has spent decades studying the Bible to figure out what obedience looks like and then putting that into practice.  Whether she’s running a meeting from behind a podium or sitting on the ground comforting an ailing animal, it’s all the same to her. Obedience to God’s assignments releases his power into Mary’s life and also the lives of those around her.

The Holy Spirit living within a person becomes visible in the way that person spends her time. Mary has never worried about whether or not she’s being “used” by God but simply loves him with her whole heart, and day-to-day goes about loving others more than herself.

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Praising and Praying with Mary

Tonight Bervin is both my praise (he’s a rock!) and my prayer request (that he wouldn’t be consumed with my cancer to the exclusion of other activities). I thank God for him and love his heart through these many months. Pray for strength to match whatever is ahead.

Gotta have it!

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AbundanceThis fall God has been exceedingly generous to the acorn-eating critters in our neighborhood. Though last year there was nary a one, this year it’s been a challenge to walk around the block without skidding out on the marble-like nuts.

With millions of acorns, you’d think the squirrels would be content to-the-max, toting as many as they can hold into their winter nests. But they’ve been after something else, too:

photopumpkins.

Maybe it’s the protein-veggie combo they like, but no pumpkin is safe from their efficient nibbling.

That is, until now.

Last week I finally figured out why one squirrel kept visiting our deck railing. Virtually every day he’d return, looking steadily at the 3 pumpkins atop our picnic table. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t help himself until one day when Mary and I watched together. “He could easily jump over there,” she said. “So why doesn’t he?”

Maybe, because the table is glass, he wasn’t sure it was solid enough to hold him. He tried climbing from below, coming within inches of his prize, but still couldn’t get there.

Almost

Once in a while in our human lives we chase after what seems to be “good fruit,” doing everything in our power to get it. Again and again circumstances keep us from our goal and we get irritated, wondering why we can’t connect with something so special. We might practice perseverance (knowing that’s a good thing) but still fail.

After that we may get angry at God for frustrating our efforts, knowing he could let us have what we wanted if he’d just make a few simple changes. We see our quest as beneficial, a blessing. Never once does it occur to us it might be otherwise. We don’t consider that the circumstances keeping us from our prize might be God-in-disguise, protecting us from disaster.

In our limited understanding, we often don’t see that what looks so good from a distance may lead straight to destruction. Scripture is dotted with examples: Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba, Jonah, Samson, Judas, and many others. When they ignored God’s warnings and insisted on their own way, catastrophe followed.

So, if we’re going “nuts” trying to get to something we can’t, we might do well to look closely at all that will happen if we do get it. It’s possible we’ll find ourselves thanking God for keeping “success” at bay.

Still trying

As for our pumpkins, on November 27 I plan to carry them to the yard so our persevering squirrel can have his fill. After all, there’s nothing wrong with abundant vegetables on Thanksgiving Day.

“I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. (Psalm 119:59)

Praying with Mary

  1. In going through memorabilia today, I’m aware of the strong spiritual heritage I have and am truly thankful.
  2. Our entire extended family will gather for Thanksgiving in Arkansas where daughter Julia’s family lives. Please pray for strength and energy sufficient to this wonderful time.