Category Archives: Thankfulness

A Stoner

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Some people would say I’ve got rocks in my head, probably with rock-solid reasons. There’s no end to my fascination with stones. Despite there being unnumbered practical uses for rocks, their real appeal is their striking colors and patterns, each telling a tale of origin. God gets all the credit, and collecting and appreciating stones is, in my mind, an activity bordering on worship.

???????????????????????????????Tonight Jack and I couldn’t wait to get to the beach, and we arrived an hour ahead of the sunset. At the water line we were greeted with the mother-lode of beach stones as far as the eye could see. Never without a plastic bag in my pocket (available for collection of dog-product or stones, whichever comes first), I dropped to my knees and began picking through the bounty. Speckled, black, pink, gold, fossil-imprinted, pearl-like, striped and flecked. What’s not to love?

While bagging rocks, I sometimes think of the biblical description of the New Heaven. Part of it is a list of the different stones God plans to use in its construction:

  • Gemstonessapphire
  • emerald
  • carnelian
  • chrysolite
  • beryl
  • topaz
  • amethyst
  • jacinth
  • chrysoprase
  • jasper
  • agate
  • onyx
  • pure gold, as clear as glass

After studying descriptions of each of these foundational stones, I realized the majority of them are “see-through.” As someone who is moved by the beauty of earthly rocks, I can’t imagine the thrill of gazing at a city with massive walls and foundations constructed from these precious stones. I don’t think I could even look at it without a bag to breathe into. That’s probably just one of the many reasons we can’t be transported to heaven without first being changed.

I fully believe the wonders of heaven will knock us flat, even before we get a glimpse of God the Father or Jesus the Son. After all, several biblical personalities were given a quick peek, and falling flat was exactly what happened to them.

When I think about the splendor of heaven, I wonder if we’ll be permitted to look into God’s throne room. Revelation 4 describes this incredible scene with beautiful stones, too: “The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones… and the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.”

God has a gorgeous dwelling place planned for us, and while I’m waiting for the transformation necessary to witness it, I’m going to enjoy hunting for beach stones that are, for now, as stunning as I can stand.

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye…Those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please pray about Monday’s infusion #6, completing the first third of my chemo. Thanks for continuing to pray against nausea.
  2. I’m thankful for a good weekend with family and dear friends.

Happy Hope

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At the start of the summer travel season, here’s a re-post affirming that God goes ahead and prepares our way, from May 26, 2010:

In my quest to fly home from England after visiting with Hans and family there, it was all bad news.

My Buddy Pass from friend Kevin was free, though it did put me on standby status. But I’d made it onto the flight over on the first try, so when it was time to fly home, I walked into the airport with confidence. After all, there had been 20 open seats the night before.

The agent glanced at my status and said, “Oooo, ma’m. It doesn’t look good for you today. We’re overbooked, and you’re at the bottom of the standby list. We won’t even check your bag, because you probably won’t fly today.

“Take your bags and find a place to wait,” he said. “Come back in an hour, and we’ll see.”

“Is there any hope?” I said.

“It’s always best to hope.”

Stand-byI wheeled my bags across the airport in search of an empty chair and plopped down next to a woman whose luggage tags matched mine. We were after the same empty seat on the same crowded flight. She eyed my tags and said, “Who knew the airline would strike this morning?” Twenty empty seats: poof.

Feeling powerless, I prayed, reminding God he’d promised to go with me on this first trip after Nate died, preparing my way.

An hour later, I took my bags back to the counter, “Mr. Hope” was gone, but the woman in his place said, “Put your suitcase on the scale, ma’m. You’re listed on this flight.” I didn’t even ask.

As I rushed through the airport toward my gate, loudspeakers urged passengers to heed “the final boarding call.” Stopping to get a boarding pass, I wondered if I’d be plucked from the flight at that point, but the agent just smiled. “Here’s your seat now, love.”

I didn’t look at it but headed for the plane thinking, “It’s always best to hope.” I was the last one to board. While urging people to find their seats quickly, the flight attendant glanced at my seat assignment. “You’re right here,” she said, pointing.

First row.   First seat.   First class.

That trans-Atlantic flight was one pampered ride: a bed-sized pillow, down blanket, gourmet meals chosen from a menu, my own TV, and a travel bag filled with goodies. Though I don’t know how it happened, I do have a hunch:

Kevin’s email the day before the flight had ended with this line: “We’ll be praying for you to get on, and to get a seat in first class.”

When there was no way, God had made one, proving the ticket agent had been right: it’s always best to hope.

”Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please continue to pray about my feeding tube, which is acting up again.
  2. I’m thankful to have been able to address wedding invitations with Stina today.

Learning or Leaning?

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This week I’ve been thinking a great deal about someone precious to me, someone I love dearly, my sister Mary. We’ve all heard the expression, “You can’t out-give God.” I can say the same about her.

Hard workerMary is a giver. She never “arrives” anyplace without something special to give, a flower, a small package, a framed photo, cupcakes, or any number of other things. She’s creatively thoughtful and not just with material gifts. Her greatest giving is of effort: a willingness to sit with someone who’s hurting or to serve others by chauffeuring, making a meal, or running errands. That gift of effort also demands time, and Mary cheerfully gives big chunks of that to others, even if it means quietly setting aside her own agenda.

Youthful sistersShe’s my older sister (not by much), and ever since childhood I’ve followed her around, counting on her to have the good idea or take the lead. For example, when I was three and still sucking my thumb, my parents tried to solve the problem by pinning my pajama sleeves over my hands. Mary had a better idea and took off the pins. No wonder I wanted to stick with her.

Now that we’ve grown up, had 14 children between us, and lived separately for more than 50 years, you’d think I could maneuver through life without leaning on her, but no. I’m still calling for advice, still loving time with her, and still appreciating when she comes up with an efficient plan to reach goals… even my goals.

She’s forever organized, the kind of person who doesn’t lose track of her phone, her keys or what’s written on her calendar, and while I’m often caught scrambling, she brings calm to every storm. After decades of watching her give to others, I’m still hoping some of it will eventually rub off on me.

Mary is an excellent example of doing what God wants us all to do. He set the original standard, then sent Jesus to model what earthly servant-leadership should look like. Mary takes time to study the life of Jesus and learn from him what she’s supposed to do. But beyond that, she’s willing to actually do it. The result is a demonstration of what faith in God looks like on an everyday basis.

???????????????????????????????When we gravitate toward people like Mary, in the process we’re actually leaning toward the Lord, because godly people have become godly only by living close to him first. Their counsel is a reflection of him, and their actions mirror the behavior of Jesus. I didn’t deserve such a fine sister, but I sure am glad to have her.

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. So thankful for answered prayer about the nausea! Today I had none and ate normally!
  2. Pray I will feel real gratitude for each good day God gives.
  3. Praise for the many cards and letters I’ve received, some of which I re-read today. A great blessing!