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.

 

The Little Things

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Since Mary let it be known that her cancer has returned, she’s received an inbox full of emails and a mailbox full of snail mail. Her heart is being well fed by these kind messages.

Mary and son-in-law DrewThe other day she said, “It’s interesting what people are writing. Many are thanking me for helping them in ways I don’t even remember, little things that in the big picture don’t even matter. It’s stuff like bringing someone a cold drink or giving them a ride. Why people are thanking me for this kind of thing, I don’t know. It’s not even worth remembering.”

After we talked about it for a while, we concluded that maybe the little things really are the big things. For example, if we hope to do “big things for the Lord,” we might be missing the point of what he wants us to do. If Mary’s mail is any indication, little things can have a big impact.

I remember Mom experiencing the same thing. She was in her late eighties and had begun receiving calls and visits from long-ago Sunday school pupils who by then were middle-aged. The reason for their attention was always the same: each was taking a look-back at their lives, and Mom had factored in significantly. They were calling and visiting to acknowledge her and express gratitude.

“Thanks for being glad to see us whenever we came around. Those chocolate chip cookies you made were fabulous. And thanks for helping us decorate for the high school banquets each year.” Inevitably they listed “little things” that stuck out in their memories. And just like Mary, Mom didn’t remember most of them.

That’s the thing about any life well-lived. What he/she does by helping people is so second-nature, it goes unremembered. Being nice, thinking of others first, offering help, all become automatic and play out in a lifestyle that leaves a trail of blessings all along the way. Everyone sees it except the one doing the blessing.

As Mary’s mail attests, she is one of those unusual people. As for the rest of us standing on the sidelines watching, we’re learning that it’s the little things that really matter most.

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. I’m thankful for today, a very full, very good Sunday.
  2. Please pray for the ability to take one day at a time and not look too far down the road; in other words, to be content with a flashlight, not a floodlight.

A Better Day

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No life is without its sudden surprises, and all of us have had shocking news at one time or another. I vividly remember the moment Nate and I were told of the mass on his liver, which ultimately turned out to be pancreatic cancer.

On Tuesday of this week, Mary and her family received one of those knock-down punches when they learned that her cancer, held at bay for 8 months, had suddenly returned. It was an awful day, most of which was spent in clinical waiting rooms, testing areas, and doctor’s offices. But even after heading home, their misery continued, since they had to deliver the bad news to each of their 7 grown children.

Wednesday, however, was a better day.

The human heart wants to lean into hope, and Mary and Bervin have an abundance of it, since it’s always rooted in Jesus Christ. Tonight Mary said, “I’m feeling good right now, and sometimes I completely forget I have cancer. Then someone will say something about life after death, or I’ll get a thought about the fleeting nature of time, and I remember. I guess it takes a while for the full truth to set in.”

She continued. “Sometimes, when I’m thinking about my limited future, I wonder about the disease itself and what will happen when it takes over. But as soon as doubts and fears creep in, I go back to what I’m sure of: God’s promises. At that point I need to re-claim them, and may have to do it again and again.”

Mary says that when her thoughts get shaky, she asks herself a simple question. “What does the Bible say?” Then she reminds herself that if it’s in God’s Word, she believes it.

Feeling fineFor example, when the Lord says he’ll never leave her no matter what, she can depend on that. When it says his grace will be sufficient to her every need, she can stop being nervous about how bad it might get. When it says God is her sustainer, she knows he’ll carry her through anything that comes.

As she puts it, “I want to base my outlook on the facts, not the other way around.”

And the fact is, today was another very good day.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please pray that my situation would not cause anyone to have a heavy heart.
  2. Praise for a wonderful family that is surrounding me with love and care.