I just need to grumble and complain a bit. I have shingles and I hurt. The left side of my neck, chest, arm, jaw, shoulder, upper back..... It all hurts. I take the meds that the doc says relieves the pain, but those make me groggy. And I still hurt. This is just awful. I know others have had it worse, but that doesn't make me feel any better.
O God...... there must be a reason for this illness. There must be a lesson in it here somewhere. Let me learn that lesson soon and let's get on with living. God, o my God...... bring me health and wellness. And when I am whole again, help me to be more sympathetic to those who are suffering ill health. O God, heal me, I pray.
Nancy
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Amazing
How has God amazed me? That's the question put to me tonight.
Learning of the ways that my life touches and intersects with other folks is probably the most significant way that God amazes me. Some are folks that I've only just met here at General Assembly for the first time, yet I meet them over and over. I stop to ask how they are doing and the next time, they check on me. Some are folks I've met only on facebook, but when we meet face to face, it seems that we've been friends for years. Some folks I don't know by name and may never see, but they are vital to my well-being. I'm talking about the cooks, the store clerks, the construction workers -- Folks who provide services and make the goods that I use every day. I don't mean to leave out family and friends whom I see and touch often, but those folks are a given. My husband, children, grandchildren enrich my life.
I Corinthians 12 talks about how we are all members of the body of Christ -- all different and all working together for the glory of God and the building up of the body. Amazing, isn't it? Our interconnectedness.
I wonder how God will work in my life tomorrow..... I wonder how God can use me.
Learning of the ways that my life touches and intersects with other folks is probably the most significant way that God amazes me. Some are folks that I've only just met here at General Assembly for the first time, yet I meet them over and over. I stop to ask how they are doing and the next time, they check on me. Some are folks I've met only on facebook, but when we meet face to face, it seems that we've been friends for years. Some folks I don't know by name and may never see, but they are vital to my well-being. I'm talking about the cooks, the store clerks, the construction workers -- Folks who provide services and make the goods that I use every day. I don't mean to leave out family and friends whom I see and touch often, but those folks are a given. My husband, children, grandchildren enrich my life.
I Corinthians 12 talks about how we are all members of the body of Christ -- all different and all working together for the glory of God and the building up of the body. Amazing, isn't it? Our interconnectedness.
I wonder how God will work in my life tomorrow..... I wonder how God can use me.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Busy-ness
Lately, it seems I've been on the go a lot. Yet, I'm not sure I've accomplished much. We're going on vacation -- getting out of town for a bit. We will reconnect with family and friends. Perhaps we will meet new people. We will see some new places.
I pray that I can be God's messenger to those folks I meet. At the same time, some of those folks will be carrying a message to me. Will I be listening and paying attention? When I'm so caught up in day-to-day activities, I forget to stop and listen. I wonder what God has to say to me.......
I pray that I can be God's messenger to those folks I meet. At the same time, some of those folks will be carrying a message to me. Will I be listening and paying attention? When I'm so caught up in day-to-day activities, I forget to stop and listen. I wonder what God has to say to me.......
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Loss of a friend
My friend Marty passed away yesterday. He'd been ill for a long, long time and I would like to hope that he was ready to go from this life to the next. My hope is that he has found a life free from disease and pain.
Rand and I first met Marty about 35 years ago. The circumstances of that meeting were not ideal. Rand was coming to town to interview for a job. We really needed Rand to get the job. As he arrived in town, the car broke down. It was a Toyota and at that time, it was hard to find folks who could fix "foreign" cars. (Toyota hardly meets the definition of foreign today, but I digress......) Anyway, Marty was the one who fixed the car. I don't know how we managed to pay him for it because our financial situation was dire. I'm guessing that he probably didn't charge us as much as he should have, but he saw the need we had and helped a young man who needed transportation. (Thoughts of the Good Samaritan story here.)
Well, Rand got the job and we moved to town. After a while we started looking for a church and then were led to Broadway Christian Church. Maybe we were pushed there by Rand's grandmother, but that's a story for another time. Anyway, when we first went to Broadway, Marty was the first to greet us. We joined the congregation and Marty continued to encourage us as a young family. Over the years, I have watched Marty's commitment to God, to the church and that God-love that he shows towards others. I'm not sure I ever heard him articulate his faith in God, but he showed it every day.
There is another connection. Rand sings bass in a quartet -- Glory Road. Marty's son Larry sings baritone in that quartet. Marty quietly encouraged the guys in the quartet to keep on singing praises to God. The quartet appreciated his presence.
Just last night, I was talking with a young member of our congregation. This 15 year old boy remembered Marty as someone who always greeted him and was interested in him. It helps to remind me of our interconnectedness and our importance to one another and to God. No matter your age, your health, your financial status, your employment situation -- God uses each and every one of us. Isn't that great to know? God uses all who make themselves available. God does the work thru us.
So, today and in the next few days, I may shed a tear or two for the loss of my friend. But I have some wonderful memories that will live on and I am assured that Marty is living on now with Christ.
Nancy
Rand and I first met Marty about 35 years ago. The circumstances of that meeting were not ideal. Rand was coming to town to interview for a job. We really needed Rand to get the job. As he arrived in town, the car broke down. It was a Toyota and at that time, it was hard to find folks who could fix "foreign" cars. (Toyota hardly meets the definition of foreign today, but I digress......) Anyway, Marty was the one who fixed the car. I don't know how we managed to pay him for it because our financial situation was dire. I'm guessing that he probably didn't charge us as much as he should have, but he saw the need we had and helped a young man who needed transportation. (Thoughts of the Good Samaritan story here.)
Well, Rand got the job and we moved to town. After a while we started looking for a church and then were led to Broadway Christian Church. Maybe we were pushed there by Rand's grandmother, but that's a story for another time. Anyway, when we first went to Broadway, Marty was the first to greet us. We joined the congregation and Marty continued to encourage us as a young family. Over the years, I have watched Marty's commitment to God, to the church and that God-love that he shows towards others. I'm not sure I ever heard him articulate his faith in God, but he showed it every day.
There is another connection. Rand sings bass in a quartet -- Glory Road. Marty's son Larry sings baritone in that quartet. Marty quietly encouraged the guys in the quartet to keep on singing praises to God. The quartet appreciated his presence.
Just last night, I was talking with a young member of our congregation. This 15 year old boy remembered Marty as someone who always greeted him and was interested in him. It helps to remind me of our interconnectedness and our importance to one another and to God. No matter your age, your health, your financial status, your employment situation -- God uses each and every one of us. Isn't that great to know? God uses all who make themselves available. God does the work thru us.
So, today and in the next few days, I may shed a tear or two for the loss of my friend. But I have some wonderful memories that will live on and I am assured that Marty is living on now with Christ.
Nancy
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Perspective
It seems that I only learn from my experiences after it's too late to make changes. How many times have I been in the middle of a situation, not knowing if I should go one way or another, and wished that I had a magic wand to wave and give me an answer? How many times have I looked back at my life and wished I had taken a different path? How many times have I objected to the guidance offered by those who love me? How often have I gone my own way, shunning the wisdom of others?
But yet, I can't change what was. I can learn from it. I am grateful for the good times and for the bad because both have molded me into the person I am. I'm thankful for the gentle souls in my life who have allowed me to make mistakes, for in those ways, I have grown. I've learned there are blessings in every situation. Sometimes I really have to look hard to find the blessings, but they are there if I will take the time.
I'm reminded of a story about a little boy who was annoyingly happy. No matter what happened, this little boy thought it was great. So, one time someone gave him a yard full of horse manure as a birthday gift. They thought, "That will teach him. There's no way he can be happy about manure." But lo and behold..... The boy was thrilled. When asked why, his response was, "I just know there's got to be a pony in there somewhere."
So, I look for the pony. It may take a while to find. I may have to dig around in the manure for a while. But with time, I can find the blessings in all situations. With God's help, I know I'll find the pony.
But yet, I can't change what was. I can learn from it. I am grateful for the good times and for the bad because both have molded me into the person I am. I'm thankful for the gentle souls in my life who have allowed me to make mistakes, for in those ways, I have grown. I've learned there are blessings in every situation. Sometimes I really have to look hard to find the blessings, but they are there if I will take the time.
I'm reminded of a story about a little boy who was annoyingly happy. No matter what happened, this little boy thought it was great. So, one time someone gave him a yard full of horse manure as a birthday gift. They thought, "That will teach him. There's no way he can be happy about manure." But lo and behold..... The boy was thrilled. When asked why, his response was, "I just know there's got to be a pony in there somewhere."
So, I look for the pony. It may take a while to find. I may have to dig around in the manure for a while. But with time, I can find the blessings in all situations. With God's help, I know I'll find the pony.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
36 years
Whooo........ that's a long time! Rand and I were married 36 years ago today. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday and yet it seems like forever.
This week is marked with special events. Our wedding anniversary is today, good friends Bob and Karen have a wedding anniversary tomorrow, my very good friend Arlene's birthday is today. This week will mark the close of careers for three of my coworkers, Marv, LeAnna and Gary, and I will miss them. Another friend Marty is in the hospital, has not been well for a long, long time and it sounds as though his time is coming to a close.
Some weeks seem so humdrum. Nothing out of the ordinary from one day to the next. And then I have a week like this. So many changes. Nothing remains the same, but we adapt and move on.
I wonder what new things God has in store for me tomorrow? or next week?
This week is marked with special events. Our wedding anniversary is today, good friends Bob and Karen have a wedding anniversary tomorrow, my very good friend Arlene's birthday is today. This week will mark the close of careers for three of my coworkers, Marv, LeAnna and Gary, and I will miss them. Another friend Marty is in the hospital, has not been well for a long, long time and it sounds as though his time is coming to a close.
Some weeks seem so humdrum. Nothing out of the ordinary from one day to the next. And then I have a week like this. So many changes. Nothing remains the same, but we adapt and move on.
I wonder what new things God has in store for me tomorrow? or next week?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I came across this quote the other day.
"What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wonder what people hear from me by my actions. Do my words and my deeds match? Or do I preach one message and live another?
Lord, forgiving God, my guide and my strength....... Help me always to live transparently. Help me to act so that others will hear me, even if I don't say a word. I want to live as your messenger here in this world. Grant me strength. Grant me courage. Amen.
"What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wonder what people hear from me by my actions. Do my words and my deeds match? Or do I preach one message and live another?
Lord, forgiving God, my guide and my strength....... Help me always to live transparently. Help me to act so that others will hear me, even if I don't say a word. I want to live as your messenger here in this world. Grant me strength. Grant me courage. Amen.
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