Wondering, Wandering, and Writing

I’m glad you’ve tuned back in for part two of Showers of Sunday Blessings.

Background:

Back in the Spring, we went to a Greenville Drive game with the Mauldin Miracle League.  The kids got to play in the stadium.  Members of the Drive were the buddies.  If you’re not familiar with Miracle League, you can look them up. The Greenville Young Marines prepared and fed us all hamburgers, hotdogs, and fixins. What I did NOT know was what time the Drive game started.

Older background:

If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that years ago I was diagnosed with conditions that required me to sleep eight hours a night.  Although I often sleep just six and a half or seven now, I am STILL in the habit of being home by dark.

The game starts at 7:00pm.  Generally, a game lasts 3 to 4 hours.  That’s after dark! And then there’s the hour and a half getting from the stands to the car and home.

So I struck a deal with the boys.  If they would leave without a big fuss at 8pm, I’d bring them to an afternoon game.

Fast forward to August:

The Drive gave free tickets to folks, in several counties, who completed the County Library Summer Reading Program.  It’s an afternoon game. YAY!

Not yay – my cousin who LOVES baseball could not go.

My husband is NOT a fan of sitting anywhere for several hours.  Additionally, the sun is not at all kind to his skin.

I had only ONE extra ticket, and could not think of anyone to ask.

OH, and another thing.  For some reason as I’ve gotten older I don’t like crowds as much as I used to.  When I reserved our tickets, only scattered seats were available in sections other than the ones out past first base.  By scattered seats, I mean nowhere with two, much less four, open seats together.

So here we have a set-up for a perfect storm.  One adult, two active boys.  Crowded stadium.

When I whined to my sister on Friday, she thoughtfully said, “I’ll pray for rain.”

After church on Sunday, we zoomed home to grab a quick lunch.  I received a wonderful surprise!  Chuck was going with us!!  YAY!!

In spite of leaving home a little later than I’d planned, we arrived in plenty of time for the boys to get their hats and parade with hundreds of other readers around the stadium.  And then – IT RAINED!  It was a downpour!  We sheltered under the picnic area.  As it turns out, seats way out past first base are really close to that shelter and restrooms.  Those were certainly a plus.  The rain stopped, they uncovered the infield and rechalked the lines, and the game commenced.

Whether it was the heat, the possibility of storms, the actual rain, or lots of people getting tickets “just in case we want to go,” the stadium was less than half full. There was no huge crowd.  Chuck was with me, so we had one adult to stay with each kid when one needed a bathroom break or a walk to break their boredom.  The skies were mostly overcast. I enjoyed the game, especially the sixth inning when Greenville scored seven runs.  We had pleasant conversations with the people near us. 

I also learned that the far-away free parking is just a ten minute walk – in the shade – from the stadium.  Not bad at all.  Thank you, online maps.

I sit here on Wednesday still counting my Sunday blessings.

#bgwww23

Blessings flowed all around me yesterday!

I can’t even figure out where to start.  At the beginning is usually a good place, but the beginning was weeks before, and I want to wrap this up in a few hundred words.

Honestly, the morning got off to a rocky start.  Any morning is prone to a little chaos with two very active preteen boys, and it happened.  Excitement and a little nervousness filled the air in our home and several others.  Weeks of preparation by a number of people had gone into the morning worship service.  A generous member donated a grand piano to the church, and this is its first worship service, with lots of music and several guest pianists.

I also dreaded the afternoon, whose activities needed to start just as soon as we left church.  I’ll write about that in another post.  For now – I was so stressed about five minutes before I was to leave for church that I messaged one of my prayer groups.  Yes, I have a few.  Yes, I love and appreciate each and every lady in them.  I poured out my concern for the afternoon, and my little bit of nervousness about the service. Yes, I play every Sunday.  But, some of these guests’ playing makes it sound like I need to go back to level one piano lessons.  (Okay, maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but don’t we all play the comparison game at times, and give ourselves the short end?)  They messaged me back. They prayed.  I knew they would!

And then ……

Oh, what a wonderful morning!!

During Sunday School, our fill-in teacher led a thought-provoking lesson from Romans 12.  One of the questions opened the door for a class member to share her experience just in the past week.  God is calling her to a ministry in our neighborhood, and the pieces are falling into place.  Multiple people offered to help, resources are available, and others are encouraging.  I just love it when it’s obviously a God thing! 

Our church choir sang.  Because of a very unusual series of events, we hadn’t in about a month.  It was good to have the choir back.  The music kept going for almost an hour – praise team, piano solos, the Song Birds (a trio of young ladies), a duet, solos – it was great!  The service flowed well, thanks to the preparation of leaders and the expertise of our audio/visual team.  (I don’t even know what to call them these days.  I thought a mixing board was pretty cool, but they manage that and a camera and computers and ….. I’m thankful we have people with skills to manage all that!).  

God blessed me with calm to enjoy it all, in spite of my little one moving around our quarter of the building.  I’d pray he didn’t distract others so much they couldn’t enjoy the service.  I quieted him when he wanted to talk and corralled him a couple times.

I thought of the family connections of people playing and singing, and how proud they were.  Friends sat together to help each other; friends are such a blessing (one pianist is almost blind).

I left the service feeling so very blessed and full of joy.  To be surrounded by musicians who practice to hone their skills and then give it all to God is so very uplifting!

So, the service ran a little long.  We were a little late getting started on our afternoon activity, but I didn’t even care.  I texted my husband, “We’ll get there whenever we get there.”

Stay tuned for part 2 – the afternoon showers of blessings.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^a
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100 ESV

#bgwww23

WHY am I even here?

I asked myself that sev-er-al times this past week.

Oh, I knew the process I’d gone through.  I knew the events leading up to the boys and I being a part of the Laurens Baptist Association Mission trip to the Winfield, TN/Pine Knot, KY area.  I knew that I was supposed to be there.  (That process is a story in itself.)  But WHY was I there? 

On Monday the boys enjoyed VBS, and then there was nothing else scheduled for us.  I have drilled into them that vacations are for fun and mission trips are for work.  And there was no work for us.  All mission trips have some details that are up-in-the-air until the last minute, but this one was REALLY that way. We couldn’t cook and serve at the Lord’s Café.  I wasn’t part of any of the all-male construction teams.

 I took the boys back to VBS on Tuesday. In the afternoon we weeded two rows of green beans at the farm AFTER I locked the key in the van where there is NO cell service and the closest locksmith is a 45 minute drive away.  Since we’re here, you see that issue was resolved – another five minute story in itself.  That evening most of the team went for ice cream at the Dairy Bar – it’s a trip tradition.

Wednesday, back to VBS.  I prayer walked the apartment complex. After lunch I took the boys to a local museum.  Thursday, back to VBS.  Mid-morning, Pastor Mike texted me some logistics about this morning, including a request that I speak a few minutes about the trip.  WHAT would I say?  I had a talk with God about that.  Usually, there’s too much to tell about a mission trip.  And overall, there was about this one.  But MY part?  What’s there to tell?  As I drove to get coffee (imagine that), it came to me.  It’s about obedience.  The thought would not go away.

So, my word for you about my part in this mission trip is “obedience.”  When it doesn’t make sense to you or anyone around you.  When you can’t see a WHY behind sitting in stalled traffic on I-26 for 40 minutes (in a drive that’s over 4 hours without delays) so your boys can go to VBS again this summer.  When your kids are making you crazy because the routine is different.  When you’re stiff and catywompus from sleeping on a different mattress.  When you’re grateful someone else is cooking all the meals. When kids get into your stuff. When people hurt your feelings. When promised materials are not at the job site.  When people are encouraging. When the cook finds gluten-free options.  When you sob during group prayer for a young man who attempted suicide and instead of dying he needed a ramp at his home. I cried because the compassionate prayer was for him to have hope for living to go with his trust in Jesus. When you don’t know why you are where you are.  Be obedient.

Okay, God, I’ll tell them that.  It’s about obedience.  Whether we’re being led to go a mission trip to another state, another country, another neighborhood, or across the street, we say yes and follow through. We may lead a Bible study, build a ramp, serve a meal, hold a hand, put on a bandaid, say a prayer, or listen to someone’s story above the ruckus of all our kids. We may go ourselves, pray diligently for those who are going, help fund the activities, or some combination of the three.  You call us to obedience and mercy.

Just after lunch that day, we were blessed to help give away food at The Lord’s Café.

During the block party late Thursday afternoon, a young lady stopped to talk while we watched kids in the bounce house.  She is a rising tenth grader. We prayed for her grandmother’s upcoming surgery.  Later, she shared her hope to go to college and then medical school.  I spewed forth stories and encouragement. It’s been over ten years since our daughter went through that process, but I shared what I learned.  When I asked if I was talking too much, she said, “Oh NO. Everything is helpful.”  I told her, “I’ve been wondering all week why I came on this trip. This is it.  This conversation.”  I pray she follows her dream, and mostly that she continues to follow Jesus.

No job is done until the cleaning is done.

#bgwww23

I’ve been to this place many times.

Yesterday, I brought the boys and Bri, a young friend who is helping us.

We’re in the Anderson area again for a 3-day class for the boys.  The class is just in the mornings, so it’s easy to take the afternoon and do some other things that I may not make time for when we’re at home. 

I chose Stumphouse Tunnel for a number of reasons.  One, I love visiting Issaquena Falls.  Two, I have another adult with me so it’s easier to keep up with two active boys.  Three, I have made so many memories here.  Four, it is always COOL inside the tunnel, and with this weather, cool is welcome!

I remember coming as a child with Mama, Daddy, Hank, and Nancy.  It seems like Uncle Peanut and Aunt Lucille came here with us.  Peanut and his wife Lucille were no biological kin but were definitely family.  Chuck and I came here as a couple.  Susan and Ben were born, and we brought them numerous times.  Ryland and Damain came into this world, and we’ve brought them.  We’ve also brought others who were helping with the boys.  We’ve enjoyed the coolness of the tunnel and the soothing sound of the falls with relatives like sister-cousin Sarah.  I can’t clearly remember who else has been here with us.  My fuzzy memory is one reason I take so many pictures; they help me remember details.

When I think of visiting with Mama and Daddy, I think of Vienna sausages, saltine crackers, and Pepsi.  I remember when there was just a small parking area and to see the falls you walked though the creek.  It was usually shallow enough with a few well-placed rocks that your shoes stayed dry.  Now there’s a bridge across the creek, railings down the path, and a nice platform from which to view the falls.  Port-a-potties are a nice addition!  The last couple times I visited I noticed the picnic shelter and several new picnic tables.  My heart smiles to know people of Walhalla value making it nice for folks to gather in these woods.

As I sit here with a few moments to reminisce over the years and think about just yesterday, I am so very thankful I live where I do.  Treasures like Issaquena Falls and beaches are within easy driving.  I am thankful for family and friends who stick together through the years.  Sweet memories are a treasure, and are sweeter still when rehashed with those we love.

#bgwww23

Fix It? Wait?

Sometimes life gets so overwhelming you absolutely need some help dealing with it.  It may be physical help, as in taming the pile of laundry or cleaning out the room of a deceased loved one.  It may be an errand-running-friend who can sit in the car with toddlers for three minutes while you run into an office.  (It takes longer than that just to get them out of and back into car seats.)  It may be emotional help, someone who sits with you on the porch and watches the darkness turn to dawn.  You may require professional medical care and a prescription; there is no shame in taking care of yourself.  Perhaps a pastor or friend will share spiritual insights.

 Of course, if you share your struggles, there may be a chorus of “You think YOU have problems?  Let me tell you _____________.”  Honestly, there usually are a lot of people in more difficult, perhaps even dangerous, situations.  

If you fail to shield your ears, you will hear, “Geez!  Suck it up, buttercup!”  Whatever is wrong is not really a problem, so put a smile on your face and get busy with whatever you need to be doing.

For Christians, there’s the sage advice to “Be still and know that I am God.”  Stop fighting the problem.  Just wait.  God will take care of it.

Some folks blame everything on every one else or anyone else and expect somebody to fix whatever it is that isn’t perfect.  For a while, this works.  Eventually, somebodies get tired of fixing everything and nobody is left to do anything.

So, in the midst of despair, depression, being overwhelmed, grieving, whatever the problem is, what do we do?

Depends on the battle.

Some battles are simply not mine to fight (nor yours).  We really have to be still and let things happen.

Sometimes we need to simply sit and wait for the dawn to arrive.

Counseling advice is to assess the situation, determine where you want to get to, and figure out a way to get there.  Don’t ignore the problem but admit it and deal with it.

Dealing with it may mean a lot of quiet time, alone with oneself and God.  There may need to be conversations with others to resolve issues and see if the relationships can be mended.  If they  can’t, forgive and move on.  Forgiveness frees you from carrying the burdens of resentment and bitterness.  The wrong is still wrong; you don’t have to reconcile, but do stop spending energy and time on “If I ever get my hands on so-and-so I’m gonna do this and that.”

For some battles, there is no tangible enemy.  Terrible stuff happens with no discernible cause.  Or the perpetrators get away with paying little or no price for the dastardly deeds.  An offender may not admit to being a part of, much less the cause of, the problem.  Admitting our own wrongs can hurt.  Forgiving ourselves can be difficult. Guilt, bitterness, revenge, hatred, and resentment are heavy.  They drag us down; sometimes immobilizing us. Forgiveness lightens your burden. 

In my experience, forgiveness always changes the forgiver.  Sometimes it will change the offender.  God, who tells us to forgive, will enable us to forgive.  When we lay down those burdens, we can more easily and joyfully face another day. #bgwww23

Some days it’s hard to put one foot in front of the other.

There is no reason to keep going.
Everything seems futile – a chasing of the wind.

Maybe physical illness pervades your home.

A relationship is falling apart.

The laundry monster is roaring.

The kids are screaming for no known reason.

No matter what you touch, it breaks.

The phone doesn’t ring.

Or it does.

Test results are bad.

No money to pay the rent.

Or maybe the house is clean, the bills are paid, vacation is planned, and suitcases are packed.

You made a bad decision.

You were innocent but got caught in the aftermath of someone else’s bad decision.

Misunderstandings grew and vomited ill will.

Sleep eludes you.

Someone you love is dying.

Someone you want to love is lost to you, for any of a long list of reasons.

The world has gone crazy and you can’t find another sane person.

Healthy food costs too much.

Doctors can’t figure out what’s wrong.

Grief chases and envelopes you.

It’s cloudy and rainy for the umpteenth day.

Or, it hasn’t rained in two months and everything is parched.


There.is.so.much.wrong.everywhere.


There seems to be no reason to keep going.

Why put one foot in front of the other?

Just curl up, sip tea, play games.

Or do nothing.

No TV, no book, no internet, no phone.

And then, while searching for “all is vanity, a chasing of the wind”

(because it seems that ALL of life is as meaningless as chasing the wind), find

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

#bgwww23

There’s this big meeting going on in New Orleans this week.  The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest evangelical denomination in the US, is holding their annual meeting.  Well, since I’m a member of an SBC affiliated church, I suppose it’s **our** annual national meeting.  Only, I’m nowhere close to New Orleans.  The last time I went through there I didn’t lose anything, and if I did, I can live without it.  Anyway, at associational, state, and the national meeting, representatives from member churches vote on a number of business items.  The SBC is generally governed from the bottom up and churches are autonomous; they can make their own rules.  However, there are reasons for a church to be expelled from the national convention.  At this national meeting, there are a few items that are serious enough to split the convention.   Some other denominations are in the midst of splitting.  At first glance, to many Christians, this is a terrible thing.

But, is it terrible?

Yes, it is terrible that people who are supposed to be recognized by their love for each other and unity absolutely cannot get along with each other.

Given the amount of disaster relief, hunger relief, and other humanitarian activities  funded by large denominations, a split could be detrimental.

However, in the end, it won’t matter.  Not in the way that really matters.

Evangelical groups are founded with the purpose of spreading the good news of salvation through Christ throughout their communities and the world.  In the process they encourage believers in their faith walk.  As groups get larger, more organization is needed.  Organization is a good thing.  The twelve tribes of Israel were organized into a nation.  When Jesus fed the 5000, he had the disciples organize the crowd into groups.  When the early church was fussing amongst itself about which widows were being cared for and which ignored, they organized a group of deacons to look after the widows so they apostles could keep on preaching instead of settling disputes.  You can see many good examples of organization around you.

However, we humans have a tendency to lose our focus.  Organization begins as a tool to achieve an objective.  After a time, maintaining the organization IS the objective.  For Christians, maintaining an organization or a tradition or a building is not the main focus.  The focus is sharing the love and restoring hope found in Jesus.  When we’ve been in the organization for a long time, it becomes very difficult to tell the difference between worshipping the organization and using the organization to lead others to worship God.  And when some open their eyes, or God opens their eyes, and they see the difference, things change.

However the votes go in New Orleans this week, whatever happens to the Methodist and Presbyterians and other national and international organizations that are struggling, the gospel will continue to be spread.  One only needs to take a look at church history to know that  great movements have had humble beginnings. 

Mmmm.  Humble beginnings.  The Great Awakenings had humble beginnings.  Perhaps coming before God, filled with humility, is where we need to be as our organizations are on the brink of crumbling.  God can feed a multitude with a basket of crumbs.

#bgwww23

With a label here and a label there

Here a label, there a label

Everywhere a label, label

Old McDonald didn’t have labels on his farm, at least not when I sang it as a child.  Or did it?  Without labels, how would we know that a cow moos, a duck quacks, and a frog ribbits?

Labels can be very helpful. When I go grocery shopping, I spend more time reading labels than anything else.  Yes, I could shop just the fresh fruits and veggies and meats, but that’s not how we like to eat.  So, I spend a good bit of time looking for red 40 dye, blue lake 1, gluten, dairy (Have you tried to buy a protein bar without whey?  If you find a good one, please let me know.), and peanuts in their many forms.   These labels are helpful to me.

Labels for people can be helpful, too.  If you’ve ever parented or been emotionally close to someone with a struggling child, you know how important it can be to get an accurate diagnosis.  The struggle can be physical, mental, emotional, educational, or a combination. An accurate label can open doors to therapies, treatments, and opportunities.  The label doesn’t change the child.  The child is exactly the same on the day you get the diagnosis as the day before the evaluation.  However, the label may change our attitude.

 I’ve seen sighs of relief: Finally! We have an explanation for the craziness we’ve been living with. 

I’ve seen denial: NO!  My child is NOT ______! 

I’ve seen confusion: How did this happen?

I’ve seen devastation: What in the world will we do now?

Usually, we all get to acceptance and dealing with whatever it is.

Sadly, I’ve also seen labels tear people apart.  I watched a church split over semantics.  How the people lived their lives day to day was the same.  What they wanted for the community was the same: they wanted to serve the needy and share the gospel.  Even though I watched it; I could hardly believe it.

Words have power to heal, guide, destroy, and lead astray.

We need to be careful to think before we speak. We need to be willing to apologize when needed.  We need to be willing to accept an apology and grant forgiveness.

I’m not sure how I got onto forgiveness when I started out talking about labels.  Hmmm.

Well, this is a low-time-for-editing day so this is how it stays. 

Y’all, be kind to one another.  Listen as much as you speak. (I know that’s hard for some of you 😀 )  Think about the meanings behind the labels you use. Perhaps when you talk with the people with whom you disagree instead of talking at them, you will find you have more in common than you think.

#bgwww23

It’s one of THOSE afternoons.

No, not the kind where I’m battling a crisis.  I’m thankful for that.

No, no one is sick.  I’m glad.

It’s not even one of those days we’re gone for twelve hours or so.  We did have one of those last week, and survived very well thanks to a little help from some friends.

It’s not one of those weeks when we have so many appointments in different towns that the dirty laundry piles up, dishes are washed as needed rather than as dirtied, and the mail stays in the box a few days.  I can handle that mess because we are so busy and tired that I can ignore it.  If I don’t see it, I can’t do anything about it.

Oh no.  It’s none of those.  This is the week that we do have some “free” time at home.  The clean laundry needs folding. I heard a kitten in the house – which is NOT supposed to happen. (It wasn’t.  The door was open a minute.)  The sink has dirty dishes.  The mail needs to be opened and dealt with.  I have plants to get into containers or the ground.  Nothing unusual about any of that.  But, added to the piles of things that are still out of place after the tree fell and a child who cannot seem to acquire enough Lego sets and a few other things I would LIKE to do, it’s a bit much.

So …… at least today I sat to write a minute instead of playing a game on the phone.  That’s my usual I-can’t-decide-where-to-start activity.

While your list isn’t like mine, I have heard a number of folks express that they feel the same.  Too much to do.  Too little time or energy or both.   There’s a zillion or so books and podcasts to tell us how to set priorities and accomplish everything we need to do.  I’ve only read a few of them.

I have now accomplished another thing on my list – to write.  How much sense it makes doesn’t really matter to me at the moment; it’s just that I’ve done it.

And now that my spaghetti thoughts are written, and the boy is tapping his toe impatiently for me to help him spend his birthday money on Amazon, perhaps I can knock out another item or two.

Oh yeah, there’s that Paper Pie party I need to do a few things about.

A side of ADD anyone?  Seems I have some extra that I can share.

#bgwww23

               .  Some are well-thought-out; others, rants.  Some are very positive; others, negative.  There’s already a lot of articles and videos about the Asbury Revival. Rather than delve into what’s happening or how genuine it is, I want you to think about a few things closer to home.

            Have you been praying for revival?  I’ve seen quite a bit on Facebook about Christians wanting revival.  Every great awakening has been preceded by months of prayer – alone and in groups.

            If revival happens in your home, your church, your community …. What will it look like?

            If you want revival – a renewal of the first joy of your salvation, a rededication to following God closely, seeing others coming to know Jesus personally – are you willing to invest in the possibility?

            Are you willing to pray?

            Are you willing to be inconvenienced?  Getting back to Asbury for a moment – can you imagine your church, school, or community being flooded with hundreds or thousands of visitors when you had made no preparations?  People need water and restrooms and food and rest.

            The following inconveniences are more likely to happen.  An acquaintance calls ten minutes before your favorite TV show starts and really needs a listening ear.  Do you listen or hang up and your show?  Your child’s classmate has only worn-out shoes.  Can you buy a pair?  Elderly people in homes – many who spent years teaching, caring for children, serving in the military, working in production or maintenance, serving in ministry – sit alone most days.  Can we spare an hour a month to listen to their wisdom? 

            Are you willing to share what you know of Jesus, his love, his redemption, and his teachings?   Videos from Asbury have gone viral.  What are the chances someone in your neighborhood has seen them?  What are the chances that a young person in your town has seen them?  If they have questions, how will you react?  Will you judge the whole event at Asbury (good or bad, depending on your view)?  Will you walk through the door the video just opened for you?  Will you grab hold of that opportunity to share the gospel?  Are you willing to take the time to nurture and guide young believers, whatever their physical age?

            I think I’ve rambled a bit.  That’s not very unusual.  And I need to wrap this up. 

            Whatever your view on the Asbury Revival, if you call yourself a Christian, believer, follower of Christ, etc., PLEASE  find a way to use the interest generated to share the gospel.  Paul’s letters remind us to be ready to give a reason for your belief and use whatever means you can to reach people with the gospel.  If the means is a video, so be it.  Share the good news.

#bgwww23