AND TIME MARCHES ON

Time seemed to stand still. How time flies. These are statements we have all made sometime in our life. Both statements are so inaccurate since time can neither stand still nor fly. Time marches on one second at a time. Seconds disappear into minutes, minutes to hours, hours disappear into days, days to weeks and suddenly several years have passed. A more accurate statement is where has the time gone or what have I done with all the time I have had available?

All of this contemplation may have something to do with turning 50, but mostly it has to do with the fact that my son, Steven will be 30 years old on Sunday. Lying in bed last night I thought about how fast it seems the time has “flown.” I asked the question, “Why does it seem like time goes by faster the older you become.” My wonderful, matter-of-fact, common-sense husband replied with such a simple yet profound answer. The reason time seems to go by faster when you are older is because there is so much behind you, so much to look back on. Sometimes the profundity just flow from him. I think I’ll keep him another 31 years.

This weekend we will turn our clocks back 1 hour and change from daylight saving time to standard time. In reality, we are not turning back time or gaining an hour, we are merely changing our clocks. The truth is no matter how hard I try to hold back time, it marches on. A quote that some credit to Chaucer around 1390 says, “Time and Tide wait for no man.” This quote tells me I can’t control time (or tide). I must live my life within its bounds.

If we live to the ripe “old” age of 70 we will have had at our disposal approx. 25,567 days, 613,608 hours, 36,816,480 minutes. That is IF we live to be 70. God has the exact number of our days, hours and minutes in His hand from the minute of our birth.

Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

Lord, help me to be a good steward of the time you have set for my life, let me say like David: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING AND EXHAUSTING

Beautiful people are demanding and exhausting. I spent the weekend with two gorgeous little redheads. Mackenzie even told herself in the mirror that she “was fabulous.” To be that young and that confident!

Nothing escapes Mackenzie. On Friday night, I told her after she had a bath, she could sit on Grandma’s lap and eat ice cream, then we would read a book, say our prayers and have sweet dreams. On Saturday night, when it was time for a bath, she asked if she could sit on Grandma’s lap and have ice cream so she would have sweet dreams. What Grandma can resist that?

Madison and I bonded at 5:00 in the morning while everyone else was asleep. I realized as we shared the 3 hours of alone time, that I have never gotten to know her the way I have Mackenzie. Usually, her sister gets between her and any attention that may be coming Madison’s way. She giggled, babbled her 1 year old vocabulary, every once in a while whispered what sounded like Grandma and enjoy playing with every toy undisturbed.

Grandchildren are God’s reward for being such an exhausted, confused, sometimes “without a clue” parent. You get a second chance at correcting the mistakes you made with your own children because you were too stressed to just love them and laugh. Sure you have to send them home before you can sick and tired of them, but somehow every little thing they do is too wonderful for words. It is just hard to believe that God would bless you with the most wonderful, beautiful, smartest grandchildren on the planet. It also makes you realize that maybe you didn’t do such a bad job as a parent.

Thank you God for allowing me to feel for just a moment how you must feel when I spend time with you. Let me be as eager to be in your presence as Mackenzie is to get out of the car and run up to the porch when she arrives. And after a long and stressful day let me rest in your arms and have a little ice cream to sweeten the dreams.

AFRAID OF COMMITMENT

A majority of Americans accept well-known Bible stories as literal truth, including the biblical account of Jesus Christ rising from the dead. The Barna Group found, three out of four adults said they interpreted the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ as literal truth.

“Not only do most Americans believe in the existence of God, but they believe in His power and in the miracles He performs” said researcher George Barna who directed the study. “Holding back the seas, walking on the water, rising from the dead, surviving in a lion cage, and killing a skilled and armed warrior with a sling shot are examples of God doing extraordinary things in the lives of ordinary people. These and other Bible stories inspire people to believe that their personal trust in that powerful God is warranted.

“We have tens of millions of people who view these narratives as reflections of the reality, the authority and the involvement of God in our lives, yet a majority of those same people harbor a stubborn indifference toward God and His desire to have intimacy with them. In fact, few of the people who believe these stories to be true consistently apply the principles imbedded in these stories within their own lives.

I was a bit surprised when I read this article. I was surprised that a majority of Americans accept anything from the Bible as literal truth. I was not surprised at the last paragraph, however. Satan is succeeding in the great deception of an “Empty Believism. Many churches today preach a powerless salvation that says all you have to do is quietly think in your mind that there is a God, without the necessity of an intimate interaction and application of what you purportedly believe.

Most of America is AFRAID OF COMMITMENT. This fear invades every area of society. Men and Women are afraid to commit to each other, someone better may come along. Parents are afraid to commit to their children, what if they are a disappointment. People are afraid to commit to their job, they may miss a better opportunity. It is no wonder the majority of adults are afraid to commit to God, pastors are afraid to commit to the message they preach. Every Sunday, thousands of messages are preached with no invitation asking the attendees to commit. What if they don’t come back? What if they don’t give in the offering? People leave the service with a longing that will never be satisfied and an emptiness that will never be filled. After all if the answer can’t be found at church, where do we look?

My other theory regarding the FEAR OF COMMITMENT is COMMITMENT BRINGS RESPONSIBILITY. If I commit to my spouse, I have the responsibility to be faithful and caring. If I commit to my children, I have a responsibility to teach them how not to fail and stand by them if they do. If I commit to a job, I have the responsibility of being loyal to that employer and giving 100%. If I commit to God, I have the responsibility of being obedient to His Word, being faithful to the call to pray, study, and witness, and allowing Him to guide my steps.

Conquering our FEAR OF COMMITMENT brings BENEFITS. There are benefits that a committed married couple enjoys, commitment to your children brings great joy, and commitment to a job can bring monetary rewards and advancement. Nothing can compare, however, to a commitment to God. Psalms 68:19 says “Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with benefits.” Of course, the ultimate benefit to commitment is eternal life.

Conquer your fears, Commit to the Lord, Reap the Benefits.

AUTHENTIC OR TRANSFORMED

My niece, Melissa, wrote a blog about an article she had read in a magazine regarding your “Authentic Self.” My son, Steven, who always has an opinion about any subject, entered into the discussion. Steven thinks I dismiss everything he says when actually I think he has one of the sharpest minds and is one of the deepest thinkers I have ever known. For the last few days, I have been unable to get his line of reasoning out of my mind.

Our discussion followed the usual lines of our authentic self is: The person we are when we are all alone or with the person we trust most in the world. Most of our friends and acquaintances will thankfully never meet the authentic self. Steven’s contention was that our authentic self is the person we are before we commit our lives to Jesus Christ.

We are born with the nature of Adam, the nature to sin. As we mature we try to control that nature according to the standards of behavior set by society. Our attempts at righteousness are futile and the Bible calls them “filthy rags.” The authentic self must be transformed. Transformation can only be accomplished through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The blood of Jesus covers the authentic self and we become a reflection of the Glory of God.

II Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Dear Lord,
Transform my “authentic self” into a reflection of Your Glory. Let people see Your Righteousness shining through.

Read also Ephesians 2:1-6, Romans 12:2, Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:10

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DON'T WEEP FOR ME

Last Friday, my husband’s family met in Missouri to celebrate the life of my Mother-in-law. Funerals always seem to bring families together. We talked with friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members we had not been in contact with in several years. My husband met family he didn’t even know existed. It was truly a celebration of her life and a “going away” party for her future.

My cousin Mark has written how southern people use the phrase, “they passed.” When talking of one’s death, maybe southern people get it!! The phrase makes much more sense than “she passed away”, “we lost our loved one”, or “the deceased.” We aren’t gone, wandering around in limbo and our life certainly hasn’t ceased, it has just begun. I prefer the term “graduated.”

My philosophy of life is that we have a set time of preparation. We are constantly learning, applying what we learn, taking pop quizzes, sometimes we have all night study sessions and one-on-one tutoring with the teacher. I’ve even had to take refresher courses. This is all in preparation for the “Final Exam.” Where we spend eternity is based on whether we pass or fail the final exam, there are no retakes.

An old song keeps running through my mind:

Now when I’m gone, don’t weep for me,
And please don’t grieve for I will be,
Taking a trip for which my heart doth yearn.
A better home I know I’ll find
When I leave this world behind
I won’t be back for I’ll be gone there to stay.

When I finish the course and pass, I went a big “send off.” Don’t weep for me, but rejoice; I’ve passed the test.

MY OTHER MOM

My mother-in-law finished the race on Monday. She was 82 and had suffered with Alzheimer’s and cancer for a long time. This little lady left quite a legacy of 4 daughters, 1 son, 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and now great-great grandchildren.

My mind wandered back to the beginning of our relationship. I met her in church and knew her then as “Sister Edna.” After that, I was never sure what to call her, Mom, Steve’s Mom, Sister Edna? Most of the time I just started the conversation without a title. Back to the beginning, she knew immediately I had my eye on her son. Within a year, she had welcomed me into her heart and her home, although I had claimed her baby boy as my husband. How she must have struggled to love the immature, know-it-all, eighteen year old I was at that time. I remember being upset because she dared to suggest that my husband liked a LOT of ice in his glass; or being impatient because she dared to suggest my babies had a tummy ache whenever they cried.

My boys loved to go to Grandma's house. She fed them "weenies"; all they got at home were hot dogs. They both went to college with the quilts that Grandma had made for their beds.

As the years progressed, I learned to appreciate her wisdom. After she moved to Missouri, I would get up early and have a cup of coffee with her. I loved those one on one times when she would tell me stories of her childhood; stories about her brothers and sisters, mom and dad, her kids when they were little and how good God had been to her over the years. Once she tried to teach me to crochet. That must have been a real trial for her, but fortunately, I gave up after a couple of lessons. I learned to make brown gravy, but never tried to copy her chicken and “dumplins”, because there was no equal. Every night for over 15 years, I have slept under a quilt she made for my bed and decorated my house with dolls, she had finished with her hands. Of course the most precious gift she gave me was over 31 years ago, her son, my husband

Edna never graduated from school and could not read very well. There were times we all laughed at the way certain words were said, yet, she loved the Word of God. At night she would listen to the Bible on tape as she fell asleep. Her steps had become slow over the last few years but her faith had remained steady. On Monday morning, she crossed the finish line and attained the prize. She stepped out of this wasted, broken earthly vessel into the arms of the Savior for eternity.

Take a rest now Mom, you won’t be without us for long. Very soon the trumpet will sound and we will meet you in the air. What a celebration that will be. By the way, how about some chicken and “dumplins” and caramel pie at the marriage supper?

Love you and see you soon,

Your Daughter-in-law
Susan

WHAT A SURPRISE !!!

Wow!!!! What a weekend. My gorgeous daughters-in-law, Jenesa and Holly worked hard to plan a surprise birthday party for me. How they kept this a secret I’ll never know.

The best part of the surprise was when my Mom, my brother, Mike and his wife Sharon, sisters, Val and Deb and 3 beautiful nieces, Abbie, Emily and Katie showed up. My baby sister, Amy sent an email with a list of 50 things she had learned from her OLDER sister. It brought back memories of things long forgotten. Val entertained all of us with her creative vision of my 75th birthday party and what we will all be doing at that stage of our lives. Big thanks to my sons, Steven and Phil. Steven for grilling all the meat, I didn’t know what a chef he had become. Of course you can always depend on Phil to keep the party hopping. Our wonderful friends Marty and Sophia came to share in the celebration and remind me that life continues to get better and better. My granddaughters, Mackenzie and Madison and grandson Caleb were the center of attention. Even the dogs Gabe, Benj, Toby and Tucker got in on the act. I also don’t want to forget to give kudos to the handsomest man in the world, my husband Steve, who has made every day worth living for over 31 years. Yes, we were just babies when we got married.

Thanks for all the wonderful gifts, but the most enjoyable gift I received was just being with all those nearest and dearest to my heart. This also marked my spiritual birthday. It has been 41 years since I was baptized in the wonderful Name of Jesus and was filled with His Spirit. God has blessed me over the last 50 years beyond anything I could ask or even think. I can’t even imagine what He has in store for me over the next 50.

Susan

BE STILL

Be still, and know that I am God Psalms 46:10

I watched as my 4 month old grandson struggled in my arms. He wasn’t hungry; he had a dry diaper and he was safe and warm in my arms. No matter what method I tried to quiet him, he continued to voice his unhappiness quite loudly. His problem? He was tired and wouldn’t lie still long enough to fall asleep. He was fighting the very thing he needed. Finally, I swaddled him in a blanket, held him close and watched him slowly relax in my arms. As soon as he was completely still, he fell sound asleep.

Sometimes we are like a struggling infant. God has exactly what we need yet we fight and argue with His will for the situation. If we will only draw close and relax in the arms of God, He will provide perfect peace and rest.

Dear God, today I want to just be still. Help me to leave all the problems I’m facing in your hands and rest in you.

THE BIG FIVE-O

I finally made it. The big FIVE-O, Half a Century and eligible for AARP, I’ll take all the discounts at restaurants and hotels. Three kids call me Grandma and I need the little half glasses to read but I’m not ready for gray hair and orthopedic shoes.

50 is such a confusing number. The calendar says yes, my mind says no way! I should be dripping with wisdom, yet I’m still unsure about so many things. I am still full of energy, that is after I stand for about five minutes after getting out of bed.

I’ve decided this will be my JUBILEE YEAR; a year of new beginnings. I love starting fresh, New Years Day, Mondays, the first day of the month, Spring; I’ll take any reason to start fresh. Maybe I will take all of the things I have learned in 50 years and become a Brand New Me. Perhaps I will start on a new adventure for God, get out of my comfort zone and grab hold of that dream. I will find something to be thankful for and enjoy about every day. I will become the coolest Granny ever. I intend to wear purple, pink, red or orange proudly, maybe even all at one time. Finally, I will take time for the important people in my life, cherish the differences in each of us, and celebrate the things that bring us together.
Maybe 50 isn’t so confusing after all. I’m finally smart enough to realize I don’t know it all, I need to savor every moment, relationships are more valuable than possessions and God is always faithful.

Happy Birthday to me!!

JUST BE FAITHFUL

I was praying with a lady this week who has a dream to be a mother. Her heart’s desire is to have a son. We discussed how God had answered the prayer of Sarah and Hannah. Since He is the same God yesterday, today and forever, He has the power to fulfill her request also. During our discussion, I stressed how important it is for her to be faithful to God. So many times we want to do our own thing, live our own way and still enjoy the blessings of God. I believe that we have blocked special blessings that God would like to rain down on us by our own willfulness.

As I continued to encourage her, she looked up at me with all sincerity and asked, “What does being faithful mean?” The words had rolled so easily off my tongue, now I had to make it personal. How do I explain being faithful without making it an impossible assignment? Am I the one who should even be giving the definition? Have I been practicing what I am preaching?

Being faithful is NOT being perfect. Wow, I’ve got that one down pat. Being faithful is obedience to God’s Word. There, that sounds about right. Being faithful is having a “Christ-Centered World View.” I borrowed that one from Chuck Colson. Being faithful is being totally committed to God. Now we’re getting a little too spiritual.

My final conclusion includes all of the above. Faithfulness to God is allowing Him to guide your steps every day, making sure every decision is in line with His Word, seeking to know His Heart, and finally committing every area of your life to His care. It sounds so simple, but I keep getting in the way.

Dear Lord, It’s me again. I need help to Just Be Faithful today.

THE HEART OF GOD

During my journey to be like Jesus, I have prayed to know the heart of God. I want to feel the sorrow He feels when He looks at lost humanity. People are wandering aimlessly through life, seeking for enlightenment, while The Light of the World is patiently waiting to illuminate the shadows. The hunger for pleasure to fill the aching emptiness will never be appeased because they are not searching for the only One who gives “fullness of joy and pleasure forever more.” God has allowed me to feel a tiny bit of his grief for the condition of mankind because He knows I could not handle the total burden. I lay awake at night crying for a world that does not know Him.

Recently, I felt betrayed by a friend. I felt that this friend should have known it would hurt, they should have understood my heart. I said “God what are you trying to do to me?” As I cried in self-pity, God reminded me that I had prayed to feel what He feels. He was betrayed by a friend. Judas kissed him on one cheek as he held out his hand for a bag of money. This friend had walked with him for three years. He should have understood His heart. This friend should have shared His burden.

But God, I just want to feel your love for mankind, I want to witness and see souls filled with your Spirit, I didn’t mean your whole heart. You didn’t have to get personal. I want to share in the “power of your resurrection”; I didn’t sign on for the “fellowship of your suffering.” God taught me something that day. If I want to truly know Him, it’s a package deal. Thank you God for your patience as you teach me to be more like You. Remind me that You have a great plan for me and you are helping me to be worthy of the calling.