Looking For Love

 One of the most exasperating things a mother has to deal with is a bored child--whiny, petulant, rejecting every suggestion for entertainment. My Aunt Till found one game that never failed to bring smiles: hide the thimble. My cousin Jackie and I would close our eyes and she would hide her thimble somewhere in the room, in plain sight, but so small it kept us occupied for a long while, searching.

As we grew older, there were other searching games: hide and seek or Easter egg hunts. Approaching adulthood, there were scavenger hunts. Hunting for a goal is a lifelong occupation, although what we search for becomes more complex, more elusive, looking for something to satisfy our longing for happiness, entertainment, pride, popularity, admiration, wealth, power. But nothing keeps us happy for long; there is always something else just beyond our reach, someone else who has more. And nothing satisfies us for long/ 

It's as though we look at life as we once stared into the refrigerator, not knowing what we need, searching for something exciting, new, different, but nothing there attracts us.  Physical hunger isn't satisfied by sweets and snacks; it craves nutrition, protein, to give us strength and brain power to meet our day's challenges. Spiritual hunger can never be satisfied without something that sticks to our spiritual ribs and fortifies us for our day.

There is a country song which describes our dilemma: Looking for love in all the wrong places. True love can be found only by realizing who we really are, neither as good as we believe we are nor as bad as we fear, but actually a spirit created by God to love and serve Him in this life and the next. His love for us never dims, never fails, never leaves us. Follow Him and leave behind all thirst for things of this world and will never left alone to face this very imperfect world. 

How freeing it is to reach the point when ego and temporal cravings fade as you learn you already have what you needed all along: You are a Child of the King and nothing this world has can compare with this.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather  boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 1 John 4:9

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  Psalm 52:8 

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,      Ephesians 2:4

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

Child Care is not Care-free

 A neighbor from long ago had a tiny son who was hated and avoided by all the neighborhood kids. He was uncontrolled, rude to adults, a danger to other kids, big or small, and vicious when he didn't get his way. After I caught him standing on my family's miniature picnic table swinging a big stick at my girls, I knocked on her door to explain that he was not allowed into my back yard and must not climb the fence and endanger my children, although her daughter, at my girl's age, was welcome. 

I soon learned from her daughter that her mom was not at home--she had sent both her kids to stay with me until she returned. I was now her baby-sitter, expected to delay my planned trip for groceries, along with my daughters, had to wait until--whenever she returned? Apparently, the child learned his behavior from his mom!

When I later tried to discuss "childcare" with her, she waved away any comments: her college-educated wisdom led to her chosen method. "I believe any child he offends will soon teach him better."  (Or, I thought, they would teach him to get even with someone who wouldn't let him have his own way and truly he grew even more dangerous, more determined to get whatever he wanted, and as an adult, he was headed for legal troubles.)

As it turned out, that mother died a few short years later, leaving her husband and his new wife to raise the boy. Perhaps this was God's second chance for the boy--I've often wondered whether the change was a blessing for the boy as he grew.

I raised my family as I was raised, setting boundaries, explaining concepts of fair play, sharing, being kind, obeying rules, Small children need only to understand and obey the word NO;  as they grow, explanations help them understand why these things matter. If they don't learn to respect others and accept boundaries, how will they learn to accept God's boundaries and guidance as adults?

Along with learning how to treat others, they need to learn how NOT to behave and why, and how to coexist with the other kind of people.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.     Proverbs 22:6

  

Being an Adult in Training

Once long ago, I was a child with a mother to monitor my sense of right and wrong.  Then I grew older and had to leave the kiddie pool and learn to swim amidst the sharks and other dangerous creatures in the big murky adult ocean and I felt very alone, very afraid of wandering too close to danger or getting lost in its depth.

I met Christ at age 7 or 8, so I always felt sure I belonged to Him and eventually will go to meet Him in the sky someday and resolved to do my best to obey His rules for my new life. I tried to do things to please Him--while in high school I taught 4 year olds in summer Bible School Later I taught tiny tots in Sunday school--knowing I wasn't prepared to teach anyone older. A new chapter began at year 42 of my life, with losing my 62-year-old mother to cancer and my husband to divorce. Time to look upward instead of to my mother for encouragement and wisdom. 

Revivals, seminars enriched my spiritual life: For a time, I worked early Sunday mornings as  a local evangelist's telephone councilor during his TV sermons.  I started a weekly fast-and-pray group in a conference room at work with a couple of friends at work.  And Satan shifted into high gear--he thought I would be easy prey and resent the loss, feel fear of hunting another job at my 40+ age.  During this time, I found myself recording my emotions on the written page and joined a writers' group, which continued for several years as I developed whatever ski;; or talent I could manage. 

The devil overlooked the strong base I now had. Instead of feeling rejected by the divorce I had felt very loved, totally protected, bulletproof. You really think after that I would quake at being jobless? In a couple of weeks, I had a temp job thru an agency which led to a much better permanent job at Abbott Labs, where every individual received respect, great working conditions, and a fair pension, much higher after 13 years' service than the prior job gave after 14 years. During my years at Abbott, I found myself putting my emotions on the written page and joined a writers' group, which continued for several years as I developed whatever skill I could acquire. 

With this training and encouragement from the group, I attained some success in publishing poetry, short stories and one sale of non-fiction. Along with learning to express myself effectively, I grew confident enough to tackle minor home improvements and to invest savings for future needs. Friendships and my morale grew because of the group. Stronger now, I was ready to face fresh attacks designed to bring fear and insecurity when I had lost that job after 13 years!

Satan paid close attention when I retired. 14 years later. He saw my physical difficulties and reduced income and that I now would be alone--perhaps this was his chance. Helplessly he watched as I leaned to guard my finances, shared my home from time to time with someone needing help, and began spending lots of time in Bible study and in 2016, at age 83, began boldly declaring the glory of my God in this blog   

Now I see God's hand in my decision to join the writers' group to prepare me for His blog.

 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation. Psalm 71:18, NIV

             

Making Music

 Almst everyone loves music in some form or venue--in a concert hall or in a park or parade going down Main Street to celebrate a special occasion or on a football field during intermission (my favorite part of game day).

I became familiar with some of the classic forms of music from 4 years of piano lessons.  Parades down city streets gave me the thrill of watching a marching band. At half-time, football games thrilled me with the intricacies of that band, going far beyond marching in unison! 

Watch with me: united, they march onto centerfield, stepping in time to the beat of the music--the drummer keeps them on the mark in unison, but they never missed a note as they began to weave in and around each other, row by row, in complicated, ever-changing formations. Beautiful to watch but just try to visualize what it took to create this thrilling performance.

First, a leader, who created the complicated routine, down to each note, each step and trained each band member to perform his own part effectively. He chose each member and placed them perfectly, sorted by the various instruments to create the wonderful balance of sounds.  Regular teaching sessions and hours of daily practice ensure the group will perform to his standard without question. Then, onto the field to practice the complicated path up and down the field, weaving back and forth, never fully seeing the beauty of their performance until they see a video after the performance.

Why the pressure for perfection? To gain confidence, skill, desire to please their master, appreciating the beauty created by their efforts, their leader who expected their very best.

But wait. Suppose the drummer begins to believe his part is more important because they all move on his mark, his tempo? Now the melody gets muffled, the brass section begins to sound shrill, confused and overcome by the volume of his drum. Their leader quickly steps in to remind the group that each one is unique and has his own part to play in order to produce the performance he requires. If worse comes to pass and the drummer fails to respond, he can be replaced and someone new will be chosen in his place--he will have lost his chance to be part of this thrilling group. The group will go on; he is alone, left behind. Members who are unprepared to do their share are apt to bring discord rather than pleasant music. Likewise, untrained or failing in commitment to their group harm the group when they could be blessing it.

Sound familiar?  God is our Leader, conductor, teacher, who chooses our path. If we obey Him, harmony, mutual help creates good results within the group. If we opt out, God can always find someone to sit in our chair, but no one else can create our portion of the group's performance. Each one, pastor, choir, teacher, church pianist, orchestra, or Sunday A.M. pew-warmer has a unique part to play, a field of opportunity for service not available to anyone else. Each part of God's orchestra in perfect tune creates the harmony and effective life of His church.

4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us 

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.  1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11

Laws Regarding Inheritance

 I recall a few times over the years when the daily newspaper would periodically devote a full page or two listing missing heirs to unclaimed fortunes across the nation. Anyone seeing a familiar name of a relative in the long list in tiny print was encouraged to contact the name of the state representative for further info. 

Most people turn the page of their newspaper, sure no one in their background could possibly have lost track of money--never had an excess beyond proceeds of their weekly paycheck--how could they have a bank account and forget it? A few linger over the pages, scanning for a familiar name --an uncle or cousin who had lost contact with their own family, just in case the unbelievable could happen, leaving a few bucks behind for family to squabble over.  A remnant of readers scours every line, because you never know--every year lightning does strike a few people--so why not check it out?

After slogging through the list of thousands, suppose you found a name you vaguely remember. So what? All you ever heard about him in your family circle, he never had amounted to much--even if it was nis name listed, he probably left behind no more than a couple of hundred when he left town 30 minutes ahead of the sheriff!

Too good to be true? Probably not worth the hassle of getting involved.  Do you turn the page and forget it? Maybe. Depends on your own net worth, how badly you need extra money today. Most of that remnant probably close the paper and go on trying to balance their bank account, thinking too much effort, too small a chance.

Perhaps a handful see a vaguely remembered family name and inquire, sending in proof of identity, stating the possible relationship. Out of 2 newspaper pages of microscopic print, there might be half a dozen who inquire about the possibility of a changed life, which they sorely need. Thomas was one of them; James was another. They each received a fast reply enclosing a plane ticket to come in and discuss his claim. 

Thomas laughed and crumpled the letter and threw it away.  Too good to be true. Probably bait to trap him into investing--as though he had any money to blow on some Ponzi scheme. Poker was his game--he was a fairly good player, enjoyed it and often won. James, however, got on the plane and ended up with a fortune he could have never imagined. 

Are you doubting Thomas or trusting James? Every day across our land someone is broadcasting an invitation to become part of the family of survivors, a child of a Sovereign of an everlasting nation and a future you cannot yet comprehend.  Accept His offer and you will be adopted into this family, given a new identity and become a new citizen of Hus eternal kingdom.

 Meanwhile Thomas eventually loses everything to another, smarter player (probably a cheater). Not how he saw his future playing out, now broke, alone, no friends (they left when his money did). 

 A little effort expended wisely can bring an unimaginable future. Yours upon request.

 

   “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”  

-Romans 10:9

Water is Life Indeed

 A father took his son camping, to have fun as well as to help the boy learn to think for himself and make wise decisions for his life. They shared chores in setting up their tent, gathering firewood, planning their days together without any distraction. He took the boy to a spring of pure, cool water and handed him a pail to fill and carry back to camp.

As the boy walked, the heavy pail bumped across the rocky path, spilling and dripping with every step he took. Back at camp, he set down the pail and looked inside--half-empty! No matter how careful he was, this happened every time he made the trip to the spring, and he grew impatient. "I'm doing everything like you showed me. Now there's a hole in the pail! It's because of that rocky, uneven path; I'm thirsty and it's just not fair."

His dad smiled and agreed and took a little cork stopper and a pocketknife out of his pocket, trimmed the cork to size and plugged the hole in the pail. "The path is not perfect" he said. "Not many things in this world are perfect; we have to find a way to get what we need every day." Together they walked back to the spring and refilled their pail. Then he found a fallen tree branch lying nearby and pushed it through the pail's handle. Then they each picked up one end of the branch securing the pail and returned to camp without spilling more than the occasional little splash. 

I am like that little boy. My road is rocky and fraught with problems, but I don't have to carry my pail alone. I know my Father sees the path through this wilderness and will show me the way Home.  He refills my pail every day. And the weight shared is light indeed because the staff between us is strong.  It is called faith. 

It's true! This world is NOT fair, but the next one is.

 

A Lesson Learned and relearned

            

 “This hurts me more than it does you.”  Have you said these words to a child you love? Do you remember hearing them from your own parent? It’s a painful memory, either way.

 

I remember hearing them from my mother when I was about 3 or 4 years of age, with dread in my heart. The worst was not a couple of swats received. It was that cold feeling of separation; perhaps the warm feeling of being loved was lost forever? I remember the terrible loneliness of seeing her walking away and sobbing as I followed, assuring her I loved her, and held my breath until she picked me up and hugged me and said she loved me. Only then would my world be okay.

 

I was just beginning to understand my freedom to entertain myself had limits. When I did something that I knew was wrong, there would be a reminder. I thank God for her teaching me the way this world worked: even as an adult there would always be penalties or rewards, sooner or later, I needed to learn to avoid those tempting things displeasing to her and later, to God. 

 

The difference is that as adults, after we ignore His warnings of dangerous places or behaviors, God may wait patiently, silently, for us again to dig ourselves into such a deep hole we can’t get out of without help, and when all else fails, we repent, promising we’ve learned that lesson. He will forgive us, knowing we mean well but more enticing temptations to go our own way are ahead and we must arm ourselves against stumbling into Satan’s traps. Like any teacher, God will allow tests occasionally to help us to see how well we do at avoiding that loss of companionship with our Heavenly Father.

 

Remember the parental warning: “This hurts me more than it does you” that you never quite believed as a child? Remember the coldness, the isolation of your separation from your parent until it is resolved?  

 

Remember the cross where He suffered the penalty that we each deserve?

 

Now, do those occasional little lapses into sin feel so small?