It was a blustery day as Winnie the Pooh might say. I had gone out to my car to retrieve my Ipod and invited our dog, Maggie, to come outside with me. She gladly bounded (no kidding) out the door and into the yard beside me. There are two things that make Maggie move like greased lightning: (1) the sound of opening her treat bag & (2) the sound of our car keys as we head for the door. Hearing my keys, Maggie couldn't wait to get out the door and into the yard to play.
Maggie immediately took out across the yard to chase an unseen foe. Then, all of a sudden the neighbor's cat (who is the same size and weight as Maggie) strolled unsuspectingly across our yard. Maggie was thrilled to have a playmate and began her hot pursuit after the cat. However, the cat was not at all thrilled with the chase as Maggie was and immediately took off across the yard in the opposite direction. Maggie thinking this was an excellent game happily changed her course and began to chase after the cat. In the meantime, I am screaming for Maggie to retreat and return home. I knew the cat was the same height and weight as Maggie. But, you see, this cat is an outside cat and has a considerble amount of experience in combat. My fear was that she could impose a great deal of damage to our "not-so-street wise" Maggie. Not ready to relinquish the game, Maggie continued to run after the cat no matter which way the cat ran. I turned to see pursuit heading toward our front door. All I could think about was the time (in our old neighborhood) when our son-in-law's, T, dog chased the neighbor's cat down the street and into the neighbor's house (where the cat lived). The neighbor had left her back door open as it was a balmy day like tday. The cat fearing for her life, ran into the house being hotly pursued by the dog and our son-in-law. The chase quickly ended and apologies were given by T. as he retrieved his dog and carried his dog back down the street and into our house. In my mind's eye, I could see the chase of T's dog and our former neighbor's cat all over again - fast forward to today. Getting past the intital flashback, my thoughts quickly turned to the interior of our house. What kind of damage could a cat and a dog do at that speed and intensity of the chase. Would my house be in shambles before I could intervene, recuse the cat and disengage the chase?
Hoping to find the door open, the cat ran onto the porch and toward the front door. Finding the door closed, (thankfully I had closed it before heading to my car) the cat quickly cut back into the flowerbed and darted out into our front and across the street. Maggie, not being deterred by the change of course continued her chase. All the time I was screaming, "Maggie, come back here!"
Finally, the chase ended. Maggie returned to our yard (without the cat - Praise God!) with a look on her face like, "What???" I was reminded of a saying shared by good friend. He said, "God calls us to be faithful but NOT necessarily successful all the time."
Thankfully, that was the case for Maggie in her chase of Max, the neighbor's cat.
As children of God, we need to chose our course carefully. What seems a good idea at the time, may not be the course God is calling us to take. May we prayerfully discern where our feet take us and listen to the voice that calls us back onto the right path.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Big Race
Just a few months ago, Steve and I traveled to Austin to cheer our daughter, Catherine, and our daughter-in-law, Jennifer in a 5K race and our granddaughters, A and A, in a 1K race. We found our way to the bleachers and picked our strategic spots so that we could hold up our handmade signs of encouragement for Catherine and Jennifer as they raced past the bleachers. Although the sun was shining it was one of the coldest days we had experienced this year. Bundled up and snuggly, we quickly got into the mood of the race as the warm-up music began and the runners on the track moved and stretched with the gyrations of the music.
Minutes before the race, we went down by the track to give hugs and words of encouragement to Catherine & Jennifer. This is when we met Craig and Jennifer’s neighbor, Robert. Robert was an experienced marathon runner. He was equipped with all the necessary equipment helpful to run the race well. He had the right clothes for wind resistance. He even had a GPS system to direct his way on the course. This man was a professional runner.
Jennifer’s expertise was not far behind Robert. Jennifer had run in many races and, like Robert, her clothes were wind resistant and Jennifer also had a GPS to help keep her directed on the course.
However, this was Catherine’s first race. While she had trained long and hard, she did not have a GPS. She was dressed appropriately and was ready to run but new to the course and new to the racing methods.
The race began and we waited. The first few runners came across the finish line, Robert being one of them. Then, Jennifer came across. A few more runners crossed the line. Robert came over and said that he was worried about Catherine because she did not have a GPS. Unknown to us and to the runners, some of the signs directing the runners to the correct course had been blown down by the strong winds. Robert feared that Catherine might be off the course and lost. He grabbed a bottle of water for Catherine and took off to find her. Then, we saw her, and Robert, and our son Craig (who was not part of the race), following Catherine as she rounded the last curve and approached the finish line.
As a parent, I could not have been more proud of my children (Craig, Catherine and Jennifer) and of Robert! Note in the picture (to the right of this article) that Craig and Robert are running behind Catherine.
This race was a real life example of the race Christ calls all of us to run in this life. We all need to do the necessary training for the race (getting spiritually fit). We all need to train with others (go to church to worship, attend Sunday School and a Bible study, be a part of a small group from church). We all need to be equipped. Like Robert and Jennifer used their GPS to keep them on the course, we need read our Bible and stay in tune with God through prayers and guidance from the Holy Spirit. I might add that all three racers had music playing to keep them focused on the race. What kind of music and/or entertainment are you filling your mind with as you run the race in life?
At the end of this life, our race will be done. We will cross the finish line into the waiting arms of Jesus. Both the training and the race are on this side of Heaven. How are you doing in the race? Are you encouraging those in the race with you? Is there someone you know who is new to the course of life (faith walk, i.e., Little Feet) that you need to show the way? Are you using your GPS (Scripture and the Holy Spirit) to help guide you and those who are new to the race as you run? As you enter the season of Lent, pray about ways to help you get spiritually fit so that you will cross the finish line of life well.
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” Hebrews 12:2-3, 12-13 (The Message)
Minutes before the race, we went down by the track to give hugs and words of encouragement to Catherine & Jennifer. This is when we met Craig and Jennifer’s neighbor, Robert. Robert was an experienced marathon runner. He was equipped with all the necessary equipment helpful to run the race well. He had the right clothes for wind resistance. He even had a GPS system to direct his way on the course. This man was a professional runner.
Jennifer’s expertise was not far behind Robert. Jennifer had run in many races and, like Robert, her clothes were wind resistant and Jennifer also had a GPS to help keep her directed on the course.
However, this was Catherine’s first race. While she had trained long and hard, she did not have a GPS. She was dressed appropriately and was ready to run but new to the course and new to the racing methods.
The race began and we waited. The first few runners came across the finish line, Robert being one of them. Then, Jennifer came across. A few more runners crossed the line. Robert came over and said that he was worried about Catherine because she did not have a GPS. Unknown to us and to the runners, some of the signs directing the runners to the correct course had been blown down by the strong winds. Robert feared that Catherine might be off the course and lost. He grabbed a bottle of water for Catherine and took off to find her. Then, we saw her, and Robert, and our son Craig (who was not part of the race), following Catherine as she rounded the last curve and approached the finish line.
As a parent, I could not have been more proud of my children (Craig, Catherine and Jennifer) and of Robert! Note in the picture (to the right of this article) that Craig and Robert are running behind Catherine.
This race was a real life example of the race Christ calls all of us to run in this life. We all need to do the necessary training for the race (getting spiritually fit). We all need to train with others (go to church to worship, attend Sunday School and a Bible study, be a part of a small group from church). We all need to be equipped. Like Robert and Jennifer used their GPS to keep them on the course, we need read our Bible and stay in tune with God through prayers and guidance from the Holy Spirit. I might add that all three racers had music playing to keep them focused on the race. What kind of music and/or entertainment are you filling your mind with as you run the race in life?
At the end of this life, our race will be done. We will cross the finish line into the waiting arms of Jesus. Both the training and the race are on this side of Heaven. How are you doing in the race? Are you encouraging those in the race with you? Is there someone you know who is new to the course of life (faith walk, i.e., Little Feet) that you need to show the way? Are you using your GPS (Scripture and the Holy Spirit) to help guide you and those who are new to the race as you run? As you enter the season of Lent, pray about ways to help you get spiritually fit so that you will cross the finish line of life well.
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” Hebrews 12:2-3, 12-13 (The Message)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
My Daddy's Shirt
It has been a rough couple of days. None of which I even care to repeat in a lifetime, but as we say around here, "There you have it!" So, this morning before I left for work, I went into my closet to find a warm jacket. As I thumbed through the various colors and thicknesses, I couldn't decide which would be light enough to wear but still provide necessary warmth. As I dragged one hanger after the other across the closet bar, there tucked back out of initial sight was my dad's old green flannel shirt.
This may not seem like a really big deal to you, but you don't know the value of this shirt. About 5 years ago my dad died of luekemia. It was a rare form and given the choice, Daddy would have stayed behind for many more deer seasons. But, so like life, sometimes choices are not included in the mix and one is forced to live out a greater and higher choice. Such was the case in my dad's dying. We were out-voted by a loving and healing Heavenly Father who knew what was best for all of us.
So, after my dad died, it was a little while before my sister and I were able to return back home at the same time to visit with our step-mother. She is a gentle soul and loved our dad. She truly was the love of his life. The purpose of the visit was so that my sister and I could pick up somethings that she had held aside for us...things that were really of no value in this world's standards, but golden to my sister and me.
Once that part of the visit was done, our step-mother asked if there was anything else that my sister or I wanted that had belonged to our dad. Right now, I can't think of what my sister chose but I remember clearly going to my dad's closet. I scooped up his clothes and tried to capture his scent. For a brief milisecond, it was there and just as suddenly as it had appeared it was gone. As I touched each hanger (kinda like I was doing today) I came across an avocada flannel shirt. It just felt good to the touch. In my mind's eye, it was easy to imagine my dad's hands rubbing down each sleeve, grinning from ear-to-ear and his eyes dancing. He was such the mess!
That was the memory that came to me as I pulled the shirt off the hanger and pulled it on over my shoulders. As the shirt fell onto my shoulders and slid to my finger tips, I wrapped it tightly around me. It was like imagining my dad hugging me and telling me that things were going to be okay. Just could not help but smile over that one. Yes, I'm still my daddy's baby girl.
Who knew that an old green flannel shirt would hold such comfort? It reminded me of the woman in the street who reached out and touched the hem of Jesus' tunic. Oh, the power of that touch. It was a close as she could get to the Heavenly Father by touching the hem of His One and Only Son's robe.
As Jesus turned to seek who touched him (the scriptures tell us that Jesus felt the power leave Him upon her touch of the hem of his tunic) she wept with fear. Jesus must have knelt down, reached out and touched her hand with His and spoke tenderly with absolute compassion, "Your faith has made you whole."
Touch...it can be a healing thing. The rain was still pouring down, the temperature hovering in the 40's when I stepped out onto the driveway to leave. But, inside my shirt, my heart was light, my face and spirit just about as giddy as it could be. It was although My Heavenly Father had wrapped His arms around me and sent me out to play. Who knew the healing touch of a old green flannel shirt?
This may not seem like a really big deal to you, but you don't know the value of this shirt. About 5 years ago my dad died of luekemia. It was a rare form and given the choice, Daddy would have stayed behind for many more deer seasons. But, so like life, sometimes choices are not included in the mix and one is forced to live out a greater and higher choice. Such was the case in my dad's dying. We were out-voted by a loving and healing Heavenly Father who knew what was best for all of us.
So, after my dad died, it was a little while before my sister and I were able to return back home at the same time to visit with our step-mother. She is a gentle soul and loved our dad. She truly was the love of his life. The purpose of the visit was so that my sister and I could pick up somethings that she had held aside for us...things that were really of no value in this world's standards, but golden to my sister and me.
Once that part of the visit was done, our step-mother asked if there was anything else that my sister or I wanted that had belonged to our dad. Right now, I can't think of what my sister chose but I remember clearly going to my dad's closet. I scooped up his clothes and tried to capture his scent. For a brief milisecond, it was there and just as suddenly as it had appeared it was gone. As I touched each hanger (kinda like I was doing today) I came across an avocada flannel shirt. It just felt good to the touch. In my mind's eye, it was easy to imagine my dad's hands rubbing down each sleeve, grinning from ear-to-ear and his eyes dancing. He was such the mess!
That was the memory that came to me as I pulled the shirt off the hanger and pulled it on over my shoulders. As the shirt fell onto my shoulders and slid to my finger tips, I wrapped it tightly around me. It was like imagining my dad hugging me and telling me that things were going to be okay. Just could not help but smile over that one. Yes, I'm still my daddy's baby girl.
Who knew that an old green flannel shirt would hold such comfort? It reminded me of the woman in the street who reached out and touched the hem of Jesus' tunic. Oh, the power of that touch. It was a close as she could get to the Heavenly Father by touching the hem of His One and Only Son's robe.
As Jesus turned to seek who touched him (the scriptures tell us that Jesus felt the power leave Him upon her touch of the hem of his tunic) she wept with fear. Jesus must have knelt down, reached out and touched her hand with His and spoke tenderly with absolute compassion, "Your faith has made you whole."
Touch...it can be a healing thing. The rain was still pouring down, the temperature hovering in the 40's when I stepped out onto the driveway to leave. But, inside my shirt, my heart was light, my face and spirit just about as giddy as it could be. It was although My Heavenly Father had wrapped His arms around me and sent me out to play. Who knew the healing touch of a old green flannel shirt?
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