Languages

I admire people who are fluent in more than one language. My father was persistent in demanding that we speak German in our home. I resisted this strongly, and it became a point of continual contention. As I look back from this vantage point, I realize the wisdom of it all and am grateful that I can still understand and speak (although not fluently) my mother tongue. Oh how I wish I knew more languages!
Which brings me to the point of this blog. I have had several comments in response to my blogs in a language that I can't read, & it is bugging me. Can anyone interpret for me? Go to Dec. 3rd...."Busy,Busy" Blog.

Uncle Herman

What a Character! Bushy eyebrows, long nose, and a funny "huh,huh" little laugh. I can still see him sitting in his favorite spot at the local donut place. "Well, fancy meeting you here," he would say. (I think I was his favorite niece.) He often told me, "I drove your mom to the neighboring little prairie town hospital before you were born. Lucky you didn't arrive early, on the way,huh,huh."

He never seemed to be in a hurry and loved to just "shoot the breeze", talk "prophecy" or politics, but was sadly lacking in style, social graces, education and parenting skills. He lived in the same rural community for sixty years and his farms are still recognizable by a perimeter of planted evergreens with naked, pruned trunks.

But, there was another amazing side to his personality. He had a heart for the underdog, the socially overlooked, the widower, the disabled, the slightly weird. He touched a lot of lives in his own unique way.

Whenever we would meet him at the coffee place, he always had a friend with him.... an old bachelor, a neighbour, a brother-in-law or someone who needed a ride. After his wife passed away, he would often drive his little pickup truck to the donut place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When the waitresses saw him coming, they would have his "usual" waiting when he entered the door.
On the day of his funeral, no-one was allowed to sit at his table, because there was a floral arrangement placed on it that said,"In memory of our friend, Herman."
We all touch a circle of people in our own unique way, that nobody.....nobody else does.

Oh, the Aches & Pains!

When my parents would sit and visit with their guests and talk about their aches & pains, I thought, "How boring. Get a Life!"

Reflecting on a recent visit, I realized that most of our conversation was also concerning health issues. (gettin' old)

One person mentioned kidney stones which led to "My neighbour's uncle had that too..." another started on clogged arteries ..."Do you know, I just heard that my cousin's sister-in-law's mother had surgery on that very same thing..." I think I have arthritis in my left shoulder... Well, you should take calcium with glucosomine, that helped my Aunt Martha.. Oh no. You should drink this juice that only costs fifty dollars a bottle. Cures everything that ails you. etc.etc.

Further animated discussion ensued regarding good or bad cholesterol, under or overactive thyroid which could cause anything from shingles, hives, acne or high blood pressure. We covered everything from diabetis, prostate, tumors, bunions, varicose veins, glocoma to ingrown toenails. Some felt the need to fill me in on all the gory details of their latest procedures and surgeries. We also had all the answers and solutions to our inadequate medical system.
(exaggeration included)
It really seems quite funny at times, but to each person who lives with the agony of pain, waiting for test results, the fear of some serious hospital time...it's anything but comical. (and I'm the biggest wimp of them all) Pain is never a welcome visitor, but it governs our days and the extent of our activities. It's hard to be joyful or pleasant to live with or even civil, when something is hurting.

However, pain is part of life in this broken world and a reminder that our bodies are so very mortal and temporal, especially as we get older. If we never experienced pain, we would not ever want to leave this world.
My heart aches for so many of my family and friends who live with constant pain. Some are walking through, what must seem like a long, deep valley. I admire your courage and strength. Hold on tight to the shepherd's hand for He will lead us through to the other side.

How beautiful heaven will be...no hospitals, no pain, no suffering.

Christmas

Every year, we have been reminded repeatedly to... Make room for Christ at Christmas!..Don't forget the real meaning of Christmas!....Remember it's not about the presents or food or partying!

I know all that... so I have determined this year, to JUST DO WHAT I KNOW to bring meaning into our celebrations and enjoy each and every activity to the max. I have been so blessed by the wonderful music of this season.... The outpouring of love from friends and family... The experience of working together with great people to present a drama for Christmas Eve...The beauty of the snow and lights and I don't care if my freezer isn't full of wonderful home baking.

Most of all, reflecting on the incredible fact, that God was willing to come to this crazy world to bring hope, love, joy and peace for someone like me, is Absolutely Amazing!
It's been one of the best.

Busy, Busy

Sometimes I chuckle when I hear myself and others, either bragging or complaining about how busy we are. (how silly) This last weeks snowfall was so beautiful, bright and quiet. Usually, we can hear fast traffic, but for just a short time the sound of an approaching car was slow, muffled, barely audible and q-u-i-e-t.
As I stood amid the snow with shovel in hand, it reminded me to take moments to reflect and be quiet in my spirit and whisper to God my praise, thoughts and feelings.
I love Christmas and I am determined to keep it that way. My own busy schedule is of my own doing, so I will not complain or brag about it, but enjoy each activity and event to the fullest.

Hardwood vs. Lino

The lino in my house has several nicks in it. The pattern has little indentations that trap dirt and the only way to really clean it is with a brush on my hands and knees. I want to rip it out and replace it with hardwood. The cost would be a couple of thousand dollars. (This seems to be the trend these days) Afterall, the house is 13 years old and it's time for a new look, right? The practical side of me says, I could walk on this lino till the house falls down and it would still be OK.
Speaking of renovating.....
We have been discussing the upgrading of our church building with new office space, relocating the reception area for security reasons, moving the library, expanding the foyer, etc.
Of course there are various viewpoints on the subject.

When I read Exodus 25....instructions from God as to what should be used to construct the tabernacle, and I Kings 6-7 details of Solomon's temple, I wonder why the incredible cost, show & pomp.
There were tapestries, linens, onyx gems, imported cedar and acacia wood, gold overlays, bronze, silver, massive pillars, all fashioned by the finest of craftsmen. Unbelievable!
My wildest decorating imagination cannot envision, rationalize or warrant this kind of affluence. I'm sure there were needy widows, orphans, and poor people living nearby. So why such extravagance? Could it be that God deserved the very best?

Now, I certainly would not advocate this kind of over-the-top, lavish spending on our church building, yet we upgrade, change and maintain our homes with the latest decor to suit our whims or needs, but somehow consider it unnecessary in our (almost 30 year old) church facility.
Could we call this a double standard?

In the Still of the Night

It is 3:40 a.m. and my mind is on "rewind" over past events & racing with a list of things that I should do in the coming day, or should have done yesterday. Frustrating!

I have learned that the best antidote for this malady is to relax and take this time to allow God to speak to me in his still small voice....and read, worship and pray.
He reminds me of friends who need my prayers this very minute. So I lift up one who is crying out to God with constant pain, one who is wondering where God is, one who feels the loneliness after the death of his dearest, one who needs a job, one who is discouraged, one who is hoping for restored family relationships, one who needs discipline in studying, one who needs healing from past hurts, one who needs to come to faith in Christ, and one who is looking for that special man.

My spirit is calmed and I rest & sleep.