Dadquest Directions

It is not an uncommon thing for one to mapquest a destination by going to the computer and typing in the starting address and the destination address. As if by magic, the directions appear on the screen and can be printed out to take on one's journey.

When I started driving, I did not have the luxury of a computer or of mapquest directions. However, I was blessed to have what I will refer to as "Dadquest" directions. My dad was a truck driver for 32 years, was an excellent map reader, and had my full confidence that he could get himself (or anyone else, for that matter) wherever he might want to travel in the United States.

Over the years, an important part of every journey preparation was to ask Daddy to look at the map with me. After studying the map, he would write out the best route. I always trusted that Daddy was guiding me in the right direction. And, I can honestly say that he never steered me on the wrong path , even when he wrote out the 1100 mile route to Texas when I entered the Air Force in 1978.

Daddy is now 85 years-old, and he is still giving directions. This came to mind yesterday when he rode with a painter friend to my house. I live 15 miles from my parents. But, Daddy does not show up on my doorstep very often, as all of his children and grandchildren are in and out of his house in a manner similar to Grand Central Station. And, that is the way he likes it. But, on this beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon, Daddy rode with his friend to my house so he could give directions and make sure that the painter arrived at the correct destination.

In a similar way, our Heavenly Father wants us to go to Him as we prepare for our life journeys. We are wise if we ask Him to look at the map and write out the best route for us. And, we are even wiser if we choose to follow His written directions. The truth is that He has already given us written directions in His Word. It is up to us to trust our Heavenly Father enough to stay on the course that He has written out for us to follow.

If I had decided to ignore my "Dadquest" directions in 1978, I may have arrived in California instead of Texas. Choosing to ignore God's directions can result in our arrival at a place where we truly do not want to be. If you don't believe me, just ask the Prodigal Son.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

"So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left." (Deuteronomy 5:32)

Heavenly Father, help me to follow the directions that You have written out for my life journey.

God's Banking

As a young child, I loved going to the bank. It was such a thrill when my sister and I were taken to the downtown branch of our local bank to open our very own savings accounts. We were each given a small green book which would help us keep track of how much money we had in the bank. Over the years, as we saved up some of our own money from our allowances, we would go on exciting journeys to the bank to deposit it into our accounts. The little green books accompanied us on every bank adventure. The bank employee would stamp the date in our little green books, and then would write in the amount of our deposit and our balance. Even though I didn't quite grasp the concept of interest or dividends, I loved the fact that my money was growing.

Travel with me to November 7, 1999. My 7 year-old son, Rob, was riding with me to church on that Sunday morning which happened to be my birthday. His financial goal, for a long time, had been to save fifty dollars so he could take it to the bank and exchange his money for a fifty dollar bill.

He had finally reached that goal during the previous week, and was so proud of his crisp fifty dollar bill.

As we turned into the church parking lot, Rob confided, "Dad had to borrow my fifty dollar bill. He was low on money, and we wanted to get you a birthday present. Dad will pay me back on Wednesday when he gets paid." I immediately felt the tears welling up in my eyes as I thought of Bob having to borrow Rob's money that he had saved for so long. However, my sadness turned to laughter as Rob continued, "I will give him a two-day grace period to pay me back. After Friday, it will be $5.00 more for each day!"

It occurs to me that I still enjoy going to the bank, even though most transactions today can be done online. Maybe it is just more personal to make a trip to the bank. Or, maybe it brings back good memories of those simple days when I traveled with my family and my beloved little green bank book.

In a similar way, we make small deposits throughout each day. Those deposits may come in the form of a listening ear or a kind, encouraging word.

If we are even aware of the deposits, they may seem small to us. But, in God's timing, He will use those efforts and will make those deposits grow.

Just as I did not quite understand the concept of interest or dividends as a child, we cannot completely understand God's system of "banking". But, just as Rob offered a grace period to his dad, God offers His grace to us. As we receive that grace, we begin to grow.

2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Gifts and Offerings

One of my favorite books is entitled "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". I try to read this touching little book every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as it always helps me to see Christmas through new eyes, and never ceases to remind me of the true meaning of Christmas.

The first sentence in this book sets the stage: "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world." They loved to start large fires because the police cars and fire engines were sure to roll in, followed by delicious, free donuts from a generous local diner. Their idea of a game was to bang a garage door up and down as fast as they could in an attempt to "squash" each other.

Yes, the Herdmans were six skinny, undisciplined, stairstep children...Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys...whose dad had left , and whose overwhelmed mom had to work long hours to provide for her family. So, the Herdman children were pretty much left to take care of themselves.

These ruffian children took great pleasure in being terrors to their teachers and fellow students alike. And, there was not a teacher in the school who was brave or foolish enough to hold back a Herdman in their current grade, as that would create the impossible, unimaginable scenario of dealing with two Herdmans the next year.

The Herdmans had never set foot in a church...that is, until they heard that there would be free refreshments. And, that is when they got involved with the Christmas pageant. This annual event had been rehearsed and performed the same way for as long as anyone could remember. But, that changed when the Herdmans bullied their way into all of the leading roles in the pageant.

Since the Herdmans had never heard of the Christmas story, it was all fresh and new to them. Imogene played Mary, complete with a black eye, and was ready to "clobber" anyone who laid a hand on her baby. All of the Herdmans wanted to find Herod so they could burn him alive. And, they thought the gifts from the wise men were the most ridiculous, impractical offerings they had ever seen.

On the night of the Christmas pageant, the three wise men (Leroy, Claude, and Ollie) surprised everyone by placing their family food-basket ham in front of the manger as a gift for Jesus (and refused to take it back after the pageant). And, that is the part of the story that always brings tears to my eyes, as it reminds me that my gift for Jesus may not be the same as another's gift. The Herdman children gave an offering that was of value to them...the best that they had. And, the question that comes to my mind is, "Why should I offer Jesus any less?"

Lord, help me to see Your truths through new eyes, and to give you nothing less than the best that I have. Don't let me forget that everything I have to offer comes from You.

What can I give Him

Poor as I am

If I were a Shepherd

I would give a lamb

If I were a wise man

I would do my part

But what can I give Him

Give Him my heart

(Last verse of "In the Bleak Midwinter")

Through the Eyes of the Great Physician

As I am watching a dusting of snow on this cold December night, my mind travels back just a few weeks to a special November day at the beach. I would like to share more thoughts that came to mind on that day....

Journal entry on 11/09/10: I love to gather shells. On this journey to the beach, I have felt drawn to the large, thick shells. As always, I love the broken shells, as they are very symbolic to me (see January blog posting entitled "Broken Shells"). As I was picking up shells while walking along the beach, some friendly folks would ask, "Any luck with the shells"? or "Finding any pretty ones?" My response was, "Since I am partial to the broken shells, it is always a good shell day." That response always brought a smile.

I am so glad that God is partial to the broken shells. When Jesus was criticized by pious sinners for hanging out with the lowly sinners, He made it clear that the sick are the ones who need the doctor (Matthew 9:12). He truly is the Great Physician, and He loves broken shells like me. What a comfort that is!

Maybe I am relating to the large, thick shells on this trip as that is how I feel, especially when I look at a number on a scale. But, it occurs to me that those large, thick shells have been out in the ocean longer, tossing to and fro in their turbulent home. I, too, have been in the ocean of life for a long time. And, it would be safe to say that I have been tossed around in some major turbulence during 2010.

I believe that God sees the best in this thick, broken shell. And, I am eternally grateful that He chooses to use me, even in my broken condition. It amazes me that my broken state can be used as His vessel. Perhaps my imperfect condition will help me relate to another thick, hurting, broken shell. After all, a small, delicate, perfect shell might not understand what the thick, broken shell has endured.

Lord, help me to see myself through Your eyes. Then use me to make a difference in the lives of others who are broken and hurting.

Marigold

Here are some thoughts which were written one week ago as I enjoyed my special day at the beach:

I am sitting by the ocean at a restaurant called The Crow's Nest. Since it is mid-afternoon in the late Autumn season, I am the only customer at the restaurant. So, I am enjoying dining outside, listening to the waves, and writing in my journal. And, the chicken quesadillas are delicious!

To say that I am savoring these moments would not even begin to tell the story. While this special day at the beach is a birthday gift that I gave to myself, I am very aware that every day is a precious gift from God.

It is such fun to watch people. Since I am here in the month of November, the beach is not crowded. The majority of the beach population on this day consists of senior adults and their dogs.

As I walked on the beach this morning, I met an older couple from Canada. While they were an interesting pair, the family member who caught my attention and completely fascinated me was their dog. "Marigold" is an 11 year-old golden retriever who seems to live a fearless life. When a ball is tossed into the ocean, Marigold sprints after it with abandon, jumping the waves until she retrieves the prize. She pursues that prize with courage and uninhibited joy.

I observed that Marigold would sometimes lose sight of the ball. When that happened, her owner would make an effort to get closer and talk to her as he tried to give guidance about the location of the prize. Because of the sounds of the crashing waves, Marigold could not hear her owner's voice. When she briefly came out of the turbulent waters, she was able to hear the direction from her master, enabling her to get back on track in her pursuit of the prize.

Oh, how true that is of our lives! When we are in the midst of the turbulent seas and the crashing waves of life, it can be difficult to hear our Master's voice. He is trying to give us direction and guidance. But, until we take time to remove ourselves from the distractions and the noise, we can't hear His voice. While our Master has the power to quiet those crashing waves, He sometimes chooses not to do that. Maybe He wants us to take a step toward Him so that we can hear His voice.

I learned that Marigold's body was designed for the purpose of retrieving. God has also designed me for a purpose. At this time in my life, I am not sure

what is being tossed out into the waves before me. But, I am confident that God will equip me with exactly what I need. And, like Marigold, I want to go after that prize with courage and joy!

"I wanna live with a fearless heart;

Courage that's coming from trust in God.

It's constantly guiding me, though the road may seem dark;

I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart."

(Fearless Heart by Point of Grace)

Philippians 3:14 - I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Balconies and Bars

At this moment, I am sitting in a white plastic chair on an 11th floor balcony, drinking French Vanilla hot chocolate, eating cheese crackers, relaxing, and thoroughly enjoying the ocean. This day at the beach is a birthday gift that I gave myself. And, God is so gracious to provide the sights and sounds of nature. The vastness of the ocean never ceases to amaze me. And, oh how I love the sound of the crashing waves!

If I sit on the balcony as I am now, I view the ocean through black bars (which, by the way, I am grateful are there since they protect me from falling eleven stories to my death!). However, if I stand on this balcony, I can enjoy the ocean with no bars obstructing the view. It seems significant to me that, to remove the obstacles, I need to change my position.

It occurs to me that we sometimes sit in our current circumstances and view the world through obstructing "bars" that we have created for ourselves.

I am very aware that a solution may not be an "easy fix". But, I am convinced that, in some life situations, a good start is to change our view.

Maybe this will involve choosing to develop a different attitude which will help us see the current circumstances through new eyes. While the scenario may be the same, getting in a position which removes the obstructing "bars" may help us see more clearly how to handle the situation.

One week ago, I received a good six-month medical report, after being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. What a blessing and a relief to learn that, six months after surgery and radiation treatments, there were no signs of cancer! But, yesterday I shared with friends that I am thankful that I was diagnosed with cancer this year as it put me in a position which changed how I view the world. I notice things that I might have missed before. Even though my life is not perfect, there are no self-created "bars" obstructing my view.

On this day, I am choosing to position myself to see clearly and to be thankful....for this time at the beach on a beautiful sunny day in November, for another birthday, for the ability to walk on the beach, for good health, for an earthly family and a Heavenly Father who love me, for friends who value me and who accept me "as is", for encouraging words which sometimes arrive through songs or from chance meetings with strangers, for opportunities to serve God, for teachers who taught me to read and write, for a job that I enjoy and that gives me opportunities to make a difference, for money to pay my bills, for a home....the list of blessings is as vast as the ocean!

Are there "bars" obstructing your view of life? If so, think about how you can position yourself to see more clearly. There is an ocean of blessings that you don't want to miss!

Missing the Miracles

My kitchen window faces a deck which is on the back of the house. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time at that window as I washed dishes. During an evening when Rob was 7 years-old, we were on the deck cleaning out the birdbath/fountain. As we worked together, God provided a brilliant sunset.

Standing in awe of that breath-taking scene, I asked Rob, "How have I missed these beautiful sunsets?" He looked up at me and immediately responded, "You've been looking down at the dishes." Ouch! That honest answer from an innocent child pierced my heart. I realized that, as I was busy looking down and focusing on the dishes, I was missing the miracle of the sunset.

That experience occurred over a decade ago. Since then, we have enjoyed many sunsets from the view of that same deck. The valuable lesson that I learned from my 7 year-old son was that the dishes would wait. They would be there when the sunset was gone.

Lord, forgive my busy nature. Show me what is truly important, and don't let me miss the beauty that you are so faithful to provide. As Rob is now in college, and I sit alone on that deck, give me eyes that still see the miracles.