I am following www.40acts.org.uk for Lent this year. Day one is starting a journal and beginning with a gratitude list. Here goes:
The road is long, the journey both excruciating and exhilarating.
There are times that it seems there will not be any light to come, and there will be light.
There will be dirt roads, freshly paved roads, swervy curvy roads, and straight as an arrow roads.
There will be construction seasons, snowy seasons, rainy seasons, and icy seasons.
There will be wacky drivers, drivers with manners, drivers with distractions, and drivers who let you in when they shouldn’t.
Good or bad, God will see you through it. It may not feel like it at the time, but Angels are with you.
May you find peace in your heart, love in your life, and hope for tomorrow.
Have you ever heard that phrase, “If God leads you to it, He’ll lead you through it?”
I have, and I find it bunk. Here are my reasons:
The phrase I appreciate, “The Lord didn’t do it, but He’s there to see you through it.”
Which leads me to my most request prayer, “Thy will, not my will. Amen!”
Morale of this story: They might be hard to see, darn near invisible, practically buried under dread, fear, anxiety, or sadness, but the Lord’s Love surrounds you like a cozy and warm blanket on a cold winter’s night. Sometimes it even comes in the form of friends, family, and doctors. No need to blame the Lord for your troubles, If you are in need, please reach out.
With the passing of Jean Stapleton, some television networks have been running episodes of “All in the Family”. It’s a show from the 1970’s, and Jean Stapleton played the part of Edith. Edith was a character most people could appreciate and enjoy. I never read it, but my mom had a book entitled Edith the Good, so I always think of her that way in my head.
I had recorded a few episodes, and my mom and I watched three tonight. Before tonight, I mostly recall Archie’s gruffness and couldn’t wait for an episode with their daughter Gloria. She seemed to add more fun and activity to the show, instead of the Archie and Edit just sitting in their chairs. This evening, watching these few episodes, I learned just how amazing Edith’s character was!
The last of the episodes we watched included a lesbian couple. In all her years, Edith had not realized her cousin was a lesbian with a partner of many decades. When she learned the truth, her first words were, “I wish you hadn’t told me.” At seeing how hurt her cousin’s partner was, she explained that she was so very sorry to know how much the woman was now suffering at the loss of her partner.
Of course Archie found out, he was his usual negative self. Yet Edith used an argument that has been made for decades (probably centuries), “You’re not God.” You see, Archie said that he needed to judge as God would judge. But Edith reminded him that he was not God. Only God can judge as God judges.
Morale of the Story: In some areas, we haven’t made much progress since the 1970’s.
Dear Lord, please forgive us. Amen.
I accessed Pandora Music today for the first time in years. While I enjoyed many of the songs, I was tickled to hear so many songs that I like due to just a few likes on the system.
There was one shock. Lady Gaga has a song called “Bad Romance”. Pandora tells me that the first few words are “Caught in a Bad Romance”. Oops! I thought it said, “I’m a better man”. Yep, I completely misunderstood ALL of the words. The song is totally different when I sing it: I don’t want a bad romance which makes me a better man. The meaning, I thought, was respect with good romance. Instead, it’s wanting drama, revenge, and, of course, bad romance.
At the same time, she says this: I want your horror, I want your psycho, I want your ugly.
So, I’m thinking it is still a good song, but with a different meaning. No one is perfect. Many feel horror, think they’re psycho, or believe they are ugly. To want to be with someone and love them despite these things can be a good thing. The goal is to have self love first and then be able to love another. But even when one loves themselves, sometimes they still don’t love ALL of their self.
For me, no matter the author’s meaning, this song means that there is love for all of us. No matter how we feel about ourselves. Just as God loves all of us … no matter how we feel about ourselves.
Where do you find beauty?
In people? I hope you do every day.
In play? I hope you do every day.
In things? Only when they bring you joy.
In memories? I hope you do every day.
In work? I hope no more than five days a week.
In God’s creations? I hope you do every day.
Where do you find beauty?
Get a mirror!
Morale of the Story: You are beauty!
On this Sunday, I woke feeling so many things. Sadness for those with lay-offs, healing for those with this nasty flu, concern for a tsunami in Alaska, loss for those who have lost loved ones, and the list goes on.
It is still Christmas-time at church. The advent candles are still lit. The Christmas tree is still decorated. There are candles in the window with holly. And the nativity on the altar.
The nativity has these beautiful ceramic pieces, off-white, and glazed. They shine in the light of the sanctuary and the candles. The angel sits up a bit higher than the rest. It was the angel that my eyes lit on most during the service.
I sat with friends, and my mom sat two rows back with her friends. We sang hymns of love and hope. We prayed for God to remain with us. And the angel sparkled all the while.
By the end of the service, I felt hopeful. Friends, prayer, music, and the peace the angel brings: With these I feel refreshed. My heart lighter. The smile allowed back on my lips and in my heart.
Morale of the Story: Hope spring eternal. Sometimes I just need a few drops from that spring to fall on me to be reminded.
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