Sorting

What's useful?

and what needs a new home?

“I wish I lived closer. I am a great organizer and pitcher!” My friend in another state heard I was majorly reorganizing my rooms and furnishings.

As I see it, God thought my friend's reorganizing and tossing was a great idea, because He/She sent my sister and my cousin this afternoon, and we had a pitching party!

The girls established four categories:

• Sort - what is useful? What needs a new home?
• Keep - because it is useful
• Give away - because it needs a new home
• Toss - would not bless anyone

And everything was consigned to one of these areas. This is proving to be a highly effective approach to clearing out clutter, to discovering what is really important and relevant. I have been able to let go of some things I had previously clung to -- but really had no present usefulness.

This is also an effective approach to life.

We have an opportunity every day, every moment to first:

• Sort thoughts as to whether or not they come from God. Whatever is good and fair and honest comes from God
• Then either keep and honor a thought because it is a useful and from God
• Or give it away because it is so good it needs to be shared! (The neat thing about sharing a good idea is that we are not diminished by sharing. Good multiplies when shared.)
• Or toss it in the trash because it obviously is not from God, therefore cannot in the long run give either satisfaction or blessing

So as I sort through the sorting pile they kindly bequeathed me, I will remember that what is really going on is the sorting of thoughts – determining which are useful and worth keeping or sharing, and which have served their purpose and need to be discarded.

No limit to the good you can accomplish

One of the kids has a report to write on an American who has made a significant contribution to mankind. He knew his choice. So we went to the library today and checked out three books at his reading level -- on George Washington Carver.

As the boys played Legos nearby, I picked up one of the books and was reading it to myself.

Born probably during the American Civil War, infant George and his mother were snatched away by slave kidnappers, to be sold in another state. George was found and returned to his home, but his mother was never located. Despite overwhelming odds, and with the encouragement and faith of adult friends, this youngster was determined to learn, and his love was birds and plants.

Reading about his amazing life and brave decisions, I oohed and ahhed aloud. To the boys’ raised eyebrows, I explained George’s cleverness in securing his first job as a cook at the age of 13. They were hooked and settled in on the couch on either side of me. I continued reading aloud for the next couple of hours as they listened intently.

We heard the story of a child, a young man, and then an adult, who never gave up, who made the best of what he had, and often made the best even better. A man who loved nature. A man whose goal was to improve life first for his own people, and then for everyone else as well. His expertise became farming. And his practical contributions were hundreds and far-reaching.

We also heard the story of a man who was on intimate terms with his God. He had conversations with God, asked Him questions, listened carefully to the answers.

This God connection finally explained, for me, how he could accomplish so much good. Because I also believe that the source of all that is good is God. Yet this humble man teaches me that my questions to my Maker are mostly too small in scope. I need to ask more questions, broader questions, and to listen better for the answers.

To accomplish unlimited good, we must commune with an unlimited God. And not be afraid after asking the basic questions, to go forward with the answers we hear.

When you swerve to the right or left,
you hear a Voice behind you whispering,
"This is the way, walk here."
(Moffatt)

Watching boys grow - one day at a time!

A time for reflecting on

unexpected thoughtfulness and caring

Kim, who has raised two, remarked early on with great enthusiasm, “I never knew boys could be so much fun!”

Her sincere joy shocked me to the core. At that time we had a daughter who was predictably feminine —dolls, an eye for pretty clothes, cheer-leading tryouts, boyfriends.

I would have had no idea what to do with a boy. So it was amazing to me that somebody my peer was finding this preschool male experience fun, stimulating, exciting. And her words came back full force when our daughter later presented us (one at a time) with two grandsons.

Yup, little boys in our lives for sure. We figured out what to do with them one day at a time, often following their parents’ lead, and praying a lot as well.

It was important then, and it is important now, to remember that these boys, and all children for that matter, have an infinitely wise and caring Father-Mother who looks after them, gives them wisdom to discern between good and bad, gives them good and productive ideas and the desire and ability to follow through with these ideas.

Case in point. The other day when asked if he felt older, the nine-year-old thoughtfully replied, “I don’t feel older; I just feel more responsible.”

In fact, he really is showing more self-restraint and consideration for others. And no doubt there was a conversation with a parent somewhere behind that statement. Boys grow up in very good ways, day by day.

His second-cousin is fourteen. As I was ready to leave the Christmas gathering this evening, he saw I had too many bags for one trip. “Would you like help carrying these out to the car?” he offered.

“Sure would!” I replied smiling inside and out.

Boys grow up, day by day. And it shouldn’t be amazing, but it is a wonderful thing to see responsibility in the form of thoughtfulness and caring replacing the stereotypes.

I second Kim’s statement of years ago, amended slightly. “Boys are so much fun, and they are amazing as well.”

Hope fulfilled - even though after Christmas

Cat enjoys winter sunshine

during Christmas season

A friend replied to my email for a blessed Christmas. He wrote that although his wife is no longer here,

It is truly a joyous time for me because of the memories of the good of the past.

Then he included a wonderful story. It happened in the spring, decades ago, and embodies the spirit of Christmas, of hoped for good unexpectedly realized. He continued:

I did not know that we and our relatives were "poor" during the depression of the 1930's. My Dad and Granddad had a three person factory in Rock Island that a man had sold to them on a very friendly basis – no income, no payment.

A fellow from Chicago asked Dad to make a die that would stamp out little 2" x 4" tags that said "HOOVER." It was for attaching to automobile license plates because Hoover was running for President.

When Dad phoned and told him that the die was ready, the man drove down to Rock Island, and picked it up. He paid for the work with a check on the only bank in Chicago that was open.

Dad took the check to the grocery store where Mom had a bill. The grocery store took the check to the Rock Island Argus (newspaper, still exists today) and paid on their advertising bill. The Rock Island Argus took the check to the coal yard and paid on their fuel bill.

That check circulated around Rock Island like cash and many businesses were blessed. The back side of the check was filled with endorsements.

He concludes:
The Christmas "season" is for young people, and their happiness spills over into our happiness. Hopefully we all know what it is really about.

Hopefully we do.

Creative reminder

Location: Will County, southwest of Chicago.

On the corner of 191st and LaGrange Road this morning, drivers honked cheerfully.

A man and woman were working the intersection next to the White Castle. He carried a large sign. She waved at the vehicles. Motorists driving past, honked and waved.

The couple waved back and pointed to those who honked with “Yes!” gestures.

Were they wearing reflective vests? Collecting money for some cause? The usual?

No. That wasn’t it. The sign they carried had a horizontal
M E R R Y, and a vertical C H R I S T M A S.

Somebody exercised their creativity in constructing this reminder, and their good-will in standing on a busy street corner.

It was their counterstatement to the marketing of Christmas, to remember that:

Christ -- God's universal expression of love, peace and goodwill (BTW, not shopping) -- is indeed, as church billboards remind, the Reason for this Season.

The Nativity Story

Grandson Alan and I watched The Nativity Story together the other evening.

Confession: I popped the DVD into the TV expecting the music to draw him into the living room. Previews for coming features were kid-oriented, and Alan snuggled in comfortably next to me on the couch.

Suddenly Herod’s soldiers were slaughtering boy infants in Bethlehem. “What are they doing, Gramma? Why?”

Flashback to Nazareth where a sixteen year-old Mary and her friends are sowing grain, and flirting with boys working nearby.

Alan has lots of questions, and we use the “pause” button often to make connections as scenes jumped from the poor village of Nazareth to Jerusalem where a paranoid Herod worries about an a predicted Messiah competing for local kingship, then to distant lands where three wise men discuss a coming confluence of planets creating great brightness in the night sky.

The New Testament accounts indicate that the Wise men probably arrived in Bethlehem a couple of years after Jesus’ birth, by which time Mary and Joseph were living in a house. The film chose to perpetuate the traditional Christmas card scene of the shepherds and the wise men all gathered round the little family in the stable.

It was disappointing that this otherwise excellent film did not take advantage of the opportunity to correct the timing misperception.

Meanwhile, The Nativity Story wonderfully fills in the gaps of the Gospel accounts. How Mary may have barely known Joseph, how ruthlessly the Romans oppressed the poor villagers, how nervous Joseph is about marrying. How arranged marriages for young girls, even among loving families, may often have been an economic necessity because of too many mouths to feed.

It explains wonderfully the status of the young couple – each living with their parents for another year, yet married in every way except that which leads to family.

The film clarifies the beautiful spiritual bond between aunt Elizabeth and young Mary –both blessed with overlapping pregnancies announced by angels. Mary’s own parents were not so understanding. When questioning Mary about her pregnancy and who the father might be, to Mary’s reply her mother repeats in disbelief, “An angel told you this?”

We empathize with Joseph's struggle -- between feeling betrayed by his fiancé and wanting to protect her from stoning by the villagers.

We really begin to understand how difficult it must have been for Mary to be engaged and pregnant. And that it was not just noble, it took great courage for Joseph to say the unborn child was his. Mary warns, “People will not look at you the same any more,” meaning they would not respect him.

We see how the young couple may have dealt with angel messengers, and critical neighbors. The harsh landscape between Nazareth and Bethlehem glares at us. A reluctant Mary gradually warms to recognize and appreciate Joseph’s goodness and unselfishness.

We feel Joseph’s desperation when looking for a safe place for Mary to deliver. In short, we care about these people. We care about their hopes, their concerns, their struggles.

There have been a lot of movies portraying Jesus. Here’s one that, without religious overtones, introduces us to his parents.

Well done!

Another blog on The Nativity Story

Father's love letter

A friend sent this :"chapter and verse" email; perhaps it will make you smile, as it did me.


You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know your ups and downs, and your deepest longings. Psalm 139:2

I guard your path, and I’m familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 12:7

For you are made in my image and blessed. Genesis 1:27,28

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For live in my presence, and you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, you are on purpose! For my good purpose. Psalm 139:15-16

I have made all men brothers. Acts 17:26

I have been with you since the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who claim to know me, but don't. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but I am unchanging Love itself. 1 John 4:16

I love you so much, I call you my sons. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I give more generously than even your earthly father. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for you is a future of peace and hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because my love for you is endless, always. Jeremiah 31:3

You can run, but you can’t hide from my love. Psalms 139:1-12

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will do you good, because that is my nature. Jeremiah 32:40

Honor me and discover yourself as my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

Just ask, and I will show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I work through you to achieve, as your desires, my good purpose. Philippians 2:13

My love supports you more than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

I establish the good works I have given you to do. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

As Father I comfort you, so you may know how to comfort others in their troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Find me closest to you when your heart is breaking. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I carry you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

And all the pain, dearth, sorrow will be wiped away. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my nature. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am on your side! Romans 8:31

And to assure you I am not keeping track of your sins in a little black book. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus came so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His life, death, and resurrection was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

If you recognize Christ, you recognize me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing – past, present, or future, can separate you from my love. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been, and will always be, your Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is, Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Dad

Repeating what's really good

Rocks and thawing floods
"repeat the sounding joy"

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let all, their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

This Christmas season brings to mind the traditional carol, “Joy to the World,” which includes this invitation, “Repeat the sounding joy!”

What a great statement of purpose. Yours and mine. To repeat the resounding joy of God and man -- not distant and angry, but in tender and warm relation to one another.

There are, in the course of one’s day, certain things not to be repeated. Here’s the only time the word “repeat” is even used in the King James Bible:

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” (Prov 17:9)

or in today’s vernacular:

“One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, (New Revised Standard)
but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.” (Amplified)

The wisdom writer understood that dwelling on a dispute separates friends, while forgiveness gives space for friendship to grow.

Other events to not repeat are our own past failures. Mistakes are to learn from, not to hash over. Once we have discovered the needed lesson so that it doesn’t happen again, move on. Life will provide plentiful opportunities to get it right the next time. And the next.

Simple rule of living: repeat whatever is good about God and man. Refuse to repeat (or gossip) disputes, discord, failings. Don’t be the 5 pm local news. Rather be grateful for all the good you can find.

Then you’ll feel the joy your life is repeating.

Saying "No!" to doubt - over and over

Sometimes good listening pushes us way out of our comfort zones, out of our comfortable little habits. Sometimes we just can’t afford to doubt. Alan’s 9th birthday party was Sunday noon, and I was bringing the cake.

Only problem was that I realized with dismay – on the way to a Christmas party Saturday evening – that I hadn’t ordered a cake, nor baked one. What to do?

Previously I might have wasted a lot of time condemning my inattention to this important detail. But one great lesson God has been teaching me is to bypass the blame game, and get on to the solution. So instead of self-recrimination, there was just a simple, “Father what should I do?” Should I skip church in the morning, and buy ingredients for a quick cake?

The answer that came was, “See if you still have that carrot cake mix you bought recently.”

So I enjoyed the Christmas party, came home and there in the pantry were the needed supplies. Doubt asked, “Does Alan even like carrot cake?”

Rebuke to doubt: "Be quiet!"

I followed my intuition and went ahead and baked a 13 x 9 flat cake.

Doubt asked, “Not even a traditional layer cake?”

Rebuke to doubt: "Hush!" This cake saga became even more unusual, as I cast about for decorations for the blank looking cream cheese frosting.

The thought came, “Let Alan decorate it.” Doubt asked, “Let Alan decorate his own cake? That he may not even like?”

Rebuke to doubt: "Go away!"

So I stopped after church at a grocery store, and found decorating supplies. Alan and younger brother Lee were at the other Grandma’s when I arrived at their house. Doubt asked, “So the boy isn’t even here. Now what?”

Rebuke to doubt: "I am not listening to you!"

Other Grandma and boys showed up shortly in good spirits. Fast forward. Alan, totally engaged, uses a skewer to outline a Calvin in the frosting, then fills in the outline with decorative colors, encouraged by great grandma and great grandpa.

Little brother comes over and is impressed; asks to help place the candles. Mom takes photos. Everyone praises the artist. In short what started out as a catastrophe becomes a happy success.

The apostle Paul was speaking of much more serious matters when he wrote to his fledgling church in Rome,

“Moreover we know that to those who love God,
who are called according to his plan,
everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.”
(Phillips)

I believe this applies to the minutiae of daily life too. If we are doing our best to know how to please God and love our fellow man, He/She is there for us in the details as well.

But we do have to say "NO!" to doubt. As many times as it takes.

Women of courage find their voices

Two recent events stand out for me. One was a panel of women of faith. I walked two blocks to the event with the driver of the car parked ahead of me. She herself was an amazing woman. I was so glad to hear her voice.

Rose is writing a paper on the ordination of women in the Catholic church. We discovered we had both read “The Gospel of Mary Magdalene” by Karen King, which posits that Jesus’ real message was hijacked – by men – officially in 325 AD, and has been mostly buried ever since. What remains is what men have permitted, and what remains missing is the voices of women.

The women on the panel – a Jewish Rabbi, a Catholic sister, and the (woman) president of the Islamic Society of North America – made warm, yet serious, presentations about the roles of women in their faiths.

But what stuck with me most was Rose’s courage. Her heart tells her that Jesus’ ministry was very woman inclusive. Her church tells her women are excluded from giving sacraments. She follows her heart in an uphill struggle.

The other event was Friday morning’s 44th Annual Greater Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Chicago Sunday Evening Club. A wonderful Gospel choir sang throughout.

This choir with the descriptive name of “Harmony, Hope, and Healing,” functions to give back to marginalized women their voices. These women, primarily from shelters, are survivors – women who have recently escaped abusive situations. Violence had silenced their voices, and this joyous choir helps them find the songs their lives are intended to be.

Their final number, “This little light of mine,” strongly confirmed the choir’s success in achieving their goal. The showcased soloist proved that she had indeed found her voice, and used it to improv for her Lord – as she soared all over the treble staff and beyond. She followed her heart and found the courage to let her light and her voice shine.

Gratitude Dance

Gratitude. It's an attitude.

Gratitude recognizes present good.

As the YouTube below shows, gratitude is pretty universal,

The desire to dance for joy is pretty universal.

These folks have chosen to dance their gratitude!

It's always good to set aside a few minutes each day to pause and recognize what's good in our lives. And who, or Who, we can be thanking for it.

It might be a tenderly quiet time of reflection, or a few spontaneous moments of great joy.

Enjoy.

(Just double click on the arrow in the middle of the screen)

23rd Psalm at Christmas Time

A carved shepherd tenderly carries

a lost sheep back to the fold

A friend sent this email, saying it helps her combat the bombardment of commercialism at this time of year.

The Lord sets my pace;

I will not rush.

He makes me to stop for quiet intervals;

He provides me with images of stillness

which restore my serenity.

He leads me in the ways of His purpose

through calmness of mind,

His guidance is safe and peaceful.

Even though there are many things to accomplish

I will not fret

for His presence is here.

His timelessness, His goodness

Keeps me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal

in the midst of many demands.

He anoints my mind with His oil of tranquility

My cup overflows with renewed joy.

Surely harmony and good purpose

shall be the fruits of my hours;

And I will walk in the dependable rhythm of the Lord

And dwell in His house forever.