Category Archives: Uncategorized

Connecting to the Network

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I got a “new toy”.  As one who likes to write, I often carry my laptop and it gets heavy.  I’ve been saving up for a tablet, and when the one I was eyeing was 70% off (for one day only) I decided it was time to purchase.  It’s not quite as user friendly as some (or one) tablet, but it syncs well with my other devices.  So, after much careful reviewing, I made my purchase.

I downloaded the apps I would likely use most often and also got some tutoring from a good friend who is well versed in this tablet.  In order to get such a good deal, I did have to purchase a monthly connection fee to the 4G network and  give them a two year agreement.  But, that’s okay.  I had planned for this anyway.

All was working well except for one thing.  I could make internet connections using wi-fi, but try as I may….I could not get any connection with the network.  Without the 4G network, I was dependent on spotty wi-fi.   I double checked the activation steps.  I had my friend trace my steps to see what might be amiss.  Alas, we could find nothing wrong.  I thought perhaps the SIM card (connection card) was bad;  or maybe there was some other reason this device had such a major cost reduction for one day.   Maybe this was the day they were getting rid of all the “duds”.  So I made my trek down to the store that carried my device and my account to seek answers to my connection problem.

After a fairly long wait the technician repeated everything that I had already done.  He thought that perhaps I had been sent a “bad” device.  I was disappointed knowing that there was an amazing “network out there” that was for some reason – forbidden to me.   I rested my elbows on the counter patiently (mostly) waiting while the technician worked. After what seemed a very long time I heard – “Aha…there it is!!”.

The technician informed me that the problem was not with my device, but with the account.   When I had been sent the tablet, the monthly payment to my account had been  activated, but the network had  not yet been activated to my device.   Apparently, my agreement to the contract was still pending.  This step had been missed in the process.  I thought about the spiritual implications of this dilemma.

God has always had an agreement, or covenant, with his people.  While there are many, many scriptures concerning covenants  found in both the Old Testament (covenant) and the New Testament (covenant), perhaps my favorite is found in 1 Kings 8:23

      “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below–you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.”

To me, this verse sums up many of the other verses about covenants.  God’s covenant with us stems from his love;  His promises are incomparable; and He will always keep His promises!  Our part of the covenant is simply to live out His plan for our lives – WHOLE HEARTEDLY.

What an offer!  His side of the covenant is amazing beyond comprehension.  His covenant (will, agreement) is to offer me eternal life, forgiveness of sins, His presence in my being, belonging in his family, and much more.  (Talk about an awe-inspiring 4G network…Glory, Grace, God in us, Giant-global family…amazing!!).   God is continually faithful to His covenant and Jesus sealed it with His blood.

However, every covenant has two sides.  I must also take part in this covenant to access the network.  My part is to accept the agreement…and to give it my whole heart – 100%.

Thirty-Seven Years

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How do you tell someone you have loved for nearly forty years that you love them…in such a way that you really express the depth of your heart?  I met my husband 40 years ago when my “then boyfriend”  invited him to church with us.  He was the resident adviser in the dorm where my boyfriend lived.  His girlfriend went to school in another state and so we often invited him to do stuff with us.  We became best friends…and the rest is history.  As today we celebrate our 37th anniversary, I feel like the most blessed woman in the world.  Genesis 2:24

December 14, 1974

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

I’m so grateful for God’s plan for  husband and wife to be united as one person, as repeated again in the New Testament.  I’m also amazed at God’s plan for His dearly loved church.  The lessons are endless.

Ephes. 5:31-32

    “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” [32] This is a profound mystery–but I am talking about Christ and the church.

However, today I want to express gratitude to my husband.  I fell in love with him because of his integrity and sincerity.  I loved the way he loved God with such passion, had courage to obey the truth he read about in the Bible, and led from a tender and serving heart.  His spirituality and God-given wisdom was evident.  I deeply respected him from the beginning of the time I got to know him.  He was (is) also very athletic, smart and handsome, which I also admire(d).  37 years later I still feel the same way, only the feelings have grown exponentially.  The following poem, by my favorite poet, Edgar Guest, was read at our wedding:

     It takes a lot of living in a house to make it a home,
A lot of sun and and shadows, and you sometimes have to roam
Before you really appreciate the things you left behind
And hunger for them somehow, with them always on your mind.
     It doesn’t make any difference how rich you get to be,
How much your chairs and tables cost, how great your luxury;
It isn’t home yet, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow your soul is sort of wrapped around everything.
     Home isn’t a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Before it’s a home there’s got to be a lot of living in it;
Within the walls there’s got to be some babies born, and then
Right there you’ve got to bring them up to women good, and men;
     And gradually as time goes on, you find you wouldn’t part
with anything they ever used- they’ve grown into your heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
You’d hoard; and if you could you’d keep the thumb-marks on the door.
     You’ve got to weep to make it home, you’ve got to sit and sigh
And watch beside a loved one’s bed, and know that death is nigh;
And in the stillness of the night to see death’s angel come,
And close the eyes of she that smiled, and leave her sweet voice dumb.
     For these are scenes that grip the heart, and when your tears are dried,
You find the home is dearer than it was, and sanctified;
And tugging at you always are the pleasant memories
Of those that are no more – you can’t escape from these.
     You’ve got to sing and dance for years, you’ve got to romp and play,
And learn to love the things you have by using them each day;
Even the roses around the porch must blossom year by year
Before they become a part of you, suggesting someone dear
     Who used to love them long ago, and trained them just to run
The way they do, so they would get the early morning sun;
You’ve got to love each brick and stone from cellar up to dome:
It takes a lot of living in a house to make it home.

Adapted from “It Takes A Heap ‘a Livin” by Edgar Guest

I believe this expresses well so many sentiments that have made our love even sweeter as the years go by.  Every year, every event…happy or sad, and however difficult or even easy… has added depth to the stones and mortar of our home.  Wherever in the world I am with my husband – is home to me.  I am so grateful that our marriage and family is built on the foundation of God and His word.  This is what has made it strong.

 Joshua 24:15

    But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

 

 

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Anatomy of Encouragement

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Luke 18:17   I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we gathered for our annual Shaw family photo.  As the family grows – this is no small feat.  In fact, when you look at the picture and see everyone’s big smile, you will have no idea how much time has gone into capturing that one moment. There were likely blinks, tears, frustration, laughs and distractions before the perfect pose was captured.  While awaiting the “photo shoot”  I  was reminded of God’s call for us to encourage one another.  This reminder came as I watched a situation unfold between two of my grandchildren.  It began with a pout.  I believe the snapshot of this pout will say more about my granddaughter’s attitude than words can tell.  (I will refer to my grandchildren by the number in their birth order.)  # 3 was not feeling particularly encouraged about the upcoming photo shoot.  Can you relate?  I can.  When we don’t want do something we can often keep our expression from showing our displeasure…but the inside of our heart reveals a pout similar to this.

We all get stuck at times and need others to encourage us.  Often crucial, however, to our “getting happy” is for someone to notice and to care enough to speak with us when we need some attitudinal adjustment  – and accompanying encouragement to move forward in a positive way.  This is where #4 came into the picture.  He loves his cousin and was genuinely concerned with her unhappiness.  So, he went to her and spoke with her.  Hebrews 3:13

    But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

While #3 is too little to sin…she was still softened in her heart and attitude by some words (I didn’t hear what he said to her but it helped a lot) from her little cousin.

I reflected on how much I can grow to be more alert  to another person’s discouragement, unhappiness or bitterness that can lead to hardness of heart.   I know for me it begins with taking the time to consider others above myself.  Philip. 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Most often, intentions are good….but busyness can blind me to things that are going on in others’ lives.

It takes time and thought to consider.  May I always be more like my grandchildren…noticing… and taking considered action to encourage – as well as being quick to respond to encouragement given.

Hebrews 10:24

    And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

After the “encouragement encounter”….#3 was immediately ready to go. 

(thanks to Vanessa Embling for all the photos)

Show Me

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I’m a visual learner.  You can tell me something, and I may or may not remember or understand it.  For instance, as a young teen (or preteen- can’t remember as that was a long time ago) I volunteered in a hospital as a candy-striper.  I thought I might enter the medical profession one day and so I wanted to get some “hands on” experience.  On my first day of candy-striping I was given an assignment (not so technically medical) – to fill up all the water pitchers (with ice) for the patients in a particular wing.  I don’t know why, but I remember that most all of the patients were men.  I was busy about my task, nearly finished, when one of the men chuckled…looked at me and said, “This gives new meaning to “peeing on the rocks”.  I had filled up all of the urinals with ice water!  I decided that day the medical profession was not for me.  I certainly missed something between instruction and implementation. I obviously needed someone to show me what to do.

I recently returned from a conference in Budapest, Hungary.  As I travel I am often struck at how much clearer life seems from the view 35,000 feet above the earth.  As I look down from a plane everything looks so neat, orderly and simple. Yet I know that in reality confusion, bitterness and loneliness reign within individuals down below.  While God’s word is very clear, I am moved to know that God’s heart was grieved when he looked down and saw evil and the resulting pain in the world. (Genesis 6:6)    The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

I am so grateful that I have a compassionate God who came down here to show me how to live. As He continually intervened in hearts and lives and worked through people and circumstances I wonder what conversations may have gone on between God and his son – what was said as they prepared for Jesus to come down and show us how to live.  I am so thankful that God didn’t look down with mere disgust and anger (which he certainly could have)….but instead looked with such love that he sent his beloved son to show us the way we were created to live.  He would not only show us how but would also enable us to break free from the power of sin and resulting separation from our Father.

(Luke 7:16)    They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

He had already communicated clearly, but he went beyond words.   He came to help.  He showed us how.

(John 1:14)  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

He didn’t have to – but He cared that much.  Thank you, Jesus, for showing me how to love, how to forgive, how to relate to others, how to communicate, how to have purpose and how to think.

(1 John 4:9)  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

If I didn’t have Jesus showing me how to live real life every day I would be lost – and running around “filling urinals” while people around me are thirsting for water.

 

Deworming the Earworm

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Eeeew!  This is my reaction to this disgusting-sounding title. However, this post is not really going to be about slimy creatures living inside the crevices of our inner ears or about long squiggly worms “gracefully” cascading down from the openings in our ears.

“Earworms” is a word coined within the last decade used to describe catchy phrases, jingles or songs that get stuck in our minds – and while there are replayed over and over (and over) again.  Several recent happenings brought “earworms” to my attention. One is an article I read yesterday, while in the Zurich airport, in a magazine entitled “Hear the World”. (My mother was deaf the last twenty years of her life, so articles about hearing often catch my attention).  This particular article was about “earworms” – what causes them (they don’t know) and how to get rid of them.

Also, this past weekend my oldest granddaughter, who was visiting us, began to sing a jingle from an advertisement for a jewelry store – “Every kiss begins with Kay”.  As she was singing I  began to randomly say the word “Kay”, and then give her younger sister (who was sitting on my lap)  a kiss each time I said the word.  This brought on laughter, which brought on more spoken “Kays” followed up with kisses. Unfortunately, I was left singing this little ditty in my head all day long.  Now that I have mentioned it, if you are familiar with the song I may have just passed this annoyance on to you. Similarly, If I were to write a paragraph encouraging you not to think about a red airplane – and then kept repeating instructions, “don’t think about a red-colored airplane” – chances are you would have it clearly pictured in your mind.

I read in the magazine article that studies show that the best solution for ridding our minds of “earworms” is to to sing a different song or say another phrase. Funny thing, the scriptures have always taught this God-given principle.  A scripture that has become a well used tool for me is found in Romans 12:21.  It simply states,
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Another scripture that teaches this principle is told in Matthew 12:43-45
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. [44] Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. [45] Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first…”

When I have an unrighteous thought, word or attitude come into my head I can be sure it will want to “take up residence” in my heart.  I can let it fester and take root, or I can decide (with the help of God) to send it away.  These scriptures teach me that, just like the earworms, I won’t be able to get rid of these thoughts, words or attitudes just by thinking about getting them out of my head.  Instead, I need to replace them with something else, such as what is described in Philip. 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

When I keep scriptures, songs and righteous “good thoughts”  in my “arsenal of memory”. they prove again and again  to be antidotes for having the “sinworms” take me captive. These “sinworms” are far more destructive than “earworms”, which can just be annoying.  Either way, I never have liked worms.

An Attitude of Gratitude

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Ever wonder why some people, even amid dire circumstances, continue to be thankful, content and happy individuals while others, who have access to many good things, complain, are unhappy and easily annoyed? I have observed that there is a common theme with gratitude – lack of entitlement  Those who feel the most “entitled”, have the greatest difficulty finding the ability to be truly grateful. When we feel we deserve something, we are often left disappointed, annoyed or angry. At least that’s how it goes for me.  There is just no room for thankfulness.   Consider the challenging but eye (and heart) opening scripture in Luke 17:7-10
“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? [8] Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? [9] Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? [10] So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ “

This is challenging to me.  However, when I approach my service to God and others out of emptying myself… because of honor and appreciation for Him it changes the way I look at everything.  Though God treats me with incredible love and tenderness, it is often easy to get confused and think that these are things he “owes” me.  In my heart of hearts I know that what I really deserve is to die and go to hell.  That’s truly what I “deserve”, but I can easily forget this fact.  God’s graciousness, however, allows me to be treated not as I deserve, but with the gift of love, kindness and care. Whenever I forget this, I cease to be a grateful person.  Lost gratitude leads to a downward spiral described in Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened….

The downward spiral that follows has its beginning with a failure to give thanks.  From there, our thinking becomes futile and we begin a plunge into a dark hole.

However, when I truly believe I have been given God’s mercy…forgiveness, purpose, the power to change, direction for my life, etc, etc…..everything changes, especially my mindset, or attitude.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The world around me tells me that I deserve prestige, money, fast internet and even a good parking place.  However, when I live God’s will for my life (which is right, feels good and is all around fantastic!) I am then able to renew my mind and transform my way of thinking. Then I can give, serve and empty myself….only to find that in the meantime I am at peace, happy, grateful and energized.  Gratitude begins with our attitude,… and as the scripture below shows… it puts a song in our hearts and a pep in our step.

Col. 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Over the next few days I plan to think a lot about the incredible blessings of people, places and things for which I am grateful.  I expect to smile a lot, though I’m sure some tears will flow as I remember special memories of those no longer here.  May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and live with a joyful, thankful attitude…if you live on a trash heap or in a mansion.

The Circle of Life

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The circle keeps on turning.  Over the past two months I’ve keenly felt its spin.  After burying Wyndham’s dad in early fall I reflected how short a long life of 92 years really is in the scheme of time.  The scripture is so true in James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

A week ago I witnessed the dramatic birth  of my newest grandchild, who is aptly named “Grace”.  Though she tried mightily to make her debut much too early, God graciously answered “yes” to our pleas for her to stay put long enough to be healthy. I shared earlier the scripture from Jeremiah 29:11-13 that emboldened my spirit  as I watched this new life emerge.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

A few days ago my first-born turned 34….Hard to believe.  In many ways it seems like yesterday when I was 34, and yet in other ways it seems like ions ago.  So much of life has been lived and I look forward to the gift of each new day God gives me. Each day truly is a gift from God. Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made;
        let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Last week, as I shared a few days ago, we lost our dog, who was such a part of our family.  At 14 and a half, he had already outlived his life expectancy.  The circle of life keeps on spinning.  Sometimes it exhilarates my heart, and at other times it seems to break it into pieces.

When I keep the perspective that each day is a gift from God, full of opportunity to live out his purpose for my life, it affords a “joie de vivre” that will make a huge difference in my own quality of life as well as the impact I can have on those whose lives I touch.  I was moved by my Bible reading today as I read of David in Acts 13:22.
After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’    What a tribute to a man, though flawed, to be recorded for all history as a man after God’s own heart – doing everything God has planned for him.  I then read on to verse 36.
  “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. [37] But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

What a thing to be said about his life…..He “served God’s purpose in his generation”.  Simple, yet profound!  We certainly are not just bodies with souls inside.  We are souls created for a purpose that are surrounded by temporary bodies.  When we are born spiritually, these souls will live forever.  1 Peter 1:22-25.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. [23] For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. [24] For  “All men are like grass,
        and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
    the grass withers and the flowers fall, [25] but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
I pray to be about God’s purpose in my life today and each day.  I’m grateful that his word clarifies that purpose for me.  It is sometimes thrilling, sometimes scary, sometimes difficult….but it is always so right and always so good when God stays at the center of this spinning circle.

New Life

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Thirty four years ago, at this same hour, I was likely preparing for bed.  Pregnant with my first child, I wondered if by some chance my child would be born on my due date, November 17. Wyndham, sick with a bad cold, had remarked that he hoped it would not be that particular night, given his sickness.  However, as time would have it, a few hours later I woke him…knowing that we should to head to the hospital.  About five hours after our arrival we welcomed our first-born, Melissa Allison, into the world.  I’ll never forget the amazement of holding this miracle of new life that had been formed inside my body.  Nothing could have prepared me for the joy of that moment.  I felt for her the same anticipation described in  Jeremiah 29:11, that God feels for his people.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  

I had hopes and dreams for my new daughter.  This scripture helped me better begin to grasp something of what God felt for me.  He wasn’t out to harm me…he felt about me the way this scripture describes. The response to this love is up to us…as the scripture continues.

[12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Thirty-four years later I stand with deep gratitude and admiration for the woman of God that this once tiny baby has become. I love her more than words can express. She has sought to please God with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength and her life has eternally affected so many.  She brings her husband much joy, and is a pretty amazing mom.  Often I marvel at what she gets done in a day.   Her sensitivity and giving spirit to her family is extraordinary and she is one of the most loyal friends to others that I know. She truly inspires me.  I just wanted to take a moment to share my gratitude for the blessing of the miracle that came into my life on November 17, 1977.

Goodbye Ol’ Friend (Jordan Shaw, July 3, 1997 – November 15, 2011)

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-Can’t say I’ve ever written a letter to a dog before.  However, as I say goodbye to you, my furry friend,  I want to thank you for several things.  I think you know them, but it’s therapeutic for me to write them down.

It seems a mere “blink” ago when Wyndham and I decided, while on a marriage getaway, to look for you.  We found you in Maine and stopped by to surprise the kids with you, while on our way home.   They were at teen camp, and were so thrilled they could hardly contain themselves.  I felt an instant kinship with you, as we got carsick together on the way home.  Proverbs 6:6 tells of what we can learn from watching the ways of an ant.  Let me tell you ten things I have learned from watching you – the ways of a Golden Retriever.

  1.  You stretched yourself. – You were pretty fast yourself, but as a youngster I loved watching you run with Pharoah, the neighborhood greyhound.  You tried so hard to keep up…and made yourself stronger and faster by having a buddy like that.  I, too, always need to surround myself with people who are better at things than I am.  It makes me grow.
  2.  You thrilled at your purpose. – You came from a hunting heritage.  It was a beautiful thing to see you hunt pheasant (as I’ve seen from the videos). You gave your master, Wyndham, so many great memories.  Your instinct was natural.  God made you to hunt birds…and you did it well.  Though perhaps a “spoiled bird dog” you didn’t hesitate to the thrill of finding birds.  (Well…except the one extremely cold, rainy morning when you knew Wyndham was going hunting and you hid under the covers at my feet.  He looked all over for you.  I told you I wouldn’t tell….but finally had to “spill the beans” – sorry… however I heard you did enjoy it).   When you started to get too old to hunt you went out with the new little guys (the goldens we got for Sam and Kristen) and  showed them what to do.  You trained them when you got too old to run.  Likewise, I know I am so much happier when I am living out the purpose for which God created me.  And…as I age I want to be all about passing what I have learned on to others.
  3. You made friends with everyone. –  I called you the “mayor of the park”.  Since we live across the street from a park you assumed every person or dog that came was there to be your friend.  So many people in this town know your name.  You loved everyone.  You joined in a few soccer games, ended up at neighbors ‘ homes, and even had little girls down the street come knock on our door every afternoon after school to ask, “Can Jordan come out to play with us?”  You have introduced me to so many people, and remembering your ways encourages me to try to make friends with new people.
  4. You loved children. –  You were the best dog a kid or grown up could have.  You made Jacob’s transition into our home so much easier for him…as you seemed to understand Romanian better than anyone. He had many conversations with you. You raced our kids down many a hill while they were sledding.  You welcomed each of the grandchildren – and even let them ride you like a horse.  Even in these last few days, feeling so badly, you patiently lay still while Micah held you around your torso to hug you and kiss you.
  5. You cared, in your own doggy way. –  You had a keen sensitivity to emotions.  Whenever I was sad you would just come close to be near.  That’s all.  Whenever anyone came over to talk with us… if they were hurting or crying you always chose to sit close to them.  Somehow you knew.  I see how sometimes just being there…really helps.
  6.  You took care of your “little brother” and endured his neediness of you. –  Poor Blackie (our cock-a-poo, named by Jacob, who got him for Christmas 10 years ago) will be lost for a while without you.  He has never known life away from you.  He slept inside of your four legs all scooched up to your stomach.  Thinking he is part cat, he constantly groomed you..from the insides of your ears to your gums (I know…disgusting)….and you let him!  Even last week, though you can’t walk, you somehow managed to get up when he was being chased by a dog.  You were a great big brother.  I can sometimes get annoyed by others’ neediness.  May I learn to have the patience you showed.
  7. You weren’t afraid to ask. – You loved sweets, particularly chocolate chip cookies.  I never could resist those eyes.  They caused me to give my food away to you, even the last licks of my ice cream (and I don’t like to part with my ice cream).  You assumed I should have a piece of popcorn and then you should get a piece…and back and forth we would go.  You mastered the art of propping your head on my knee and giving me the “sad eyes”.  You loved our “Nana and Papa nights” where you got lots of pizza from begging with all the grandkids.  You were persistent…and it worked.  While I don’t want to be a nag…sometimes I lack the courage to ask for things.
  8. You never had a bad day. –  You were so consistent in your demeanor…always happy.  You got lyme disease several times, hit by a car once,  skunked a few times, and were constantly losing your hair. (Wow, I even think I’ll miss using the lint roller several times a day.) You were in pain often this last year but never complained.   You just stayed happy….this is one more reason it’s just hard to say goodbye.  May I be as content as you were.
  9. You grew old with dignity. – These last few days, you tried so hard to help us out when  it came time to carry you outside.  I know you wanted to do for yourself, and it was  hard on you to be so needy.  When you could still walk, you would sometimes need an encouraging word to go up the stairs but you would push yourself hard.  I think you would truly rather die than “mess up” in the house.  You like privacy when you do your business.  You remind me that…even though you are a dog…you have dignity about you.  How much more do I need to honor those who are aging and show them dignity and respect.
  10. You lived to please your master. – This is what stands out to me the most, old friend.  You truly did live to please your master.  Nothing pleased you more than to please first Wyndham, and then me.  As I write this with tears streaming…I pray that what can most be said about my life is that I live to please my master.  Nothing better could be said.  Thank you for 14 golden years, golden boy.  I will miss you more than you know.

Eccles. 3:1-8

    There is a time for everything,

        and a season for every activity under heaven:

        [2] a time to be born and a time to die,

        a time to plant and a time to uproot,

        [3] a time to kill and a time to heal,

        a time to tear down and a time to build,

        [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh,

        a time to mourn and a time to dance,

        [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

        a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

        [6] a time to search and a time to give up,

        a time to keep and a time to throw away,

        [7] a time to tear and a time to mend,

        a time to be silent and a time to speak,

        [8] a time to love and a time to hate,

        a time for war and a time for peace.

Welcome Amazing Grace

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This will be a very short but special blog post today.   I have just returned from witnessing another miracle.  The miracle of new life never ceases to amaze me.  Just a few hours ago, at 1:17am on 11-11-11 my newest granddaughter entered this world. She has been prayed for so often, as she tried to make an early debut in late September.  I marvel at God’s grace… letting us meet 7 lb. 3 oz. baby Grace.    Psalm 139:13-18
    For you created my inmost being;
        you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
    [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
        your works are wonderful,
        I know that full well.
    [15] My frame was not hidden from you
        when I was made in the secret place.
    When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
        [16] your eyes saw my unformed body.
    All the days ordained for me
        were written in your book
        before one of them came to be.

    [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
        How vast is the sum of them!
    [18] Were I to count them,
        they would outnumber the grains of sand..