Sometimes life is just too hard. Things are going along normally...even splendidly. Then disaster hits. A tragic accident. A life-threatening illness. Unspeakable tragedy. First shock and disbelief. Then the questions bombard us...questions we have; questions others have; questions we have for God. We are shaken to the core and just can't comprehend it. Can't make sense of it. Can't find our peace at all.
So what is a person to do?
We draw on our inner strength. We lean on each other. We lean on the professionals, the ones here on earth who do their very best to help us. We lean on total strangers. We reach out...we reach up...we lean on the Everlasting Arms. And if not for all the above, we would probably just drown in our sorrow, fall off the cliff, totally flounder under the pressure.
Our faith is tested...our faith is strained...our faith feels insufficient. But then, we have a tiny breakthrough. A person...a visit...a card...a verse...a word...a song...a tiny flicker of hope happens. Sometimes so tiny it's hardly tangible. But we find ourselves looking up and seeing a ray of light instead of total darkness...a little bit of joy...
Never ever doubt the power of pray-ers...the power of hope shared...the power of God. We may not always get "yes," but God has not left us nor forsaken us. He weeps right along with us. He cares so deeply. He knows how it feels. For all his power and his might and his strength, his very nature is one of loving kindness...mercy...grace.
His presence is found in the prayers and praises of his people. Those who intercede. Those who carry their brothers and sisters. Those who reach out and share the burden and try to divide the pain by bearing some of it. Even the ones who are too overcome, weakened, and overwhelmed to even voice their concerns except to cry out to their Father. He truly cares. He hears. He does.
God's Holy Spirit...intercedes...petitions...nudges...whispers...comforts...The blessed Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Three in One, One in Three. Oh, the sweet, sweet love of Jesus. There is our peace. There is our answer. Praise God for his ever-present, everlasting, ever-conquering LOVE. Love that passes all understanding. Love that carries us through...across...out of the pit of despair. Thank God that we do not have to really understand or to have the answers or even know which way to turn. He is right here with us, giving us what we need, when we need it. He is the source of our hope and our strength. He is the God who is enough.
CONCORD CHRONICLE - Dedicated to God, the author of peace and lover of concord
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Pie, anyone?
As promised, here are the microwaved pie recipes!
Chocolate Pie
Prick and pre-bake an 8 inch pie crust. Or you may use graham cracker or chocolate cookie crumb crust. If you wish to use a 9 inch crust, just increase ingredients by 1/2 again (eg: 1 1/2 C sugar, 4 1/2 T cocoa, etc.)
In a glass microwave-proof bowl, combine well, whisking to break up any lumps:
1 C sugar
1/3 C regular flour
3 T cocoa
Add:
3 egg yolks
2 C milk
1/2 tsp salt
Mix well and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir (whisk) well, til the mixture comes together smoothly. Microwave for another 5 minutes. Add 1/2 stick butter and 1 tsp. vanilla, again whisking well.
Pour into pie crust and let cool while making meringue:
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp vanilla
6 T sugar
Beat whites til soft peaks form, then add cream of tartar, vanilla, and sugar a little at a time. Beat til stiff peaks form. Top pie with meringue and bake 12-15 min at 350.
Coconut Pie
Just like chocolate one, except leave out cocoa and add 1 large handful coconut (about 1 C) after custard is cooked in microwave.
You may also use the custard for Banana Cream Pie by leaving out the coconut and adding 1-2 chopped bananas.
Enjoy!
Chocolate Pie
Prick and pre-bake an 8 inch pie crust. Or you may use graham cracker or chocolate cookie crumb crust. If you wish to use a 9 inch crust, just increase ingredients by 1/2 again (eg: 1 1/2 C sugar, 4 1/2 T cocoa, etc.)
In a glass microwave-proof bowl, combine well, whisking to break up any lumps:
1 C sugar
1/3 C regular flour
3 T cocoa
Add:
3 egg yolks
2 C milk
1/2 tsp salt
Mix well and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir (whisk) well, til the mixture comes together smoothly. Microwave for another 5 minutes. Add 1/2 stick butter and 1 tsp. vanilla, again whisking well.
Pour into pie crust and let cool while making meringue:
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp vanilla
6 T sugar
Beat whites til soft peaks form, then add cream of tartar, vanilla, and sugar a little at a time. Beat til stiff peaks form. Top pie with meringue and bake 12-15 min at 350.
Coconut Pie
Just like chocolate one, except leave out cocoa and add 1 large handful coconut (about 1 C) after custard is cooked in microwave.
You may also use the custard for Banana Cream Pie by leaving out the coconut and adding 1-2 chopped bananas.
Enjoy!
Daddy's Day
Well, it's Father's Day, and I imagine every blogger in the world is writing about that very special day. Whether we are honoring fathers who are in the here and now, or those who have passed on....whether they be near or far away...whether it be a day of fun-filled memories or one tinged with some regrets...we can all agree that fathers play an extra-special role in the lives of their offspring.
Personally, I want to honor four men who hold extraordinary places in my heart and life: my own Daddy; my father-in-law "Pops;" my wonderful husband; and our son.
My daddy was one-in-a-million. He was the middle child in his family, and he was very typical in that role: not the eldest, not the baby, and sometimes overlooked. He was quiet and mild-mannered, sometimes to a fault. He was kind and honest and smart and thoughtful: a Southern gentleman, with the greatest manners and a gentleness that was so sweet. He was generous and humble and never sought to bring attention to himself. I remember an instance where a dear friend, with four children, decided to give up his career in sales and go into the ministry. Daddy wanted to help, to the point of purchasing his friend's house in order to free the couple of that financial burden so that they could pursue their calling and dreams. And another time when their pastor fell into financial strains, and unbeknownst to all, he helped him. I found out about this from a thank-you letter in Daddy's files, after his death. Just doing the right thing in the right spirit, without fanfare. Daddy was one of the last great romantics: always showering Mother with girly gifts of perfume, flowers, cards...everything women adore...He was a sweetheart of a guy for sure. He went on in 1999, after a courageous battle with Melanoma that had metastisized. And I miss him.
Pops was a character, a sweetheart, in his own way, as well. He had grown up in a large family, one of a bunch of brothers with a lone sister. They didn't have much, materially speaking; they lived off the land and worked hard to make ends meet. Their father was stern but loved his brood and taught them to love each other and to make the most of what they had. Pops, I learned from his sister, was fastidious as a child. He ironed his own clothes because noone else could do it to his satisfaction. He came to live with us when he was 59 years old, after the sad illness and death of his wife, John's mother, who succombed to ALS. During her illness, Pops was her chief caretaker, and he did that well. He pretty much gave up after her death, losing his zest for life. All he wanted to do was fish, and he did lots of that after his retirement, until his own health problems precluded him from pursuing this lifelong passion. It was good for us, for the most part, having him in our home for 23 years. It was good for him for sure, being around people rather than being alone. It was good for our children, having a Waltons-like family atmosphere where they learned from him and kept him young with their fun and games and childlike joy and all. It was difficult, at times, as well; for it's hard for two families to live under the same roof. I learned lots from him, and I loved him and I miss him. He was a pretty much self-made man; a good person with a good heart who loved the great outdoors with its wildlife and possibilities for not only hunting and fishing but just enjoying the plants and animals God created. He had probably more common sense and natural wisdom than anyone I've known. RIP, Pops.
My husband: my John...such a blessing to me and our family and to so many. He is probably the most humble man I know. He has accomplished much in his life, but you would never know from talking with him or being around him. He never talks about himself; what he accomplished is "history," according to him and belongs in the past; he talks little, but what he says is worth hearing. We met in 7th grade, started dating when our parents allowed us to, at age 16; married after our sophomore year in college. So we truly grew up together; now we are growing older together! He is very neat, organized, and administratively gifted. He has been a wonderful provider, protector, and friend. And a great example to our children. And to hundreds if not thousands of those he taught and coached over his 30 year career at Farragut High School. More than one has told us that they considered him like a second dad. He has been there with wise counsel, a great listening ear, honesty, integrity, and Christian values throughout life. The life of a teacher and coach and Army reservist made his working days long. But we made the most of the time he did have off and have wonderful memories of summer camping trips, trips to the beach, and many adventures outdoors. We spent some of our happiest times at the ball parks where we followed his teams and supported his efforts. He and I are more or less joined at the hip, and we are thoroughly enjoying retirement together...and being parents of adult children, who are our pride and joy, along with our latest blessing: our little grandson. It is pure joy for me to watch him with that precious child. He would be thoroughly embarrassed to hear these comments, as he does not like to be in the limelight. Although greatly honored, he did not like being front-and-center when the baseball field at FHS was named for him...nor when he was inducted into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame...just too much fanfare for a quiet and humble man who would rather just be enjoying his family and golf and fishing or reading. I love that man so much.
Our son is one of our heroes. He is smart and funny and very capable. He has been a stay at home dad since his little son was born 27 months ago. He is a captain in the Florida Air National Guard and in training now for a new full-time job with that branch of the armed services. He is a great son...wonderful husband...and the best daddy in the world. He has gotten his son off to a great start, caring for him with a perfect blend of love and laughter, play, good nutrition, and routine/schedule. He has read to him since day one, and that little guy loves books and reading, the building blocks of education and learning. Johnny has a special bond with his little boy that is enviable and exemplary. And he can cook! His lucky wife has had a lunch packed with love and yumminess everyday...plus a well-planned and prepared meal each night. Yes, I think he gets the award, don't you?
So...Happy Daddy's Day to each of you dads out there and especially to the four men who are so special to me. I love you and am so grateful for your lives and contributions to our world...and to my life, personally. I thank God for each of you.
Personally, I want to honor four men who hold extraordinary places in my heart and life: my own Daddy; my father-in-law "Pops;" my wonderful husband; and our son.
My daddy was one-in-a-million. He was the middle child in his family, and he was very typical in that role: not the eldest, not the baby, and sometimes overlooked. He was quiet and mild-mannered, sometimes to a fault. He was kind and honest and smart and thoughtful: a Southern gentleman, with the greatest manners and a gentleness that was so sweet. He was generous and humble and never sought to bring attention to himself. I remember an instance where a dear friend, with four children, decided to give up his career in sales and go into the ministry. Daddy wanted to help, to the point of purchasing his friend's house in order to free the couple of that financial burden so that they could pursue their calling and dreams. And another time when their pastor fell into financial strains, and unbeknownst to all, he helped him. I found out about this from a thank-you letter in Daddy's files, after his death. Just doing the right thing in the right spirit, without fanfare. Daddy was one of the last great romantics: always showering Mother with girly gifts of perfume, flowers, cards...everything women adore...He was a sweetheart of a guy for sure. He went on in 1999, after a courageous battle with Melanoma that had metastisized. And I miss him.
Pops was a character, a sweetheart, in his own way, as well. He had grown up in a large family, one of a bunch of brothers with a lone sister. They didn't have much, materially speaking; they lived off the land and worked hard to make ends meet. Their father was stern but loved his brood and taught them to love each other and to make the most of what they had. Pops, I learned from his sister, was fastidious as a child. He ironed his own clothes because noone else could do it to his satisfaction. He came to live with us when he was 59 years old, after the sad illness and death of his wife, John's mother, who succombed to ALS. During her illness, Pops was her chief caretaker, and he did that well. He pretty much gave up after her death, losing his zest for life. All he wanted to do was fish, and he did lots of that after his retirement, until his own health problems precluded him from pursuing this lifelong passion. It was good for us, for the most part, having him in our home for 23 years. It was good for him for sure, being around people rather than being alone. It was good for our children, having a Waltons-like family atmosphere where they learned from him and kept him young with their fun and games and childlike joy and all. It was difficult, at times, as well; for it's hard for two families to live under the same roof. I learned lots from him, and I loved him and I miss him. He was a pretty much self-made man; a good person with a good heart who loved the great outdoors with its wildlife and possibilities for not only hunting and fishing but just enjoying the plants and animals God created. He had probably more common sense and natural wisdom than anyone I've known. RIP, Pops.
My husband: my John...such a blessing to me and our family and to so many. He is probably the most humble man I know. He has accomplished much in his life, but you would never know from talking with him or being around him. He never talks about himself; what he accomplished is "history," according to him and belongs in the past; he talks little, but what he says is worth hearing. We met in 7th grade, started dating when our parents allowed us to, at age 16; married after our sophomore year in college. So we truly grew up together; now we are growing older together! He is very neat, organized, and administratively gifted. He has been a wonderful provider, protector, and friend. And a great example to our children. And to hundreds if not thousands of those he taught and coached over his 30 year career at Farragut High School. More than one has told us that they considered him like a second dad. He has been there with wise counsel, a great listening ear, honesty, integrity, and Christian values throughout life. The life of a teacher and coach and Army reservist made his working days long. But we made the most of the time he did have off and have wonderful memories of summer camping trips, trips to the beach, and many adventures outdoors. We spent some of our happiest times at the ball parks where we followed his teams and supported his efforts. He and I are more or less joined at the hip, and we are thoroughly enjoying retirement together...and being parents of adult children, who are our pride and joy, along with our latest blessing: our little grandson. It is pure joy for me to watch him with that precious child. He would be thoroughly embarrassed to hear these comments, as he does not like to be in the limelight. Although greatly honored, he did not like being front-and-center when the baseball field at FHS was named for him...nor when he was inducted into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame...just too much fanfare for a quiet and humble man who would rather just be enjoying his family and golf and fishing or reading. I love that man so much.
Our son is one of our heroes. He is smart and funny and very capable. He has been a stay at home dad since his little son was born 27 months ago. He is a captain in the Florida Air National Guard and in training now for a new full-time job with that branch of the armed services. He is a great son...wonderful husband...and the best daddy in the world. He has gotten his son off to a great start, caring for him with a perfect blend of love and laughter, play, good nutrition, and routine/schedule. He has read to him since day one, and that little guy loves books and reading, the building blocks of education and learning. Johnny has a special bond with his little boy that is enviable and exemplary. And he can cook! His lucky wife has had a lunch packed with love and yumminess everyday...plus a well-planned and prepared meal each night. Yes, I think he gets the award, don't you?
So...Happy Daddy's Day to each of you dads out there and especially to the four men who are so special to me. I love you and am so grateful for your lives and contributions to our world...and to my life, personally. I thank God for each of you.
Friday, June 8, 2012
THE SOUTH
There is something about living in The South that is wonderful indeed. Not that I have much experience living anywhere else outside The South, except for two years in Pennsylvania during my husband's Army years. It was a good experience for us, as we were 22 years old, fresh out of college and with a newborn baby! We were on our own and had to grow up very quickly; to lean on each other; to lean on God in ways we had not had to before. But PA was NOT home. We made good friends; we liked Amish country; and Philly cheese steak sandwiches! But it was not where we wished to establish home and raise a family.
We have traveled some, and there are areas that hold potential as places-we-might-like-to-live. Like The Northwest: with its lush forests and abundant wildlife and diverse landscapes...proximity to the Pacific and to Canada...and delicious apples and cherries! But it's cold-weather country, and my hubby is not a fan of winter and cold and snow. Or perhaps Hawaii :) True paradise! If it weren't so far away...and isolated at that...and expensive to boot, I would move there in a nanosecond! But it is, so I guess we are out of luck there. Sedona, AZ is awesome! I loved our visit there, with it's gorgeous Redrocks, canyons, forests. But home? I don't think so.
There are places I've never visited, which sound wonderful: the Napa Valley of CA or maybe San Diego, with it's 300+ days of near-perfect weather. Maybe Colorado Springs/Denver...I really like what I see and hear about that area. But with our family history of altitude sickness, we probably would have an uphill battle there!
So we're back to The South, one of the most beautiful areas of our country. With its four distinct seasons...beautiful flowers...seashores...mountains...lakes...rivers...big cities and small towns...great restaurants...reasonable cost-of-living...wonderful architecture...fun places to visit like Biltmore House and Gardens, Charleston and Savannah, The Greenbrier, St Augustine, Key West, Hilton Head, Sanibel and Naples...zoos and aquariums (is that the plural of aquarium? My Latin aludes me!)...Locally, we have Norris and Tellico and Douglas and Cherokee Lakes...and Cades Cove and Clingman's Dome and Mount LeConte and Mount Cammerer; the Appalachian Trail among 900 miles of hiking trails in The Great Smoky Mountains. We can be in Asheville in two hours, Nashville in 3, Atlanta in 3-4, Lexington in a few hours...Birmingham is relatively close-by and full of great things. Oxford, MS is one of my favorite "new" places to love. College towns have their own allure, and the history and architecture and spirit of that quaint and fun town is just very appealing. Not to mention it has a town square! If you love small-town America, you have to love Murfreesboro and many other county seats with the mid-town courthouse-on-the-square. Americana at its best.
We are spending lots of town in north Florida, and I have been amazed at the lush landscape possibilities there. Gardenia bushes are HUGE, as are the Camellias and Azaleas. It's a flower/shrub lover's paradise. Because of the heat and humidity, shrubs we pamper and feed and water at home just thrive on what God alone gives them. Of course this same heat and humidity can be oppressive, and bugs and other undesirable critters thrive. But I really like the ease of gardening and all the colors and aromas of this near-tropical climate. The seashore, with its own special magic, is so beautiful and refreshing. There is just something about the beach, isn't there. I have wonderful childhood memories of my mother's family, all 20 something of us, in a big ole beachhouse, unairconditioned, with too few bathrooms...but full of all the joy and happiness in the world. We cousins played and swam and jumped the waves and built sandcastles til our hearts' content. I cherish those memories, of grandparents and aunts and uncles...of seashell-gathering, the smell of suntan lotion (not to be mistaken for sunblock!)...seagulls and pelicans and the moon rising above the ocean, casting its moonbeams upon the waters...the wonderful scents of surf and salt and sand...and the seafood! Nothing better. Til I was 25 years old, I ate more shrimp, crab, and clams than any child around...and asked for lobster on my birthdays! Then, sadly, a shellfish allergy presented its ugly head. That's a whole 'nother story...suffice it to say, life isn't fair. I miss my shellfish! Maybe in heaven, huh? We can always hope!
Enough reminiscing. Here's to life in the South. To southern hospitality. To friendliness. To living gladly and joyfully in a place where we can live and worship and play and serve in a warm atmosphere of love. God, after creation, said, "It is good." I know He was referring to ALL creation. But I think He outdid Himself with The South. And I say, "Thank you very much."
We have traveled some, and there are areas that hold potential as places-we-might-like-to-live. Like The Northwest: with its lush forests and abundant wildlife and diverse landscapes...proximity to the Pacific and to Canada...and delicious apples and cherries! But it's cold-weather country, and my hubby is not a fan of winter and cold and snow. Or perhaps Hawaii :) True paradise! If it weren't so far away...and isolated at that...and expensive to boot, I would move there in a nanosecond! But it is, so I guess we are out of luck there. Sedona, AZ is awesome! I loved our visit there, with it's gorgeous Redrocks, canyons, forests. But home? I don't think so.
There are places I've never visited, which sound wonderful: the Napa Valley of CA or maybe San Diego, with it's 300+ days of near-perfect weather. Maybe Colorado Springs/Denver...I really like what I see and hear about that area. But with our family history of altitude sickness, we probably would have an uphill battle there!
So we're back to The South, one of the most beautiful areas of our country. With its four distinct seasons...beautiful flowers...seashores...mountains...lakes...rivers...big cities and small towns...great restaurants...reasonable cost-of-living...wonderful architecture...fun places to visit like Biltmore House and Gardens, Charleston and Savannah, The Greenbrier, St Augustine, Key West, Hilton Head, Sanibel and Naples...zoos and aquariums (is that the plural of aquarium? My Latin aludes me!)...Locally, we have Norris and Tellico and Douglas and Cherokee Lakes...and Cades Cove and Clingman's Dome and Mount LeConte and Mount Cammerer; the Appalachian Trail among 900 miles of hiking trails in The Great Smoky Mountains. We can be in Asheville in two hours, Nashville in 3, Atlanta in 3-4, Lexington in a few hours...Birmingham is relatively close-by and full of great things. Oxford, MS is one of my favorite "new" places to love. College towns have their own allure, and the history and architecture and spirit of that quaint and fun town is just very appealing. Not to mention it has a town square! If you love small-town America, you have to love Murfreesboro and many other county seats with the mid-town courthouse-on-the-square. Americana at its best.
We are spending lots of town in north Florida, and I have been amazed at the lush landscape possibilities there. Gardenia bushes are HUGE, as are the Camellias and Azaleas. It's a flower/shrub lover's paradise. Because of the heat and humidity, shrubs we pamper and feed and water at home just thrive on what God alone gives them. Of course this same heat and humidity can be oppressive, and bugs and other undesirable critters thrive. But I really like the ease of gardening and all the colors and aromas of this near-tropical climate. The seashore, with its own special magic, is so beautiful and refreshing. There is just something about the beach, isn't there. I have wonderful childhood memories of my mother's family, all 20 something of us, in a big ole beachhouse, unairconditioned, with too few bathrooms...but full of all the joy and happiness in the world. We cousins played and swam and jumped the waves and built sandcastles til our hearts' content. I cherish those memories, of grandparents and aunts and uncles...of seashell-gathering, the smell of suntan lotion (not to be mistaken for sunblock!)...seagulls and pelicans and the moon rising above the ocean, casting its moonbeams upon the waters...the wonderful scents of surf and salt and sand...and the seafood! Nothing better. Til I was 25 years old, I ate more shrimp, crab, and clams than any child around...and asked for lobster on my birthdays! Then, sadly, a shellfish allergy presented its ugly head. That's a whole 'nother story...suffice it to say, life isn't fair. I miss my shellfish! Maybe in heaven, huh? We can always hope!
Enough reminiscing. Here's to life in the South. To southern hospitality. To friendliness. To living gladly and joyfully in a place where we can live and worship and play and serve in a warm atmosphere of love. God, after creation, said, "It is good." I know He was referring to ALL creation. But I think He outdid Himself with The South. And I say, "Thank you very much."
Friday, June 1, 2012
QUIET
It's very early in the morning...one of the best times of the day! It's still and quiet and so very peaceful. Since I tend to be very productive, early in the morning, (not usually this early, however!) I decided to make the best of it and write a little.
Back at the first of the year, one of our dear friends, a spiritual mentor and fellow-blogger, challenged us, her readers, to choose a word, a goal, a resolution-of-sorts as a theme for this year. I asked God and then listened for His answer, as to what He had in mind for me. I don't always do that first: being typically human, I sometimes wrack my brain first, seeing what I can come up with (usually a very poor choice.) This time, for some reason, I asked Him first, and immediately...instantaneously...the word "quiet" came to me.
Now, I LOVE peace, tranquility, stillness...but I can be very chatty and get very caught up in scenarios that are far from quiet. We attend lots of ballgames and other sporting events, and crowds can be very noisy. Watching television is hardly ever peaceful. Shopping malls, traffic, concerts: lots going on there. And with a two-year-old grandchild, things are hardly ever quiet, and we wouldn't have him any other way! There's nothing quite like being around the playful exuberance of a happy, healthy, squealing child! But I do love my peaceful times, and I am learning to embrace them from a more spiritual perspective.
For it's in the still, quiet moments of my days that I clearly hear God...I feel His presence...I connect with His spirit. It happens at other times, too, of course...as in moments of praise in worship; during thunderstorms or torrential downpours; or during a stirring sermon or speech. But it's when I am alone with my thoughts and quiet in my soul that I best hear Him.
I've often said that I was born in the wrong age and time. Part of me just longs for times where there is less technology, loud music, noisy cars and trucks and planes and trains. Being next to a car at a stop light with a reverberating stereo...during the previews at the movie theatre...being around shreaking middle school girls (got to love them!), shrillness of most any kind can almost send me over the edge! I just long for a place and time where quiet prevails, where we can get back in touch with God-sounds: birds chirping, crickets and other creatures of the night singing their melodies, where the sounds of the wind rushing or water flowing or leaves rustling prevail. It isn't going to happen; I know that. Not very often, at least. But when those rare times do happen...or when I take advantage of the still, quiet moments of the early morn, then I am blessed beyond measure. My day gets off to a wonderful start. I get in touch with my Lord and my God from the very get-go. Prayers flow, and meditation happens, and my very being is filled with God and the things He has in mind for me. "Be still and know that I am God," says the Good Book. How very true.
So, here's to quietness in life...times where we unplug from busy ole 2012 and just revel in the aura of God's beautiful stillness. Quiet times breed peaceful hearts. And peaceful hearts breed satisfied spirits...what better way to mirror the One who created us and the One whom we follow. Hope you find some quiet times today...and this year. THANK YOU, Anne, for the challenge. I, for one, very much needed that and so grateful for my word: QUIET.
Back at the first of the year, one of our dear friends, a spiritual mentor and fellow-blogger, challenged us, her readers, to choose a word, a goal, a resolution-of-sorts as a theme for this year. I asked God and then listened for His answer, as to what He had in mind for me. I don't always do that first: being typically human, I sometimes wrack my brain first, seeing what I can come up with (usually a very poor choice.) This time, for some reason, I asked Him first, and immediately...instantaneously...the word "quiet" came to me.
Now, I LOVE peace, tranquility, stillness...but I can be very chatty and get very caught up in scenarios that are far from quiet. We attend lots of ballgames and other sporting events, and crowds can be very noisy. Watching television is hardly ever peaceful. Shopping malls, traffic, concerts: lots going on there. And with a two-year-old grandchild, things are hardly ever quiet, and we wouldn't have him any other way! There's nothing quite like being around the playful exuberance of a happy, healthy, squealing child! But I do love my peaceful times, and I am learning to embrace them from a more spiritual perspective.
For it's in the still, quiet moments of my days that I clearly hear God...I feel His presence...I connect with His spirit. It happens at other times, too, of course...as in moments of praise in worship; during thunderstorms or torrential downpours; or during a stirring sermon or speech. But it's when I am alone with my thoughts and quiet in my soul that I best hear Him.
I've often said that I was born in the wrong age and time. Part of me just longs for times where there is less technology, loud music, noisy cars and trucks and planes and trains. Being next to a car at a stop light with a reverberating stereo...during the previews at the movie theatre...being around shreaking middle school girls (got to love them!), shrillness of most any kind can almost send me over the edge! I just long for a place and time where quiet prevails, where we can get back in touch with God-sounds: birds chirping, crickets and other creatures of the night singing their melodies, where the sounds of the wind rushing or water flowing or leaves rustling prevail. It isn't going to happen; I know that. Not very often, at least. But when those rare times do happen...or when I take advantage of the still, quiet moments of the early morn, then I am blessed beyond measure. My day gets off to a wonderful start. I get in touch with my Lord and my God from the very get-go. Prayers flow, and meditation happens, and my very being is filled with God and the things He has in mind for me. "Be still and know that I am God," says the Good Book. How very true.
So, here's to quietness in life...times where we unplug from busy ole 2012 and just revel in the aura of God's beautiful stillness. Quiet times breed peaceful hearts. And peaceful hearts breed satisfied spirits...what better way to mirror the One who created us and the One whom we follow. Hope you find some quiet times today...and this year. THANK YOU, Anne, for the challenge. I, for one, very much needed that and so grateful for my word: QUIET.
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