A Pastor Rambles About Spring

I am not a huge fan of winter….ok I am not a fan of any kind. There is a little adage that says, “the other man’s grass is always greener” that I held fast to as a child.  I was raised in Florida, South Florida to be honest, I should have been happy with the perfect weather scenario.  It was warm year round and every day was beach weather.  But, oh no I  always wanted to live in a seasonal place.  We had two seasons in Florida….hot and hurricane.  

 We had palm trees and palmettos so there never was a changing of the leaves.  As a child I longed for a place with all the pretty colors of the fall.  What I didn’t realize with my dreams of living somewhere seasonal is that in those places there are four seasons….and winter is one of them.  Remember, I am not a fan of winter.  I am not a fan of cold.  Even though this winter was mild compared to many others, it has still been a long, cold winter, and I am eager for warm weather. I am eager for flip-flops and tee-shirts.  I’m tired of seeing bare trees and lifeless brown leaves covering the ground. 

 

I long to see jonquils and wildflowers poke through the dead leaves and to watch the woods turn green once more.  Yet even as I anticipate spring, which is one of my favorite seasons, I hear my mother’s voice saying, “Don’t wish your life away.”  I was a dreamer as a child and if the truth be known some of that little girl is still buried deep inside me.  Can you relate?  If you’re like me, you sometimes hear yourself saying, “When such and such happens, then I will . . . or, If only so and so would do this, then I would do that . . . or, I would be happy if . . . or, I will be satisfied when . . .”  It is funny but  more often than not in longing for some future good, we forget that every day—regardless of the weather or our circumstances—is a gift from God to be used for His glory.   

 

There is a cute saying that goes, "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present."  I love this saying.  Author Ron Ash says, “We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow.”  In every season, there is a reason to rejoice and an opportunity to do good (Eccl. 3:12). The challenge for each of us every day is to find something to rejoice about and some good to do—and then to do both.  Just as the winter turns to spring, our lives have changing seasons too;  So when a gloomy forecast comes,   Remember—God has plans for you and every season brings a reason to rejoice. 

Easter Hodge Podge

Hi Hodgepodge peeps! So glad you could join in here on this first Wednesday of Spring. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of Joyce's post by clicking here, then hop over and say hello to your neighbor in the link up. Here we go-

1. Has spring sprung in your little corner of the world? Other than the calendar how would I know? What's your favorite thing about spring?  Yes it has. Japanese Magnolias are in bloom and so are the jonquils.  Trees are beginning to bud....and pollen is covering my car.  Easter and the new life of the flowers and trees would have to be my most favorite thing about spring....oh and of course, SPRING BREAK!  (It starts on Friday!!!!)
2. Besides the weather, what's put a spring in your step recently?  Oncoming Spring Break!  We are going to Knoxville to see my best buds, Susan and Chuck....and their family!  I am so excited!  Susan and I have been friends since I moved to Vedado Park at age 5.
3. How does Easter impact you?  I am a pastor....so Holy Week is very special to me.  I love it!  As a Christian I celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As a pastor I know that besides Christmas it is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year. As a Christian I believe, according to the Bible that Jesus came back to life, was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross.  Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of man, purchasing for all who believe in Him, eternal life!  It does not get must better than that.
4. I saw this somewhere on Facebook and thought it would make a fun Hodgepodge question. Which of the following would you find most disappointing...a just stuffed taco shell breaking open and spilling out when before you take the first bite? dropping a just-purchased Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts coffee? opening the peanut butter jar and finding it empty? upending a just-purchased ice cream cone?a burnt bagel popping up in your toaster when you're rushing breakfast? or cutting into an avocado and finding out it's rotten? All of the above and all of the above have happened to me at least once in my life.
5. What's something held together with tape at your house? Or a paper clip? Or a wing and a prayer?
I have two special frames that fell off the wall and busted.  The glass did not shatter but the frame is off....so they are held together with duct tape until I can get a replacement.
6. Do you feel underappreciated? In what way?  Within my family....no.  Within my church family....no.  At work....sometimes. 
7. What's something you'd build if you knew how?   A swinging bed made of pallets to go outside by my firepit, or a settee and chair made from pallets to go on my front porch.
8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Easter is a promise
God renews to us in each Spring.
May the promise of Easter
fill your heart with peace and joy!
Happy Easter

 

Who Was St. Patrick And Why The Shamrock?

I have had several students ask in the last few days, "Who was St. Patrick and why do we celebrate him?"  So I decided to do a little digging for them.  Thursday I plan to do my bell ringer for class on St. Patrick and let them know that Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. St Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Most of what is known about him comes from his two works; the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians.  According to Irish legend it is said that he was born in Britain, around 385AD. His parents Calpurnius and Conchessa,  were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales. As a boy of 14 he was captured and taken to Ireland where he spent six years in slavery herding sheep. He returned to Ireland in his 30s as a missionary among the Celtic pagans.   

 

I had some other students ask me why the shamrock was so important.  I mean....it is just a weed....right?   The Shamrock is the National Flower of Ireland just like the Camelia is the state flower of Alabama.  The reason the shamrock is so important is because St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans.

A few even wanted to know why green?  why orange?  So to help them understand why some people wear orange, I had to explain why people wear green. It all stems back to the fact that St. Patrick's Day is a Roman Catholic holiday that was first celebrated in Ireland starting in 1631. As the name implies, the holiday celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

But....what they didn't know.....was that blue was actually the first color associated with the holiday....that is until the Irish Rebellion in 1798.   Blue was one of the colors on the ancient Irish flag.....the British wore red.....so the Irish changed to green....think about it....Ireland is called the Emerald Isle....AND there is the clover..... and then there was the song "The Wearing of the Green" was very popular during the rebellion. Now...where does the orange come from....Catholics were associated with the green color.....and Protestants were associated with the orange....this was because of William of Orange....the Protestant king.  That is why you will see Protestants wearing orange instead of green on St. Paddy's day.    Not many wear the white of the flag....it symbolizes peace between the Catholics and the Protestants.  So, I know that is more than you ever wanted to know about this day....but....I am part Irish....and I love the tales and legends.  Slán agus beannacht leat /slawn ogg-us ban-ocked lyat/

Luck Of The Irish Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of Joyce's post, then go say hello to your neighbor. Thanks for joining the party here on This Side of the Pond-

1. What do you think about luck?  I truly believe that we make our own. Yes, there are some people who seem to be 'luckier' than others, but to me luck is  something we achieve with hard work, perseverance, and determination. 

2. Not counting your own backyard, what's a favorite green space in your town, city, or state?

Mrs. Betty Jean Houze's backyard and Beth Kramar's yard.  They are heaven on earth and my happy place.  I did not have access to the hundreds of pictures I have of their beautiful flowers because we can't use Facebook at school.
3. How do you make life more complex than it needs to be?  I don't.  My main goal in life is Keep It Simple Stupid.  When I was young I made everything complex...but now...with high blood pressure...I strive at not doing that anymore.

4. I read here the three places you should visit with friends. They are-New York City, Hawaii, and Amsterdam (rent a bike, walk along the canal, visit one of their world class museums). I felt the need to expound on that one.  Moving on...Of the three places listed which would you most like to visit with friends? What's one place not on the list you think should be visited with friends?  I took my best friend to Hawaii for her 50th birthday on a trip I actually won.  We had a ball and it was an amazing memory.  She died two years later and I am so glad we had that chance to make those memories.  I have been to NYC several times with friends and my daughter, Kat and loved every minute of it.  We hit every museum , play, and sight we could and I would go back in a heart beat.  I have never been to Amsterdam, although I have been to Europe many times...I would love to go, and especially see tulips in bloom.  

5.What's the last live performance you saw? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being best) how would you rate it?  I have not been to a live performance in a while....a long while....Frank and I just don't have time.  I went to a Women of Faith Conference two years ago with my daughter, Kat...Mary-Mary sang Shackles...the whole place was up singing and dancing...and I would give it a 20 out of a 10 point scale.  It was awesome.

6. March 14th is National Potato Chip Day. Are you a fan? Your favorite flavor? Besides potato, what's your favorite chip type of snack?  I'm a fan, but I rarely buy them. As the saying goes, 'Nobody can eat just one, so I try and leave them alone.  Vinegar and Salt or BBQ are my favorites.  I am like Joyce....I eat pretzels when I want something salty.

7. What rule is most important in your home?  Pick Up and Put Up.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I hate Springing Forward with time.  What say you?

Ramblings On Standing Firm

 

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV).   I had always thought I was Godly … until Frank came home and told me that we were moving, uprooting.....we were leaving all that I knew as familiar.....we were moving into our first parsonage...the Wednesday before Father's Day.  If you are unfamiliar with a parsonage....they are fully (and I do mean fully furnished).  So, if you want to measure your faith, just decide to pack up everything you own, put it in cardboard boxes, and move into a house that is furnished with odds and ends furniture that does not match.  We moved into the parsonage as the current pastor and his wife moved out.  She was cleaning as she walked out the door and handed us the keys.  I had visions of our new congregation turning out to help us unload all our belongings that we had not sold at the yard sale....what Frank ended up with was me....and my friend Mary.  Our congregation worked.  This was Wednesday.  We had a giant yard sale before we left.....and sold almost everything we owned.  When we packed up in Alex City all of our friends came and helped us pack the truck....and we had the biggest U-Haul there was.  I know they wondered about us.....if you have ever moved you know that liquor boxes make the best moving boxes.....and there we were....with a ton of  alcohol boxes.  I found myself explaining the choice.  Normally when the new pastor moves in....between one leaving and one arriving the ladies of the church come in and make sure all is well.  The ladies of the church did come....but after we were unloaded....they brought the most amazing foods.  That first night after every one left...I was so overwhelmed that I sat down and cried.  What kind of impression had I made on them.  I was tired, dirty...tired....cranky....well.....snarky.......and did I mention tired.  Exhaustion was oozing from every pore on my body.  Mary went home....and Frank and I began locating necessities like the coffee pot...and cups.  We put our bed together and made it so we would have a place to lay our weary heads in our bright blue room.  We ate off paper plates for days because I could not find my dishes.  We moved in on Weds afternoon....and the church had a huge fund-raiser on Saturday....all day.  I still did not know where things were.  It took a month to get the boxes totally unloaded....and I believe that six+ years later there are still a few in the shed.  Next move I am hiring Two Men And A Truck to come and load up what we have...and unload it when we get there.  With all my stuff in place....and the boxes in the shed we settled into being the new pastor and wife in Rock Mills.  The chicken-que was great fun and I got to meet a lot of the members that way.  Life rolled into some routine....I began to thrive.....I found my niche....and I knew I never wanted to leave this place.  God knew what he was doing when he talked me into setting aside my personal comfort and letting him "move my cheese".  He knew what he was doing when he asked me to forfeit my convenience.  I worked in Alex City....I lived there....I would be driving an hour each way....and sometimes it would be very dark when I began or ended my drive.  I learned to serve God to the fullest of my abilities and whereever I was sent.....and while I was serving Him I would be doing it in joy, with a servants heart.....and not a black heart.  I sometimes fall into a rut of a complaining spirit and I whine....but I remember when I am in this pit that most of the stuff I am whining about do not matter in the grand scheme of things.  It is then that I have to hit my knees and ask God to show me how to focus on the things that do matter.  I am learning when I face a difficult situation to seek God first...no matter how large....or how small.

I Am My Parent's... Caregiver

I raised three children and when it came time for me to be the caregiver for my parents I discovered that caring for my parents was one of the hardest jobs I had ever had.  Many of my friends were concerned for me when my parent's moved in with Frank and I.  They all knew how busy Frank and I were and wondered how we would find the time to take care of my parents.  Well...when they first moved in with us they were mobile.  My dad had prostate cancer and my mom worked the third shift at Wal-mart and she just needed someone to be with my dad at night.  It would be for six weeks.  Six weeks turned into six years as I watched my father battle prostate cancer a second time, a fierce bought with pneumonia three times, two hospital stays, and lung cancer, which eventually took his life.  I watched as my mom went through the stages of dementia.  I knew I had no choice.  I was an only child and they were my parents.  They raised me....and it was my turn to care for them. Someone once asked me, how do you find time to do all these things.  I didn’t find time...I took time the time. I also took time to be quiet and listen to God. It was in that quiet and stillness that I found strength to move on.  It is important that caregivers find time to feed themselves.  If they don't tend to their own needs too....they will find themselves declining.....a healthy caregiver is the best caregiver.  My goal was to make my parents last days wonderful ones.  I did not always succeed because I eventually had to make some hard choices that angered my mom.  My parents took a trip and became a Silver Alert for 72 hours.  It was 72 hours NO ONE should have to go through.....EVER!  I was amazed at all the people who came to help search.  People I had never met....and there they were....flying the area, driving miles, providing food, making calls.  It was because of this event that the end for them was not in my home....but step one was an assisted living facility, because they needed 24 hour care, which moved into respite care, and then a nursing home.  It broke my heart to see them digress.  Cancer ate at my father and while they were in the assisted living facility Frank told me I had to tell my father it was ok to go home.  The problem was...it wasn't ok.  God and I wrestled a long time on this one.  One day....when he was at his weakest....I gave him permission to go.  When we got home I went to bed and cried myself to sleep.  That night my brother (who died when he was 5) visited me and told me it was his turn and he would take care of daddy.  They moved my dad to respite care two days later, he was there a week, and the day they moved him to the Dadeville Nursing Home he went home to be with Jesus.....I learned a lot as a caregiver.  I learned that God is in control.  Dealing with my mom with dementia at the death of my dad was heartbreaking....her mind was almost gone.  When she ended up at Adam's Nursing Home she knew she had a husband....but she thought he was there working....and eventually she did not mention him at all until her time had come to join him.  As a caregiver I realized....one day I may need one so I needed to show my children how to do it.  It wasn't easy....honestly....I struggled with raw nerves, frustration, resentment....guilt.  I wanted anyone to say...."Let me know if there's something I can do to help"....but they didn't.  Frank and I would snatch dates when my parent's pastor, or members of their church,  came to visit...but eventually those subsided.  We took a few short trips by finding someone to sit with them....or check on them.  My friend, Mary was great at this.  She loved them and they loved her.  I struggled with hurt from the family because they didn't come.  Once my mom was alone in the nursing home they didn't come because she didn't know them.  She didn't know ME all the times I went either....but she knew she had company and that someone cared enough to stop by. I had three angels that I could count on....my angel Melinda, my angel Angelia and her precious sweet angel mom.  My mom always loved telling me about their visits.  They always left me sweet notes in my mom's guest book....it made my heart smile.  During the time of being a caregiver for my parents I felt a loss of identity, a loss of independence, and isolation from people.  My mom felt that same way for a while I am sure.  I also felt afraid, I felt an obligation (I was their ONLY child), and I felt guilt.  It was the guilt that almost did me in.....until one day the nurse at the nursing home told me what a good job I did.  To caregivers out there now....or gonna be caregivers....I have a suggestion for you....if you find yourself, or a friend, in this role....tell them....I see you, I see the load that is weighing you down.  I hurt for you!  The other thing to do...."I am at the store....can I pick up something for you?"  When I was in the middle of the caregiver role it was just something I did because they were my parents and I loved them....I cried a lot.  Now with 4 years under my belt after the fact.  I have grown, I can smile, and I can laugh at some of the memories.

 

 

 

 

My Crazy Dizzy World

My Bible verse for today is:  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33, NIV) 
 When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to twirl in the grass. With arms out stretched, I’d spin around and around until I was so dizzy that I would  fall to the ground and laugh like I was a crazy person. It was a fun way to spend a lazy summer day in South Florida.  Now that I’m older, I can’t handle spinning in circles. I suffer from Vertigo and nausea sets  in reminding me that I’m not a young “spinning-girl” anymore.  Several years ago we went to an amusement park with our daughter and her husband.  I felt young at heart and thought I would get on a ride that spins in circles, the tea-cups. My husband loves rides, especially roller-coasters so while he and our SIL, Steven got on a roller-coaster, daughter, Amy, and I thought we would try out the tea cups.  I remembered those days as a child riding this ride with my father and how much fun it was.....but that was then.....and this was now.  As I walked up the ramp to the "Tea Cups" ride  my stomach began to churn and twirl. As it began to spin I honestly thought the park employee was going to have to stop the ride to let me off. I decided to "man up" but yucky feelings followed. My center of balance was completely thrown off and ruined the rest of the day for me as I tried to find my center of balance.  Just like that day in the amusement park, I constantly find myself thrown off balance from the wheeling whirl of life's clutter.  I am one of those people who is constantly complicating my life.  My biggest obstacle is trying to live as an uncluttered woman.  I know I should depend completely on God for direction and strength....but I don't always.   This world is a crazy dizzy one and it is hard to navigate and sift though all the clutter that is thrown at us each day.  My life is full of busy-ness.  I overbook myself, I don't say "no" to the latest committee, I have meetings, work, household (which is neglected a lot), pains, .....you know the story.....you probably live this life too.  It is then that I look toward Proverbs 16:3 and find these words:  "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."  and in Matthew 6:33 I find "But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  I read it....but I don't always heed it.  God gives order to our thoughts...and our to-do lists.....but we have to allow/ask Him.  What I do find when I finally "let go and let God" is that everything changes when I seek Him first and commit all my plans to Him.  Jesus is no stranger to clutter.
He walked the same earth we do and dealt with the same struggles and problems we deal with. He loved many a cluttered woman while here on earth and many more before and since His ascension. He knows your clutter – all of your complicated stuff – and He invites you to come just the same.  When we position ourselves in the presence of the Peace-giver and ask Him to lead and prioritize our heart matters, the uncluttering begins. And in the uncluttering our chaos is calmed.  It is important that we know whom we are seeking first.  It is important that all our activities, emotions, relationships, and thoughts are committed to Christ.  Then....we will find an end to the crazy-dizzy world we get caught up in.  Then....we will find peace and rest.  Are you willing to turn it all over to Him?