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A BUOY, A SEA LION & A BALD EAGLE

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Don’t let anyone steal your joy. How many times have I heard this inside church walls or heard it coming from my own lips. Life can be hard. For some, their experiences that drive them to a depth of despair wanes in comparison to those of us fortunate to escape the grip that devastation can leash upon us. It seems that attacks come when least expected and especially when minding our own business. A great image illustrating juggling life’s needs was shown during our time on Alaskan waters to observe whales.

As our boat pilot made the way back to the harbor, we passed a buoy where sea lions were sunbathing. Every inch of the buoy’s base was covered by these magnificent playful creatures, yet displaying their human-like emotions too. We watched as a sea lion who was swimming at the base of the buoy kept attempting to jump up and join in leisure time. Each attempt was met with one his buddies pushing him back. Selfishness and an unwillingness to share was quite evident. He never did succeed, choosing to remain swimming nearby instead.

Shortly after witnessing our swimmer’s attempts to sunbathe, we came in view of another sea lion who had caught his mid afternoon snack, holding a salmon in his mouth as he tilted his head back to chew and digest. From out of nowhere a bald eagle swooped down in an attempt to steal the salmon. Not wanting to give up his tasty morsel or have his successful catch of the day be stolen, our sea lion held onto his meal, kept his head above water and came out victorious. The eagle retreated, most likely in search of another opportunity to rob a fellow creature of its meal or hopefully catch his own.

Isn’t this what we often do, too? How many times do we become another person’s irritant or bully? Are there too many occasions where our words or actions do more harm than good?

In 1 Thessalonians we read “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”  It’s important to read what comes before the “So”…”For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.”  Paul, the writer of the book, goes on to tell us to “honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work.” “Show them great respect”. “Live peacefully with each other.” “Take tender care of those who are weak…be patient with everyone.” “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people”. “Always be joyful.” Chapter 5 contains a rich list of how God would have us conduct ourselves inside and outside our churches.

So, my encouragement to you today is that 1) maybe you’d take time to read Chapter 5 in 1 Thessalonians and circle the action phrases 2) ask yourself this question: am I swooping in to steal what isn’t mine  and am I choosing to be an encourager? 3) Do the words and conversations I engage in build others up or am I consumed by a critical spirit?

Another writer found in the New Testament is James who wrote these words found in Chapter 3. “People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” 

How wonderful and grateful I am that an afternoon encounter between a sea lion and bald eagle taught me the depth of meaning in Jame’s words to Christians. Rather than steal someone’s joy I can join in celebrating with them. Instead of taking credit for someone else’s hard work, offer respect and acknowledgement for a job well done. 

So,  if you’re trying to join your buddies in an afternoon of laziness, only to find yourself being pushed away or bullied, find new friends. The buoy might be crowded…there’s other places to lounge under blue skies and sunshine. It’s okay to hold onto what you’ve worked hard to obtain, while still pondering generosity to others at the same time.

LESSONS GAINED WITH EXERCISING PERSPECTIVE

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“A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.” (Allen Klein)

I’m an extrovert. I love meeting new people. I listen to conversations. I observe who and what is going on around me constantly. Secretly, I’m hoping to engage in interesting conversation whether whoever is nearby is a longtime friend or a complete stranger. Years of living like this has allowed me endless conversations and quiet observations as fond memories or life lessons. Such is the case as I reflect on another aspect of our recent trip to Alaska via plane and cruise ship.

  • Downloading the airline’s app to my phone doesn’t necessarily mean check ins at the airport will go off without a hitch. I watch other travelers around me use the kiosk with great ease, while I struggle and eventually ask for assistance. Struggles like this cause me to wonder “when did we go from the desk agent doing all the check in procedures to having some of those responsibilities fall on my shoulders?
  • More and more travelers are taking small dogs with them on their flights. Years ago I only saw service dogs in the terminal, now the barks and yips of pocket size pups are no longer a rarity. Last year a woman was traveling with her cat. I’m an animal lover, don’t get me wrong, merely an observation of one small change regarding love for pets.
  • Security has really tightened, with no argument from me. Maybe it was my comfortable cargo style pants I was wearing for our 5:30 am flight. I found myself being asked to step aside from the body scanner to earn a gentle pat down by a very pleasant female TSA agent. At least I was able to keep my shoes on this time, a welcome change from previous years.
  • Snacks on our flights sure have changed. No more food items with peanuts. Someone might be allergic. Never mind those little dogs and cats on board who are also allergens to some (myself included) but hey, when I emailed a carrier last year expressing my concern the response favored our furry friends, not my exposure to an asthma trigger.
  • People who work on cruise ships are a group of the most friendly, kind, humble hard workers I’ve been around! Most of them are working in the dining areas, bars, and housekeeping. They appear happy, proud of their work and do so with great integrity. Our servers learned our names, remembered what we liked to drink, greeted us warmly every morning or evening, wished us a wonderful day or a good night’s rest. I took some time to research information on crew members, finding out on average they sign a 7 month contract which means they are away from their native homes and families. Depending on their level of employment the pay range could be $1,300 to $3,000 per month. Room and board is included, yet these men and women are away from husbands, wives, children, parents. I never heard any complaints. These wonderful people are constantly on the move.
  • Complete strangers are less inhibited on cruise ships. Whenever we sat down in a lounge area, ate lunch in the cafe or fine dining, or walked the deck, people were quick to engage in conversation. Not so in the waiting areas of our airports. Everyone was back to their phones or laptops, maybe a book or magazine. 
  • Sadly, on our last flight home at 3:30 in the morning, worn out from being awake since 6:30 am Canadian time, sitting in the last row of our small plane home to Detroit, I could overhear our three stewardesses chatting it up during the almost 50 minutes of flight. I wish I could say they were laughing and sharing about their families but unfortunately it was a gripe session encased with work schedules, pay, and some dislike towards pilots who they perceived “got more from the company although we do all the work”.

As I listened, I thought hmmmmm…quite the contrast from the week I just enjoyed, being “served” and entertained by individuals performing quite differently towards their duties. In full disclosure, I didn’t say anything to the women when we got off the plane. I thanked each one as I passed by, however, after being home for a couple of days I sent an email to the carrier’s headquarters to describe the experience. I know I could have ignored the situation but because I believe integrity is important in the workplace, I followed through. 

So, glancing back and reviewing our week away, I can see where perspective plays an important role to the unseen eye. Maybe having travelers take on more responsibility does speed up wait time in lines. Does it save the carriers money? I have no clue, knowing that fees are in place for things that were free years ago.

Perhaps leaving one’s country to pursue earning a good income comes with great sacrifice and humility, knowing the time away will be temporary but with lasting results to change the future in a family. Add in the ability to perform these duties day in and day out with thousands of people every year and you’ve built a successful crew. Since being home, I have noticed more keenly “help wanted” signs around the communities I go to for groceries, gas, etc. I wonder why “these” jobs can’t be filled when I’ve witnessed people from the Phillipines, Indonesia, Honduras, Madagascar…far away places I haven’t visited…choose to join a workforce that distances them from all they love and hope to return. Their sacrifices caused me not to bemoan missing our kids and grandkids for a week.

I don’t know the ins and outs of our flight attendant’s woes either. In contrasting their dissatisfaction to that of our joyful cruise crew, my conclusion is that our crew was able to give us a wonderful experience, knowing when we left the ship about 3,000 new people would arrive and they would “do everything all over again” as though for the first time. Based on my perspective, they did so with beautiful smiles, endless energy, and endless offers of “what can I do for you” and “are you enjoying your day?” That takes endurance. It takes hard work. It may take a little bit of acting when you’ve repeated the same corny joke over and over and over….it’s what causes a desire to book another cruise–if possible–and appreciating everyone who’s part of the journey, even those we scratch our heads about. Because relying on perspective doesn’t tell the whole story about a person or what’s going on in their day. Additionally, humility and grace lend greatly to not jumping to negative conclusions.

That’s why we need more comfy chairs in the places we shop or do business.  O that we could all slow down, look up, take in our surroundings whether in a crowded terminal or standing in line at a checkout. And not be too uptight, shy, or afraid to interrupt silence by merely asking “how’s your day doing?”

MOUNTAINS THAT FILL MY HEART

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“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 New Living Translation)

Growing up in Saginaw as I did, mountains were a part of creation I did not comprehend until adulthood when opportunities to travel to other states became part of vacationing. As if mountains are not enough to tantalize my spirit, put me near a body of water whether it be a lake or an ocean, and I’m a very happy person, one who feels the depth and awe of this world God created from the work of His hands inspired by an imagination beyond my comprehension.

Last week, while many of you were living under brown skies due to wildfires–for which I truly was saddened and drove me to prayer–my husband and I were aboard a cruise ship to enjoy the inside passage of Alaska from Vancouver’s port up to Juneau and back. In the week leading up to our departure, our weather app was showing a week of rain and cool temperatures for almost every day of our trip. Warm clothes and rain gear were packed. But God! As it turns out we had one windy misty day while on board, every other day was in the high 70s with sunshine, especially in Juneau when we enjoyed our whale watching tour. Even our wilderness expert commented about the unusual sunshine, further explaining that Juneau had enjoyed a mere five days of sunshine thus far in the year. Clear skies and calm waters allowed us to see about six whales, sea lions, and bald eagles. In the distance as we returned to the harbor our pilot took us to an area to view Mendenhall Glacier. Although this 13.6 mile long glacier is 12 miles from downtown Juneau, I could still soak in its beauty, snow and ice against the backdrop of blue skies, its caps covered in snow. This was quite the contrast when comparing how mountains on the shores of the passage were often hidden by fog in the morning hours, magically appearing when the mists left, revealing their true appearance.

The Bible has numerous scriptures about mountains which also have great significance in their purpose. Abraham was invited up a mountain to offer his son Issac as a sacrifice. King David established a city on a tall hill. Moses met God on Mount Horeb and also Mount Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments. Elijah fled to Mount Horeb. Jesus ascended Mount Tabor for the Transfiguration. Mountains emphasize liminal space where the divine and the human realms intersect.

I don’t know what secrets or creatures inhabit all the beautiful mountains I saw from Vancouver to Juneau. Trees and rocks covered their terrain. Fog and snow adorned their peaks. Much was left to my imagination last week as I realized there remains acres and miles of terrain untouched or unseen by humans. These majestic creations are home to a tree cover that looks like a blanket, hiding birds and wild animals under perfect protection.

No matter the mysteries our passage’s  mountains may be holding, I’m very grateful for the scenery and powerful reminders that God created a world for all of us to enjoy, exposing beauty with a lack of words to describe, ability to take in the height and depth of these magnificent rock formations peeking out under fog or shining brightly under sunshine. 

“The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.” (Nahum 1:5)

Mendenhall Glacier courtesy online source.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

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My novice gardening skills teach me a lot about life in general and when I reflect into a deeper spiritual aspect of daily circumstances, I gain further insight.

This morning, in the coolness of early temperatures under beautiful sunshine and blue skies, I watered a variety of plants on the west side of our home as they are still under shade until the sun moves and lights up the area. We’ve got a few shrubs, some perennials, ground cover and annuals across the front of the house. As I watered I could see where heat damaged a few of the plants. Some are missing flower buds thanks to a bunny or deer. Missing potential blooms makes me sad. Afterall, the reason for planting them was to add color to our home and for personal enjoyment. The shrubs are a bit misshapen due to deer munching on their branches. A couple annuals appear pushed up from level ground, maybe a mole or chipmunk. The butterfly bush always appears unscathed and has a perfect shape as its branches climb higher; our own pruning each year seems to be a key care factor!

Not to be ignored, are the perennial “weeds” that always show up each year. There’s plenty of wild carrots scattered among the plants. Poison ivy is relentless and pops up unexpectedly each summer. Thankfully, my husband has a keen eye for this unwanted vine and takes great care to rid it from our yard.

In John 15 beginning with verse one we read “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardner. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful”. Who is the true vine? It’s Jesus. In this parable He refers to the Father as the “gardner”, the one who tends to the branches on the vine. In application to you and me, God tends to our lives, too.

He desires for you and me to live and grow enjoying an abundant life. To accomplish this, He offers protection from the evils of the world by surrounding us with a hedge. He feeds and waters our spirits when we read scripture on a daily basis. When we begin to grow tired, spindly instead of well rounded fullness, He comes gently to prune away “dead” things that hinder healthy growth. Before “someone” or “something” can come along to snatch our joy, destroy what’s about to bloom in our lives, He offers protection. When we walk on unlevel ground, He’s quick to come alongside and gently nudge us back on a good path.

I’ve lost some plants this year. Some annuals didn’t make it either by my own doing, weather, or critters. Others, like the tomato and cucumber plants appear to be thriving, covered with blooms that will turn into luscious fruits in the coming weeks. Their ability to grow and flourish makes me happy. Periodic watering along with checking for bugs who enjoy eating vegetable leaves, is crucial to their success.

Staying connected to God is vital for you and me. This is why reading and studying scripture regularly is important and although doing so enriches us personally, what we read and learn is the task of telling others about Christ. Research shows that almost 57% of Americans do not attend church on a regular basis. While I might assume that our pastors would love seeing every pew or chair filled every Sunday, the greater desire is that more and more people come into a relationship with Christ. Each believer becomes a number in man’s eyes, but to God every person walking in salvation has their name written in the Book of Life. (Revelation 20:15) God’s goal isn’t to fill churches with people merely to offer bragging rights regarding attendance; His desire is far greater with the filling of His Kingdom with redeemed souls.

Plants suffer fate due to a variety of conditions. Some bloom even though they’ve gone through stress. Some fight for space among unwanted weeds or other overgrowth. Others display damaged leaves from being munched on. Most will survive and offer vibrant colorful blooms until their season comes to an end. People are resilient, too. Many of us have lived through tough seasons, losses of family or jobs, unexpected attacks when our guard is down. This is why we all need Christ. We all need His Father. Both offer a world where we can choose to be connected with them and reap the benefits of being cared for by a faithful shepherd. 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1: 15)

Who are the sinners? Every person from time’s beginning, present, and future. In God’s math that’s 100%, yet according to man’s statistics, over half of Americans have or continue to reject Christ. That’s a loss that bears attention and great care no matter the cost.

4TH OF JULY, A LETTER 

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Dear Dad:

In our great nation of 50 states–America–we will celebrate 250 years of “freedom”, commemorating the American War of Independence many years ago in pursuit of being released from British rule. It seems being taxed heavily without having a ‘voice’ regarding its revenue rubbed early inhabitants of our beautiful country the wrong way. Many hard and gruesome battles were waged, yet strong and determined men–many of them mere teenagers–fought valiantly and in harsh conditions to gain victory for a passion woven by deep threads of unity in their hearts, minds, and souls. Much has changed in a young country established as a sovereign nation who founded herself with a Declaration of Independence penned by a committee of five men and later signed by 56. Thus, America was birthed and began further growth and establishment among great nations of the world at that time … .and much has changed.

Today, I’m imagining writing a letter to my dad whose been gone since 2012. At age 90 he lived through his own hard years, the Depression Era, World War II and the Korean Conflict. Either of those events could have claimed his life. Thankfully he escaped severe sickness and even death. Reflecting on his life–and the life of America–has me wondering the depth of conversation we’d have regarding his experiences in America compared to these mere past 13 years he’s been gone, where admittedly, indeed much has changed and in full disclosure–not everything has been in a positive direction.

As July 4 rolls around for the 250th time since the first celebration of being severed from British rule, although parades and fireworks abound from coast to coast, is it possible that hot dogs in backyard barbeques, sparklers in the waving hands of children, businesses open as usual on this grand holiday detract from the significance of this day that I believe was a miracle in the making? 56 men embraced being courageous by signing a document that resulted in them being designated as “treasonists” by the British Crown,  with most of them ending up living in poverty from having their property and estates destroyed during the conflict.

Dad, I fondly remember how you loved singing all the great patriotic songs that have been composed about America. “America the Beautiful” was one of your favorites. I remember being taught this song in grade school, too. This and songs like it were a major part of our music curriculum. Until today, I did not know it was originally a poem written in 1893 by Kathleen Lee Bates after she had taken a trip to Colorado and had climbed Pikes Peak. Imagine her awe and wonder as she gazed across such beauty. Thankfully, her verses tell us of the majesty and beauty captured by her eyes. Sadly, dad, I’m not sure these patriotic songs are being taught in music classes now. 

And how about our national anthem, dad? Written in 1812 by Francis Scott Key as a poem after his witness of a 25 hour bombardment against Fort McHenry by the British, he saw our flag still flying amidst the ashes of battle. It’s a song that has been sung with many variations at all kinds of events, remains revered by most Americans, yet within a few recent years, deeply disrespected as though honoring the legacy of America’s history outweighs freedoms July 4th ushered in for all fortunate to be alive….Sadly, dad, I’m not sure our children know all the words to our anthem.

I can still see you when your hand was placed over your heart when the anthem was part of an important event. In addition, there’s memories of learning the Pledge of Allegiance that I recited every morning in grade school. By junior high this practice disappeared. Until today, dad, I didn’t recall that the pledge we now recite originated in 1892, composed by a Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy.  Go figure, dad, a ‘man of the cloth’, who was trained and educated to serve one God and one kingdom, penned words in support of being in full support of America. The pledge had a few revisions to it, and in 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower encouraged Congress to include “under God” in the wording. Wow, dad, I was one year old when he did that. Now, at age 72, I wonder if all our school children are being taught the pledge let alone reciting it to jumpstart a new school day.

As you can see and read, I’d have a lot to talk to my dad about regarding July 4. By no means am I an adequate student of American history. Thank goodness for easy access to online research using internet resources to revisit topics and facts that have long escaped my memory from all teachers tasked with instructing me on American history, leaning heavily on emphasising tremendous dangers and sacrifices by brave men and women to give us a great nation–not perfect by any means–yet still a country that people from other parts of the world still want to come for a chance to thrive and live in a style of “freedom” that once was foreign to many and now at great cost by those who take advantage of its benefits.

But, dad, as much as you and our family enjoyed many 4th of July celebrations together, there is but one kind of “freedom” that overshadows that which was gained by over 25,000 American deaths. With One death, about 2,000 years ago, One man crucified on a cross, gave His life with shedding of blood that dripped down a beaten and tortured body, so that mankind could be “free” from sin’s penalty. He didn’t choose to enter the battle. He did so under great pain of obedience. He accomplished a promise and new covenant spoken by His Father. 

Thousands of hymns and songs have been written honoring His accomplishment. For many years churches, schools, universities, military choirs have sung these great compositions. Sadly, dad, our halls of great learning are becoming a different kind of quiet as the secular approach to instruction has pushed God out of daily instruction. Is it possible, dad, that our “one nation under God” can prevail? I wish you were here to encourage me that it can, if we were to humble ourselves before Almighty God and seek Him rather than the desires of our own selfish motives, we stand a chance of prevailing.

Dad, thank you, for teaching me about being a patriot, loving an imperfect country, but above all, surrendering my life to an ALL PERFECT God, the One Who had His eyes on brave men and women 250 years ago….the One Who watched as His Only Son carried out your plan of salvation for mankind. Even when I don’t understand what I see and hear in today’s headlines regarding America, I still have hope. Even when I don’t comprehend what I perceive as God’s silence in all of our struggles, I am grateful for my freedom…first and foremost that which comes from God…and secondly from a 250 year old concept birthed in the minds of brave men and women.

Dad, part of me longs for my childhood days when I sat on your lap, ears covered, to be shielded from the loud fireworks display we enjoyed as a family. Now, I long for the day we will be united in heaven where we will sing worship songs together, honoring Christ. Hopefully we’ll get to belt out a rendition of “America the Beautiful”, too. Somehow I don’t think God will mind…

LET’S PLAY BALL

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“Let’s play ball!”

There was no announcer several weeks ago when softball season launched for our oldest granddaughter who has embraced this wonderful summertime sport and favorite pastime for many of us. Instead, opening games began in early June which has changed our weekly schedule as we attend her games. Announcer or not, games played are under their belts with more remaining through the month of July.

Watching our 11 and 10 year olds who make up our granddaughter’s team has been an opportunity to reflect on my childhood at that age. Our granddaughter began playing baseball at age 5 when batters hit the ball off a “T”. I played ball for one season at the age of 14. She’s completely outfitted with an official uniform, name on her jersey, owns 1-2 bats (aluminum mind you) and a glove that cost more than my monthly cell phone bill. When I played, I borrowed my older brother’s mitt (we were both left-handed) , used a bat that the coach brought (all wood) and our uniform consisted of a team T-shirt with our team name and number on the back.

I’m not discounting or undermining the advancement in team sports for girls or boys by any means. In addition to the changes in equipment, I’m glad to see that all players are required to wear a helmet complete with face protection. In addition to our team T shirt, we wore shorts, and athletic shoes compared to today’s special shoes. Macklynn’s main position is that at home plate as the catcher so her protective gear covers her from head to toe. Her current catcher’s mitt will be one that she can use through high school.

As grandparents, we’ve attended all of her games, whether traveling to another community or home games in Bath. Another observation–one that is very pleasing–is the good sportsmanship we’ve witnessed from rival teams and their own cheering sections of parents, grandparents, and friends. Loud clapping for good plays is common. Encouragement from parents or the coach can be heard, too. We’ve even experienced opposing spectators clap for a good play made on the field. This is a true and pleasant example of good sportsmanship, acknowledging when a player performs well, regardless if it’s “your” team or not.

We were in Springport a couple of weeks ago for a double header game and their parents hosted a meal between games to feed the girls as well as family and friends. I grabbed a plate of food and walked past a circle of girls sitting on the ground, our players mixed in with their competitors. They were laughing and enjoying being together as hot dogs, fruit, and desserts filled hungry bellies,  bodies being refueled after playing the first game. In those moments together, competitive strategies were set aside in favor of being silly little girls.

Good behavior from players and onlookers. Positive words from coaches and parents. No putdowns. No bad language. All this reminds me of a verse from Hebrews that I like. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together,, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another….”

Sure, the writer of Hebrews is addressing believers, but I really think these words can be applied to how we–and our kids–treat others. They admonish us as adults how to model behavior that is laced with integrity, kindness, and healthy competition versus being rude, crude, or obnoxious. When the former attributes abound in our young parents and players, I have hope for seeing communities grow and prosper under positive leadership and guidance possessed by all of them.

Yes, softball season is here. It’s been exciting thus far hearing the cracks of bats connecting with a fast pitch, runners advancing to bases with home plate in mind, dirt swirling in the air when someone makes a slide into a base, loud cheers when a fly ball is caught, groans when the ball is dropped. It’s great fun to watch our young athletes use their talents for hitting and catching, all working together to be victorious. And when the game ends, it’s reassuring to see fist bumps between both teams, “good game, good game” echoing from each one as they get ready to leave the field, meet up with mom and dad, dust off dirty leggings, pack up all the gear and head home. Plus, with a game behind them, another one is on the schedule. In the meantime, after game treats and giggles will suffice to fill summertime fun with family and friends, until it’s time for the umpire to yell “Let’s play ball!”

FATHER’S DAY & GOD’S GREAT LOVE FOR YOU

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Happy Father’s Day to all the men who are in this role as a parent whether you’ve had children of your own, through adoption or blended family, even mentoring through many programs that target improving the lives of our most valuable resources–our children.

You’ve read many of my articles which have highlighted memories and insight I hold dear to me regarding my own earthly father. I was blessed and fortunate that God gave him to me and wired him to be gentle, loving, kind, faithful to my mother and our family. He possessed a work ethic to be admired and a love of country often reflected by his wanting to sing all the patriotic songs when we were together as a family, especially as age and dementia robbed him in his later years. In fact, as a tribute to him at his funeral, we sang “America the Beautiful” as one of the songs, a favorite of dads. I have nothing but good memories when I think about my dad.

Yet, sitting here this morning to write about Father’s Day, I cannot acknowledge that not everyone has had or is in a healthy relationship with an earthly father. The fallout of a disjointed or broken relationship  often reflects how one views God, making it difficult to refer to Him as “Father”, seeing Him as a good good Father versus one who is always angry or one who seems cold and distant, not interested in a hurting child or adult’s life. Nothing could be further from the truth. And to understand God’s deep affection as a Father we need look no further than the Lord’s Prayer.

In this prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples, He began with two words…”Our Father.” With the help of a teaching from a favorite ministry site–”Walking the Text”*–I unpacked some key takeaways that gave me deeper revelation about this prayer most of us know and which is used in churches worldwide. 

The word “our”–as used here–is communal in meaning, indicating that “we” join God and others when we say “Our Father”. We enter a much bigger story than merely our own. God invites us into His story which involves over 8 billion people around the world.

Furthermore, God is for all people. “Our Father” is family language. It’s intimate. The Jews in Jesus’ days would have understood this language. They had the Old Testament scriptures that established understanding this intimate relationship. In the Book of Exodus we read the account of Moses being sent to Pharoah by God to get His people out of slavery. Moses was instructed to tell Pharoah “This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” Later, Matthew recorded the events when Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s murder plot against the Christ child. “Out of Egypt I called my son.”  In a passage from Isaiah Jews would have read “but you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from old is your name.”

So, there’s a lot going on when Jesus instructs us to pray daily the Lord’s Prayer, opening our time with God by addressing Him as “Our Father”. Though we cannot “see” God we need look no further than Jesus in order to comprehend who He is for us. John recorded for us Jesus’ own words: “If you really know Me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”  Later, in Hebrews we read “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word….”

Maybe you have or had a wonderful earthly father like me. Perhaps the opposite is true. But this is what I know…God IS a good good Father and whether you were born into a family of faith, came into relationship with Him late in life, or you’re still questioning His goodness because of deep hurt and preconceived thoughts, He is still for you and not against you. You can be part of His story, too. All it takes is a humble and willing heart to step out of pain or anger, into His circle to hear of His deep abiding love for you as expressed by the psalmist in chapter 2. “I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.” (vs. 7)

I love when scriptures connect the dots..from old testament accounts and prophecy…to the very lips of Jesus sitting as He taught His disciples a new way to pray, relying and bringing to their minds  old truths familiar to each one of them.

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*I relied on a teaching on The Lord’s Prayer from the ministry “Walking the Text”. You can find them on YouTube. I highly recommend their team of teachers who bring scripture to life in ways that expose the depth behind contexts too often overlooked or misunderstood. 

SAWDUST MEMORIES

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Ah, the arrival of hot sticky summer days and evenings is one of those changes in Michigan seasons that awaken more memories from my childhood. Dad arrived home from work promptly at 5:15 pm and the five of us sat down to supper no later than 5:30. There was no central air conditioning in the house, mom moved a floor fan from room to room to help cool her daily tasks. On extremely hot days we often ate our evening meal in the breezeway which afforded some relief from heat. After eating, most nights you’d find my dad out in the garage working on some “project”. That was his workspace for power tools and more importantly, an escape from any stresses that built up during his work day as the chief building inspector for the City of Saginaw.

With the garage door open, table saw or other smaller power tool humming along, his quiet constant whistle accompanied whatever buzzing sound came from his variety of woodworking tools. The openness of the garage allowed him to see any of numerous kids riding by on bikes, others out for a walk around the block, neighbors mowing lawns. Sometimes one of the youngsters would pop in to say hello to him, ask some silly questions and bounce along, returning to their bike or walk. On one particular evening dad’s work was interrupted by a pair of young men out canvassing for their church. The question they posed to my dad was “do you think God has ‘anything’ to do with what’s going on in the world?”

Dad was quick on his feet, always. Whether a person needed some spontaneous wit or a word of encouragement, he was your man. Therefore, there was no long hesitation to give these guys an answer. “Anything?”, dad repeated. “Well, He has “everything” to do with our world.”  I remember their awkward long pause. Apparently their cheat card didn’t tell them how to respond to such a simple statement.

Maybe you’ve pondered the same query that “anything” and “everything” pose to us regarding God’s role in the world. This conversation my dad had took place in the 60s and by then I was finishing my junior high school years, old enough to see for myself all the changes taking place in our nation such as:

  • 1964 Civil Rights Act Passed
  • 1964 Beatles Arrive on the Scene
  • 1968 Martin Luther King Assassinated
  • 1969 Moon Landing & Woodstock Festival make headlines
  • Viet Nam War Rages

From my own viewpoint, every daily headline in the Saginaw News was of great significance. Indeed, the 60s brought about a lot of change, yet nothing then or now came as a surprise to God. Not once has He ever wrung His hands and whispered “well, I didn’t see that coming”. 

Paul writes in Colossians 1: 16 “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Who is Paul writing about here? That person is Jesus Christ.

Whether we are contemplating nature, other countries, kings and presidents, other people groups, Jesus is part of it all. Those things we see and cannot see, He’s in it. Those rulers and presidents you dislike? He’s over them, too. And though circumstances might look very chaotic? He’s actually holding them together. I take great comfort in that fact as I have given too much energy scratching my head or wringing my hands with deep worry regarding current events in our country.

I need to remember the soft comforting sound of my dad’s whistle as he putzed in the garage. Working with his hands gave him an outlet to express his artistic side while relieving stress. Anytime I smell clean sawdust, I can see him cutting boards, sweeping the garage floor before closing the door and retiring for the evening. By the 60s, dad had lived and served through World War II and later the Korean Conflict. His government had sent him around the world facing some horrible times before peace came and he returned home safely. It’d be years before he shared some of his experiences that could have ended his life.

Yes, a pleasant soft whistle. Hot summer evenings. Open air flowing through the garage. An occasional visitor to interrupt his time, always welcomed with a warm smile and kind truthful answers to life’s serious questions. Because life can be hard, but with God in it all, everything is good and running according to plan

DAILY BREAD, LIFE’S STAPLE

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Drive down any country road now and chances are you’ll see recently popularized “small farm stands” in a front yard close to a homeowner’s driveway. These quaint cute structures come with all kinds of pretty motifs to attract our eyes…some are rudimentary in nature while others are quite lavish. Neatly arranged shelves are offering homebaked goods–primarily sourdough breads–jams and jellies, farm fresh eggs. There’s no need for the stand to be “manned” with someone to collect money, today’s technology which says “there’s an app for that” has taken out all manner of inability to pay without cash. Venmo QR codes neatly posted on a piece of stationery eliminates person-to-person payment. Grab what you want from the stand, pay via using your smart phone and be on your way! All that’s truly left in the mix is complete honesty to pay for what you’re taking. In other words, the good ole honor system.

Who doesn’t like bread? I know that I do. I grew up with a mother who didn’t  enjoy making bread, however, a fair share of wonderful small bakery owners benefited from her regular weekend visits. A favorite was Miller’s Bakery on State Street in Saginaw. Mom could purchase a variety of rye or pumpkernickel breads along with a standard loaf of white. Or, she could buy Spatz’ bread at our local grocery store. This latter bakery is still in business in Saginaw. The original building looks much the same as it did in the 50s and 60s; the recipe hasn’t changed nor the waxy paper that holds each precious loaf. If you haven’t eaten a slice of Spatz bread you haven’t lived. Toasted or made into a sandwich–the best is egg salad or a BLT–your taste buds will explode. Soft at first, if not used within a few days, you best turn it into a bread pudding as its moisture has slowly dried out or create a french toast breakfast. No one wanted their Spatz bread to go to waste, it was too good.

Reading through the gospels we find a few instances where Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people with only a few loaves of bread. A couple of times He had several fish, too. Before “breaking” the bread, He held it up and thanked His Father for providing it, and then had the disciples distribute chunks of the blessed meal to the people. Men, women and children each were fed and I have to believe their bellies were adequately filled. If providing a meal to thousands of people isn’t enough of a miracle, further reading of these accounts mentions that the disciples “gathered the leftovers, filling baskets”. No reason or explanation is given as to why there were portions of bread left unwanted. Furthermore, no indication if the bread was kept for another day or used up within a day or two.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we are instructed to ask God to “give us this day our daily bread”. Why would that phrase have resonated with the disciples and other Jews?  Jesus was purposefully triggering their minds to remember when God delivered their ancestors out of Egypt and when the people cried out to God for food He gave them “manna from heaven”. The children of Israel ate manna for 40 years! Manna was a supernatural provision which sustained them while wandering in the wilderness. (Exodus 16: 35) There was one strong stipulation about the manna; they were told not to store it, gather it daily in the early part of the morning when it appeared on the ground, eat and do the same every day.  Those who disobeyed soon found out that stored manna was a breeding ground for worms as well as rotting.

Their hoarding was an act of disobedience. Daily manna taught the importance of relying on God for daily provision rather than hoarding for the future. 

Jesus “broke” a few small loaves of bread to feed hungry people. The next time His twelve disciples witnessed another “breaking of bread” under supernatural circumstances was during their last supper together. Up until this time they’d heard Jesus refer to Himself as the “bread of life”, His miraculous feeding of thousands with leftovers, and now, using “bread” to establish an allegory to describe His broken body which would be crushed under the weight of crucifixion, all events they had no comprehension of as they reclined around their passover meal.

At the end of Jesus’ last meal with His closest friends, many shared experiences from about three years of ministry filled their minds. Bread–an important staple in their diets”–has gone from filling thousands of bellies with miraculous assistance to becoming a symbol to remember Jesus’ broken body. It was a command that now became an opportunity for obedience. Just as they gathered up “leftovers” on hillsides, now they would become voices of the gospel message, telling others about remembering Christ when “breaking bread”.

The next time you sit down to enjoy a truly great slice or hunk of bread, take a few moments to thank God for all that He provides. A variety of common ingredients of wheat or rye, mixed with yeast and water, shaped and baked into small or large loaves, is a delicious addition to any meal. Breathe in delectable aromas of freshly baked bread just out of the oven. More importantly, as you bite into your lil slice of heaven, thank the One who gives us daily bread…over and over again. 

Sometimes there’s leftovers. That’s God’s bounty. That’s evidence of His ability to provide. 

PERSPECTIVE, WHAT’S YOUR VIEW?

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Perspective. A mental view or outlook.

Recently my husband and I attended the funeral for one of my oldest cousins who passed away at the age of 88. Otto was born and raised in Millington and remained in that community his entire life, worked a variety of jobs and enjoyed many hobbies. His funeral was held in the church he attended all his life, St. Paul Lutheran and he was buried in the church’s cemetery nearby. Since we were in that area which is very close to Otter Lake, the last home where my grandparents lived, we took time to drive past the house where many childhood memories were created on Sunday afternoon visits. In contrast to living in the city, their country home offered trees to climb, berry bushes to pick ripened fruit, chickens to feed, kittens to cuddle, endless outdoor games playing with cousins. 

Driving past the house evoked all those memories, but they got tangled up in the disappointment of its present day condition. Gone are the fruit trees. The front yard is overgrown now with shrubs and tall grass. Old cars and a broken down travel trailer made for a sadly adorned front lawn. The lone garage door is crooked on its tracks. A house once teeming with energy and laughter, both wrapped in tremendous love and joy, is gone. And, a reality I had held on to for many years was also gone. As a child, I had always told people “how far back off the road the house sat”. Now, as an adult, I recognized that perception was not true. The house is much closer to the road than I originally thought. My ability to judge distance was skewed by childish measurements along with my grandparents admonishing us kids to never play near the road which stemmed from a tragic accident in the 40s which claimed the life of an older cousin.

So, my recent visit to their last home is giving me a good lesson on perspective.

Things are not always as they appear and life has many opportunities from which to learn and grow. Therefore, I made a quick investigation into scripture to see if God has anything to offer us regarding perspective. No surprise here, He does.

I found three very good takeaways. First, perceiving how we can view life. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”. Our commands given here are to “trust”, “lean not”, “submit”. The benefit of doing so is a “straight path”.

Secondly, a good perspective in life when we face trials and suffering comes from James 1: 2-4. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. It would never be my intention to underplay anyone’s suffering; I’ve had my share of trials and hardships. Life is hard at times and some experiences–those that are most painful– are beyond our control. How we respond comes from the ability to stand firm or cave to pressures. Once again, I think back to my Grandma Jewell whose last months of life were under the care of a nursing home as her body battled bone cancer. Often, in deep pain, she could hear other residents crying under the weight of their own suffering, and from the depths of her compassion for others, instruct the nurses to care for others first over her own needs or ask “do they know Jesus….” so she could pray for comfort and salvation.

Lastly, perspective points to thoughts of eternity. Colossians 3 1-2 describes it this way: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Once I came to fully understand the concept that Paul writes about here, it allowed me to coin a phrase I’ve often used to weigh the heaviness of situations. “In the light of eternity, will ‘this’ matter?” That simple question has saved me from many worrisome nights or agonizing over things out of my control. 

So, even though I feel sad regarding the disarray of my grandparents’ home in Otter Lake, I’m thankful for 14 years of memories with every Sunday visit, meals at their table prepared by a grandmother who cooked and baked during the week anticipating several of her children’s families to be at her table and spill into the living room of their modest home. I’m grateful for her example when facing death, for she had learned at a very young age to adopt the wisdom of Proverbs commands. Grandma Jewell trusted, she leaned on God during everything in life, and she accepted the path God laid down for her. Her path had sorrows, pain, and a fair share of disappointments I’m sure,  but true to her nature, she spoke mostly of life’s joys and hope, her hope in Jesus…and always with a twinkle in her eyes.

I think she’d be very sad to see, now, how her modest home in Otter Lake has become compared to the vibrant years she and Gramp tended to. Yet, more importantly, she’d wonder about the people living inside its concrete walls  and ask, “do they know Jesus?”