We Are Like Tea

 I enjoy drinking tea. As I was preparing a cup, these thoughts came to mind.


Tea steeped in hot water will have a full, robust flavor.
The heat draws out the tea’s richness.
For a light flavor, tea may simmer for awhile.
As Christians, we are like tea.
In order for Christ’s fullness to be evident in our lives,
We will have to go through some heat.
It may be for a short time. (simmer)
It may be for a season. (steep)
Whatever the duration of time,
We will gain the aroma and flavor of Jesus.

Most of the events in my life have been cause for simmering.  Some recent life events have me in a steeping mode.
At this moment are you simmering or steeping?

Some Day

 I have really been listening to people alot this week. I am hearing snippets of words that have caught my attention. The poem below is the result of hearing people talk about "some day". I know I have said those two words myself.

              Some Day
“Some day” many people have said.
It’s about those dreams dancing in their heads.
The hopes and desires have gone astray.
The pressures of life show up each day.
But “some day” is right in our face.
Let’s take steps to find our place.
Revisit our dreams and map them all out.
That is what dreaming is all about.
“Some day” may be words to keep us down.
But the word “today” has a sweeter sound.

Has your "some day" come to pass? What is keeping you from saying "today"? Just something to think about.

Finding Me

I was visiting with a friend who had lost her husband recently. She was sharing some struggles they had had all throughout their time together. My friend kept referring back to the phrase, "finding me". I asked what did she mean. Even as a little girl she had responsibilities in caring for others. She was the youngest child, but her mother told her that she was more mature than the others. Consequently, she was given more duties. This has been her path for as long as she can remember. So she was never able to be or do the things she wanted. Marriage was the same way. So between her husband and the children, she still never had time for herself. Now that the children are adults and with the passing of her husband, she is going to be on a mission to "find me". I told her that I would be checking in periodically to see what she is discovering.

Question: What have you done to "find you"?

Sisterhood in the Hair Salon

          When you walk into your favorite beauty salon, you are not just getting your hair done. You are entering a sisterhood.  On any given day there will be females from every marital status, career, and age. There may be an aunt, a grandmother, sister, daughter, and a mother. The women are in different seasons of their lives. Each one believes she is there to get a new “do”, but she will come away with so much more.

Sometimes a few tears may be shed, but for the most part there is plenty of laughter. For an hour or two, you can hear or give advice. Usually it’s about children or the gal’s mate. You might also hear about a great movie that just came out or that fabulous book everyone must read.

Whatever is going on in your life, you will probably meet a girlfriend who has traveled down that same path. It is a whole lot easier to share a struggle when you know someone else has had a similar experience.

Let’s not forget the hair stylist. She or he is an artist. A wealth of talent and skill is at their fingertips. No pun intended. With a twist of the wrist or the flip of a curl, the client ends up pleasantly surprised. The other ladies give their approval with smiles and words.

Each person who enters the salon is an automatic member of the sisterhood. The atmosphere inspires people to share hopes, dreams, and yes, their fears. For the time spent, the ladies are a lifeline for one another. A bonding takes place where one person is available to lift another one up. Many ladies keep regular appointments. Yes, this is good for their hair, but it is even better for their hearts.

Question: Can you say that you are a member of the sisterhood?

Kim's Fip Flops

My local Christian radio station, JoyFM, 99.1 has wonderful announcers. One of my favorites is a young woman named Kim. She loves flip flops and is often teased by her co-host. I wrote this poem for her and she read it on the air recently.

Flip Flops


Kim loves her flip flops.
This we all know.
If she could, she would wear them in the snow.
Are there flip flop boots for sale anywhere?
Kim would certainly buy herself a pair.
Flip flops come in many colorful hues,
Such as reds, pinks, purples, and a variety of blues.
When spring comes there will be a new selection.
This will enable Kim to add to her collection.
So continue your love for flip flops, Kim.
And be ready to be teased by your co-host, Tim.

illustration:Microsoft Clipart

A Visual Reminder

I was in a parking lot recently and noticed the newly painted white lines. When we park within those lines, our cars are in proper order. I was reminded that God’s Word, is like those lines. When we apply scripture to our lives, then likewise our lives will have more of an opportunity to be in order. Have you noticed what happens when there has been a snowstorm? The lines in the parking lot are hidden and people park their cars every which way. There is no order. The same is true for us. If lives are not in alignment with the word of God, problems will result. We can hinder someone else, move in the wrong direction, or even cause damage. Those lines set boundaries and guide drivers into position. While we are planning goals for this new year, let us make sure our boundaries are in order.

Angiogram Poetry

I was scheduled to take a treadmill stress test. I had one several years ago and it was not a pleasant experience. So I had that memory clouding my enthusiasm for another one. Well, I did not get to the level the doctor was looking for, so he ordered an angiogram to rule out any blockages. The poem below is a thank you I sent to the staff and doctor at the testing center.
               Thank You
Angiogram, angiogram, here I come.
I’m not sure this will be fun.
I arrived at the lab right on time,
Despite the fact it was hard to find.
The ladies at the front desk were very sweet.
Then the rest of the team I did meet.
Dr. Selke was waiting like he said he would.
His stature was impressive when he stood.
The procedure was explained clearly to me,
To check that my arteries were clog free.
I have tiny veins for IV’s to be placed,
I tried to keep my composure seasoned with grace.
I was wheeled to the lab and the test began.
It was over quickly and went as planned.
The doctor gave me the all clear and said to exercise.
I was relieved and had tears in my eyes.
The weight on my shoulders started to lift.
What he said to me was like a Christmas gift.
Thank you, thank you, I said, with a smile on my face.
The Missouri Heart and Vascular is a very fine place.
Keep doing all the great work that you do.
A “heartfelt” thumbs up goes out to you.

God Winks or Coincidences

I have just finished reading a book called When God Winks at You, by Squire Rushnell. I found it while scanning the small book section at one of our local dollar stores. The essence of the book is that what we may call a coincidence, the author calls it a Godwink. In short, it may be a small, or sometimes large reassurance, that God is listening and does care enough to send us a signal that He is still available. For example, your telephone rings and a voice you have not heard in many years, is on the other end. It is someone you have been wanting to talk with so many times. Why did this person choose this particular moment to make that call? This is an example of a Godwink. This book includes many moments where Godwinks were evident, sometimes immediately and other times over the course of months or even years.  A Godwink may also be in the tapestry of tragedy. Think back over your life and see if you have had a Godwink.

The Butterfly

I know that I have been away from my blog for several months. Like the butterfly in the poem below, I have been going through some struggles. They are indeed a part of life. May each of you see many blessings in this New Year
as you stand in awe at God's power and His loving grace.


The Butterfly
O butterfly, O butterfly, how beautiful you are.
Your colorful wings allow you to soar very far.

It is such a struggle to become a butterfly,

Our Lord is equipping you as He watches you with His eye.

When we look back and know the changes that took place,

we will stand in awe at God’s power and His loving grace.


Whatever struggle you may be facing, keep the image of a beautiful butterfly before you.

Seven Lines, Seven Words Per line

Writing touches hearts when nothing else will.

Words reflect inner thoughts when written down.

Words reach into the heart and soul.

Hidden emotions will escape when given release.

The truth will be an unspoken witness.

Writing down thoughts will free the spirit.

The author gives life to the words.


Which line resonated within you?

A Nutty Kind of Day

I recently did a basket to be sold during a silent auction. The contents included goodies with nuts.I attached the following poem to the basket.

The tire goes flat at work in the parking lot.

It’s a nutty kind of day.

Your child’s teacher wants to have a conference-NOW!

It’s a nutty kind of day.

An unforeseen bill shows up in the mail.

Yes, it’s a nutty kind of day.

Did that red light camera just take your picture?

It’s still a nutty kind of day.

Enjoy this basket and have a nutty kind of day.

..........................

When was the last time you had a nutty kind of day?

or

What is your favorite nut? (I did not say, who)

Wow, It's September!

How did I let this month get away? I am waaaay behind in my posting. Hello, is there anyone still there? Thank you for being patient with me. I'll do better in the days to come.
I passed a car this morning and it reminded me of a friend with the same model. I must get in touch with her. I find that the Lord doesn't bring someone to our minds just for fun. It may mean we are to either send a prayer her/his way or get in touch. Who have you been thnking about lately?

Wonders So Far This Day

I stand in wonder when.......
my letter to a friend arrives in one day
unexpected refund checks are sent by the telephone & car insurance companies
my 44 year old Kenmore sewing machine still works
I look out my window and see the various shades of green
there is no end to the amount of words we have at our fingertips
I find something that I know only the Lord could show me where to look.
These are just wonders in one part of my day. I look forward to the other wonders throughout the rest of this day and the days to come.
What wonder has impressed you the most this day?

Favorite Back to School Ritual or Supplies?

I was at church this morning filling backpacks with school supplies. My church, along with many other organizations, has been collecting school supplies. It must be overwhelming for families, especially families with more than one child, to purchase school items. These backpacks will certainly help many children. I was thinking about my own back to school experiences as a child. Back then, before electricity, the schools supplied what we needed. But we could bring in our own crayons. Crayola brand was the bomb. The pretty colors were guarded so closely. Heaven help the kid who broke that first crayon. Have you seen the supply lists these days? There is everything on that list. A kid could have a major backache just getting that stuff to school. As a former elementary teacher, I remember we went overboard one year asking for tissues. Based on the previous year, we had gone through dozens of boxes for some reason. The following year, we ended up with an overload. You just never know when those allergies are going to check in.

What is your favorite back to school memory or your favorite item on the supply list?

I'm Back

Little did I know that I would be part of the silence when I wrote my last post. Some family things have been going on, one of which was the passing of my mother. We were on the road to New Jersey, which is a very long, long drive from St. Louis. Despite the circumstances, the Lord's grace was very evident during our time there. Things are settling down now and I hope to resume blogging on a regular basis again. Thank you for missing me. I have missed each of you also.

Can You Hear Silence?

Stop for a moment. What do you hear? I hear the garbage truck just arriving. It is 2:15 p.m.  Usually  it comes early in the a.m. Now I hear an airplane. We are fifteen minutes from the airport. What's that sound? It's my apple shaped clock just ticking away. What else am I hearing? The computer's hum. What's that sound? Ice cubes dropping into the tray. The last batch of laundry is drying in the dryer. It is amazing all of the sounds you  hear when you truly stop to listen. List the sounds you are hearing.

Independence

Just got back a few minutes ago after being at the grocery store. I had to stand in line for quite awhile. Not wanting my time to be wasted, I spent it being a people watcher. As I surveyed customers coming and going, I thought about each person. Everyone has a story. Wouldn't it be interesting to sit down with several of them to hear their stories? The human experience is similar no matter where one lives.Some of the stories could have threads of sadness running through them. Other stories could be ones of celebration. Just looking at faces, you could speculate what kind of day they were having. Most of the customers just wanted to get in and get out. No time for small talk.

Why is there always a crying baby? Probably the young mom did not have anyone who could babysit and she had to drag the baby out in the heat. Looking in her cart, most of the items were for her baby. 

If an alien just arrived, he could tell by the contents of most carts, that a cookout of some kind would be taking place soon. Bags of charcoal, ice, hotdog buns, sodas, paper plates, and other miscellaneous items rolled down the conveyor belt. The alien wouldn't know that our country is preparing to celebrate our nation's independence and of course he wouldn't know about the traditions of cookouts either. He was probably looking for his own independence by landing here.
Happy 4th of July everyone!!!!!

O Happy Day!

Such pretty silver earrings I had on that day.
We had taken a trip that was far away.                                      
Later that evening I felt my right ear.
Sadly one of the earrings had disappeared.
I looked high and low for the earring’s mate.
I soon gave up since it was getting late.
We started back home the very next day.
Losing that earring bugged me all the way.
A few days later my husband had a surprise.
He was cleaning out the car when something caught his eye.
The other silver earring he did find.
It was in the car this whole time.
I was very happy, this is true.
I have my earring back and a poem too.


Question: What have you lost and then found again?

Signs of Summer

Summer will officially arrive on Tuesday. As far as the weather goes, summer had started weeks ago. I knew the calendar noted summer to begin on June 21, but for me, it was this past Friday. Why? I saw my first lightning bug. What memories! As kids, we would find a jar and try to catch as may bugs as we could, thinking we would have our very own flashlights. Of course this didn’t work because the fireflies’ lights would not be in sync. But what did we know?


Another summer time event is that old familiar sound of the ice cream truck. Children from near and far would come running to pay for an overpriced frozen treat. Where did all of these kids come from? They had not been seen at any other time of the day. It was if that red, white, and blue ice cream vehicle was the Pied Piper.

Okay, parents. Why weren’t those shorts your pre-teen daughters are wearing given away? The little girls are growing up, but someone forgot to tell the shorts to grow up with them. Granted, it is very hot, but help the daughters have some sense of acceptable dress.

Have you been to the local home care centers yet? A potential customer can hardly get in the door without tripping over bags of mulch, soil, fertilizer, and on and on of lawn care products. There are several weekend warriors buying that new tool. It promises to do everything. That’s right, just one tool and you are set for life. One better have a plan before entering these stores. Your lifetime savings can be gone in a flash and your home still won’t be on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens.

Last, but not least, another sign of summer is the door to door salesperson. His mission is to let the neighbors know about a special price for a state of the art alarm system. If we act right this minute, there will be a great deal, guaranteed for the next twelve months. What is this sign of summer trying to tell us?

Okay, your turn. What is your sign of summer?

Fathers Are Special Too

As we approach Father’s Day, 2011, I encourage you to give thanks for the “fathers” who have been in your life. It has taken years for me to say these words : “I never knew my father.” I don’t have any idea what he looks like, what his mannerisms are, or how much like him I may be. This has been a mysterious void in my life. My hat goes off to men all over the world who have stepped up to the plate to fulfill their calling as a father.


I had the word “fathers” in quotation marks. Why? Even though I never knew my biological father, I had a wonderful grandfather and uncles who stood in the gap as I was growing up. I am sure there are others who have had people as surrogate dads for one reason or another.

Do we realize the importance of a father in a child’s life? It’s a given about the mother’s importance, but I believe we need to place just as high a value on the father’s place and not just on the third Sunday in June.

For whatever circumstance has occurred where the dad is not present, ask our Heavenly Father for someone to stand in the gap. He is the benchmark for the character of a father. He will provide people who can help fill the empty places as needed.

As you are reading, I’m sure some questions are in your mind. I have questions too. Perhaps the answers will come in another time or another place.

If you have been fortunate to have had a great father, thank the Lord. If otherwise, commit the lack of such a person in your life to the Lord. Our hearts were not meant to carry this burden alone. Let’s applaud fathers everywhere and not just on Father’s Day.