Storms

 

It’s storming. Rain and wind lashing the house and trees. Dark gloomy skies. The scene reminds me of a similar one forty-plus years ago.

 I was barely twenty, married, with an eight-month-old son. We were living in a single wide trailer on the outskirts of town. I sat at the dining table with a cup of tea, looking out the front windows at a similar storm blowing through our little valley. My son played quietly on the floor next to me. I savored the moment, knowing my abusive husband would storm in at any moment and make my life hell again.  

Although I divorced him and remarried a good man, I never recaptured that moment of peaceful contentment. More children, jobs, deaths, financial struggles, and health issues kept my life in constant turmoil.

Last Sunday, our pastor spoke on the Book of Joshua. God encouraged him, more than once, to have courage, strength, and faith while facing the giants in the Promised Land. How different would my life have been if I faced all my challenges with the same faith Joshua had?

In some ways, I did, but too often I worried about the when and the how, rather than leaving that up to God. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, everything changed. At first, I was that terrified twenty-year-old again, facing another monster, but through a vision, God promised to heal me. I stood on that promise through all the surgeries and treatments. After four years, I’m still cancer free.  

From this and so many other experiences, I know God will either bring me through the storm or calm the wind and waves, leaving me floating in a calm sea. Because of this, I can now watch not only the storm currently raging outside my window, but all storms without worrying about the next hour, day, or even year. God’s already there, sorting it out.

Here’s to that terrified twenty-year-old who never gave up.

Thank you, Lord, for always being there to pick up the pieces of my life and restore them into something even more beautiful. Amen.

 

Behold the Birds of the Air

Original Photo by Cecilia Marie Pulliam

"Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they?" Matthew 6:26

This quote came up today in my devotionals. Interesting considering our new geothermal unit is wiping out our savings, plus some. And then, I saw this when I stepped outside with Cooper this morning.

God is certainly reinforcing His admonishment not to put my trust in earthly things like savings accounts. Of course one of my favorite scriptures follows this verse.

"And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature by one cubit? And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith? Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:27-24  

It too has come up when I was faced with a financial struggle, coincidently followed by instances of lilies popping up in amazing ways. I suppose I've gotten accustomed to the lilies, and now God has switched to the birds. I've lived here for four years and have never seen a robin perched on that stump. Never. Until this morning. 

Thank you, Lord, for Your kindness and compassion, for all the ways You lift me up and encourage me. Amen. 

An Odd Coincidence

Original photo by author

As if the state of the world and our country weren’t enough to be concerned about, we received the news that our roof needs repair due to recent wind damage. With a thousand-dollar deductible, we are facing a large expenditure whether we file an insurance claim or not. Also, concern for my husband’s health is weighing on my mind. He’s still recovering from Covid pneumonia, mostly regarding his stamina.

As many of you know, God has often used the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, or the image of a rainbow, to give me encouragement when I’m worried or anxious.

While all this whirled around in my thoughts, my husband and I watched the movie, Australia. To my surprise the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, is used several times throughout the film, even including a clip of Judy Garland singing it in The Wizard of Oz.

However, a bigger surprised came after the film.  

The kitchen inventory app I use for grocery shopping, has photos options for each item. After the film, I added a breakfast cereal. I have no idea how this happened, but I believe it is more than just an odd coincidence.  

Thank you, Lord, for being so good to me. Amen.  

According to Cooper....

A little Rain Ain’t Gonna Hurt You

The first thunderstorm after we brought Coop home was a challenge. We read the chapter on weather in our puppy guide book, Puppies for Dummies. (Yes, they really do have a book for every subject under the sun.)

Since puppies must go outside in all kinds of weather, encouraging him to go out is important. The book suggested we play in the rain with Coop. We senior cowards thought, “What? Run around in the rain like silly kids?” 

We had no choice. Coop really needed to go out, but refused. So, a touch of tough love and daring solved the problem. We donned jackets and shoes, grabbed one of his favorite outside toys, and ran out into the rain, giggling. 

We didn’t melt, didn’t go into any kind of seizure, and we actually had some fun. We old retired seniors played like little kids. 

Although, when I mentioned running through the sprinklers on a hot day, I got the I-can’t-believe-you-said-that look from my husband.  But I was serious. What if Coop needs to go out when the backyard sprinklers are running? 

When You Get Cranky, You need a Nap

When the Psycho Puppy emerges, he is over tired and needs a nap, just like a toddler. That’s when we also rest. We read, nap sometimes, or just sit and chat. We all rest and distress. After a bit, we do necessary chores, rest a bit more, and then are ready for the next round of activity.

Things Don’t Have to Be Perfect

The house isn’t as pristine as I normally keep it. I don’t always get my shower before noon. There’s water on the floor by the patio door where we all ran in after playing in the rain. We have a few smudges on the off-white carpet. We will eventually take care of those things, but we will only have this precious puppy for a little while longer. All too soon, he will be grown, and we won’t have the same exuberance, or cuteness. We must enjoy it while we can.

We seniors so often get bogged down in our little routine and become irritated when it is disturbed. Coop has made sure we remain flexible. 

Please Be Patient With Me

Coop doesn't understand everything and has taught me to respond with patience, not irritation to his mistake. This follows through to my husband as well. His hearing loss has become acute and I must repeat everything I say several times, or stop and write down a key word. I find I have more patience for about everything. Thanks, Cooper!

Your Attitude Makes All the Difference

The world is filled with wonders we seniors too often take for granted. As with our children and grandchildren, a puppy inspires us to see the world in a different way. There are scary things, but if you’re with someone you can trust, it’ll be okay. There are also marvelous things like cool green grass on a hot afternoon, a ball splashing in the wading pool, and all those interesting birds and insects. 

The rambunctious neighborhood kids are a delightful mix of movement and noise. Coop loves the attention and calmly allows pets sprinkled with lots of kisses. Scary things like lawn mowers, the garbage truck, and the mail lady are interesting because we approach them as something fun.  

Attitude really does make a huge difference. 

Be Happy, Worry Less

Coop is such a happy little guy, and it’s contagious. Yes, life can be scary and not always what we want, but we can accept those things, deal with them, and move on. Instead of worrying, let’s go out and play in the rain, chase that ball or butterfly, roll in the wet grass (well, I might skip that one), and give everyone hugs and kisses.

It's really that simple, most of the time, if we choose it to be.