Flexibility

Image by kalhh from Pixabay 

I hate the time change. It messes with my body rhythm, not to mention the intrusion on schedules for children and pets. At least falling back is easier than springing forward, especially when I was working and had to get up at 4 am.

According to my husband’s research into the origin of DST, the time change started during WW I to conserve coal. Many outdoor enthusiasts embraced what seems like the extra hour of sunlight. I’ve argued this point many times. Physical daylight does not change because we mess with the clocks! But yes, setting the clock ahead does give you more after work daylight because of getting off an hour earlier.

I wish they’d just leave it on DST. Those who like it would be happy. Those of us who hate switching back and forth would do better. With only four months between the changes, why bother? Several states are lobbying to do away with the time change. I hope they succeed.

As all these thoughts paraded through my mind this morning, my reading in Good Morning, Lord, by Joseph Sullivan brought me up short. “I realize, of course, my best laid plans are useless unless they have your blessing. Help me, Lord, always to be flexible in my pursuit of your wishes. Not my will, but let yours be done. Amen.”

Was I being rigid, refusing change? Not just about the time change, but other things?

My readings continued with the same theme in my devotional, Living Faith.  1 Kings: 10-16. The widow fed Elias what she thought was the last of her oil and meal. She trusted God’s word through the prophet and was flexible enough in her faith to accept his promise she and her son would not starve if they shared their last bit of food.

The Gospel reading from Mark 12:38-44 continued with the theme of the widow casting in every cent she had for the temple tax. At first glance, it seemed Jesus was complimenting her on her sacrifice. He was, but he was also pointing out the temple scribes’ greed in demanding payment, even from the poor. Their rigid adherence to their law caused much suffering for the marginalized and eventually led to Jesus’ death on the cross.

My next reading, Psalm 146: 7, offered solace and encouragement. “[God]… keeps truth forever: who executes judgment for them that suffer wrong: who gives food to the hungry.”

That last poked a sore spot. Until we were forced to replace our old geothermal unit, we had no debt besides the house mortgage and a nice sum in our bank account. Not only did the new unit take all our  savings, we had to take out a small loan too. 

God reminded me: Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also." Matthew 6:19-21. 

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labor not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. Now if God clothe in this manner the grass that is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more you, O ye of little faith?” Luke 12:27-28.

Chastised, I stopped grousing and worrying about the changes in our finances, in our country and in the world. God is there, preparing good things from bad, encouraging, comforting, and aiding. 

“Dear Lord, help me not to be so rigid in my faith that I fail to follow your will, help others or see your gifts when they take different forms than what I expect — or want. Amen.”  

 

 

A New Thing

As I mention in an earlier post, I am often tempted to recount the dramatic and amazing things God had done for me in the past, the dreams, premonitions, and visions. Those powerful events have tapered off, replaced by more subtle interactions. I’ve wondered why.

Our Daily Bread meditation for March 13 gave me some insight into the change.

God wants us to recall the former, but He doesn’t want it overshadowing his current involvement in our lives. “See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a new way in the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:19.

My faith is stronger, deeper, and God no longer needs to orchestrate the theatrical to get my attention or bolster my beliefs.

The same can be said of prior pleasures, mistakes, or pain, remembered on occasion, but not relived. 

Today is a new day. God is doing new things.

Dear Lord, thank you for your divine intercessions, the subtle and the not so subtle. They draw me closer to you. Amen.

Who Doesn't Like October?

October is one of the most popular months. Who does not like the vivid array of colors, the cooler days, pumpkins, and harvest moons? Then, there are the corn mazes, fresh pressed apple cider, and harvest parties. 

This month is the prelude to the onslaught of the holidays, a pause between summer and winter. We catch our breath before gearing up for the busier season to follow. 

Change. Seasons change. Weather changes and we change. It is inevitable. Some we welcome, like the seasons, others we fight. This struggle does not delay or alter the change. It only causes more stress and conflict, fighting a battle we cannot win.

Since entering the Golden Years, I have seen many changes. The world is certainly not the same as it was in my childhood. Some changes were for the better, others not. The political and spiritual unrest is disheartening as well as frightening. Then, there are the more pronounced changes in my physical appearance. I may be able to skip the news for several days, but my body continues to remind me of my age. 

I decided after some careful reflection, (pun intended), not to worry about my physical changes. I am aging, and there is not any cosmetic trick, or surgery, that will disguise it. It might camouflage it to some degree, but we’ve all seen the sad sight of women who go to extremes in their search for eternal youth. The result is rarely what they hoped. At this age, less is definitely more, and it is better to accept the changes and move on to things that are more important. 

For me, I would rather count my blessings than bemoan things I cannot change or control. For a perfectionist, that’s the same as an alcoholic admitting they have a drinking problem. Perhaps I had to live the changes before I understood how little control I have. I suppose experience does give the age a little more wisdom than youth, if we choose to learn from them rather than fight against them. 

And so, I look forward to this new season and plan to enjoy each moment. Winter storms will be here soon enough, but God is already there. With Him walking beside me, I can accept the changes in the weather, and in my life, with some dignity and peace. After all, letting go, accepting what I cannot change, and giving it to God, is the wisest of all choices.  

I Wish

I wish I could reach out and heal others. I wish I could take away their physical pain and their emotional suffering. I wish I could find the cure for cancer, for leukemia, for Multiple Sclerosis, for Schizophrenia, and Bi-Polar disorders. I wish I could stop world aggression, poverty, and injustices. I wish I could stop abortions and change sex offenders. But I can’t.

However, if I could persuade one confused soul to turn to God, I will not only “save his soul from death, [but] shall cover a multitude of [my] sins” as well. James 5:20.

I wish I knew exactly how I could go about doing that. Yes, I know I should live the Gospel and not preach it. I know that if I change my heart and live accordingly, others will see it. I know all that. Yet, I wish my small life would be enough. I fail far more than I succeed.

Then, I recall a few kind acts that made a big impact on the lives of the recipients. They seemed small to me and I was surprised at the impact they had. I wish I could do more.

I wish for a closer union with God. I wish he were the center of all my thoughts and actions. I wish it wasn’t a struggle to go to church. I wish I had tons of money to add to the collection. I wish I felt like volunteering more. I wish I could simply make more of a difference. 

I can wish all I want, and nothing will change. Only through practice and prayer will I tighten my relationship with God. It might not make much difference in the lives of others, but it would definitely change mine. That would be a start, a beginning. Who knows where it might lead? 

A meditation in, Good Morning Lord, by Joseph T. Sullivan reminded me I am not too old to pursue my dreams and share my talents. I will have to make the necessary effort to hone my skills through study and practice. Even so, I may not become the next Rembrandt, Hemingway, or Steinbeck, but my small efforts can help color the world with beauty. Maybe even add a touch of magic, an opening for the divine to plant a seed, to change a heart, and maybe even change a life. That I can definitely wish for.

Beside Peaceful Waters

Recent events in our country brought these words to mind: Luke 12: 51-53:  “Think ye that I come to bring peace on earth? I tell you no, but separation. For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” 

As the scripture above states, Jesus didn’t come to bring peace to the world, but peace to our hearts, peace to those of goodwill, not peace to all men. Peace comes from our faith and commitment to His will, not ours. Those who desire their own will, will not have peace. 

Our current political and social climate illustrates this all too plainly. How can we live peaceful lives in all this chaos? History teaches us that our current situation is not unusual, or uncommon. It has been repeated over and over again through the centuries with every civilization. We of course hoped ours would be different, but how could that be when men’s hearts have not changed? 

For a time, our country was the exception, until people forgot the premises upon which this country was founded, and personal gain once again took precedence in people’s hearts and minds. We celebrate individualism to the point that the individual is all that matters, to the point of decimating the larger population, as in these new laws regarding transgender use of public services. In other areas, the population decimates the individual, as in abortions. 

We cannot change the world, only ourselves. Imagine thousands turning their hearts back to God, as individuals. Imagine thousands no longer spewing hate, vengeance, violence. I am afraid all we can do is imagine. For in God’s own words, this will not happen upon this earth until the world, as we understand it, ceases to exist and we enter into Christ’s second coming. 

However, God does promise us peace in our hearts, when we do his will regardless of the chaos on the outside. This is the peace the martyrs experienced, enabling them to endure the unthinkable. I doubt God will call me to be a martyr in the physical sense, but I can see emotional suffering if I allow our current situation to govern all my thoughts. 

Since retirement, I do have the option of stepping away from the world more often. I can sit beside the gurgling stream and contemplate God’s word. I can pray more often. I can offer Gods’ words through my writing to those who might need those exact words, at that exact moment. I can find peace easier, if I choose not to rely on man’s word, but on God’s alone. 

Is that easy? Absolutely not. Is it worth the struggle? Absolutely yes. How do we even begin? From Jesus’ own words, through constant prayer. It takes effort, diligence, and sometimes, a few moments beside those peaceful waters wherever we can find them. I am blessed. I have peaceful waters just around the corner from our home, along our walking path. However, should that be taken from me, with practice, I can also find peaceful waters in my heart through scripture and prayer, in that moment when I say, “Your will, not mine.”

Has It Been A Wonderful Life?

The classic movie has been a tradition at Christmas for as long as I can remember, and for just as long as I can remember its premise has haunted me for days afterward. If I had not been born, would anyone's life be affected? I agree with Clarence, very few can truthfully answer that question beyond immediate friends and family. Even then, would their lives be affected that much?

I haven't found the cure to any disease or instigated the end to any injustices. I haven't written a book worthy of the Pulitzer or done any deed that warranted the Nobel for Peace. In fact, those closest to me would say the opposite is more likely. St. Paul had it right. Why do I do the evil which I wish not and not do the good that I wish?

And yet, if God will bless someone like me with His miracles, love and compassion, then everyone in the whole world has an equal chance. 

I've seen rainbows and lilies appear when I needed their messages of hope. I've had visions, premonitions, and divine encounters in which God has told me how much He loves me. I've been loved and cared for. I have loved and cared for others. I have been blessed with talents I've been allowed to share with others. I've laughed and cried, rejoiced and sorrowed. I've been ill and been healed. I've been devastated financially and been delivered.

Thus, even if I haven't managed to right wrongs, win a Pulitzer or save the world, it has been a wonderful life - and it isn't over yet.

In fact, through scriptures and visions, God has revealed the last half of my life will be better than the first. Exactly how this will be manifested, I haven't a clue, but judging from what's happened already, it will be something grand.

Can you say it's been a wonderful life?

Swayed By the Wind

Resilience. Adaptability. Tolerance. Capacity for change. All good virtues, right? Except when they go too far and allow for too much tolerance for the wrong kind of changes. It seems we are more easily influenced by negativity or wrong doing than good. At least it seems the wrong things tend to spread more quickly than the good. Bad news, or gossip will circumvent the world faster than a good word or deed, unless it borders on the fantastical.

Sunrise, Sunset

I sometimes wonder if I am looking at the sunrise or sunset of a life event. Is it just the beginning of the circumstance, or am I looking at the end? 

As with the above photo, only the one taking the picture knows the exact time of day. However as observers, we can look for clues. The lighter blue sky would denote a sunrise, although I have seen some sunsets with similar colors as well. I have also realized that my mood will often dictate my perception. When I am joyful, I would be inclined to declare it a sunrise full of  hope and new expectations. If I am sorrowful, or stressed, I would choose sunset in hopes of being at the end of the event and looking forward to a time of rest.  So  much of life is in this in between stage, not quite sure if our circumstances are really beginning or ending. 

As I have grown in my faith, I have chosen to just sit back and enjoy the scenery without trying to decipher it too much. The above photo is beautiful, regardless of the actual time of day. I can enjoy it for what it is, or over analyze it to death and miss the Giver's intention, a brief moment of unparalleled beauty, peace and tranquility.

The words sunrise/sunset also remind me of the song from the musical Fiddler on the Roof. As the lyrics imply, time moves quickly. One moment we are at the sunrise of our life, youth, and before we know it, we are in the midst of our sunset years. If I dare to reflect back, I see four separate lives evolving from major events.

I do not fully understand the reason behind these circumstances, but I have come to accept them, especially since these experiences drew me closer to God. Over and over He brought me through the flames, holding my hand, protecting me from the heat.

This year, I face only minor changes, a relatively new job (hopefully a long lasting one), and a new home. Interestingly, the new house is situated at an angle where I will be able to observe both the sunrise and the sunset, neither of which I could view from the previous home. Over all our lifestyle will be greatly improved with both the house and the job, so why this introspection tinged with melancholy?

Change. Change, even for betterment is stressful. It is hard to let go of the known for the unknown. And, in some regards, I am weary. Change requires great effort and I am tired, not just from the physical work of moving, but the emotional changes as well. After seeing so many dramatic changes in my life, now even the smaller ones are draining.

Yet, I know I do not need to rely on my own strength. God in his mercy has given me a companion to help shoulder life's responsibilities, and my husband has shouldered the large responsibilities in order to allow me to concentrate on my job, and I am so very thankful. Then, I also have God's promise:

But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah: 40:31

Amen. Alleluia.