When I went back to my car after sitting out at the beach, I was "people-watching" and reading a book at the same time. A mother with her 2 or 3-year-old-son was helping him find rocks to throw into the water. They came back to the sidewalk, and watched an incoming ferry dock. The horn sounded as it always does, and the child was startled. I couldn't hear his mom, but I know she was explaining what that was...and what a ferryboat did. As they turned to go, she heard the whistle of an approaching train...and so did he. The loud noise was a bit frightening to him, so she held her hands across his chest. He held on to her wrists. Soon she bent down and spoke into his ear. His eyes grew big and sparkled, and I could lip read "WOW!"
I could not help but smile. He was a little nervous, but with mom there, he could rest in her care and enjoy this brand new experience. His entire face was involved in the wonder of boats and trains!
As they walked away, I rolled down my window and said, "Thank you for letting me watch his JOY!" She was grateful and delighted as well. She called him by name, and he told me "goodbye." I said, "Thank you, ______, for sharing your JOY with me today." It was a blessing for my day.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018
Legacies
When we went to Thailand in 1977, I was homesick. I was homesick for what was familiar to me. I had culture shock about a lot of things: heat and humidity, boiling our drinking water daily, cockroaches, garlic in the locally made peanut brittle---and so much more!
Our son was born in Thailand. This past week he had an opportunity, in his position as a seminary professor, to go back. He enjoyed the food, the people, and so many things. It thrilled my heart to hear him talk about his experiences.
I did not always like being a missionary, but I learned a lot of lessons and made life-long friends from our time on the other side of the world. And I see the place Thailand has in my children's hearts and how they have become world citizens.
I am thankful God continues to use everything we went through to bring good things into the lives of our kids and grandkids.
Today's scripture included these words: "Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child...[they] will hear the good news - that God does what He says." That makes me smile!
We are all leaving a legacy---I want to be more intentional about it!
Our son was born in Thailand. This past week he had an opportunity, in his position as a seminary professor, to go back. He enjoyed the food, the people, and so many things. It thrilled my heart to hear him talk about his experiences.
I did not always like being a missionary, but I learned a lot of lessons and made life-long friends from our time on the other side of the world. And I see the place Thailand has in my children's hearts and how they have become world citizens.
I am thankful God continues to use everything we went through to bring good things into the lives of our kids and grandkids.
Today's scripture included these words: "Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child...[they] will hear the good news - that God does what He says." That makes me smile!
We are all leaving a legacy---I want to be more intentional about it!
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Aging
Do you think about the aging process a lot? Everything is affected as we age:
--our memories
--our physical flexibility
--our mental acuity
--our sleep
and so much more.
I enjoy listening to conversations at the nursing home where Marvin resides. It makes me wish I had known these people years ago. I wonder about their life experiences, their jobs, their families. Where did they live? What did they love doing in their lives?
Some are absolutely delightful to speak to, very upbeat, funny, and interested in others. Like the man who is very physically limited---yesterday the aide said, "So is your food good?" He quickly replied, "No, it's not good---(pause)---it's GREAT!"
There's a gentleman who walks into the dining room with a walker, and stops at every table to greet other residents. He says, "Good afternoon, ladies. How are you today?" I think it's a highlight for them. One day after he passed by, a woman said to her tablemate, "That's my doctor...he's such a good doctor!"
We are taught as little ones to become independent and self-sufficient. As we get to the end-of-life events, we must learn to let go and ask for help.
Oh, boy, there's so much to learn, isn't there?
What are you working on as you age? A sense of humor? Compassion? Relaxation? Fretting and worry? Fear and frustration? Let's help each other get old gracefully!
--our memories
--our physical flexibility
--our mental acuity
--our sleep
and so much more.
I enjoy listening to conversations at the nursing home where Marvin resides. It makes me wish I had known these people years ago. I wonder about their life experiences, their jobs, their families. Where did they live? What did they love doing in their lives?
Some are absolutely delightful to speak to, very upbeat, funny, and interested in others. Like the man who is very physically limited---yesterday the aide said, "So is your food good?" He quickly replied, "No, it's not good---(pause)---it's GREAT!"
There's a gentleman who walks into the dining room with a walker, and stops at every table to greet other residents. He says, "Good afternoon, ladies. How are you today?" I think it's a highlight for them. One day after he passed by, a woman said to her tablemate, "That's my doctor...he's such a good doctor!"
We are taught as little ones to become independent and self-sufficient. As we get to the end-of-life events, we must learn to let go and ask for help.
Oh, boy, there's so much to learn, isn't there?
What are you working on as you age? A sense of humor? Compassion? Relaxation? Fretting and worry? Fear and frustration? Let's help each other get old gracefully!
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Laughing at Myself
I find many reasons to laugh at myself. I guess that means I'm pretty good at entertaining myself!
Some past chuckles:
-- when I accidently grabbed the hairspray instead of the after shower body spray! Had to have a 2nd shower.
-- when I discovered a dryer sheet attached to my slacks when I got in my car to go home AFTER a church service.
I discovered the validity of the JOY definition from Dr. James Wilder: JOY is when someone is glad to be with you. They show it on their faces and in their eyes---lighting up like I do when I get to be with my grandkids or my JOY friends!
Recently, I decided to try an experiment (and invited others to join me via Facebook): Stand in front of the mirror and look deeply into your own eyes...then begin to smile at yourself. When you have a full-faced smile, take a selfie and then look at it through your day. Pay attention to how your body feels, your thoughts about this photo, and whatever else comes to mind.
I actually tried it myself, and found it a bit disconcerting. When I took the photo, I felt like I was smiling with my whole face and eyes. But when I looked back at the saved picture, I was not smiling like I do when I see people I delight to be with.
I will be doing some journaling about that...because I think it is a lesson. Laughing with myself or at myself isn't the same thing as being JOYFUL to be with myself!
Your thoughts?
Some past chuckles:
-- when I accidently grabbed the hairspray instead of the after shower body spray! Had to have a 2nd shower.
-- when I discovered a dryer sheet attached to my slacks when I got in my car to go home AFTER a church service.
I discovered the validity of the JOY definition from Dr. James Wilder: JOY is when someone is glad to be with you. They show it on their faces and in their eyes---lighting up like I do when I get to be with my grandkids or my JOY friends!
Recently, I decided to try an experiment (and invited others to join me via Facebook): Stand in front of the mirror and look deeply into your own eyes...then begin to smile at yourself. When you have a full-faced smile, take a selfie and then look at it through your day. Pay attention to how your body feels, your thoughts about this photo, and whatever else comes to mind.
I actually tried it myself, and found it a bit disconcerting. When I took the photo, I felt like I was smiling with my whole face and eyes. But when I looked back at the saved picture, I was not smiling like I do when I see people I delight to be with.
I will be doing some journaling about that...because I think it is a lesson. Laughing with myself or at myself isn't the same thing as being JOYFUL to be with myself!
Your thoughts?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)