A Jesus Touch

     Last night after dinner I wheeled Marvin down to see the goldfish and bird in the lobby. It was abuzz with activity, so we didn't stay long. As we were turning to go, Ron came up the hall.
     Ron pastored the Lutheran Church here when I was pastoring the Church of God. We spent much time in ministers' meetings. He knew my husband from his role as "minister's wife" - that's what Marvin called himself.
     Ron is now the Hospice Chaplain in our town. He walked up to Marvin, who was drooling with his after-dinner drool. Ron placed one hand gently on Marvin's shoulder, and took Marvin's stiff, crooked hand in his other hand. He looked deeply into Marvin's face and eyes and said, "Marvin, how are you?" "Fine," was Marvin's answer.
     Ron said, "I think of you two often." Then he gave me a hug, and left to his duties.
     As Marvin laid down on his love seat, I said, "It was good to see Ron, wasn't it? He's the Hospice Chaplain here." Marvin quickly said, "That's what I need."
     Those few moments were just that--- very few. But I am still feeling the warmth of Ron's reflection of Jesus to both of us. That's what it felt like...it could have been the Master who walked around the corner...in fact, it was Christ living through Ron.
     Be Jesus to somebody today, please.

A NEW BOOK!

    I'm supposed to be getting rid of books, so I bought another one recently. I am wishing I could afford to purchase copies for all  of my WORD FRIENDS.
    This volume is called, "The Pocket Muse; ideas and inspirations for writing," by Monica Wood. It is a beautiful book, filled with captivating photos, quotes, stories, and ideas and inspirations for writing.
     I tried one of the exercises today. The topic was: "Write about someone who is pretending to be someone or something that he is not." It didn't take me long to think of someone, and the words just poured out onto the computer. (Don't worry; it's not any of you who read my blog or Facebook!)
     I do love words, and I'm trying to be diligent to write more every day. There are so many things to write about!
     What story do you need to tell?
    

Living in the In-Between

     New Year's Day, 2014---I am reveling in having my daughter visit from Indonesia. Although her time here is short, it has been good. We have enjoyed each other's company so much. She is gentle, loving, and supportive. When she is here, I let down and feel myself relaxing a bit more from my responsibilities for my husband's care. We play word games, laugh at stupid stuff, joke with each other, share our grief and tears, and allow each other to be who we are.
     We talk about the end of life, of her daddy's life, my life, and even hers. We know our wishes and desires. It doesn't mean we aren't enjoying the time we have together. It means we are living in the in-between.
     We believe this earthly journey is not all there is. We believe that one day we will not have to say "goodbye" again. We believe that Jesus is the One who holds us all together, and that one day we will be free from physical limitations, disease, and pain. We will be with the One who gave His life to make it all possible.
     We have much for which to be thankful, and much for which to pray in 2014. We will do both. Many today are wishing folks happiness and peace in 2014. I agree with those wishes. I also wish for all of us: the opportunity to grow and mature in our faith in the coming year...through whatever comes to us...and to know Christ better and grow closer to Him each passing day.
     I am reminded of my former pastor and friend, Bud, who argued with God, plead with God, reminded God of His promises, and surrendered to the will of God in his life. That's what I want in 2014...a relationship with God like that. Then whatever life brings to us this year, we will face with grace, mercy, and an abiding trust in His plans.
     So much for my New Year's meanderings! Blessings

SHOPPING and the Year of Small Things

     This week a friend left a gift bag on my door. Inside were some Christmas dish towels and a cookie cutter. The cookie cutter looked like modern art, and I had to look at it carefully to see that it said, "JOY." I have to make some sugar cookies just so I can eat JOY.
     I did not purchase big gifts for anyone this year...I did some special giving --- like massages for co-workers from a massage therapist, a few crocheted items, and some other small things.
     Tonight...Christmas Eve...the news anchor reported that we aren't doing so well this year. We, consumers, aren't living up to the expectations of retailers. We're not spending enough. We're not going deep enough in debt. We're affecting their bottom line. Yeah for us!
     I refuse to be made to feel guilty that I don't want to max out even one credit card. I don't want to buy stupid gifts that people are going to re-gift or put in the back of the closet. I don't want to worry about whether I will offend someone by not giving them a gift or giving them something they hate.
     I refuse to allow anything to keep me from the truth of Christmas. Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being in order to die for the sins of the world. Truth and Life born in obscurity...Power and Glory living among us. And Immanuel, God with us in our midst. That's BIG.
    
    

What Are You Doing for Christmas?

   I was asked that question yesterday. People expect you to say, "Going to see my relatives," or "Hosting friends for a meal," or something. They don't expect silence. "Well," I said, "I think I will just go feed Marvin and be with him for a few hours."
   If you know me, you know what happened to me after 11 years in Asia. Christmas changed forever. It would no longer be about decorations, lots and lots of presents, a huge dinner, and going home for the holiday.
   I remember the homesickness that surprised me so much the first couple of years in Bangkok. I clung to everything from my past to try to create a feeling of normalcy.
    We did eat dinners with friends there and with complete strangers, who happened to be traveling the world, stuck in Bangkok at Christmas. We did buy or make gifts --- simple, inexpensive gifts. Most of all we focused on the homemade nativity scene and thought of what a difference Jesus could make.
    When we returned to America, I missed the simplicity of Christmas in Asia. I have even made other people frustrated by my unwillingness to throw myself into the decorating and shopping abyss. I sometimes struggle with church Christmas programs, where the focus is sometimes on the people involved more than in celebrating the Christ. 
    Oh, I still buy some gifts, hopefully ones that are meaningful. I still attend some functions. I just don't get the nostalgic feelings others treasure.
    This year Marvin and I will talk about the Christmas story; we will give thanks for God who became flesh and blood so He could die for our sins, and bring redemption from this life --- of sin, diseases like Huntington's, and pain.
Above all else, Christmas means:  THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS because JESUS CAME.

Make Room For Joy

     There's so little room for joy in hearts and lives these days. Just this week (and it's only Tuesday), people have awakened to the truth of betrayals, legitimate fears for their loved ones, devastating diagnoses, and unbelievable uncertainties about their jobs, finances, and relationships.
      When I read that sentence again, I realize these are human experiences -that come to everyone, but only God can truly make any good come out of any of them. They remind me of the life of Joseph in the Bible.
      He was a favorite of his father, which made him hated by his brothers. They sold him into slavery where he served faithfully, but then was falsely accused. The ups and downs of Joseph's life feel like a roller coaster. Every new challenge had a connecting phrase: "BUT GOD..."
      God allowed Joseph to be in a pit, in a dungeon, falsely accused, considered dead, hungry and thirsty, and more. BUT GOD showed up, and used those circumstances to bring glory and honor, rescue and life to His people in the end.
      Wherever you are in your valley, in your pit of despair, or even on your mountain top...it's God who will work through your life to make room for joy. May His gentle touch mend our hearts today.

How To Lie

     I recently wrote this for the humor column, and wanted to get your take on it. Many people I know never think before they lie. In fact, some of them lie because they have no social skills to understand how to make straight-forward conversations. They feel they must make up stories to be interesting to people they meet. So, what do you think?
How to Lie
     Remember the movie, “Liar, Liar,” starring Jim Carrey? When Dad missed his son’s birthday party again, 5-year-old Max’s wish came true immediately: his father could not lie anymore. Craziness ensued.  
       Although research indicates that it’s often the more intelligent, savvy child who lies most, lying is not always the most sensible thing to do. Research also seems to assert that these smart children may learn to lie from … wait for it: their parents. Parents are notorious for assuming their child does not understand what they are saying, or that teens are not listening to anything. Obviously that’s not the case. One young man reported he learned about lying when he heard his father and mother preparing to do their taxes.
      Books have been written on how to tell if someone is lying to you. Have you ever seen a volume on how to lie? I looked up “How to Lie” on Wiki-How, and here are a few key thoughts, in case you need some pointers on the subject.

1. Make peace with your decision to lie, and consider the probability of getting caught. Think about it first.  

2. Get your story straight before you lie; think about the details.  Imagine the story you are about to tell. Does it make sense?

3. Do the opposite of what liars do. Read some of those books on how to spot a liar and take note of what NOT to do. Then practice your story in front of a mirror or video camera.

4. Play dumb or appear indifferent.

5. Know when NOT to lie. Besides ethical or faith-based reasons, there are some practical realities when lying is extremely unwise: 

--lying to a police officer or government official, or even on a serious job interview where you have to pass a background check.
--to an attacker, like: “I don’t have any money.”
--to your children about death, divorce, adoption, etc.
--to cover for someone else’s illegal activity.

     By the time I was done reading this list, I was laughing. Partly because of my strange sense of humor, but also because it’s hard to lie well, so the best bet is NOT TO LIE!

      I remember having to decide if I was going to lie about scraping the side of my father’s first brand new car. I had been out cruising with friends, and at the A & W, I got a little close to a telephone pole. I actually thought about some of the aforementioned questions, and decided to tell the truth. I cannot remember what the consequences were, simply because not lying was such a big decision for me!
       I understand the nuances of tact, and speaking truth in love, as well as the complications of not replying to a specific question. “Does this color look good on me?” or “Do you like my new haircut?” are dangerous questions, and may require skirting the truth a bit.
       How have you paid the price for lying? What has helped you become a more honest, forthright person?