giving thanks

It is that time of the year when people start baking pumpkin pies, drinking pumpkin spice lattes or buying a turkey or ham and preparing for a festive feast with relatives and friends; but this year we may not be able to celebrate in the way we did before. That doesn’t mean that we still can’t be grateful, celebrate and praise - we just do it in a different way and that’s okay.

Isaiah 61:3a tells us that He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.

When the world feels like things are falling apart, look at the fallen leaves. Even though plants die and the trees are bare, there is always hope for the spring. We will make it through our long winter days and winters of our souls because we know that change is inevitable. COVID or not. When we feel alone, down and need that boost of joy in the morning; rise with the sun and watch the glorious display of a painted sky with clouds and the sun breaking across the dawn. When we have set backs and disappointments, we know that troubles don’t need to define our days. We can be filled with simple joys like a child’s laugh, a walk in the woods, a smile or a smize with our masks. We can praise God for the abundant blessings - safety, a home, sunshine, food, friends and family and love above all to give or receive.

My sister gave our family the idea to buy a pumpkin, a Sharpie marker and start to write down things that we are thankful for. When the blessings are formed into words on the outside of the pumpkin, you will be amazed at how easily you can think of them. And what a lovely decoration to adorn your home as a reminder of festive praise and joyous blessings!

And so this Thanksgiving, whether we are celebrating alone or with many, find beauty from the ashes, joy instead of tears and praise to replace despair.

Happy Thanksgiving!

FallEN OUT OF SUMMER

As we stand on the precipice of uncertainty and confusion for our current future; let us cling to the edge of love and fall gently into the unknown. Rethink old ideas; embrace the new but do not forget our pasts. Let us be more responsible for Mother Earth and aways treat each other with respect. What endures is what has always mattered; love….” Anne Rice Loving others, our world, our differences, ourselves, our Creator as we venture forward in this life.

Beauty Abounds

There is an observatory to the heavens at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, the big island. One can see out to the heavens and be amazed at the glories of the universe. I know that King David praised God’s love and in Psalm 89, stated that “.. the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord… For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?”

I think about this autumn season and I marvel what God must see from above as He looks at the masterpieces He has created with the earth as his canvas - the oranges, yellows and red leaves as they sway on the mountainsides; or the brilliant fall canopy of majestic colors displayed throughout the hills. I hear the honking of the geese as they fly in perfect formation over the colored treetops and land on the open waters of the still blue lakes. I feel the draft of cooler air in the morning as the sun creeps across the horizon waiting to warm the day.

As September draws to a close and the yellow and orange leaves dance across my yard, I see the green of summer fading into the browns and earthy tones preparing for a season of rest. I cry out to the dying plants and tell them, “hang on just a little longer; another day” but my foolish thoughts are carried on the changing winds as fall is ushered in to a new season once again. I know that the quietness of winter will come and I will be content to wait patiently yet again in the hope of summer days.

With the flow

Our Western culture seems to teach us that we need. We need to set goals, need to accumulate possessions, need to control our lives and other people; but the fact is that these are all physical or material. What we really need is to just be - a blank canvas that our lives are painted; an open book where God can write our story; or just like the river and go with the flow, moving where God wants our journey to go. Asking for that direction is okay too.

Prayer is living in this moment. It is living in full awareness of what is now and enjoying all of it in its abundance. We can trust God’s presence, believe in Him and find joy by living the life within us. Our culture needs to see more of looking at things through new eyes, to go with the flow and stop pushing the river and waves. We get consumed by needing all the answers.

Today, we have need of seekers and searchers; people who are humble and honest in their trust in God. We don’t have everything figured out, although many certainly think so. Maybe we just need to change and transform our old ways of thinking and look at the world a little differently. Go with the new flow.

“Colossians 3:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Scatter the seeds

I am watching my garden grow each day. With some warmer weather now and a few showers of rain, I can actually see various plants coming up. Growth! I am also watering my flowers and I even picked a lilac bouquet from my neighbor’s tree to admire on my kitchen table. I am also noticing a few green shoots in some dirt where I threw a handful of seeds from a package that came in the mail.

The beauty of nature is like our thoughts. We learn, we gain knowledge, we grow in wisdom and through time, we see the results of the nurturing and the care. Sometimes we borrow ideas from others and keep them for ourselves. Sometimes, we randomly throw out thoughts to the the universe, prayers to the Almighty and admire or wonder at our own creations. How surprising and pleased we are when they show as blossoming colors and flowers; yet, there are times when the flowers wilt or don’t pop through the soil. These seasons in our lives are also for growth. Sometimes it’s a time just to rest, to wait, to watch for the new possibilities and opportunities that will be there.

God wants us to grow in our faith. What new learning are we reaching for? What new insights can we glean from his Word? What areas of our life are we working on to improve ourselves? How can we gain wisdom? If we are stagnant and never reaching for the light, our growth will be stunted. Jesus tells of the Parable of the Sower that is mentioned in three gospels: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15. Let’s be the seed that understands and believes. Let’s keep growing in our faith.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Mixed Bouquet

I’ve always believed that you should have a variety of people in your life to keep you balanced. I also know that they say opposites attract. We have Type A’s and Type B’s. As a teacher, we always used contrast and comparison to show students various concepts to help them better remember. So, just as there are various types of individuals; there are also a myriad of emotions in our lives. And just as opposites attract, they can also repel. So where does that leave us in terms of balance?

Today as I read the news, my social media pages and have discussions about racism, justice, hatred, reconciliation, retaliation, and protests, I am amazed at the unwavering line that people stand on. How do we balance the love and forgiveness against the brutality and hatred that are so blatantly displayed on our TV screens of our homes? How do we balance the kindness of strangers during this pandemic and yet see the injustices committed in the name of justice? It is black and white. You either believe or you don’t. Take a stand.

There are countless stories in the bible to demonstrate murder, kidnapping, hatred, defiance, adultery but all of them end in forgiveness and love. From Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25 - 33) to Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37-50). From David and Mephibosheth (quite the name!) in 2 Samuel 9 to the prodigal son in Luke 15. We even have the adulterous woman in John 8. Every story of hurt, hatred and horrendous act needs to be balanced with love, kindness and forgiveness. It’s our choice to stand on the better side of the line of humanity.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32