The Right Time

Early morning reflections on a new book are making sense of my past two or three years. A book I could not have digested then makes sense now. I received it at the right time.

Eugene Peterson, author of the famed "Message" version of the Holy Bible, has written "Leap Over A Wall" about Old Testament David, the infamous shepherd and giant killer, adulterer and murderer, King of the Jews and friend of God. Peterson describes the wilderness to which David ran and for possibly ten years inhabited while Saul was stalking him.

This wilderness is barren and cold, with only scarce comfort or provision. David made it his home, when nothing else was available. He LIVED with it. How many times have I said, "God why do I have to LIVE WITH THIS?!" to which God has replied, "but are you REALLY living with it?"

Past posts will show that I felt I endured a long "wilderness" through much of 2008-10. I could not understand people and events happening around me, and I felt no comfort, and barely any provision. That scarcity forced me to depend on the little I had, the promise of a better day. And it came, at the right time.

Peterson demonstrates that wilderness is something to embrace, that loneliness can take one deeper into himself than a hectic life will allow, into the quiet of scarcity. Just as God spoke in the still, small voice to Moses, he speaks to me. Still I can only hear it when I turn everything OFF.

My most recent wilderness has been the lonely solitude of an empty house. I have accepted fewer teaching positions in 2011 because, with the difficult economy, I felt others supporting families or beginning careers needed jobs much more than I. The solitude has been difficult, to say the least, even maddening, and yet it seemed right, first to get me caught up on the less desirable tasks of home, and then for my own renewal and strengthening. One morning God awakened me with the quote from Isaiah, "in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15) I wondered if possibly I needed to embrace this rather than fight it.

It is still a wilderness to me, scant and cold, but not barren. It's pregnant, with hope, opportunity, and means. I now can listen, care, and pray for people and causes which before only touched my heart. I can take opportunity to touch them, and I have utilized ways, or means, of aiding people, whereas this tug was formerly assuaged with an end-of-the-year contribution or "gift". Peterson notes that, in an age where so much is written about self-fulfillment, society is most self-absorbed, or selfish.

The wilderness of my past was painful, but it could have been pregnant. Others had passed through before me, and knew there was hope. The hope lay within the wilderness, but I thought it lay without. I wasn't ready to listen to anyone's voice.

So now, at the right time, I see . . . better . . . the opportunity that lies around me. Help, and then hope, comes at the right time.

The Thanksgiving Learning Curve

We just came from a few days with the older generation (Larry's parents), then a few with the younger (our TN kids) ... and their offspring as well. We came home more thankful, and aware that age is daunting. A guy on the plane shared "aging isn't for sissies...."

At Larry's folks, we spent two mornings listening to reflections on people and places of yesterday. Then, in Tennessee during Black Friday shopping, Larry was the doting Papa with squealing GKs on a hill slide in the leaves, a PB&J picnic under the trees, and a tight squeeze into the play tent. I enjoyed time shopping with Jenny, but also discussing things young moms can seldom debate, like opinions, reasons, anything requiring thought and not listening for "too much quiet" in the other room.

As I enjoyed someone else's cooking and celebrated restaurants Wenatchee does not have, I realized how I take for granted our food. We toss rotted fruit and veggies with no remorse. So

much of the world eats whatever it can, from C-rations, to years-old canned stuff, to a little watery soup or rice.

And as we missed our own beds at home, our multiple outlets, our preferred breakfast foods, NO PETS! we remembered that many grandmas and papas with whom we rub elbows each week share sleeping spots with other family members needing comfort and warmth.

These exhausting trips mean days of loving family by more than just phone. We witnessed (great-grand) parent pride as they played a dvd of one sibling bragging on another. Our kids wisely deal with parenting issues we're glad we no longer have as their 4- and 6-yr-olds love each other with squeals and fights. The visual experience is so rewarding!

Nerve-wracking discipline, exhausting road trips, and creative budgeting seem overwhelming, but really-- It is a wonderful life! Through it we teach and create Love, for family and others, for Our Maker, the First Giver of all life.

So don't ever wonder if it's worth it. Just wait and see!

Hug a Mom!

IT’s been an interesting day. Four young mothers passionately shared with me the pressures they face as they prioritize family.

All these young mothers are “working”, some for dollars, some for kisses; all full-time moms and part-time contributors to other organizations. All have education beyond high school but are more concerned with how their kids adjust to daily life than how their professional careers progress. They have chosen to way-lay frills and treats that other colleagues take for granted, like daily coffees, weekly dinners out, or occasional shopping sprees. Some coupon to save on groceries. Some trade babysitting to have a few moments alone. Each longs for a few hours with their special men each week, and appreciate beyond words the helping hands from grandparents.

But no words tell the fervor with which they described to me their busy schedules, their dilemmas with one child’s development as compared to another sibling, their longings to be the perfect moms to their little people. They have the hardest jobs on the planet.

THANK GOD FOR MOMS! For the nurturers who want to push us towards the edge of the nest, but swoop close if we look about to crash. Thank God for the mornings they awake remembering one more thing we’d asked of them, or a glint in the eye that only they understood, and praying God will give us strength and wisdom today for the challenges that scare us.

Long ago we were each the little person who longed for and needed this kind of mom. Some of us had moms busy with other siblings who never saw our pleas for one-on-one time. Others may not have even had mom home when we went to bed … for many different reasons. Still others had this kind of mom … and didn’t realize it.

Our little people may not realize it either. But moms today need encouragement as much as our moms did. Whether a work-for-pay or stay-at-home mom, all of them get tired of the 24-7 hours their jobs demand. Very little time off, very little performance approval, very little training, and – sick time? NOT in the book!

Hug a mom today! She’s doing it for them, but she’s also doing it for you! Her little guys will be in charge when we’re hobbling around. I say we cheer these moms who say, “Be kind to the little guy, the old folks, the kids who feel alone or misunderstood.” We’ll fit one or more of these descriptions all too soon.

YEAH, MOMS! YOU’RE GREAT! WE LOVE YOU! WE’RE PROUD OF YOU!

Let’s tell them so … often!

YOU and ME -- tomorrow!

This morning I had a long talk with a friend who knows her spouse's days are numbered -- a place where none of us "soon-to-be" seniors want to go.

They have been married 51 years, as of yesterday. They've weathered a decade of cancer scares, changes in culture, the economy, and family. They've seen the "better or worse" of life. They are the YOU and ME of tomorrow!

I lost my mother a few years ago, and for most of that time I've struggled with anger that she neglected her health in those last few years. I'm beginning to view life through her eyes, trying to imagine her fears before the inevitable came to light.

At lunch, two "soon-to-be" seniors escorted their mother to the restroom, then came back to check. Was she aware, embarrassed, grateful?

As I left church three "seasoned" senior ladies left together. I'm glad they have each other! How does solitude feel at this stage? How invaluable are the comfort and care of friends!

This morning my friend echoed her confidence that TODAY is the most important gift anyone has! Today includes freedom, love, and safety. It offers life, hope, and happiness. Tomorrow may or may not include those gifts -- all we have is TODAY!

GOD, help me count the blessings all around me, the big and little, the fleeting and steadfast! Help me skip right over temptations for "stuff" or "ease" and go right to things these seniors know to cherish. May I revel in time with beloveds, whether email, photos, memories, or a prayer! May I be thankful they are alive and free, and not fret that I do not see them often enough. May I be thankful that YOU are, and that you care!

Aaaaaaahhhhhh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY

Such a big HUG!

For YOU!

How did they do IT!

We had dinner with a good friend and her husband tonight. She turned 60 today! You probably wouldn't know it from the way she lives; she works way too many hours, has overcome 2 major illnesses, is a grandma and a volunteer. She is good and she likes what she does -- but I don't think she knows how to slow down, just yet . . . like most of the rest of us.

Lately I've been mulling this "aging" thing, trying to figure out how to "go with the flow", how to accept the limitations that infringe and interfere with my life! I love the classroom, but find that 3 days a week is my limit! Some nights I sleep like a log; others I lay awake half the night! You don't want to know all my complaints! I get tired of hearing them myself -- but they are still present, slowing me down.

Survival has necessitated this reduced pace. Age isn't my only burden, but when other pressures dissipate, I hope to regain my momentum. Man, I don't look like my mother or grandmother looked, so why should I live like they did? Still the aches are there.....

Us boomers are struggling to age gracefully. We have creams and diets, programs and pills that we're constantly told will keep us young. We look better and enjoy more than people our age seemed to enjoy 30 and 40 years ago.  Our generation has long declared we will live forever. We're struggling to defy age, but it's a losing battle; Ponce deLeon never did find that fountain of youth.

Loneliness is one of our nagging fears. Parents tell us fewer and fewer of their peers are alive. We watch our parents sit alone while we run with grand- and great-grandkids. We don't want to be alone like they are.

Pain is another fear. Pain means I should acknowledge limitations -- but not until I absolutely must! Modern medicine has pills for everything, but pills have side effects, and discomfort on yet another level. Is there no escape!

One day during in my loneliness I suddenly remembered a verse from the Bible: "In quietness and confidence [will be] your strength" from the OT book of Isaiah. I'm no Isaiah scholar, but I do have frequent flashbacks from many years listening to my dad preach. I began thinking of the soundness in that verse. Our culture spends way too little time in quietness, and most of us long for the renewal from time to ponder, reason, and just rest. Oooooo -- strength?

I began to wonder if there is something I can gain from all this "opportunity". Some "strength"! What if I learn to COPE, and become a role model for my friends, my kids, for anyone who will have to face what none of us want? I've also found free time to help people I care about, that a full-time job would not have permitted.   I can spend more time reading, chatting, thinking, etc. and build new strength to cope with my losses and disappointment, finding new rhythm.

Few people are said to "age gracefully" these days. Wherever you find yourself, whether almost 30, 60, or  90, you have something to give and someone else wants to receive!

Live on!

The Joy of Sacrifice

Most parents remember the excitement of babies learning to shake a rattle, clap -- or walk! A child is so proud when he or she masters the balancing act and can forge ahead, draw a laugh, or entice a chase.

It's still cute when he or she thinks the discovery his own, when he follows your lead to share , or investigates at your prompting.

Then we HOPE that he will make friends, and we smile at our ingenious plots for "perfect" playmates.

In youth when an idea bombs, and mom or dad is blamed, we might have helped but often not.

In young adulthood, their own choices often hurt our children, especially if they suggest we should have made life easier. "You didn't have to do that, MOM!" Sometimes it's one more lesson for mom or dad, but sometimes it's time to take responsibility for intense pain. Divorce, financial pressure, sickness without good insurance. Life is tough, and we can't protect them anymore.

This week I again dealt with gratitude in discomfort. I want gratitude to be clearly seen in my life. But I've had struggles this week, and the reminders to go with.

Monday night I was sitting in SEA-TAC airport on a 6 hr wait between flights, after a 3-day cross-country jaunt and back, spent and frustrated at the inconvenience. Three hours in, a pleasant Vietnamese gentleman and wife arrived and he asked how I was. His gentle smile was inviting, so I sought his story. He had been a young military strategist during the Viet Nam war, escaping with wife and children to the US in 1975. Repeatedly he shared gratitude to be alive in the US. -- I had been continually complaining about my trivial inconvenience! He had joy in his sacrifice.

Two nights ago I was tired and frustrated with a computer re-format. Formats are uncomplicated but lengthy. Clicking, re-clicking, and waiting. The choice was made, but I was sullen with regret.

Twice in five days I was reminded hard times shouldn't be wasted; both times I flopped. I'm glad I was reminded.

Twice I was motivated to reach higher.
To learn from the moment.
To just savor the joy.
To accept the sacrifice.

I'm trying, with God's help!