For the first time this season I heard the Melancholy call of a mourning dove outside my Window. I searched until I found the brown bird perched in My tree. The fowl was easy to spot since the Branches are still bare. Is the bird trying to attract a partner? The species is monogamous and the birds mate For a liftetime. God has also wired the avian pairs to be devoted Feathered parents to their young. The one in my tree this morning coos, stops, then Coos again moments later. For sure, the bird is a sign that spring is Near. Once I thought the creature's name was "Morning" dove since I often heard the Distinctive call in the early hours of the Day. But now that I've experienced widowhood I Know that the bird is aptly named. It's plaintive, haunting song goes on and on And on. |
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He's an outspoken atheist and he states his
Case: "The universe that we observe has Precisely the properties we should expect if There is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, No evil, no good, nothing but pitiliess Indifference." What universe is the man observing? Not the one I live in. My universe declares God's glory and Showcases His design and His control and His goodness and love. It's true that our world has been spoiled by sin, but God planned a solution even before evil appeared. Richard Dawkins can try to exist in his hopeless Universe, but I choose to live life fully in the Magnificent one that God created for me. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1 "I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly." John 10:10 My friend is still reeling from the death of her
Daughter, and she shared a paradox with me. "My daughter's everywhere, but nowhere." Yes! I know what she means. It's true for me too. I see Jack's paintings, his canes, His carefully crafted knives. His voice still repeats a sweet message on Our answering machine. He's in my thoughts and memories and Dreams. He's absolutely everywhere, and yet Nowhere to be found. I took a poem along to the funeral hoping
That friends would be allowed to Share a memory. I had known the dear lady for many Years, and after she moved to a Nursing home I was blessed by my Visits with her. But it was a perfunctory, generic service: No music. No words from the family, and Almost no Scripture, just a few "One liners," as the pastor called them. He had never met Betty, and when he Was ready to close in prayer God prodded me To speak up. "Could I share a memory?" I asked. "Certainly," the pastor replied, and he Invited me to the podium. Facing the small group gathered there I Read my poem and told them how much Betty had meant to me. I told them that on my last visit she Shared her new year's resolution, to Read her Bible every single day. At 91 she still wanted to know Jesus better. And I held up my wrist to display my Bracelet. "Betty would want me to share the gospel with You," and using the colored beads, I did. Afterwards, the pastor thanked me. Betty's son thanked me. And knowing Betty, she would have Thanked me for speaking up too. I know it's expected that you buy your
First drink when you turn 21. But I didn't In my day it never occurred to me to Celebrate with alcohol. I am biased against liquor because I know the Struggle Grandpa had. If God hadn't delivered him, booze would have Destroyed him Each of us must choose whether or not We will indulge. There are pros and cons: A glass of wine helps the heart, I'm told. But other studies show that any amount of Alcohol raises the risk of a number of cancers. I'm certain of this fact. No one plans to become an alcoholic. And if I abstain I won't become one. If you decide to celebrate your birthday with a Drink, I won't put you on a guilt trip. But I hope and pray you won't like it. I love you, Grandma I'm so sorry that cancer has
Invaded your life. The cruel disease not only affects You but everyone who loves you. I'm amazed by your fortitude and Faith. But I can't see the pain you carry inside, The heavy cloud of uncertainty that Never lifts. Your smile hides your heartache. But Jesus knows. And I pray that He will give you Strength for each hard moment and Courage to trust Him for the Unknown. I popped into Panera's again after
Church. This time I was eating black bean soup and Poring over the paper when a Woman approached my table. Nearly 20 years ago her son and Daughter were in my preschool class. With a few prompts I remembered her. "What are you doing these days?" she asked. "I'm an evangelist," I announced with a grin and Handed her my tracts and a bracelet. After chatting awhile I told her, "You're my divine appointment for the day." "I'm moved to tears," she said, and then Added, "We're looking for a church." "Great! Come to mine!." "I will," she said, "When are the services?" I gave her the times and we said good-by. Was the mom sincere? Will she really show up? I don't know. But I'll look for her on Sunday. After my young husband died, my dentist didn't
Charge me for my families' dental care, not a Penny for many years until he retired. The doctor and his wife became Jesus Followers by watching Billy Graham preach on T.V., and their lives were changed. It was true for my friend Vivian as well. Cookie and Jim gave their hearts to the Lord at The Billy Graham gathering here in Columbus, just a Few of the people who were reached by this Humble servant. Billy's message was a simple one, but not Simplistic: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved." It gives me joy to think of Dr. Pete and Gari and Millions of others greeting the faithful preacher this Morning as he arrived home: "Because you spoke out for Jesus, I'm here." The couple has lived in New Guinea for
Twenty years. They raised their family in the far country, but They're back in the states temporarily for Home ministries. Cindy and Jerry are my heroes. I've seen pictures of the trails and the rickety Bridges with gaping holes that they traverse to Reach jungle villages, to communities so Isolated that their inhabitants seem to be Forgotten and overlooked by everyone, But God. When possible, planes transport Jerry and his Technical equipment to the remote locations. He spends months at a time living in the Bush recording native speakers reading Scripture portions in languages that still Have no completed Bibles. More than 800 are spoken in the country. Meanwhile, Cindy leads workshops for the ones She has come to love and who love her in Return. The couple brushes aside my admiration. "We're doing what God has called us to do." They relish their work. My incredible friends carry on their Selfless ministry unnoticed by the Media or by the populous who Acclaim athletes and stars. But Jerry and Cindy are applauded and Approved by God, the only One who Matters, and their reward is Waiting for them. (When the people hear Scripture in their heart language they cling to it. Trying to understand the Bible in a non-native tongue is like "Eating soup with a fork," or "Reading by the moonlight," or "Eating a banana with the skin on.") I was heading home from my
Appointment when it suddenly Seemed like a good idea to stop for a Senior coffee at McDonalds. But at the same time I wondered whether the Energetic gal who held the "Puppies for Sale" sign Would be at her post near the restaurant. I hoped not. I wanted to get home and I was Feeling the urge to buy her a Hot chocolate. But there she was, just getting ready to shake Her shiny pom poms and jump around like a High school cheerleader. I picked up the beverages at the Drive thru, parked my car and Walked across the wet grass to Hand her the cocoa. I told her how much I admired her Perseverance and enthusiasm. She grinned at the compliment. I gave her a tract and asked whether she Had a prayer request. "My family is struggling," she said. "My Husband and I may be breaking up and We've talked to the kids." "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I said, "Divorce is Tragic. I'll pray that you can work Things out," and I hugged her. "Thanks so much," she said, "I appreciate it." As I drove away the pretty, petite gal resumed Her bouncy sales pitch with a big smile on Her face. She's a pro at advertising puppies and at Disguising a broken spirit. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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