"Pride goes before destruction,
A haughty spirit before a fall." *
The truth applies to parades, to
Politics, and to my own
Propensity to lift myself up.
*Proverbs 16:18
Lately I've been pondering the verse:
"Pride goes before destruction, A haughty spirit before a fall." * The truth applies to parades, to Politics, and to my own Propensity to lift myself up. *Proverbs 16:18
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It was too nice to stay inside, so after
I mailed my letters at the post office I Picked up a cup of coffee and drove to The cemetery. I had the graveyard all to myself. I sat on a stone bench looking over a Blue tinted pond and sipped my Brew. Markers were scattered about, but the One at my feet stood out. Under the name it simply said, "World's Greatest Daddy!" 1969-2015 The words tugged at my heart. When my coffee was gone I lingered Awhile longer. The breeze, the bird calls, the Woodpecker, the butterflies, the Wind chimes off in the distance soothed my Spirit as I pondered life and death. And as I left the garden of memories I Ached for all the children who will be Missing their daddies on Father's Day. The woman was young, but she had
Endured enough heartache for a Lifetime. Abused as a child, she became addicted to Drugs as a teenager. But as she shared her story with our Women's group, she didn't focus on The trauma, but on her redemption. She told us how she had "worked" the Streets, how she had tried to quit, but Always succumbed to her deadly habit. Thankfully, the broken gal was noticed by Jesus followers who wouldn't give up on her. They approached her over and over inviting Her into the coffee house on the corner. They always left her with three words: "Jesus loves you." The woman resisted, for she had learned to Trust no one. In a weak moment, however, she ventured into The cafe where she was warmly welcomed. The workers were the "real deal," and They supported her for the long haul. Now the overcomer lives in an apartment complex With caring sisters who understand. Our ladies applauded when she announced, "I've been clean for seven months." Her struggle isn't over. It never will be. But now that a group of grandmas is Praying for the young woman, the scale is Tipped in her favor. How can anyone possibly reach God?
He is noble and lofty, and He dwells in A high and holy place. I can't span the distance. It's why God stooped to my level. He chooses to abide in those who are Contrite and lowly in spirit. And so I bow to Him. I reverence Him. I submit to the One who humbled Himself so that He could live in me. "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit." Isaiah 57:15 I was heading to the gas station when
I passed the young man standing Along the street in front of the craft Store. He wasn't a typical fellow asking for A handout. He was playing a violin. And while I pumped gas into my Car I argued with my conscience. "You need to give him something." "But I have only a $20 bill." "Give it to him." As I drove the same route home I Searched until I found a parking spot And I approached the musician. To my untrained ear he seemed to be Very proficient. I recognized the song he was playing from The "Fiddler on the Roof." "Where did you learn?" I asked him." "In Moldova." I didn't even know where the country was. "South of the Ukraine," he explained. He moved here with his mom and three Siblings and is trying to earn money until They are able to get jobs. I noticed the young man's bracelets and offered Him mine. He loved it. When I explained the colors he said, "It Makes so much sense." He was already familiar with the meaning of The black and red beads because his mother Had taught him about Jesus. I discovered the young man writes poetry like I do. I won't forget his name since it is the same as My son-in-law's. Whether or not his story was accurate doesn't Really matter to me. I knew I had no choice but to toss that $20 bill Into his violin case. I'll admit it.
When I see the man holding the Homeless sign, or the familiar woman Manning her post by McDonald's, I'm Skeptical. They look able bodied. How can they stoop to ask for a handout? But one of Jesus' stories gives me Pause. He described a beggar who sat Destitute outside a rich man's house. When the poor man died he was Carried to paradise. The wealthy ruler, however, ended up in Torment begging for a drop of Water. The men's roles were reversed. Who could have guessed their ends? When I encounter the panhandlers in My community I must withhold my Judgment. Only God knows their hearts and their Fates. I pray that I can show as much respect for The ones begging as for those who are Handing out the dollar bills. (Jesus' story is found in Luke 16:19-31) Her daughter is getting married today, but the
Mom's excitement is dampened by the Fact that her husband is gone and she will Be the one walking the bride down the aisle. I know how she feels. I did the same for my eldest. No matter how long a dad's been gone, Those special events are a combination of Sadness and gladness. We shed tears of both joy and sorrow. I'm praying that the widow will be able to Rise to the occasion. I'm praying that the happiness she shares with Her daughter on her wedding day will Outweigh her grief. If I wait until my world is calm before I
Can experience peace, it will rarely Happen, for my life is always in Upheaval of some sort or another. I must embrace my Father's peace while I'm in the middle of my storms so I Will be able to maneuver through them, So I won't give in to panic and despair, And sink. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 "Yes!" I responded, when I perused the
Cartoon in the paper. "It's spot on!" Just this morning I was worrying about Trivial things. But when I looked at the big picture, How God is in control, and I'm not; How one day everything wrong will be Made right, I was able to hand my minor concerns to My Father and let Him sort things out. |
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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