I debated as I left church. Should I use my gift card at Paneras or Fix lunch at home? "Perhaps I can find a spot by the Fireplace," I thought. "Perhaps the Lord has Someone for me to meet." So I stopped. I found a table by the inviting fire, and As I read the Sunday paper and ate my Chicken with wild rice soup, someone greeted me. The gal had been in a Bible study with Me last year, but I hadn't recognized her. I invited her to join me, and we got Reacquainted. We chatted about effective prayer, and Different ways to minister, and Dry spells and Divine Appointments. We would have lingered longer but she Needed to get to work and I needed to Head to the nursing home to play the Piano. We had no choice but to move on, but not Before we said, "Our meeting was no Accident. Let's do it again." |
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The elderly pastor shared his thoughts at
The Sunday afternoon service at the nursing Home. He had faced severe storms in his life, and the Seasoned ones who were seated in Front of him could relate. They bore scars too. Recalling his years since becoming a Believer, Pastor Bill said, "The Christian life isn't Easy, but it's right." His words went home with me. Loving unconditionally, Forgiving those who hurt us, Persevering under pressure, Resisting temptation, Praying unceasingly, Denying ourselves are all part of Following Christ. It's not an easy way to live, but it's the Right one. It was a frigid night and I felt like
Staying home, But I prodded myself to go to Prayer meeting, for I had told my friend I would be there. As I drove off I scrunched inside my car Hoping the heater would kick in soon. The traffic was slow. Only three of us showed up, but Three were enough. A man engaged in a prison ministry stopped By our prayer spot with a stack of Bible study packets he would be sending to Inmates. "Would you be willing to pray for these Men", he asked, "and then sign your name so They will know that someone prayed for them?" Indeed! Sitting around the table our threesome Took turns praying for Richard, Justin, Michael and others whose names I've Now forgotten. It was a privilege, a joy, to lift up these Incarcerated men who would soon be Studying the Scripture materials. We didn't know them, but God did, and We prayed as He directed us. When the prisoners open their envelopes They will see our names and know that we cared, That we covered them with prayer. And as I headed home the air didn't seem to be Quite so bitter.
My friend's daughter longs to be
Married. Her lifelong desire has been to be a Wife and mom, but her child bearing Years are nearly over. She's beautiful inside and out and Has done everything "right," but her Prince Charming hasn't yet come. I have longings, too, wishing Jack were Back and that I was sheltered in his Arms again. But the single gal would say, "At least You've experienced love and motherhood." And she would be right. I cherish the memories. I hurt for my friend's daughter. I pray that God might yet give her the Desires of her heart. But if not, may she still find peace, and Purpose and joy in Him. I was back at the beauty shop, and a
New gal cut my hair. Few clients had come because of the Snow covered roads, and my Cosmetologist took her time. I discovered that for nine months she had Lived in Myanmar with her ex-boyfriend who Was a Buddhist. What a perfect opening! "All religions are based on good works to Attain God's favor," I told her, "except for Christianity. I can never be good enough, so God paid for my sins, and I obey Him not for My salvation but to please Him." She responded, "You're right. My Boyfriend always tried so hard to Be good, but he never knew if he had Done enough." We chatted about other topics and when my Hairdresser checked me out I left her with a Tip, a Tract, and Food for thought. I never heard my folks swear or use
Off color language. I wasn't permitted to even say "Gosh," or "darn," and to this day I cannot speak those words. I'm grateful. It distresses me deeply to hear Foul language, not just from our President but from average citizens who Have allowed obscenity to become Commonplace and acceptable in Our society, including Facebook. What happened? The demise of decency demeans us all. I wish those who use profanity could have Had parents like mine. The presents were all unwrapped and the
Little guy sobbed as he told his mother, "It's all over." Grownups feel that same let down. We lament that the honeymoon is over, Our vacation is over, The party's over. We say that all good things must come to An end. But it's not true. When my life is over here the real Celebration begins. And I'll never again say, "It's over." I greeted the server at Bob Evans with a
Smile and said, "You've waited on me Before." I should have stopped there, but I Noticed a bit of a stomach bulge and said, "And you're pregnant." She wasn't. I had confused her with a different gal. It was an embarrassing moment, I Apologized, and she was a good sport about My mistake, But I couldn't take back what I said. I wonder which of us felt worse. My elderly dad had lived with me for
Five years, but one morning his mind Was confused. A mild stroke? Since I needed to work, my retired brother And his wife took him in. Just four months later, after a hurricane force Courtship, Jack and I were married. Only a handful of us were present at the wedding in My daughter's living room. But my sister-in-law and brother invited my Sibblings to a reception in our honor at their house Where my dad was living. The two men in my life finally had a Chance to talk. It was too late for my groom to ask my father for My hand in marriage, but instead he asked Him for his blessing. My dad was still rational enough to Respond. "I give you my blessing," he said, and two Months later he died. Our 14 years together were blessed indeed, Beyond measure. That tender moment between my dad and My Jack came to mind today. It's our anniversary. |
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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