My new coffee mug came in the Mail. It gives me pleasure to reserve a Special one for each season, and This is my summer mug. (I was happy to find it on sale.) The picture on the cup depicts a favorite idyllic Scene of mine, a cabin in the woods with Birds and flowers in the foreground. But best of all is the Bible verse inscribed on Each side: "Stand still and consider the Wondrous work of God." * On the patio sipping coffee from my New mug I'm doing just what the Verse tells me to do. I'm fixing my eyes on the splendid Hawk soaring overhead, Delighting in the colorful blooms Surrounding me, and peering at the Puffy clouds punctuating the Beautiful blue sky. I'm not standing as the verse suggests, but Sitting quietly on my bench works just as well. I'm still. I'm contemplating God's wonders. I'm considering the intricate work of His Hands and finding it fabulous. *Job 37:14 |
0 Comments
Father,
I want to replace my thoughts with Your thoughts, My plans with Your plans, My desires with Your desires so that Your will becomes mine and My will becomes Yours. It's over!
My night was brutal, but the Colonoscopy itself was a breeze. The doctor removed a polyp which Hopefully, is benign. When the nurse got me settled in bed and Attached my name bracelet to my Wrist, she noticed mine. "That's pretty," she said. "Each bead has a meaning," I told her, And I explained the colors to her and Her assistant. The gal's reaction was restrained. "That's a nice story, " she said. But later when another nurse commented on My colored beads, she was thrilled to Hear the explanation. The young mom is a believer and she wants to Help her kids make the bracelets. I gave her mine to use as an example. And when the doctor spoke to me before Beginning the procedure, I told him, "I've already prayed for you, doctor. I prayed that God will guide you." "Good," he said. "I need lots of prayer," and He put me out and did his job. Now, as I sit in my recliner finally alert after Sleeping off the anesthesia, I realize that My colonoscopy wasn't just intended to Check for cancer. I'm fasting today.
I wish my intent was for a Noble spiritual purpose, But it's not. I'm preparing for a colonoscopy. Because I've experienced the Ordeal twice before I know what's Ahead of me tonight. I dread the wicked potion I must Drink, two quarts of it at 15 minute Intervals. But worst of all is camping out in the Bathroom. I have my supplies on hand, and I'm ready as I can be. Since my brother's colon cancer was Discovered by the procedure I know It's a necessary hardship. So I'll be brave and I'll endure the Prep, but I won't grin as I bear it. Post Script: I had just finished my poem when I Opened my Bible to read today's Passage. This is what I read: "...when you fast, do not be like the Hypocrites with a sad countenance." * I chuckled. I chortled. I laughed. I'm convinced that God has a sense of Humor. *Matthew 6:18 I'm an old pro now.
This is my third year to pray with folks At the State Fair. But I still get butterflies the night Before. Actuallly, I'm glad. The churning in my stomach reminds Me that I need to depend totally on God and not myself. And once I'm in my red prayer apron Greeting people as they walk by our Table, the fear lifts. I prayed with lots of folks today, And a few of them stand out. Glenna's husband died just two Weeks ago. Still fresh in her grief we connected on a Deep level. A dear gal wept as I prayed for Her sister who has disabling pain. And hallelujah! a woman named Lizzie prayed the sinner's prayer. My brain can't remember all the Names or needs of the fairgoers who Stopped by our booth. But God can. And He turned the tables on me. After praying for a lovely couple, The man, who happens to be a Pastor, earnestly prayed for MY Ministry and well being. "You're the first person who asked to Pray for me," I told him. Blessed are the pray-ers. And blessed are the pray-ees, I was both today. (And after the terrible accident yesterday, the fair needs more prayer than ever.) We sat across from each other at
The restaurant, Two weathered gold friends. In our younger years we were up Before dawn walking through our Neighborhood before I left for work. We had mapped out a four mile Route. On Saturdays we switched to Sharon Woods, "Our" park, we Called it. On one winter morning we pushed through Snow drifts up to our hips. And on a summer day we were caught in a Severe lightning storm. Fearing for our lives and walking faster than We ever had before, we called out loud to God to spare us. Obviously, and gratefully He did. Now Alice deals with constant Arthritis pain and the only vehicle she Drives is her scooter. My hip restricts me to short, slow Jaunts. We certainly can't whip around the trail at Our park anymore. But we can still limp into Panera and Laugh, And chat, And remember. When I'm facing a problem that I
Can't unravel, A roadblock that I simply can't Understand, It helps me to know that God has A purpose for the predicament. I don't need to figure out what the Purpose is. I can't. But just realizing that God is Silently, Knowingly working behind the Scenes, Pulling just the right strings to Deepen my faith, To develop my trust is enough. I arrived early to begin playing the
Piano at the nursing home. When I glanced at the clock and Realized the speaker hadn't Arrived yet, I suspected the worst. What if he didn't come? As I played, I prayed. "Lord, what could I share with these Folks?" Quickly the name Amy Carmichael popped Into my brain. I loved to tell her story each year to my Preschool classes. She was a missionary to India who Rescued children from temples where they Were abused. As a child Amy was disappointed with her Eye color, and one night she asked God to Give her blue ones. She was heartbroken in the morning when They were still brown. "You didn't answer my prayer," she sobbed. But in her tender heart she heard God say, "Isn't 'no' an answer?" Years later she was thankful for her brown eyes for They enabled her to disguise herself as a native and Enter the temples to find the trafficked Children. I shared the timeless story with the residents, Many of them childlike themselves. I gave examples from my own life of how God Answers our prayers with a "yes," a "no," or a "wait." The words flowed. And we sang lots of hymns with gusto. I admitted to the old folks, "I'm almost glad the speaker didn't come." They all clapped. But I hope he shows up next time. There are benefits to shopping early.
The grocery store is nearly empty and I have plenty of time to visit with the Little woman who greets me as I enter. I discover the employee is old enough to Retire, but she can't. She can't afford it. She lives alone and "Everything's so Expensive," she says. I concur. "I'll be here for years yet," she sighs. I console her. I put my arm around the gal and say, "I'll add you to my prayer list." I hand her my "Facing Life" tract and Continue with my shopping. On my way out the greeter is still standing at Her post, and I give her a thumbs up. The lone lady smiles sweetly at Everyone who comes toward her, but I suppose few know that she would much Rather be at home.
|
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
December 2020
Categories
All
|