I miss the farm, the open spaces, the Familiar places, the haymow where we Played after church on Sunday Afternoons. I miss the woods where we searched for Mushrooms and the "crick" where we Netted minnows. I miss cradling fluffy chicks in my hands and Being pushed on the rope swing tied on a Branch of our red maple tree. I miss the smell of hay, just mown, in the Summer and a leaf bonfire in the fall. I miss the apple orchard and the luscious Cider Dad brought home from Oberlander's Mill transported in cleaned out milk cans loaded Onto the bed of his pick up truck. I miss apple butter making day as we took turns Stirring the sauce in a copper kettle over an Open fire. I miss the 8 of us sitting around the table which was Covered with a red checkered cloth loaded down With Mom's fried chicken and mashed Potatoes. I miss the prayers each of us recited before We were allowed to dig in. Only in my memory can I go back home, and I Can't linger there for long, just for the Moments and musings it takes to write a Poem. I must move on. But especially, on a crisp fall morning I miss the farm. |
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The young gal approached me at
Bible study. We knew each other from previous Studies when we were in the same Small group. She had a big smile on her face and Said, "My husband came home from Work last week-end wearing a beaded Gospel bracelet. He said a woman named Dorothy gave it to him at the restaurant. He doesn't even want to take it off." "Wow! He's the waiter who prayed for Us." I told her. "I was so touched by his Gesture I wrote a poem about him." We were both elated. I just had to share. As Paul Harvey would have said, "And that's the rest of the story." "Don't be a glory thief."
We discussed the topic at Bible study this morning. Our egos often get in the way. We want to be applauded for our Good deeds. But we dare not rob God. We must direct any praise that Comes our way to the One who Really deserves it. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is heaven." Matthew 5:16 I send lots of notes in the mail because I know
What they've meant to me. But a few minutes ago, while I was sweeping the Floor, I had an urge to send an encouraging Email to a young man who blessed me Yesterday. He responded right away. "...It's been a rough day at work, and you Provided encouragement at just the Right time. Thank you for taking the time To send the message." What a lift for both of us! And now I can get back to my Cleaning. My daughter and a mutual friend had met me
For lunch, and as is my custom, I asked our Waiter if he had a prayer request. He quickly responded, "Yes. Pray that I Will walk worthy of the Lord." I gave him a knowing smile. "You're a believer." Was he ever. As he tended our table we discovered that God had invaded his life several years ago and Changed him into a new person. Now he shares Jesus at every opportunity. We compared notes. He was happy when I tied a bracelet to His wrist, and when the area had emptied out the Vibrant fellow knelt by our table. He asked us for our own requests. With the four of us holding hands the server Prayed for each of us by name. His prayer was a lengthy one, and when he was Finished I asked, "Will you get in trouble for this?" "I don't think so," he answered. I hope not. Our impromptu prayer service in the restaurant Was a delightful way to end our meal, Much better than dessert.
All or nothing.
It means to either do Something completely, or Not at all. I find myself often saying, "Jesus, it's You or nothing." It means that my life has No meaning, No purpose, No hope apart from Him. In a world where malice and revenge
Prevail, it's astonishing to hear a Young man forgive the woman who Killed his brother, To express love rather than hate. The fellow could forgive because he Was forgiven. He could love because he was loved. He could wish the best for the murderer Because God gave His best for him. In the fall the sun shines in my
Window from a different angle. I wear long sleeves in the house and Knowing winter isn't far away causes me To be nostalgic. Unlike anticipating new life in the Spring I prepare myself for a barren Landscape and naked trees. But I appreciate even more the Temporary splotches of color, and Freshly picked apples and pumpkin Flavored foods. I'm glad autumn doesn't last all year long Or it wouldn't seem so special. On a day like today, I'm glad that Where I live, it's fall. When my kids were married I invited them to
Supper on Tuesday nights. It began a tradition that lasted for years, one That had almost slipped my mind till this Weekend. My grandson, his parents and I had spent a Grueling afternoon searching for an Apartment he could afford. Our route took us past the company where Missy's dad worked, and where she, years later, Worked as well. Just down the road was the honeymoon Apartment where Min and I had set up Housekeeping more than 50 years ago. Missy commented as we drove around the Building, "I was probably conceived here." She was right. After nixing one depressing complex after Another, the Lord answered our prayer. We found a suitable place for my Grandson to live, Twenty minutes from work and twenty Minutes from me. "I'd like to have supper with you once a Week like Mom and Dad did," my Grandson suggested. His request pleased me. We settled on Thursday evenings. I'll need to dust off some of my old Recipes and experiment with new Ones. It's a new chapter for my grandson, but for Me, it's an updated version of an old one. |
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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