I'm always looking for opportunities to Practice random acts of kindness. They are the "stuff of life" that bring joy to Both the giver and the receiver. But I need to schedule "kindness time" too. In my busy life, (And often self-centered one) I must set aside an hour to go to the Nursing home, To deliver a loaf of bread, To invite a friend for tea. If I don't post those events on my Calendar, they won't just happen. They simply won't get done, and I'll never know What blessings we all missed. |
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I did my duty.
I voted. But before I entered the building I Encountered two high school students who Were interviewing voters for a class Assignment. I was happy to be video-taped as I answered their Question as to what I'll be doing tonight. "Nothing," I said. "I won't turn on the T.V. and I'll see In the morning who won." And then I walked inside to vote. On my way out, the teenagers were still at Their post, so I decided to pose a question to Them. "May I share some good news with you?" "Sure," they responded. Not only did I explain the gospel using my Colored beads, but the young man go it all On video. "Have you heard this message before?" I asked. "No," they both answered. "You're my divine appointments for today!" I Exclaimed. I tied bracelets onto their wrists and told them I would add them to my prayer list. I suppose that the segment containing my Gospel presentation will end up on the Cutting room floor rather than in the classroom. (Or whatever happens to it in this tech age.) But the Lord knows who might possibly see it. And I know that when Kevin and Cheyenne chose to Interview me, they got more than they bargained for. (I'm glad I waited until this morning to get the results. I must say I was stunned. Now, may God rein President Trump in, and may he truly give his heart to Jesus.) The months and years that I
Cared for Jack were the most difficult Ones I've ever experienced. Losing a loved one by bits and Pieces is daunting and draining, beyond Describing. I wouldn't want to relieve those Days, but because of what God taught me, I wouldn't want not to have lived them either.
I just heard the song on the radio, one I
Learned as a child in church. The words are meaningful, except for one. Did the hymnist really mean to say, "Now I am happy all the day"? * Would he mind if I deleted "happy" and inserted "Grateful," or "hopeful" instead? That way I can sing the song with integrity. * "At the Cross," by Isaac Watts It was a perfect evening for a walk, but
I was surprised to see my neighbors. I'd never seen the couple strolling on The path before. As I was trying to catch up with them I Noticed Jose heading my way. The timing was remarkable. "Ruth! Walt!" I called, "Wait up! I want you to meet Jose." Since Ruth speaks Spanish fluently, she Could easily converse with my Hispanic friend. I watched their annimated discussion as I tried to guess the gist of it. Previously I had given Jose a gospel bracelet, but Hadn't been able to explain the beads. Now, he pointed to mine and asked Ruth What the colors meant. I didn't need to guess at her words as she Shared the good news with Jose in his Native language. She answered his spiritual questions too. Finally, we reluctantly said, "Adios" and moved on. What were the chances that we would Meet at that exact moment on the walk way? Not a chance at all. It was a pre-planned meeting, and Ruth, Walt, and I were delighted that we'd Been invited. Her grandson had threatened to jump off the
Water tower, and when she rushed to the Location and saw him lying on the ground she stood Back in horror. It was the police officer who checked to see Whether he was breathing. He was. He hadn't jumped. But the troubled boy was transported to a Mental facility. Out-patient care hasn't helped him, and Hope is hard to hope for. But nonetheless, his grandma prays. She'll never stop. And I'm joining her. Since his name begins with a B, I placed a Butterfly in my kitchen to keep him on My mind. It's a visual that helps me to pray with Faith, to picture him not trapped in his Confusion as he is now, but as What, with help, he can become. It's easy to give thanks when the sun is
Shining on a fabulous fall morning, and I'm meeting friends for lunch, and my Dizziness is gone, and my hip pain has Abated. It's easy to look across the lawn at my Neighbor's striking red tree and say, "Thank You, Lord." But It's another matter when my Vertigo causes my world to spin, or I need an Ice bag for my hip, or I feel alone, Missing Jack as though he were newly gone. It takes fortitude to give thanks in those Trying times. Praising God is a sacrifice, one I am to offer up Continually, despite my Circumstances. As I express gratitude from a Wounded spirit, I sense that my Father reverently Receives my offering, knowing the cost of it, and In return, gently wraps me in His love. "Through Him, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." Hebrews 13:15 I told him he was my divine appointment.
He had passed me on the trail at the park while I stopped to pick up leaves, and then I caught up with him. We were both mesmerized by the Shimmering gold foliage and bemoaned the Fact that the two gals walking toward us were Occupied with their phones. But the hiker attributed the beauty around us to Nature while I gave the honors to God. He believes there might be a supreme Being up there somewhere turning a knob, And he tries to live by the Ten Commandments. I told him that none of us can keep them, that None of us can be good enough to get to Heaven on our own. The man humored me as I used my gospel bracelet to Explain the good news, and then I handed it to him. He wasn't offended. He actually told me he appreciated my Enthusiasm and our spirited conversation. He promised to check out my blog. Before we parted ways, Kirk let it slip that his mom Is always praying for him. Perhaps that's why we crossed paths today. Perhaps God allowed me to play a little part in Answering a mother's prayers. |
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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