"securi-TEA" : recollections

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!
(Psalm 122:7, ESV)

There is much variance in the security continuum. The security felt by a baby in a mother-child relationship is at the opposite end of the spectrum from a security of a nation with fortified borders. Somewhere in between is that home security of a "safe" neighborhood and that brotherhood security of belonging......to a family or a group.

On this Memorial Day 2014, I recall the sense of security (belonging) that Daddy felt on Saturdays, especially after Mother died, when he went to the VFW for his "virtually free" lunch. He always gave a "donation" to the jar, and would comment on what a great deal it was to get a bowl of soup or chili with a hotdog or maybe even a plate of spaghetti. But the best deal was the welcome he received from his place at the same table week after week.** Decatur Adams to his left and Tag Mabry to his right with Daddy in his listening position between the two. Daddy was a listener. He and Tag both served in the army  on Goodenough Island in the Solomon Sea (New Guinea) during WWII, tho they didn't realize it until they returned home after the war. Tag had no trouble in recounting those days and Daddy understood where he was coming from in his tales. A sense of security builds between folks who have been on the same side of a struggle. 

Tho he rarely would talk about it, Daddy was later wounded on the isle of Leyte in the Philippines. The US lost 3500 men in 67 days in October 1944. I do remember that Daddy, the platoon leader, and his men walked in the muck for so long that Daddy"s (and others?) boots virtually rotted off his feet. Once he and his men came upon a small vacated cabin. Inside was an old upright piano. One of his men sat and played familiar songs which they all tearfully "sang" as they recalled the tune and some of the words. Daddy said that at that moment of surprised joy and delight, he decided that his home with Mother would have a piano. 2211 South Virginia Street had an old upright piano in the front hall for as far back as I can remember. I took piano lessons from Mrs. Bell who lived just across Virginia Street, but never became "accomplished." Son, Buddy however still plays, mainly by ear so maybe Daddy started a good thing because hubby and I  had a piano in our first home as well.

Daddy was seriously wounded in the leg at Leyte by a Japanese sniper high in a tree. Daddy was sent to a military hospital and eventually returned to the states. Daddy became a member of that brotherhood of veterans who were awarded the purple heart.

The day after his wounding, another sergeant took Daddy's place, leading the platoon on maneuvers. Ambushed by the Japanese, none survived. That event is probably the reason Daddy chose not to talk very often about the war. 

We still hang our flag in honor of our vets whose valor
has afforded us our freedom and security for all these years!

Growing up as a child of one who was a member of the GI Generation (dubbed the "Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw) I always felt secure---there was no reason not to in our little town. But now, as an adult, and as grateful as I am for all the military protection that comes from living in a democracy, I realize that no borders are ever totally secure.  9/11 broadcasted that truth in living (and dying) color.

But God....in His love and mercy provides a security that goes beyond walls and towers. His cuppa securi-TEA is the one I sip with gratitude, knowing that even if all our defenses fail, He never does. 

Eterni-TEA with the Lord is the BEST cuppa securi-TEA. It is served with peace.

** Elwood Richardson, Hoyt Shimp, Red Tucker, were other table members.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "Quo-TEA-ble"

To answer a reader's question......Yes, I've read the last in the Richard Paul Evans "Walk" series.  That series was my first Sunday book review for this year's blog. It wasn't so much a review as a "thanks" for recommendations from reading friends. You can click on the blue link to see a list of the titles in the series.

The final installment was out this month, Walking on Water. (5/6/14) and this week was #3 on the NY Times best sellers. Many readers had to wait 5 years as each installment was published. I, on the other hand, didn't find our about this series until this year.

As not to introduce any spoilers, I'll just say that the protagonist, Alan, is on a walk from Seattle to Key West, in hopes of finding healing. He finds lots else along the way. When he was in our "neck of the woods," St. Louis and south through Memphis and Mississippi and on to Florida, it was interesting to read the "author's take" on our area. As this final book begins, Alan is about to enter Florida. From there it seemed to be a lot of where he slept and what he ate info. But, all in all, the series was a "clean" read---much more than a travelogue, as the following quotes will show. Evans is very "quo-TEA-ble

"It is better to be loved by one person who knows your soul than millions who don't even know your phone number." The Walk

“The assumption of time is one of humanity's greatest follies. We tell ourselves that there's always tomorrow, when we can no more predict tomorrow than we can the weather. Procrastination is the thief of dreams.” The Walk

“Some people in this world have stopped looking for beauty, then wonder why their lives are so ugly. Don't be like them. The ability to appreciate beauty is of God. Especially in one another. Look for beauty in everyone you meet, and you'll find it. Everyone carries divinity within them. And everyone we meet has something to impart.” Miles to Go

....grace is more than our destination, it is the journey itself, manifested in each breath and with each step we take. Road to Grace

“As we walk our individual life journeys, we pick up resentments and hurts, which attach themselves to our souls like burrs clinging to a hiker's socks. These stowaways may seem insignificant at first, but, over time, if we do not occasionally stop and shake them free, the accumulation becomes a burden to our souls.” Road to Grace

 “What a culture we live in, we are swimming in an ocean of information, and drowning in ignorance.” A  Step of Faith

"It's a shame that hearts don't come with manual overrides." Walking on Water

The series final, Walking on Water,  opens with a quote from T.S. Eliot.........

We shall not cease from exploration, 

And the end of all our exploring,

 Will be to arrive at where we started

And know the place for the first time.

......and ends with a letter from the author, Richard Paul Evans

"All journeys must come to an end. After five years of resaeaching and writing the walk, the emotions that crossed my heart when I reached Key West were a powerful mix of accomplishment, finality and nostalgia. I was grateful that I had made the choices that led me to the end of this road ---literally as well as figuratively."

"Perplexi-TEA"

They were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 
(Psalm 107:27-28, NASB)

At Wit's End---everything seems to be going wrong. 

Perplexed. Baffled. Beyond comprehension of my finite mind. An entangled state of mind.

Don't know which way to turn.

Wit's End Corner---not far from the intersection of "Bitter and Sweet"---turning in the right direction is crucial!

At Wit's End--where despair sets in.

At Wit's End--where self-pity camps out.

At Wit's End--where family problems gather.

At Wit's End--where health issues loom.

At Wit's End--where unavoidable circumstances of financial loss devastate

At Wit's End--where defeat seems certain.

At Wit's End--where we all have been.

Remember at "Wit's End Corner," is just where God's power & strength & love  is shown. (Antoinette Wilson, "Streams in the Desert" 5/23) Turn toward Him.

Ever been there? At Wit's End Corner? Of Course you have!

If you're there now, ask the Lord to rid you of your cuppa perplexi-TEA and re-direct your confusion. 

Return to the "corner of happy and healthy." (with apologies to Walgreens) 

Joyful in Him and spiritually well.

"Infideli-TEA!"

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, (Matthew 6:25, NIV)

Infidelity stinks. Whether it's a physical infidelity of a spouse or a breach of loyalty that breaks an emotional relationship with a friend, infidelity takes its toll upon relationships and leaves deep scars. What about spiritual infidelity? 

If we are to "take no thought for our lives" (KJV) doesn't that imply that mapping out our agendas and planning over excessively are a form of spiritual infidelity? According to Oswald Chambers it does. (My Utmost for His Highest, 5/23)

So much forethought can bring undue pressure. (Don't I know that to be true!)

Worrying implies that God can not look after the practical details of our lives. Infidelity can begin with the smallest worries. What to eat. What to drink. What to wear. 

"Look at the birds,....."Matthew 6:26

"Consider the lilies...."(Matthew 6: 28)

But in our own lives we still falter and thus fall into the worry trap. "I will not trust where I cannot see." (Ibid, 5/23)

Worry is infidelity.

Therefore, in obedience to the Spirit, today's blog holds no cuppa because I don't want to drink from a cuppa of infideli-TEA!*


*2:29 pm disclaimer/admission---Woe is me---I had no more gotten up from my prayer chair than I began to "sip" from that cuppa spiritual infideli-TEA. I couldn't find my car keys. Worries flooded in. "What if's" pounded in my ears! I not only sipped it, I swallowed it ----I should have spit it out!

I was headed to "work out" my stress (thru Zumba and a water class) wondering what if I can't get in without my pass, which is "attached" to said keys.

Woe is me who can "type it" but can't "live it"----at least not for sustained periods!

"pa-TEA-na"

I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord. I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other" (Romans 1:11-12, NLT)

"Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." That's the ditty that we used to sing with our Girl Scout leader, Mrs. Campbell (Ginger's mother) in the basement of Hopkinsville's First Baptist Church. 

Both relationships have value. Some friendships begin in one's youth & last a lifetime. Some relationships are formed later in life and last only for a season. Yet, they are no less important, especially when both are on the same side of a struggle and coated with a deep faith in the one true God. A spiritual patina. A richness.

Figuratively, patina can refer to any signs of age, which are felt to be natural or unavoidable (or both). Decorator friend, Kathi, often deliberately adds patinas as a part of the decoration of her "found" furniture. Her distressing simulates antiquity in more newly-made objects. The end result is pure "richness."
Friendship enhanced by years also has a richness---but now and again one meets a new friend who seems to come with a richness that belies the length of the relationship. A friendship that fits together---as comfortable as an old shoe and as valuable as many older relationships.

I thought of that richness this morning as I planted flowers in the patina enriched metal baskets that friend Julie had given me when she moved to DC. Looking at the aesthetically appealing metal surface of both the basket and the bird reminded me of the  richness of the relationship we shared......as if we'd known each other for ages. She would be the patina; the rusty coating (older) would be my part in the relationship.

 One of the verses of that Scout tune was so reminiscent of that season of Claudia's cancer care when "new" Julie and I seemed to be a tag team for our mutual friend---both of us working together to benefit another in the household of faith. A rich reciprocal relationship.

You help me,
and I'll help you
and together we will see it through.

Julie is now in DC and yet our friendship continues---it's as rich as the patina on the garden treasures she left me. 

A pa-TEA-na rich cuppa relationship, shared by two in a friendship that is lasting beyond a season.

"heredi-TEA" : an individual cuppa

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. (Psalm 78:4, NLT)

In the Christian faith, one is not born a Christian. Everyone comes to the Lord on his own. Acceptance of faith is not hereditary. Heredi-TEA in the Lord doesn't come through the bloodline of the parents, but through an individual's acceptance of the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. One claims faith for himself; it's not ascribed by birth.

However, God's word instructs us in several ways to guide one's children to that end: to share the goodness of the Lord; to tell of His deeds and power in one's own life; Recalling all the ways God has shown His hand.  

Legacy in the spiritual realm is a lifestyle as you can only leave what you live.

As DTS former professor, Howard Hendricks, said, "You cannot impart what you do not possess."

You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.
Our older son brings each of his sons to Memphis the summer prior to his kindergarten year for a “heritage trip.”  A trip to Daddy’s hometown to see us, the paternal grandparents, along with Daddy’s former homes, schools and favorite places, and a side trip to Pickwick---where his daddy spent his growing up years.

A time of one-on-one events, coupled with lots of BBQ.

May each Liles generation "set its hope anew on God,..." (Psalm 78:7)

Building relationships is key to sharing a faith that "sticks"......"so the next 

generation might know them, even the children not yet born and they in turn 

will teach their own children." (Psalm 78:6)

"Heredi-TEA" : an individual cuppa of faith served singly (one by one) by the Lord Himself.

"Congra-TEA-lations"

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. (Psalm 145: 7, KJV)

God is good. Today my heart was filled to overflowing with His goodness. One grandson graduated from kindergarten and I was able to attend the event. Something that has not always been a possibility as a working mother/grandmother. How fun to congratulate him on completing the course and laughing at his response to his mommy's comment about "crying at his graduation."

"You don't have to cry, Mommy; I promise I'll be good today."

Plus, a Texas grandson is in town with his daddy for his heritage trip and his 6th birthday. I was able to splash thru the water at Mud Island's Riverwalk with him and congratulate him on his map skills---and for keeping me "directionally" on my toes. I wonder if I passed on some of my Ms Rand-McNally genes to him.

Sharing any milestone with a grandchild is worth celebrating. Kudos. Congratulations. Pats on the back. All are important ways to encourage. 

Celebrating cousins! Congratulations! More food was in their stomachs and on the table than on the floor! Celebrating laughter. John Parker's definition of his fish basket was priceless. "They killed a fish and made him into a chicken strip."

Today, my utterance of His great goodness is that I'm still around to share these times with family.

We all need to celebrate each moment, be thankful and find reasons to serve a cuppa congra-TEA-lations to others---even in the little things.

"Gaie-TEA

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NASB)

"Good news, John Parker has a birthday!
Good news, John Parker has a birthday!!
Good news, John Parker has a birthday----He's 6 years old today!!!"

We all sang around the kitchen table at breakfast this morning. It is indeed good news when the day is blessed with family gathered, scripture read, prayers given and a grandson honored on "his" day. 

Lots of cuppas of gaie-TEA to be shared these next few days as we, grandparents, celebrate moments one-on-one with our son and his number 4 son. 

A cuppa gaiety with a baseball cookie because John Parker doesn't like cake, as he is quick to remind us!

There's even celebratory gaiety with a stinky fish, especially when it's caught at Pickwick on Pop's dock.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS : an-TEA-cipation

For readers, there's nothing like discovering a good book. It's even better when you realize that it's one of a "series." That's the way many readers felt when they discovered their first "Mitford" book featuring Father Tim, an Episcopalian rector, with a dog named Barnabas.

The Mitford series kept many waiting for the next one. 
An-TEA-cipation of a good read. A safe read. 

Jan Karon doesn't surprise her readers with filth or vulgar language. She just takes the reader into the small town of Mitford and its quirky characters and makes them want to return again and again. Karon's books are both warm-hearted and funny. 

Opening Light in the Window, my favorite of the Mitford books, to check out the town map on the frontispiece, I found signatures of  friends, with whom I had shared the book....a great jog down memory lane, because many have since moved away.

Home to Holly Springs, though not one of the "Mitford" books, does deal with Father Tim's early years in a location just down the road for all of us Memphis readers.

Finally, 9 years after the last Mitford book, listed as the "final" of the series.....  #10 is coming out in September. 

Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good. (9/2/14)

A title that seems to describe Mitford---a cuppa an-TEA-cipation for me.

"visibili-TEA" : a wedding cuppa

Men see not the bright light which is in the clouds. (Job 37:21, KJV)

Life is full of clouds. From our earthly perspective, these clouds can seem dark, foreboding even. But God....has a different perspective. He sees from above. Just as my grandson and I saw the reflective light in the mist a few days ago, in the double rainbow, God can always see the shining bright reflective light. It's a heavenly perspective.

Today is Suzanna and Nathan's wedding day. It's raining. The hope had been for clear skies. As their preparations continue for their outdoor reception, may I continue to pray for the wedding, (regardless of the raindrops) the reception (regardless of the weather temps) and the marriage (regardless of the clouds that they will face) to glorify Thee.

May daughter, Molly, from the crane high above the reception, capture all of this in the pictures. A photo journey of a true celebration of two, equally-yoked young people, as they begin their "forever" journey as man and wife. 

May they remember the "bright light" who is behind these clouds. These moving clouds. May they see His hand in their lives and rejoice because of who He is....a trustworthy God who loves them. 

May the Lord serve them a cuppa visibili-TEA of His love on this their wedding day, regardless of the weather!

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Barnhart!