Diversi—TEA

10/28/10 As I set my tea cup on the counter this morning, it was reflected in my framed birthday card from Ashley B.
There is probably no one more diverse in my life than my dear friend, Ashley Bryan. Ashley doesn’t “talk the talk,” Ashley “walks the walk” and is without a doubt one of the kindest folks I have ever known.
So why the diversi—TEA nomenclature? We differ in gender--he’s a he. We differ in age. We're a generation apart. During WWII, before I was even born, he kept a sketch pad in his gas mask. We differ in race. His African roots come by way of Harlem & an Antigua ancestry. We differ in culture---even his home today is on a small island and his passion is preserving the folktales and spirituals of his roots. We differ in experience---his would take pages to list, mine not so much. We differ in distinction. He’s recognized in the art world and literary world with national and international awards under his belt---numerous Coretta Scott King awards, the 2009 Laura Ingalls Wilder medal from ALA for for substantial and lasting contributions to children's literature. In 2008 Ashley was recognized with S. Rushdie, E. Albee, and Nora Ephron as an NYC Literary Lion.

Ashley is all the above and so much more and yet he has been my friend regardless of the differences. One of his book inscriptions reads, "we be family." Together we embrace diversity.

For Molly’s 21st birthday he invited us to Isleford to steam fresh lobster. (her favorite food) He showed her his stained glass works of the 4 apostles made from sea glass & helped her make papier-mâché. He’s met Larry and stayed in our home. He met son, Buddy when he was in Dallas for the opening of the African American Art Museum. He met son, Josh when he was accepting the Society of American Illustrators lifetime achievement award in New York City. He meets up with me at literary conferences and introduces me to the “biggies,” somewhat oblivious that he is a biggie himself. Together we celebrate diversity.

A picture graces my wall that he painted because it “sang out to him of Dotsy.” If you ever check Ashley out on wikipedia, you’ll see him standing in front of a similar work. When he couldn’t make it to Dallas during my October ’09 surgery, he wrote a letter explaining the change. Later he called to check on me. That, my friends, is diversity at it’s finest.

It is truth practiced in love and should be the “color of our spiritual life” regardless of the color of our skin. Abounding love approves those things which are excellent and glorify the God we serve. (Philippians 1: 9-11)

Thanks Ashley for living out those lessons of diversi—TEA for me.

Divinit---TEA

10/27/10 If you want to taste and see that the Lord is good, (Psalm 34:7) this is the "tea" for you. Just look around you.

Though it's been almost 2 years since I began my cancer journey with MAC, it was exactly 1 year ago today that I embarked on what was to be my final surgery. Technically I had 5 surgeries prior to this, not counting biopsies, but it was not Dr. Ha's desire for this to be the last one. He felt that I needed 2 more to complete the reconstruction of my face so that he and I would both be more pleased with the symmetry.

Some of those events still stand out but the ones that stand out the most are the “but God….events” (Ephesians 2:4) those where God in His goodness and mercy clearly showed me His hand in my life. That’s why I continue to record each day the “Seeing God’s Hand” events on my blog.

As my life after the BIG cancer events returned more to a normal routine, I didn’t want to over look the divine. I wanted my world to still be filled with Him, the divine One……….to continue to see divinity everywhere, even in the daily events. Events so filled with God as to spur me to thanksgiving and worship. Events as simple as sitting in newly painted red Adirondacks, sipping a cup of tea* and watching the leaves fall on my patio.

*Basic chai, a strongly brewed black tea diluted with milk & traditionally consumed hot and sweet, is the perfect tea for such a divine event. Thus, Divini---TEA!

Royal--TEA

10/25/10 Fortnum & Mason’s Royal Blend is an appropriate “cuppa” choice for a child of the king. It’s also one of my favorites. However, according to my somewhat faded notes of July 2, 2003, my “cuppa” was somewhat weak---1 tea bag with 8 oz. water and 1 ½ t. sugar (nowadays I use more sugar & less milk) and 2 T of milk didn’t cut it. (I don’t use cream or half-and-half because it tends to mask the tea flavor.) Needed more umph. At 7:15, following my quiet time, I took a second cup brewed w/ F & M loose tea to the patio along with the food section of the Wednesday Commercial Appeal and found the stronger taste more to my liking, even though it was already 73° outside. Plus, I carried with me the teaching of scripture for the rest of the day.

I did feel like royalty that morning. Summer schedules have a way of doing that for teachers. I had time for a “cuppa” with my Father, the King of Kings---that’s really royal—TEA.

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

Live like royalty today. Take this scripture or the scripture of your choice with you throughout the day.

Spirituali---TEA
10/24/10 In the summer of 2003, I had an idea to begin a “Tea with Thee” devotional time. I would record the teas I chose each day and rate them alongside the spiritual life lessons I gained during my quiet times. In was a documentation of my own little ”Tea Road.” I don’t think I completed my 30-day goal but I did discover things---both about my aromatic beverage of choice and the Lord I worshipped.

Paired with recent notes from a recent ABC sermon, I have 3 things noted. I like my tea---steeped from tea leaves for a “maturi--TEA” flavor---part of that deep flavor comes from the leaves themselves (inherent) and part from my preparation of it---what I do with the tea I am given. That’s the tea test.

Spiritual maturity is a lot like that too. However, the test for spiritual maturity isn’t an IQ test, though “lack of Bible knowledge is no virtue.” The real test is more of a heart test, a spiritual EKG of sorts. (Buddy, 9/26/10) It’s what we do with what we know. It overflows with love to the Lord, to neighbors (others) and to those in the household of faith.

My “cuppa’s” perfect blend is rich in color and taste. Spirituali--TEA also has a depth of color---a color rich in diversity as it reflects the Lord’s love to the world.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

HHH

10/21/10 H.H.H. are the initials of a precious 8 yr. old girl from Allen Bible church. 3 weeks ago she was fine 'til she had a bad stomach ache.
Synopsis:
Tweets begin. TESTS. Waiting. MRI. Very rare cancer. Waiting. Bilirubin up. Meds given. Waiting. Meds don''t work. Fewer tweets, more prayers. Prayers for younger brother, Jacob. Surgery for stent to drain fluids. Waiting. Lung collapses. Waiting. Lung improves. Family at hospital day & night. Waiting. Consult with liver transplant team. Waiting. Another MRI needed. MRI postponed. Waiting. MRI completed. Results due in hours. The longest waiting begins.

Recent tweets with prayer requests:

• Healing of her Liver & for Hannah's emotions & spirit to remain positive, calm, upbeat & to know she is loved!
• Bilirubin to come down so they can treat the cancer!
• MRI & Xrays to show improvements not regression!
  
• A liver transplant after determining that the cancer has not spread is the only earthly possibility for Hannah's survival!
  
• Thursday is HUGE in our daughter's life for sure, but AGAIN, our hope is in the Lord & to Glorify God even if they come back & say NO!
  
• Give us Hope Lord! Purify our Hearts Jesus to be more like you!
  
• We believe that you are the Christ & our Savior & your ways are perfect!
  
• Everyone who reads this Tweet, we need your prayers more than ever for our sweet little Hannah!

Please join me throughout the day in praying God's best for Hannah Hasslen.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
May the we pray for the Hasslens to "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and fervent in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

To God be the Glory!

SIGNPOSTS

10/18/20 Morning walks in the mountains provided much needed signposts along the way. The crossroads were clearly marked. We would just decide the path we desired and head in that direction. Sometimes we veered from the designated path because something deeper in the woods intrigued us. Other paths were not as clearly marked or maybe we just missed them because we weren’t paying attention to the way, but were just deep in our own thoughts or conversations.

We carried with us a big map but we still found the signposts very helpful in order to stay on the right path. We also discovered that when you’re in unfamiliar territory, you can’t trust your own sense of direction. Some signed warnings were very legit---keeping us from needlessly stumbling over obstacles (or falling into the lake) along the way.

What did we learn on those morning walks? Heed the signposts. Though difficulty might mark the path, the people who established them know the way much better than we do. Such is life on earth.
Such is life in the spiritual realm as well---following the path the Lord has shown throughout the ages is the good way. It behooves us to walk in it. Will we choose His path or will we be stiff-necked and choose our own path as did the people of Judah in Jeremiah’s day?

This is what the LORD says: 

"Stand at the crossroads and look; 

ask for the ancient paths, 

ask where the good way is, and walk in it, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

But you said, 'We will not walk in it. (Jeremiah 6:16)

KEYS

10/17/10 Key---the word can be the part of speech of choice and has many definitions along with a host of adages & proverbs concerning the aforementioned word.
Personally, keys are the “implements” I misplace quite often. In literature, the “key” to a good mystery is plausible red herrings. The key to meaningful conversation is being a good listener. In relationships, a good friend is a key to sanity in an insane world. In a marriage, women are taught that the “key” to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Shoppers like to key in on a good bargain. Okay, enough of keying in all these inane ideas.
Yesterday’s My Utmost for His Highest entry, “The Key to the Masters Orders,” gave key insights to the spiritual aspects of life. The key (noun) to all of life is in the hand of God. It’s not the work of man. It’s not the key of common sense, nor the medical key, nor the education key. The key is prayer.* As Oswald Chambers states, “prayer is not practical, prayer is absurd.” Prayer from the ordinary, common-sense view seems ridiculous…..but prayer is the key to the spiritual realm.
Did you kneel in prayer today? If you did, did you pray for others in the world?

1Thessalonians 5:17 …pray continually (NIV)
1Thessalonians 5:25 Brothers pray for us. (NIV

*After I had written this blog, I went 2 miles down a curvy mountain road to attend the small Joplin United Methodist Church. The pastor, who is the oldest recipient of a double lung transplant, gave testimony to the importance of prayer. From Luke 18: 1-9, he taught that persistence is one of the key (adjective) aspects of one’s prayer life.

All believers need to key in (verb) on this fact.

Mount Ida

10/16/10 Reflections from a “little cabin in the woods”……and actually at one point, a “little man at the window stood”….and scared the buhgeebers out of me. In my panic, I even thought he had a gun. Ever the faithful friend, JoLynn went to the deck door to check it out. It was just the man to “clean” the hot tub----which I would have known, if I had read our “instructions.” I’m always telling students, “reading opens up a world of opportunities and information.” Hm-m-m. Think I need to practice what I teach!
That old girl scout song goes on to tell of little a little rabbit running by. Though we didn’t see rabbits, we saw lots of other fauna and flora. All a miracle of creation. Land that produced vegetation and trees bearing fruit. (Gen. 1:12) We saw waters that teemed with swarms of living creatures. (Gen. 1:20) Even when we couldn’t see the creatures themselves, rippling water told us when they were “schooling” past. Raucous “birds flying above the earth” (Gen. 1:20) and smaller songbirds nesting in the nearby trees were all part of our environs. The glory of God’s creation!
All around us on our daily hikes was more evidence of His creation. (and God saw that it was good, Gen. 1:12) From beauty berry bushes to white-tailed deer. It was good for us as well.
You don’t have to be in a cabin in the mountains with friends to appreciate God’s creation. Nature is all around us when we have eyes to see. It’s seeing the Creator in the creation that is the marvel----whether in Mt. Ida, AR or in one’s own backyard. Enjoy the scenery!

Trus--TEA

10/15/10 The Lord is my Trust. Does that make me a trustee? I needed to mull this over as I sipped my morning cuppa---Twinings English Breakfast tea, loose preferred.

Several things came to mind: Is He really my Trust? Does my life show it? What exactly is a trustee anyway?

When I put my trust in the Lord, I became His. He became mine. He was, and is, and will always be my Trust. Others in my life should see this. That’s where the trustee part comes in.

• A trustee……carries out the expressed terms (in His word) of the Trust instrument. (God Himself)
• A trustee……is loyal to the Trust.
• A trustee……defends the Trust.

As a trustee blessed with assets and advantages, I need to live well these privileges and administer them for another’s benefit. There are lots of “others” in my life that would benefit from fully knowing my Trust. My prayer today is that others would benefit from seeing me trust in the only One who is trustworthy. I am grateful to be his trustee.

O for grace to trust Him more! ( “ ‘Tis so sweet”)

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey. (“Trust and Obey”)

O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (Psalm 84:12)

Identi-TEA

10/14/10 Fumbling to put on my tattered I.D. badge, I realized that this ”documentation” had identified me as an SCS educator for 20 years---when the system instituted this form of tracking. To date, I’ve never had my barcode scanned but I diligently keep up with it because to lose this identity is “costly.”

My passport has identified me as a traveler since 1967---loved “collecting” those various country entry and exit stamps. My red password’s folder identifies me as a “user” for lots of different on-line services. Sometimes further ID such as my mother’s maiden name, my childhood pet, my high school team mascot, my maid of honor’s first name, etc. is required. My blog entries identify me a dancer, a reader and a tea drinker.

Yet, these are not the sum total of who I am. Whose I am is of final import. This significance is my true identity. He has not only given believers the right to become children of God (John 1: 12 but He also knows our name. (without an ID badge)

He calls his own sheep by name…. (John 10: 3)
I plan to savor my identi--TEA with a “cuppa”----Lyons Gold Blend---as I begin my day with Him because that’s the identity that counts for eternity.

PRAYERS OF A MOTHER'S HEART

10/12/10

• 2008 ---Stephen was dancing in the school attendance office as he joked with friends.
• 2009---Stephen became a Houston High graduate.
• 2010 Stephen became a US Army infantryman graduating from boot camp at Fort Benning, GA.
• Friday night he was at the HHS homecoming walking along the sidelines catching up with old friends.
• Sunday he sat in church with his family, who take up almost a whole row.
• Yesterday he was in Memphis.
• Tonight he is in Alaska.
• 2011 he will be in Afghanistan, if not before.

That’s a lot of change for a young man in a relatively small amount of time. Advice has been given. Tears have been shed. Letters and e-mails, when allowed, have been plentiful. Prayers have been spoken. Prayers have been answered. Maturity has come.

This same scenario is played out all over our country as our young men courageously go to war leaving family in their wake. But I know this young man, so I’ve seen the emotions that surface as his entire family has been touched by these life changing events.

Through all of these changes, I’m sure Stephen’s mother’s heart has been on a roller-coaster-type ride. She knows that the Lord is sovereign and will work all things together for good for Stephen. She also knows the desire of her own heart. She’s learning to trust more. She desires to align her heart prayers for her son with God’s heart. The one constant throughout all of these changes has been her love and her continued prayers for her son.

Pure honest, heart-filled, fervent prayers. Whispered prayers. Prayers of groaning from deep within her soul. Prayers to cover her son’s safety. Prayers filled with scripture.

The “Warriors on the Wall” prayer group from church will be standing in the gap on behalf of this young man. Others will pray on Wednesday night. I will continue to pray for soldiers on Saturday but I bet his mom will be praying for her soldier everyday.

Meditation Morphing

10/11/10 Somehow when one realizes that she has more earthly years behind her than ahead of her, whole new perspectives are gleaned from scripture. The end is not scary when one knows her eternal destiny but the way one might enter that heavenly realm might give pause for thought. “Gentle entry” has a nice ring to it. Yet, I have been at the point where I was so present with the Lord and so filled with His grace, that no fears were present.

With all of that in mind, whatever your spiritual age or chronological age, think on this verse.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

LIFE EVENTS

10/10/10 Many events, that can be designated “life events,” have been shared by the Kaplans and the Liles. Moving to Longreen in 1977 was the beginning. From then on, the Kaplans have been our constant neighbors and we’ve shared block parties, lots of patio suppers, little family events, AND BIG life events.

Life Events: Teenagers in the home, bat mitzvas, college years, business startups, funerals and weddings.

We survived the teen years after the bat mitzvas. Brenda and Michelle both “earned” an A in my college class. We’ve been there through the thick and thin of business transitions---from helping out at a kiosk outside their first mall store to applauding the launching of JIM Promotions. We danced at the girls’ weddings and rejoiced in births of grandchildren. We joined in the slow walk to bury Sherry on a cold February day and today we beamed as her granddaughter, Jessica carried her grandmother’s picture nestled in her wedding bouquet.

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding at Savannah Woods and Jessica was indeed beautiful. (though Larry still thinks she can’t be over 13.) The groom was handsome in his cowboy hat and couldn’t keep his eyes off of his bride.

After the ceremony and the champagne toasts, the Longreen gang seemed to congregate around one table----just as if we were in our back yards. Larry and Jerome were still cracking their same old jokes while Irv and Aunt Sherry rolled their eyes. Michelle and her DC crew were all there and Emily and Stacey joined us just like they did as teenagers. Brenda brought people over to introduce them to us and we all laughed at our “insider” info of the wedding day blunders. One of these days maybe Brenda will laugh too---after all Judge Robilio did finally show-up.

Just yesterday, our daughter, Molly, was the flower girl in Brenda’s wedding---but that can’t be possible because today Brenda was the radiant mother of the bride.*

*And I left my camera at home so you only get to see this cute picture of the “Bride’s Mom” at my house days prior to the wedding---Sorry insider info needed to fully appreciate the picture but that’s only available to those of us on Longreen who have shared Life Events.

Congratulations Jessica & Chris!

Upper Room

10/9/10 Doing some catch up reading from The Upper Room devotional in order to keep “on the same page” with Daddy, I noticed several things. First, this little publication and my church, First Evangelical, are celebrating 75 years of existence. Both this guide and my church emphasize the importance of using prayer and Scripture for lectio devina. (sacred reading)---these aspects of time with the Lord which are intended to promote communion with Him.

Then I noticed a sub title, “Your Place to Meet God.” There are lots of places to “meet” God but I’ve found that for seeking His presence, it helps me to have that one special place that will remind me to commune with Him. Just seeing my place “draws” me.

Where do you meet God? One friend actually meets with the Lord in an upper room of her house. Another has a kneeling prayer bench. For the Mexican women of El Llano it was under a prayer scarf on their heads. My “upper room” is just a big old chair downstairs---but it works for me.

D2D--- this next week’s practical application (Dare to Dance) is to find your “upper room” and meet Him there. He’s already there---but a designated place could remind you to join Him.

Pithy with a PUNCH

10/4/10 How does one write the fewest words that say the most and have the greatest impact on the largest group of readers? Obviously, I, the wordy one, am not the one to answer that question.

Sarah Young has that ability. In her devotional book, Jesus Calling, her entries are concise and still true to scripture, with references included.
She writes about universal struggles---fear, pain, trust, etc. She also emphasizes gratitude and expressions of thankfulness to the Lord, regardless of the circumstances. Sarah writes from personal experience---straight from her Spirit-filled heart. Subsequently her entries encourage the reader to wait quietly in God’s presence that he/she might know Him, not just about Him. She does it with just a few choice words.

Oh, how those words speak differently to each reader. Same words. Different reception---depending on each reader’s own personal radar.

Ponder this passage from Psalm 119.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; 

do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart 

that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD; 

teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount 

all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes 

as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts 

and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees; 

I will not neglect your word.

Assignment: Do a pithy rewrite of this scripture. (No more than 10-15 words.) Give it a punch so that you can remember the impressions the Lord gave to you as you meditated on it.

BTW, to all of you who have been on the same page with me, reading Jesus Calling daily throughout my cancer struggle, I would like you to join me in praying for Sarah as she struggles daily with vertigo and the aftermath of Lyme Disease. If you are led to pray certain scriptures for her or have been encouraged by Jesus Calling, let me know and I will pass it on to her. We need to let her know what a powerful punch her pithy prose has had on our lives----so much so that we’ve given that “little” book to family, friends worldwide, doctors and nurses whom we don’t even know, as well as leaving them in airports and hotel rooms as a way to bless the heart of a total stranger.

MAIZE MAZE

10/3/10 Pathways----often run in several directions. How does one choose the right path to take? Do you think it’s easy to follow a path, especially if you have directions and a map? If so, then you’ve not tried to navigate a corn maze with a 3-yr.old.

The cooler temps weather was perfect this weekend for a maize adventure with grandson, Owen. What I hadn’t counted on was how difficult it would be just to keep up with one who thought every adventure included running---though the rules specifically stated, ”No Running!” Being aware of the rules is one thing. Following those rules is another.

It also was easy to get turned around and make the same wrong turn more than once. We were lured by the shiny bridges and climbed over them, which seemed more enticing than going under them, even though the “duller” way was the right way.

Life paths are like that. It’s not always clear which path to take. Sometimes, even knowing the right way, one might choose wrongly because it looks like more fun. Scripture gives so many directions and instructions for taking the path that leads to wise living. The Bible can be a very clear map. Proverbs alone gives much wisdom---God’s guidance for life’s choices. Though not promises, they can help one choose the correct path for wise living.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Life might not be a maize maze but it is a confusing network of paths, some connecting and some dead ends---we need help navigating them. For some, help comes with a “Shug” (grandmother) to read the clues, help hold your hand as you climb the steep steps, pick you up and brush off the dust when you stumble and give you some cool refreshing water along the way.

Childhood Memories

10/2/10 What I remember most from childhood gives me a clue to what was important to me as a child. Then my remembrances give me insight into things that are probably going to be lasting memories for both my children and grandchildren.
I grew up playing with a Terri Lee doll whose clothes I bought hanging from a peg board type display at the top of the stairs in the 2nd floor toy department at Cayce-Yost. I didn’t have a lot of doll clothes, possibly due to economic constraints, and I remember the big deal of going shopping with Mother to buy a doll outfit or accessories. She probably guided my selections but I was the one to make the final choice for Terri Lee’s wardrobe. (BTW, Terri Lee wasn’t a personal name but the name given to all dolls in that line---long before Barbie was ever heard of) Outfits I chose were much like the ones I was wearing at that time---no elegant evening gowns or grown-up clothes would have even been offered.

I played with Terri Lee for years, hiding behind the big upright piano when most of my friends had “given up” playing with dolls. Yet, as special as the doll was to me, what was even more special was my mother collecting wooden crates from Dixon’s grocery and using the wood to make Terri Lee doll furniture and painting it pink, just for me.

Mother also subscribed to McCall’s magazine in the ‘50s and the biggest treat for me was the Betsy McCall paper doll page. Mother would cut them out for me with her special hair scissors and show me how to bend the tabs so they would stay on better. She also took the thin cardboard backing out of her hosiery packages and used it to cut out a Betsy-shaped figure. Gluing the paper Betsy on with her Sobo glue created a sturdier paper doll. Then we’d have a tea party with Betsy. My favorite cut-outs for her were the one from the weddings and the tea party. Maybe that’s where my love of a "cuppa" first started.

So what do these childhood memories say to me? It’s relational things that are important to kids. Not money, but time. It’s hearing them and guiding them and enjoying them. All that takes time.
To date, I only have grandsons so the doll memories are not shared (another grandbaby due in 8 weeks, so who knows) but the teatime is shared, along with the lesson that they, my grandsons, important. I love sharing part of who I am with them as they share what’s special to them with me. Who knows, maybe one day they will take their daughters (if girls are ever produced in our family) to tea at the Ritz and recount the days that they "took" tea with their "Shug."