3 FUNERALS IN 3 DAYS

Life lessons can be learned anywhere, even in the midst of death!
Many different lessons I learned as I attended 3 funeral events, three days straight. Some lessons varied.
However, the one constant, in the lives honored, was  that of a godly life well lived.
A spiritual heritage!
Having heard eulogies and commendations from family members of the deceased, I understood their true legacy. Not just an "inheritance," which more often than not, is equated in financial terms.

I couldn't tell you anything about those "inheritances" they left to others, but I clearly saw the legacy their lives had imparted to each of their loved ones.

They hid God's word & deeds of faithfulness in their hearts and then shared them throughout their lives. That's the legacy they left, each in his own way.

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)

Their faithfulness has endured to all generations----at least their "generations" I have met and known. (Psalm 119:90; Psalm 145:4)

They left a legacy. So what's the one BIG life lesson from the 3 funerals?

One must a have a legacy in order to leave a legacy!

Summer of the Hummers

It's been said-----actually lots has been said---about aging and much of it isn't so wonderful.

However, speaking as one who is fast approaching the BIG 7-0, I don't miss those high-energy experiences of younger years. I just watch my "grands enjoy them.

As hubby ages, I've noticed that little things seem to mean more to him.. Sitting outside with his morning coffee is a real treat---even when it's too muggy for me, he'll turn on the fan and sit out there-----after he has made fresh "juice" for his" hummers."

Recently the antics of those hummingbirds have added to his delight. They must have called in friends on their migration route to stop here for "ever ready" sustenance. 

Early mornings they buzz above his head and he has even heard their small chirp. Nine swoop in and out for a sip or to chase off another hummingbird. There seems to be an "alpha-type" hummer. So hubby spread out the feeders and even bought a new feeder---of course he did. He's my "resident shopper!"

Also as  my "resident ornithologist" (when he's not being my "resident meterologist") he takes good care of his backyard birds, especially his hummingbirds! 

This summer, some might think he has taken it to an extreme. He will even call from work and ask me to check their feeders and to refill any empty ones.

Now he is hopeful that one will"drink" from his hand. Wild Birds Unlimited, who had sold him several feeders, recently gave him a small one to hold in his hand. Ever the optimist, this morning he went for the solo cup!!!

He waits with hope---enjoying his summer of hummers. 

Ah-h-h those little things in life that make one smile.

Gift Extraordinaire!

I have known my sweet friend Lilly longer than I have known my husband. Our friendship has spanned 50 years. In the early years we worked together.  She and her husband Fred signed for me to purchase a mattress "on time"----at $10 a month, I think. She (Fred's name was also on the invite) orchestrated a couple's bridal shower for hubby and me and both their girls were rice girls in our wedding. And.....the family introduced us to Deep Creek, even providing the tubes for tubing. It is #1 on list of favorite vacations by our family.
We've always stayed in touch. We share a love for "greens" and "Should Taste Good" multigrain chip/crackers. In more recent times, we've taken our "grands" to Deep Creek hauling the surviving 2 tubes and renting the rest. Our grandboys loved it too!

I've sat with Lilly when her husband was at the ER and later hospitialized. I even spoke at his funeral. I've visited her at several hospitals, in rehab, in two different nursing homes and most recently at her daughter's home.

Through the years she has brought me Easter goodies, scrapbook papers and handmade gifts---her paper-cutting skills are exceptional. She also made a special effort to come to "support" me when I spoke in church or at "He Cares." On two occasions when illness prevented her attendance, she allowed me to come ahead of time and "practice my speech" on her. Her approval always counts.

She has never lost her love for the Lord or her smile. He's the reason she keeps on smiling! Even her need for a walker hasn't overwhelmed her.

Today Lilly and her equally creative daughter, Melody, dropped by for a visit----what a treat!!!
At some point, Lilly must have put a "bug" in daughter Melody's ear that I had often admired her quilt creations. Which I had!!!

Voilà---here it is----"Sunday Drive," just for me. 
I love the stained glass window pattern! I love my lap quilt!  I love Lilly! I love Melody! I love Rachel! With Lilly it's a package deal!

How wise I was back in my college days to "listen" to Lilly and allow her to guide me. (Proverbs 13:20) 
I now attend the church which she has always attended and I thought was a little "weird" when she told me they didn't pass an offering plate.

Lilly has always been a kind, loving friend and now her daughters walk in her footsteps. (Proverbs 12:26 & Ephesians 4:32)

What a blessing!!

Relationships and a quilt--a gift that keeps on giving is truly a gift extraordinaire.

FIT BIT---Making a statement

This is just a "bit" of an entry concerning keeping fit---both physically and spiritually as one ages.

One way of making a statement while exercising is in your choice of gear---a bicycle helmet to cover your gray hair is a good start in the physical arena. It can protect one's other "gray matter" and double the fitness aspect when one's transportation mode to the gym is a bike.

Spiritually, a T-shirt can make a big statement as this fitness gent wore "scripture" and had several folks commenting and asking biblical related questions.

 I am....

• More than a conquerer (Romans 8:37) 
• clothed with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25) and... 
• God is for me (Romans 8:31) therefore... 
• I live without fear (Isaiah 41:10) 
• I am a child of God (1John 3:1) 
• He designed me (Psalm 119:73) for...
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

Whatever it takes to do one's "bit" to keep self and others "fit" both physically and spiritually is worth emulating. (Do I hear an A-men!)

LIFE CHOICES

Even as one's hair grays, eyesight diminishes so you don't know you have "bedhead,"  body jiggles as you try to find your core, memory lapses cause missteps & your balance topples you in "zumba gold" classes, one is still not too old to make the right choices.

Especially as one ages in this "dance of life."

Fitness is a good choice. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Stories of Hope

Cancer Survivors luncheon! What a privilege!
A celebration of life. A celebration of hope.
Many in attendance would say, "In Christ alone, my hope is found."

Dear, sweet, friend Pam is one of those. She delivered today's "keynote" message flawlessly and from the heart. Her story of hope in the midst of a shocking journey was one all could relate to in some way, especially the cancer survivors!
There's such a fellowship of folks on the same side of the struggle---and the fellowship of those who wear the pink ribbon is unbelievably strong!
Pam's message was a reminder of all of that.

Whether a surviver of more than 30 years.....or less than a year,
each wears a smile!

Pam's goal for her story of hope was for God to receive the glory! (Revelation 4:11)

Tears "rained" and hope flowed! Goal accomplished!

RULES FOR READERS

The rule is---"No Reading While Walking!"

Now there's a hard rule to enforce! Especially when our young bibliophile, Lucy,  comes from a family full of teachers and a librarian. A librarian who loves Mr. Putter and Tabby books, especially when the title is Mr. Putter and Tabby Dance the Dance.

AUGUST 20, 2016 Embracing Joy in the Midst of Sorrow

Grieving is hard but needful. Family, friends and the household of faith coming alongside helps the process. God's word also helps.

Saturday morning before hubby and I left to drive to Kentucky for the funeral of a dear friend's mother, the verse from my morning devotional was so apropos.

In the midst of the sorrow of losing her mom, Cheryl and her family were able to rejoice because their mom (grandmother and great grandmother) was with the Lord. As the family shared about her life as a WWII widow with 2 young girls, (Cheryl and Sylvia) I was so aware that her life of hardship personified the rest of the verse. She might have struggled as a single mom getting her college education but her children were rich in their handmade clothes, fun times and good, and often funny, memories which they shared. Her legacy of diligence and determination continued through a second marriage and a son to add to this BIG family mix. The pews were filled with family---all of whom, possessing a strong faith, were celebrating Mrs. Gresham's life well-lived.

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, 

yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:10)

Loss brings grief. Grief can lead to mourning and sorrow. 

But God showed me once again-----

Sorrow and joy are not mutually exclusive. 

God's Word and the August 20th celebration of Nancy Jane Terry Gresham's life proved that!

PANIC PRAYERS

Anxiety can be a real "panic prayer" inducer,

Earlier blog entries show that I have been sipping from this cuppa of anxiety far too often through the years.

11/22/10 and 6/16/13. Yet, I omitted a cuppa anxie-TEA in 2014 when I wrote 366 "tea" entries. Maybe it's because that year was a "call" to blog daily and I had to trust the One who called me! He was my "focus" and the blog entries were an overflow of that relationship. Even if anxiety was mentioned in an entry, the cuppa chosen for "focus" was NOT anxie-TEA!

So why am I seemingly back to square one---my humanity, filled too often with worry and fear.

Sadly, once again, I am one of those "fretful folks" Pastor Cole alluded to a few weeks ago, as he described living in a catastrophe culture. Daily we "panicky people" tend to live in a state of emergency. Even our news describes emergency alerts as though each viewer can do something about each event. As if there was an element of control for which we are responsible.

Globally, I am disturbed but realize my limitations. On the other hand, personally, anxious thoughts can still consume me---holding me captive, over people and health and events which I cannot control.

So what's one to do with these consuming fears and apprehensions?

REFOCUS!
PRAY---Don't panic!!

Shrink that cuppa! Lay it all at His feet.

Claim victory. (Romans 8:37)

Happy Endings!

Book reviewers tend to look at a work's beginnings more than the ending. They insist that it's those first words that draw you in---take you captive, hold you hostage, so to speak. 

Words that make you want to "hang in there" for more.

There's even a website for those "best first lines of novels." But, since it did not include, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again," (Rebecca) or "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."(A Tale of Two Cities) I don't hold much stock in their opinion.

Some readers only read books where "happy endings" are assured.
I call that unrealistic fiction.

Yet, I admit that I do prefer endings that are worth the wait, though not necessarily "happy"---and certainly NOT endings which are contrived or predictable!

I even look for a good tea for my morning cuppa---
a cuppa that makes me happy to the very end!

The "Good Book"does that. It has those first words that draw you in, words in between that teach and encourage you and an eternal ending that is a "happy ending" for all believers. 

"In the beginning, God....(Genesis 1:1) and "the dwelling of God is with men and He will live with them....The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." (Revelation 21:3 & 22:21)

It's foolishness to look for a "happy ending anywhere else!

Happy Ending, indeed!

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