Overwhelmed?

Ever feel overwhelmed? Got too much to do and no time to do it? Want to accomplish so much and make your surroundings look perfect? That's me, but I'm learning.

You know, people who love you don't really care if your house, your yard and your person looks perfect. In reality, they would rather have you be there for them than to make everything look perfect.

Wish I had come to that much earlier in my life. I probably would have more energy now than I do. My children wouldn't have had to deal with such a perfectionist for a mother, one who had to keep up appearances and have the children look and be perfect.

So yes, it's spring, and I'd love to do a bunch of Spring Cleaning, but with this degenerating back, I am going to have to pick and choose. Actually, simplifying would be a great task to accomplish, and I have already begun. Two chairs leaving tomorrow, and a bunch of clutter being collected for a church yard sale - YEA! Tools will be sifted through soon and son-in-laws get first dibs, then Eric and then the church's yard sale.

Simplifying makes life so much easier, and one's disposition so much sweeter. And it's so much easier to relax when you aren't looking at so many things. So.o.o. have fun this spring, and then chill!

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Reflecting

Hi Friends!

My life began with one arm tied behind my back, so to speak. It was World War II and my father was in the Army, and missing from home. My first few years were without him, with Mother parenting alone. Just before Dad was sent to Europe, Mom conceived my brother who was born and died before my Dad came back home and the war was over. Sad and difficult years

Life took a rather dramatic turn then, and the rest of my "at home years" were difficult. After college graduation, I met the man of my dreams, but our marriage turned into a nightmare for the first 12 years. Finally we determined to "pull out all the stops" to make marriage work, and did so.

As I look back, I am grateful for all of the experiences we've either endured or enjoyed. They have made us who we are and given us courage and faith for the future. Currently we are in the famous Golden Years, and finding body parts we didn't know we had - aches and pains have alerted us. And guess what? We are happier than we've ever been. We laugh at the aches and pains and the restricted abilities that have become a part of our lives.

Rather than sit and suffer, we choose to move along, keep working at our ministry and even dreaming of other projects to enhance ministry. No rocking chairs here!

Thank you God for nearly 47 years together and in love, and a purpose for our lives!

How has your history shaped you?

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Easter Contemplation

Today it is quiet. No bunnies hopping around depositing chocolate Easter eggs. Few families gathered around a table laden with luscious goodies and fancy confections. Today is the day for rest, because yesterday was a day filled with trauma, and anyway, God in His infinite wisdom had set it up that way.

No one really believed He would die and then live again. No one ever had without His touch and he would be unavailable, gone. Hasn't it always been that death is final? Friday's old wooden cross, a crown of thorns, scourging, humiliation and a spear in his side. Weeping, repenting, sadness and gloom. And upon the old rugged cross, he forgave us all, and died.

Carried to the tomb, anointed with chosen oils and wrapped in the cloths of those who would decay, the stone was rolled across the tomb, and slowly the mourners left for home.

Now, today was the day to hold each other, to mourn their loss, to go nowhere and do nothing, except perhaps to the temple, because after all, it was the Sabbath day.

Amazing isn't it? Come Sunday morning, Mary goes to the tomb to weep, and maybe to hope, and the risen Savior appears to her, not in a dream but in solid flesh and bone. She sees the holes in his hands. the burial cloths are strewn about, and she hears His comforting voice call her by name; Mary, the forgiven Prostitute. And he bids her to go tell Peter - the hasty, fearful one who betrayed him. Jesus, who holds no grudge and loves without question, seeks to remove shame as His first act of redemption.

Good Friday is a day for worship of the crucified Christ. It certainly was good for me, because this trauma saves my soul. Sunday is a day for Hosannas and praise, because Christ no longer sleeps in death, but is awake to my every pain, to my need.

Centuries later too, today is a day for rest and perhaps for a bit of preparation of heart - for tomorrow we sing and dance for joy. He is risen! My only Hope has paid the price for me, and I am free!

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Spring Green

I'm dragging! As if the accident wasn't enough, I've not been able to get rid of a nasty cough. I think it started when we were caught in a dust storm in AZ, but had it quite a while, antibiotics and all. God sent us a really wise doctor who heard my cough, said he felt I have pneumonia, and ordered a very powerful antibiotic. And then the green showed up!

Well, I thought that spring was for pretty green sprouts on trees, lawns and flowers, not for coughing up green, but thanks to the doc, the green is gone now and even though I'm dragging, my lungs are feeling clearer! I'm juicing green veggies and carrots and apples, drinking warm lemon-water, and counting the days 'til I have the energy to plant some of those beautiful Geraniums I saw, some Petunias and Asparagus Fern too. And I'll probably paint my black pots green too - it'll remind me of the blessing God sent when He knew I needed to get rid of some gunky green.

But wait a minute! It's April 2nd, and it's snowing! Oh well, a few more days to rest before painting and planting. On to a nap . . .

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