love

Eula’s 93rd

/ smplgrl0623 / Leave a comment

This past weekend I had the joy of attending Eula’s 93rd birthday party. As I am writing this, a sly grin has crept up on my face again because there are scarcely enough words to describe how hilarious and fun this gathering was.

 

But I’m sure this picture might give you a clue…IMG_9879

There were a lot of faces that I hadn’t seen since I was younger and there were quite a few new cousins that I had only known by name. We all mingled around for a little while then it was time for cake!

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Bob Frank was quite content  sitting in his recliner, letting his bride enjoy all of the birthday ruckus.

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There was a steady stream of friends and family that came by to celebrate with Eula. I loved watching her face light up with each hug and kind word.

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A party can’t be complete without the gifts!

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Eula received all the essentials…nail polish, hair clips, fancy new night gowns, flowers, cookies, and a brand new hummingbird feeder.

People were spread out all over the house, but those of us who were in the living room got a real treat. Between  stories about cow bells and ‘full moons’ (Bob Frank shared this one) , there wasn’t a dry eye to be found. Laughing so hard that you cry is so good for the soul!

Then Eula wanted to see all of the little ones…the ones that may only have a glimpse of a memory of her. One thing is for sure, however, these are the little ones she will remember till the day she is called home.

And besides, who can resist a sweet and sassy lady giving you handfuls of Hershey’s kisses?

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As the party came to a close and people began to head home, I found myself realizing how much I missed this…getting together with family (whether I knew them very well or not) and just enjoying the moment. It’s times like these that reach a place in your heart that nothing else can…and sometimes, such as in my case, you don’t realize that they were gone until you are surrounded by them again.

 

Proverbs 31:28-29 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Happy Birthday, Eula!
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Into the Mist

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Over the past few days, I have had the privilege of spending time with some dear relatives of mine. I knew of them as I was growing up but was never very close to them.  At the ages of 92 and 94, I find myself sitting on their living room couch listening to stories of train robbers, lessons on cussin’, gardening tips, and other fascinating tales about my family. It’s moments like these I want to bottle up and save because I know that in a blink of an eye…they will be gone.

When I arrive, I find Eula in her usual spot in the little sun room. She is no longer able to walk so she sits in her lift recliner, newspaper and coffee handy, and enjoys the birds outside her window. On this particular day, I notice that she must be feeling a little bit fancy as I see a bottle of pink nail polish on her walker and a bright pink flower in her hair.

She always has a little sass when she speaks, especially when she’s wanting to know what her husband is doing in the kitchen and ‘what all that noise is‘. And he is always up to something. At 94, Bob Frank doesn’t stay put for long. He finds little projects around the house or brings out his tool box and starts making something right in the middle of the kitchen.

Bob Frank loves to garden. He starts his seedlings of peppers and tomatoes inside before he plants them. Eula doesn’t want them in the sun room (he says the best light is in there) because they will take up too much room. So he compromises and puts them in the dining area outside the kitchen. But he lets her know from time to time how much better they would be in the sun room.

 

My mom and I transfer Eula to her next adventure…which is to the living room where she will watch Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith with Bob Frank and discuss who did what and maybe make a phone call to their children. Today, Eula reminds Bob Frank that she wants a birthday party soon so he’d better get to planning it.IMG_9777

Along their walls in their house are numerous pictures…children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They both speak of their family with joy and pride and from what I can tell, their family does the same of them. On Easter, Eula told me that there were at least 32 people squeezed into their little house…and she enjoyed every minute of it.

They may not be able to get out and ‘run the roads’ like they used to but their life is full. They have both lived Godly lives and instilled that in their children. And their love has trickled down to everyone around them. They do not argue (just a little fussin’ about the plants from time to time) and they enjoy each others company like they were newly weds. They do not moan and groan about what they CAN’T do but make the most of what they CAN do.

Being around them has gotten me focused on the brevity of life. They have been here nearly a 100 years by the grace of God but I know that that could change at any moment. So how am I spending my ‘moments‘?

“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”-James 4:14

Am I spending all my time focused on me?

Am I investing in other people?

Am I being consumed with all of the little nuisances of life that I forget to look at the big picture?

Am I holding onto pride?

Am I walking where Jesus wants me to go or am I wandering without purpose?

I just learned yesterday that a former classmate of mine lost her father. He was full of life and loved his family and in a moment…he was gone.

We have no set time here on this Earth. Maybe the above questions got you thinking about your own life. I hope it does.

I encourage you to look beyond yourself while you have the time.

Before the Sun comes out and the mist evaporates into thin air.

The Tie(s) that Bind-Part 4

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During this past week, the world has seen another attack on humanity. Another spew of hatred. Everywhere we look nowadays, we are seeing unrest of all kinds…shootings, riots, slander, exploitation, and the slaughtering of innocent people.  However, these situations are nothing new under the sun. You can look back throughout history and see the same type of things have happened before. But it seems like the atmosphere is different this time around. And the rate of which these events are happening is escalating…which brings me to my next ‘string’:

FEAR.

The unspoken tension that often times is the undercurrent in our lives.

I briefly discussed some causes for fear on a global level but let’s talk about some reasons for fear on a smaller scale.

WHAT CAN CAUSE FEAR?

-Loss of a job

-A diagnosis of a deadly disease

-Public speaking (which is the number 1 fear…number 2 is Death.)

-Darkness

-Spiders

-Flying in an airplane

…aaaaannndddd I could go on and on with this list. Everyone is different and have their own fearful situations.

Most recently, mine has been the fear of losing control. I was trying to figure out everything and plan…but almost every time, nothing would work out! That’s how the anxiety started to creep back in. Even the thought of getting free of my dysfunction was scary. It was like a twisted security blanket. I didn’t like where I was but I was afraid of actually letting go. Can anyone else relate?

In the midst of this struggle with fear, I could hear a small voice telling me ‘You aren’t supposed to figure all of this out on your own. You are carrying a load that you weren’t meant to carry. Let Me carry it for you. Trust Me.’ As a follower of Jesus, I knew (head knowledge) that this was true. But my heart couldn’t let go of fear and control to let Him in. So down to the bottom I had to go before I would look up and let go.

Did you know that the phrase “Do Not Fear” appears 365 times in the Bible? That’s one verse for everyday of the year…except for leap year. You have one day to ‘fear’ every four years…haha! But I digress…

As I am coming up out of the stronghold of fear, here are a few things that I carry with me everyday:

-When I begin to get anxious…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

-When I feel like I won’t measure up…

“But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

-When the darkness is knocking on my door…

“Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time.  Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

-When the world around me is spinning out of control…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Jesus doesn’t say that our lives will be perfect when we decide to follow Him, He says “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus will give us courage, hope…but there is one thing that God will not give us…and that’s a spirit of FEAR.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

You and I were not made to stay stuck. You and I were not made to get oddly comfortable with our fears and let it keep us from what He calls us to do. Lean into Him and He will give you the strength to fight your fears and walk in His Love…For He came to overcome fear and death so we may have Light and Life.

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

In these days of turmoil, I want to leave you with some words from Martin Luther King, Jr. “Strength to Love” was originally written in 1963 but the circumstances that he writes about are just as relevant now as they were back then.

“But does love have a relationship to our modern fear of war, economic displacement, and racial injustice? Hate is rooted in fear, and the only cure for fear-hate is love. Our deteriorating international situation is shot through the lethal darts of fear. Russia fears America, and America fears Russia. Likewise China and India, and the Israelis and the Arabs. These fears include another nation’s aggression, scientific and technological supremacy, and economic power, and our own loss of status and power. Is not fear one of the major causes of war? We say that war is a consequence of hate, but close scrutiny reveals this sequence: first fear, then hate, then war, and finally deeper hatred.”(pgs.124-125)

“We know the cure. God help us achieve it! Love casts out fear…Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyzed life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.” (pg.126)

“This faith transforms the whirlwind of despair into a warm and revising breeze of hope. The words of a motto that a generation ago were commonly found on the wall in the homes of devout persons need to be etched on our hearts:

Fear knocked at the door

Faith answered.

There was no one there.” (pg. 131)