The greatest of these is Love!

It's Valentine's Day, and I've got a story for you!

But, first, let me tell you about my friend, Dorothy. Several winters ago when Gene was riding his bike around the neighborhood here in Mesa, he stopped to talk to an older gentleman working in his yard. I'm going to make the story of how I met his wife short by just telling you that this couple's summer home is in the same invisibly-small-and-remote town in Washington that Gene's is - Goldendale, Washingon. As a result, Dorothy has become not only my summer, but also my wintertime friend.

Anyway, because of Dorothy's intense shoulder pain from a car accident a year ago, I vacuumed for her yesterday. Later, when she discovered she'd lost one of her pearl earrings, the two of us sat down and fingered through the entire contents of the vacuum bag. (We did this not only once, but two times!) Knowing that Dorothy is struggling with not only physical pain, but also her husband's Alzheimer's, I was so sure God was going to help us find it. Two times we came close to finding it. First finding a florist's pin with a white head, and then an inexpensive necklace bead. The pearl, unfortunately, we did not find.

But, that was yesterday. Today is Valentine's Day - a day when many of us express our love for one another. So, here's the fun part. Dorothy just called me and said she tried looking again for the earring after I left her place last night,  but she still could not find it. This morning, giving up on ever seeing it again, she got up and just got dressed. After putting on a red blouse, her eyes glanced down - and there it was. The earring and the backing were just lying there on my bedspread. "It was as though someone had just laid them there," is the way she put it. 

I think Dorothy's right. I also think God had a hand in it. This was his way of reminding her that, no matter how difficult her life is right now, He still loves her. He completed one of her favorite sets of earrings today - on Valentine's Day - to remind her.

His Valentine to me is the sound of rain drops tapping out a love letter on the aluminum rooftop of our patio room. A rare occurrence here in Mesa, they remind me of the Pacific Northwest, friends, and family. My prayer is that you will see His love for you today, as well. He loves us, and today is His gift to all.

And, hey! If he shows up for you in a surprising way today, will you share it on this blog?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love never fails. . . And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of there is love. I Corinthians 13:8, 13 

Find Your Purpose

Have you ever had an itch that was oh-so-bad, but you just couldn't scratch it? Well, I have had one for more than a year now. Okay, I'm not talking about anything serious. It's just something I want to do. Unfortunately, a couple of other things got in the way last year. One of them was getting married (which was huge and wonderful.) Another thing was puttering (which is not so huge, but far more compelling and disruptive.)

However, before leaving Portland in December, that "itch" came to mind again. I was having dinner with a friend when we both agreed we were not doing things that were important to us. Sharon and I also agreed - and this is the hard part - to make ourselves accountable to one another in the new year in order to fix this. (This was obviously going to cut into my puttering time!)

Several weeks later, as Gene and I were grabbing our bags at the Phoenix airport, a billboard reminded me of that promise. The bold print said, "Find your purpose." The fine print directed you to a local college, but I took the challenge personally. The honeymoon was over. It was time for me to write.

So, here goes. My excuses no longer matter. It doesn't matter if no one reads this. It doesn't matter if I don't have anything life-changing to relate. What matters is that I write. (Another friend, Linda, taught me what doesn't matter.)

So, in the weeks and months ahead, that's what I'll be doing - writing about silly things, thoughtful things, and just about any things. The other stuff doesn't matter. I just need to be who I am, write what I write, and stop wasting so much time puttering.  

Good grief, aside from learning how to be a wife again (which will be a miracle, not a project!), what else am I going to do in the desert these next four months?

I don't like New Year's resolution. This sounds easier to me. Now, what about you? A blog is for dialogue. It's your turn now. Have you got an itch that needs scratching this year? Something you've wanted to do? A purpose? If you're comfortable sharing it on this blog, I'd love that. If not, maybe you'll share it with a friend. 

At my wedding reception on December 1st, my three-year old grandson, Jack (with a bit of prompting) raised his glass of sparkling cider and said, "This is Grammy's toast." Now I have one for you: May you find purpose in this new year, and share it with someone else, because doing what is important to you does matter.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

My chaotic quiet times: The ultimate oxymoron!

I'm a teacher, so I'm used to counting backwards from five and using other tricks to get students to listen in the classroom. I often ask them to listen to me with their eyes and ears - to look at me when I'm speaking. In doing this, I'm hoping they will focus 100%, and listen to what I'm saying. (This  is a pipe dream in the classroom, but it's what I'm reaching for.)


On a more personal note, there is a place where this hasn't been working for me lately. These are the times when I sit with my Bible, a pen, and a cup of coffee ready to listen to God, my Teacher. Or at least they should be. 


Instead, I confess, my "quiet" times have become everything but quiet. I have not been a listening student! 


For some reason, I'm still standing in front of a classroom doing all the talking. You know, "Oh Lord, please be with Janet, Julie, Jeff and Keven. Help me with this. Help me with that. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." I know these are needs and people I pray for, but good grief! Maybe God would like to get a word in edgewise? 


Sometimes, I even jump up to call someone who needs encouragement - right there in the middle of my quiet (?) time. Doesn't this mean I'm excusing myself from God, and running off to do something I consider more important?


This is not an image I am comfortable with. I want God to receive my full attention. I want my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to be set on him, especially when I'm having my devotional time! 


I want more of God and less of my frenetic personality. Less chatter inside my head when I am kneeling. Less jumping up to make a phone call or refill a coffee cup. I want to become a better listener. 


When I sit down in the mornings and God counts backwards from the number five, I want to be looking straight into his face and hearing what He has to say. 


I want these words to apply to me: Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10


Does this ever happen to you? How do you handle it?


My blogs will always be simple and a little silly, because that's the way God made me. If you wrestle with shutting off distractions during your devotional time, will you share what works for you?


Thanks for listening. I hope I will, too.

I need a refill!

Last month, I had a mountain top experience at my daughter, Annie's, home outside of Spokane. While I was there, a prophet of God ministered to me several times.

This particular "prophet" is a little guy, not quite five foot tall, but he's filled with the living spirit of the Lord. His name is James Normandeau. He's nine years old, and very open to what God has to say.

One evening as I was tucking him in, he got this troubled look on his face and said, "I need a refill."

"You need a what?" I asked him.

He put his head down and offered this explanation. "Today at school I got angry with a bunch of kids in my class because they weren't doing their work. But, then God said to me, 'Wait a minute. All people are equal.'"

James looked up then and smiled at me knowingly. "I just needed a refill to remember that."

Ain't it the truth? James needed a refill! I need a refill! You need a refill! Hey! All of God's children need a refill. 

I hope you get yours today - and every day. A young man reminded me recently. It works!

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

The only one who's out to get me is God!

Oh, my goodness! What am I doing? Writing a b-l-o-g? And w-h-y?

One reason: God said so. And I don't say that flippantly. Instead, I will tell you how this happened. I have been keeping a journal for more than 20 years now. (I'd be more exact, but that would tell you how old I am and I'm not ready to go that far with this. Not yet, anyway.)

Well, this year's journal started out differently. I was getting this bug in my ear to write a b-l-o-g. And that's funny, because I don't even know what a b-l-o-g is! 

On January 20th, I found myself writing wildly and creating the messiest journal page I've ever written. I think God stole the pen outa my hand and covered that page with ideas. No, suggestions. Nah, these were orders about how to do this. He even gave me a title for this thing! (Who knew I even needed one? Not me!)

Still, even that wasn't enough to prod me.  I did, however, make a note to have my daughter, Annie, help me set up a b-l-o-g during my three week stay with her family in February.  But, let's be realistic. Annie's got three kids, two dogs, six cats, 40 chickens, and one husband so this was not likely to get done - ever. However, on the last day, I said offhandedly, "We don't have time to set up a blog. Do we?"


"We do," she said. Then did it immediately, thereby removing another barrier I'd created. When Annie pulled the order form up online, it asked us for a title. I had that. So, I told her what God had told me, "How I see God". When the blog site said that one was already taken, it suggested another one, "This is how I see God." (Can you believe my computer even makes suggestions?) I was a little disappointed, but went with that instead. It was, at least, close to the one God gave me.

Or so I thought. Later, I pulled out my journal to check the title. Now, get this! The title God had given me was not "How I see God." It was "This is how I see God." 

So, that is why I'm writing. God said, "Do it." He even gave me a title, and then corrected me when I forgot it! 


Annie gave me this today to push me in: Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, God's with you wherever you go. (Even on the internet!) Joshua 1:9 Living Bible


I'll say no more today, but, God willing, I'll be back.  Til then, may God fill you to overflowing with His love and laughter.


? ? ? There are lots of little boxes on this page that I have no idea what to do with: Labels, post options, edit HYML, etc. I'll deal with that tomorrow. Help me, Jesus!


Okay, I'm going to hit "Publish Post" whatever that means.