All Tangled Up

“Let’s work for the benefit of all every time we get the chance." ~ Galatians 6:10

When the school bus bounced over a pothole, the Scotch tape that held Aubrey’s glasses together broke apart.  She could try fixing them after school; maybe with glue this time.

As always, she got off the bus last and rushed into the classroom.  She quickly took off her jacket and rolled her frayed sweater sleeves back to the elbows.  At least that way no-one could see that they looked like a rat had been chewing on them.

Her hair was as wild as the jungle, untamable and unruly.  It tumbled like beached kelp after a storm; so knotted and tangled that it might be easier to shave it off and start over.

Mrs. Boyd, the kindergarten teacher, noticed her hair also.  It’d been getting progressively worse for several weeks now.  So she pulled a brush from her purse.

“Aubrey would you like me to brush your hair?” she asked.  “My daughter has long hair, so I have lots of practice getting tangles out and I know how to be gentle.”

“OK,” replied the self-conscious little girl.

While the rest of the children amused themselves, Mrs. Boyd worked until every last tangle had disappeared; soft and smooth as an infant’s.  While she worked, Aubrey had sat patiently without making a sound.

When finished, the sweet child gave her teacher a grateful hug.  In Mrs. Boyd’s arms she felt safe.  Her worries disappeared like rain on summer earth.

"Thank you Mrs. Boyd,” she said.  “My Mom’s sick and can't brush my hair anymore.  I’m happy you did it.  Someday I want to be a teacher just like you!”

Mrs. Boyd’s tears came unexpectedly.  One never knows the challenges others face.  Yet despite her struggles, Aubrey remained happy, cheerful and thankful.  What a precious baby!

Mrs. Boyd had seldom felt that kind of love for another soul.  For those fleeting moments – she felt a slice God’s unconditional love.   It was as if He’d overtaken her heart; like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short time.  The emotions were so strong and so pure that she knew they had to be God's own.

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of such a divine moment completely unaware of its significance.  It was a ‘God Moment’ she’d never forget.

Whether or not our dreams come true isn't as important as how we live each day God gives us.  A hug shared today can never be replaced.  An act of kindness not given is lost forever.  An act of love missed can never be made up again.  Every second is precious and priceless.

Don't waste them.  Embrace them ... with a heart full of love, a soul full of joy, and a life full of kindness.

Heavenly Father, help me grow in grace and live my life as You would have me live - in spirit and in truth.  Help me to be kind, compassionate, and gracious towards my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Amen

The Blue Spot

“Give thanks to the LORD; for He is good." ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34

Ralph Elliot had an inspiring teaching style; educating students beyond the traditional curriculum.  He taught students how to believe in themselves, develop meaningful relationships, and enjoy life to its fullest with the passion of a lifelong mentor.

He was one educator the kids could never get the better of.  Whatever witty retort they had; he did one better.  He turned their rebellion into an advantage, not by belittling them or wielding authority.  He checked their behavior with a style of humor they could relate to, even aspire to.

Today when he entered his 7^th grade classroom he placed a sheet of plain white paper on the whiteboard - blank except for a single blue spot.  He waited until all eyes were focused on the odd image; their confused stares begging for an explanation.  “Tell me what you see,” he questioned.

Some of them described the blue spot, trying to explain its position on the page (lower right-hand corner).  Others tried to attach realism to the shape itself (looks like a Victorian mask or a genie about to escape from a lamp).  One clever lyricist even tried to simply define the spot’s color (blue like a midwinter night an hour before pitch darkness).

After all ideas had been exhausted, Mr. Elliot began to explain.  “A fascinating discussion,” he began, “surely something to think about.”

“I’m surprised, however.  No one described the white part of the paper.  You focused on the blue spot.  The same happens in our daily lives.  We have a blank canvass to observe and enjoy, but we always focus on the dark spots.

Each moment we’re given is a precious gift from God.  We have so many reasons to celebrate: our friends around us, nature renewing itself every day, miraculous discoveries ... but we focus on the dark spots - health issues, money problems, complicated relationships, and other disappointments.  The dark spots are so small compared to all that’s good in our lives, but they’re the ones that draw our attention.

Research shows that people who practice and attitude of gratitude are better able to cope with stress, have more positive emotions, and are better able to reach their goals.  Scientists have proven that they’re even heathier.

Cultivating a sense of appreciation will help you refocus your attention toward what’s good in your life, rather than dwelling on the negatives and all the things you may feel are lacking.  And, like a muscle, this mental state can be strengthened with practice.

So my message today,” Mr. Elliot concluded, “is take your eyes off the blue spots in your life.  Enjoy every one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you.  You’ll feel more fulfilled and joyful.

Class dismissed!”

Almighty Father, forgive us for when we don't thank You enough, for who You are, for all that You do, for all that You've given.  Thank you for Your amazing power and work in our lives and for Your blessings over us.  Amen

Never Too Old

“Be strong and never give up; your work will be rewarded." ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7

She charmed people wherever she went.  A tiny, dynamic woman with mischievous gray eyes and a quick wit, she could be sharp-tongued with a bootlicker and stern with a defiant child.

Cheerful, as a lark, she remained keenly observant even in her later years.  She worked every day until her last birthday.

Born the 3^rd of nine children, she left home at age 12 to work on a neighboring farm.  Until her marriage at age 26, she earned a living sewing, cooking, and housekeeping for wealthy families.

The couple had 10 children (but only 5 survived past infancy).  In addition to her work as a farm wife and mother, she helped support her family by selling various homemade foods.  Sadly, her husband died in 1927; the widow never remarried.  She continued to work the farm with the help of her youngest son, busying herself with needlepoint and quilting.

By her late 70s, her fingers were no longer nimble enough for the small detail work of embroidery.  She found it much easier to hold a paintbrush and tried her hand at painting.

The old woman felt her farm and country scenes were good enough to show at the fair.  Her raspberry jam won a ribbon.  No one noticed her paintings.

Undeterred, she continued to paint, using whatever materials she could find: ground ochre, grass, flour paste, slack lime and sawdust.  And although familiar with the hardships of farm life, she portrayed happier childhood memories of fields and storms, barn dances, and holidays of rural life.  She deliberately omitted telephone poles, tractors, and other examples of industrialization.

One day an art collector noticed several of her paintings on display in the window of a local drug store.  He bought them all.  When he showed them to his friends in the art circles of New York City, they were more curious about the artist.

Soon, "Grandma Moses" gained an international reputation.  Her widely-collected works of art were featured on calendars, greeting cards and in exhibitions in the leading galleries, including the Modern Museum of Art in New York City.

Even more amazing, it’s reported that 25 of her more than 1,600 paintings were done after she had turned 100!  Her 100th birthday was heralded by Life magazine on its September, 1960, cover.  The character Granny on the popular 1960s TV comedy series The Beverly Hillbillies was named Daisy Moses as homage to Grandma Moses.  She lived to be 101 years old.

Though her success began late in her life, she still left a legacy.  Individuals have learned from her experience that it is never too late to start something you’ve always dreamt of doing.  Isn’t it time you got started?

Father, thank you for the blessing of maturity.  The elderly bring to life the wisdom that comes from having failed as often as they succeeded, relinquished as much as they accumulated, and keen insight into what’s most important in this life.  Amen

Sweet Surender

“I will give them comfort and joy instead of pain and sorrow." ~ Jeremiah 31:13

They arrived early for the first of (hopefully no more than) 8 chemotherapy treatments and scanned the cancer pavilion.  What a cruel gathering of bald heads, steroid-swollen faces, and weary forms.   The old seemed childlike, the young acted senile, everyone in between looked disheartened.  It was never a club they’d expected to join.

When the oncologist explained the possible effects of chemotherapy in detail, cancer’s reality sunk in.  His wife’s treatment would require painful, expensive, eco-harmful drugs.  But there she sat waiting for her battle to commence.  “Carrie must be so scared,” Russell thought, trying to look confident … fooling absolutely no one!

After the last of the fluids entered the port under her skin, a nurse removed the needle and they headed for home.

The following three days were good; no side effects from the chemo what-so-ever.  She’d gotten through the whole ordeal just fine … and then it began to happen!

Nausea and exhaustion were expected yet manageable.  But soon her entire upper body hurt terribly: neck, arms, glands, abdomen, back, throat, head; even eyeballs and fingernails.  Carrie cried as if her brain was being shredded from the inside; sobs only interrupted by the need to draw breath.

“The pain must be unbearable,” Russell thought, wondering too about the invisible effects of chemotherapy.  She’d quickly gone from content to tortured; a transformation Russell didn’t know how to reverse.  To hide his own tears, he leaned in and cradled her like a precious child.

In that moment his arms squeezed a fraction tighter and Carrie breathed more slowly, her body melted into his as every muscle lost its tension.  He’d hugged her before, but never like this.  There was something so warm; so reassuring.  She let her body sag; her worries lost their sting, her optimism restored.

Russell felt it too, as if the world stopped still on its axis.  There was no time, no wind, no rain.  His Almighty Father was hugging him too, gently caressing his burdened shoulders and rubbing out the rawness of his own desperation.

He felt Carrie’s body press in, now quiet and at peace.  “I love your Russell,” she whispered before dozing off into a restful slumber.

It was the relief he’d waited for, prayed for.  He inwardly thanked God for offering His affection and never being too busy to embrace His human creation.

God hugs are timely gifts.  They soothe, comfort and calm.  His compassion never fails.  His mercy flows fresh every day and remains present until healing occurs.  He never lets go!

Your Father in Heaven can’t wait to embrace you in your shame, stress or success.  He runs to greet you with warm acceptance, so throw yourself into His arms.  Cast your cares on Christ and surrender your life to Him.

Precious Lord, let me rest in Your arms and cherish Your sweet embrace.  Search out my heart and change me into the person that You desire me to be ... whatever it takes.  Amen

Called for a Purpose

“Go now and tell what God has done for you.” ~ Luke 8:39

Traffic snaked up the hill; two lines of steel and rubber; each capable of over 100 MPH but averaging only 5 in their start-stop manner.  Frustration simmered like scorched concrete that stretched for miles ahead.

Logan tapped his car’s accelerator and inched forward.  He sighed heavily; eyes constantly shifting from his watch to the speedometer to the traffic ahead.

Finally, after a painfully slow crawl, Logan saw the problem.  A repair crew had closed down half of the two-lane highway, leaving a single lane for the Friday afternoon, get-me-to-my-cabin traffic to bleed through.  He didn’t have time for this!

Marking the start of a coned-off section stood a safety-vested flagger holding an unmistakable ‘Stop’ sign.  Squinted into the sun, Logan considered the poor man’s plight.

His job consisted of barking orders across a two-way radio to the other flagger at the end of the construction zone.  Every so often he rotated his sign from ‘Stop’ to ‘Slow in order to direct the traffic flow.  “His time must flow like a three-toed sloth,” Logan surmised.

As he approached the repair area, the flagger turned his sign to ‘Stop.’  Logan rolled his eyes, applied the brakes, and turned off the ignition - he knew he’d be waiting a while.  The aroma of fresh asphalt wafted in.

Logan stopped within earshot of the flagger and decided to strike up a conversation with the young man.  In a tone of almost sympathetic-honesty, he said, “I’m sorry.  That’s got to be the most boring job on the planet.  How can you stand it?”

A smile spread across the flagger’s face.  “I love this job,” he proudly exclaimed without hesitation. “I LOVE it because it matters!  I keep everybody safe.  I get to make a real difference every day.”

As if the flagger was trying to decide whether to say it or not, he added, “I’m so grateful that God lead me here.  He never wastes a single one of us.  This is my “spiritual gift.”

To most people, this story might seem hard to believe.  This guy was not a teacher, pastor, social worker, or doctor.  He definitely wasn’t Gandhi, Mother Teresa, or Martin Luther King Jr.  He was a road construction flagger!

Yet it bears all the hallmarks of a calling and the highway was his mission field.  God gives us specific spiritual gifts as the primary avenue for Him to bless and encourage others.  Natural talents are imparted when we are born; spiritual gifts on the other hand, are increased as we mature in our relationship with God.

Ours’s is a mysterious and clever God.  He speaks to us and guides us in many different ways, and we’ll probably miss His voice if we aren’t listening.  But when we do hear Him, it can change lives.

Lord, help me find the courage and the desire to share what You’ve done in my life.  Turn my past into my purpose and refuse to let my suffering be for nothing.  Amen