My Life-My Girls

The longer God allows me to live,

Ever more mistakes I see,

Not one, but a lifetime of many,

Each directed by no one but me.

Yet, looking at all those dark days,

A few bright lights shine through,

The brightest being God’s gifts,

As I treasured the time shared with you.

Watching you grow in spirit and grace,

Getting stronger as years came and went,

Knowing without ever a doubt,

From God, to me, you were sent.

Just having you with me, brightening my life,

Through good days and in darkest nights,

Gave me faith to believe that in my own, small way,

I somehow managed to do some things right.

Else, why would God lend me souls so unique,

To love and His purpose fulfill,

A gift I gratefully opened with love,

And taught you to follow God’s will. 

Children learn best by example,

Whether righteous or not, so they say,

And, those who know will tell you the truth,

I’ve taught those lessons well, both ways.

But, you had the wisdom to use them for good,

Taking the grain and leaving the chaff,

I thank God every day, Satan did not prevail,

Knowing that God’s grace will have the last laugh.

The day God shares that last laugh with me,      

You can laugh that He’s lifted my weight,

For I’ll be singing with all of God’s angels,

And waiting for you at His gate.

STRONG WOMEN vs WOMEN OF STRENGTH

Strong Women vs Women of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape–a woman
of strength looks deep inside to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything–a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her–a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future–a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be blessings and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks with sure foot--a woman of strength knows when to ask for
help.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face–a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey–a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

#women #strength #thewordasylum

rlw

The Perplexities of Aging. I just returned from a trip to Ohio. It is a beautiful country and some wonderful people live in the Newark area.  I attended the high school graduation for my granddaughter, Haley, and was also thrilled to watch my grandson, Gunnar, perform and get kudos as he left the 8th grade behind.  I am a very proud Nana, and give the credit for their wonderful, Christian attitudes to my daughter, Kristine, and hubbie, Kevin.

As happy as I am for the growth and achievements of both my girls, it was also a sad time for me. Well, not so much sad, as reflective.  I realized that my Newark family circled their wagons, and they each have the others' backs, no matter what happens.  I cannot help but be both proud that they are so independent, and melancholy that I'm standing outside, looking in.  That's the way God meant for it to be.  And, it is fulfillment of my prayer as the girls grew.  They are independent, loving, Christian women, with strong values and the ability to do whatever it takes to succeed in the most important areas of their lives.  With God's guidance of all three of us, they both made the trip to maturity without giving up or giving way to self-defeating attitudes.  Yea for them!

Circumstances this past few months led me to fully look at the reality I saw approaching, but put off actualizing What I did not realize as I said those years-ago prayers was the extent to which I would feel left behind as my children's worlds evolved into one without need of parental guidance. Their lives go on, whether mine does or not. I now find myself in the often-joked-about stage of becoming the child to my own children.  I knew it would happen, but I find I'm not quite ready to give up being the adult.

I realize I'm growing old, but resist the term "senior citizen." I have some difficulty hearing, but tell myself that many people, much younger than myself, are in much worse shape (hearing wise) than am I.  I know my rationalization is a form of denial, but, it is also true.

I lost weight for health and personal reasons, only to look in the mirror and see the absolute evidence of the "older" person I've become.  Newly-found wrinkles replaced the fat. I know it sounds silly, but I would rather look at the fat, because I looked younger then. Yes, another denial of reality.

That "senior moment" joke isn't so much a joke any more. I can try and convince myself that each one is a result of a specific health issue, but the truth lies somewhere between illusion and reality.  Even without a health issue, I am now at the age where younger people just chuckle and roll their eyes at the ever-increasing sign of my aging. You see, it doesn't really matter the cause, the end result is the same: old age is catching up with me, as it does everyone.

It probably does not matter to anyone except me whether I take notice of current fashion, dress in current styles, or resist the long-held stereotype of the gentle grandma, sitting in my rocking chair in ankle-length floral dress with an afghan across my knees. I wonder if it is just a matter of pride that keeps some of us from giving into culture's expectations that at a certain age, we should obediently sit down and become that accepting old person, dealt with in gentle condescension.

For many of us, I suspect that resisting the application of that image is a rebellion against giving up and quitting on life.  The dilemma is this: At what point should we just accept the inevitable and stop spending money on makeup, stylish clothes and striving for social media expertise to better function in today's sonic-speed communication? At some point, an old man or woman trying to maintain a youthful mind and personage just manages to look like, well, a silly old person not accepting old age with grace.   Where is that point?  I'm not sure.

Both of my daughters have their own lives and appear to be content. Between us, I don't think they would tell me if they weren't happy.  They are independent, fulfilled women who are just exactly who I prayed they would become.  It is I who flounder in the confusion between active adult and accepting senior.  I know who I am, and recognize the growing limitations of aging.  Somehow, though, my mind refuses to settle into the reality of a world that no longer needs my parenting or guidance: a world that goes on, even when I find myself having to stop and take a breath.

It's what God intends, I know.  And, I'm ready to meet Jesus face to face if it happens today.  But I find myself  wanting to do it in style, with classy clothes and a full head of hair in appropriate color and style. Somehow, I continue to believe that I have something worthwhile to share. I continue trying to fill each day with activities that allow me to utilize the wisdom and knowledge that I gained and could still impart, if only asked.  Many young adults don't acknowledge that their elders still have valuable thoughts to impart, and don't realize there are some ideas and thoughts which have no age limit. There are still things adult children can learn from parents, regardless of culture, age or health.  If nothing else, young people can learn how their parents found ways to never give up, or how to respectfully acknowledge the shadows of their own futures.

Is my attitude a rebellion against the inevitable?  Probably so.  But, then, I survived to become this age by resisting the urge to give up. My stubborn attitude hasn't aged a bit. This time of life is perplexing. Am I the only person fighting the battle against aging and insignificance?  Absolutely not. I am thankful for the knowledge that my God is with me and understands. I have faith that I will, at some point, gracefully sit down and be old.

But, not quite yet. I haven't received word from above that my battles are over. So, I'll continue fighting my fears, visiting my hair stylist, and finding ways to live in relatively-active anticipation of some day gracefully, and gratefully, sitting down and leaving life to the "youngin's."

#aging #lifechanges #grownchildren #ChristianAttitude

I just returned from Boston, where I enjoyed a couple days of sight-seeing and visiting with old friends.  Boston is one of my favorite places to be.  It is beautiful, the people are really nice, and the history surrounds me at every turn.

The last day, I walked for a couple of miles, just enjoying the atmosphere. At least, until I looked up at a lovely old building, and saw the end result of our nation's preoccupation with the entitlement philosophy. On the side of that historic old building was an ad, its message covering one full side.  It said: "Everyone deserves to have dental treatment.  For free fillings, caps, and other services, call 800-xxxxxxxx."   My first thought was, "Our founding fathers, who battled on that very ground, did not include the phrase 'deserves free stuff' when they penned the Declaration of Independence and later the Bill of Rights."  I was appalled at this display of encouragement for unearned "rights."  While I believe we should definitely help those who strive to better themselves by working, but have unfortunate circumstances short-circuiting that effort, this message said (at least to me) that it doesn't matter if you work or not.  I believe in supporting those with health and age-related situations which prevents them from working at all. However, I cannot but believe that this message does nothing to encourage independence and the work ethic upon which our country was built. I mentioned this to one young medical student. His response was "Well, it's hard to deny treatment to someone needing it."  Agreed, if you see them in a hospital emergency room and they are obviously in great physical pain and need.  You treat first, and ask questions later. However, to advertise "free stuff" for no effort paves the way for the non-doers of this society to further their expectations of receiving something for nothing.

Today is a beautiful day.  The sun is shining following a weekend of really bad flooding, tornadoes and wind.  North Texas in recovery mode.  Life and rebuilding will be hard for many, almost impossible to believe for some, and sorrowful for others who lost loved ones this weekend.   Prayers go out to each of them.  The rains nourished a ground parched by drought, filled our lake to the brim, which had been 8-10 feet down for several years, and was a blessing from that respect.  Just a reminder of God's power vested in nature.  Treat it with respect.

Every day is icing on the cake of my life, even when days are dark and dreary.  There is always something to be thankful for, although there are days when we have to search for those reasons.  May God's mercy be with  those having difficulty finding their light icing.

A World Religious Leader Speaks Out

A World Religious Leader Speaks Out

Franklin Graham recently addressed a rapidly-darkening cloud on the horizon of our society. Below is a portion of his comments from a recent Decision Magazine article.

"The goal is to eliminate Judeo-Christianity from the public square and force faithful, orthodox Christians and Jews to not object to that which violates their faith or, if they do, to be punished. We have not yet experienced the level of actual physical persecution and violence that followers of Christ endure in other parts of the world, but I certainly believe that Christians will increasingly be forced to choose between rendering obedience to God or Caesar. We may face the threat of fines—like the Christian florist in the state of Washington who refused to provide services for a gay wedding and is now in danger of losing her business and home.  Standing firm on our biblical convictions [regardless of the subject matter] could one day even lead to incarceration.

I don’t think there is any doubt that our country has forgotten and forsaken God. We reject the authority of His Word. We refuse to love the truth, and instead we pursue evil. We prefer the deeds of darkness over light.”

Rev. Graham urged Christians to speak out everywhere and at every opportunity. Not to be radical and throw it in the faces of those with whom we disagree, but because we still have the right to stand for our own Biblical principles. As he reminds us “Christians still can be salt and light.”May it ever be so.

#franklingraham #Christianchoices #biblicalconvictions #moderndaypersecution

A Common Fear

I am afraid. Not of ill health, death, or taxes. That, I am at peace with. My fear is for our country, and the path it seems to be taking that history tells us leads to the destruction of our society and the downfall of our country.

I am fearful our young people do not understand what us "old birds" see happening to our country. This is not meant as a lecture. I simply feel compelled to share the growing, common concern that is daily sending many “always-positive” people to their knees in fear and prayer. I speak not of radical, throw-it-in-your-face individuals, who answer to God for their agendas.  Rather, I speak of strong, loving, Christian soldiers who instilled right from wrong into the fabric of the children we mentored while going about our daily lives in peace with others. Christians who believe that most people try hard to be good.  These Christians do not, however, believe that people will all eventually change and everything will work out as it has since our nation was founded.  Throughout history, from the days of Moses, when the moral majority becomes weak, they soon become the moral minority.

These Christians do not appear among us with perpetually sad faces, wearing sack cloth and ashes, and drawing insulting cartoons of those we disagree with. Instead, these Christians believe that, until our political leaders are made aware by their voting constituents that their jobs are on the line, and begin to change the path our country now treads, we will continue to go morally and spiritually downhill. 

 

Increasingly, laws protecting our rights to stand strong are being overruled by those who believe our values are outdated and need to change.  Humans are rewriting what our Constitution (with God mentioned prominently throughout) put into place. Christians are being marginalized in their ability to live and talk openly without censure.  It is in the news every day.  You cannot just ignore it. If we do not individually stand up for, and demand that our religious leaders stand up for, our rights as Christians, I believe God will allow our country to fall.

Yes, our religious leaders have let us down.  But, we cannot expect them to carry the entire load, and they aren’t perfect either. Every Christian must remain diligent in his/her efforts to stand for truth.  This kind of godlessness cannot just be loved into obedience. Such godlessness destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. It wasn’t the incest and homosexuality. It was the pride behind the sin that refuses to accept that they might be missing God’s light.

And I am not saying we should stand on the street corner and condemn lesbians/gay .  Showing love without giving their decisions priority in our lives is godly.  What is happening in America is a slide into “anything is okay. And, if you don’t give me what I want, you are wrong and will be punished.”   I have friends whose children have partners. Only God can respond to moral equivalency in terms of judgment.  While the Bible does not teach we can turn them away, neither can Christians turn the other way and deny what the Bible teaches. Yet, this weakness is being displayed every day in our country.

God will judge each of us for our individual actions.  That includes lesbians/alcoholic/abusers/murderers, etc.   But, when when our moral compasses differ, and others' decisions give them self-appointed authority to tell me it is my responsibility to ignore my beliefs and bow down in deference to their beliefs, God says I cannot do it. This bowing down is where those of us who have been around for a long time see an increasing danger. Christianity is not just a social gospel, as proffered by many sincere, smiling religious speakers today.  There are beliefs Christians must stand up against, or we will fail in our duty to uphold the morals and values God teaches in His word of authority, the Bible.

Hillary stood up last week and said that it is time Christianity lightened up on our archaic standards and change our focus. I don’t think so!  And, this is the person who may well be leading our country in 2 years. And, Michelle Obama is one of the leaders of the effort to take over the spiritual and physical responsibility that has always been our right and duty to God. The leaders Obama has put into place serve under the same flag we do, and many in high places will not leave when the Obama administration changes.  Or country's current weakness increasingly runs throughout state and local government, and is holding many in Congress captive to the greed and self-centeredness of elected officials, who are more concerned with staying in power by pleasing the majority. The majority has rarely been right in history, especially during the last days of their leadership.  In our country, the Moral Majority is no longer the majority. Christians are now the minority, just as in Bible days.
Just as Israel was led into captivity when they, and their leaders, failed to uphold God’s standards, so this could also happen to us.

Just be watchful.  Good does not always triumph, and will not until Christ returns. The Bible’s history proves that.  We, as Americans, are no exception to that rule. Stay happy. Be happy.  I am at peace with my life and love those I meet, and the souls of those who disagree with my beliefs.  But, I just cannot assume someone else (our leaders) will take care of the moral compass, which is turning wildly away from the Savior’s Star.  The religious leaders are failing, also, which is even more of a threat than Obama, Hillary or other non-religious leaders.

And, as Forest said “And, that’s all I have to say about that.” 

#fearforcountry #moralcompass #religiousleaders #threatstoChristianity