Just a stick

 We’ve had it for years. It’s old and weathered. It doesn’t do anything but sit there. It has no earthly value. We couldn’t sell it if we tried, no one would want it.


I know it was an accident. Diamond didn’t mean to drop it.


If it was anybodies’ fault it was mine. I placed it there on display, in the way for anyone to bump – especially a six year old. She did. It fell. And it broke.


“It’s just a stick” said Roxy. But I saw a tear trying to escape before she turned away.


It was a simple gift. It was fragile. A life time of memories lay there… broken.


Roxy found it in the woods and used it as a walking stick during a family vacation. Her brother secretly brought it home, attached a wind chime, and gave it as a gift.


Roxy loves wind chimes, and is especially fond of this one. Every time the wind causes it to sing she’s reminded of her brother.


But really now it’s just a stick, right? Or is it more?


Maybe our simple gifts are more than just sticks for fire wood. Maybe a kind word can change a life. Maybe a phone call can save one.


And maybe the reverse is true as well.


We may say “I was only joking.” Thinking our words and deeds of little consequence; nothing more than dried up old sticks. But, in reality they hold the keys to winning or losing a wounded soul.


I stare at the broken stick and wonder about the one who gave it. I think; “Maybe, if we’d have reached out to the-stick-giver more… he wouldn’t have taken his life.”


I don’t know for sure but I wish I had another chance…


I remember a story about a man who had a stick. He raised it. The Lord chimed in with a wind that parted the Red Sea.


I can’t part the Red Sea. Neither could Moses. But, he offered what he had, if only a stick. God took the gift of obedience and saved lives. Won’t He do the same if we’ll offer what we have?


A simple stick touched with love and the breath of God chimed a beautiful sound.


I may not have much, but I have something. And if offered in love will not the breath of God turn it into something beautiful? If someone is hurting or sad or lonely, won’t it help if I show them I care?


If we would take a day off from chasing money and consider what REALLY matters I think we would see that our most precious commodity isn’t gold or silver; it’s time. It’s the great equalizer because we all are allotted the same amount each day.


No job or law or government or circumstance can dictate whether we use our time for good or evil. THAT is our God given choice.


The world wouldn’t be hurt if it had fewer skyscrapers, more front porches, cane poles and walking sticks.

A soft answer can heal. An apology can mend. We used wood glue to mend the stick. I suppose it’s stronger now in the broken place than anywhere else. Like us. Once we’re healed we can be used to heal.


Who are you in the story? Later we’ll discuss each one:


The broken?


Are you broke and in need of mending? Are you worn and weathered? Do you feel you like have no value or usefulness?


The breaker?


Even though you may not have tried, you have injured. Have your thoughtless or unkind words and deeds injured? Do you think it’s beyond repair…and it’s your fault?


The giver?


Do you feel unnoticed? Like you’re on the outside looking in? Do you feel like you’ve given your all and that wasn’t good enough so now you’re giving up?


The receiver?


Do you feel like a part of you has been stolen? Like circumstances out of your control have dealt you nothing but pain in your life?

Dear Reader, Thank you for stopping by, you are important; you are loved and what you have to say matters.

I'm praying for you.

Love, Doug
~
.

The whir-and-the-wind

On life’s journey we can’t always know what’s around the next bend… but we should know where we’ll be in the end.


It was getting dark, the rain was light and the interstate was heavy. Folks were headed home from work or to happy hour or... wherever it was; they were in a hurry.


Stranded, we watched from our roadside seats.

“Where’s everyone going” I wondered; thousands of people going hundreds of places at seventy miles an hour. All headed somewhere; but ultimately one of two places: Heaven or hell. All different, yet all alike in our need and desire for the same thing: love; (and to avoid rush hour traffic).

“The truck’s here.” She said.

“Good, with his flashing lights, maybe now the cars will move over.” They didn’t. Some couldn’t. But those who could and should wouldn’t.

“Thanks for coming. Won’t they move over?”

“They never do.” The tow truck driver said matter-of-factly. He motioned for the oncoming traffic to move into the other lane; they didn’t. He ignored them and inspected the flat, sized up the camper hooked to the truck; the narrow shoulder I was parked on, and just shook his head.

It felt like a bucket of cold water each time the whir-and-the-wind would hit from a passing vehicle. I was already frustrated by the events of the evening. The spat, the rain, the flat and now the behavior I perceived as down-right-rudeness just added fuel to the flame. We were stranded and no one seemed to care. Didn’t they realize the danger? How could everyone be in such a hurry that they wouldn’t even change lanes? Why wouldn’t they make room?

Ever been there?

You need help, but no one seems to notice; they just buzz by hitting you with the whir-and-the-wind. The doctor’s report has you stranded, the world keeps on rolling. The bank account’s gone flat, the whir-and-the-wind from bills continues to slap. Your heart is broken and no one seems to notice. SPLASH the whir-and-the-wind of the busy world leaves you staggering in its wake.

Or, you have a great idea; a plan, a book to write, a song to sing, a vision to share, a story to tell. But the whir-and-the-wind of rejection quenches your flame.

Standing stranded alongside the road can make one feel alone; rejected, even hopeless. I know, because I did. I watched the world drive by. I thought; “I deserve it. After all I’ve driven by others in the same situation…This is punishment for my ornery ways.” Each accusation cold and bold slapped with the whir-and-the-wind, and a biting shiver.

And then a gentle breeze warmed my soul. The wind and the whir could not be heard. A still small voice whispered. And I knew I was not alone.

“No room in the Inn. I’ve been there. I AM here.”

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Heb. 4: 14-15

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Is. 41:10

I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. ~ Jesus. Matt. 28:20

Will you love me?

I was found guilty in court

And sentenced to death

My scars run deep

And enemies hate

My family called me crazy

My friends turned away

I’ve been covered with sin.

I’ve gone through hell.

They’ll hate you; if you love me.

 

You can die with me.

You can live with me...

 if you love me.

 

I died for you.

I rose for you.

I’m coming for you.

I love you.

Will you love me?

~Jesus.

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8



I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galations 2:20.

Endless Summer 2

As a partial answer to the question posed in my last blog…


If living in Endless Summer means no-problems and Winter’s-Chill is identified with trials; then the answer is an emphatic NO You can’t live in Endless Summer Blissville. Sorry.

Last night is a fresh reminder. We left Sebring Florida bright and early. No problems. Destination: Endless Summer. (Yeah right.)

“Would you like an apple?” I asked my wife. Grabbing the apple she said, “NO!” (Now, that’s what Adam should have said to Eve. If he had, maybe we’d be walking around in “Endless Summer Nudist Colony.” And if I’d thought about it at the time, maybe I’d have laughed instead of getting upset because of her grouchy response.)

“What is wrong with you?” I snapped.

“Well, you swerved clear out into the other lane!”

“I DID NOT. You lie. Why would you say that? I didn’t even cross the dotted line.”

SILENCE…LOUD silence.

I know, I know-it’s plumb stupid but, I was steaming. Thinking she should walk or drive herself or get a plane ticket or...

PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. I actually heard myself steaming…

Whoa... Slight fish tale followed by sluggish steering.

“What was that?” We both said.

Almost to Atlanta, less than a hundred miles to finish the first leg of our journey, wet roads, heavy traffic, narrow shoulder and a flat left rear tire. GREAT!

Those are bran-new tires, less than a year old for crying out loud.

The timing was perfect: perfect because it jerked this jerk out of his mental fuming. (Although, not immediately. I think I heard the rain on the road sizzle as I slid under the truck to have a look.)

Apparently the emergency- line- hanger-gizmo disconnected and rubbed the tire until PSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

How many miles did it rub until just at the right moment – when I needed cooling off in a Georgia rain. PSSSSSS.

It could have been tied off and fixed with a shoe string; if we’d have seen it. We didn’t. Like life. We can’t always be ready for what’s around the next bend but we can be ready for the end.

Life is short and uncertain; grand and awesome.

“In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ~ Jesus.

Endless summer...

As stated in my last blog it feels like the end of summer, although it’s spring…

We’re headed back to Minnesota from Florida; 1,350 miles pulling a 38’, fifth-wheel camper. Minnesota is waking up from a long cold winter; we’re freshly tanned from what feels like the end of summer.

The cycle of seasons, will not end as per God’s promise after the flood. And a curse removed as per the same promise. Can we live in perpetual summer time bliss? Can we avoid the winter chill? Escape the dead of winter for the life giving blooms of spring? Can summer last forever? Or, do we need the slumber of winter to rest beneath a blanket of snow? Are we refreshed from the heat of summer by tasting winter’s sting?

What do you think?

Genesis 8:21-22

21 And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

22 “While the earth remains,

Seedtime and harvest,

Cold and heat,

Winter and summer,

And day and night

Shall not cease.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

Everything Has Its Time

1 To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

3 A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

Snowbirds

It looks smaller now that most of the campers are gone. I can see from one side to the other. Our neighbors Bert & Rachel left a week ago. We leave tomorrow.

It feels like the end of summer; like the end of camp; like the end of vacation. But, it’s May.

Sounds of bike riders passing and swimmers splashing are replaced with an occasional swish from the wind.

Glad to have met these fine friends, sad to see them pack up and head “home.” Some we’ll never see again. Some will go home for good. Others will be back for another round of fun in the Florida winter sun.

I’ve met many folks in my life, but the youngest and wealthiest, I’ve met here; “Snowbirds.”

I know what the locals say; “Buckle your seat belts the silver hairs are back… When I get old I’m gonna move up north and drive slow in the left lane... If it’s snowbird season, can’t we just shoot ‘em.”

I say, “There’s a wealth of wisdom surrounding us all, just look for the silver lining.”

Odds are you’ll see the treasure several times today. What you do is up to you. You may ignore; go around or even honk at the silver lining.

But to glean from the treasures within you’ll have to stop and tap into what lies beneath.

To open the tap you only need to ask. To drink deeply from the wealth that lies within you only need to listen.

Proverbs 16:31

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.”