I have mentioned Brian before, age three, in my writings. I cannot imagine him ever not being able to talk. He has been verbal, talking in full sentences, forever! I never tire of what he has to say to me. During several of our many conversations, he excitedly pointed to the clock, telling me Jesus was in there. He persevered for several weeks, saying how Jesus was behind those hour and minute hands. I could not figure out what where he got this idea, but I went along, saying how nice that was.
Remaining puzzled, I did wonder what he meant. Questioning him brought no answers. Nonetheless, I was happy he was still telling me about Jesus. It is never too young for a little one to begin a love for Him. Usually, I do not get a chance to visit with his mother, but one day, she happened to mention to me that she had been trying to tell Brian how Jesus was wrapped in a cloth after He died, but he kept thinking his mommy was talking about a clock!
Now it all made sense! I laughed, telling her how often he had told me about Jesus being in the clock. She did not need to be embarrassed; it was nice to see an innocent wee one, wanting to share his perceptions with me.
Brian’s little sister, Marie, has recently joined us in our conversations. She is two, no bigger than a minute. She has the same enthusiasm as he does. One time, she yelled, “Bye, Jesus!,” giving a wave as we left the small chapel where we had been.
Sometimes, instead of looking into all the books written and all the lectures attended, we can learn the most from children. They speak from the heart and from the souls God has given each of them. Nothing blocks their paths; they say it as they see it.
We can inhale a breath, absorbing this innocence, learning from their words of wisdom. Think about it. How often can we quickly quote what a child says before the words of an authoritarian? Yes, I often refer to my books for important quotes, but in the front of my mind, I have a picture of small human beings, enhancing me with captivating words.
In the meantime, every time I see a clock, I envision Jesus in there, looking out at me, as each minute ticks away!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
HOPING
Spring isn't quite ready to arrive in Santa Fe. It did warm up to 44 degrees today, but we have a couple of months to go before our trees and gardens come to life. However, it doesn't mean I can't enjoy some of those blossoms a bit early. I will clip a few offshoots from the apple tree and forsythia bush, bringing them into the house. Placing them into a vase of water, I will get to see them blossom, bringing a lovely color and fragrance into our home. It is a nice way to keep the spirits up, while the dreary weather lingers on. It leaves us with a sense of hope, of what is to come.
Hope is just what Christ wants us to have. I always think of Job and all he went through. There was one struggle or tragedy after another, but he continued to hope for better things to come. It took awhile, but because of his faith, never giving up, life did get better. The Psalms tell us of having hope in God, aiding us in good times and in bad. Psalm 31:24 tells us, “Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord.” There is even the funny proverb, Proverbs 29:20, “There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”
I love Romans 5:3-5, “We rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us.” Paul gives us an important message in Acts 23:6, “...Fellow Israelites ! I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. I am on trial here because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to life!” How apropos, knowing that at the end of our Lenten season, our sorrow will turn to joy, as we celebrate Christ's resurrection.
The Bible uses the word 'hope' about 150 times. It has a powerful meaning, reminding us to always keep our faith, knowing that if God is in our lives, there is always hope.
Hope is just what Christ wants us to have. I always think of Job and all he went through. There was one struggle or tragedy after another, but he continued to hope for better things to come. It took awhile, but because of his faith, never giving up, life did get better. The Psalms tell us of having hope in God, aiding us in good times and in bad. Psalm 31:24 tells us, “Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord.” There is even the funny proverb, Proverbs 29:20, “There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”
I love Romans 5:3-5, “We rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us.” Paul gives us an important message in Acts 23:6, “...Fellow Israelites ! I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. I am on trial here because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to life!” How apropos, knowing that at the end of our Lenten season, our sorrow will turn to joy, as we celebrate Christ's resurrection.
The Bible uses the word 'hope' about 150 times. It has a powerful meaning, reminding us to always keep our faith, knowing that if God is in our lives, there is always hope.
Monday, March 8, 2010
YESTERDAY
After writing yesterday’s blog, I received more responses than I ever have. It shows what the concept of death does to us. I thank everyone who sent me a note, as it helps me grow in my own spirituality.
Yes, we all know that death is part of life, and we understand how we will spend eternity with God. Yet, it does not undermine that we all hate to see a life end. My 94 year old mother is having a hard time, knowing the number of years ahead of her are limited. A dear cousin of mine said for me not to take how she reacts personally to current events. She is angry knowing the years ahead of her are few. I appreciate this note of wisdom. What a thought, to comprehend that there cannot be that many years left when one reaches her age.
My great aunt lived to be 106. She continues to be an inspiration to me, showing how a strong will, with her mentality intact, can have a long life. But, the quality of her life had ended; she could only talk, in a quiet voice, stretched out on the couch. Before, she was a vibrant woman. She was out milking the cows, canning food, and making a huge dinner in the middle of the day for her sons, who came in from the workings of the ranch to get a good meal, before they went out to work until sunset. She taught me how to make taffy, at the age of 16. I remember how my cousin, at the same age, went over to answer the phone, in the middle of the taffy making process. The ingredients had him holding one hand out, with the substance ready to go through a ‘twisting.’ He couldn’t do it, since he was on the phone. Great Aunt Mary ran across the kitchen, to fold over this dripping mess in his hands. She didn’t say a word; of course, she did let out a little sound of exasperation, but she never uttered a word of frustration.
I still have a photo of Great Aunt Mary on my refrigerator door. She is such an image of inspiration. The family recognized her as a blood relative, rather than marrying into the family. All of us saw her as reminding ourselves that this is what family is all about. She never complained. She instead took on the role of wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend.
Though she has moved on to her eternal life, she is an example of what life is like now, and how it will be when we leave this world. No, none of us wish to leave those we love. We want to see them be in our lives forever. But, they will be in our eternal lives. We are sad they cannot be with us, as we witness celebrations and hallmarks in our lives. But, though we cannot hug them as we go through these special times, they are witnessing from above. Later in life, we will get to touch them and hold them in our lives once again. It is something hard to perceive right now in our current lives, but it will truly happen. God never disappoints us.
Stay in constant prayer with God. Never forget to talk to those who have gone before us. All of them can read our thoughts; it is part of the joy of being in Heaven. It is those heavenly creatures who bestow upon us little happenings, making our lives be a bit less hectic or a bit less painful. I remember the morning of the day I was to have a spinal tap. My father had passed away, but paid me a visit that morning, in a vision. I saw features on him that I forgotten, such as the gold tooth when he smiled. He told me not to worry, that he would be with me throughout the tap. Knowing this, I smiled throughout this procedure, as he was with me. What a difference it made. Imagine how horrific it had been if I didn’t know he was there the whole time!
Not everyone gets to have a vision; but it doesn’t mean the loved one is not there. Yes, through every incident, whether it is happy or sad, our loved ones are there, to cheer us on. This is what God wants, to have those special angels, alongside our guardian angels, to protect us. God has stated we are never alone, and He means it. Always, there is the presence of those who have passed on. Remember, they have passed on from this life, but they are continuing to live, under the glorious kingdom of God!
Yes, we all know that death is part of life, and we understand how we will spend eternity with God. Yet, it does not undermine that we all hate to see a life end. My 94 year old mother is having a hard time, knowing the number of years ahead of her are limited. A dear cousin of mine said for me not to take how she reacts personally to current events. She is angry knowing the years ahead of her are few. I appreciate this note of wisdom. What a thought, to comprehend that there cannot be that many years left when one reaches her age.
My great aunt lived to be 106. She continues to be an inspiration to me, showing how a strong will, with her mentality intact, can have a long life. But, the quality of her life had ended; she could only talk, in a quiet voice, stretched out on the couch. Before, she was a vibrant woman. She was out milking the cows, canning food, and making a huge dinner in the middle of the day for her sons, who came in from the workings of the ranch to get a good meal, before they went out to work until sunset. She taught me how to make taffy, at the age of 16. I remember how my cousin, at the same age, went over to answer the phone, in the middle of the taffy making process. The ingredients had him holding one hand out, with the substance ready to go through a ‘twisting.’ He couldn’t do it, since he was on the phone. Great Aunt Mary ran across the kitchen, to fold over this dripping mess in his hands. She didn’t say a word; of course, she did let out a little sound of exasperation, but she never uttered a word of frustration.
I still have a photo of Great Aunt Mary on my refrigerator door. She is such an image of inspiration. The family recognized her as a blood relative, rather than marrying into the family. All of us saw her as reminding ourselves that this is what family is all about. She never complained. She instead took on the role of wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend.
Though she has moved on to her eternal life, she is an example of what life is like now, and how it will be when we leave this world. No, none of us wish to leave those we love. We want to see them be in our lives forever. But, they will be in our eternal lives. We are sad they cannot be with us, as we witness celebrations and hallmarks in our lives. But, though we cannot hug them as we go through these special times, they are witnessing from above. Later in life, we will get to touch them and hold them in our lives once again. It is something hard to perceive right now in our current lives, but it will truly happen. God never disappoints us.
Stay in constant prayer with God. Never forget to talk to those who have gone before us. All of them can read our thoughts; it is part of the joy of being in Heaven. It is those heavenly creatures who bestow upon us little happenings, making our lives be a bit less hectic or a bit less painful. I remember the morning of the day I was to have a spinal tap. My father had passed away, but paid me a visit that morning, in a vision. I saw features on him that I forgotten, such as the gold tooth when he smiled. He told me not to worry, that he would be with me throughout the tap. Knowing this, I smiled throughout this procedure, as he was with me. What a difference it made. Imagine how horrific it had been if I didn’t know he was there the whole time!
Not everyone gets to have a vision; but it doesn’t mean the loved one is not there. Yes, through every incident, whether it is happy or sad, our loved ones are there, to cheer us on. This is what God wants, to have those special angels, alongside our guardian angels, to protect us. God has stated we are never alone, and He means it. Always, there is the presence of those who have passed on. Remember, they have passed on from this life, but they are continuing to live, under the glorious kingdom of God!
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