Weird title, huh? This is a piece that I wrote back in 2003 and I don't believe it was ever used. I just thought I would post it here...If you like it let me know!
I wondered when I was given this assignment what I might write. I have often thought of God in the terms of the hope He brings. Just as I have always known and trusted that God would provide, I have always known that God would be with me, even through my darkest times. Believe me, I have had some dark times.
The best and one of the most recent examples of God’s hope incarnate for me involves my granddaughter, Lilli.
It was on September 11, 2001 that we as Americans and human beings of the world suffered a great tragedy. I had been watching the news that day and saw the events live as they happened. Like so many churches, Highland had a prayer service that evening for the ones who were lost and for our country in general. It was a solemn service and very emotional.
I had told Lori about the service, but as usual she was running a bit late. Then I saw them come in the back, Lori and almost one-year-old Lilli. I don’t know if had been intentional or not, but Lori had dressed Lilli in a t-shirt that had an American flag on it. Well, as one year olds are apt to do she got a bit fidgety near the end of the service, so I took her to the back in case we needed to leave. She settled down and at the end of the service we sang, “It is well with my soul”. It was a precious moment for me. We came to the last refrain and I noticed Lilli was singing, too. I don’t remember her ever doing that before. At the same time I saw that she was looking at our Revelation window. I just wept.
In that precious little one, the one that Jesus said, if you come to Me as…was there giving me hope for the future. I knew that night there was someone who didn’t have to feel the pain and grief that we all felt that day. That innocence still remained. There was someone out there who wasn’t afraid and didn’t know the horror of watching, as thousands of people died that day. She is not scarred by that memory.
My little granddaughter, Lilli gave me hope that God is here, incarnate, with us every day, no matter what happens in our lives. She shows me regularly that I need to trust my heavenly parent like she trusts us to provide for her.
God of Hope, come to us through the trusting hearts of children. May their innocence be an example of how we are to trust in You. Amen
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Work of Art
I found this as I was cleaning up some files today. I hope that it means as much to you as it does to me. Sometimes through great tribulation, is birthed great art.
Edward Fischer writes in Notre Dame Magazine (February, 1983), that a leper in Fiji followed the leading of his twisted hands. He became an internationally known artist. "My sickness I see as a gift of God leading me to my life's work," he said. "If it had
not been for my sickness, none of these things would have happened."
As a young girl, Jessamyn West had tuberculosis. She was so sick that she was sent away to die. During that time she developed her skill as a writer and authored numerous novels in her lifetime.
That great author Flanner O'Connor suffered numerous ailments -- lupus struck her at 25 and she walked only with the aid of crutches for the final fourteen years of her life. She noted, however, that this illness narrowed her activities in such a way that she had time for the real work of her life, which was writing.
Some people succeed in spite of handicaps. Others succeed because of them. The truth is...our problems help to make us what we are. Those who suffer often learn the value of
compassion. Those who struggle often learn perseverance. And those who fall down
often teach others how to rise again. Our troubles can shape us in ways a care-free existence cannot.
A story is told of an Eastern village which, through the centuries, was known for its exquisitely beautiful pottery. Especially striking were its urns; high as tables, wide as
chairs, they were admired around the globe for their strong form and delicate beauty.
Legend has it that when each urn was apparently finished, there was one final step. The artist broke it -- and then put it back together with gold filigree.
An ordinary urn was then transformed into a priceless work of art. What seemed finished wasn't...until it was broken.
So it is with people! Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, they can be either discarded or healed. But when mended by a hand of infinite patience and love, the finished product will be a work of exquisite beauty -- a life which could only reach its completeness after it was broken.
If you feel broken remember...you are a work of art! And you may not actually be complete until the pieces are reassembled and bonded with a golden filigree of love.
Copyright 1999 by Steve Goodier
This article may be found at:
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/g.workofart.htm
Edward Fischer writes in Notre Dame Magazine (February, 1983), that a leper in Fiji followed the leading of his twisted hands. He became an internationally known artist. "My sickness I see as a gift of God leading me to my life's work," he said. "If it had
not been for my sickness, none of these things would have happened."
As a young girl, Jessamyn West had tuberculosis. She was so sick that she was sent away to die. During that time she developed her skill as a writer and authored numerous novels in her lifetime.
That great author Flanner O'Connor suffered numerous ailments -- lupus struck her at 25 and she walked only with the aid of crutches for the final fourteen years of her life. She noted, however, that this illness narrowed her activities in such a way that she had time for the real work of her life, which was writing.
Some people succeed in spite of handicaps. Others succeed because of them. The truth is...our problems help to make us what we are. Those who suffer often learn the value of
compassion. Those who struggle often learn perseverance. And those who fall down
often teach others how to rise again. Our troubles can shape us in ways a care-free existence cannot.
A story is told of an Eastern village which, through the centuries, was known for its exquisitely beautiful pottery. Especially striking were its urns; high as tables, wide as
chairs, they were admired around the globe for their strong form and delicate beauty.
Legend has it that when each urn was apparently finished, there was one final step. The artist broke it -- and then put it back together with gold filigree.
An ordinary urn was then transformed into a priceless work of art. What seemed finished wasn't...until it was broken.
So it is with people! Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, they can be either discarded or healed. But when mended by a hand of infinite patience and love, the finished product will be a work of exquisite beauty -- a life which could only reach its completeness after it was broken.
If you feel broken remember...you are a work of art! And you may not actually be complete until the pieces are reassembled and bonded with a golden filigree of love.
Copyright 1999 by Steve Goodier
This article may be found at:
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/g.workofart.htm
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
HOW TO START A GARDEN…
WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE DOING.
First, this came about as a way for me to take some ownership of where I was at in my physical existence. My boyfriend, significant other, life partner (oh, I don’t even like that one!) or whatever term you like to insert here, Jim are currently living in a house, sharing it with his friend Richard. He and I share a small bedroom and have use of the rest of the house as well. It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that we can’t really afford to live anywhere else and I feel like I have no other choice. We only planned to be here for a few weeks, but it has turned into over two years now.
Part of my problem is that I am used to be in charge of making household decisions. How things are set up, where things are stored, etc. I am doing better now, but I really struggled with having to share those decisions with someone. After all, both of the husbands I have had, I didn’t give a whit about any such thing. So for all of my adult life I have made those decisions for myself. Now I had to face the fact that I was now going to have to share those decisions with someone with whom I am not comfortable being around.
Anyway, the garden was a way for me to regain a little control of decision making in my life. It has been very therapeutic for me.
THE GARDEN
If you want to plant a garden, you first need to have a place to put it. I looked at the back yard here and realized that there was some space that was partially fenced off that had one time been used as a garden. I took it upon myself to reclaim some of that space to plant a few things. Something rather small and simple, having no idea of how what to do next.
First I chose a space that both had some sun exposure and was not so far away from the house that I would not want to go out there. Then I had to think about how big a garden I could manage. I knew from the way my physical health had been that I might want to keep it small, just so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed.
Next, I had to prepare the soil. I started with my little garden trowel and began digging up the grass and weed that had been there for several years. I figured if I did a little at a time, I would be able to do that pretty easily. All the weed pulling and digging took me about three weeks; after all I was working back then. If you saw it, you would laugh. It is only about 3 feet square.
My next task was to decide what it was that I wanted to plant in my garden. I had some ideas of what I didn’t want. Tomatoes were out, Richard was the only one who really eats raw tomatoes, and I just don’t know if it would be worth it. Plus, not knowing what I am doing and having to deal with the local wildlife didn’t seem to be a good idea. Green beans, same thing except I love green beans, it’s the animal thing I would have to deal with. I finally went to Wal-Mart and took a look at what they had that was affordable. I finally decided on a couple of squash plants and picked up some other gardening supplies (potting soil, Miracle-Gro, etc) as well. I know Jim like spinach and I thought I might try that, too.
Okay, now we are ready to go and had to find the time and plant things. How to do any of this was just a guess to me. I just did most of it by using common sense.
I got started a little late and for most people that know me that is not a big surprise. Anyway, by the time I got started on this project we were into May. As I said, I was working, plus we had a really rainy spring here. So there were delays upon delays. By the time I got the squash in the ground it was late May and a little bit late for planting, but I was assured that it was not too late. I also decided that I would put in some potatoes, since that didn’t involve purchasing anything extra. I had potatoes under the kitchen sink.
Along with the potatoes and squash I also planted some sunflowers that were started by one of the children at church. I also wanted to have something for the deck outside, so I started some coleus from seed, something else new to me.
The coleus turned out very well. I ended up with three boxes of beautiful plants. I did learn that they don’t like too much sun. They look beautiful out on the deck.
I am going to stop here, but check back soon and I will tell you how the garden actually did.
First, this came about as a way for me to take some ownership of where I was at in my physical existence. My boyfriend, significant other, life partner (oh, I don’t even like that one!) or whatever term you like to insert here, Jim are currently living in a house, sharing it with his friend Richard. He and I share a small bedroom and have use of the rest of the house as well. It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that we can’t really afford to live anywhere else and I feel like I have no other choice. We only planned to be here for a few weeks, but it has turned into over two years now.
Part of my problem is that I am used to be in charge of making household decisions. How things are set up, where things are stored, etc. I am doing better now, but I really struggled with having to share those decisions with someone. After all, both of the husbands I have had, I didn’t give a whit about any such thing. So for all of my adult life I have made those decisions for myself. Now I had to face the fact that I was now going to have to share those decisions with someone with whom I am not comfortable being around.
Anyway, the garden was a way for me to regain a little control of decision making in my life. It has been very therapeutic for me.
THE GARDEN
If you want to plant a garden, you first need to have a place to put it. I looked at the back yard here and realized that there was some space that was partially fenced off that had one time been used as a garden. I took it upon myself to reclaim some of that space to plant a few things. Something rather small and simple, having no idea of how what to do next.
First I chose a space that both had some sun exposure and was not so far away from the house that I would not want to go out there. Then I had to think about how big a garden I could manage. I knew from the way my physical health had been that I might want to keep it small, just so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed.
Next, I had to prepare the soil. I started with my little garden trowel and began digging up the grass and weed that had been there for several years. I figured if I did a little at a time, I would be able to do that pretty easily. All the weed pulling and digging took me about three weeks; after all I was working back then. If you saw it, you would laugh. It is only about 3 feet square.
My next task was to decide what it was that I wanted to plant in my garden. I had some ideas of what I didn’t want. Tomatoes were out, Richard was the only one who really eats raw tomatoes, and I just don’t know if it would be worth it. Plus, not knowing what I am doing and having to deal with the local wildlife didn’t seem to be a good idea. Green beans, same thing except I love green beans, it’s the animal thing I would have to deal with. I finally went to Wal-Mart and took a look at what they had that was affordable. I finally decided on a couple of squash plants and picked up some other gardening supplies (potting soil, Miracle-Gro, etc) as well. I know Jim like spinach and I thought I might try that, too.
Okay, now we are ready to go and had to find the time and plant things. How to do any of this was just a guess to me. I just did most of it by using common sense.
I got started a little late and for most people that know me that is not a big surprise. Anyway, by the time I got started on this project we were into May. As I said, I was working, plus we had a really rainy spring here. So there were delays upon delays. By the time I got the squash in the ground it was late May and a little bit late for planting, but I was assured that it was not too late. I also decided that I would put in some potatoes, since that didn’t involve purchasing anything extra. I had potatoes under the kitchen sink.
Along with the potatoes and squash I also planted some sunflowers that were started by one of the children at church. I also wanted to have something for the deck outside, so I started some coleus from seed, something else new to me.
The coleus turned out very well. I ended up with three boxes of beautiful plants. I did learn that they don’t like too much sun. They look beautiful out on the deck.
I am going to stop here, but check back soon and I will tell you how the garden actually did.
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