Two Trees- Two Children

  We have two trees in our side yard. Each tree representing each of our children. I can still remember when each tree was planted. Our son brought this little seedling home from school one day and wanted to plant his tree. Our daughter's was a small blue spruce given to her by a neighbor who was quite fond of her.

  As I was studying these trees planted side by side I was amazed as each tree resembles each child that planted it.

  Our son's was wild going in all directions. Our daughter's has grown straight and full, as if with a purpose and destination. Our son has lived on the wild side and seems to struggle with his direction. Our daughter has always just seemed to know the direction she was going. I fondly remember at an interview with her grade one teacher, who stated “how strong she was." "Although quiet in her demeanor, she knew what was right and what was wrong and would not let others pursued her.” 

  When each of our kids turned 13 we gave them a bible verse. Praying for each one and praying for the right verse to give to them.

  To our son we chose Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

  To our daughter we chose Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” (NIV)

  As I pray daily for each of our children I am reminded of each verse. Our sons’ struggles can be faced with hope and a future. Our daughter who is spreading her wings this fall and very musical- that each day she will be filled with praise and a new song.

  And now may “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26(NIV)

  Blessings

Preserving

The joys of preserving all the bounty. Last fall I was so caught up in preserving jams, pickles, relishes, salsa, freezing whatever I could to store away for those winter days ahead. I was busy doing this right up to Christmas. It was a very busy season, but very satisfying when all was completed.

This fall is leading me into a different type of preserving. I find my preserving is more like preserving all the memories I can.

Knowing our daughter would be leaving this fall, three provinces over, that’s all.

What should I do up today? All those memories are filling in, the crazy year we have had. To the many, many “first of the lasts”. Oh, how many trips you and dad made for your prom dress? To your first day of school and your last day of school. To my excitement in packing your last lunch; now if I could only have that again. To those last few days together. Memories I will cherish. Preserving the last minutes and seconds. You sprawled out on the hotel floor loading your music as I was finishing your last laundry before the big day. You wrapped up in the hotel room with the blanket that you wished you could keep. The same blanket I curled up with that first night apart. The empty bed. Could I just have you lying there again?

The Tim Horton’s visit that seems now so empty, where just the night before the three of us sat.

Preserving all your childhood memories and waking up knowing that you are now a young lady. I will cherish all the preserving as the days go by. A capsule not yet closed for more memories to be made.

When All That- Is No More!

When you have spent the last 30 yrs. of your life nurturing, what do I do now?

No more morning rushes to catch the bus.

No more lunches to be packed.

No more waiting for the bus to come home; the union after being apart.

No more homework!

No more piano lessons.

No more after school activities.

No more backpacks lying around.

No more scheduling around work schedules.

The calendar becomes empty.

A blank.

I would like to say no more tears. They seem too come to easy these days.

Those last few things in the laundry. I want to hold them so close.

Why does letting go feel so hard?

You know if I could keep you mine for always I would. But I'm not supposed to. You do have to grow up and start your own life. This is the hardest part of parenting. Not those long sleepless nights- now those are treasures. If I could hold you back just a little longer. The control is no longer in my hands.

“You take a child by the hand, but who they ultimately become is never in your hands.”

~Ann VosKamp

You are in His hands and always were, but now fulfilling His plans and purpose for your life.

You were never supposed to be mine for always. This pain will ease over time with rejoicing to see all that you have become.

But for now the bathroom stays cleaner!!!

Your mama

MEMORIES OF MY POPPY

  When I was growing up, Poppy and Aunt Jessie lived right behind us. Poppy was a strong tall man with an almost tough guy image. He was always busy doing something and taking care of his family. Poppy didn’t have much to do with the church; this frustrated my aunt very much….

  Visits were always exciting with Poppy and Aunt Jessie. I think they loved to lavish on us. We always enjoyed our cookies and milk.

  Now Poppy would like to have a drink here and there. Aunt Jessie would get very upset by this. He had a special little place just outside the bathroom where he would store his stash.  I can fondly remember when visiting and sitting around the table Poppy would motion with his finger for you to come. He would take you to his “little room” and pour you a “shot glass of cream soda”. Now I know that to kids these days this would not mean a lot, but it did then, it was special! We would emerge with happy faces carrying our “Little shot glass”.

  What I remember best about Poppy was when something needed to be fixed we would always run to him, whether it was the lawn mower or our bicycles.  I think my brothers were there every day of the summer to get their bikes fixed. He would always have time for that one more task. Poppy reminds me of my heavenly Father. When life gives us broken pieces we can run to HIM and he always has time for that one more task. And when we take time for those little visits we too will emerge with our “shot glasses” filled with HIS love.

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” Psalm 107:28 (NIV)

Starbucks and the Church Part two

“COME TOGETHER”

   This is a continuation from my last post “STARBUCKS AND THE CHURCH”.

   We have been crazy busy with many different things over the past months.

  A new way to see!

 “I looked down and read what was written on one of the cards I’d been given: “What does it mean to reinvent an icon?” Wow! There could not have been a more apt question for Starbucks at this juncture in our existence. And I was not sure I knew the answer.”

  I see the church of today being at the same cross road. How do we reinvent an icon?

“What did John, Paul, George and Ringo teach us about the art of reinvention?”

“While it would have been audacious for any of us to compare Starbucks cultural impact to that of the Beatles, one thing was clear from comments like Cliffe: Both are icons that play memorable roles in people’s lives. Others piped up with observations about the Beatles career.”

“The band took risks, someone said.”

“They took us on a journey a time when the world needed cultural leaders.”

“They didn’t compromise.”

“They lead with their hearts.”

“The Beatles believed. And if you believe, you can change anything.”

 “They kept reinventing themselves, but at the same time they stayed true to their music. “I offered, recalling their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.””

“Icons make sense of the tension of the times, offering hope and even mending a culture in turmoil much as the Beatles did for my generation in the 1960’s.”

  Can the church carry this plate?

  We are that culture in times of turmoil. I could go in great lengths on this subject. As we see families being pulled in all directions, just trying to keep it all together, as I look into my own family this has been a VERY trying year. Actually the last 5 years for us. As I feel myself fighting daily just to keep carrying on, knowing our battles are small to most. But my battles have allowed me to be able to connect with others, to feel their pain, frustrations, fatigue….. I need to feel what they feel.

“It is so vitally important that we get back to the roots of the business, that we get back in the mud,” “Get our hands in the mud!” I literally pleaded, holding my hands out in front of me. I hold onto this analogy because it made so much sense, and from that day on I repeated it over and over and over.”

“A pair of dirt-smudged hands, palms up, framed the words. “The world belongs to the few people who are not afraid to get their hands dirty.””

“The words- get dirty. Get in the mud. Get back to the roots of the business.”

   We need to get out of our “bubble” and into theirs. It’s then when we are willing to get dirty that we will be able to reach out to others. And I’m afraid that sometimes we can teach, preach, and talk about it- what we should do, but it’s when we put this into action-get dirty! It’s then and only then will we change, give hope and mend a culture in turmoil.

“The New Mission. The Starbucks mission: To inspire and nature the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.”

  I only hope that I can apply this mission and get dirty in my own life. As the church we need to apply this to our lives as a whole. Let’s recast and take each of our jobs personally. Let’s have the passion to serve the Lord in all ways.

  Let’s believe that we too (the church) can move “Onward” with a new set of eyes staying true to our heritage and roots. Times have changed and will continue to change; yes we are living in extraordinary times. We have to get together, pull all of our resources, staying all on the same page. Then my only hope is for the church to be that icon so needed in these extraordinary times.

All Quotes credit to – Onward Howard Schultz with Joanne Gordon.