Giving Meaning

I was outdoors last Friday when I heard geese up in the air, honking as they traveled. I normally don’t think much of that kind of thing as Wichita has more geese than we know what to do with. The Arkansas River, lack of natural predators, and various ponds and bodies of water in housing developments make a great environment for them.
But for some reason, I looked up. Turns out these geese weren’t the coddled urban variety, but were very high in the air in the classic “V” shape. These geese were travelers, migrators (my spell checker doesn’t know what to do with that word). And they were traveling north. They were taking advantage of a strong southerly wind, honking as they went. I think this is about the earliest I have ever seen geese migrate back north.
Of course, many folks would attach all kinds of meaning to this sighting, citing global warming or some such. And that may all be true. I, however, was just pleased that I looked up and caught a glimpse of the marvelous nature all around us. These kinds of things sort of make my day.
I hope you find things in your day that make it special, pleasant, and fulfilling. If you don’t regularly do that, maybe you need to expend a little energy to discover those things in your world that give life meaning. Life is indeed worth living no matter what the circumstances. The great writer of first century Christian literature, Paul of Tarsus, said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians chapter 4.

Marvelous Weather

Take a look at the accompanying picture, which I screen-saved from the National Weather Service website. I saved enough of the picture when I cropped it that you know the day and time referred to, and know that it’s the Wichita area.
There are parts of nine different watches and warnings plus an area of “short term forecast” in the Wichita area map. Now, I know that some of these are at the very edge of the map; nevertheless, there is everything from a blizzard warning to a red flag warning and everything in between, including tornado watch in a relatively small area.
Such is the weather in this part of the country. Blizzards are accompanied by tornadoes and flooding in a relatively small geographic area. Severe weather is expected to hit us later tonight after about 10pm. Then rain and later on, snow on Sunday.
This should be an interesting 24 hours in Kansas.

Love

Our deep question forum is talking about love right now. Oh, in case you didn’t know, several of us in my family as well as some hangers-on have a private, on-line forum where we talk about various issues brought up by one of us.
My niece brought up the subject of love and asked some questions to the rest of the group. We’ve been replying over the past few days. Most recently, my brother in law has responded.
Isn’t love one of those most remarkable of things! You can’t see it, but you can feel it. You can’t touch it, but you can hold onto it. You can’t understand it, but you can’t live without it. What a marvelous thing, this love.
And how many manifestations does love have? Let’s see. There’s patriotism (love for country), brotherly (or familial) love, unselfish (agape) love, erotic (eros) love…the list goes on. Then there’s the daddy of them all, according to Christianity, the love of God for humans.
No wonder the great 1st century Jewish writer Paul of Tarsus said that of the big three, faith, hope, and love, “The greatest of these is love,” and that “Love never fails.” Even the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob said, “I will never leave you. I will never fail you.” And John, the writer of great Christian literature and companion and apostle of Jesus said, “God is love.”
How could something so marvelous have come about? By chance? By happenstance? Give me a break. Love is without a doubt one of the greatest apologetics for the existence of God. Today, as you go about your day and see love in action, think just for a moment about where you’d be without it.

Just Things

The weather has been great the past couple of days. Much the opposite of just a few days ago, the temps have warmed up and the ground is actually beginning to thaw. Snow is pretty much gone and one would think it was mid-March. From the deep freeze to the balmy spring in just a day or two is quite a change even for those of us in the mid-section of the country.
Spring weather is always a joy to watch. Yes, I know it isn’t spring yet, but it’s close and the warmer weather patterns in general mean that spring probably will be pushed a little closer toward the first of the year. The clash between air masses peaks about the first of May, and there’s a gradual crescendo up to that time here in this area.
We’re working already to develop ideas for the girls this summer. We’re fleshing out ideas for church camp, outings, trips home, summer tutoring, service projects, part time work, and other things. Some of the girls will spend most of the summer break at home or with relatives. Others will sort of come and go. Yet others will remain here most of the time.
I’m a little apprehensive about summer, but that ‘s just because we’ve never done that here before. I’m sure it will be shorter than ever and before we know it, they’ll be heading back to school.
The adventure truly does continue for us. We’re pleased we can be in this place at this time and look forward to however much continued service we are allowed in the future.

Boundaries

We here at the home are taking in a study on boundaries. We’re using a book called “Boundaries”. On the cover, it says, “When to say YES; When to say NO to take control of your life.” It’s authored by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.
We’ve just started the study, so I don’t know much about it yet. However, one thing I said during the introductory session was that I have been reading and studying the Bible for more years than I can count and have never associated God’s Word with the idea of setting boundaries in real life.
Now, you may think it a bit strange that I never made that association, but I rather imagine that there are a few things in the Bible that haven’t clicked for you. It should prove to be an interesting study, especially since one of the big things we work with our girls on is setting and observing proper boundaries in their behavior and attitudes.
Many times we seem to think of boundaries as being some sort of arbitrary and subjective ideas that exist because others want to make our lives miserable. We even think of that sometimes when it comes to God’s boundaries for us (now admit it…you’ve thought of God as the ultimate mean parent, haven’t you!).
This should prove to be an interesting study. After all, God created boundaries when He created the creation. So they are, when used as He intends, good. I think we’re going to have a ten-session study over the same number of weeks. It may be an enlightening ten weeks.

You Get What You Get

My, my, but isn’t it a mite nippy here (and elsewhere). I would say something funny about where’s global warming when you need it, but I think that’s something we need to take a serious look at. I’m not convinced the doomsday folks are correct; neither do I think those on the other side are necessarily correct when they poo-poo the whole idea. I wish I’d hear from someone who is an authority who doesn’t otherwise have an agenda, political, financial, or philosophical, to peddle. Now, that WOULD be refreshing, wouldn’t it?
I got some comments on the cold showers. By the way, I’ve not had to turn off the hot water…yet. It’s interesting what folks comment on and what they leave alone. I wudda never thunk that showers could push some folks’ buttons. I guess I live and learn.
Arthur (arthritis) has come to visit me rather big-time this week. I can barely move my thumbs at all, and they hurt constantly, even with Aleve in my system. I hope this cold goes away soon. I got out the hot paraffin bath this morning. It’s still warming up after being plugged in for two hours. I can’t wait to bask in its warmth for a few minutes. If you are plagued by stiff hand joints, invest $20 in a paraffin bath. Most drug stores (I got mine at Walgreens) have them. Besides, they help keep skin from drying out and cracking.
I know this is just kind of a potpourri of things. But I feel kind of pot-whatever today. You get what you get.

Holidays and Such

Today is Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure of the origin of the day and don’t really care. To me, it’s not a big deal; just as any other holiday isn’t a big deal. We aren’t doing much here in the cottage either, but one of the girls did volunteer to get up early and fix heart-shaped pancakes. She also cut out a heart shape from the middle of a slice of bread and put an egg into it and cooked it. The effort was laudable, even if not all of the pancakes and eggs were perfect.
Look at the things we celebrate during any given year. The new year. Love. Our honored dead. The independence of our nation. The laborer. God’s providence and goodness. The birth of Jesus. Yes, I know there are many, many others, but these seem to be the big ones.
Why do we choose these things? Why not other things that are also important? I don’t know, but I do know that even though I don’t make much of a to-do about holidays, life would be much more dull and routine without the occasional break.
So, if you’re like me and don’t do much with holidays, at least enjoy the break from the mundane and savor the enjoyment of others as they celebrate. Happy Valentine’s Day.

To Toe the Line

Try as I might, I can’t figure out what people do in the shower for 20, 30, 45 minutes. How long does it take to wash body parts? Now, I know that especially in the winter, a hot shower is soothing and comforting, but there’s only so much soothe and comfort that can be had from a spray of warm (or hot) water. Beyond that, it becomes something to be endured, not savored.
We’re having “issues” with long showers here at the home. I understand that girls maybe might need to be in there a couple minutes longer, due to hair, etc., but I can’t fathom the necessity of a 30 minute trip under the falls, so to speak.
So we’ve made yet another rule (sigh). I know where the hot water cut-off valve is in the basement and will not hesitate to use it when I deem it to be appropriate. I can just imagine the cries of the first one upon whom I impose the “That’s all, folks!” rule. Actually, in a possibly somewhat perverse way I’m looking forward to doing it, because it usually only takes one or two times…then they all get it and toe the line. It’s kind of interesting to see that process take place.
Now, if we can just get parents and caregivers on board and “toe the line” early on in the lives of their children, so I won’t even need to be here….

This Is the Day

I love caring for girls. I had only been out of our room for a minute or two when an “issue” came forth regarding one of the girls hogging the bathroom and taking a tub bath in the morning when three other people needed to use the bathroom. Of course, the tub bath person was totally miffed at having people knock on the bathroom door, and the others were miffed because the tub bath person ran the water heater dry.
I managed to quell the developing revolt and lynching in the hallway and will issue an edict today that henceforth, all bathing in the morning hours will be shower only and only for ten minutes or less. I know where the hot water valve is in the basement and will readily cut off the hot water to the offender who showers longer than 10 minutes. Having to complete the shower in cold water may help deter would-be slackers.
Of course, that won’t be the only consequence. Extra chores, room time, or other consequences will reinforce the lesson.
---30 minutes later---Now I have two girls on thirty minutes chair time for having their bedroom door closed when no one was changing or otherwise needing it closed. One of those in the chair also has the consequence of going to church today without any makeup because she was applying it in her room, yet another infraction.
It’s been an interesting morning so far, and promises to get even better as the day lurches onward. I’ve yet to do room checks, which will come in 10 minutes (I know at least a couple of areas aren’t picked up, and won’t be by the “deadline”. How do I know that? I dunno…I guess a house dad’s intuition). We may have attitude issues in church or later that we’ll need to deal with, ad infinitum.
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Time Off

Today is Friday. For many, it’s the start of a weekend filled with alternate activities. Alternate, that is, to the normal work world of Monday through Friday. Some will go on a day trip somewhere. Others will shop. Some will do chores like clean the garage or change the oil in the car. Yet others will use the weekend to catch up on household and other things that they didn’t have time to do during the week…laundry, bill-paying, cooking, cleaning.
For us, though, the weekend is work just as during the week, except we don’t have time during the day when the girls are off to school. They’re with us all the time and require supervision all the time. There’s no such thing as leaving the girls at the house and our going off for lunch somewhere. We work 24-7 during the time we’re on duty, so this weekend will actually be more intense as far as work is concerned.
The nice thing about this arrangement, though, is that we get a week off every fourth week. We work three weeks on and have a full week off. That takes some getting used to, because we just aren’t familiar with taking that much time off in one chunk, and doing so every four weeks.
Sometimes we go someplace and visit the kids or whoever. Sometimes we just sit at the house and enjoy the quiet. Other times, we’ll take in a concert or theater if something good is playing. Often, we’ll find time during that time to see family, whether hers or mine.
We don’t have our next week off for a couple more weeks. So this week, we’ll enjoy having the girls with us and working with them on things that are of importance to their well-being. Meanwhile, we’ll look forward, in the back of our minds, to a couple of weeks from now when we can relax and take some time to ourselves.

Wise as Serpents

I was just spammed by someone who wants to award me with an honorary doctorate. Just for kicks, I went to the website. Come to find out they say they are in Pennsylvania, and will also offer other degrees. I can get a “real” doctorate for a minimum $2,500 “freewill offering” sent in advance by bank draft.
You know, I should print up my own degree. I can do it for much, much less than $2,500 and don’t have to give anyone any personal information, with which they can steal my identity. Oh, yes, that’s a requirement, too. Personal information sufficient to populate a phony driver’s license, along with two photos, passport size. Guess what they’ll use THAT information for.
I haven’t a clue why anyone would respond to such a come-on. And I myself briefly was taken in on this site, because I wondered if they had a real address or were just a mail drop. The site showed photos of a church and other buildings, saying that it was the location of the university. I caught myself thinking, “Well, at least there is a real location.”
Then I thought, “How do I know that these photos are photos of THEIR buildings, and not just some buildings somewhere that they choose to photograph?” What is it about these things that makes us believe what we see on a screen, even when we know that it’s a scam?
It’s just that kind of gullibility, as demonstrated by Yours Truly, that sucks otherwise intelligent people into these things and causes all kinds of problems. Some would argue that we desire to please and not offend. Others would say that we want to believe the best in others. I don’t disagree with that.
But I turn to Christian Scripture and say that Jesus himself said we were to be “wise as serpents”. That must mean something, even outside of the context in which it was said. A little preventive medicine goes a long way in this arena.

Redeeming the Time

It’s the start of yet another day. I wonder how many days I have seen come and go in my lifetime. Let’s see, 365 ¼ days every year (to account for leap years) times 57 is 20,819, plus another 100 days or so for this current partial year is almost 21,000 mornings that have come my way.
So, what have I done with those 21,000 chances to make a difference? What have I done with the time that has been given to me? Why was I given any chances at life at all?
Yes, I know that some of those chances came when I was a year old and didn’t have a clue what philosophical questions were. But by far, most of those mornings came when and while I was very much aware of my existence and my shot at life.
It’s a rather sobering thought to know that most times I didn’t give it a second thought. I never had an inkling that I should be making the most of the time (How does the Bible say it… “redeeming the time”?) given to me.
Don’t obsess over it today, but just think today for a minute or two about the days you’ve already been given and what you’ve done with them. If you come up short, don’t beat yourself silly; rather start the process of redeeming the time in a manner worthy of the incredible gift you’ve been given.

A Wonderful World

In church today we sang number 180 in the songbook. Oh, you don’t know that one, do you, because you don’t have the same book that we have. OK. It is Jesus Is Lord and goes like this:

Jesus is Lord, my redeemer,
How He loves me, how I love him.
He is risen, He is coming,
Lord come quickly, Hallelujah.

In the singing of the song, the men start out and the women follow with their part. On the last verse, there is a female descant that goes like this:

He was born to die on Calvary’s tree
To redeem a lost humanity.
Conqu’ring death He rose triumphantly;
And He reigns thru all eternity.

Now, these words don’t mean nearly as much seeing them on a page as they did when we sang them this morning. We sing acappella in our church, and the descant was just gorgeous. Female voices joined in song are truly God’s handiwork and a part of God’s design for beauty and grace.
I am blessed to be able to hear voices praising in song, symphonies immersed in music, and crows outside caw-ing in the trees. What a wonderful world this is.

The Eagle

When we left church this morning, one of the men outside pointed over to the river and said there was a bald eagle over there. We looked and sure enough, one was flying over the river, sometimes diving down to the water. He was far enough away we couldn’t see what he was diving for, but presumed it was some kind of fish or food.
Eagles once were an endangered species and still aren’t back in that many numbers. However, it isn’t unusual to see them here in Kansas this time of year around rivers and bodies of water, even in town as we were (our church is in downtown Wichita).
The eagle has managed to become a symbol of everything good about America. Power, strength, grace and beauty are all part of it. Size undoubtedly plays a part in our associating the eagle with our nation. But the part I like best is the way the eagle is depicted on the Great Seal of the United States…with the olive branch in one (the right) talon. It has always been a mark of a great nation to work harder to wage peace as to make war. I pray that we will always be a nation that loves peace.