Ordinary things of life...

"It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God - but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people - and this is not learned in five minutes."

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

So here is to our ordinary lives. To the quiet moments before we begin our days, reading our Bibles, praying,  laundry, dusting, sweeping, cooking, laughing, crying, driving, resting, shopping, eating, drinking, talking, walking, planning, doing, Sunday Worship Services, mid-week prayer meetings, visiting hospital rooms, visits to the doctors, tests, school,weddings,  grilling, family reunions, swimming, exercise classes, ball games, funerals, book clubs discussions, family visits, hugs, celebrations, times in waiting rooms, quiet nights under a starry night sky... and so goes the list. 

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Musings ... coaches

Since I have had knee replacement surgery, I have had three coaches.

My first coach/nurse has been with me from the beginning. He sat with me in the waiting room. Prayed with me before surgery. After surgery, he held my hand, walked with me, and provided for my physical needs. He held me steady when I took my first steps at home, changed my dressings, and made sure that I took my medicine. In countless ways, this coach has been my rock.

My second coach arrived from Omaha over a week ago. This coach has compassion combined with a sweet sense of humor.  She selected music to accompany my exercises at home. She was a driver to my physical therapy appointments.  Her constant question… “Where is your cane?’

She and her husband returned to their home yesterday.

My third coach arrived from Thailand on Christmas day. His mantra, “Don’t look at the clock. Just make sure you have the right form in doing your exercises.” He brings us short videos from the Economist for me to watch.

My heart is full of gratitude for my coaches.

“Coaching is all about having someone believe in you and encourage you and giving your valuable feedback, about seeing things from a new perspective and setting your sights on new horizons.”

Author Unknown

Do you have a coach?

Sunday Scripture

"Great is the LORD and most
worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy
mountain.
It is beautiful in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth.
Like the utmost heights of
Zaphon is Mount Zion,
the city of the Great King.
God is in her citadels;
he has shown himself to be her
fortress."
Psalm 48:1-3 (NIV)

in my heart ...

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Charles Dickens

This Christmas was the first time our celebration extended beyond our family. Friends gathered in our home. It was a day of celebrating the good gifts that God has given us. We remembered how we have recovered from illnesses and surgery. We lingered over a late breakfast. Made an afternoon trip to Walgreens and Steak and Shake. Shared recipes, work memories, and made a trip to the airport.  

Then, around seven, we sat down to our Christmas dinner.  It was a daylong celebration of the gifts of love and family centered in our love for each other and God. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him should never perish but have everlasting life. “John 3:16

We ended our visit with prayer.

Wordless Wednesday

Unfailing love

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you."
Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

Tech Thursday

There are nerds and then there are blerds.

Blerds are loveable tech savvy folks who solve technology issues and just happen to be black.  This week’s tech savvy person is a young mechanical engineer from Georgia. “J” is a graduate from Georgia Tech.

“J” is a sweet combination of a keen intellect, compassion, courage, humor and beauty.  In the midst of a year of trials and tribulations, she has inspired others, as she has been faithful to God. God has given her His strength. 

Wise beyond her young years, God blessed "J" with wonderful parents, a loving family, and loyal friends. This year she lost both of her parents, a best friend and a cousin. How do you face tragedy? If you know God, you know that there are no events in our lives that take God by surprise. God knows each sunrise and sunset that each of us will experience.  

Knowing Jesus as our Savior makes all the difference. When we are faithful to God, obedient to His commands, we can trust God to see other Christians again in Heaven. 

  I am blessed to know this beautiful young woman  because of my husband. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

My surgery is in my rearview mirror. Now I focus on recovery and physical therapy. Yesterday's physical therapy was challenging.  I did not want the physical therapist to see the tears in my eyes.  It was painful. Almost every exercise forces me to engage muscles that were screaming... "Stop that." Yes, I must work hard to regain mobility.

As I was leaving the facility, I had three small Hershey Chocolate Kisses. They were a small reward for the session. Those kisses were so tasty.

Monday Musings... guardrails

Last week in the Wall Street Journal Kimberley Strassel, wrote a column titled, “ No Political Guardrails.  In this piece she referenced Dan Henninger’s article No Guardrails. Henninger’s article was written in 1993.

Rather than regurgitate the entire article, I think this quote by Henninger’s in 1993 perfectly describes   some people (Trump),   “Who don’t think rules of personal conduct or civil conduct apply to them.”

Strassel goes on to say this,  “We are witnessing the political version of phenomenon. That’s how to make sense of presidential race that grows more disconnected from normality by the day.”

If you are interested the entire article is available online.  No Political Guardrails is worth reading.

It helps me make sense of candidates like Donald J. Trump.

Sunday Scripture

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you have heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. “

Colossians 1 : 15 – 23 (NIV)

Traditions

I can give credit to Sir Henry Cole for one of my Christmas traditions. What tradition? Christmas Cards.

Sir Henry Cole was a government worker in UK. In 1843, Sir Henry wanted  ‘ordinary people’ to use the new Public Post Office.  Sir Henry and his friend John Horsley created the first card and sold them for one shilling a piece.  

Since then, the tradition of sending Christmas cards and holiday greetings are a part of many cultures. Whether they are handmade or designed by Hallmark or Day Spring Christmas cards continue to have some appeal.

Check out more information about the history of Christmas Cards here: www.whychristmas.com

I look forward to finishing my Christmas cards tomorrow.   

Telephone calls and text messages

"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."

Western Union Internal Memo 1876

At the time in 1876 it must have been impossible for the people at Western Union to understand the way in which the telephone would transform society. Today, it almost impossible to visual a day without the use of our phones.

Last Thursday, I received a call from my surgeon. He was checking in on me.  I also received texts from his office. Phone calls and texts have been instrumental to ask questions and receive information. 

Since I am homebound, I am grateful for the technology. 

This afternoon, I wanted to talk to my family. So from Indiana to North Carolina, I had sweet phone visits. I love to hear the voices of my family and friends.  I also love see their smiles. 

Walking

It's been a week since my knee replacement surgery.  

"I dream of hiking into my old age. "
Marilyn Doan

Tasty Tuesday

"If you really want 

to make a friend,

go to someone's house

and eat with him ...

the people who give

you their food

give you their heart."

Cesar Chavez

Then... there are friends you bring you meals as you recover from surgery.  Preparing meals is the last thing you are able to do when you recover from surgery.  What a gift to have friends bring meals.
Friendships are a treasure. 

Monday Musings... character

Our behavior reveals our true character.  When we observe people, we discover something about their character. Listen to their conversations. Check out how they interact with  people. You will discover a part of their personality.

What if someone ridicules a person with a physical disability? What do you think if a person continually makes mention of their wealth, position, and power? Or maybe they are quick to judge another person's physical beauty.

I think Donald Trump's behavior reveals a lack of humility, kindness, sensitivity, and compassion.   His cookie cutter brash statements appeal to some voters. Instead of giving thoughtful well reasoned speeches, he seems to delight in creating headlines instead of solutions. I am appalled by Donald Trump.

There are so many other well qualified and experienced candidates that possess the character traits that would better serve our country.  Here are four Republican candidates who are better than Trump.
Gov. Kasich, Gov. Christie, Senator Rubio, and Former Gov. Jeb Bush

On the Democratic side, there is no drama. Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, offers a sharp contrast to the "Donald".

Whatever your party... please stay engaged in the process.

In a previous post, I mentioned  last month I was in South Carolina.  I attended a Town Hall meeting held by Senator Tim Scott.  I also met Mary Amonitti, President of the Republican Women of South Beaufort  County.

In my one meeting with Mary, I discovered that she is a caring person. She is active in her church, community, politics and is an amazing Real Estate Agent.

... as an evening offering

Oh LORD, I am calling to you. Please hurry!
Listen when I call to you for help!
Accept my prayer as incense offered to you!
And as my upraised hands as an evening offering.

Take control of what I say, O LORD,
and guard my lips.
Don't let me drift toward evil
or take part in wickedness.

Psalm 141: 1- 4 a (NLT)

Sunday Scripture

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your heart. For as member of one body you are called to life in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3: 12-17 ( New Living Translation)