The Eagle

As I gazed out my kitchen window, I saw a highway department truck stop. The man on the passenger side got out with a shovel; scooped up a dead varmint from the road and tossed it over into the ditch. It wasn't long until a big bird swooped down, lighting beside the varmint. We do have eagles that fly over our home quite frequently. I don't like to think of a bird as majestic and beautiful as an eagle being a carrion, but they are. At a distance, I wasn't sure if it was ...a buzzard or an eagle.

As I considered what I had just seen, I thought about how God swoops down from Heaven in all of His beauty and majesty and cleans up the messes we make in our lives. Sometimes, thankfully, He confronts us before we have made a complete mess of things. He gives strength to young and old to face the trials and temptations of life when we tire of fighting them ourselves.

Most of the time, the problems we face can be overcome if we just wait on the Lord; ask Him to give us strength and power and then acknowledge His presence and thank Him for helping us through the storms in our lives.

What problems are you facing today? Are you trying to work out your difficulties on your own? Why not give them over to God and let Him swoop down and carry your problems and difficulties for you?

"He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind." Isaiah 40:29-30 (MSG

The Plans Are on Hold

Preparations for our vacation was complete. We would leave the next day for two weeks in sunny Florida. The girls were excited; I was excited; suitcases were packed and all we needed now was for morning to arrive.

Finally, John was home and we knew because of the look on his face, all was not well. It seems there was "a cog in the machinery" as they say and because of something unforeseen, our vacation was on hold. To say we were disappointed was putting it mildly. The girls were crushed; couldn't understand why we had to wait and moped around the next few days complaining and griping. Our family learned quickly when you own a business or have elderly parents, it means plans can never be set in concrete.

Have you ever had plans go down the tube? What was your reaction? Do you ever consider that there is a reason for the plan change? Perhaps we were saved from an accident that might have happened had we left that morning? Or could it have been the weather would be better at a later date? Most of the time, we had no idea why our plans didn't come to pass.

How do you react when the places you want to go or the things you hope will happen soon don't develop? Do you gripe and complain? Do you blame others? Or can you accept that it just wasn't in God's plan for that time?

I think God wants us to make plans. He wants us to plan for a future but He also wants us to be able to accept without grumbling when things don't work out exactly as we have planned and realize that He is in control of our lives.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

Happy Birthday, Cathy!

It was quite a long day beginning with the drive to Harrison on that cold, February morning. It ended as the clock was approaching 10:30 p.m. with a squalling baby girl being laid in my arms.

"I knew you were going to wait until we ran out of boys," the doctor said. " You realize I delivered 11 boys in a row the last couple of days."

Older Sister's comment upon receiving the call at her Grannie's home, where she had spent the day was, "Oh, well, Mother said we had a lot of girl clothes."

Her daddy and I could care less that "she was not a he". We were elated that all 6 lbs. 10 oz. of her was perfect......bald, but perfect.

Could it be possible this many years have passed?

Today, she isn't bald by any means, and she is perfect in every way in our eyes and the eyes of her family. There was never a more caring, giving, selfless person. God blessed her with musical ability. She gave piano lessons when she was in Middle School; played for school functions and was church pianist for a good number of years. For almost a quarter of a century, she has given of herself to hundreds and hundreds of students in her classroom and guided them through countless Quiz Bowl competitions and other extra curricular activities. She has patiently listened to their personal stories and helped ease the drama that comes during those teen years. God has first place in her heart even before her three beautiful girls and loving and devoted husband who adore her. And, as her parents, we couldn't be more proud of our sweet daughter.
Happy birthday, Cathy Jo! We love you to the moon and back !

"Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: “There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!” Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised