Cha-cha-cha-changes!

Have you noticed how often I change the backgrounds to this blog?  I get it to a point then think perhaps I'll tweak it a bit, then end up scrapping the whole thing for something new.  I suppose it is a lot like dressing each day.  A different day, a different outfit.  For now, for this moment in time - I have selected Black & White!

In my line of work (state service) we have a number of policies and procedures.  They are to help guide us and to keep us from doing something that would cause embarrassment or even criminal charges.  There are a number of them and if placed end to end with the Bible, I'm sure it would exceed the number of words in the Word of God.  

Some people find the policies and procedures restrictive and consider them to be "suggestions" rather than what they were intended for.  I happen to like policy and procedure - everything in 'black & white' - no grey areas.  And it is available to all employees.

Like the Word of God, however, you have to read them to know them.  That is time consuming.  All too often we hear, "But I didn't know that was in policy!"  Does that excuse the infraction?  By no means.  Sometimes employees have even been dismissed due to the severity of their actions. 

The wonderful part of God's Word and work is Grace.  The marvelous Grace that that attends our soul.  That is not to say that we do not have to suffer the consequences of our actions or our non action.  It merely means that we can be forgiven and then covered with a mantel of Grace.  Grace, however, is no license for continued defiance against the Word of God.  This makes me think of the old hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" which is now swirling about my head in four-part harmony!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,

Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

This hymn was written by Haldor Lillenas in 1918.

So there it is the reason I am in Black & White today.  And maybe for tomorrow, and the next day...

May your day be blessed,

Tamara

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Stones of Remembrance - redoux!

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

I think perhaps this title should have been reserved for my husband's bout with kidney stones!  I'm sure he'd rather forget than to remember all the pain and discomfort he's been experiencing.

On Wednesday, he had a procedure where one of the stones was manually extracted / crushed and a stent was placed.  He experienced a lot of pain and couldn't or wouldn't be released from the out patient clinic until he had been able to 'go potty.'  This process began at 5:30 a.m. and we were there until 3:00 p.m.

The doctor came to the surgical waiting room and spoke with me after the procedure. Basically he told me he had crushed and removed most of the 7 mm kidney stone. Then a stent was placed from his kidney to his bladder. The doctor told me how to remove the stent on Friday.  WHAT??? YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT???  YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT???

In the mean time, Dennis was taking his pain medication every six hours.  We stayed in Tucson an extra day, just in case we needed to return to the hospital, then returned home Thursday afternoon / early evening.  Early on Friday morning, I called our local family doctor and scheduled an appointment. The soonest one could be had was at 3:50 p.m.  By noon, Dennis asked me to try and remove the stent as he was having such discomfort.  PANIC!!!   I am not a medical professional and I believe some things should not be tried at home! 

I washed my hands as if preparing for a surgical theater, then removed the tape holding the surgical thread in place, wrapped the thread around my first three fingers and did exactly as the doctor had described - pulled firmly out.  VIOLA!   Just a smooth as could be the stent came out and Dennis experienced immediate relief.  Short lived, but relief for the moment!

Just so you know, I have no illusions or delusions of entering the medical field - it is a wise person who knows their limitations!

When we were married 33 years ago and we wrote our own vows, but incorporated the 'for better / for worse' portion of the traditional marriage ceremony.  Thus far we've seen:

for better for worse

for richer for poorer

in sickness and in health

And he's seen me through 'thick and thin' too!  Yes, it's true... I've expanded my horizons.

Marriage, it's not for sissies or the self absorbed.  In all honesty, there have been times I've wanted to 'opt out', walk away, sometimes run and never return.  But the truth of the matter is this:  Love is not a feeling.  It is an act of volition.  I can think of no one else I would want to be there with me at the end of my life. To hold my hand, to utter prayers on my behalf or vice versa.

I don't think young persons today understand that there are seasons to marriage, such as there are seasons to life.  It starts out with all the passion and emotions of new love, but eventually that takes a step back and the season of nurturing children and making a living comes to the forefront. Oh, there's still the flicker of the flame of passion, but not like in the beginning.  Seasons change.  Priorities change. And the love that began seems so superficial now in comparison to the deeper, richer relationship that has grown over the course of years.

Forgiveness, respect and a good sense of humor are a big part of the marriage relationship, too.  We've learned to not use each other as the brunt of jokes for others amusement.  We each have our own set of emotions the other cannot experience or fathom. We are different - male and female and we feel things differently. That does not mean that one is more superior than another, merely different.

And so it goes... the good, the bad, and the ugly!  For better, for worse... for richer, for poorer... in sickness and in health... until death do we part!  Oh yes, thick and thin, too.

Proverbs 11:30 (New International Version)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

Winter was difficult here in the Southwest. Freeze and thaw, freeze and thaw… I don’t recall how many times that happened this past winter but it took a toll on trees in our area. We contracted with a professional tree trimmer who came this week and fell our eucalyptus tree. We’d had the fast growing tree for 15 years, had it ‘topped’ at least twice and it was still probably close to 40 feet tall. It was a difficult decision to make, but it was more dangerous to let her stand. (Why have I given the tree a feminine pronoun?)

The tree doctor and his assistant came at 6 a.m. to begin their work. I left for work early as I knew I would fret and mourn the loss of this tree and its shade – a valuable commodity here in Arizona. Even though the tree did not produce leaves this year and was obviously dead, it was still a difficult (and let’s not forget pricey) decision.

So the contractor began laying out his equipment. The saws, the ropes, the harnesses, the safety belts and the spikes for his boots… That’s when I saw him, he placed the safety belt/harness around the tree, then held the tree with both hands, bowed his head and prayed. I was amazed and comforted!

I left for work and at the end of the day dreaded what I would find (or better - not find) in my back yard when I returned home. The contractor cleaned up so well and even stacked the wood for our later use in the fire pit. The tree trunk was level to the ground. My husband Dennis had planted some geraniums around the patio, moved the Mexican clay chiminea to a new spot and had moved the water fountain to a new spot where I can sit on the patio and look and listen to it.

Dennis said the tree doctor found three nests in the tree – two old and unused and one that still had eggs in it. He said the tree doctor prayed over the nest before removing it. We had some Mourning Doves that we’re thinking were the eggs owners/family.

I am comforted by the fact the birds are still visiting what we had deliberately designed as a sanctuary for them and for the care, comfort and concern of our contractor! What a blessing in spite of loss. The remaining portion of the tree trunk is now holding a bird bath.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father – thank you for Your provision in not only the tree but in also leading us to the right contractor for its removal. Thank you that it was only one tree that needed to be removed and not the other two in addition. May our back yard be a place of respite and comfort for our grandchildren and for the birds that come to feed. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

Hope

Job 4:6 (New American Standard Bible)
 

6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

It’s been busy here in the southwest. Last week was the Law Enforcement Torch Run or LETR. My agency participates by giving of funds or walking, riding a horse, a bike and carrying the “torch” through town for the Special Olympics. All funds raised go to that most honorable event. Then we also had appreciation week for the Corrections Officers.


Cinco de Mayo was celebrated this week and culminated with a parade today. So much of the SW is filled with the Hispanic culture in the form of architecture, art and of course - food.


The Relay for Life event was held last night beginning at 6 p.m. and ended today at 8 a.m. This annual event is held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society where the lives of cancer survivors are celebrated and those who lost the battle are honored.


Then we celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow.


Our grandchildren spent the night with us and wore us out! We bought them roller skates, helmets and made them wear kneepads. I believe our granddaughter Abby will be training for the Roller Derby.


As I look back over this list of events, I’m struck by how in some manner that all exude hope. Hope for the continuing understanding and acceptance of those in our communities who are mentally challenged; hope that our Corrections Officers know how appreciated and honored they are, not just during this week, but all year long; hope that tolerance and understanding will be afforded to different cultures and different ‘tribes’ in our communities; hope for those who battle a most formidable foe – cancer, and finally hope for the Mothers who believe that life must continue on.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father – fill us with hope. Grant us compassion and tolerance for those who are different. Grant us empathy and understanding for those who suffer in one form or another. Grant us the energy and stamina to raise children and grandchildren. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

I Lift Up My Eyes...

Psalm 121 (New International Version, ©2011)

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.


3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.


7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

The commute with my new position is quite substantial now. Sometimes there is a group of us who carpool together and then there are other times when I make the trek alone. It is a beautiful drive into the mountains and when I am alone the first two verses of Psalm 121 are what come to mind.

Living in the valley as we do, we are surrounded by mountains. If I’ve been away for awhile, I always feel comforted when I return and see the mountains; it is as if God is surrounding me with His love and protection.

There have been times when I’ve been at the community medical center for some rather unpleasant medical tests. During those times I look out the window and focus on the mountain and those verses that have given me so much comfort. Some of those tests have been a spinal tap and the most recent a physical cardio stress test. Not fun, but necessary at the time. Even now when I think I am facing something unbearable, I recall the spinal tap and remind myself – if I got through that, I can get through anything with God’s help!

When I am depressed and cannot pray I sometimes read the Psalms as prayers. Other times I write them out in my journal in my own words and offer them to the Lord as a sacrifice of praise.

What is it you find yourself doing when the times get rough?  Do you have a favorite scripture you cling to?  A special prayer you resort to or perhaps a devotional or meditation?

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer this day. Thank you for the beauty of the mountains and the comfort I feel in them. Thank you for the opportunity in this new position and for the chance to ‘stretch and grow’. Guide and direct my steps this day and may I be a blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we're His,

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE
“We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Romans 5:2-5

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Births and funerals. Health and disease. It seems that life has its contrasts. On one hand we have the promised land, on the other we have the wilderness. None of us goes through life unscathed. We all have trials and difficulties. Some self inflicted others inflicted upon us. Paul knew that the temptation during difficulties is to complain and give up, so he wrote to the church in Rome to encourage them during their time of persecution. Paul admits to them that on one hand we have our hope of heaven and on the other hand we have suffering in this life but he instructs us in both circumstances to rejoice. I understand the rejoicing in the hope of heaven, but why would Paul say that we should rejoice in our sufferings? Paul says we should rejoice in our sufferings because of “hope”. Hope is the word that makes all the difference. You see our suffering produces perseverance which produces character which results in hope. But what really makes hope spectacular is what Paul writes next. Five words: “Hope does not disappoint us!” Hope in Christ will never fail. Today, you may have disappointment. You may have difficulties. But friend, today you also have hope!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, today, where there is darkness help me see hope. Where there is pain help me feel hope. Where there is disappointment help me realize hope and where there is doubt, fear and anxiety, help me know hope. Father, thank You that You promised that Your hope will not disappoint us. I receive Your hope today. In Jesus name ~Amen

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara