"A friend loves at all times..."
Proverbs 17:17
"Steel Magnolias"--that's the term Jim gave them some years ago. We had met at church in the Young Married department and traveled down teething and tantrum roads together, trading hand-me-downs along the way. For several years we gathered together on the first day of school with sack lunches for ourselves and the not-yet-school-age younger siblings to pray for our children and their teachers. We helped each other move from one house to another and kept each other's children so we could enjoy a date night with our husbands. We were the core of Baptist Young Women and still called ourselves that long after we didn't qualify. Through the years we have rejoiced in one another's family triumphs and wept through one another's trials. In spite of 200 miles and 10 years separation, God has graciously helped us preserve these precious friendships, and I am so grateful.
I've always loved the movie Steel Magnolias as it portrays the strength and beauty of Southern women and their friendships. Jim watched it with me more than once as I giggled and sobbed my way through. Perhaps it wasn't until we had moved here that he designated this title for my Mississippi girlfriends, but clearly this was a compliment. He recognized this unique tapestry of honesty, trust, and compassion woven together with faith. He often said, "It does you good to be with them." (I think that meant I was kinder and gentler after they had visited or when I returned from a few days in Hattiesburg.)
Not until recently did I think about the role of comforter that these women play in the movie. (This is the part where I laugh and cry intermittently.) Yesterday my own Steel Magnolias came to be by my side on a difficult day in this grief journey--what would have been Jim's and my 25th anniversary. A couple of weeks ago they had asked what I was doing on the 20th, and when I replied that I had no plans, they said, "Well, you do now. We're coming. We'll do whatever you want to do--even if that's nothing." Two of the four had taken off work. They brought chicken salad, pimento cheese, croissants, and cookies for dinner and even brought muffin mix and fresh peaches for breakfast. Their visit lasted a little over 24 hours as they headed back on the 3 1/2 hour trip around 7:30 last night. Surely this is the love in friendship as the Lord designed it. We laughed and cried as we wandered through my wedding album--those big hairstyles and white hose, those handsome, witty men in my dad and Jim. I had even dug out a piece I had written in June 1988 about our wedding day. These sweet friends indulged me and let me read it aloud--mushy as it was! More smiles and tears...
After that we headed to Vulcan Park, a popular Birmingham attraction that I had shamefully never visited in our ten years here. We struggled up the last of the 159 stairs of the tower, breathing a bit harder than we wanted to admit--gasping maybe? The view was definitely worth it though--truly spectacular as we gazed across downtown and surrounding areas. Then came the divine encounter: two delightful gray-haired ladies appeared from around the corner. Sisters they were-- "Q" (82) visiting from Arizona and Sue (76), a resident of nearby Fultondale. (They were wise and had ridden the elevator!) When they asked if the five of us were sisters, we laughed, but then I shared why these friends had come for a brief visit. We then learned that both of these women had lost their husbands last year to cancer--one in April and one in July. They each shared how the Lord was seeing them through (Sue had even lost her home in the tornado two days after her husband's funeral). What a genuine testimony of faith--what encouragement they offered! Sue's parting words: "You're going to be okay. You're going to make it. God will see you through." Eyes damp, I hugged this tender lady, so thankful that the Lord had arranged this meeting. He is so good.
After lunch at a Greek deli and some window shopping/browsing in downtown Homewood, we returned home and reflected on our day. It had been a good one--hard, but good. There were more tears, more memories, then the inevitable goodbyes. As I watched Cindy, Patty, Shellie, and Tami drive away, I could only offer praise to our Heavenly Father through my tears. He has blessed me abundantly--with these beloved Steel Magnolias from Mississippi and a myriad of steadfast friends here in Alabama who have faithfully prayed and "been there" along this journey. Grace upon grace...
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His love endures forever."
Psalm 118:1
Friday, June 22, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
A "Cool" Lesson
"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.'"
Exodus 16:4
I love Vacation Bible School. Year after year during worship, I sit near the back of the sanctuary with my sixth graders in awe. Hundreds of exuberant children, servant youth workers, and yes, tired adult teachers blanket the pews throughout the room. Singing praise songs, laughing at the drama video, cheering for the game participants, doing motions along with the sixth grade team of leaders--certainly different from VBS back in the day, but oh, what a glorious sight and sound! Most of all though, I love to hear the hearts of the children as we engage in small group Bible study first thing in the mornings.
My sweet friend Paula invited me to teach VBS with her the first full summer after we had moved to Hoover. We've been a team ever since. For several years we taught our youngest children (both now rising seniors), moving up with them each year. For the last several years though we have been planted in the sixth grade garden. What a delight! We have had an especially inspiring group of children this year--so knowledgeable yet eager to learn more. Their zeal is evident as they work to put memory verse puzzles together, act out scenes from Bible stories, and wave their hands vigorously wanting to answer questions. What a privilege to help water the seeds already planted that will one day produce a bountiful harvest of faith. I pray that they will remember Daniel's courage in the face of opposition and Paul's commitment to share Christ with others. I pray that one day they will see how God provides daily manna for them just as He did the Israelites. Last week He clearly reminded me of that promise.
Jim's parents were here for dinner Thursday night when I reached in the freezer to grab the ice bucket. Alas--there was a cluster of half melted ice cubes resting in a pool of water. A closer look revealed the unfortunate fact that our almost 20-year old refrigerator was history. We transported freezer items to the downstairs freezer (very thankful that we had one!) and placed other perishables in the ice chests. (I must say there are some advantages in cleaning out--I won't mention the date on a couple of items...) All of our appliances have come from Sears so I headed there Friday morning looking for another Whirlpool; twenty years seemed to be an impressive age for an appliance. The new refrigerator was delivered Saturday afternoon to some happy campers (all three boys were home.) Now here is the really cool part--the "God is still in the business of daily manna" part: I had been asked to do some editing a few weeks ago and received an email Monday of that week stating that I would receive a stipend for my services. What a nice surprise! But God (there's that beautiful phrase again) was not finished showing me how He would provide. On Saturday morning, just before the frig was delivered, I read an email from our school board office saying the state legislature had decided to appropriate funds for the original National Board stipend from 2010-11 school year--two years ago! (This stipend had been decreased due to budget cuts.) Add these two surprises together and the difference from the cost of the refrigerator was right at one hundred dollars! Yes, the Lord provided exactly what we needed precisely when we needed it. Now the refrigerator is somewhat of a centerpiece in our kitchen--surely it is visited often in this house. In days to come if my memory of the Lord's ample provision fades and I begin to grumble like those fickle Israelites, I need to look no further than my kitchen where He has left a giant reminder: "I am Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides." Amazing grace...
Back in the worship center I listen to these precious children sing the lyrics to Hillsong's "I'm Running to Your Arms":
"You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin.
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life
In You death has lost its sting.
Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign.
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, you are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go."
I pray that these words take root as our VBS children continue to grow in their knowledge of our Savior. For now they may only be words to some, but one day, one day I pray they will come to really know Him as their hope and their peace and their joy--their light when the darkness closes in. In His presence He does make us whole. He is here and for this day He will give us manna from heaven--just enough for this day. May we all--young and old--rest in that beautiful promise.
Exodus 16:4
I love Vacation Bible School. Year after year during worship, I sit near the back of the sanctuary with my sixth graders in awe. Hundreds of exuberant children, servant youth workers, and yes, tired adult teachers blanket the pews throughout the room. Singing praise songs, laughing at the drama video, cheering for the game participants, doing motions along with the sixth grade team of leaders--certainly different from VBS back in the day, but oh, what a glorious sight and sound! Most of all though, I love to hear the hearts of the children as we engage in small group Bible study first thing in the mornings.
My sweet friend Paula invited me to teach VBS with her the first full summer after we had moved to Hoover. We've been a team ever since. For several years we taught our youngest children (both now rising seniors), moving up with them each year. For the last several years though we have been planted in the sixth grade garden. What a delight! We have had an especially inspiring group of children this year--so knowledgeable yet eager to learn more. Their zeal is evident as they work to put memory verse puzzles together, act out scenes from Bible stories, and wave their hands vigorously wanting to answer questions. What a privilege to help water the seeds already planted that will one day produce a bountiful harvest of faith. I pray that they will remember Daniel's courage in the face of opposition and Paul's commitment to share Christ with others. I pray that one day they will see how God provides daily manna for them just as He did the Israelites. Last week He clearly reminded me of that promise.
Jim's parents were here for dinner Thursday night when I reached in the freezer to grab the ice bucket. Alas--there was a cluster of half melted ice cubes resting in a pool of water. A closer look revealed the unfortunate fact that our almost 20-year old refrigerator was history. We transported freezer items to the downstairs freezer (very thankful that we had one!) and placed other perishables in the ice chests. (I must say there are some advantages in cleaning out--I won't mention the date on a couple of items...) All of our appliances have come from Sears so I headed there Friday morning looking for another Whirlpool; twenty years seemed to be an impressive age for an appliance. The new refrigerator was delivered Saturday afternoon to some happy campers (all three boys were home.) Now here is the really cool part--the "God is still in the business of daily manna" part: I had been asked to do some editing a few weeks ago and received an email Monday of that week stating that I would receive a stipend for my services. What a nice surprise! But God (there's that beautiful phrase again) was not finished showing me how He would provide. On Saturday morning, just before the frig was delivered, I read an email from our school board office saying the state legislature had decided to appropriate funds for the original National Board stipend from 2010-11 school year--two years ago! (This stipend had been decreased due to budget cuts.) Add these two surprises together and the difference from the cost of the refrigerator was right at one hundred dollars! Yes, the Lord provided exactly what we needed precisely when we needed it. Now the refrigerator is somewhat of a centerpiece in our kitchen--surely it is visited often in this house. In days to come if my memory of the Lord's ample provision fades and I begin to grumble like those fickle Israelites, I need to look no further than my kitchen where He has left a giant reminder: "I am Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides." Amazing grace...
Back in the worship center I listen to these precious children sing the lyrics to Hillsong's "I'm Running to Your Arms":
"You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin.
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life
In You death has lost its sting.
Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign.
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, you are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go."
I pray that these words take root as our VBS children continue to grow in their knowledge of our Savior. For now they may only be words to some, but one day, one day I pray they will come to really know Him as their hope and their peace and their joy--their light when the darkness closes in. In His presence He does make us whole. He is here and for this day He will give us manna from heaven--just enough for this day. May we all--young and old--rest in that beautiful promise.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Best GPS
"The LORD will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Isaiah 58:11
Guide, satisfy, and strengthen--what beautiful promises those are! The English teacher in me loves to look at verbs in Scripture--the actions that the Lord says He will do. This verse declares that the Lord will indeed do these things, and I cling to that assurance. With summer's arrival, the path ahead for the next three months is more of a cloudy maze than the structured course of the school year. I desperately need a Guide! In this sun-scorched land He is teaching me so much. I pray that I might continue to listen for His voice as He faithfully directs my path.
Last Sunday I had planned to attend the wedding of a friend's son in Tuscaloosa on my way home from a quick trip to Jackson to see my mom. This had been on my agenda for several weeks. However, on Saturday I called our 89-year old former neighbor in Hattiesburg to check on her. She has been suffering intense pain with a compression fracture in her spine the last couple of weeks and had endured a very difficult week with new pain medicine that caused a severe reaction. As we were talking, I felt that gentle nudge, that whisper from the Lord saying, "You need to go to Hattiesburg from Jackson rather than Tuscaloosa." I wrestled with this decision because I had never considered not going to the wedding. After all, these were family friends and Caleb was actually singing as part of the ceremony. But by bedtime Saturday night, that beautiful peace prevailed as I set my new GPS (God's Path Surpasses) to the direction He had guided me.
Arriving in Hattiesburg on Sunday evening, I told Mrs. Bea that I wanted to help her with some household tasks while I was there. Now this sweet lady is fiercely independent, having lived alone for some 14 years since Mr. Elam passed away. Because we had lived across the street for ten years and remained close even after our move, I know her well and was not surprised when she was resistant to my desire to help. (I suggested to her that I had a few stubborn genes myself.) Then I reminded her that if Jim were here he would show his love for her by doing things for her--serving her. (One friend claims that he was the poster child for acts of service love language!) I shared that helping her would allow me to honor him in a way as well. She relented and allowed me to do a few chores around the house. I don't know if I've ever mopped so cheerfully! The satisfaction that helping Mrs. Bea brought is truly indescribable--another promise fulfilled.
As I reflect on the weekend, I see God's grace even more clearly. He allowed me to spend time with 3 of my favorite ladies: my mom and my Aunt Elaine in Jackson and dear Mrs. Bea in Hattiesburg. All of them have struggled through this grief journey I'm walking and found peace. They encourage my heart. Part of the Lord's provision too was protection from something perhaps I wasn't yet ready for--a wedding. But beyond that was His vision for the summer ahead (one that has actually been lengthened two weeks by our state legislature and recently looked a bit formidable.) How gracious that He would reveal to me on the very first day of summer how to best spend my extended time off--by giving, by serving--as Jesus modeled and Jim so often lived. Therein lies the joy! This experience has surely strengthened me for the days ahead as I eagerly anticipate what He has planned. I'm thankful the Lord has reminded me to seek His guidance daily and be careful to listen for His loving voice. I'm convinced that this will transform what was a barren wilderness of summer into a flourishing garden!
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smoot
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Isaiah 58:11
Guide, satisfy, and strengthen--what beautiful promises those are! The English teacher in me loves to look at verbs in Scripture--the actions that the Lord says He will do. This verse declares that the Lord will indeed do these things, and I cling to that assurance. With summer's arrival, the path ahead for the next three months is more of a cloudy maze than the structured course of the school year. I desperately need a Guide! In this sun-scorched land He is teaching me so much. I pray that I might continue to listen for His voice as He faithfully directs my path.
Last Sunday I had planned to attend the wedding of a friend's son in Tuscaloosa on my way home from a quick trip to Jackson to see my mom. This had been on my agenda for several weeks. However, on Saturday I called our 89-year old former neighbor in Hattiesburg to check on her. She has been suffering intense pain with a compression fracture in her spine the last couple of weeks and had endured a very difficult week with new pain medicine that caused a severe reaction. As we were talking, I felt that gentle nudge, that whisper from the Lord saying, "You need to go to Hattiesburg from Jackson rather than Tuscaloosa." I wrestled with this decision because I had never considered not going to the wedding. After all, these were family friends and Caleb was actually singing as part of the ceremony. But by bedtime Saturday night, that beautiful peace prevailed as I set my new GPS (God's Path Surpasses) to the direction He had guided me.
Arriving in Hattiesburg on Sunday evening, I told Mrs. Bea that I wanted to help her with some household tasks while I was there. Now this sweet lady is fiercely independent, having lived alone for some 14 years since Mr. Elam passed away. Because we had lived across the street for ten years and remained close even after our move, I know her well and was not surprised when she was resistant to my desire to help. (I suggested to her that I had a few stubborn genes myself.) Then I reminded her that if Jim were here he would show his love for her by doing things for her--serving her. (One friend claims that he was the poster child for acts of service love language!) I shared that helping her would allow me to honor him in a way as well. She relented and allowed me to do a few chores around the house. I don't know if I've ever mopped so cheerfully! The satisfaction that helping Mrs. Bea brought is truly indescribable--another promise fulfilled.
As I reflect on the weekend, I see God's grace even more clearly. He allowed me to spend time with 3 of my favorite ladies: my mom and my Aunt Elaine in Jackson and dear Mrs. Bea in Hattiesburg. All of them have struggled through this grief journey I'm walking and found peace. They encourage my heart. Part of the Lord's provision too was protection from something perhaps I wasn't yet ready for--a wedding. But beyond that was His vision for the summer ahead (one that has actually been lengthened two weeks by our state legislature and recently looked a bit formidable.) How gracious that He would reveal to me on the very first day of summer how to best spend my extended time off--by giving, by serving--as Jesus modeled and Jim so often lived. Therein lies the joy! This experience has surely strengthened me for the days ahead as I eagerly anticipate what He has planned. I'm thankful the Lord has reminded me to seek His guidance daily and be careful to listen for His loving voice. I'm convinced that this will transform what was a barren wilderness of summer into a flourishing garden!
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smoot
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16
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