Seeing One Another Through - Friday Foto Friends

In my last post A-little-nervous-energy and-it-isnt-even spring yet, I mentioned that I was preparing for a ladies' gathering at my home this week.  Well, today (writing this on Thursday) was the day...and what a glorious day it was! Nine beautiful ladies (and one charming little granddaughter with her grandmother) came together for a "Tea-Brunch", a time to "honor  and encourage our Pastor's Wives and Friends " with a time of fellowship and prayer....

This was an idea born out of a desire to bring together the pastor's wives and friends from our local community churches, sponsored by our home Bible fellowship.  We live in a small town with only a few churches, and it seems as though we all have a tendency to stay within our own little groups and not mix with those from the other churches, and to me that just seems a real shame.  We are all here for the same purpose, serving the same Lord and sharing the love of Christ with those we meet wherever we go.  So, this was an effort to bring the ladies together for a time of getting acquainted, sharing our burdens with one another and lifting each other up in prayer.  We found out that we were a very congenial and caring group...and it is our hope that we will continue to meet like this on a regular basis in the future.

The picture above of the verse and quote is from a little daily devotional calendar that I have had for years, sitting on a shelf, and occasionally remembering to turn the pages for each day.  When I was dusting the furniture in preparation for this gathering, I thought perhaps I should flip the pages over to the scheduled day of the brunch, and was so surprised to see what was written there...and it was as if God was saying, "Here is My message for the ladies...this is what I want you to share with them..."
and so it became the theme for our time together...bearing one another's burdens...seeing one another through...perfect!  Isn't God amazing? He always comes through if we just take the time to notice.

This was an especially poignant time for me, as while we were gathered together for prayer and fellowship, my husband was meeting his brother at the nursing home where their mother (my mother in law) was being admitted for long term care.  I had a feeling that it would all collide on the same day, but God knew beforehand that this would be the best way to handle it.  These ladies were able to show me the support and love that I needed, as well as praying for my mother in law and family during a difficult transition.  And the good news is, the facility where she is now living is in the nearest city to us, so it will not be difficult for us to visit her often. That is a wonderful answer to prayer!

Okay, so this is my offering for the weekly "Friday Foto Friends"...when you are finished reading here CLICK HERE to skip over to Deb's place at  "Breathing in Grace" and see what others are sharing.  Here are a few more pictures from our event...and also some of the table settings before the ladies arrived. It truly was a lovely time...and next time the girls said they want to meet in "The Secret Garden", which hopefully will be ready soon!  (It really isn't a secret at all, is it?!)


Here are the "Before" pictures:

"An Invitation to Tea" was sent out to all the ladies

Love these beautiful camellias...









And here are the "After pictures"....love these beautiful ladies:

Our menu included a spinach, bacon, cheese, egg brunch casserole, a ham and cheese quiche, a delightful berry fruit cup topped with an almond cream sauce, delicious "Grandma's Coffee Cake" and Applesauce Muffins....and any kind of tea you could want...and of course coffee for those who prefer it.

In addition to eating, talking and praying, one of our lovely ladies (above on the right side of the table) blessed us with a beautiful solo of "In The Garden", which left us each desiring to have that peaceful time of walking and talking with the Lord in the garden "while the dew is still on the roses".
A delightful time was had by all...and we look forward to future times of "Seeing One Another Through".

Live Joyfully in the Midst of Struggles

This is what I read in Sarah Young's "Jesus Today" today.... #116

"I am calling you to live joyfully in the midst of your struggles.

You yearn for a freer, more independent way of life than you're currently experiencing.

You pray fervently--and then wait hopefully for the changes you desire.

When I don't answer your prayers according to your will, you sometimes get discouraged.

It's easy for you to feel as if you're doing something wrong--

as if you're missing out on what is best for you.  

When you think that way, you are forgetting a most important truth:

That I am Sovereign.

I am in control, and

I am taking care of you."

This past weekend was very stressful for us.  As most of you know, we take care of my 93 year old mother in law on the weekends, and she is getting progressively more fragile, dependent and extremely needy.  My time is consumed with caring for her needs, and by the end of the weekend I am pretty well exhausted.  I was so much so this past weekend that I am still feeling the effects on my body and in my spirit.  Those of you who have cared for elderly loved ones can relate.  Our whole family is affected by this in a negative way, and we know that some changes are going to have to be made soon.  But we are reluctant to take those steps, and I find myself praying that God will intervene for her and on our behalf...and be merciful for His children's sake. I know God understands my heart in this, and I don't believe He thinks badly of me for having these feelings.  But He wants me to trust Him to do what is best for all concerned.

This is part of the reason I believe I was directed to choose the word "REST" for my "One Word" for 2017.  Not only is it for a spiritual resting in Christ, but also for a physical rest...which actually coincides with the spiritual.  Because when our physical bodies need rest, our spirit usually needs rest as well.  

Today I was uplifted and blessed to be a part of our monthly gathering of our "Lovely Ladies of the Lord" group.   After we meet for a time of prayer, Bible study and sharing our concerns and joys, we usually continue our fellowship at a local restaurant for lunch...

I know the Lord planned this gathering for this week, because I truly needed this time of respite and joy in the midst of my struggles.  These ladies always give me a blessing just by their words of love and comfort and prayer. We are there for each other...and I am humbled by the true beautiful hearts of these dear women of the Lord.  We all learn so much just from sharing our burdens and cares...and laying them at the feet of Jesus. 

I have come away from this meeting today with my burdens lifted, knowing that, 

Yes, God IS sovereign, and yes, God IS in control, 

and most definitely God IS taking care of me!

And I can live joyfully in the midst of struggles!

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever!"

Psalm 118:1

Amen.

Musings Over A Cup of Tea

It seems as though my quiet times are becoming fewer and farther between...especially on the weekends. Please don't think I am complaining...I'm just stating the facts.  Since my almost 92 year old mother in law has been spending the weekends with us, the moments of rest and reflection are fleeting at best.   I love my mother in law and feel privileged to have been a part of her life for the past forty-six years.  She has always been very loving, generous, and kind to me.  We've had our moments as most mother and daughter in law relationships do...but thankfully I can honestly say that we love and respect each other deeply, and that covers a multitude of "sins" of frustration and misunderstandings.

However, there are days when the constant repetition of chatter about things that I've heard so many times before in the very recent past become overwhelming. She doesn't realize that she's told me the same things over and over again, and it is easy for me to lose my patience as I nod and smile and act like it's all new news. I find myself biting my tongue and reminding myself inwardly not to blurt out that I've already heard that story today...and yesterday,..and last week...and the week prior to that, etc., etc., etc....because it would only cause hurt and anger and sorrow.  It's not worth that to stop the litany of well known information.

So, this evening, while she was enjoying watching a baseball game with my hubby, (her son), I stole away into the kitchen to fix myself a cup of herbal tea...actually, I didn't have to sneak...she knows that I enjoy that cup of "Sleepytime" tea each evening while sitting in my chair reading a book while they watch TV.  She actually even encouraged me to go have my cup of "comforting tea", as she calls it.  And so I did.

Since I am currently in between good books to read it seemed like a good chance to make it a little more special than my usual mug of tea...so I sat down in the rocker in the dining room by myself and pulled a little book off the shelf entitled "Everything I Know I Learned Over Tea", by Emilie Barnes.

At first I felt a little guilty about having this little tea party by myself, but then I remembered that she and I had actually enjoyed a cup of tea together this afternoon as we sampled the fresh baked, warm out of the oven banana nut bread that my mother in law had watched me mix up and put into the oven.  We didn't use any fancy tea cups or tea pot, but it really didn't matter.  She enjoyed that mug of hot tea and fresh banana nut bread like it was the best thing she'd ever eaten.  We sat and chatted about this and that...whatever happened to pop into her mind at the moment (again!) and relaxed like two old friends at a tea party.

As I mused over my evening cup of "comforting tea" I did feel comforted that even though there are moments when I wish I could have total peace and quiet for a spell, the time spent together allowing her to talk about her childhood, loved ones who have passed on, and other things that are on her mind is far more valuable than my personal quietude.  There will be plenty of other moments for me to rest and reflect after she has gone on to join her loved ones in heaven...and then I will wish that I could hear her laughter and see her smile as she tells me one more time something I already know.

Here is a little something gleaned from the pages of "Everything I Know I Learned Over Tea" ~

"A Loving Recipe for a Perfect Cup of Tea"

1 willing friend who loves to sit and share

1 grateful heart to have a friend that cares

1 beautiful garden to show us God is near

Many wonderful memories of times shared throughout the years

Lots of smiles and laughter to brighten up our days

Many prayers that we prayed for each other along the way."
Author Unknown 

Is there someone that you ought to invite to have a cup of tea with you?  Emilie Barnes says in her book,

"And when we offer tea to someone, we are also offering ourselves.  We are saying, 'For the next few minutes I will listen to you. I will treat you with respect.  I will be present for you.'" (pg. 17)

Tonight I learned while musing over a cup of tea that being present for my mother in law at this time in her life is just as valuable, no, more valuable than whether or not I get to have my "quiet time".  Hey!  Maybe Emilie Barnes is right!  "Everything I  Know I Learned Over Tea."....Well, almost everything!

Good Night! ~ Rest Peacefully, My friend!

"The path to heaven passes through a teapot."

Ancient Proverb

(per Emilie Barnes' book, page 34) 

A Little This, A Little That

What do you do when you are feeling kind of hemmed in by circumstances beyond your control? You know, when you'd like to be out doing things you enjoy, but you've taken on a responsibility that is a bit confining, at least for awhile...and you struggle against feelings of rebellion because you can't do what you want to do...

You stop and realize that this minor restriction is only temporary...and that perhaps your little inconvenience might actually be something that is a huge blessing to someone who is very dear to you.  You put aside your selfish ambitions and do whatever it takes to bring a smile to another and restore a sense of security and peace to one who may be feeling a bit lost and alone.

You search for ways to include such a one in your normal routine so that he/she feels accepted, loved and useful again.

That may not always be an easy task, especially if the one you love is struggling with the onset of dementia and has had to leave his/her home, give up independence and become dependent upon others who are still very active,,,and who are trying very hard to understand the changes that are taking place in the one they love...

It isn't an easy task when the dear one truly dislikes having to become dependent, but cannot remember that he/she has told you the same thing over and over again several times in the last hour or even few minutes.  Or when it becomes obvious that the once strong, beautiful, generous and intelligent person no longer finds it possible to manage simple tasks or prepare food, drive a car, take proper medications, or take a shower without a struggle and a lot of fear.

A wonderful flea market find...a vintage bowl...

So you do a little of this, and a little of that...take short walks around the yard with the loved one instead of the long delightful walk you have always enjoyed morning and evening on your days off from work.  You find simple tasks that can be done without too much danger or confusion...such as putting the silverware and napkins on the table at mealtimes...drying a few dishes,  or folding some towels.

 Take a little ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery within a few miles of your home, but not venturing too far from places where one can stop for a restroom if necessary.  If possible, check out the local flea market and take a short walk in and out, looking at interesting items that may bring back memories of the "good old days".   Maybe even purchase something that seemed to bring a smile to a previously unsmiling face.

And a vintage sugar bowl...

These are little things that are simple to do now...but as the disease progresses we know that even these little things may become more and more difficult.  So...we thank the Lord for the good days that we have now. We take it one day at a time as far as any major decisions or plans for the future. We are thankful that we are sharing this load with other family members and not bearing the full responsibility alone.  We thank the Good Lord for the many years of blessing and joy this loved one has brought us...and the many ways she has blessed us with her love and generosity and kindness over the years.  I inwardly thank my mate who remembers to give thanks for this dear one at each meal while asking the blessing...and helping her to feel that love and appreciation for her presence with us.

Yes, a little this, and a little that...to help ease the moments that are sometimes awkward and frustrating and create instead moments of joy and laughter whenever possible.

That's what is really important. Not my selfish ambitions or my momentary inconveniences.

For previous thoughts on this subject go back here.

One Body, Many Members

"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ."  I Corinthians 12:12

It is a great mystery, The Church, the Body of Christ...and yet, is it really such a mystery?  I like to think of the Body of Christ as a huge network of people from all over the world...of all races, colors, languages, and abilities.  Since the advent of the internet and especially "social networking", we are becoming more aware every day of our fellow body-members, brothers and sisters in Christ, from everywhere.  Distance is no longer a barrier to becoming "friends".  We existed long before we knew each other, and perhaps this medium of the internet is just another way that God is preparing us for our heavenly home.  We used to think that we would only know our family, close friends, and all the saints of old when we got to heaven.  But now, because our world is ever enlarging through these daily contacts we are making through social media, we are beginning to catch a glimpse of the magnitude and vastness of this Body of Christ, of which we, as believers, are all members.  It does not matter if you call yourself a Baptist, a Methodist, or a Presbyterian, or even a Catholic, or any of the other many many denominations (and Non-Denominations) of churches. But what DOES matter is if you are a member of the body of Christ...a believer in Jesus Christ, Who has redeemed you by His blood for the salvation of your soul and has delivered you from death into everlasting life.

Yes, we are one body...and we are a network of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ...and because we belong to this huge network we are to love and care for one another...

"That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."  I Corinthians 12:25-26

So, my dear friends,  I thank God for each and every one of you. You have upheld me and my family this past year when we went through various trials and tribulations.  Your prayers have sustained us and covered us and kept us from going under when the seas of life became tempestuous.  There are many of you who are also suffering and hurting and grasping for that life-line...that safety net.  Let us continue to hold each other up in prayer and be that safety net for each other.  That's what the Body of Christ does...

Now that's what I call "networking!"