Tuesday 4: Just Wondering~ A Repeat

Tuesday 4

Just Wondering.. a Toni Repeat

From Annie: "This week slipped away from me and I didn't get the Tuesday 4 up.

I will post one from Toni's site in case you would like to do one this week whenever you wish. I am very sorry this happened friends.

This Tuesday 4 is from Monday December 9. 2019...."


Well, I've tried to come up with some new answers since I last did this actually in January of 2021.  To be honest, I can't improve on that so we might as well leave at that!  So what you see below is what I posted in January of 2021...

 

Wondering..,   


Welcome back to Tuesday 4 where we remember the wonderful memes of our friend Toni Taddeo by continuing them on in her memory. I am glad you've stopped by to join in.


To begin 2021 I thought I would re-post the final Tuesday 4 from Toni, posted on Monday Dec. 9, 2019! Enjoy playing along friends.

A Repeat ~ Just Wondering  (my original 1/5/2021)

1. When was the last time you tried something new?: 

Hmm, well, maybe when I tried to paddle a kayak around Still Waters Pond last year...

And I lived to tell about it! That was such fun...and I am so glad I did it! When it warms up a bit I hope to get back out there and do it again!

(Update 10/17/2023:  I haven't done much kayaking in the past couple of years due to shoulder/arm issues. I miss doing this as there is much I'd like to explore on the other side of the pond, like for instance, what is this thing that keeps popping up on the island?  I thought it was gone after the big rainstorm we had the other day, but today it has popped up again. It looks fuzzy and fluffy...I think it is some kind of mushroom spore...?)

2. Who in your family do you compare yourself to?:

Well, probably I am more like my father than my mother. My daddy and I both had bright red hair as children and we had to put up with a lot of teasing. I am the only child of four kids in our family who got daddy's red hair.  

And I tend to be a lot like him in other ways too. I like adventure and family fun, and he was always ready for family fun.  My mother was a lovely lady and she liked to have fun too, and I learned a lot from her about cooking and sewing and appreciating the "finer things in life", but still I think I am more like my dad.  

My Dad, after winning a game of horseshoes. "Always the Champ!"

Update 10/17/2023:  I can't play horseshoes like my dad could, and I'm not much of a champ, but I tend to have his outgoing and competitive personality.  

However, in many ways I am like my mother...

Do you see why?

(this photo is several years old)

3. What lesson in life did you learn the hard way?:

Don't think that just because you tried to be a "perfect parent" and brought your kids up in the "right way" , that they would always be "perfect kids".  Every child has to find their own way in life, but the good news is this promise found in Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

So even if a child should wander from the fold, there will come a time when he/she will come back home. We just need to be patient and be like the father in the story of the prodigal son, (See Luke 15) and stand ready and willing to welcome them home. 

I also learned that I cannot always protect my children from harm and sickness. This world is not always a kind place. Things happen beyond our control, even when we think we have done everything possible to protect our children. But again, God gives us grace and comfort and strength when we go through the valley of the shadow of death. He gives us what we need when we need it, even in the midst of the storms of life. I don't know how anyone can get through this life without a relationship with Christ.

4. What can you do today that you weren't able to do before?:

Let's see, now that I'm retired I can sit here in my comfy house and enjoy reading and writing this blog and visiting with dear friends from around the country and world whom I would never have been able to meet if it weren't for the invention of computers and the internet and the time to sit and enjoy doing this! Say what you will about modern technology...it does have its faults and downside, but when used appropriately it can be a wonderful tool to "reach out and touch someone".  Remember these commercials for AT&T telephone calls?

Of course nothing can replace the sound of a human voice...and now with Zoom and Facetime we can talk and see each other at the same time.  What a wonderful world we live in...when used appropriately. Thank you for being a part of my world, and for this opportunity to "reach out and touch someone". Happy New Year!  (written in January 2021)

I really can't improve on what I said above in 2021, so I will leave it at that.  

Now let's mosey over to Tuesday 4 and see what others are posting!  Thank you Annie, for setting this up each week!  I am sorry I couldn't really come up with anything new to say. 

"I Will Call Upon The Lord" -Reposted

This was originally posted on 10/26/2014, just 5 months after the passing of our precious son. Two years later, we are still learning to call upon the Lord during times of distress and heartache...and He has never let us down.  This message encouraged my own heart even as I wrote it at that time. I pray there may be someone (or many) who will be blessed and encouraged by this same message yet today.

Original Post from 10/26/2014:

"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in Whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold.

I will call upon the Lord,

Who is worthy to be praised;

So shall I be saved from my enemies."

Psalm 18: 1-3

"The Lord Lives!

Blessed be my Rock!

Let the God of my salvation be exalted."

Psalm 18:46

Mt. Washington, NH, picture taken October, 2013

Those of you who are familiar with scripture choruses may recognize one in the verses above.  I love it when I start reading from God's Word, and the words of the chosen passage jump out at me and cause me to start singing! Such was the case this morning as I read these powerful verses from Psalm 18.   Sing along with me if you know this little song:

"The Lord liveth,

and blessed be my Rock!

Let the God of my salvation be exalted!

The Lord liveth,

and blessed be my Rock!

And may the God of my salvation be exalted!

I will call upon the Lord,

Who is worthy to be praised...

So shall I be saved from my enemies;

I will call upon the Lord!"

What I really loved about reading these verses today were the several references to the word "Strength".   This past year I chose for my "One Word" for 2014 the word Strengthen.  Click HERE for more about that.   As we are drawing closer to the end of the year, I've been thinking about all the ways that God has indeed "strengthened" me throughout these months. It hasn't been easy.  The exercises (click on link) have been excruciating in most cases. I had no idea just how much I was going to have to endure to grow in strength.   (Click on the links for previous stories that will give you the background for this story).   But I have never been alone in that quest. 

The first few verses printed at the beginning of this post will tell you WHO has been with me, 

and WHO has actually been my strength, 

my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer...

Yes, it has been my GOD, My Saviour,

who has been my Strength...and in HIM I will trust. 

He has been my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!

So, since I've endured so much this past year, am I now some amazing strong woman, full of wonderful powers and strength beyond belief?  Well, no, I'd hardly say that.  It seems like when we get through one "feat of strengthening", it is oftentimes the building block upon which new challenges will be sent our way. We are never intended in this life to rest upon our laurels of great accomplishments of strength. We are strengthened for a purpose. It could be that God wants us to use our experiences to help others when they face the calamities and heartaches of their lives. It may be that we are strengthened so that we can learn just how dependent upon God we really are... so that we will know beyond a shadow of doubt exactly WHO it was who lifted us up when we were so weak we could not stand on our own.

"In my distress I called upon the Lord,

and cried out to my God;

He heard my voice from His temple,

And my cry came before Him,

even to His ears."

Psalm 18:6

My dear friend, I don't know what challenges you are currently facing, or will face in the upcoming months.  But I do know One Who stands ready to be your "strength...your rock, your fortress and deliverer".  If you do not already know this wonderful God and Savior, I pray that you will take the time to get to know Him now, while things are good...don't wait until the hard times come to call out to Him in your distress...seek His face now...call upon the Lord "Who is worthy to be praised..." and I can assure you He will answer you. He wants to be there for you in the good times as well as the difficult days.  Then you will be able to sing this little song along with me:

"The Lord liveth,

and blessed be my Rock!

Let the God of my salvation be exalted!

The Lord liveth,

and blessed be my Rock!

And may the God of my salvation be exalted!

I will call upon the Lord,

Who is worthy to be praised...

So shall I be saved from my enemies;

I will call upon the Lord!"

Make Me a Blessing?

This week had its highs and lows.  It started out well enough...celebrated my birthday with loved ones. Such a treasure to have loved ones near, both to celebrate AND to celebrate with.  This is a blessing...it is a gift.

However, I fear that I was not such a "blessing" to others this week.  Lately my work has had its challenges, and there are times that I get a little out of sorts and impatient when things don't go exactly as planned. Having such responsibilities doesn't always bring out the best in me. I allowed my frustrations to overflow my better sense of handling things with wisdom and patience...and my tongue got the better of me.  It spoke when it shouldn't have spoken...when it would have been better to refrain from speaking at all... 

All on the same day that I had planned to share a devotional with our staff...to tell them about "Counting 1000 Gifts" (see www.AnnVoskamp.com), on the very same morning that I wanted to express the joy of "giving thanks"....having grace from on High on display...not grief from impatience and anger.  I failed. 
Thankfully, God was there in the midst.  He still was able to get His message of grace and love and thanksgiving across to those who listened patiently, in spite of the messenger who had already demonstrated too much humanity for one day.

This morning in my devotional reading I was directed to Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, you know the verses..."To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...", and the question was asked as to what spiritual season am I experiencing right now, and could I name it's challenges and gifts?  Good question.  I'd like to think I am in a more mature spiritual season of life, but then I go and have a day where I blow it and don't act very mature at all, and I realize that no matter in which season of life I may be living, I always need to lean on the Lord and allow my thoughts, words, and actions to be "seasoned" with His grace. 

I was reminded of an old Gospel Hymn that you may remember and sing along with me:

"Make Me a Blessing"

1st Verse:

"Out in the highways and by-ways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad."

(Chorus) 

"Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,

Out of my life, May Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing,

O Saviour, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today." 

That is my prayer today.  Lord, make ME a blessing to someone today.  Help me to realize that sometimes others act and react they way they do to circumstances because they are "weary and sad".  Rather than losing my patience and reacting in an immature way, help me to "Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad."....Yes, Lord, please, "out of my life, may Jesus shine."  Amen.

"Make Me a Blessing", written by Ira B. Wilson, 1880-1950.  Music: George S. Schuler, 1924.  

Got Any Challenges?

What kind of challenges have you been facing lately?  Think about this for a few minutes...I am certain you can come up with a few...maybe more than a few. I'm going to list a few of my recent challenges; and not in any particular order.  Let's see if any of you can relate:

1. Recent Unemployment
2. New job with big responsibilities---more than I bargained for?
3. Impending foreclosure on house
4. Mortgage Loan Modification-only it extends your mortgage for more years than you can possibly work, and is for more money than your house could ever be worth again
5. Adult son comes home to live and is unemployed and has no job prospects
6. Other adult married son is diagnosed with a very aggressive, rare and terminal cancer and lives 1500 miles away. He is also the father of our only grandson, age 11.
7. Another adult son also lives far away and has frequent financial/job issues, requiring assistance from home in order to survive
8. Elderly mother in law decides to come and live with you
9. Elderly father is in decline and needs constant care...you do what you can to help in your spare time, still balancing all of the above
10. Husband's state job is insecure thanks to budget cuts and threats of further cuts...has not had any increase in pay in over five years already...
11. The economy continues to decline...gas prices continue to climb...job commute is a bit too far considering current gas prices

Yipes...no wonder I have chronic back aches and other psychosomatic illnesses...But don't stop here...

On the other hand...Let me count some of my blessings...

1. I did find an excellent job in a Christian environment with good people and adequate pay.
2. The mortgage company did work with us and actually gave us a lower payment.
3. Adult son who came home is a joy to have here...and he is a very big help with elderly grandparents and our own home needs.
4. Adult son with terminal cancer is actually exceeding all his doctor's expectations and is doing very well on a chemo maintenance medication. (Praise God!!!)
5. Other Adult son is employed, and even though his pay is minimal, he is healthy and happy and enjoys what he is doing.
6. Elderly mother in law is improving in her health issues and is actually ready to go back home for temporary stays. She has also been a big help around the house with meals, laundry, etc.
7. Elderly father is still able to live in his own home and is providing a source of income for my adult son who needed employment as well as my sister who also needed employment. (caregivers)
8. Husband's employment is currently steady, and we are trusting God it will remain secure in spite of the current economical trends.
9. My employer has allowed me to work a four day work week to save on gas.

When we stop and count our problems and challenges, we must also take equal time to consider our blessings.  Recently I have become acquainted (through facebook and other places) with other families facing even more challenging issues than mine. My heart has been broken over the many families who have children and other loved ones who are literally dying with terminal cancer and other diseases.  They've fought a good fight, but their strength is ebbing very rapidly.  When I measure my challenges against theirs, I cannot even begin to fathom the depth of their sorrow and pain. Many others have lost their fight to keep their homes, their jobs, and their families intact. You may be one of these dear friends. 

Each one of us has our own particular challenges and heartaches.  I know mine are not as great as many others, and yours may not be as great as mine...but nonetheless, they are challenges to our faith, to our hearts, and to our very lives.  I would like to present you with another challenge today: 

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."                 I Thessalonians 5:11  

"....Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all."  I Thessalonians 5:14b. 

 During this season of Lent, my goal and challenge is to lift up in prayer each day those whom God has brought into my circle of influence, whether via home, friends, work, church, facebook, or any other means, and not only pray for them diligently, but seek out ways to be an encourager and a comforter through God's Holy Spirit.  I truly believe that not only will this be a way to bless others, but it will most definitely be a way to receive blessing myself...not meaning selfish ambition or personal gain, but heart-felt blessings in my soul and spirit. 

Won't you join me in this challenge today? I know we will all reap blessings beyond our imagination in so doing.  In Jesus' Name I pray this today. Amen.

I Will Go in the Strength of the Lord

Psalm 71:16-18  "I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.  O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come."

How appropriate these verses are for me today!  If you read my short little blurb last night, you know that I came home "too pooped to participate" in writing, in cooking, in life in general. A couple of you indicated that you would pray for me to get a good night's rest.  Thank you...I wish I could report that your prayers were answered...unfortunately, my brain just couldn't shut down enough to truly rest through the night. 

As I was reading the above verses from King David's writings in the Psalms, I totally related.  He starts out in verses one and two by saying,  "In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me, and and save me."   I don't know if you have ever had this kind of experience or feeling before in your life, but if so, you are in good company!  David was considered by God to be a "man after His own heart" (I Samuel 13:14), and even though David made some big mistakes and fell into sin, God still loved him, forgave him, and continued to empower him as the King of Israel. 

I am going through a time of training and expanding my "mind" (what's left of it) in learning my new job.  At times I feel like giving up before I even get totally started because the task is looming too largely before me in my mind.  I fear that at my advanced age my brain is not able to comprehend so much new information, and it may just explode in a great conflagration of overburn, and I will disentegrate into ashes and crumble to the floor.

But then I remember that I've been through tougher times than these before, and God brought me through it.  In verses 20-21, David says to God, "You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."

So today "I will go in the strength of the Lord", since I do not have any strength of my own to go on. And I will trust that God will indeed "revive me again", and "comfort me on every side."

"O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!"  (Psalm 71: 12)