A Caring Connection

Once upon a time, I met The Carrot Cake Lady. I gave her that distinctive title because I had never met anyone like her.

She enjoyed cooking and baking, and hospitality was definitely one of her gifts. She baked “from scratch.” No box mixes for her.

Her cakes were one layer, in an oblong pan. She would turn it out on a piece of cardboard covered with foil, then frost it beautifully with rich cream cheese frosting.

Carrot cakes were only one of her talents. I was awed by her ability to remember birthdays. Sometimes she would invite people for a birthday dinner. Carrot cake for dessert, of course. But the guests got to take the rest of it home.

She remembered people that were unable to come for dinner, too.

On her birthday list was an older man in a care center. One time when she brought him a cake she asked, “How old are you today?” He said, “I’m ninety.” She laughed and said, “You’re ninety-one. I’m keeping track.”

I am not suggesting you bake a cake or even keep track of people’s birthdays.

I’m simply suggesting showing people you care. I know COVID threw us off track. We had to make major adjustments in our thinking and routines just to survive healthily. Sharing a homemade cake outside the family was not really an option.

As things are improving, a caring connection can be made in many ways. Each of us has different gifts, talents, and/or abilities to show people they matter to us. We don’t even have to know them well.

There’s a verse in Galatians 6:10 which says, “As we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people . . .” So, here’s the question: What good do you do when see an opportunity?

Do you like to plan ahead like The Carrot Cake Lady? Or do you prefer to do good spontaneously as opportunities arise?

What the world needs now is a caring connection. But then, it always has!

  

Everyday Miracles

It happened again! I sat down to watch something on tv and fell asleep. Did I want a nap? Yes, but not right then.

When I woke up the tv was still on. How did I sleep so well and not hear it? What caused me to wake up? It was nothing loud or boisterous. 

Sleep seems like an everyday miracle.

Miracles---what are they? To me, a miracle is something good that’s impossible for me to do for myself. My dictionary says it’s something to marvel at, a remarkable event or thing.   

It also says it could be an action or event contradictory to the known laws of science. Things attributed to supernatural causes are often called an act of God.

We all enjoy five miracles on an everyday basis:

1. Seeing---our eyes bring the world right into our life

2. Hearing---auditory signals are always in the air, but somehow our ears sort out what we need

3. Touching---we can explore with our fingertips, but our face and feet respond to touch, too

4. Smelling---it’s nice to distinguish beautiful fragrances from noxious odors

5. Tasting---most of us prefer sweet to sour, but we all have favorite foods in a variety of categories

Each of us is a miracle. I used to get a kick out of the opening scenes of a movie called “Who’s Talking?” A graphic artist had created one active sperm moving up the fallopian tube yelling, “This way guys.” But he was first and slid into an egg, then the human story began.

What could be more miraculous than the beginning of a human being as one tiny sperm and egg combination . . . one cell?

Are you thankful for this variety of miracles? Why not say so? According to Psalm 100, an attitude of gratitude is a great way to enter God’s presence, giving Him praise.

Think about this; then enjoy coming up with your own list of everyday miracles.

Name Value

How long has it been since you bought a box of salt? I cut back on salt some time ago, so I was surprised to see a box of Morton’s Salt in my pantry.

The colorful container was marked “100^th Birthday . . . She’s Still the One.” I was curious, so I checked online for the centennial date.

I couldn’t believe the year---2014! I usually toss outdated items, but this box was so colorful I decided to keep it. I have a feeling I had that same self-talk years earlier and that’s why it’s still around.

Companies work hard to build names we can trust. They make sure their product is consistent in quality. Food products also have to be consistent in taste. When you think of the amount produced for any one item, the challenge is enormous.

A good name is a valuable commodity. It’s true of people, as well as companies. In fact, Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Most people are not born into wealth; they have to work for it. Riches in any great measure usually require time and honest effort.

Shortcuts like the one Bernie Madoff thought he had perfected, resulted in many negative consequences for himself, his family, and the people who had trusted him with their money.

Rich name value can be gained through positive character traits. Things like doing what you say you will do . . . making good choices . . . having concern for others . . . and speaking the truth.

Isn’t it a relief to deal with someone who can be trusted? You know their word is their bond. Their name has value---it’s their brand.

If nothing else, remember this about your name: Its value is not in the letters . . . it’s in the living.

 

  

Mileage and Maintenance

 

I finally did it . . . took my new car in for maintenance. I received regular emails from the dealership saying I should make an appointment for service.

My car is only 9 months old and I’m a low-mileage driver. Everything I need is close by. Even in a few years, my car should fit the joke category of “low mileage . . . driven by a little old lady from Pasadena.”  

Those unwanted emails were a reminder that maintenance depended on me. Making the appointment was easy, and after I followed through it was done; I felt at peace.

Now I even have a sticker on the window. No more email notices for me!  I’m free to be---on my own!

On my drive back home, I thought spiritual maintenance also requires effort. The Apostle Paul advised believers to test themselves to be sure they were in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV).

When I take my car to a certified mechanic, he runs tests on sophisticated equipment. It gives him confidence that repairs will be correct. No need to guess what’s wrong.

Eugene Peterson explains spiritual testing like this: Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another---showing us the truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, and training us to live God’s way. Through the Word, we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV; The MSG, page 2172, paragraph 2).

We all require Godly maintenance. Whether we’ve been a believer for years or days, we all have spiritual mileage. On-going maintenance is important.

If you don’t already have a plan, check in with God's Service Department by reading a chapter a day in Proverbs. It’s a good way to start.

 

 

One Slow Learner

Lots of people have been named Samuel. A famous one was Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

My favorite Samuel is one from childhood. In 1 Samuel, chapter one, his story begins with a mother named Hannah. Her constant prayer was, “Lord, please give me a son, and I will give him back to you.”

Eli, the priest, observed her heartfelt prayers. One day he watched her lips move, but no sound came out. He misjudged her and accused her of being drunk.

Hannah protested that she was not drunk, but was praying out of great anguish. Eli said, “Then go in peace, and may God grant your request.”

God did answer prayer. Hannah gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, because “I asked the Lord for him” (1 Samuel 1:20).

Hannah kept her promise to give Samuel back to God. We don’t know his age, because in Bible times children could be weaned between ages two and five.

We do know, however, that Hannah introduced herself to Eli, reminding him of the time he had noticed her praying. Giving Samuel back to God meant he would serve under Eli’s guidance.

Hannah had three more sons and two more daughters, but she kept in touch with Samuel at the annual sacrifice. Each year she brought him a new robe.

Eli had two sons who were also priests. God saw their lack of respect for their father, for temple worship, and for God Himself, so He declared Eli’s priestly line would end.

God declared He would raise up a faithful priest, one in tune with His heart and mind (1 Samuel 2:35).

That faithful priest turned out to be Samuel. One night God called Samuel three times. Each time Samuel ran to Eli’s room and said, “Here I am” (1 Samuel 3). 

Finally, Eli realized God was calling. He said, “Go lie down. If He calls again say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

Every time I read this story I think, God, I want to be spiritually alert like Samuel---not a slow learner like Eli.