And Life Goes On . . .

Happy NEW Year! As I’m resetting my perpetual calendar, my thought is the same every year: It looks like another long year ahead, but by God’s grace here we go!

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, we have probably been forced out of our everyday routines more than we can remember. Now that it’s over, our daily routines might even look enticing.   

You may remember the cartoons of Old Father Time. He is shown exiting the old year with a long white beard and a tattered look. On the other hand, a smiling happy baby is moving in to take his place for the new year.

No matter who we are, challenges are a part of life. A long time ago I heard someone say, “The problem with life is it’s so daily!” They were bored by their daily routines.

I stopped making New Year's resolutions years ago. No matter how good my intentions were, they fell by the wayside because they weren’t really part of me. The real me is shown as I approach my life day after day. Why not make changes or improvements as I go along?

In this season of my life, God’s word opens my day. I have always read my Bible, sometimes at night, sometimes in the morning, sometimes as I arrived early to work, and took time to read before I went in.

Psalm 119 is filled with meditations on the excellence of God’s word. If you are unfamiliar with it, this psalm is divided into small sections. Reading and meditation go hand-in-hand.

Meditation is just a way to mentally “chew things over,” and then “digest them well” by putting them into action in your life.

Become a treasure seeker. Psalm 119:162 says, “I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure.” I find treasures in God’s word daily: hope, love, guidance, peace, comfort, and truth.

Treasures await you there, too.   

  

Beauty and Contrast

 

I tried my best without success! I practically stood on my head, trying to see how a six-inch metal bolt could go through the new toilet seat riser on down through the original toilet seat holes.

Finally, I sent photos to my Goddaughter who is gifted in household repairs. She kindly said my photos were great, then walked me through the installation process.

OK . . . the right side was done! I tackled the left . . . awkward! I’m not a lefty and, besides, it was by a wall so I had to do it by feel.

I decided to call my handyman neighbor. He came and did it the next day. There's nothing like knowledge, experience, and coordination.

The contrast in personalities and abilities is to be appreciated. Thank God not everyone is a beautician, a banker, or a contractor. I was a teacher, but where would we be without doctors, nurses, and medical technicians?

I learned to use computers and enjoyed office jobs, but along came E-communication and cell phones with apps of all kinds. Thank God for two Goddaughters who are both good with technical know-how!

Have you ever noticed the beauty in contrast? I like to notice various shades of green as I drive down a tree-lined street. Of course, floral shapes and colors are a pleasure, too.

Then there are cats and dogs! Each species varies in shape, size, and personality. Owners will happily tell you about their pet's uniquely enjoyable characteristics.

Integral elements of contrast and beauty include male and female. This applies to plants and trees, animals, fish, birds, and humans. All were created to bear after their own kind and increase in the earth, but it requires both a male and a female to procreate.

For an enjoyable explanation of the orderliness in Creation, read Genesis Chapter One.

Youngster and oldsters, uneducated or highly degreed, east to west and north to south . . . all have access to God's gifts of beauty and contrast. Enjoy!   

Practice Pays Off

I used to encourage my piano students to practice. Of course, I knew from personal experience that practicing was not a priority. That emphasis came from parents paying for lessons so their children could learn a skill.

In my younger years, mom and I sometimes worked out a compromise. She would do the dishes while I practiced. I didn’t enjoy doing dishes any more than I enjoyed practicing, but in case you’re wondering, I did outgrow my childish preferences. And, yes, I did feel my practice paid off.

Practice is needed for many life skills. For example, lawyers, doctors, and counselors, after years of training, are expected to set up a practice. Dancers, sports figures, cosmetologists, chefs, tailors, and speakers all acquire job skills refined by practice.

Can you think of any area of life that doesn’t require some particular skill or ability?

Practice is personal, but appearances can fool you. Some people appear outwardly compliant while inwardly harboring resentment. They’re thinking when I get to be on my own, I’m not doing this!

Such rebellion is self-centered. Their mindset is it’s going to be my way or the highway. The problem? Rebellion cuts off good stuff in life.

Skills of any kind take practice. Even positive interaction with others is not automatic. Do you care how you approach or respond to others?  

Life could be less stressful if people gave relationships more thought. It requires no skill to float through life on a raft labeled Que Sera, Sera. That whatever will be, will be attitude doesn't mean you'll always have calm waters. 

A better choice would be a kayak labeled The Golden Rule. Then, even in rough waters, your personal choices would make a difference. 

Jesus made the premise quite simple: Treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).  

Simple does not mean automatic. What part of your life would you like to see become more positive? What skill is needed?

Whatever you decide, get to work. In time you’ll discover practice pays off.

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!