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!   

The Old and New

It finally arrived . . . the first day of the NEW year! I enjoyed a quiet day at home, receiving and sending greetings to friends and family, along with a little TV time.

When a friend mentioned watching the Rose Parade, I was shocked to realize I totally forgot to plan ahead for it this year! I’ve watched the Rose Parade in person or on TV every year since college. But I had a lovely relaxing day and my new year got off to a good start.

A few weeks ago, I noticed a diary as I moved a pile of books. I had written daily notes while caregiving for my husband, but after he died, I let them go. I've only been doing it again for a short while.

This morning I reached for my diary first, even before breakfast, and wrote SNOW DAY. I enjoy waking up and looking out my window. I saw snow, but it was a beautiful bright sunny day, so I hoped the snow would simply melt off my car like it had earlier this week.

My diary has one page per day, with a scripture verse at the bottom. Today’s verse was a pleasant surprise!

The faithful love of the LORD never ends.

His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning. . .

The LORD is good to those who depend on Him,

To those who search for Him.

Lamentations 3:22, 23, 25 (NLT)

I read it again, then again. LOVE, MERCIES, FAITHFULNESS, GOODNESS . . . ancient words of hope from the Old Testament. What could be better for a Happy NEW Year?

The thing is, I had already found these blessings to be true daily.

As my husband’s caregiver, I would wake up, look out the window to greet the day, and say, “Thank you, Lord. I know Your mercies are new every morning, so I’m counting on Your help again today.”

Our Father in heaven is the one Who said, “Pray about everything.” From experience I can tell you, He’ll respond to you if you do. 

No Magic Peace

Life is not a fairy tale; therefore, happy endings are not guaranteed. Real-life happy endings come when people choose to focus more on others and less on themselves.

In real life, there are peacekeepers and peacemakers. Which one are you?

Our military personnel act as peacekeepers on a grand scale. I’m thankful for men and women who serve around the world in such a mighty capacity. They’re definitely focused on others and not on themselves.

Peacemakers serve on a more individualized basis. Children and adults both fit the words of this well-known song:   Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be . . .

It seems Vince Gil is the popular singer of this song, written in 1955 by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. I learned it in elementary school, and its basic message has always stuck with me.

Have you ever noticed how peace can be so seasonal?

Think about it. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day these characteristics gradually appear - - - empathy for people in need, more volunteers for food banks and soup kitchens, an increase in charitable giving, and upbeat seasonal greetings outside our normal friendship circle.

Isaiah prophesied a baby would be born carrying the title Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). This baby was Jesus, whose birth we celebrated once again this December.

Some of His most famous teachings are called The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). When I was growing up some called them “the BE attitudes.” Number seven, in verse nine, says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  

Notice there’s no time frame or season attached. We can be a peacemaker all year long. Be alert; be creative! Don’t be afraid to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).

The fact that there’s no magic peace solution, no one-size-fits-all, simply increases its importance.

Memory Makers

Most of us never give a thought to being a memory maker, although we are - - - it’s a given as we interact with others. Consider memories of people in your own life, some positive, some negative, I’m sure.

I taught school and worked as an office administrator, but my strongest memories seem to be of church people. I guess that would come from being raised in a minister’s home, plus being married to an active minister for forty years.

It’s so great to be able to choose our thoughts. I enjoy happy memories of people who served alongside my parents, as well as my husband and myself. I’m in good company because the Apostle Paul felt the same way.

He said, “I thank my God every time I remember you” and “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel” (Philippians 1:3-5). I feel strongly that no pastor can take total credit for church growth. It happens as people use their talents and abilities in a wide variety of ministries to all age groups.

You may think, I never do anything special in church, or out of it. The truth is that every person is a memory maker, even the ones who serve behind the scenes and never expect any recognition.

For example, in our last church, God blessed us with faithful volunteers in our office, Sunday School classes, summer Vacation Bible School, orchestra, choir, library, and kitchen ministries. That list is far from complete.

Another illustration would be the team of people who held an annual parking lot sale. It helped meet the church’s summer mortgage payments when the winter members of our congregation returned north.

Did all people create happy memories? Of course not, but my positive memories far outweigh any negatives. Believe me, doing whatever you can, in a helpful way, makes a big difference in this world.

I'm in total agreement with Bob Hope's famous song: Thanks for the Memories.

  

A Two-Way Street

 

I’m a mature driver with a good driving record, except for a weird accident two years ago. I was out of town, driving on a one-way street. 

Looking ahead, I saw the traffic signal on the right. Thinking I was on a two-way street, I decided to turn left. Oops . . . car on the left! 

I remember the weird sound as my car hit the side of their car. Even weirder was their passenger and I staring at each other for a few feet before I parked on the right and they parked on the left.

I walked over to them and called my insurance agent---a long call. I’m still grateful the college-age driver and her friend were both peaceful and patient. Since the cars were fully functional, we were finally able to go our separate ways.

One-way streets have never been my favorite. I think one reason is that I have rarely lived where I had to deal with them.

For whatever reason, the other day I thought love is a beautiful two-way street. I think there’s nothing better than the feeling of loving and being loved in return.

Is there anyone who has never been afraid of love? Perhaps someone has even tried to encourage you by saying, “Perfect love casts out fear.”

That comes from First John, chapter four, verses seven through nineteen. It’s a special section about God’s love for us, and our love for one another.

If we feel we have to be perfect to win God’s love, we are seeing it as a one-way street.

The truth is that God’s love is a two-way street. No perfection is required, only acceptance of His love. Do yourself a favor and check this out.

You don’t have a Bible? No problem . . . read it on your cell phone. 

My app is YouVersion, but some people use Bible Gateway. It’s nice to have choices!

 

Remember to Look Up

 

Since I no longer live in a metropolis, I sometimes try to enjoy the night sky. It's funny how, on a clear night, I think I see more stars from my front yard than from my deck in the back.

When I lived in the southwest desert, I used to enjoy night rides away from our community. We would open the top of our Porsche 914 and I’d enjoy warm summer breezes and multitudes of stars while my husband did the driving.

One night I was really excited to see “the man in the moon.” It was the first time I ever saw a face on the full moon, and I haven’t seen one since.

The daytime sky is enjoyable, too. The sun arcs its way around the world, and clouds of various shapes and sizes float by. Sometimes rain, thunder, and lightning show their power, and winter snows appear on a schedule all their own.

Some people can name all the planets, point out the Milky Way and locate the North Star. Others get to see the Aurora Borealis in all its colorful splendor. I don’t fit any of those categories, but I do enjoy the view above me.

Imagine the beauty of the skies when King David was a shepherd boy. With no city lights to ruin the view, there must have been an awesome display of stars in the night sky.

It’s no wonder he wrote Psalm 19. Verse one says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork” (NKJV). Verse three explains that God plays no favorites. All peoples of the world are treated to the same awesome overhead view.

The Message Bible says, “God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.” Think of that!

No matter where you live, remember to look up. And when you do, take a moment to reflect on the awesomeness of what you see. Even a simple “Thank you, God” will give Him glory.

 

Who Wants to be a Fool?

I don’t know anyone who would rush to raise their hand. In fact, fools often think their identity is hidden when it’s really on full display.

Here’s a big clue: A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back (Proverbs 29:11 NKJV). You could say a fool has a short fuse, but a more accurate description might be they lack self-control.

Can a fool ever appear wise? According to Proverbs, the answer is yes, but I wonder how often that happens? King Solomon’s observation was this: Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive (Proverbs 17:28 NKJV). 

Though we communicate with words, they’re not always spoken. Our modern world floods us with written words, as well.

Would I like to return to a pre-internet world? No, thanks. I appreciate my handy cell phone and laptop communication. How about you?

Faceless communication can be a boon or a barrier. In its early stage, telephones were set up on party lines. People would get upset when they knew people were listening in on their conversations.

I’d say modern internet communication might be an advanced version of those old party lines with a new twist. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to name a few, let us connect with others, but now we not only expect people to listen in, we want them to.

There is one problem, however, that can’t be ignored. Too many people jump to conclusions, belt off a negative wordy reply, then pat themselves on the back. “I really let them have it!” Like Solomon says, “a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16 NKJV).

Just remember he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV).  

 Who wants to be a fool? Don’t raise your hand. I won’t either. I want to use my words to build people up, not tear them down. To quote mom’s adage: “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say it.”