Wood Day

Sometimes I wonder why we ever put a woodstove in this house.  To be fair, it isn’t often; and certainly not when I’m sitting in front of the fire toasty warm enjoying my tea.  But I have to admit, when ‘wood day’ comes when the high is -25 C., I do wonder at the benefit of heating with wood.

Our wood supply lasts for a week.  And I try to pick good weather days to replenish the supply.  In fact, I did that just this week.  I chose the best day, as well as the best time of day.  It got up to a balmy -12 degrees.

But I hadn’t realized that last week’s blizzard had rearranged the snow.

I had to shovel my way in first, just to load the Ranger.

The good thing about snow shoveling, is that it helps me keep warm.  And loading those heavy birch logs helps, too.  Another good thing about snow shoveling and loading firewood, is that it’s a mindless task and I can think about other things (like Mexico, for instance!)  Actually, I thought about what I could share in this blog. 

In the book of Ruth, we read about an exemplary young widow who moved with her mother-in-law (also a widow), away from her own family into a foreign land.  Chapter 2 verse 7 tells us that Ruth ‘went into the field and worked steadily’. 

She, too, had a menial task, but she did it anyway.  If you go on to read about Ruth, you’ll learn that she had all kinds of great qualities besides being hardworking, she was loving, kind, faithful, and brave.  Oh, that I could be more like Ruth.

In less than an hour, I was loaded and on my way back.

And for a whole week, I’ll be able to sit in the warmth of the fire’s glow and forget about the chore on ‘wood day’.

But there will be other menial tasks; and I need to remember that it’s easier to tackle them with a thankful heart than a grumbling one.

Besides, maybe the next time the snow is re-arranged, it will be done by a Chinook.  I can hope!

Whoa...what a ride...

I can hardly believe December is here already. November just flew by.

Part of the blur was the cowboy's heart. It didn't want to work the way it should, and he landed in the hospital for 9 days.

There's nothing quite like an unexpected health scare, to cement some learning in my brain. Through this time, I learned:

1. To be thankful. I have some wonderful people in my world who helped in many ways (like feeding horses and cows, praying for us, and keeping in touch).

2. To trust. (in doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and mostly in my Heavenly Father.)

3. To cry. (when I forgot to trust)

4. To pray. (when I needed help to trust)

4. To laugh. (whenever I could) "A cheerful heart is good medicine" Proverbs 17:22

After the cowboy was home for a few days recuperating, he had an appointment with a dietitian. I tagged along to learn more about the food he should eat and what he should avoid. Like many Alberta ranchers, the cowboy loves his beef. I was relieved to hear the dietitian say that he could have steak, but the cut should be the size of the palm of her hand.

After we came home, we discussed the good news.

"She said," he exclaimed as he extended his hand, "I could have a piece this size. But she didn't say how thick." He laughed as he placed his other hand six inches above his outstretched palm.

"That would be called a roast," I giggled, "and you'd have to share that!"

I'm thankful the cowboy is feeling better.

And I'm so thankful for my loving Heavenly Father who meets all our needs.

Old Nature -- New Nature

“It’s not me who wants to wake up this early,” he claimed, “It’s my body.”

Ah, we’ve just had our ‘fall back’ time change in Alberta, and here at the end of the road, we’re still getting used to it. The cowboy, who always wakes up before the chickens, is now waking before some people go to bed! When I groggily tell him that it’s still the middle of the night, he apologizes, but insists that it’s not what he wants to do, but rather what his body does automatically.

This morning, I chuckled as a thought about this blog post. The cowboy would chuckle, too, if he knew that I was linking his words with portions from Colossians 3 (although he’d prefer I looked further down the page to that part about ‘Wives, submit to your husbands’... I don’t think I’ll tackle that one for awhile !)

But when that wide-awake cowboy confirmed his desire to sleep longer if it weren’t for the fact that his body wanted to wake up, I thought about Colossians 3, and what Paul had to say to his reader about

The earthly nature (verse 5)
The life you once lived (verse 7)
The old self and its practices (verse 9)
and
The new self being renewed (verse 10)

This morning, I am reminded about my desire to do good, but my human nature to do wrong. Sometimes I feel quite alone in this struggle. Others seem to be way beyond it and living victorious (not to mention what appears to be ‘perfect’) lives. Then I read Paul’s letter to the Romans, (chapter 7: 15-25):

“So I find this law at work:
When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;
but I see another law at work in the members of my body,
waging war against the law of my mind
and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I can totally relate. On my own I am helpless to do what my mind wants to do. My old nature takes over and heads its own way. Only when I yield to Christ, and only through His power, can my new self act.

Thank you, Lord, for understanding the war that wages within me. Thank you for loving me so much that you provide the power to win that war.

Note to reader: I’d love to hear from you on this or any other topic. Grab a coffee and drop me a line in the comment box. If you’d prefer that I not post it, just mention that.

From Mexico to Montana...

Last month, the cowboy and I made a quick trip down to Montana.

We did a little sightseeing, visited some relatives, and had a great time.

While we were in Helena, we toured the Cathedral of St. Helena,

a gothic-styled church complete with stunning stained glass windows.

While we strolled inside,

I remembered our last vacation in Mexico

and the small Presbyterian Church we saw there.

Two very different structures -- but their message is the same:

The risen Christ!

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy (Chapter 4:2), he directed Timothy to,

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;

correct, rebuke and encourage –

with great patience and careful instruction.”

These words ring true for the church today, as well.

I pray that in Mexico, Montana, and all other parts of the world,

God’s Word is shared with clarity and love.

Before I close, I have to tell you about another church we visited.
A Wesleyan church in a small town nestled in the rolling hills of southern Montana.

The cowboy’s cousin, who is the new pastor there, gave us a tour.

After the tour of the building,

we took a tour of the town in his restored Model T Ford.

What fun!

God bless you all today and every day!

And may God bless Lee and Linda in their new town,

as they share the same good news that Timothy shared

two thousand years ago.

New Tune...

I 'discovered' Jane DesRosier, of Gritty Arts Studio, several years ago. Although we haven't met in person, I have spoken with her on the phone. And from that brief interaction, and what I read and see on her blog, I know she's a gem.

Three of her paintings found a home in my living room. I grin when I look at them. Her art makes me happy.

Although I knew we shared a love of bluegrass music, I didn't realize what a talented musician she is.

Cowboys and Jesus...what a concept...Here at the end of the road, that makes me grin, too.



The words, "Will Jesus wear a cowboy hat when He comes to take us home?" make me chuckle. But if we're gonna be doing a two-step when we get there, I'd better take some lessons here first!

Matthew 24:51 reads, "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

Won't it be something!

We Make the Path by Walking

A Spanish poet, Antonio Machado, is credited with these words: "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar." which translates to “Traveler, there is no path; we make the path by walking.”

These words (the English ones!) ring in my brain each time I see a path. It wasn’t there until someone started to walk and others followed. With each subsequent use, the path became more pronounced.

Our pasture has many, many cow paths. Each year, the cows make a new one – right beside the one from the previous year. By midsummer, the path is well-worn. There is no doubt that it is this year’s path.

Many verses in the Bible that talk about paths, but today, this one stands out for me -- Proverbs 4:26 “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.”

Sometimes it’s not until I have walked for quite some time on a particular path, that I realize I shouldn’t be there. Who needs the grief that comes from trying to navigate a difficult or even treacherous path?

This summer, I’ve been working on a very difficult job. It will take several months to complete, and I can get quite cranky about it if I let myself ‘walk that path’. Daily (sometimes many times a day) I have to remind myself that because I make a path by walking, I am in control of where that path will be. I have to refuse to ‘walk’ in that territory that leads me to “Crankyville”.

The Bible also has good advice for this in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Thank you, Father, for these reminders. Help me to choose my steps and thoughts according to your Word.

Clearing Out

Since moving out here to the end of the road, I’ve found that I don’t get to town very often. It’s not that it’s a great distance, but it seems a bit of a nuisance when I’m busy. Very often, meals are based on what I have on hand rather than what I’d like to serve. After a couple of weeks without groceries, the combinations can be very odd.

Often, I’ll be in the middle of a recipe only to discover that I’m missing several ingredients. Now, good cooks would know how to substitute, but I’ve never claimed to be accomplished in that department. I remember once substituting pancake flour for regular flour in a bread recipe. I won’t try that again!

Last night at 10:30, I was putting together a sauce for a slow-cooker rib dish. Two cups of barbeque sauce shouldn’t be too hard to come by – especially in this house. My husband loves to barbeque and tries new sauces all the time. I opened the fridge and started pulling out bottles of sauce. They were everywhere – in the back and the front, on the top shelf and on the bottom, and even some on the door. I giggled when I saw the 6 bottles lined up on the counter. No two the same!

Some were 1/4 full, but most had just a couple of spoonfuls. No way was I going to be able to get two cups of a single variety.

I had two choices: I could make a trip to town (1/2 hour each way) to the 24-hour grocery store to buy even more barbeque sauce to add to our growing collection or I could 'make do'. I chose the latter.

“I’ll just use ‘em all and hope there will be enough, ” I thought. (My mom would be so proud!) I have no idea how much of each one I used – I just kept pouring until the last bottle was empty and I had the required 2 cups!

I tried it just now and I'm happy to report that it is delicious --even though (perhaps because?) it is made up of 6 different varieties of barbeque sauce! The down side is that I’ll never be able to replicate it. I have no idea how much of each one I used.

But the real bonus is that I have room in my fridge again!

This morning I was thinking about that extra room in my fridge and hoping I can keep it.

How often my life is that way. I fill it up with bits of this and that, lots of busyness and things that don’t really matter. I can feel packed and cluttered and gasping for air before long. How about you? Are you managing balance in your life? Do you have room to hear the Master’s voice?

In Luke 10: 38-42 we read, “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”


Thank you, Lord, for this reminder to clear out the distractions of my life so that I, too, can choose what is better.

Life's Storms

When we decided to build our home, and set about choosing a site, we carefully considered many things: the cost of bringing water, gas, telephone, electricity here; and the fact that we’d have to build our own road. However, we loved the privacy and the view, so we began…

You’d have thought that we might have noticed the wind.

Apparently not.

Although we spent many days out here at the end of the road imagining, planning, preparing, not once do I remember discussing (or even noticing) the wind.

But it hasn’t stopped blowing since we moved in…

The delphinium will have to put down deeper roots…

And I may need to grow larger feet…

The other day I looked out and saw this niger seed sock waving around in reckless abandon…(the picture doesn’t really show how strong the wind was. At times, it was horizontal!) …but the finches seemed oblivious to the hurricane in their midst.

I marvel at their trust.

Pretty sure I would have taken cover in that blast, but they just kept about their business as if all was well.

And, all was well in the greater scheme of things.

This morning I read Luke 8 about Jesus calming the storm. Verse 24 says, “The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

Very often, I want Jesus to calm storms in my life. Make it all better – or make it go away…and sometimes He does…but sometimes, instead of the storm (situation) changing, He calms my internal storms…gives me a peace inside and the belief that in His presence I can weather the storm on the outside.

The study notes for Luke 8:25 in my Bible say this: “When caught in the storms of life, it is easy to think that God has lost control and that we’re at the mercy of the winds of fate. In reality, God is sovereign. He controls the history of the world as well as our personal destinies. Just as Jesus calmed the waves, he can calm whatever storms you may face.” (Life Application Study Bible NIV, Zondervan)
When we trust in this same Jesus, we can ride out life’s storms, just as calmly as those finches.

Thank you, Lord, for peace in the midst of storm.

Fresh Start

Our Golden Elm finally sent out new leaves.

It’s always behind the others; and every year I wonder if perhaps the winter was too hard for it.

But there they were:

beautiful new leaves in that gorgeous new spring green colour.

Spring had certainly arrived.

Then…a killing frost...

the tender new leaves turned black and died.

I wondered if it would leaf out again...

Nothing happened for weeks,

until...a long-awaited rain...

followed by the warmth of the sun...

New leaves formed just behind the ones killed by the frost...

and the new leaves are more abundant than the original!

The elm tree got a second chance.

As I considered this 'miracle' today,

I thought about the ‘second chances’ in my life.

Aren’t you glad we all get second chances?

Ours is a God of second, (and many more) chances.

He doesn’t stop loving me when I mess up.

I can go to him in my brokenness, and get another start.

How marvelous to know this truth.

The Bible is filled with stories of many who received

‘fresh starts’.

Moses, Paul, the woman at the well,

are just a few who come to my mind.

I love the way the Message puts it in I John 1:9

If we admit our sins – make a clean breast of them –

he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself.

He’ll forgive our sins and purge us from all wrong doing.

Wow, that’s what I call a ‘fresh start’.

Waiting...and more Waiting...

After the longest winter of my life, I think I can truthfully say that Spring has finally arrived.

But she certainly took her time.

We had snow a week ago, and a killing frost after that. I know it was a killing frost because I lost 12 tomatoes and 8 green peppers -- inside the greenhouse!

However, that is all in the past. Today we had lovely sunshine and miracle of miracles: no wind! I hummed a happy tune, while I planted pots for the verandah. And I almost cried when I saw

♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪

two Finches in a Pear Tree…
♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫

And the pear tree has begun to flower.

Oh happy day!

Are you longing for something?

Waiting can be a real challenge.

It seems that almost everyone I know is waiting for something….

Psalm 130:5 says,

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”

During my times of waiting, I’ve found strength in knowing that my Heavenly Father has my days all planned for me…

I can wait patiently, knowing that his timing is best.

If you are currently waiting, search scriptures for direction.

And know that as you wait,

your Father knows what lies ahead

and is preparing you for it,

right now.

Deep Roots

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I live on the prairie. It’s mostly flat and without trees, but we have a stand of spruce and pine on one bank of the big coulee, and on a hot summer day, a walk in the forest is a refreshing treat. I can feel the temperature fall as I make my way down the game trails, beneath the towering spruce. Sometimes, I lie down on the springy moss, and breath in the fresh cool forest air.

Today, I went for a walk in our ‘forest.’ It wasn’t warm enough to lie on the moss, but I enjoyed the fresh scent of the pine and spruce.

After dodging the snow and ice on the trail,

I found my favourite tree.

What determination it has, to send out roots in search of soil, nutrients, and precious water. On this rocky hillside, fertile soil is very hard to find. Still the tree does not give up; it continues to seek.

When I looked at these roots, I thought about my own ‘rooting process’.

Col 2:6 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him.”

We know that trees with deep roots survive years of drought. They stand firm against strong winds, and they produce fruit.

Am I as relentless as that tree in the forest in finding the nutrients I need? Do I want to be deep-rooted? Or do my roots wither and die for lack of growing medium.

Thank you, Father, that your word says we can be ‘rooted and established in love’. Help us to put down deep roots, in You.

Bad Hair Day

When I need a big shot of caffeine, I reach for this mug. You might not guess from the picture, but it holds two large mugs of coffee (or whatever) -- and…it’s fun!

If I think I’m having a bad hair day, I just look at the mug.

Today, this picture made me think about how others see me. Do they see the bad hair – or the smile? Waaaay too often, it’s the bad hair because the smile isn’t there.

A number of years ago, I taught Life Skills and Career Planning for women in transition. Each time we covered job search techniques, one question was inevitable: “What should I wear to a job interview?”

I remember discussing the benefits of a ‘blue power suit’ but I always stressed that the best thing you can wear to an interview is a smile.

Proverbs 15:13a says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful...”

It's true, if my heart is happy, it shows on my face. But I think it works well the other way, too.

Putting a smile on my face encourages a happy heart. I feel happy because my face says I am. And I’m pretty sure it makes for a better hair day, too!

Late

I hate to be late. Truly.
But even though I have an aversion to lateness, I can’t seem to avoid it.

I have been late for work, late for church, late for a movie (oh, excuse me as I trip over your feet in this dark theatre), and too late for the post office and the grocery store.

I’ve been late for birthday parties, weddings, and funerals.

I truly hate to be late. I think it sends the message that I don’t care. And that's not true -- I DO care. I just can’t seem to get my act together to show up on time.

Another reason I hate to be late is that it requires an apology – and I’m not very good at that, either.

But that’s not what this blog is about…

This week I discovered that on top of all those things listed above, I am also late in reading a list of 20 books to ‘read before you’re 20’. All three people who read this blog know that the train left the station on that one a looooong time ago. The years before I was 20 are now listed in ‘not so modern’ history books.

Of that list of 20 books, I have read only one; and I read it long after I was twenty. I don't think the author was even born before I had that birthday party!

As I thought about my chronic lateness, it hit me -- God is never late.
He wasn’t late for Lazarus.
He wasn’t late for Noah.
He wasn’t late for Abraham.
And He isn’t late for us.

Sometimes it feels like He’s late; but His timing is always perfect.

II Peter 3:8, 9a says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years , and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise…"

Thank you for reminding me of this truth, Father. Your timing is perfect.

So, back to the list of books -- should I bother to read the rest of the books on the list? Maybe I should look for another list – one with a less constraining time line. Maybe a list of books to read before I’m 80. I think I could manage that. Maybe a list of books to read before I clean my house? Now there’s an idea…

Longing for Spring

Several years ago, one of my students introduced me to the song

“You Must Believe in Spring.”
Because this winter seems longer than any other I’ve known,

I’m holding on to this thought.


Just as a tree is sure
Its leaves will reappear;
It knows its emptiness
Is just the time of year

The frozen mountain dreams

Of April's melting streams,

How crystal clear it seems,

You must believe in Spring!

What crazy weather we are having…

a thaw…

then a cold snap…

another thaw…

and water, water everywhere!

The greenhouse awaits tomatoes,

the fence awaits sweet peas,

and the pine just wants the frost to be gone.

I pour over the seed catalogues

and long for spring,

new life,

new beginnings,

and an end to the cold.

How wonderful to know that God created an ordered universe.

Daniel 2:21a reads, “He changes times and seasons.”

And when spring does arrive,

and I enjoy the new growth once again,

remind me, Father, that You provide

this wonderful season through Your creation of order.

Snow Party

Sometimes, here at the end of the road, it seems that we are a long way from anywhere and anyone. But this past weekend, we held our ‘try for yearly, but it depends on the conditions’ Snow Party. The snow was still here, the weather was perfect, and about 30 people came to help us celebrate.

I have always loved tobogganing. It was one of my favourite activities when I was young. I remember rushing in from the school bus, dropping off our books, grabbing the toboggan and heading for the coulee. I’m glad our neighbours’ kids love it as much as I did.

Of course now it’s a little different than it was back then. Now, it’s all a ‘ride’ – both up and down the hill! The kids slid down on all types of sleds, sliders, and toboggans; the adults pulled them back up to the top with snowmobiles. The moms enjoyed hot chocolate as they stood on the deck and watched; and I caught some of the happenings on video…

Lots of thrills, some spills, but mostly laughter and fun. When it was over, we went back to the house for supper and more visiting.

I went to bed that night with the sound of the laughter still ringing in my head. I thought about the fun, but I also thought about the beauty of that coulee. In an area which is mostly flat prairie, these hills offer a beautiful change of scenery, and they don't change over time.

The author of Psalm 102 credited God for the creation when he wrote in verse 25, "In the beginning, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."

I imagine a century ago, others enjoyed 'our' coulee. Today, we have the priviledge of spending time there, and sometime in the future, I hope others find its beauty, as well. Indeed, I hope the tradition of Snow Parties continues. These hills should ring with laughter…as kids of all ages enjoy the wonder of God's creation.

First Street -- Last Street

Last week, I went to visit a friend and return a book she had loaned me. Both the visit and the book were long overdue. As I turned down ‘the last street in town’, I remembered a time, years ago, when a woman arrived on my doorstep looking for that same street.

She explained her destination and it made perfect sense. The instructions she had been given were absolutely correct, and she had followed them explicitly. The only problem was her approach. While my home and the other person’s home were both on the ‘last street in town’, we did not live on the same street. In fact, we couldn’t have lived further apart. First and last are interchangeable, when approached from opposite directions.

I drew a little map to help her find the way, and off she drove. I’m sure she and her friend had a good chuckle when she arrived.

Last week, as I turned down that ‘last street’, I thought about 'firsts' and 'lasts'.

Jesus said, “For many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Don't you love the way that Jesus turned things around? In our world, the powerful and famous don't arrive at their coveted spots without a certain level of ‘pushing’. How refreshing to read that Jesus taught the opposite. He wants us to be humble and gentle. And what’s more: He lived those principles to provide us with a model.

I don’t live in that town anymore. I’m no longer on the first (or last) street – I’m even further out – at ‘the end of the road’. Because it’s easy to get lost out here, I try to give really clear directions to people who want to visit. With clear directions and the right approach, you could arrive in time for afternoon tea. Please know the invitation is always open!

“Father, help us be to be mindful of the roads You want us to take, and please remind us of Your teaching on humility. We look for Your guidance along our way until we reach the very ‘end of our road’ and are welcomed into Your kingdom.”

The Look

Last weekend, I caught a tiny bit of the pre-Oscar hoopla. “Who are you wearing?” was the buzz-line as the rich and famous strutted their stuff on the red carpet. The flash bulbs popped and the crowd ‘ooohed’ and ‘aaawed’. Now, please don’t get me wrong – I like fashion as much as anyone – but this was over the top.

I thought about some of the getups I wear – especially for chores. What about my little Wind River number – a cinnamon brown, very earthy, yet with a the right accessories, it works! And what about the basic navy ski pants (with that divine little tear from an honest-to-goodness barbed wire fence!) – well they are just darling!

But the entire look wouldn’t be complete without the snow boots – still within those earthy tones in forest green. They just scream ‘look at me.’ If I have to run from a mean cow, I’m finished – but at least I’ll go down with the ‘right look’.

Everyone on the red carpet knows that accessories are everything. Today, I’ll choose a splash of colour with the 1971 vintage red hand-knit toque (a birthday gift from my sister). It’s made the rounds – me, mom, nieces/nephews, and now back to me. When I pull that toque on, I know it completes my look; and if Fashion Television ever wants to feature my kind of fashion, I’ll be ready. (But don’t hold your breath!)

The Bible has some great advice for us on the topic of clothes:

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:28-33)

“Father, when we are tempted to worry about how we look, remind us about the lilies and your care. It’s not about how we look; it’s about whom we look to…”

Patching

It was six years ago, that I pieced my first quilt (pictured above). It was for my niece’s new little baby daughter, Morgan. I remember giving her specific instructions: “Please use this quilt – don’t put it away in a closet – I made it for her to use. And when it falls apart, ship it back to me, and I’ll fix it.”

Now, these six years later, my niece, Marcie, came for a visit. She brought the quilt, because "the dog snagged it, and it needs a couple of patches."

I could hardly believe how shabby and worn the quilt had become.

The once-vibrant colours had faded. The once-plush blanket had settled into a paper-thin rag. The back was filled with holes of all sizes, and the binding should have been redone. But there would be little sense in doing the back and the binding, because the front was in almost the same condition.

It was so bad, that I told Marcie to put it in the burning barrel, and I’d make another one. But, you know how some kids are about their blankets -- Morgan wouldn’t part with it.

I found some leftover fabric in my stash, and I began to patch.

I patched. And I patched. And I patched.

It doesn’t look very pretty, but I did the best I could.

Morgan's quilt has been returned to her, and she probably cares far more about having it back than how it looks. I guess it's a good thing that it didn't go to the burning barrel (at least for now).

This patching process made me think about how everything wears out. When I looked for a picture of that quilt when it was new, I found about 35 years of pictures showing all kinds of ‘stuff’ we gathered along the way -- stuff that has long since found its way to the Thrift Shop or the burning barrel. All of our possessions get old and wear out. And we are left with only pictures and memories.

Did you know that Revelation 18 tells us that all things will burn at the end of time?

Father, thank you for supplying my needs while I am here. Thank you for the reminder that I need to hold loosely the 'things' and 'stuff' in my life, and tightly to what really matters.

Apostrophe Catastrophe

Okay – it’s official – I am officially (certifiably?) an ‘apostrophe loon.’

Maybe it’s because I sit at this computer day after day grading students’ writing assignments, that I have become obsessed with apostrophes – or maybe it’s the apostrophe errors that I am obsessed with. I mean ‘with which I have become obsessed’ – I don’t want to end a sentence with a preposition – even in my blog!

Monday morning hubby and I got up at 3:30 am (ugh!) to drive into the city airport so that he could catch a flight. Although we packed coffee with us, we both needed another shot when we arrived, so we headed upstairs for coffee and crullers. On the way, I noticed an apostrophe error on a large wall sign. If you are remotely interested – it was shown as a possessive, but needed to be a plural possessive. Anyway, I mentioned it to hubby; I can’t remember his verbal response, but I do remember the shaking head…

After he went through security and boarded the plane, I walked by the sign again, and decided to report the error so that it could be corrected. But to whom should this information be given? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a rather official-looking fellow in a uniform; he must be the one. I followed him (at a reasonable distance) until I saw him walk into the Customs Office. Apparently he wasn’t a member of the ‘apostrophe police'. I looked around for someone else.

It’s a good thing that hubby had gone --he would likely have kept walking (pretending he didn’t know me!) if he were still there. But, as you have probably determined, this topic is near and dear to my heart. Even Hubby's abandonment wouldn't deter me.

The Calgary Airport has a group of volunteers who are identified by their red vests and white Stetsons. They offer help to airport visitors and are most approachable. I took my concern to a ‘white-hatter’.

Here is our conversation:

Me: I’m just wondering who is in charge of this airport.

Nice Lady in White Hat: Well, that is the Calgary Airport Authority. I can’t give you individual names, but I could get you an address, if you like. Or perhaps there is something I could do for you?

Me: I just wanted to report an apostrophe error on a sign upstairs.

Nice Lady in White Hat: Silence
(I’m used to this reaction when I bring up this topic)
Eventually, she said: Really? Where is it?

Me: It’s in the play area.

Nice Lady in White Hat: You must be a teacher.

Me: Yes. But I’m only reporting it because I wouldn’t want children to be exposed to it.

(I can’t believe I actually said this – but I did. I told you that I’m obsessed! And you're probably thinking by now that Hubby's response would be perfectly natural. You'd run, too!)

Anyway, the conversation went on. Nice Lady told me she was a teacher, too, and had walked by the sign several times. Although she felt uneasy with it, she hadn’t yet determined the error. She assured me that she would forward my concern to the ‘powers that be’. Then she shared her own ‘pet peeve’ – redundant phrasing.

I felt so much better. Someone cared. Someone understood.

Maybe Nice Lady was pleasant with me because she was trained to deal with all kinds of concerns. But I do think this may have been her first ‘apostrophe report.’

All the way home, I wondered if I had done the right thing. It is quite picky, and really doesn’t matter to others the way it matters to me.

Colossians 3:10b (Living Bible translation) says “In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant: such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all.”

Wow, does that ever put it into perspective! It seems silly to get all excited about apostrophe errors when I look at the ‘big picture’.

Father, it’s not about apostrophes or any other details that tie us up in knots. It’s all about our relationship with You. Help us to keep that in mind.

All the days ordained for me...

I’m a Bible-marker. I know that to some that might seem wrong -- but I like to underline verses that speak especially to me, and I like to record times and events in my Bible. I especially like to go back through the pages and remember…

Today I celebrate another birthday, so perhaps more than other days, I’m mindful of the passage of time. As I looked in the Psalms, I found this passage underlined:

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
Were written in your book
Before one of them came to be.

In the margin I wrote, “Gracie, February 5/07” Our little granddaughter was born the day before my birthday two years ago.

What a special birthday gift she was; and she continues to be a blessing. How wonderful to know that God knit her together in her mother’s womb and that all her days are written in His book even those that have yet to come.

Even more powerful: this is true for all the generations, past and future.

I found baby pictures of my dad, myself, our son, and our little Gracie to share with you today.

My dad, held by his aunt, Jean...

Myself, taken around my first birthday...

Our son, Nathan, in my arms...

Little Gracie, held by her parents...

Each of us began our lives with that truth – we are fearfully and wonderfully made, our frames are not hidden from Him, and our days are written in His book.

Thank you, Father, for all my days. And for the circle of life…Help me to remember my days and make them count for You.

Just Do It

I’m in the process of deciding if I want to invest in a treadmill. I love to walk, but this winter, I just can’t seem to get out on the walks I say I love to take. Oh, I can think of a zillion excuses – it’s too cold, too slushy, too icy, too late. Maybe if I had a way of walking inside, I would do it.

This week, my husband has been taking a course in the city, and I tagged along to enjoy a hotel stay/holiday. Well, I spent most of the day on my laptop (I teach an on-line course for a university) but I did manage to take 30 minutes a day in the hotel gym. I thought if I could make myself walk on the treadmill here every day, I’d have a better idea if it would work for me at home. Besides, with no horses to feed or stock waterers to check, and with the wonderful restaurant meals I’ve been enjoying, (not to mention those desserts!) I really needed to get some exercise! So down I went, in my prettiest exercise gear. I cranked the tunes and walked.

It wasn’t so bad. In fact, it was a nice break from my marking. And it gave me a great appetite for those rich desserts!

But will I keep it up at home? It is pretty easy to find other things to do. If only I could take a pill or a supplement to get ‘fit’, I’d be the first to sign up. Unfortunately, getting physically fit requires discipline, and that’s something no pill or potion can offer.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”

When you think of it, city walls protect the residents from attack. When we lack self-control, we leave ourselves open to attack, as well. So, self-control is like a wall of protection.

“Father, it is only with Your help, that I can cultivate healthy habits of self-control. Help me today, to take one step toward that goal.”

I think I will get a treadmill – but not the kind that tells you how many more miles you have to walk to burn off the calories of a piece of Rolo Cake. I don’t really want to know that!

Keen Minds

For the past week, I’ve had my neighbours’ kids staying with me here at the end of the road, while their parents flew south for a well-deserved vacation. I can’t speak for the kids, but I’ve had a blast. Nothing like young minds and bodies to keep you going!

We went sledding, and I pulled them on a toboggan behind the quad leaving a trail that would put to shame any ‘drunkard’s path’ quilt! Daily, we fed our horses and travelled to their farm to feed 4-H calves and other assorted creatures, including a huge white feline they call ‘Jolly Old Cat.’

One night after completing both sets of chores, I thought they might need a break from my cooking so I offered to go for pizza. The only problem was that I was in my barnyard clothes and didn’t want to run into anyone I knew. They offered all kinds of advice including:

“Just tell them you are starting a new style,” and

“Yeah, ‘barnyard’ is the new black!”

We really enjoyed that pizza!

I took them to and from school, asked what they learned, and teased them that the teachers must be overpaid because they always claimed not to have learned anything. At mealtime, we discussed the day's events, history, and politics. After the inauguration, we talked about President Obama’s future popularity rating. I expect we'll re-visit that conversation several times over the next few years.

But my favourite part of each day was the bedtime reading. We started with The Highwayman and moved on to a modern version of Horatius at the Bridge. We had a couple of nights with Robert Service (Dan McGrew and Sam McGee) and finished up with Casey at the Bat, and Tom Sawyer. Last night I was at a loss, until the ten year old found a large old text on the bookshelf called A Treasury of the Familiar. He checked the index at the back and asked for “President Roosevelt Asks Congress to Declare War on Japan.” That was a first for them, as well as a first for me!

I marvel at these kids and their keen, open minds. And I’m so glad to have had this time with them.

Psalm 3:23 says, “Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.”

Lord, help me to embrace wisdom and to realize that true wisdom comes only from You.

Stumblin' in the Dark

I’ve been walking around with a sore toe for almost a week. It’s an ‘old housecleaning injury’ -- somehow that just doesn’t have the same ring as an ‘old football injury’ but anyone who knows me, knows that I could never survive playing football. If I wasn’t creamed by the players physically, they’d ban me from the game because I'd ask too many questions about how it works.

Anyway, back to my toe…

Late one afternoon, I noticed that the moon was unusually large and bright, so I snapped this picture while it was still quite light, and made a mental note to check it out again later. After I turned out the lights for bed, I saw that the coulee was flooded with moonlight. It bounced off the snow and seemed to fill all the nooks and crannies with a mysterious glow. Although it was really bright outside, the moon was high in the night sky, and it didn't stream in through the windows. The house was pitch black. In my hurry to check another view, I walked right into my little kitchen step ladder and stubbed my toe (really hard!)

I was so mad at myself – I knew that ladder was there. Why in the world didn’t I just turn on the light? To make matters worse, it’s my previously injured toe (from the housecleaning incident of long ago), and that seemed to increase the pain.

Well, that was the end of the moon watching. I sulked to bed and thought about my sore toe and how silly it was to try to navigate in the dark, when light was so available -- just a flick of the switch away.

By morning my toe was a bit better, and I remembered this verse:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

This light is as readily available to me as the electric lights in my house, but for a variety of reasons, I sometimes fail to use it.

Sometimes, I forget it’s there;

Sometimes, I think I know the path and don’t need the light;

And sometimes, I wonder if the light won’t be just a little too bright – that it will flood the nooks and crannies of my world and be too disturbing.

I’ve had a few wrecks because I failed to use the light. But I’m thankful that each time, Jesus gently reminded me where the light is and how to use it.

Thank you that Your word is a light in every kind of darkness.
Help me to choose Your word as a light on my life’s pathway so that I don't stumble in the dark.

It Only Takes a Spark...

It only takes a spark…

That song came to my mind tonight when I tried to ‘get a fire going’ in our woodstove. You’d think I’d have it figured out by now, since this is our third winter here, but I’m still having trouble.

If I catch it before the fire has completely gone out, I’m fine. I pile on a few more logs, and soon it starts to roar. But today was so warm, I didn’t notice the fire had gone out, and by the time the house cooled off enough to notice, there was not an ember in sight.

As I struggled to coax a flame, I started humming…

It only takes a spark to get a fire going…

And soon all those around will warm up in its glowing;

Oh that sounded good – to warm up in its glowing. I started to think about hot chocolate…

That's how it is with God's love,

Once you've experienced it,

You spread the love to everyone

You want to pass it on

I guess I hadn’t really thought much about those lyrics before. In fact, it’s been years since I sang that song.

Way back in the 70’s, I remember groups of kids sitting around a campfire, singing it. We were so young, and God’s love was very real. We really did want to ‘pass it on’.

The years went by, and life got busy, and as I raced through it, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about those things that really matter most…

I wonder what ever happened to some of those kids?...

I wonder what happened to me?...

Well, the fire did get going, and I did warm up in its glowing. And as I paused to enjoy the warmth, I thought about that line, “you want to pass it on.”

I Corinthians 13 is such a great passage. It closes with verse 13:

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.


“Father, help us not to keep Your love to ourselves.
But to pass it on to all who cross our path this day.
Through word or deed, may others know Your love as we pass it on.”

Cookies From California

It’s been so cold for so long, here at the end of the road, that I haven’t left the place. But today a Chinook blew in and I finally got to town. Hooray!

Going to town is a pretty big deal here. It doesn’t happen often – especially in the winter months. One of the real treats about finally getting to town is picking up the mail. Today was no exception. Lots of Christmas cards that hadn’t made it before Christmas, some newspapers, and even a parcel. I ripped into it as soon as I got home and found two packages of ‘treats’ – treats for people (chocolate) and treats for horses (cookies). What fun! Who knew there was such a thing as horse cookies? And they came all the way from California!

Because the weather was so mild, I took a little extra time with the horses this afternoon, to see what they thought of their Christmas gift from California. I felt like the woman in Proverbs 31. You know the part about “She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.” Well, I didn’t really bring the cookies – our cousin sent them. But the horses loved them, just the same.

It made me think about treats, and how we all need a treat every once in a while. Life can become drudgery if we don’t find joyful moments. I’m not talking about major expenditures – just simple pleasures in daily living. David Greer wrote, “the secret of happiness in today’s helter-skelter technological world is to learn how to enjoy less than we can afford. We need to rediscover the pleasures our grandparents knew when life was quieter and slower, when children without TVs knew how to amuse themselves, when pleasures were made, not bought – and enjoyed all the more because of it.”

“Father, help me to find simple pleasures every day this year. And help me to remember that You are the Giver of all good gifts.”

New Dawn...New Year

The New Year dawned with this lovely pink sky. I smiled. And I think that God smiled, too. I sat in my sunroom sipping Crème Brulée hot chocolate, (that Santa knows just what to leave in my stocking!) thinking about all there was to smile about.

Our little granddaughter, for one. She has a new trick called the ‘herd of elephants’. Pretty sure that Daddy is behind this one. They stomp all over the house making as much noise as possible, then lift their arms high and make the elephant’s noise. SNORT!

My husband makes me smile, too. We recently enjoyed a wonderful meal in an upscale city restaurant. After insisting that I couldn’t eat another bite, I managed to polish off a rich dessert while he took a call on his cell phone. When he returned to the table, he teased me about how quickly it disappeared. Adding that sucking, vacuum noise just for clarity.

I said, “When I’m dead and gone, and you’re looking for another wife, don’t do that to any of the prospects. I’m just giving you some sound advice – you’ll appreciate this knowledge, when the time comes.”

His response, “Too late. I’ve used all my charm on you, hon.”

I thought I’d die laughing. And I still chuckle when I think about it. This guy who is far more comfortable in jeans and boots at the ‘end of the road’ than in ‘dress up’ clothes at a fancy restaurant, had used up all his charm on me.

It’s good to laugh, isn’t it? Some days, laughter seems far away, but we all feel better after a good old, ‘from the boots’ belly-laugh. Even scripture tells us this:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22

Thank you, Father, that you created laughter. Help me to find joy in some small way, every day this year.

I hope that 2009 brings you many opportunities to laugh. But if they don’t present themselves, don't be afraid to create them. Try the ‘herd of elephants’ for yourself. And after the SNORT, enjoy a rich dessert. Elephants love Crème Brulée!