ARCHIVING OLD BLOGS

Beginning today, February 17, 2012, with the exception of http://mylivinglens.blogspot.com/ each of my other blogs will either be archived or completely removed from access, in favor of a new and different way at: http://suesmuse.weebly.com/ Please visit soon and let me know if you like what you see. 

WALKING WITH MY DADDY

Dear Father~

Thank You for the memory I treasure of my daddy and me walking to church one Sunday morning when I was about ten years old. I was tall for my age, but Daddy was 6’2” and used to walking at a pretty good clip. All of a sudden he chuckled as he realized I had to take three steps to every one he took! From then on, his steps were measured to match mine more closely. He was a good daddy in so many ways and those little things made me feel so special.

You know how much I wish everyone could better understand and truly know You as “Daddy-God”. You know I’m not talking about a Santa Claus type of relationship. What kind of daddy would a man be who came only one night a year bringing a bag full of beautiful earthly gifts? No, I mean the kind of daddy who lays down his life for his child by getting up early in the extreme heat or extreme cold and goes to work every day thinking first of the needs of those he loves, last of his own needs. Your Son said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NASB) I am talking about the everyday family relationship between a father and his child.

We sing about Your walking and talking with us, about Your telling us we are Your own; most of the time I suppose we are thinking of ourselves as grown-up friends while we sing those words, but if we imagine You as our Daddy or Dad and ourselves as Your adopted children while singing those same words, we can hold the family form of fellowship in our hearts.

As You well know, I see You and me that way often. Because You never age, it doesn’t matter that I do! You never change so I can always depend on Your being whatever I need You to be. Your love is faithful and I can depend on it. I love being with You!

Thank You for sharing the things of the world with me. When others are nowhere near, You and I see some things that I can only tell others about, like that hummingbird in those lovely pink vine flowers up by the mailbox a few days ago. Even though I had my camera in my hand, You saw how fast he flitted away before I was even within a photo shoot distance. Yet, I had seen him, so I felt blessed. What fascinated me was the fact that the following day at almost exactly the same time, the event was repeated! Thank You, Father.

Then last Sunday, remember when I had parked the van facing into that sage shrubbery? I came out after lunch to get into the van and that mockingbird appeared straight up like he had been shot out of a popgun! You and I were the only ones who saw the expression on his face…and yes, he did have an expression, didn’t he? He was so surprised I wonder that he didn’t mold his beak in a big round “O”! There he sat, still as could be, half of his body showing out of that shrubbery, until I said, “I surprised you didn’t I? Well, you surprised me, too! I promise I won’t hurt you.” That’s when we saw him fly into that tree by the other side of the van. Oh, how I wanted to take time to get out my camera to take some pictures because I just KNEW he’d let me do so. But Lord, I had other responsibilities, didn’t I? I had to get to the front of the restaurant to pick up the guys instead of leaving them standing in the heat. The words to the song, “I am mine no more,” run through my mind at times like that. Thank You for gentle reminders. Thank You, too, for the story I was able to share with the guys once I picked them up, but especially for Your being there with me all along to see and share the whole episode.

And then Father, the next evening You set the most beautiful sunset in the sky! You know how much I enjoy seeing all those colors and marvel at the way the sky changes in such a short time. Thank You that I was able to hurriedly grab my camera and fast walk to an area where I could get some pictures of the expanse of sky to show Your beauty in the best possible ways. Thank You for walking with me as my Daddy-Father, for being my Lord and my God. I do love You!

M. Sue 9-1-2011

HEED THE WARNINGS

Oh, dear Lord~

Hurricane Irene. Everybody has been talking about it all day long on television. It’s understandable since it’s a storm that packs a tremendous wallop. The warnings have been out for days, but the detail has been more intense over the past couple.

As I was cleaning up this evening’s supper dishes, thoughts were racing through my mind of the warnings and reactions about Irene I’d seen and heard the past two days. I saw such similarities to how people treat the admonitions You’ve given in Your Word.

With Irene, there have been some who decided to ignore the mandatory orders to leave the areas. How helpless far-away family members feel; how frightened for their lives! All we can do is keep encouraging loved ones to leave the area and pray they will. Yes, Lord, there is a similar feeling from those of us who have concern for far-away family members and/or friends who refuse to even acknowledge Your existence. We fear for their spiritual lives, but know we have the power of prayer.

When we say, “All we can do is pray,” I wonder what that must sound like to You. “Oh, ye of little faith,” sounds familiar, but I don’t think most people who say, “All we can do…” mean it that way. My guess is most just mean they want to feel like THEY are doing something. For them it has to be something they can point to that is obvious, so they can say, “There, that is what I did.”

But, back to how people responded to Irene, Lord:

Some decided it was their right to play in the pounding waves, basically tempting fate with the idea that no one had the right to tell them otherwise. They seemed to have lack of any consideration for the ones who might be called on to save their careless lives should they be sucked under those same waves they found so enjoyable at present. Isn’t that just the way most of us live our lives until we learn of Your Great Gift of Your Son for our eternal lives? Jesus said He came to give us abundant life. That abundant life is not just in eternity is it, Lord? We have opportunity to share it with You now and all the way into and through eternity! Thank You for saving my soul for now and for eternity, Father!

Then, Lord, there were those who took the warnings seriously, but said they were going to wait to see how the storm behaved, not going to do anything just yet. How like some folks that is, those who choose to put off looking to You for salvation, isn’t it? They want to wait a while longer for a variety of reasons. Sometimes I look at how much evil abounds in the world and I wonder how long You will be patient, Father, but I always remember what 2 Peter 3:9b says about Your not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. That verse says “any” and “all”, not just the few I might think were worthy to pick and choose, doesn’t it, Lord? Thank You for choosing to be patient. Please help me to learn to see others through Your eyes of love.

Some who heard the warnings acted immediately. No more putting it off, they went out, got the necessary items, boarded up their windows, doors, etc., packed their belongings, and left the area before the last-minute rush so had no reason to wait in a long line for gas for their vehicles or to be victims of the short tempers of others. In other words, a person watching might ask why their lives were so charmed! It had to do with planning ahead and putting first things first, didn’t it, God? They heard the warnings, paid close attention to the reality of the circumstances, chose to believe what was before them, and acted upon them. This reminds me of a saying I’ve heard that “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” Help us to hear and heed all the warnings that we be prepared to live with You here on earth and there in heaven, no matter what kinds of storms arise between now and then.

M. Sue 8-27-2011

TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS

Dear Lord~

One of today’s headlines reads: Apple CEO Jobs Resigns  It is followed by an explanation that it is most likely due to his health issues.  I’m sure the public has long watched this man with a variety of emotions, but if that diagnosis is correct, right now my guess is nobody wants to walk in his shoes. 

What a good reminder this is, Lord, of the scripture that our times are in your hands (Psalms 31:5).  You know that is one of my favorite verses.  Another is, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 NIV)

Because he is a public figure, Mr. Jobs has been observed far more than most of us would have been in a life battle with cancer.  His extreme weight loss has been uncomfortable to observe, bringing deep empathy from me.  As a survivor of breast cancer, I know You see how I long for any person with a cancer diagnosis to one day hear, “All clear!  No more cancer!”  Mr. Jobs has not even had the opportunity to try to heal privately.  Now, with all he has had going for him in this world, my prayer is that he realizes how much he needs You, Lord.  Hopefully, he understood long before this and had been seeking You all along. 

Mr. Jobs was on my mind as I was out in our little back yard thinking how physically easy it was for me to take pictures of the tiny Texas Bindweed flowers.  I considered the possibility that Mr. Jobs might wish he were able to do such a simple thing.  All the money he has will not purchase the opportunity I was given this morning.  Thank You for providing such pleasures for me each day.  I mean to always remember to thank You for each of these blessings, dear Lord.  I never want to take any of this for granted, or act like You owe it to me for any reason.

Dear Lord, I find great comfort when I read Psalm 139.  The imagery contained in it is so beautiful.  Thank You for giving Your Word to us.  In thinking about Mr. Jobs, verse 16 stood out as of particular importance:

 “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them.” (NASB)

I hope Mr. Jobs knows You and knows that You have always had, and do have, plans for him.  You know that I wish him well, dear Lord.  I’d love to be able to rejoice sometime next year by reading headlines that state: Former Apple CEO Jobs Declared Cancer Free! My prayer for him is that regardless of the timing, he be prepared when he comes to the end of the days that You have ordained for him…and so may it be for me. 

Teach us to number our days.

M. Sue        8-25-2011

PERFECTION

Good Morning, Father~

Thank You for wanting to be my Father. Thank You that before You created the world You saw the need for a Savior because You knew You wanted that relationship, yet You knew we would have to have the Perfect Mediator, Your Son. Thank You for seeing me as perfect through the blood He has shed so my sins have been forgiven.

Dear Lord, You know I understood, yet it hurt my heart when our daughter, a minister’s wife, and her husband returned from a recent reunion with their former ministerial classmates from years ago with word that not many young men are going into ministry today in comparison to the numbers of the late 1990’s. Tongue-in-cheek, with a bit of sarcasm in my tone, You heard me mutter, “I wonder why.” Not very nice of me, was it, Lord? Not that it makes my attitude right, but You know the trials ministers and their families go through. I do believe those trials are a part of the growth process, that they only make the very determined ones stronger, but I also see how discouraging they can be. I know what I’ve seen not only in my own family but also in others, so it’s no wonder that men don’t want to put their families through so much pain. It’s not always like a broken bone that eventually mends and becomes stronger where the original break was.

We have a tendency to expect a world’s view of perfection in the minister, his wife, and each of their children. You saw our son in ministry when he was taken to task by one member for “being too hard” and “using too much Scripture” while immediately being admonished/encouraged by another for “being too soft and needing to use more Scripture.” He called it, “Goldilocks and the Preacher’s Plight.”

How about the minister’s wife, Lord? Why is it that people make excuses for me (“You were tired, under stress, etc,”) if I slam a door because I’m angry, but perfection dictates a minister’s wife shall do no such deed. “She wears too much make-up.” (Did the person speaking see the burn scar hiding underneath?)

The children in a minister’s family become like bugs under a microscope, Lord. “They shouldn’t be allowed to play with THOSE kids!” “Homeschooling? They should be in public school!” “Public school? They should be being homeschooled!”

The same Book of Scripture that tells us “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1 (NASB) also states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 (NASB) Thus, sometimes a decision has to be made, “Will my family’s and my spiritual lives be sound and grow if I stay in ministry?”

And Your church elders, Father. Your Word tells us to accept no word against an elder except at the mouth of two or three witnesses (I Timothy 5:19), yet if they do something a few in a congregation don’t like, a buzz begins. Their wives are not immune either. Your Word also has directives for their behavior. (I Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3-5) Because of their situation, they are privy to some matters that require they be discreet, have wisdom and mercy. The wives of ministers and elders probably have a most difficult task in the church, Lord. Please continue to keep a watch over their tongues that they be the best helpmeets possible to their husbands in Your work.

And, Lord, each one of us needs to strive for perfection for our own selves. My understanding of the perfection You desire is maturity, not perfection as the world sees it. Being picky about the little things (using too much or too little scripture, too much make-up, home-schooling or not) sounds like children on a playground, not like mature adults…certainly not perfection.

Please help me to strive to be perfect as You, Lord, are perfect, in word and deed.

M. Sue 8-23-2011

WHAT IF?

Dear Lord~

     I was too busy this morning.  For a little while I let myself forget You were holding my hand.  I went back into that old habit of thinking I had to do it all myself.  I even went so far as to tell John, “I’m not up to this.  A few years ago, I was, but not anymore!  And I shouldn’t be complaining because you’re the one having to learn how to use that scooter and you’re not complaining.”

     I know You watched me running around, trying to get everything done so we could be out of here on time for worship, Lord.  You saw more than my body’s busyness though.  You saw my mind’s working through all the “WHAT IF’S?” 

   

    “What if John falls somehow riding in that scooter up or down from the van lift?”  I can do little more than try to guide him, stand by, and watch.  My kids have said I’ll be squashed under him if I try to prevent his falling if it should occur, but Lord, You know I could not just stand by watching it happen!  We’re each learning something new that neither of us is crazy over having to learn.  Hopefully his sore knee will heal and he will be back to walking before many days.

    “Even though it’s for a lifetime, what if the guys at the AF gate decide my ID card is not satisfactory?”  Since he will be with me, I guess this time they’ll accept John’s, but Lord, You know they made John get a new one earlier and I’m his dependent.  And, Lord, You know, this morning we have the additional time crunch of getting to housing on time to pick up our young airman friend.  He’ll be expecting us and then we need to get to the church building on time. 

    “Lord, what if I can’t find a proper place to park our big E-250 handicap van where the lift can be lowered so he has ease of getting out, then back into the van?”  It’s Sunday and You know the Olive Garden parking lot will be busy following morning worship, but that’s where John wants to go for lunch.

    Dear Lord, take my hand.  I cannot do this!  I don’t want to do this!  I don’t like what’s happening!  Why am I so rebellious?  “Oh, ye of little faith” comes to mind, and yet I know I have tremendous faith…in YOU, not in me!

    Well, Lord, once again, it was You and me, wasn’t it?  Thank You for the gentle reminders.

     From having hurt his knee and being forced to use the scooter these past few days, John is getting more proficient in scooting around!  He actually did better with it today than he has since he has owned it.  As a result, I feel more comfortable being the stand-by observer of his ups and downs.  I still have a ways to go, but thank You for helping him and for giving each of us more confidence in his abilities.

     By the time I got to the gate at the AF base this morning, the gate guard didn’t have the usual scanner, simply looked at my ID, and wished me a good day as he waved me through.  I guess You wore a kind of sweet, while at the same time, a rather sad smile as You saw me realize I had spent all that energy on worrying for nothing, right?   I didn’t miss the reminder.

    When we got to Olive Garden, there was not a parking space available for our handicap van, but I should have known You planned ahead, Lord.  Right across from the entry door there were those three empty take-out parking spaces.  All I had to do was pull up across all three, pull on that parking brake, put on the flashers, let John start the door-opener/lift-lowering paraphernalia, hop out so I could guide him as he lowered himself in the scooter, then watch him and our young airman friend head off to find us a place inside!  Following that I know You were watching as I simply found a normal parking space.  I made sure there was nothing I would be likely to back into on my way out!  (More useless worry, or “just planning ahead,” as I like to say?)

    Just the young airman and I made the return trip to his base.  You saw me relaxing, knowing I knew the guard would have no problem letting me on since I had an active duty military man with me, but my surprise came when I showed my ID.  The young man looked for the bar code on which to use his scanner.  Mine, while not that old, was made before they instituted bar codes on the Ids.  He carefully looked at it, then held it over his shoulder to a companion guard, said something about its being “old school,” and passed it back to me with a smile as he waved me on through.  I smiled back and said, “That’s because I’m old.”   Did that help make his day just a little more pleasant, Lord?  I hope so because You know I love to see twinkles in the eyes of people over something I say or do.  I really want Your love to show through me.  Thank You for seeing who I want to be instead of who I am sometimes, Lord.  Thank You for never being too busy.  Please help me to learn to be more like You.

Goodnight, Lord.  Thank You for a wonderful day.

M. Sue       8-21-2011

MY IDEA

Thinking back on a comfortable phone conversation I had with a very dear sister-in-Christ who lives in another state, I wondered why I couldn't do the same with God. I had just prepared a cappuccino to drink while I sat to relax when she called. As Christian sisters we spoke of the many things of concern on our minds, and then she asked my permission to pray with me over the phone, saying she didn't know how I felt about it. In that I felt her loving presence, I saw no difference whether over the phone or by my side holding my hand. I also knew God was there with each of us as surely as we were with one another. So in considering the start of this blog, my question was why would it make a difference to God whether I "talked" to Him with words spoken in a whisper, out loud, through a song (all seemingly acceptable ways), or by my words written and shared on the computer.

Additionally, I feel I spend far too much time doing nothing of lasting consequence, little that I consider of value. I hope to use CAPPUCCINO CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD as a reminder to reach out more often to God. My aim is to take time with God much as I do when the phone rings and I have conversations with my friends, or when I take time to sit down to relax away from the busy-ness of the day with a cup of cappuccino. After all, God is my Father, ever ready to listen to whatever I have to tell Him, whether it be concern or praise, if I’m standing up or sitting down, using whispers or written words.

" ... and He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own ... "

M. Sue 8-20-2011