DebraJ
May It Be A Mt. Rainier Year!
Flying from Wenatchee to Seattle yesterday, following the #NYE wedding of my niece, I was awestruck by the beauty of the Cascade mountains as they peaked…peeked…above the heavy clouds. Looking like little more than islands in a gray-white sea, their height and majesty couldn’t be fully appreciated; life below the clouds was shrouded in mystery. As we neared Seattle the clouds began dissipating; and as the plane banked hard to the northwest, Mt. Rainier, the tallest mountain in the Cascade range, was fully exposed in all her glory! It was so beautiful it took my breath away!
Mt. Rainier taken from our airplane, 1/1/2018
I think that’s what this new year of 2018 will be like. Obscured by the clouds of the future, we’re unable to see what lies beyond this moment…this day. But as each day passes and those clouds dissipate we’ll be able to see more of the beauty and grandeur of the life our Lord has planned for each of us. Days may be shrouded in mystery, but as we trust the Lord with our whole heart, that which lies beyond the gray-white sea of clouds will be breath-taking…and just might make our hearts sing for JOY.
I’m praying all of us have a truly amazing 2018. May it be a Mt. Rainier year!
Tidings of Great Joy
I’ve been slow to get in the Christmas spirit this season, having just finally put away all of my fall décor. But yesterday I thought I’d put on the Christmas music & begin to tackle the project of trimming the house & trees. Keith has been working each day on putting up the outside lights, so if I, too, pace myself we’ll have joy in the house in no time.
So the joy began spreading from hearth to walls, from tabletops to counter tops. Opening each Christmas crate brought memories of Christmases past & the love of friends & family who had blessed us with these decorations, adding to the joy of this season.
But one crate that I opened held a not-so-pleasant surprise: everything was wet! As I removed a soaked tree skirt, I found items I’d carefully wrapped in tissue & newspaper all moldy & damp. My sweet music boxes, rusted; snow globes were…EMPTY! Gracious sakes alive, my newest snowman snow globe was completely dry on the inside and was obviously the source of what had caused this sad situation.
I pulled out item after item, ruined by water damage, causing me to remember other things that had been destroyed or lost this past year:
Our basement flooding in January as 7” of rain fell on us in 2 days; scrambling to remove equipment before it could be ruined; tearing out wet drywall (ha – what a term), baseboards & flooring; replacing it all & repairing the area that had let the water in. And yet, no equipment was lost or damaged!
Our burglary in March…returning home after leading music at Bible study to find our home in disarray; my collector edition guitar, gone; our safe, with wills, passports, important papers, my mom’s wedding ring…all gone without a trace. And yet, we weren’t home at the time; no one was harmed; it could have been so much worse; our police officer was such a blessing!
My dad’s health deteriorating; my stepbrother disappearing in May & my stepmom’s stress & grief taking its toll on her body; Kole’s new iPhone stolen from his pocket at a concert; our 8 month-old great-nephew falling & fracturing his skull; my lengthy MS flare resulting in a med change. And yet we’re trusting God for my stepbrother’s return; our nephew is fine; my new med is a pill: NO MORE SHOTS!
I continued to unwrap the contents of the crate & found several items that could be salvaged: joyful snowmen, Nativity scenes, & best of all, Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph, each on a block of J, O, or Y – untouched!
Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph on blocks of JOY
How fitting, because no matter what challenges we experience, no matter the loss, nothing can take away the abundant JOY of the Lord Jesus from our lives– it will remain untouched!
And THAT reminded me of the abundant blessings the year brought us:
Kole’s new Attorney position at Ingrooves Music Group & his first apartment in Studio City; time spent with Dad & Patty making his office more accessible; the engagement of 2 nieces; weddings of family & close friends; out of town family visiting; Keith’s encouragement from 2 dear old friends; God’s provision in keeping his body strong & able to work; a dear friend entering rehab & finally understanding Jesus’ gift of amazing grace. What joy these brought to our hearts!
So, whatever each of us may have faced this year let us remember the angel’s words on the very first Christmas: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the LORD.” Luke 2:10-11
John 15:11 “I (Jesus) have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 16:22 “Now is the time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy.” (Emphasis mine)
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this reminder that real joy is not found in “things” but is only found in you. Thank you that NO ONE can take your joy away from us. Please open our eyes to see all of the blessings you’ve showered on us, as we celebrate your birth. Amen
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Daisy and the Squirrel
This morning I was sitting on the side porch, praying before I began my Bible study. Daisy-kitty was out there with me, and as I watched her explore the flowerbeds I was grateful for this sweet, tranquil time in the early morning garden.
Suddenly, a large squirrel with a very bushy tail leaped from the roof of our house to the trunk of the ash tree, abruptly disrupting the peaceful setting. I think he was expecting to climb down and find his way to our neighbor’s fruit trees. But there I was, intently watching him. And there Daisy was – intrigued, mesmerized by this new attraction!!
Round and round the tree he went, seeking a safe way down and on toward his breakfast trail. Finding nothing that pleased him, he stopped…looking directly at Daisy (who really wasn’t much bigger that he was)…and started flicking his tail in agitation.
And as Daisy and I stared back at him, I could sense the frustration building. And, sure enough, in just a few moments he started his “bark-chatter” to express outwardly his grumbling displeasure.
So the standoff began between cat and squirrel…hunter and hunted…predator and prey.
I so wished I had my cell phone with me to document the drama as it unfolded. But I was out there to pray and study God’s word without interruption…without man-made interruption, that is. What I was witnessing definitely wasn’t man-made.
The standoff continued for several minutes before Mr. Squirrel began scampering up and down and around the tree trunk seeking a way of escape…evaluating and assessing each option. But that only intrigued Daisy more! She began “kitty-chattering” back at the squirrel and moved closer to her newfound playmate…toy…prey!
As I assessed the situation – sizing up Daisy’s LACK of size compared to the squirrel’s girth, I realized there was potential for a not-so-good outcome for either of them. So I tried to “shoo” Daisy back in the house so Mr. Squirrel could continue on his way.
But Daisy would have none of it! She pretended to comply and then quickly darted around me so she could keep her watch, uninterrupted. I moved in closer…and again Daisy darted around me and in closer to Mr. Squirrel…who “bark-chattered” louder and circled around to the other side of the tree trunk. I found it interesting that he didn’t climb higher, just around and away from us. And on and on it went…
What a sight we must have been! There I was, still in my pajamas, robe and slippers chasing Daisy, who was chasing the squirrel!
Finally Daisy ran around to the front of the house and away from Mr. Squirrel in the tree. As I followed her in hot pursuit, I cried, “Run, Mr. Squirrel, run!!”
But he wasn’t yet sure the coast was clear…for he had spied…another squirrel already foraging in the neighbor’s fruit trees! As I kept Daisy away for a few more minutes, he seemed to calm down and his “bark-chattering” ceased.
Soon I returned to my rocking chair on the side porch to continue my time of prayer and Bible study…Daisy returned to her place by my side…and Mr. Squirrel, seeing no way to continue on his chosen path, climbed a bit higher up the tree and leapt back onto our roof. Obviously, he was taking a different path.
Have you ever felt like that squirrel? The plans you’ve made are met by obstacles, people and things that seem certain to thwart those plans, and possibly even harm you. Try, as you might, nothing changes…the obstacles remain…staying the course seems sure to result in loss. You’ve prayed and cried out to God, asking Him to open that pathway…move that mountain…but this time He says, “No. I will provide for you a better way. One that will accomplish My purpose and plan.”
He did that with the early Christians (see Acts 8 and 9). After a time of peace, growth and favor with others, intense persecution began, and many of them were imprisoned and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Before God moved these insurmountable obstacles, the early Christians scattered all over the place…for He had a plan. It was so each of them, wherever they went, would tell people the good news about Jesus…His life, death and resurrection…the good news that all who believe in Him may have life in His name, both now and for eternity!
Maybe that is what God is doing for you, too. Remember, He loves you; He is good and faithful; you can trust Him.
So, several minutes after Mr. Squirrel scampered away I heard a ruckus coming from the back garden area…and suddenly two squirrels ran along the top of the block wall by the fruit trees! Mr. Squirrel was being chased by that other squirrel, which thought the fruit trees belonged to him alone!
No rest today for Mr. Squirrel!
John 16:33 “I (Jesus) have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”