Monday, December 31, 2012

Precious Moments

Even though I've never been one to attach to stuff or a collector of knick knack-y things, I've loved my friend's Precious Moments nativity set since we first met in 1985. During the years Pat & Earl spent Christmas in Florida with us, she would pack it up and bring it along when they traveled. Not sure exactly what captivates me about it - it's just cute - precious - as the name appropriately states. It also reminds me of her and the countless 'precious moments' we've had together through the years.

After thirty Christmases with her precious nativity, my awesome friend decided to mail it to me this year. I was so surprised when I opened that box! When I called to thank her and ask why she gave it up, she told me that she has enjoyed it for many years and it would bring her more joy to know that I will now. That's a great friend! Hope you have a few like that!

As I decorated our tree, I was inspired then, to put aside David's favorite ornaments and give them to him and Clara; the Nutcracker soldier he loved as a boy, my Grandmother's antique glass bell, Noel, a red bulb with a happy face, I painted for him when he was little to go with a story book by the same name that we read every Christmas, and several others. Time to pass on the memories to another generation. Someday David will tell the stories of those ornaments to their children as they decorate the tree.

It's not about the stuff, it's about the people - the people in your life who enrich it, add to it, bless it and make it worth putting up with the hard parts. I'm so grateful this holiday season for all the wonderful people God has sent my way and given me the privilege to love. Most of you know who you are :). 


As we start another year, I just want to express thanks to all of you for blessing my journey through the years. Looking forward to making many more precious moments with you in the days ahead.

God's abundant joy and blessings be yours and Happy New Year!!

Friday, December 28, 2012

No Dogs Allowed




















When our son and his wife arrived for a Christmas visit with their dog, Sammy, the unsuspecting canine was immediately greeted by our kitty with a hiss and claws, slap on the nose. Cola Cat has never shared her domain with anything but humans and like most felines, considers herself queen of her kingdom. 

She has free reign in the house to come, go and be wherever she pleases but right now, Cola is a very unhappy kitty indeed. Since the dog showed up, she has planted herself on top of the book shelf in the office for hours at a time, hardly coming down to eat. Her life has been put on hold, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. 

Whenever Sammy comes into view Cola’s ears flatten and her eyes dilate to round dark discs as she glares at him with fear and contempt from her high perch. Her limited assessment of Sammy convinces her that he is big, dangerous and best kept at a distance. She doesn't see him as we do, as one of the mellowest and quietest dogs we have ever met. He watches Cola with tail wagging longing, like a kid who wants to make friends but isn't allowed in the neighborhood club house.

As I observe this, I consider all the times humans see God as someone threatening, someone to tolerate or even fear. We face loss, hurt or a hard place and suddenly God is blamed. Our safe and secure little spot in the world is disrupted and we are angry, disillusioned and afraid so we pull away while God waits with longing for us to trust more, to lean harder, to love deeper.

I doubt our sulking kitty will understand, before Sammy goes back home, that she missed a potential opportunity to make a new friend, but I am certain that I don't want to be like her; cowering, withdrawn and sullen, into the corners of my life whenever things don't go my way. If I define God’s character based on my circumstances, I will see Him as unjust and distant instead of someone who waits with a longing heart and loving arms for me to come close and find the comfort and friendship He alone can give.  

Jesus invites us to “Come to Me..for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and..find rest for your soul(Matthew 11:28-29). Today, I release all fear, all disdain. I choose to come close to Him and discover all my soul longs for.


James 4:8  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.




Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A Merry Imperfect Christmas to All!

This past week the decorating of our Christmas tree was (finally) completed, shopping was almost finished, packages were mailed out to family in far away places, we attended several fun Christmas parties and I miraculously got Jonathan out the door in time to participate in his Christmas gathering with the Joyful Noise group that meets on Tuesday afternoons.

Also in the past week, our refrigerator quit working, the kitchen sink plugged up (plumber required), my sewing machine broke in the middle of a Christmas sewing project I was working on and I haven't sent out a single Christmas card because I always make our cards and my printer isn't working.

Christmas is coming and stuff still happens. These are minor and trivial irritations compared to what others are facing this season so I will choose to be calm and thankful while we repair or replace our material goods and mourn with and pray for those who have losses they can never replace.

Let's keep our expectations for the "perfect" Christmas in proper perspective this season. I'm doing myself a small favor for the next week. For a few moments every night I'm going to turn on the tree lights and some Christmas music, take a few deep breaths and relax with a cup of tea and my feet up. And while I'm sitting there, I will be thanking the Lord for all that is good and right in my life, all that I am blessed with and by, but most of all, for sending the Light Of The World to give me salvation, hope and peace whenever I reach out to receive it. 


Won't you join me?

John 1:9-12 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Thursday, December 13, 2012

WWJD?



I recently read a news story about a mom from Illinois who drove five hundred miles to Tennessee with her nineteen year old developmentally disabled daughter and left her in a bar-just got in the car and drove away without her. The state is not going to press charges because the state’s attorney said they have no precedent for such action and did not know how to proceed.

The mom reported she had been trying for ten years, with no results, to get help with her daughter, who has the mentality of a three year old and was desperate for an alternative living arrangement for her. I guess some folks resort to extreme measures to make a point. The daughter is now being cared for by the state. Comments from people, following the article, ranged from, this mom is a selfish creep who should be strung up by her toenails to actual empathy for her situation. 

The news flash here is not all people with developmental delays are alike. Some are happy and compliant, some are stubborn and unreasonable and a few are downright aggressive and some swing back and forth at any given time through all of these descriptions. Some can work; others can’t or won’t follow the simplest directive. There is a broad range of cognitive ability, personality and behavior on the disabled scale. Most of the adults who get media coverage are those who function at higher levels of ability and do something that was once thought impossible; get married, live independently, become a violin virtuoso or someone like the boy with Aspersers (a form of autism) I recently heard about, who is going to compete on a popular TV game show because he has an astounding memory for facts and trivia. Many in the population, however, require constant supervision and care, and those who are difficult to manage from day to day create unimaginable stress on caregivers, parents, siblings, marriages and families.

You expect a toddler to act like a toddler and you can also pick them up and move them if they’re up to something mischievous or dangerous. But a nineteen year old who behaves like a three year old, might be taller than you, stronger than you and outweigh you and that creates an entirely new struggle that quickly converts to continuous exhaustion both emotionally and physically, leaving a care giver or parent overwhelmed and sometimes desperate. 

Remember the 1990’s movie, “Honey I Blew Up The Kid” which depicted a stereotypical geeky inventor dad who accidentally turned his two year old into a giant? The over-sized kid roams the town, inadvertently destroying things and putting him and others in harm’s way; developmentally he is incapable of sound judgement or reason. This movie is a somewhat accurate metaphor of the behavior of some adults with mental delays. Imagine taking care of your two year old forty years from now in adult form and you get the picture. 

In an ideal world, people like this mom, would receive all the support and encouragement her situation warranted. While I certainly don’t condone what she did, after thirty plus years being Jonathan’s mom and main care giver, I can relate to her distress. There are too many days when Jon is so moody, stubborn, ornery, uncooperative and unbelievably slow that the minuscule events of everyday living turn into nonstop skirmishes and ridiculous drama. It is comparable to living with a perpetual adolescent. There are moments when I wonder how much longer I can hold on, how many more years can we do this? But I love our son unconditionally so I put one foot in front of the other, day after day and plod on. When necessary, I count to twenty, fifty, one hundred, pray a lot, sing, ask God for grace, strength, patience, recite scripture, pray some more, look for the humor and laugh as much as possible. I participate in all forms of morally correct and legal stress relief to keep my wits about me

And I write. I tell you the reader, what it’s like in this world so you will understand more, criticize less and possibly be inspired to lend a helping hand or a word of encouragement to a worn out, weary soul.

Many times throughout the four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, preface the interaction of Jesus with people as, “He was moved with compassion...”  When Jesus physically left the planet, the responsibility to be His hands, feet and heart in action, to a hurting world was transferred to us. Each of us can make a difference one person and one day at a time by seeing others through eyes of compassion, then inquiring of our own heart what can be done to reach out and give someone a hand or a break. 

That is what Jesus would do and we can do no less. 

Matthew 9:36  But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Monday, December 10, 2012

God With Us


We had been married one year when we moved from our hometown in upstate New York to Oregon where Mike attended college. That Christmas in 1976, far away from everything familiar, we were poor, newly married students on an incredibly restricted budget. I found a job, in a craft store and with access to do it yourself supplies at a discount, purchased molds, cold plaster and acrylic paints. We made our own Joseph, Mary, Jesus, Shepherd Boy, sheep and Wise Men and I painstakingly painted each piece as Mike made a rough stable out of scrap wood and tree bark. Many years later, though chipped and glued in places, this nativity still reminds us of our Savior’s humble beginnings as well as our own. 


Once again, the nativity set has been brought from its’ box in the storage closet. As I carefully unwrap each figure, memories of thirty-some Christmases flood my mind and tug at my heart. My nativity is cozy and serene, as most of us imagine it; Mary and Joseph smiling in a perfectly clean barn, the baby cooing happily inside a soft pile of straw while shepherds and wise men mull about whispering prayers of devotion and words of adoration over the child as sheep stand guard near the manger. I put all the figures in their customary place and begin to wonder how many times I have missed the stark reality of the birth of Jesus with my comfy stable scene. Although there were many wonderful and miraculous moments surrounding the birth of Jesus, maybe it's about time for a Christmas reality check.


Here is a small sampling of what the first Christmas really looked like:


•Mary, a young woman losing her reputation as a virgin, in a time when women were killed for doing so, then trying to convince her family, friends and neighbors that it was God's doing. “Sure Mary, now we’ve heard everything!”


•Joseph, a man preparing to bring home a bride in all the tradition, honor and celebration of a Hebrew engagement and wedding, suddenly faced with the shock that she had been unfaithful to him. Under the circumstances, they probably had to forgo the joyful wedding celebration they had been planning and marry quietly.


•The shame and reproach on both families, as Mary's belly became obviously large, with everyone believing the couple did not have the proper restraint to wait and had to fabricate an outlandish story to cover their indiscretion.
 

•A long and difficult trip, from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay taxes (About 80 miles, most likely walking or on a donkey, while pregnant. And we complain? At least we can pay ours by mail or online).


• Giving birth to their first child in a stable far from home and away from the support and help of family and friends.


•Running for their lives to Egypt when they hear of King Herod’s plan to find and kill Jesus.


Jesus arrived on this earth right smack in the middle of every circumstance and emotion we experience:  reproach, shame, gossip, fear, worry, difficulty, uncertainty and inconvenience.  There must have been moments when Mary wondered if she heard right. Is this really God’s Son or was I dreaming about that angel? Shouldn’t having God’s child should make life easier, bring less pain, heartache and difficulty? 


No. The ultimate plan was for Immanuel to truly be God With Us in every way possible. Our peaceful nativity scenes and misconceptions of the first Christmas often cause us to overlook the incredible human difficulty and divine sacrifice of this event. Christ came in a way so opposite of what the people of his day envisioned, most did not recognize him.  The prophets had long foretold the coming of the Messiah and every Hebrew boy and girl understood He could come in their lifetime.  But they, like us, with limited comprehension of God's ways, pictured Him arriving in the way all kings come, born of royalty into a physical kingdom, reigning from a palace and conquering over every evil ever perpetrated against God's chosen ones.  They did not understand His kingdom was one of righteousness, peace and joy and only those of great faith knew He had arrived at all.
 
Our own culture tends to paint Christmas as some dreamy, romantic, Hollywood event with 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire', 'Walking in a winter wonderland' and 'From now on our troubles will be miles away', threaded through the songs we love. We dream of smiling families dressed in their holiday finest, crooning words of encouragement and love to each other around an elaborate dinner table or Christmas tree and well behaved children patiently waiting to open another gift, saying thank you every time another round of wrapping paper is removed. 


Media and advertisers make Christmas a feel-good occasion too, creating euphoria and lofty expectations, then when our own experience doesn't measure up to these illusions, we are completely deflated and depressed. Christmas isn’t about a romantic, nostalgic feeling, as wonderful as that may be, but about Jesus diving into our chaos and shame to rescue us and show us a better way to live. He came to this planet, wore a robe of skin and traveled from the nativity to the cross so we would know without hesitation; God is with us, always and in everything. Whatever life throws at us also belongs to Him. He has tasted, felt and touched it so we can trust Him in and with all of it. 


Immanuel, God with me and you!



Matthew 1:23  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Dilly Beans

One of my favorite ways to preserve an abundance of green and/or yellow beans:

Wash and boil in water 6 pint jars (do a few extra in case they're needed) with their lids to sterilize. Empty water out and set aside.

I save empty jars (from jam, pickles, peanut butter, etc) and reuse them. Sometimes the tops can be reused too if they aren't damaged and have a rubber seal inside. If not you can buy the Ball brand canning jar tops at the store that fit pint jars with standard size openings.

Add to each jar:
1 clove of garlic
1/8 tsp pepper
1 TBSP dill weed or 3-4 sprigs of fresh dill
½ tsp whole mustard seed

Wash, drain and trim ends off 2 lbs. fresh green beans; leaving beans whole. Lay the jars on their sides and pack the beans upright and tightly, into them.

Then heat to boiling:
2½ c. water
2½ c. white vinegar
2-3 tbsp. salt
1- 2 tsp of sugar (I use a Truvia packet)

Pour this hot liquid into each jar leaving ¼ inch of space at the top. Place lids on tightly and put jars in a large and deep pot of hot water. Make sure the water covers the tops. Bring water to boil and process 10-15 minutes. Remove the pot from heat. When cool enough remove jars and let stand on a towel to cool completely.

When the jars are totally cool check the lids for a tight seal by pressing on their centers. If there is no movement when pressing they are sealed. Sometimes you will hear the lids pop when cooling. That's a good sound and means the lid just sealed. If you have a jar that doesn't seal it will need to be kept in the fridge and eaten sooner, otherwise store beans in a cool place away from direct heat.

They taste better when they've sat a few weeks and had time to absorb all the flavors. YUM!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Why Walk When You Can Fly?

I was driving back up to Duvall Opportunity program yesterday to pick up Jon when a large flock of turkeys began crossing the road in front of me. As I slammed on my brakes, I very loudly reacted,
"You dumb birds! You could fly over the road instead of endangering your life and mine by walking across it. Why walk when you can fly?!"

Immediately Isaiah 40:31 came to me, They that wait upon the Lor
d shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles...and then the thought, 'Yes, Diane why walk when you can fly? You do it too you know.'


OK, Lord I get it! I need to wait on You to get the strength I need to soar over all the hard and dangerous places along life's road. Thanks for the reminder. But I really don't appreciate being called a turkey!! Just sayin'...

Friday, November 23, 2012

The Heart of God




What is God’s view of our fallen, messy world? 

I can answer this by telling you about Lisa, a woman with developmental delays who attends Joyful Noise, a local, weekly church service for adults with disabilities.Most of the time  Lisa is happy and smiling. She laughs hard and loud when something strikes her funny and she sings, claps and whoops it up without reservation during the worship portion of the gathering. I can’t help but smile whenever I’m around Lisa. 

During prayer time however, she takes on a whole new demeanor. As prayer requests are given for a host of needs, illness, death, injury, family problems and job loss, Lisa cries. She is deeply and genuinely touched by the suffering of others and as each prayer need is vocalized her tears flow harder and faster until someone else in the group is moved to bring her tissues and a comforting pat on the shoulder or back 

As I sat a few rows back and observed Lisa this past week, I have to admit my initial thought was a nonchalant, 'Lisa is crying again.'

Immediately I had a God thought interrupt the deepest part of my being. 

“Lisa is My heart. Look at her and see Me. My heart also breaks as I cry for the suffering of My children and My creation.” 

These questions have been asked over and over throughout generations of humanity; is God interested in the condition of the world? Where is He when devastation, hunger, tragedy and evil overwhelm us? Does He even notice the pain, suffering, loss and evil we see and hear about every day? And if He does, why doesn’t He do something about it? 

He already did. He came as one of us, wrapped in a body of flesh, walked and lived among us, revealed the Father’s loving heart and then willingly died for every sad and sorry condition known to mankind. Jesus revealed this brokenness of heart when he looked out over Jerusalem and lamented. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!’ (Luke 13:34). 

Tragedy and suffering was not in God’s original plan. He created a perfect earth and a perfect human but left the door of free will open, fully understanding the risk that man could slip through that portal of choice and mess it all up. But He did it anyway, even with the knowledge we would break His heart, because He wanted someone to love and someone to love Him back. 

As we move into the Christmas season remember why Jesus came. He has a ‘Lisa’ heart and He cries for and cares about you.

Luke 4:18 (NKJV) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.