Belonging

There is a small rabbit that has been eating off all my mini hollyhocks in the flower bed in the back yard. Nearly every time John waters the tomato plants, high in the elevated planter, the rabbit bounds out of the flower bed and scampers across the lawn.The rabbit makes his rounds in the neighborhood causing one neighbor to threaten it with his bow and arrow. The rabbit chooses only my flowers as his tasty treats, passing on the neighbors' flowers and vegetable garden.

The neighbor with the bow and arrow offered us instead, a live trap to catch the rabbit. It has been sitting empty for several days now with no luck. The rabbit avoids the trap and continues to run around chewing off my flowers, leaving just naked stalks. The rabbit doesn't belong in my flower bed. Unlike the butterflies that do belong on my butterfly bush. (John captured this picture the other day). 

"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward," (Mark 9:41 NIV). 

Jesus is telling John that those who belong to Christ Jesus will take care of others, not harm them or pass them by. Giving others a cup of water is like giving an offering to God. We belong with Christ. He belongs with us. 

Unlike the rabbit that doesn't belong in our flower bed.

May you feel like you belong today. And show others how much you care, passing on the love of Jesus as you do. That is belonging.

Humanity's Best

The positive thing about visiting Mayo is seeing people take care of other people. There were family taking care of family. A wife feeding her husband who can't feed himself, a child being carried by his father, a husband pushing his wife in a wheel chair or the elderly walking with pride because their children are there guiding them to the next appointment. Sometimes it is a Mayo staff person taking the time to sit with a person who has no one to talk to. Or the stranger who offers to get coffee for the person who has trouble moving about. It is the comfort of witnessing what is best in humanity.

Much of the time is spent waiting. Waiting for test or consultations, for results, for the next appointment. There is time to think about: the unknowns, the possibilities, the what-ifs, the sure things. In spite of the circumstances for being at Mayo, there are still some smiles and chuckles. People come equipped with folders of medical records and of course their phones. In orthopedics you see every kind of cast, wrap, boot and splint. It all makes my problem seem inconsequential. 

It is a wonderful place to find answers. It also is a place that gets things done, coordinating appointments between care providers and individuals. Running like clockwork. 

"Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus," (Acts 4:30 NIV). 

My hand needs surgery to correct the tendons and the ulnar drift in the fingers. So that's what I'll be planning for in the next few months. 

May you notice the good of humanity all around you today. Blessings.

Seek First His Kingdom

What trials are you facing today? Some days seem more difficult than others. And some days we are better able to handle those challenges than others. So where are you today?

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these tings will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own," (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV). 

The Word reminds us to seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness. In other words we are to turn to God for our help and answers before turning elsewhere. My study Bible says to fill our thoughts with God's desires, to take His character for our pattern and to serve and obey Him in everything.

There are so many things that fight for our attention: people, objects, goals and desires all want top priority in our lives. But it is God who deserves the first place in our lives. We must choose to place Him in the top slot of every area of our lives.

What challenges are you facing today? Turn it over to God and He will help you.

Living Water

My father was able to purchase a portion of his grandfather's farm in Marshall County Iowa. He was very excited to own land that had been in his family for generations. Another portion of the land was deeded to the County for use as a nature preserve  called the Arney Bend Wildlife Area. It includes land that is along a bend in the Iowa River where the Arney family settlers came and built their home and farm in the 1800's. 

There is a natural pond on the property and an artesian well that my father was proud of. An artesian well is where the water rises to the surface by internal hydrostatic pressure. There was a water pipe that had been installed and the water always poured out of it. It was cool. 

Fortunately, after my father died, my nephew purchased the land so it is still owned by Arney heirs. The buildings are all gone now but the land remains as a testament to the Arney name.

"Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him,"" (John 7:37-38 NIV).

Here Jesus uses the term "living water" to mean the Holy Spirit. He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

May the Holy Spirit guide you today and bless you.

Be an Encourager

The main purpose for writing this blog is to encourage others. Sometimes I hit the mark and others not so much but it still is my goal to encourage. I have had times when I needed encouragement and others have done or said something that has lifted me up. I was very shy when I was growing up and I needed lots of encouragement to even speak up. I had a very low self esteem so I needed the encouragement I received from my Bible study group. My life has been made better because of the encouragers who have helped me along the way. That's what I try to do in this blog.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing,"                         (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).

My Life Application Study Bible lists a checklist of ways to encourage others. It suggests pointing out a quality you appreciate in them. Say thank you to leader for their efforts. Cooperate with leaders. Withhold critical comments. Offer to work together to draw someone into your project. Pray for those who seem weak in faith. Do not seek revenge. Be joyful. Always count on God's power to strengthen you.

Lift up your face to God on this beautiful summer day. Rejoice in the life you have to live today. Remember to reach out to the bashful or quiet ones and help them enter your circle of friends. Make this a better day by encouraging someone to be happy. 

Today is my daddy's heavenly birthday and tomorrow is my mother's heavenly birthday. I miss them both. They were true encouragers in their lives. I hope to be like them.

God bless you as you encourage others this week.

Family Reunions

 On Saturday the heirs of Corwin and Clara Springer gathered together for a fun day at my niece's acreage. It was wonderful to spend time with family. I love catching up on others and hearing stories that are shared. It is so neat to see the children growing up and see cousins interacting with each other. It is just so good to reconnect with families we don't see very often.

One sad note was that the first sister of four wasn't able to come. It was the first time we were missing a sister. She is suffering serious side effects from a bad fall. We missed her terribly and our usual four sister photo will have to wait till the next time we are together.

Families change and grow. Time goes by too quickly as we age. We lose track of time and years fly by. It is important to stay connected and enjoy each other while we have the chance.

"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleating to God," (1 Timothy 5:3-4 NIV).

Thank you, Father, for making families. 

Sharing the Tasks

For more than two years now, John and I have been sharing the kitchen. Back when our son was living with us for awhile I was tired of coming up with ideas for meals. John volunteered to fix our evening meals and I would fix our lunches. I got the easy shift because I usually prepare salads for us. 

It has been rather freeing to give over 'my' kitchen to someone else. John tries to fit in fish several times a week for me. He also likes to see how fast he can prepare a meal. Especially when he warms up leftovers, his time is really fast. He also has taken over the grilling and that is a big relief to me.

The hardest part for me is staying out of the kitchen when John is preparing a meal. He tends to decide what we are going to have five minutes before he prepares it. I used to get things out a day ahead so it could thaw. He uses the microwave to thaw frozen food. Different styles lead to the same finished meal.

Back in the early church people shared everything.

"All the believers were together, and had everything in common," (Acts 2:44 NIV).

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had," (Acts 4:32 NIV).

We have become a sharing home and I am the lucky one in this arrangement. I will appreciate John's help for as long as it lasts because it is so hard to come up with meal ideas. John has become an excellent cook and I'm so thankful for his sharing the tasks of preparing the meals.

Freedoms

One July 4th our well-to-do neighbor put on a firework show for his family and friends. He was kind enough to inform those in the area to plan on enjoying the fireworks from our decks or lawns. It was a beautiful night so we invited our grandchildren to come. We were amazed to have the explosions of light and color right over our heads. We "ooh"ed and "awe"ed at the wonderful fireworks display. We were very thankful to our neighbor for his kindness.

Independence Day is a time to celebrate the freedoms we are fortunate enough to have in America. We have the freedom to worship, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech, and so much more. Fireworks are a tradition for July 4th. Each 'boom' and light explosion can represent those who fought for our freedoms.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord," (Psalm 33:12 NIV).

Our National Anthem was officially proclaimed in 1931 as "The Star Spangled Banner" written as a poem by Francis Scott Key in 1814.

"Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled, banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Thank you to all who have served to protect our freedoms. May you enjoy your freedoms today. God bless you.