Surprise in Substitution by Donna Mann

Going camping. First check the weather report and then the freezer. Yes, it’s a go. But what if a low pressure system moves in, the temperatures drop, the sun hides behind cloud cover that leaks enough water to keep your rain barrel full about every two hours.  Besides the cloud cover disables the television and the internet – so what else is left? Lots!

Such was our experience this past week.  Just happened to have four good hockey biographies for Doug, watched three movies, and I read and edited my 43K inspirational novel. God bless the weatherm’am. We did a 120 degree turn and had three days of quality time: quietness, peace and good camp food. Even the cat had us all to herself.

Not all circumstances can be turned into something as positive as the above situation. Nor do we always just happen to have the necessary alternatives to compensate for that which we had planned.  Being resourceful helps, looking for the positive side is a good effort and being ready to make lemonade out of lemons is a gift.

Rather than having the opportunity to take lots of pictures of a shining lake, sunny beach and a blue sky with white fluffy clouds floating by, we settled for seeing the beauty in lily pads, a walk between showers and early to bed- early to rise kind of schedule.

So what was substituted and exchanged in this situation for the expected? Perhaps attitude, activities and adjustments. Not all was lost, for what we never had to begin with cannot be compared with what we gained in the long run. This parable gave itself life in day-to-day living. And it’s nice to watch it happen, especially if you’re the one living through it.

Blessings,

D.

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Phil 4:11).”   

Donnamann.org for upcoming news

The Wonder of It All - Tracy Krauss

Ever wonder why God doesn't just fix all the problems in the world? He could, you know. But for some reason He has chosen to work through frail human beings like you and me.

He also chose to sacrifice His own son to make atonement for our sins. Ever wonder why that was even necessary? Oh, I know, I know... theologians among us will point to the Old Testament and the necessity for blood sacrifice.

But why? 

God is God. I'm sure He could have come up with another plan. Some other way. He's the one who instituted the laws in the first place. In His infinite creativity, He could have thought of something that didn't involve bloodshed.

Fortunately, I don't have to try to make sense of everything God does. I accept the fact that His understanding of the universe and how things work goes far beyond anything I could possibly conceive. Perhaps someday I'll understand the whys and hows - or maybe I won't. It seems arrogant to think that I could ever truly grasp all the finer details, even in eternity. It's kind of like a toddler asking why the sky is blue. I could give a scientific explanation which would probably sound like a foreign language, or I could just say, "Because God wanted it to look pretty." I think I prefer the latter.

I am happy to let God be who He is - the Almighty. Willing to use a flawed vessel like me to do His work here on earth. Now that is pretty wonderful.

Tracy Krauss writes fiction, non-fiction and stage plays from her home in British Columbia. http://tracykrauss.com

In the Shadow of Your Wings

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you just want to pull the covers over your head and hide away from the world? David was having one of those days when he composed Psalm 57. But in David's case, he wasn't just trying to avoid a snarly boss. His boss, King Saul, was hunting David down to kill him. Needless to say, there must have been some fervour in David's plea for help. “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." 

The phrase 'take refuge in the shadow of your wings' reminds me of a story etched on my mind from my childhood. My dog, Champ, absolutely loved any newborn creature on the farm. He instantly became the newborn's defender. Generally, this worked out very well and we appreciated his hovering affection. All was fine until one day our pet bantam hen brought her newly hatched chicks to our backyard.

Champ was thrilled at the sight of these tiny fluff balls.  He greeted them with a bark and vigorously wagged his tail to welcome these new arrivals. Mother hen misunderstood his intentions. She hastily gathered her chicks under her wings to defend them from this wild beast. Champ was outraged. Surely this hen had swallowed up these defenseless chicks. He began to bark at her fiercely, trying to get her off her brood. The hen simply tightened her wings down on the chicks. Laughing at the sight of this, we called off our well-intentioned dog.

Our heavenly Father is our well-intentioned protector. Do we refuse His help? We are eternally safe in the shelter of His wings. Let Him draw you close today.    

Response: LORD God, you are my defender. Help me daily to appreciate your love and protection. Amen.

Your Turn: Do we sometimes push away from our secure place near the heart of God?

For more thoughts on the psalms visit: http://www.davidkitz.ca/psalms.php

Bumps in an Author's Road Ruth Smith Meyer

"Life is full of unexpected

          and certainly unwanted twists and turns, 

but what makes us who we are 

      is determined 

           by the way we handle those situations." 

                                                         - Jennifer Cruz

After breakfast, Paul, my beloved husband went with his walker to the back yard where he has filled any available space in our flowerbeds with pole beans, tomatoes and lettuce. The farmer in him loves the out-of-doors watching things grow. He picked the beans and brought them with a few of the first ripe tomatoes into the house.  It was Monday morning, July 30

The next morning, he asked for help to get out to the verandah where he loves to sit. “My legs feel really weak this morning and I don’t want to fall.”  I called for help in evaluating him and for more equipment to manage this newest disability.  We were waiting on results of an MRI taken the week before, because of increasing back pain. But the surgeon who was to give us a report was on holiday.

By Thursday, I borrowed a wheel chair, for his legs were so wobbly, neither of us felt comfortable to have him use the walker. By Saturday, he was barely able to stand long enough to transfer.  Both of us began to wonder how long I could manage caring for him at home.  Finding each other after the deaths of our spouses, has been such a blessing.  We hated to think the time of living together may be over.  It felt like a big curve coming in our lives. By Saturday, he was barely able to stand long enough to transfer. 

Monday the surgeon was back, but the establishment still worked slow.  Finally, on Tuesday, because other parts of his body began to give out too and the pain was excruciating, I took him to emergency with the backing of the cancer clinic that has almost been our second home over the last eight years. Then things began to move quickly.

Wednesday it was decided to operate to remove a tumor from his spine. He was bumped twice, but finally had his surgery early Thursday morning. 

 The pain is gone, he looks well, feels well and eats well, but his legs are still rubbery when he tries to stand. We’re hoping he can get into a rehab hospital and that eventually they will be strong enough for him to come home.  But it’s a time of uncertainty. 

We had anticipated spending a lot of time this fall working on selling my latest book, speaking engagements, sales and other avenues.  I was excited about my next writing project that I hoped I could work at in between those scheduled appearances. 

But there is a definite curve in the road ahead, and as the quote at the beginning says—now it’s up to us to determine how we’ll handle this and let it become a part of our lives and who we are.  By God’s grace we shall “.. enjoy, endure, survive each moment as it comes to (us) in its proper sequence -- a surprise.”  ― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Shock and Sudden Loss—Carolyn R. Wilker

Recently a young teen died.  When I got the news, I found it hard to believe. No, it couldn’t be. The message bearer gave me no reason to disbelieve, but the shock came as disbelief as it often does.  

It still feels unreal, even though I’ve seen Samantha’s photo on the funeral site, then at visitation when we talked with her parents about what her life meant to us. Her family had spread out precious photos, her beautiful artwork and played a video of photos of her alone and with family. School friends, classmates, her extended family and people from our church attended that day at a celebration of her life.

I taught Samantha in Sunday School when she came as a 7- or 8-year-old with her great-aunt Darlene. Samantha brought with her the usual child-like energy and willingness to learn and she seemed to enjoy the stories we shared each Sunday, acting some of them out in the sanctuary after our initial worship time. Her brother came along sometimes too.

One Sunday stands out for me, when we talked about the baptism of Jesus. The writer of the curriculum reminded us that some children might not be baptized and to assure them that God loves them, regardless. Samantha may have seen a baby baptized in our church and was learning what it meant. I was quite sure that she probably had not been baptized, but I learned soon after that she’d been asking her parents for permission. Her Dad relented and a date was set.

Sunday School Fun Day, May 2008. We looked around for Samantha and found she had climbed a tree

I remembered, too, her delight and joy on her baptism day, wearing a brand new dress that her great aunt had bought for the occasion. I was there to celebrate with her and her family who came that day, and then later also for her confirmation. Our congregation, who had been welcoming from the start, celebrated with her.

Some time passed when she began high school and was involved in other activities, however, the seed planted earlier had not withered. Her aunt waited patiently, praying for her and that she might return, and it happened. Samantha started coming to church again with her great aunt, as she was able, and I noticed that she had become a confident and competent young woman. 

The last I saw Samantha was the end of June, and in late July her Aunt Dar shared the news with us, with much sadness. Samantha died after a short illness that turned out to be an undiagnosed medical condition.

 Her illness and ensuing death must feel like a bad dream or nightmare to her parents and her brother, one they hope will end and their girl will come walking in the door saying, “Hi Mom, hi Dad.” 

It seems contrary to nature to bury one’s child, and it must be devastating. Even for others who know her, it's difficult to say good-bye to one we've known and loved, especially one so young. And yet Jesus knows Samantha as his child and will have already welcomed her home. 

This week on a long drive, I pictured Samantha meeting with my friends Kathy, Annie and others who have already gone on ahead. And here I picture Jesus wiping the tears from our eyes with the largest handkerchief ever, for there have been many tears already.

Carolyn R. Wilker, author, editor and storyteller

www.carolynwilker.ca