For many years, my hubby and I have had a standard rule for visitors to our home. "The first day of your visit, we treat you like guests. After that, you are family." Generally, that means we show you where the eating utensils and extra blankets are kept, and if you need a cup of coffee or bowl of cereal, you are on your own.
But this week, we had to adjust the rule just a tad. When Dana walked in the front door, she was welcomed as "family" even though the wedding is still in the planning stages. The granddaughters are puzzled whether to call her Aunt Dana or Miss Dana or Hey You. They settled on Miss Dana though I have yet to hear anyone actually use her name when addresing her. Whatever name she is tagged with, she has fit into all facets of our life.
Patty and I are especially thankful that she loves the kitchen, for cooking and for cleaning. Dana is a preschool, special-needs teacher. One of the younger future nieces has shadowed her a lot this week...and this shadow is silent. Embarrassed, scared, unsure, fascinated and curious about this new relation, she approaches Dana with her head bowed but her eyes following. She tries to keep both future groom and future bride in site at all times.
It has been a special time, and we are, as always, impressed with Geoffrey's decision. She fit in very well, meeting our family and friends. She holds her own when being singled out as the brunt of the joke and when playing board games. Best of all, she loves the Lord and Juneau and Geoffrey. Maybe not in that order.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Wonderin'
When I am reading the Bible or listening to it being read, there is one passage of scripture that makes me hold my breath and to think, "If I could be anyone in God's Word, this is the character I would want to be."
I wonder if others feel this way. I wonder whom others might choose. I know that some believe they know the name of my chosen woman. Many things have been said about the person they would name. Mostly, what one reads about her are completely fictional. In truth, as far as I know, there is only one encounter between this woman and Jesus Christ, and she is nameless.
Ah-h-h, but what an encounter! Jesus had accepted an invitation to eat in the house of a Pharisee; and when He entered the house, the host did not do Him the courtesy of washing His feet. But a woman, hearing of the visitor, entered the house of the Pharisee. When she came near Jesus, she dropped to her knees, crying.
Why was she crying? Why would I be crying? Coming in contact with God in flesh, knowing my shortcomings, knowing that He knows me. Not simply that He knows my name but He knows all about me; and loves me just the same. He cares.
Her tears flowed from her broken, penitent heart. They were not wasted. She used them to wash the accumulation of dust and dirt on His feet from His journeys. And she dried the briney liquid with her long hair. All the time she was wetting His feet with her tears, she was kissing them. What humility of spirit that would require. Finally, she used her perfume to anoint His feet.
At the start of this blog, I stated, "She was nameless." However, there is a descriptive word...an adjective....telling the reader much about her. That word is sinner. Jesus speaks to her twice, saying, "Your sins have been forgiven." and "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
The Bible does not tell us anything more about that woman, but I can fully imagine that she left His presence IN PEACE. A good cry can feel so cleansing, and knowing one's wrong doings are forgiven....well, life just can't get any better!
Luke 7:36-50
I wonder if others feel this way. I wonder whom others might choose. I know that some believe they know the name of my chosen woman. Many things have been said about the person they would name. Mostly, what one reads about her are completely fictional. In truth, as far as I know, there is only one encounter between this woman and Jesus Christ, and she is nameless.
Ah-h-h, but what an encounter! Jesus had accepted an invitation to eat in the house of a Pharisee; and when He entered the house, the host did not do Him the courtesy of washing His feet. But a woman, hearing of the visitor, entered the house of the Pharisee. When she came near Jesus, she dropped to her knees, crying.
Why was she crying? Why would I be crying? Coming in contact with God in flesh, knowing my shortcomings, knowing that He knows me. Not simply that He knows my name but He knows all about me; and loves me just the same. He cares.
Her tears flowed from her broken, penitent heart. They were not wasted. She used them to wash the accumulation of dust and dirt on His feet from His journeys. And she dried the briney liquid with her long hair. All the time she was wetting His feet with her tears, she was kissing them. What humility of spirit that would require. Finally, she used her perfume to anoint His feet.
At the start of this blog, I stated, "She was nameless." However, there is a descriptive word...an adjective....telling the reader much about her. That word is sinner. Jesus speaks to her twice, saying, "Your sins have been forgiven." and "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
The Bible does not tell us anything more about that woman, but I can fully imagine that she left His presence IN PEACE. A good cry can feel so cleansing, and knowing one's wrong doings are forgiven....well, life just can't get any better!
Luke 7:36-50
Sunday, March 11, 2007
remembrance
This is one of my favorite lessons from Togo, West Africa.
There was a young African man named John. He was a young christian from a nearby village who would come weekly to sit for hours on the missionary's front porch and talk about the Bible and its teachings. John was the owner of only one shirt which he wore with great pride. It was a brilliant yellow, tattered, polyester, maternity top. Every time the young missionary saw John in that shirt, he would try to think of a way to convince John to somehow replace it.
Finally, he came upon the perfect plan. He taught a series of lessons about giving, especially to help those less fortunate than oneself. He stressed how our giving is from the heart and certainly does not necessarily mean that we give money. And, when he felt the subject was exhausted, he declared a "giving Sunday."
Giving Sunday seemed to go well. In the collection basket were some dried beans, a pineapple, a sack containing sugar, a slightly cracked bowl, and a live chicken as well as a size large tee shirt. On Tuesday, John showed up for his usual visit, still wearing the holey maternity top.
When asked, "Did you not see the new shirt?" John's reply was quick and sincere, "Yes, and I made certain that it went to the poor."
There was a young African man named John. He was a young christian from a nearby village who would come weekly to sit for hours on the missionary's front porch and talk about the Bible and its teachings. John was the owner of only one shirt which he wore with great pride. It was a brilliant yellow, tattered, polyester, maternity top. Every time the young missionary saw John in that shirt, he would try to think of a way to convince John to somehow replace it.
Finally, he came upon the perfect plan. He taught a series of lessons about giving, especially to help those less fortunate than oneself. He stressed how our giving is from the heart and certainly does not necessarily mean that we give money. And, when he felt the subject was exhausted, he declared a "giving Sunday."
Giving Sunday seemed to go well. In the collection basket were some dried beans, a pineapple, a sack containing sugar, a slightly cracked bowl, and a live chicken as well as a size large tee shirt. On Tuesday, John showed up for his usual visit, still wearing the holey maternity top.
When asked, "Did you not see the new shirt?" John's reply was quick and sincere, "Yes, and I made certain that it went to the poor."
Friday, March 2, 2007
THANKFULNESS
Ten things, in random order, that are great about e-mail:
#10 An occasional shared smile.
#9 Hearing from people I thought were gone from my life (example - high school buddy).
#8 Meeting new people (example - son's future mother -in-law).
#7 Daily Scripture ( example - First thing I see each day is scripture from Coach Fields).
#6 Keeping up on news.
#5 Salutations - One does not have to waste effort deciding on an appropriate ending of an email message such as"love" or "yours truly" or "sincerely."
#4 Making and breaking appointments.
#3 Keeping in touch with folks other than holidays.
#2 Keeping others informed of goings on and staying informed, too.
#1 Instantly learning travellers have arrived safely.
#10 An occasional shared smile.
#9 Hearing from people I thought were gone from my life (example - high school buddy).
#8 Meeting new people (example - son's future mother -in-law).
#7 Daily Scripture ( example - First thing I see each day is scripture from Coach Fields).
#6 Keeping up on news.
#5 Salutations - One does not have to waste effort deciding on an appropriate ending of an email message such as"love" or "yours truly" or "sincerely."
#4 Making and breaking appointments.
#3 Keeping in touch with folks other than holidays.
#2 Keeping others informed of goings on and staying informed, too.
#1 Instantly learning travellers have arrived safely.
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