Saturday, September 19, 2020

The Most Powerful Song

lost-places-4950624_1920 MichaelGaida pixabay


I was taught the song Jesus Loves Me when I was very little. I loved the song and sang it when I was playing by myself.

When I got older and full of myself, I was embarrassed to sing it in public.

When I taught VBS pre-school I taught it to the class.

When I attended college, I learned it in sign language and taught it to my first junior choir.

At a women’s retreat we were asked to sing the song to each other – a horror to this poor introvert.

Then came the day that song saved my life.

I was under spiritual attack almost every day as editor of the paper and some days were infested with angry, vengeful people.

One day a nice lady from the board of elections came in, newspaper in hand, to complain about our election coverage.

I was caught unprepared for the anger fueling her threats. I tried to remain calm as she interrupted every sing answer I tried to give her, question after question, a barrage of arrows.

Then my eyes went fuzzy and my mouth went dry as stress overtook me. I could no longer speak. I had to escape. I thought about how weak I was, running from a fight as I left the table, her threats growing louder.

Out the back door and up the stairs to the second-floor apartments I found a spot to sit and catch my breath about half-way up.

In a little while the front office lady came to check on me. I asked her to tell the angry lady I had left. In a way, I had left … my brain, anyway.

Jesus Loves Me popped into my head and I started singing it, struggling to remember the words.

Suddenly, an ugly squeal/groan/yell erupted from somewhere above and behind me. At first, I thought it was an old man trying to clear his throat, but it grew louder and sounded more like an enormous pig screaming while getting slaughtered.

I remained in my place, singing my little song, waiting for my heart to slow down.

The sound stopped. I felt better.

Feeling like the episode was over I got up and mentally prepared to face the angry lady once again.

But she gone. The office staff told me of her dramatic departure, and I apologized for leaving them to deal with it. We commiserated for a while and I mentioned her lawyer might show up.

I went back to my desk and sent off a short email to my boss, just in case the complaints started coming in.

Later I shared the entire episode with my Christian co-worker.

“What song were you singing?” he asked.

“Couldn’t you hear me?”

“No.”

“Jesus Loves Me.”

He laughed big and joyful and said, “You made the enemy mad. That’s a powerful song.” 

Friday, September 18, 2020

Church

 








Church is people

Church is friends that say “hi” and give a hug

Church is singing and playing together

Church is sharing troubles, joys, grief, and pain

Church is worshipping together, even while sitting next to that person who sings off-key

Church is listening to the minister remind us of our salvation, our hope, our sin, our responsibilities to our family, our responsibilities to our government, our responsibilities to our God

Church is messy

Church hurts

Church is not an option, but a commandment from our Heavenly Leader

Church teaches children to walk the narrow path

Church binds us, strengthens us, challenges us, gives us unspeakable joy, gives us tremendous pain, binds our wounds, forgives us, holds us accountable, holds us close, reminds us of the future celebration, remembers us, serves us, offers opportunities and teaches us to serve others

Church is hard, always changing, growing, stretching

Church is the best challenge a human being will ever sign up for

Church is you

Church is me

~

Come join the fun!

https://fiveminutefriday.com/2020/09/17/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-church/?fbclid=IwAR2269JMdR-PHhFQuru_dwdp8cPLVeCepmF2RsQZrj_dccOhuMOuwjtQwmA

Friday, September 11, 2020

Could

 

Could

I could, but do I want to.

I have said this to all my children and a few friends. Once or twice I said it to my husband.

Sometimes when we are thought of as go-to people we get lost in others' needs. It’s okay for a time, but then the overwhelm rears its ugly head and we feel lost, exhausted, taken-advantage-of, frustrated.

Where is my time?

I have found a cure for the But Do I Want To.

1.       I remember my go-to people and pray for them. Then I thank God for them. I would be dead without them.

2.       I go to my calendar and find a day or half-day for me. I block it out and hold it sacred, asking God if it is His will, and if so would He hold it sacred as well.

3.       I take time on that day to spend time alone, with God, with my pen and paper, with nature. I close my door, go to a quiet room, go outside on the porch or back yard, go to my car and close the door.

There are so many needs swirling around me. I cannot do them all, but I can do a lot, through Christ who strengthens me.

Sometimes more than I ever thought I could.

I could, and yes, I want to.

Witness

  Living out in the country like we do, I get to witness new things every week. Like this morning, I went out to feed the barn cats and re...