Know

 

My life has been full. I’ve done a lot of things. Most of those things were done with others by my side. I know a lot of things, but that’s because of all the people I know.

 

What I know:

I know how to boil water, cook eggs several ways, make toast, clean most of the parts of my house, do laundry with acceptable results, bake bread, make lasagna, create well-rounded nutritious meals,

I know how to make coffee (perked, drip, Kerig, press, cold-press, espresso latte/cappuccino/short-pull/Americana/skinny/double/triple/frap/iced and others.

I know how to run register, old-style and computer, count out change, and recognize a short-change artist – and it truly is an art form.

I know how to stock shelves with or without a ladder.

I know how to talk to angry, frustrated, scared, happy, grateful, silly, offensive, abusive people on the phone.

I know how to create an advertisement in InDesign. I also know how to format newspaper pages in Quark.

I know how to write a short story, novel, poem (rhymed and unrhymed, metered and unmetered), press release, article, real-life story, interview, letter, card, and note.

I know how to remain invisible.

I know how to get someone’s attention.

I know how to treat someone with respect.

I know how to avoid scammers, salesmen, manipulators, intimidators, dominators, liars, thieves, bleeding-hearts, beggars, and dangerous people who mean me harm.

I know how to read the Bible, worship God, pray to Jesus, ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, listen to God’s voice, His urging, His direction, His warning. But I’m still learning how to help others to do the same.

I know how to clean up someone else’s mess.

I know how to dig a hole, plant a tree, start a garden and tend it, mulch a patch, cut branches, trim bushes, pick up trash, yell at stray dogs, shoot raccoons, trap possums, help with building projects,

I know how to add supplements to my diet, eat well, eat smart, and help others do the same.

I know a little about essential oils and their uses, but the knowledge base is huge and ever growing.

I know a little bit about raising children.

I know how to identify birds at my feeder.

I know how to play the piano, the organ, the flute and on a lesser level the clarinet, the trumpet, the French horn, the guitar.

I know how to teach.

I know how to research.

I know how to darn socks, repair jeans, sew masks, clothing, pillows, drapes and quilts.

 

What I don’t know:

I don’t know much. The list of what I don’t know grows faster than what I do know.

I don’t know when I’m going to die (this is a good thing).

I don’t know if this household will ever be debt free (even though we’re continually working on it).

I don’t know if all my children are truly saved (I leave this is God’s hands – every day).

I don’t know how to make that little heart shaped thingy on a latte’.

I don’t know how to build a fence.

I don’t know how to change the oil in my truck. I know how to change a tire, but I’m probably not strong enough. It’s a big truck.

I don’t know how to dance with a partner.

I don’t know how to lose weight, my weight, the stubborn extra pounds I carry with me.

I don’t know how to explain the difficult Bible passages.

I don’t know how to explain the easy Bible passages.

I don’t know how to give a sermon or teach a Bible class.

I’m not sure how to write a devotional, though I have written one.

I don’t know how to run the mower, the weed-wacker, the tiller, the Farm-all tractor.

I don’t know how to drive stick, even though someone taught me.

I don’t know how to trouble-shoot a computer, a printer, a copy machine, a fax, a cell phone.

I don’t know how to make nuclear fusion.

I don’t know how to create a sculpture out of stone.

I don’t know how to felt, make things out of resin or glass, drive a fork lift, fix a Lamborghini, write code for spy-ware, or work the line in a factory.

I don’t know how to install a furnace or fix a boiler.

I don’t know how the take blood or use a pressure cuff.

I don’t know surgery, law, or police work.

 

But I know the One who holds the entire universe and heaven in His hand, keeps things running, and teaches everyone what they need to serve Him. And that is the best knowledge of all.

 

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” – Matthew 10:29-30 (NASB)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5 (NASB)

“We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” – 1 John 3:19-20 (NASB)

“Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.” – Psalm 130:4 (NASB)

“For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103:14 (NASB)

Know – 10-25-22 – 31 Days of Writing About Writing

 

True

 

 

I used to cover the local Rotary meetings when I wrote for the newspaper. Each meeting included a song or a recitation of the following questions to ask before getting involved in anything. It’s called the Four-Way Test.

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I began to use these questions while writing my stories for the newspaper, but as a reporter I was assigned stories and didn’t have a choice as to what I should write. I tried to keep as objective as I could, but I wrote with my emotions and bias was difficult to wash out. Depending on the editor, my stories were easily tilted one way or another.

Many times I regretted writing what I did after I saw what my editor did with it. A few stories answered “no” to all four questions.

When I became an editor, I felt I was able to follow those questioned a little better. I got complaints for my editing, but after a little discussion I found some wanted to see more controversy, more roasting of people they didn’t like, more stirring of the emotional pot. Some wanted me to write about something that didn’t happen at the event. Some wanted me to ask different questions. I always came back with an apology for the thing omitted and I requested they write a letter to the editor stating what they had just told me. Letters to the editor were rare.

The newspaper, of course, is to blame. We are fortunate to have the fourth estate, but many times

- stories are given misleading headlines.

- stories are biased by insinuation or outright blaming.

- stories are incomplete, one-sided, leaving out much information that is needed for an informed decision about the subject covered.

- stories are suppositions without proof, attributed quotes, or any quotes at all,

- stories are confusing.

- stories are impossible to double check with the information we are given.

- stories disappear after a few hours.

Which makes the newspaper entertainment, not truth. But that is the world in which we live.

Why do I rant about the newspaper?

Writing for the newspaper was wonderful experience for a me as a writer. I stopped whining about not knowing what to write. I grew a hard shell against complains, criticism and threats. I learned to write thousands of words that I didn’t count (we measured stories in inches) and were sometimes drastically cut.  And I was able to crank out two stories or more per day.

But there was a huge cost to my base morality, my self-respect, and my emotions.

 

I realize now that I only wanted to write the truth. But truth is different to different people. Perception is reality, so it is nearly impossible to argue what truth is or isn’t. (Plus the fact that most of what people told me was off the record.)

Very frustrating for a truth girl.

Now, as I venture back into the world of freelancing, I get to write the truth. If I am unsure what I write is truth, I research, do interviews, or state as such in the piece I am struggling with. If I am found guilty of writing anything but truth, the thing can be rewritten, or revised or rebutted.

 

Volumes are written and published about truth and more volumes are on the way.

So I’ll end with this: There is only one truth.

God’s Word. The Bible. Holy Scriptures. God’s love letter to us. To this volume I submit. I might disagree. I might not understand. I may even misinterpret. But God’s Word is alive and active, and it teaches me in tiny increments, daily, lovingly, deeply, personally.

“Sanctify them in the truth; You word is truth.” – John 17:17 (NASB)

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

 

 

True – 10-22-22 – 31 Days of Writing About Writing

Always

 

In my life there is no such thing as “always”… except for God.

 

“I will always love you,” said in the moment of high emotion seldom plays out that way.

 

“I will always work for you” is replaced with “I just can’t work here anymore.”

 

“I always do it that way” really means “I like doing it that way when it is possible for me (or when I feel like it) (or I’m saying it because I want to be better than you).”

 

I think always stems from trying to be God.

 

God is the only one who can do always.

 

There is an element of eternity in the word always. Matthew 28:20 – “… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

But we are commanded many “always” commands.

 

I’ve tried doing always on my own. Always faithful. Always available. Always present. Always on time. Always happy.

It’s exhausting.

 

But if I let Jesus have me my seldom becomes always in Him. He grows me and I can do better because of Him, not because I tried harder or sharpened my skill or worked out a million hours this year.

 

Always becomes mine in Jesus.

Always – 10-19-22 – 31 Days of Writing About Writing

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Comfort

I find comfort in –  

 

My morning coffee

There’s something comforting about a morning cup of coffee. It tastes better than any other cup of coffee of the day. I take my time and enjoy the moments before it grows cold, before I must leave the house, before the responsibilities of the day pull me away from that comfort.

 

My notebooks

I love coming to my desk and opening my journaling notebook or my Bible study notebook. I know what’s there and I know there are words inside me to fill the pages. It’s just me and my notebook. No one here to judge me.

 

A well-running car

After many break-downs of many cars that were faithful and were trying to be faithful, driving a car with no problems is a comfort … no … a luxury.

 

A pillow

My son didn’t have a favorite blanket when he was little. He had a pillow. It went with him everywhere. Fortunately, it was washable. I love my pillow too.

 

A blanket

Several of my children claimed a favorite blanket, a security while traveling in the van, a necessity at bedtime. They were well-worn and washed often. Recently, I found some worn, white blankets like the ones they layered on me at the hospital. I bought three.

 

A chair

I had a favorite chair that fit me well. I used it for years and loved its comfort. A mouse crawled up inside of it and died. The odor would not be removed. Now I have a new favorite chair that fits me well. It is a comfort to ease into it after being on my feet for a long time.

 

A bed after a long trip

The four-day trip from my mother’s home was difficult. There were long drives and few breaks. There was just enough room for me and my fellow travelers to nap in the comfortable truck, but beds are preferable. Hotel beds are sometimes nice, but we were pushing to make it home. The last leg of the trip we drove through without stopping for the night. After everyone was dropped off, only the essentials were unloaded from the truck before I was reunited with my bed. That feeling of finally relaxing, letting the rest of the world wait, sinking into the mattress and closing my eyes. I love my bed after a long trip.

 

The comfort of a good friend

She listened to me and didn’t interrupt. She didn’t judge or reword my sentences. She asked me questions and helped me clarify my issues. She suggested things to try, ways to pray, boundaries to set, practices to begin, journaling to practice, passages to read. She comforted me and strengthened me. She showed me how to gather that same comfort from God.

 

The comfort of the gospel

The gospel is simple and highly complex, a child can understand and a mystery to many. Jesus came and lived the life we should have lived, loved us even when we were unlovable, sacrificed His needs and finally His life. He rose from the dead, conquering all sin and even death. He showed us how it’s supposed to be done. He told us we can do the same, but only in His strength. Getting strength from Him is a daily practice He Himself teaches me. Let go, He says, I’ll tell you what to do next. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll be there. I’ll guide you through.

He teaches me how to follow the law like He did. He teaches me how to love the unlovable, the smelly, the sandpaper people, the ugly, the hateful, the annoying, the forever-victims. He warns me when things are approaching that I shouldn’t get involved in. He tells me when to walk away. He gives me strength to do the jobs He gives me. He gently guides me through my day. He listens when I worry. He gives me courage when I am afraid. He comforts me when I am mourning. He will show me how to die when the time comes. And He himself will raise me at the end of time. Jesus comforts me.

 

The comfort of heaven

Things get bad down here on earth sometimes. When it’s overwhelming, I think about heaven. I don’t know much about what it will be like, but after a life walking with Jesus I trust His good judgement. I will have everything I need (like I do now), I will see friends and rejoice (like I do now), and I will praise Him with the saints (like I do now) – except it will be without pain, mourning, tears, limitations, and sin.

 

What a comfort!

Comfort – 10-15-22 – 31 Days of Writing about Writing

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Secret

 

SECRET – 31 Days of Writing about Writing

 

Secrets

 

I keep secrets others have told me. I have kept some so long I don’t remember them anymore. When I was a reporter, I took notes with a line drawn down the middle of my paper. One side was for the story, the other was off the record. This helped me remember what I could put into my story and what I could not. I honored this. It sounds more nefarious than it was. Most of the off the record things were an elected official’s opinion or a personal insight. Sometimes it was a prediction. Sometimes it was information about someone else that I could check up later. Sometimes it was personal issues that had nothing to do with the story I was writing so I didn’t even write it down.

 

I have a secret stash of notebooks filled with words I don’t want anyone to see. These words were carved on the gray stone of my pain, anger, frustration, and sin. I have kept these notebooks to go back to and review a dark time in my life and praise God for bringing me out of it. At the time I read it, I may save some words for remembrance and destroy the notebook. I have done this, and it is cleansing, rewarding, insightful.

 

I keep a special place, a secret space, in my heart where I meet God. I keep it well lit and clean. I am there several times a day.

 

I write about secret things that happen between me and God. I have a special notebook where I write my God secrets. Most of them I do not share with others. This notebook is a special place I can go when I feel alone or afraid or if I’m having a difficult time trusting God. This secret notebook reminds me of the special times God showed up in a creative and amazing way.

 

Go to the secret place to be with God. I have an old oak tree I go to pray sometimes. This tree was at least 20 years old when we moved so it was allowed to grow. That makes it is special to me. The space there is private and quiet.

 

“But you, when you pray; go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who I in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6 NASB

 

Psalm 91

Leather notebooks

Locked notebooks

When you are a writer, it has to be okay to write secrets. If we don’t, the secrets will be a wall to the beautiful words further on.

 

SECRET – 10-9-22 - 31 Days of Writing about Writing

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