Confronting Birthday Questions

Birthday moments of contemplation,
Questions flood my restless mind;
Responding with spontaneous honesty
Unexpected challenges I’d find.
Will this open up more trouble?
Can’t I just leave the stress behind?

A Nagging Wife Tells Her Side

Over a cup of coffee yesterday Bea opened her heart. With her permission I share it here. She begins with simple honesty:

          It was getting a little aggravating.

          I'd nagged my husband Sam three times already. Each time he was noncommittal. Kind of ignored me. Well, it needed to be done so I tried to phrase it differently.

          At the breakfast table: "Honey, did you forget that you were going to -- ?"

          As he went out to the garage, "I thought you said that today you were going to -- ."

          When he came in for lunch it was, "Well, are you going to do it this afternoon or this evening?" At that he got up and went out to get the mail. There was no conversation while we ate. My attitude wasn't getting any better, so it's just as well that I didn't say anything else right then.

          Clearing off the dirty dishes I prayed about it. "Lord, how many times do you want me to remind him; seven times?"

          I guess I was hoping that Jesus would say the same thing he told his disciples, "Not seven times, but seven times seventy." (Of course, what he was talking about was forgiving, not nagging!)

          But a voice seemed to say to me, "If you could understand how much I love your husband and how he pleases me you wouldn't be nagging him."

Best Friend?

      When we were kids each of us wanted a best friend — someone to walk with you down the sidewalk, stand up for you when others were around, talk with you on the phone.

         When we got older best friends got scarce. Everyone was busy, and somehow there wasn’t time for that special kind of friendship.

          If you’d ask, most people would say there is no best friend anymore. No one to link arms with and cut through the field, no one to share secrets, no one who spends time with you, just for the fun of it.

          In these troubling times what we need is a best friend. Some one who really cares.

I'm Glad You Came to Visit

I rearranged some dust molecules in honor of your visit,
Then I emptied out waste baskets, lest you’d ask, “What izzit?”
I saw a tiny swirl of lint as I wiped a venetian blind,
So I contemplated, and God’s creation was on my mind.

No wonder cleaning house is an on-going chore,
The universe is full of dust molecules, a whole lot more;
So, hoping to keep everything in balance
I removed a spider’s web atop the window’s valance.

My Springtime Prayer

Write Your reality on my heart today
Like You write spring on a winter-weary world.

New life is birthing across the land,
Responding to Your awesome plan.

The earth is singing and I am eager to hear,
Reassure me again that You are here.

Sights & Sounds of Spring

Sky so blue, filmy clouds a curtain parting here,
Air a crisp delight, tinged with promises clear;
Morning heralds perched on branches of the trees,
Sweet songs of spring advance on the breeze.

The garden swells with buds, then exclaims in blooms,
Filling all of nature’s cathedral rooms,
But a mightier symphony plays on the ear,
Inviting seekers in faith to draw near.

Take Advantage of Your Troubles

Don’t let your troubles just irritate you. Take advantage of your troubles.  Here's some specifics to consider, and after you read the list be encouraged by the Bible verses at the end.

Psalm 23 for 2010

A personal song from me to God:

You, Lord, are my Provider!

There’s nothing lacking in Your provision.

You give shelter and food

Beyond what I think or hope I deserve.

You are concerned about my soul, not just my body.

You offer forgiveness and salvation;

Your ways are holy and perfect,

And Your name is exalted.