The Old Oak Trees

A row of old oak trees

shades the neighbors’ yard,

as well as mine:

for years on end,

through thick and thin.

Now falling limbs and branches

a threat to house and home.

They’ve become a burden now. 

Rain and drought has brought them

to rottenness and shame.

Weary and worn from years gone by

to be destroyed at the hands of men.

JOY

JOY

Sometimes we get so busy with life we forget what we are living for. Will we be disappointed at the end of life because of decisions we made early in life?

Every day we make decisions. We made a decision to get out of bed, to go to work or school. We made a decision to eat or not to eat. Did we make the decision to make peace? There comes a time to put down the gauntlet to stop and choose peace over mayhem. Do we really “win” we get “our way?” Or do we win when we see another’s point of view and compromise. Is our true joy when we choose another’s happiness over our own way?

Does the time come when we say to God as David, “return unto me the joy of my salvation” and do we say, “Return unto me my joy in others.” Can we find true joy in making ourselves happy or by making someone else happy? Who means the most to me? Am I going to bring joy to the people in my life that mean the most to me?

I’ve been reading in Colossians 3:12-13. It says, "…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive grievances you may have against one another.”

Our life begins when we forgive others and ourselves for grievances we’ve held on to for many years. Forget the past. Joy comes in the present and future.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

Changes

There’s a story on the Lucille Ball show, “I Love Lucy.” She travels through a small town and gets a speeding ticket and decides she’s going to talk her way out of a fine.

She enters the little police station and behind the desk is the Constable that cited her. She is determined, so she asks for the Chief of Police. He changes his cap that says “Chief”. She then asks for the mayor, the man changes his cap again and becomes the Mayor. To save her life, she can’t talk her way out of paying the fine.

Are we like that man? Do we change our cap every day? Do we wear the cap of, “certainty” one day, the next “uncertain”? We must wear the whole armor of God, putting on the helmet of salvation. Being certain God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We must be aware of God living in us each day and follow through with our actions.

Each day we must face the battle with the Devil and his angels. The joy of the Lord is with us each day; we must only receive it. The savior is waiting to open the door, why don’t you let him come in?

(John 17:15) “My prayer is not that you take them our of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Held Captive by Strongholds

We are held captive at some time in our lives. The strongholds of our life can hold us captive. There are strongholds of our mind, body and spirit.

First our minds are alerted to the mind by our thoughts. Our thoughts can deceive us. Have you ever thought and thought and thought about something, only to talk about it out loud and find yourself asking, “Where did that come from?” or “That’s absurd.”  Our thoughts don’t always make sense until we express them.

Our bodies can fool us into thinking we are hungry when we are not. Can we really wait on the Lord to ask for blessing before we dive into that plate of steak and potato? I’m guilty. Eat because I am overcome with the thoughts that I can’t wait.

We can become like Esau who sold his our birthright for a moment of pleasure.

I find that when I get busy I can forget to eat. It’s hard to believe, I who have been feeling starved for many years should come to a point when I can eat because it’s good for me. Eating is for sustenance, for energy and for good health. Not eating can be bad for you when you have ailments that make you eat, such as diabetes but that is not the case for most people. Overeating is just one of the strongholds I’ve had in my life.

Being a writer and poet has intrigued me for a long time. I’ve written for a newspaper, a Christian On-line publicist, and my two blogs. I led in some Bible Studies at church. I took up being a secretary for a church school and a department store for a few years of my life. It has not come to anything significant.

Another is my desire to “Be Somebody.” My relentless pursuit of making something of my life besides being just what I am: A homemaker, a stay at home mom, wife, and or housekeeper. Those are the main titles, even if I was nurse, cook, bottle washer, seamstress, crafter, psychiatrist, consultant, baby-sitter and/or teacher. Why oh why wasn’t I satisfied with just that? Well, here I am finding myself being all except a baby-sitter and there are no more babies around to baby. Is that me saying, “PTL”?

I’m 72 years of age and have finally found my “nitch”. Right back where I started and desired from childhood: wife, mother, and homemaker.  I belong to some clubs and have met a lot of people along the way that have blessed my life. I lead a blessed life.

God is here for me. I couldn’t always see Him working in my life, but He was there.

PTL

Sky View

when life gets overwhelming
God is able to provide
for unseen things and others
with which our soul longs to abide

understanding Gods message
as we travel life's highway
that opens up new meaning
as new horizons we seek

in the beauty of the sky
bright and blue
the sunset
red and yellow
in our sight
the moonlight
subtle sometimes
silver lining
in the sky
all everlasting lights

in the Lord we find
encouragement
hope and life abundant
in the beauty of the sky

MOM'S LAST CHRISTMAS GIFT

     Christmas was my mom's favorite time of year. She gave to each family member: Aunts, Uncles, nieces, (no nephews exist) sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, she even gave to friends and their family who couldn't give back.

     Her last days on earth, she was given a Christmas gift she didn't wear. My aunt had given her a nice, pink robe because mom was ill. She had not worn it three days after Christmas when she died December 28, 1969.

     I remember my aunt asked to return the robe.  I remember it was a curious request, but did not jump to judgment. Years later I realized the two women's viewpoint. They were from the "Great Depression" era. They were frugal. "Waste not, want not," was evident in their decisions.

     Mom knew the thought behind the gift was genuine love. She loved back through a last gesture of frugality.

     I see this same quality in her grandchildren as they have grown. They love to shop. They love to give, even when the recipients can't return the favor. Praise The Lord for a giving family.

 …."It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) NIV

God Will Provide

Whatever comes your way

God is able to provide

For unseen things and others

our soul longs to abide

We see Him in the beauty of the sky bright and blue

We see Him in the sunset, magnificent though it be

We see Him in the moonlight, subtle it may be.

We see Him everywhere in our lives.

Understand His mercy we must see

as we travel life's highway

that opens up new meaning as

new horizons we like to seek

Your life is a mystery

for you to perceive great humanity

In the Lord we find no discouragement

But hope and love and life abundantly.