Beauty and Pleasure

15 May

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

 

 

God created the flowers to bring beauty to the earth and pleasure to us.

 

 

Each flower is unique and some are very beautiful as a single bloom but many times it is more beautiful to see them put together as a bouquet or arrangement. That can be a lovely parallel to how we each come together and complement the strengths, weaknesses, gifting and needs of each other.

 

Together we are more powerful, more complete, although individually we are also beautiful in our own way.

 

 

Do you ever feel insignificant, like God wouldn’t pick you from His garden? He doesn’t see one gifting or personality or appearance as better than another. None of us is less important to Him. We are all supposed to be different. And we are pleasing to Him if we fulfill the specific call and purpose He created us to be. We are only to be ourselves, not like someone else.

 

 

Whatever type God created you to be, it is not just for us to keep to ourselves but our beauty, our aroma, our gifting are to be used for the benefit of those around us. Just as in the bouquet, each of us is important to the whole. Even those who feel small or insignificant have a role to play.

 

 

I saw these little flowers, I had never seen before,
They were so small and delicate, a hundred-maybe more,
I had to smile when seeing them, and wipe away my tears,
You always give me flowers, Lord. At least, you have for years.
Anne Peterson

 

 

 

Consider the wonderful works of God.  Job 37:14

 

 

 

 

 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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Marie Bowers

14 May

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

Photo by Melody Hendrix

 

 

In her last photo, standing by a big fountain

Grandmother was tiny.

She never seemed tiny before.

She was the matriarch of the family

And we all tried to please her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was right to think she knew a few things.

Born in Illinois in 1897, she was the first of 13

Marie helped with everything.

Kid care was just a part of life and…

She especially enjoyed looking after chickens.

 

She was one of the fortunate who got all the

The way through eighth grade.

For a while, she was the teacher

Since teachers were hard to find in rural spots.

I’ll bet she kept the big boys in line,

Maybe with some help from her brothers.

When her mother died of female problems

Marie was already married and had two boys

Marie took in the two smallest sisters.

One trick she had was to get the four

Ready for church then rest the legs of the bed

On each dress-tail so the children wouldn’t get dirty.

Yes, very little boys wore dresses in those days.

 

Marie, Ivan (my dad eventually), Ira, Lowell in front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much I could tell you about Grandmother Marie.

She loved us all and went back to visit her dad and siblings.

While Granddad was a guard at the Colorado State Penitentiary

Grandmother ran her beauty shop,

They also had an apartment house

Victorian with a beautiful yard and

Chickens in a pen out by the garage.

She went to the hospital and to the morgue to “do hair”

For those who couldn’t help themselves.

 

In extreme old age, she got a job in a nursing home

Where Granddad had to live by then

She was loved in that town

And they gave her a little room

With a phone

It was her paid job to answer if it rang during the night.

Some people say, “All I Know I Owe to my Darling Mother,”

But I say all I know I owe to my darling mother and my

Stalwart Grandmother.

I’m looking forward to seeing both in Heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie and her sweet, adorable little granddaughter: me

I think I’m trying to get away. I don’t think she wanted this picture taken.

 

 

 

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Mother’s Day 2018

13 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

It’s another Mother’s Day in the United States. The day when we and our country recognizes our mothers and the way they have impacted our lives.

When I think of my own mother, I am torn – between deep gratitude to God for giving her to me as my mother, and deep sorrow that she isn’t in this life anymore to talk with and hug and get good advice from – even in my advanced years.

I am grateful that she was a God-loving and God-fearing woman, who taught me about God and Jesus Christ, and helped me be the woman I am today. I loved hearing her tell stories about her growing-up years. There weren’t too many stories that I remember, but the ones I do remember are precious memories to me.

 

Notice the bows in their hair in all these pictures!

I remember her telling me that, as she cared for her sister in her sister’s last days, they spent so many hours “remembering” this event or that event. Mom said she wished she’d had a tape recorder to record their conversations and memories. But they are now lost. I have speculation that they are renewing their memories in heaven. And perhaps I shall share in those when it’s my turn to join them.

 

1945 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Agnes (Mother) on the left, Aunt Jessie on the right

 

My mother loved deeply and freely. I’ve written about her previously (please see my posts of May 12, 2013, December 8, 2013, June 1, 2014, February 8, 2015, November 8 and 22, 2015). She was a loved and remembered part of our church in Albuquerque. My husband, brother and sister-in-law and I made a trip to Albuquerque back in 2000. We went to our old church that Sunday morning.

 

First Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

As I walked down one of the aisles, an older gentleman stared at me and said, “Is that Agnes Lites?” (my mother’s name). I replied, “No, but it’s Judy.” We had many fond reminisces with the people in the church that day. Mother was remembered and missed.

 

But I have another mother – my mother-in-law, Fred’s mother.

 

 

She was such a sweet, elegant lady, and she treated me like another daughter. Of course, I don’t have many of her “growing-up” stories, but I know I loved her dearly.

 

 

To know my husband as I do, I can see her hand in his up-bringing. She was a gentle soul, but must have had a firm hand in child-rearing. All of her children have become wonderful adults, and all of them are believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That speaks of her love of her Lord, herself. She also, has left us. She suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for about 12 years, so we actually “lost” her all those years before. But she was a great influence in my life in all the years I knew her. (Please see my previous posts about her: October 12, 2012)

Mothers…..my mothers are precious to me – and the memories of them touch my heart even today, as I think about them.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:26-27

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How Can God Allow All This Pain?

12 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

 

 

How can God allow all this pain?

Reblogged with permission May 12, 2018

 

Bad news, hard news, violent news. All pile up on top of our personal conflicts…and eventually, like most, we might ask, “How can God allow all this pain?” For you, a post to give you hope.

Pamela’s Story

With Pamela’s permission, I share with you her private story. She relates:

I wrapped an old jacket around me and slammed the door of my dingy apartment. At four in the morning, it was safer and easier to hit the crack dealer on the corner.

I lived in a horrible home. Satan had taken my kids, my family, my home and my job.

I lived to find enough money for the next hit. And when high on whatever I smoked, I groaned and cried at God.

Where was He? Why did He leave me? Why did He allow so much pain?

I knew that answer. I wasn’t worth Him sticking around me—a drug addict, a loser and a sinner.

He’d left me. He’d gone from my home. I traveled looking for him. From state to state I went, but never found Him. Darkness was just about to choke me; I gave one more cry even when no more breath seemed to be in me. I had lost hope. I had nothing. No apartment and no family. I wonder why I still lived.

That’s when God touched my withered soul and said, “I never left you…been right here by your side.

We’ve all been there.

Pam’s question about the absence of God is not rare or uncommon. When despair hits, we assume He’s left us. The reasons are many. Maybe it’s not addiction to crack but a crack in our heart that begs to be healed, or sin, a hypocritical comment, or harsh admonishment. Or simply, bad choices.

Whatever the reason, in our despair, God seems to be a distant, an abstract image. But He’s not. He’s alive, vibrant and active! He’s still waiting, still calling, still loving and still hoping for us to come back.

There’s hope.

He’s hoping the child that ran away would ease back into His arms, nestle in His grace and listen to the truth: Humans are flawed, fickle, weak and often wrong. But God is forever loving, forgiving and forever our Father. He is also “…gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 144:7-9)

That compassion touched Pam. She left her destructive ways behind. She repented. And hope filled her once again. God restored her family. She now lives to serve Christ, declaring with boldness her pain soothed, and her peace renewed.

And with the gratitude that replaced her grief, she declares this verse with conviction and confidence:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Receiving His kindness, His riches shine brighter in dark times. He may allow pain, but He gives us peace. He may allow loss, but He gives back much gain. And He may let grief in, but He says joy will follow.

Let’s Pray

Father, how many times I wondered about the reality of your presence, doubted your power and questioned your healing. Show me, Lord, that crisis doesn’t separate you from me. Devastation doesn’t end your love, nor do troubles keep you away. You are with me as I run, escape or when I sob during sleepless nights, you are with me. In Jesus’ name I thank you!

  • What speaks to you I the midst of your pain?
  • How do you conquer fear and doubt?

I’d love to read your answers. Please send them by replying to this post in the comment section.

Janet

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Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

 

Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/inspiration/how-can-god-allow-all-this-pain.html

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Heart Cleaning

11 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

It is good to daily ask God to examine our hearts so we can realign ourselves with His will- Wordsnackers

 

 

 

I have to admit that by day’s end, I often feel as if my heart is clouded and grungy like the canister of my vacuum cleaner.

 

 

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Road Trip~Pagosa Springs, Colorado to Denver, Colorado.

10 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Days 15 September 21, 2017

Packing up day. Sad, but leaving with precious memories. I grew fond of the townhouse at Wyndham, Pagosa Springs. It was a perfect harbor after a day of touring. I am thankful for our friend, Pam, who made this trip possible by sharing not only  her time share with us, but also her bright and sunny personality.  I will miss our morning coffee times.

 

 

Our plan for the return trip to Denver was to visit Pike’s Peak. We didn’t have time to visit the peak on a previous vacation.   Unfortunately, husband’s breathing episode at Lobo Overlook caused us to scratch it once again.  The  275 mile journey would be a combination route of our trip a week earlier to pick up Rebekah and Pam at the Denver airport which would be new to them, as well as retracing some of the route we took south from Rocky Mountain National Park.

We of course, were planning to have a picnic lunch along the way and were looking for the park we found on the trip south.We should have done a GPS drop pin on the location, because we couldn’t find it. Finally, an urgent need for “facilities” drove us to find anyplace to stop!  We spotted a smallish parking area with facilities and pulled in. The facilities were adequate, but the scenery was fantastic. It turned out there was another lower level to the parking area and the river was a prime kayaking area. I guess it was a little too windy cool for them to be out that day as we didn’t see any. There were also picnic tables so we had our lunch there.

 

 

The Aspen trees on the drive north gave us a grand display of color.

We arrived in Denver and checked in to the hotel where we had stayed the previous week. We made it in time for their free supper buffet and it was nice to stay in after the long day. When we checked out after our previous stay, I left a bottle of wine in a room drawer. I had purchased it at a winery near Jefferson, North Carolina for Rebekah and Pam to enjoy at Pagosa and lugged that bottle across the country.  When we checked in, I asked if it had been turned in to lost and found. ! They said they would check and let me know. I’m still waiting…..Silly me, of course not!

 

 

 

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Guest Post – Rationing Gone Wild by GPCox

8 May

With the passing of the “Greatest Generation” the stories of what life was like during WWII here in the states are beginning to be lost. Thank you, GPCox for sharing this.

"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons

We’ve all heard about rationing but with GP’s help, we’ll now know quite a bit more about it. Enjoy.

  http://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com

Blog - Rationing - Shate my car - 8.114.2013

The Second World War was fought on two fronts and as we’ve seen in previous posts, the home front rarely received the credit it deserved for its efforts.  The generation that endured the Great Depression, worked long, hard hours and were often forced to use the barter system to survive now, for the war effort, had shortages for most everything.  If you can name it – there was probably a ration book for it and a black market to get it; if you dared.  The children also pitched in by giving, what money they could earn, back into the family.

Rationing started just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor and sugar was the first product to be rationed when sales ended 27 April 1942 and commercial manufacturers received…

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Mom

8 May

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

 

 

I was born and raised in Florida. As a kid, I hated wearing shoes and still do. My friends and I walked everywhere enjoying the outdoors and exploring nature. In the evening when dinner and chores were done, I stretched out on the couch with my feet in Mother’s lap, and she pulled sandspur splinters out with tweezers. She was so gentle that I fell asleep during the operation.

 

 

 

 

Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s our family had little money. Our mother was widowed twice before she was twenty-five years old, and she ended up with four kids to look after on her own. She knew about pain and she knew about life. We children were her life, and she allowed us to be as carefree as possible. Sometimes, though, if she thought we needed chastising, she would call out a name, which many times was the wrong name. We thought it was funny, and our laughter got her back into a good mood. When Mom wanted to let me know I was in trouble, she’d call me, “Melody Jane.” In these cases, Jane was a bad-girl name. My friends heard it a few times and thought Jane was my middle name. Most of the time, though, Mom called me Honey-Dear.

Mom started working in at a bicycle shop in Winter Park. She and the owner fell in love and got married. He was the only father I knew. He had two boys, so now we had six kids in the family. But mostly they lived with their grandparents. When school was out, Mom’s kids sat in the business office until time to go home. It was a boring few hours, so mom did her best to keep us entertained. She’d put several layers of red polish on her nails and let us peel them off. She gave us long ball chains to dribble into circles which we pretended were pies. Sometimes we linked several together and made an extra-large pie.

 

 

 

Whenever I was sick I told no one, but somehow Mom always knew. She knew what to do, too. I marveled at that even as a kid. She would kiss the patient’s forehead to take their temperature. If it was high, the child was allowed to stay home from school and Mom bought him or her an inexpensive toy from the five and dime. The favored medicine was a cup of hot tea with cream and sugar and a piece of toast to dip. To this day, that is a healing comfort when I’m not well.

I recall thrifty foods Mom invented. She cut the crust off a slice of white bread, layered butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and then rolled it into a ball. Yum. A slice of white bread could end up on a plate with sugar and milk over it, and we ate it with a fork. She cooked macaroni and mixed in a can of stewed tomatoes and to this day I love that combination.

I still have a picture etched in my mind of the last day time I saw Mom alive. She had on a pretty denim Capris outfit with embroidery on the legs of it. After our visit, I started to walk out to my car. I turned to look back. She stood there smiling and waving. I waved and went on, but when I realized I hadn’t hugged her or told her I loved her, I thought I should go back. For some unknown reason I decided not to. Instead, I got in the car and drove away. I would never get to hug her or tell I loved her again. But you know, somehow I think she knew it and I believe she knows it still.

 

 

 

 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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A Bouquet of Mothers

7 May

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

Author, Poet and Artist

 

 

A Bouquet of Mothers

DiVoran

 

Melody’s Mother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three friends told me about the joy their Mothers brought them.

One said, “We didn’t have much, but we three sisters and our
3 brothers knew we were loved.
Knowing Mom was designing
And sewing complete wardrobes
For our Barbies each year at Christmastime
We were rich in love and floating
On our mother’s creativity.
Excited by the ticka-a-ticka of Mother’s sewing machine
We could hardly sleep.

On Christmas day
We ran to the tree and ripped open beautifully
Wrapped packages to reveal
A trove of evening gowns, dresses, pants, and blouses.
That had been made from hoarded
Scraps of whatever materials
Mother found and saved for us.

 

Onisha’s Mother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as mother and dad got home from work on Friday night
Mom, Daddy, my two older brothers and I drove the hour to the Indian River near Titusville, Fl.

Mother loved the Lord, Daddy, my two brothers and me with all her heart.
She also loved fishing and shrimping.

At dark we slung a lantern over the rail of the pier
And shrimp came under the light, and into our nets
Then came fish chasing shrimp
And we caught them, too.

Mom would make a pallet so I could
Lie face down, and watch the water until I fell asleep.

Sometimes we drove out to Playalinda beach
And built a campfire on shore.
We satand sang…
Sweet Hour of Prayer,” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.
We kids fell asleep the minute we got in the car.

Fern

My mother is a born homebody.
She married at eighteen
And she and daddy had three girls and a boy.
She loved nothing better than to cook big meals
Every day and watch us enjoy them.
She was always there when we came
From school clamoring for snacks.

She nursed us through fevers
She sewed most of our clothes.
When I had surgery as an adult
She looked after me
She cooked so much food…
I didn’t know how to tell her
I wasn’t hungry and please
Don’t cook so much.
Please don’t be hurt when I can’t eat.
Then one day it came to me,
This was and always has been her
Way of showing love
I have never known her to yearn for
Any other kind of life.
Thank you Mother.

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Live at Peace

6 May

God cares about our response to the difficult people in our lives.

We can’t control how others respond, but we can do our best to live at peace with them.

 

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