Why only a prayer away!

About one year ago I was nominated to chair an event called Oksoberfest.  This event is to be a one-day alcohol free family fun day.

I want you to realize that I was and still am extremely nervous about this because I have never done anything like this before in my life.  At this point I prayed the following prayer:  “Lord, if this event is going to happen it is up to you.  I am not woman enough to do this by myself.”

The Lord answered my prayer and continues to do so on a daily basis.  Everything is falling into place and it will be a fantastic event.  I have been blessed with many talented people to help in the organization, many talented people are donating their God given talents on that day, and many people who have donated time and/or products from their businesses and groups to aid us in many different ways.  I will never be able to thank them enough.

The greatest thing I have gained in all of this is the sense of peace that only comes from God.

God’s blessings on all of you as you travel through the rest of your lives.  May he always be present in all that you endeavor?

That record and my teacher’s explanation of what the sounds meant created in me a great desire to visit the place that I was experiencing audibly.  So began my great yearning to see in person the Grand Canyon.  She made us “see” the donkey as it clip-clopped up and down the steep trails.  We “saw” the lightening that made the thunder roar and listened as the rains poured down.  She did an excellent job of teaching us how to live the music.  That is how my burning desire to see the Grand Canyon began.

Last year on my birthday, my oldest son and his family drove me to the Grand Canyon to fulfill my dream.  We went to a lookout point where a ledge of the rock jutted way out over the canyon.  I was breathless as I viewed the sights that surrounded me.  What a beautiful picture God painted when he took out his brushes and stroked the rocks in so many shades of red and other brilliant colors.  There is no way that a photograph cold ever capture the overwhelming picture that I was seeing.  I was awe struck trying to imagine the forces of nature that had created this treasure.

It made me think of my relationship with the Lord.  I can describe to others my trust in Him, the peace that I have in my life and my ability to handle problems because I know that He is with me.  Others just won’t understand until they experience it for themselves.  All I can do for them is the same thing my teacher did for me.    We as Christians need to paint that portrait with our words and actions so that others will have a burning desire to experience it for themselves.

It is that time of year. The beauty of God's creation metamorphosing from green to god, red and brown.  The days are getting shorter and the temperature is beginning to drop more every day.  Soon there will be frost on the pumpkin.

I also witnessed a different kind of Changing Seasons when I attended their grand opening.

This Changing Seasons is a division of Lutheran Social Services.  It is, as I understand it, a place for acceptance, support and growth for people with mental health challenges.

At their grand opening the clients put on skits.  At one point the director asked them to tell us one thing they would like us to know.  I got tears in my eyes when one gentleman spoke up and said that he would like us to see him.

I understood what he was saying.  When we are uncomfortable around others for any reason, we often act as if we don't see what's going on.  If we ignore it perhaps it will just go away.  Many times it's just because we don't understand the circumstances.  How much better would it be if we asked questions?  Maybe, just maybe we could help someone else move forward or take a step upward.

I'm so glad that I went to that open house.  I had an opportunity to learn.  I hope that in some way I too will make a difference in another's life just because I took the time to see them.

I get frustrated sometimes because I can no longer physically do some of the things that I love to do like work in my flower garden.  It bothers me that the weeds grow up around the house and I can do nothing about it.  Well, I guess there is one thing I can do and I am ashamed to admit that I do it more often than I would like, I complain to my husband. 

Now Sam is a pretty even-tempered man but from time to time I have been known to aggravate even him.  He has a hard enough time just keeping the grass mowed (we have 2 acres) so when I complained about the weeds growing against the house he told me to just be patient that they would get taken care of soon enough.

The days turn in to weeks and I bite my tongue.  I really do like to keep things nice and neat.  Lo and behold, one day as I returned home from work I was astounded to see that all of the weeds had beautiful delicate little purple flowers on them.  They were glorious against the faded green siding on the house.  Wow, God sure does wondrous things.  Those nasty ugly weeds turned into a showcase of beauty.

I bet that sometimes we do the same thing with people.  We look at them and sneer because they don’t look beautiful to us.  We can hardly wait to get rid of them.  We don’t give them a chance to bloom.  We are ready to cut them down to the ground and have the ugliness out of the way.

Who knows what beauty might emerge if given enough time?  What may God have in store for them that we might benefit from?  Maybe when it comes to other people, we should sit back, let the world take a couple of turns and see what beauty is in store for them and for us.  Who knows, we may be the fertilizer that helps them grow.

Ministry in Action

It was a beautiful Saturday morning.  There was just enough chill in the air to warrant a sweater.  The sun was shining bright in a crystal clear blue sky.  There was a good stiff breeze blowing.  It was a perfect day to fly a kite.

When my son was a young lad, the city would hold a kite flight every year.  He remembered how much fun he had and wanted his daughters to have the opportunity to experience it also.  So he spoke to his boss at Sign Pro.  She agreed to help sponsor a kite flight.  Then using his marketing experience, he talked to a friend from a local radio station who immediately became excited too.  From there the parks department climbed on board along with a local bank, grocery store and neighborhood watch organization. .  Each entity provided a different strength. 

The Kite Flight was scheduled to run from 10 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. with lunch provided.  The morning began slowly but once kites were in the air people began coming over to join in.  Some of them bought kites themselves and others just watched.

Sam and I were helping our granddaughters with their kites when a friend from church arrived.  I have to make a confession.  Sam helped the girls a lot more than I did. 

Judy sat her chair next to mine and we watched the children of all ages with their kites of all different sizes, shapes and colors. 

All of a sudden, Judy jumped up and said, “I think that mother out there could use some help.”  Next thing I knew, she was headed quite rapidly out onto the field towards a young woman with two little boys about the ages of three and five.  Judy spoke to the young mother and took one of the small boys and his kite off a short distance.  It didn’t take the two of them very long and that kite was soaring up towards the sun with the rest of them.

As I watched her I realized that I was watching ministry in action.  How proud the Lord would be, knowing that she stepped up to the plate when someone needed help.

The Kite Flight will happen again next year.  I can hardly wait to see what new ministry in action I may get to see.  I hope to see you there.

The Board meeting ran longer than I expected and I didn't get home until 6:30. I help facilitate a Celebrate Recovery Group and had to leave home by 6:45 in order to make it to the meeting on time.

I have to tell you, I was dead tired and the last thing I wanted to do was attend another meeting. I told my husband that for two cents I'd stay home. He turned and shouted at me," WELL, YOU'RE GOING AREN'T YOU?" I was immediately furious and in my rage I let him know in no uncertain terms that yes, I would go.

When I got to the meeting, one of the other members looked at me and made a comment about getting there tired, angry and all that other stuff. I told her that she was exactly right, that the last place I wanted to be was at that meeting but I was there now and would make the best of it. In order to understand the importance of all of this you need to know that I am an alcoholic in recovery. The rest of the people in this group were in a supporting role of people fighting addictions. I was the only person in this group of women actually recovering from an addiction. Lo and behold there was a new woman attending the group for the first that night. She is recovering from many different types of addictions including alcohol and other drugs. Had I not shown up that night there would have been no one that she could relate to. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Do you think God had a plan?

After we got home I blasted my husband for yelling at me before we left. He looked at me in a funny way and told me that he had asked me in a soft quiet voice if I was going to go to the meeting.

It's obvious to me that I didn't hear Sam. What I heard was God getting my attention in a way that He knew I would respond to. I guess that I need to thank God for my wake up call because I really did need to be at that meeting that night.

I think that from now on I will listen a little more closely when God speaks to me. It is not a pleasant experience when He raises His voice to you.

Yogi is his name.  His hair is black with suspicious looking white spots and streaks.  He has hugh brown eyes that seem to melt into liquid chocolate when he looks at you.  He has a very gentle loving personality that shows the true meaning of unconditional love.  He is a lifesaver too!  Every time he sees a fire, he has to intervene and put the fire out.  He usually does this by pulling the burning sticks out of the fire while jumping high into the air to snatch at the burning embers with his long black tongue.

In case you haven’t figured it out, Yogi is a dog.  Not just any dog though as you have probably already guessed.  He is a black lab/border collie mix.  He had been a TV star.  While living at the animal shelter he had been on the noon news to see if someone would give him a home.  He is very smart, shaking hands and doing other tricks just to get some attention and loving.  We ended up bringing him home with us because he was to be euthanised the next week if he didn’t find a home. Ok, I’m a sucker for animals and children – not necessarily in that order.

We only had one problem with Yogi.  He needs lots of exercise.  With my arthritis, I can barely walk some days let along run around the yard.  My husband is at retirement age.  Our whole intention when we adopted him was to find him a good home with kids and/or animals to chase.  I was determined not to fall in love with this dog.  I knew how much it would hurt to let him go.  Fat chance of that not happening.

We searched and searched for the right home for him for two years.  Nothing seemed to come to fruition.  Then one day God opened that door and Yogi found a new home.  A great family with 10-year-old Aaron who fell immediately in love with Yogi and Yogi with him.  I mean after all, what dog wouldn’t be ecstatic to have a 10-year-old boy to chase him and play with him.  So, Yogi now has a new home in New Hampshire (the town not the state).  He now lives out in the country with Aaron and 4 barn cats to chase.  There is also a woods behind the house that he and Aaron get to explore.  The last I spoke to the new owners, Aaron and Yogi were a match made in heaven.

I was determined to be stoic as Yogi left for his new home, but I must confess that I shed more than one tear.

It made me stop to think of the sacrifice that God gave us.  He didn’t give up a pet.  The pain He must have endured as He watched his only son die on the cross just to save us from the agony of paying for our sins.  His grace was sufficient.

I don’t know about you, but I am humbled and very thankful that he loved me that much.   

That could have a lot of different meanings, but I am talking about the temperature.  

It is interesting how our views change about different things.  For instance, in the fall as the temperatures start to fall, 50 degrees seems awfully cold.  I suppose some of it is what it represents to use.  In the fall it means that winter is just around the corner and we have some less than pleasant things to look forward to like freezing cold temperatures, ice and snow.  Don’t get me wrong, I think that the ice on the trees after an ice storm and a freshly fallen snow are both beautiful as long as I don’t have to trudge around in it.

On the other side of the coin is 50 degrees in the spring.  When that first 50 degree day hits it’s as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  Everything seems lighter and brighter, especially if the sun is shining at the same time.  All of a sudden I am in a better mood ready to tackle anything.

In some ways this reminds me of my relationship with the Lord.  There are days when all seems cold and gray with not much hope for the future.  This is the 50 degree fall day.  Then I realize how the Lord is helping me and all of a sudden it is a 50 degree spring day with the promise of good things to come.  I am so thankful that I know the Lord and can rely upon Him especially when things feel the bleakest and I pray that you have that relationship with the Lord also. 

I think to myself that I don’t want to wish away my life and the closer I come to 60 the more important that becomes but I am truly tired of the cold, snow and ice.

I should probably focus more on the good things that come this time of year.  Take for instance, Easter.  It’s such a joyous holiday that Jesus shall rise from the dead to save our sinful souls.   It also brings Easter lilies, crocuses and daffodils – all sure signs of spring.

So, I shall take a more positive attitude; try not to frown and to smile more so that others can catch a glimpse of spring too. 

I wish all of you a Happy Easter!!

As I listened, a representative from each of the following groups spoke about their dreams and programs designed to help others: Faith Partners, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Promise, Kids Kamp, and the Family Resource Centers child mentoring program.

Their message was the same even though they went about it in many different ways.  Their common goal to educate in prevention to addiction and support structures for the adults and children who are living with or affected by people with addictions.

The mission of Faith Partners is to assist people of faith in the development of communities that promote prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and where recovery from addiction is valued and supported.

Family Promise mission is to provide services in an extremely cost-effective way to meet the needs of homeless families who are truly trying to turn their lives around.  This program utilizes volunteers and churches for meal and shelter saving vast amounts of dollars while keeping homeless families together.

Big Brothers Big Sisters vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for all.  We also found out that you’re never too old to help out.

Amachi Big Brother Big Sisters is the only congregationally-based program in the country to offer a proven and effective program mentoring especially for children of incarcerated parents.  Their motto: People of Faith Mentoring Children of Promise.  It is an opportunity to break the cycle of incarceration that plagues families, neighborhoods and entire communities. 

The Family Resource Centers child mentoring program matches volunteers with children at risk within the school system.  Out of this program is growing a mentoring program for the adults of these children.  Many of the problems are associated with addictions.

Kids Kamp is a brand new program just in the growing stages.  It is a program being developed to provide children from addictive families to learn how to cope with these lifestyles.  The length of the program will be determined by the facilities available.  It is hoped to make this an overnight camp.  It will use trained personnel as well as many volunteers.  A follow-up program is being worked on also. 

I’m sure that by now you see the common thread that weaves this basket together.  It was exhilarating to feel the excitement as each of these groups began to understand how they can help each other and all become stronger in the process.

If you are interested in being a part of any or even all of these groups, check out the links at www.wecarepeople.org .  Or call the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board at (419) 222-5120.

We are bombarded on a daily basis by information from all over the world.  Info from television, the internet, newspapers, radios and yes, even or friends and family.

Unfortunately most of this news is not good news.  We hear about death, destruction moral decline and many other depressing things.  This information can cause sadness and severe depression if we are not careful.

There is a statement that says, “We are what we eat”.  I believe that is true about what we read, listen to and watch on TV. 

So how can we combat this?  I’m not recommending that we bury our heads in the sand.  It’s important to what’s going on in the world.  I choose to temper it all by looking for the positives in everything.  Sometimes that is a very difficult task.  I use my Bible for uplifting inspiration.  When I read the newspaper I always read the comic strips last so that I have a laugh to offset the disturbing things that I may have read.  I say prayers for the people around the world who have experienced bad things in their lives.  I also try to watch comedies on TV or at the movies. 

You will have to determine for yourself how much info is too much info for you.  I pray that you will find your own ways to be uplifted and also find the things that make you laugh.  May God grant you a  bright, cheerful, healthy blessed day.

Wanda

I was playing a game of solitaire and one of the features that the game provided was an undo button.  This button allows you to make a change (undo) a play that you have already made.  In essence, it allows you to correct your mistakes.

There are times when I had an “undo” button in my life.  Boy, to be able to take back a hurt that I had bestowed on someone else whether unwittingly or not.  Or to be able to take back a word or two that I had blurted out without even thinking about it.

One thing is for sure though, I am so glad that God does not have an “undo” button.  What if all of a sudden He decided to take back the grace that He has bestowed upon us.  What if all of a sudden our sins were no longer forgiven.  What if we could no longer look to Him for guidance and support.  I don’t know about you but it would scare the beejeebers out of me.

So, I will say a prayer of thanksgiving today that the Lord did give His only son to save our souls.  I will also thank Him for not having an undo button.

I’ve come to understand that there are only two constants in our lives.  One is the grace that God has bestowed upon us.  The second is change.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone say that they hate change.  The reality is that things never stay the same.  It astounds me when I look in the mirror in the morning and see that the me I remember is no longer there.  My hair is just a little bit grayer and there seems to be one more wrinkle.

Even our lives as Christians are constantly changing.  We grow each day as we do our devotions or help someone in need.  It is, as God wants it. 

So embrace the changes and use them to the glory of God’s love and forgiveness of our sins.

Wanda Stokely

Have you ever noticed how much the Mangrove tree is similar to God?  The mangrove tree drops into the salt water as a little seed.  In spite of the adversity of the salt, it sprouts roots and begins to form a tree.  Animals and particles cling to the roots dangling in the water.  Soon an island begins to develop.

Isn’t that how we often times grow as a Christian?  We find ourselves in a sea of adversity.  We reach out for help, to be saved from whatever is bothering us.  We grab a hold of the root dangling in front of us (God’s love, hope and salvation).  The next thing you know, we are surrounded by an island of strength - our church, Christian friends and especially the knowledge that God is there for us.  We just need to reach out.

Why does it take us so long?  Maybe we need to be truly hurting to appreciate how strongly those roots develop.

Wanda Stokely

While sitting in church, I observed a very lovely lady sitting a couple of pews away from me.  This lady is very special. You see, she’s blind.  Her husband is always at her side very gently guiding her way.

I realized that her disability is not something that should cause us to pity her.  She has the ability to see things in a much different light than we do.  Although she is always impeccably dressed, it matters not what others are wearing.  She has the opportunity to know people for who they really are.  Think how much better we would be if we closed our eyes and got to know people through our ears.  How often do we look someone in the eyes, close our ears and not hear what they are saying?  What would we hear if we really listened; pain, serenity, love, terror, disdain?  Would we know when someone was lying because the pitch in his or her voice changed?  Think about it for a minute.  We would feel the beauty of a flower with our other senses.  We’d smell the fragrance, touch the little petals and get to know then as individuals, each unique in its own way.

No, I don’t see disability as a liability; I see it as an asset.  It's a treasure to be enjoyed in its fullness, as just one more way to prove our own uniqueness as individuals.  We also need to remember that we are not alone.  Just as her husband gently held her arm to guide her way, God is there to guide us.  He gave us His word in a form we all know as the Bible.  The 10 commandments give us a path to righteousness if we but follow them.  So, don’t walk blindly down life’s pathway.  Use the tools that God gave us.  He will always be there for you.

Wanda Stokely