A Kindred Heart

 Why are there so many hungry and homeless people in the world? Why do countries go to war instead of working out their differences with compromise and compassion? Why do politicians break public trust so often?

When I was in high school I had a poster that asked this question, “Will it matter that I was?” While that might not be a grammatically correct statement, it does pose an interesting thought and in some ways it gives the answer to the questions I asked in the first paragraph.

Sometimes we see and hear so much bad news that we become numb to it. Our hearts become hardened and all the problems of the world seem so big and far away that they are beyond our scope of response. But are they?

Is there anything I can personally do about the problems of the world? I can’t stop evil but I hope I never get to the point where I look the other way and keep silent. I can’t grow enough food to feed the world, but I can send money to people who can get food to the huntry. I can’t build shelter for every homeless person but I can contribute (in one way or another) to those who can. I can’t cure the sick but I can help provide aid to those who do.

And I can pray.

Every person in the world asks the question “why?” Sometimes it’s personal as in “Why me?” Other times its more abstract. Remember Job? He wondered many times why he was even born. 

“Why didn’t I die at birth as I came from the womb? Job 3:11

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, he too asked “why?”

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

Asking “why” isn’t wrong but I’ve come to believe that if I don’t respond to the question, then I am at fault.

Here are some quotes by some folks you might recognize that echo the same sentiment.

When you find yourself asking why, remember you are not alone. Jesus hears, he cares and he intercedes for you.

Did you ever wonder how America got where it is today? How did we go from a God fearing nation where people respected the Lord and worshipped him? It didn’t happen all at once, did it? We slipped a little bit at a time and I suspect that was part of the devil’s plan. A sudden change would be too drastic. If we run a bath tub full of hot water and stick our toe in and it burns, we yank it back out. But if we let the water sit awhile and it cools off then we can stick our foot in, get used to it, and before we know it we are in the tub and it feels wonderful.

Friends, if we hear the Lord’s name taken in vain, what should we do about it? Should we let it slide? Should we leave the room? Should we write letters to movie and television producers asking them to clean up their act?

This weekend most of us will celebrate Father’s Day. We’ll make sure the men in our lives get a tie, a new set of tools, a grill (or some other manly gift) or at the very least a card. We’ll remind them that they are loved and appreciated. Those of us who have lost our dads already may visit the graveyard and place flowers on his grave. Perhaps we will share memories of our fathers with our children.

While Father’s Day only comes once a year, every day is really Father’s Day as far as God is concerned. Our heavenly father expects us to think of him every day, after all, he thinks of us every moment. He created the world for us. Gave his son as a sacrifice for our sins. Gave us the Bible so that we might know him. Every good and perfect thing comes from him. Fatherhood should be a good and perfect thing, but unfortunately it isn’t always.

We live in a time when the moment of conception may be the only time a man takes part in his child’s life. There are more single mothers than ever before and many of these mothers receive no or little support (financial or otherwise) from the children’s father. Being a father (or a mother) has always meant more than making a baby…it means raising a baby. Being present for illness, doctor visits, skinned knees, parent/teacher conferences, night time prayers, church services, ballgames, learning to ride a bike, and on and on.

This Father’s Day I will celebrate the wonderful man I called “Dad,” John Fulton Bell. I will also go to church and give praise to my heavenly father for all the wonderful things he has done and for all the great things he continues to do in my life and the world around me.

Celebrate your heavenly father by getting to know him better. He knows you. He loves you and he wants to hear from you through his son.

Happy Father’s Day!

Last night I chased lightening bugs in a friend’s backyard. Why would a 52 year old woman be doing such a thing? Because the two little girls who lived at the house where we had dinner wanted to see how many we could capture. One of the children is seven years old and the other is five. They asked me to help because in their words, “You are really big and can get the high ones.”

Catching lightening bugs (or fireflies) brought back memories of long ago summers spent with my cousin’s at my grandfather’s house. We were always given empty mayonnaise jars with holes poked in the lid. My grandfather had a huge front yard and there was always competition among the cousins to see who could get the most. I remember the feeling of the soft grass beneath my bare feet (this was Kentucky-of course we didn’t wear shoes) and the warm, wet touch of the humid air against my skin. Usually my aunts fed us watermelon later and we’d have a seed spitting contest (outside of course).

Last night’s bug hunting reminded me that often is the simple things, life little moments, that bring the most pleasure and make the best memories.

Have you stopped and given thanks for the simple things in your life lately? Slow down and smell the roses, or catch some lightening bug. You will be glad you did.

I know a young man who consistently worries about “what comes next.”  No matter where he is he’s thinking about his next destination. Last night we were at a good friend’s wedding and all he could think about was getting home because he had several things to do and a full day the next day. First, let me say that at times I have been guilty of worrying about the future, but I’m doing better. I’m learning to savor the moment.

Each and every day is a gift. We can’t choose everything about the way we spend our days because we have responsibilities, but for those moments that we do get choose shouldn’t we spend them focused on “now” rather than what comes next?

In Phil’s blog, The Phil Files, recently he wrote about a woman who suddenly died and he talked about the importance of “Give us this day,” in the Lord’s prayer. We are not to worry about tomorrow’s bread, only this day. Like Phil I’ve lost many friends and family members suddenly.

My father passed away in 1995. I kissed him goodbye, told him I loved him and left on a trip. That night he died of a massive heart attack. I am forever thankful that I took the time to stop and tell him one more time that I loved him. We have no assurance that we will see the sun rise tomorrow, so shouldn’t we stop and enjoy the sunset of today? 

Rushing and being in a constant hurry keeps us from enjoying the moment. Ghandi once said, “There is more to life than merely increasing the speed,” and he was right. Slow down and savor the moment. Let God take care of what comes next.

My best friend’s daughter is in Peru spending her summer doing volunteer work at an orphanage. This isn’t the first summer she’s been there. Last year she went and fell in love with the country and the children at the orphanage. One little girl in particular captured her heart. She was found in a garbage dump. That’s right, a garbage dump. Hard to  believe isn’t it, but it happens here too. Not long ago I read about a baby found in the trash can of a college dorm.

But back to my friend’s daughter. This young lady is only 22 and just graduated from college. She’s beautiful inside and out but her spirituality is amazing. At a time in her life when most of her peers are worried about clothes, cars and the opposite sex, she is focused on what really matters. She’s a Christian and has been to China, Africa and South America sharing her faith and love of Jesus with others.

To say I am proud of her would be an understatement. She is a role model for so many (including me) and her life is a reflection of the love of Christ.

I know the children of Peru will benefit from her presence there this summer and I pray daily for those children and for my friend’s daughter.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

 Have you always walked a straight path? I haven’t. At times my path has gone uphill and other times downhill. I’ve hit potholes and taken curves so sharply I thought for sure I’d never get back on the straight and narrow, but somehow I managed to hang on and survive. Looking back I know now that part of the problem was that I wasn’t acknowledging God, I was depending totally on myself to get myself out of the messes I got into. I was leaning on my own understanding and doing what I thought best, now what the Bible said is best for me.

I still make mistakes. I still don’t always leave the “I” out of it and trust in “him.” But I am making a conscious effort to try harder and because of that my path is straighter and my life is easier, more peaceful and I am blessed by his goodness and mercy.

Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.

Last year I traveled to Washington D.C. with my husband and our boys. It was my first trip to our nation’s capitol, and I’ll never forget it. Without a doubt the most awesome part of the visit was Arlington. We were there during the spring and all the cherry trees were in bloom. The weather was cool and crisp. The sky a Robin’s egg blue. As we walked to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier I heard something in the distance. I stopped and listened. To my left were a small crowd of mourners and military members. A soldier was playing Taps and the notes sent tingles up and down my spine. That moment, those graves and the sound of Taps are frozen in my memory.

How many families are remembering and mourning this Memorial Day? I don’t know, but Jesus does. He understands the ache in our hearts and the tears on our cheeks. He has gone to prepare a place for us where there are no more tears and only joy. A place where there will be no Memorial Day again ever. Instead of Taps the angels will be sounding the trumpets to call the saved home.

For those of you who are reading this who have a son or daughter in the military, please know that folks all across our country are praying for your children, that they will return safely home to you. For those of you who know someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice for their country please know we are praying for you, that God will comfort you and keep you in His care.

We remember. We care. Our thoughts are with you.

My little granddaughter, Abby, is almost four years old and she loves to go to church. She enjoys it all; the singing, Sunday School and being with the other children. She is especially close to a little girl named Maggie, who is just a few years older than she. 

Maggie is the first person my granddaughter looks for when we get to church. She comes and gets Abby and walks her to class. She plays tag with her in the church yard and always gives her a big hug when they have to say goodbye.

On Sunday nights the younger children say Bible verses they have memorized. Abby watches Maggie say her verses with obvious adoration. It’s easy to see that Abby looks up to Maggie.  She watches her every move and is greatly influenced by her actions.

No matter how young or old we are we influence those around us. We may not even be aware that someone is watching us. We may not realize that our actions may cause someone else to succeed or stumble. Which will it be? Will we be a good influence on others, or will we be a discouragement?  Will we lift others up? Or will we drag them down?

Think about Jesus and imagine what it must have been like to live when he did. Imagine seeing him heal the lame and making the blind to see.  Imagine watching him reach out to others, even those who other people shunned. His life was a perfect example of how to live for others. He didn’t seek riches or glory, but lived a simple, humble life.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that our lives influence others. We forget that little children, neighbors, and co-workers, are watching everything we do. If we call ourselves Christians then we are following Christ and if we follow him, let us pray that we are living the life he would have us live. A life like his, pure, simple and consistently thinking of others before ourselves.

Maggie is a wonderful influence on my granddaughter. I hope and pray that others can see Christ living in me as clearly as I see him living in Maggie.

Yesterday I sat in my car and watched a red-headed wood pecker work on a tree. The sound he made when he hit his beak on the tree was loud, letting me know me he meant business. I watched for several minutes, fascinated by the bird. First of all as hard as he was hitting the tree it had to hurt and yet he kept doing it over and over again.  But the main reason I kept watching was because he reminded me of myself. Not because I have red hair (or feathers) but because at times in my life I have been just as hard headed as the wood pecker. There have been times when I’ve made the same mistake again and again. Instead of backing off and looking at things from God’s point of view, I just kept banging my head against a tree. I’m sure that I looked every bit as foolish to God, as the wood pecker did to me.

Ever feel like the woodpecker? Instead of banging your head against a tree why not ask God to help and then put your trust in him!