The Grinch has struck again ...

... but Christmas is still the most wonderful time of the year!

 

When I was a child I loved this story and my kids and now their kids love watching this Christmas special each year about the people of Whoville whose Christmas trappings, trees, gifts and food were stolen by the Grinch who hated Christmas.  He was so sure he would stop Christmas from coming once and for all ....

 

 but it came just the same.        

 

I've seen the Grinch already this year.  Our family has been hit hard with nearly unbearable loss .... we've had deaths, heartbreak, financial setbacks ... all just as the holiday season begins to unfold once again.  Everywhere I turn I see the sooty footprints the Grinch has left as he crept through our lives stealing our happiness and peace of mind. 

 

At least ... that's what he thought he was doing.   But he's in for a surprise.  

 

Yesterday I wept as I placed flowers on the fresh grave of my younger sister, Annette.  Then turned and placed flowers on the graves of my mother and aunt who will be celebrating their second Christmas in the presence of the King this year.  Last night I received word of two more totally unexpected deaths in our extended family.  Today I spent time with my precious dad who could barely stay awake and couldn't talk to me.  More tears.   And yet..  the song is still there.





Shhhh...

Do you hear what I hear?

 

I hear music .. children practicing for their school & church Christmas pageants.  I hear laughter as they make their Christmas lists and color pictures of angels and wise men on camels.  I hear the tinkling bells of the Salvation Army volunteers collecting donations for the less fortunate in our area ... so I pull out a couple of bills to put in the kettle.

And the smile on my face finds its way to my heart. 

 

So much has been stolen from my family at the beginning of this Christmas season and yet we still have each other, steadfast friends and a deep, abiding faith in the true meaning of Christmas ... God's love personified in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. 

 

Yes, the Grinch has struck ... but my heart is still full of Christmas.  I've determined not to let the Grinch steal the joy .. the good will .. the song in my heart that comes with knowing that Christmas is more than lights, presents and long lines at the department store.  It's celebrating my personal relationship with the Saviour ... the Giver of Life ... the everlasting Prince of Peace.  

 

The tears may come again tomorrow but my heart will still sing

 

Joy to the World ... the Lord has come!



Another Empty Chair

This will be my second holiday season since the deaths of my mother and aunt in a car accident, and I was not expecting to have yet another empty chair at our Thanksgiving table this year.  Just when I was beginning to settle into my new "normal" without them ... my sister, Annette, slipped away in her sleep a few days ago.  Wait!  We were supposed to be old ladies together ... and I'm the big sister ... I always go first. 

Not this time.

Through my tears and initial shock I'm left wondering how can I give thanks today?  But it doesn't take long for that list to form in my mind.

57 years of being the older sister and bossing her around
countless wonderful childhood memories 
a lifelong friend who prayed with and for me during life's ups and downs
a brother-in-love and nieces and nephews who have made my life richer

                         .... and the list goes on.

Is there an empty chair at your table today?  It may not be for a loved one who is no longer with us but possibly a dream that has faded ... a relationship that has been broken ... a financial hardship that seems impossible.  There are many things that could ruin this day of giving thanks for the many blessings God has poured out on us ... if we give them that power. 

The choice is ours.

I have decided to dry my tears ... I know there will be many more in the days to come ... hold my husband, children and grandchildren a little bit tighter, thanking God for every day I have them in my life, and spend the day being thankful for God's goodness, mercy and grace that is new and fresh every day.

Would I call Annette back because I miss her so terribly?   No .... she's dancing down the streets of Heaven ... pain free, healed and whole.  Instead, I will remember the blessing she was to all of those who knew and loved her.

Instead of focusing on the empty chair ... I'll turn my attention to the overflowing cup of grace that now sits on my table.

Goodbye Anne ... we'll see you again soon.

A Time For Giving ...

As the weather begins to cool and we catch a hint of relief from the summer's unsympathetic heat, in our mind's eye we can catch a glimpse of football games, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over a roaring fire, and snuggling into a warm new sweatshirt.

For those of us here in the south those days aren't quite here yet but, every now and then, when the breeze blows just a certain way, we can feel it -- it's in the air -- Autumn!  And, as the air gets chillier and the mornings brisker, we find ourselves looking forward to the comforting fragrances of cinnamon, fresh apples, cloves, and other wonderful scents that begin stirring up a sense of holiday excitement that has lain dormant for seven or eight months.

But...
              not everyone.   

There are those in our communities who, although they may welcome the cooler temperatures, are dreading the approaching fall and winter months because there are not enough blankets for tucking the kids in bed on cold nights, not enough money to pay the rising heating bills, and last year's jackets no  longer fit.  There's no anticipation of delicious fragrances and thoughts of the upcoming holidays fill their hearts with despair.  As the cooler temperatures arrive and the Holiday season approaches, the needs of many low income families will become even greater.

• blankets
• warm clothing and coats
• holiday foods
• Christmas gifts for their children

Can God use you to touch one family this winter?  Is there a blanket or afghan packed away somewhere that you rarely use?  Has someone in your household outgrown a sweater or jacket this year?  Many families living in and around our communities will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in very sad circumstances.  What better time for us to share with them the love of our Savior?

Requests are already coming in to local food banks and shelters for blankets, coats, and food.

I hope you will join me in reaching out to those who are facing a long cold winter and bring your gifts to local churches and outreach ministries. 

Is there someone near you whom you can bless with a friendly visit, a small gift, or a home-cooked meal at any time, but especially the holidays?  What an awesome way to live our lives with Purpose and Joy!

Autumn .. a Time of Renewal.

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  And yet, it's actually the season of slowing down, sloughing off, and yes ... even death.   How could anything like that be so beautiful?  The vibrant reds, yellows and oranges of the leaves just before they fall to the ground and die. 
The gorgeous, sleek horses romp and play in the crisp air even as they begin to grow their shaggy overcoats to keep them warm when the north winds begin to blow. Slowly the sweet songs of the birds begin to die out as they head for warmer climates.  The butterflies in the fields disappear.   The prairies of wildflowers are turning brown .. mourning the deaths of the morning glories, bluebonnets, and buttercups.  And yet...there's a hint of excitement in the air. 
                                      Where did that come from?
               
Since the beginning of time, the seasons have come and gone. (Ecc. 3:3)  The earth knows that new life is only lying dormant for a time and then will return with renewed glory and vigor.  The bare trees stand proud and tall, knowing this is only a season of renewal.  The birds and butterflies disappear to warmer climates ... for a time of refreshing ... they know they will return bringing new life with them in the Spring.   Wild flowers that once spread their beauty across the fields have dropped their seeds, to lie in their deep earthy graves ... awaiting the day they will spring forth in a blaze of color.   As I gaze out at the fall beauty around me, I hear that still small Voice within whispering, "Consider the lilies of the field.."  (Luke 12:27-28)  Hmmm...

These seasons of renewal are not only for the earth ... they're for me

...  and for you.  

The beauty of this approaching Fall season is prompting me to reflect on things in my life that need renewing. I need a time of refreshing. There are areas of my heart and spirit that have lain dormant (did they die?) for a time.  But as I turn my eyes toward the Giver of Life I can feel my spirit leap to attention.  My hope and faith are renewed.  I can look at things differently ... disappointments are still there but now I can put them behind me and move forward with the promise of better things on the horizon.  Grief and loss are being replaced with hope and expectation. 

What do you need renewed in your life today?  What difference would it make if you focused your attention on the promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you?  (Heb 13:5) That surely Goodness and Mercy will follow you ALL the days of your life and your soul will be restored?  (Psalm 23)   

The root of the word "refreshing" means to "cool by blowing" with the potential for change and renewal ... the place where we can experience the very breath of God, ".... a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-21)  

The cooler temperatures haven't reached our part of Texas yet ... but they're on the way.  However, after spending some much needed quiet time in His presence, some soul-searching and yes, some repenting, I'm enjoying my time of refreshing and renewal ... and ready to continue living life with purpose and joy!

Now That It's Monday ...

Ethan, Emily & Trevor

We've eaten platesful of ham, chicken, or barbecue with sides of beans, potato salad, rolls and all kinds of decadent desserts.  We've taken pictures of the kids dressed up in their new clothes, scraped the last red jelly bean out of the carpet and, hopefully, found the last hidden hard-boiled Easter egg (winking at Linda).  Those who only attend church on Easter and Christmas have nearly nine months before they have to dress up and go again.  The songs have been sung, crucifixion sermons have been preached, and there's not a chocolate Easter Bunny in all the land with it's ears still intact.  The Easter celebration is over for another year.

Now what?

I love Easter .. Resurrection Sunday.  The food, colored eggs, new clothes ... I love it all.  But for me it's a reminder that life is still good.  No matter what is happening in the world or in my own life, the message of the resurrection of Christ brings a renewed hope and expectation of things to come.  Spring is in the air ... new life all around us.

Cody & baby Carson

The trees are putting on leaves ... gardens are flourishing ... the smell of freshly mown grass is in the air.

Resurrection is everywhere!

Is there something in your life that needs to be resurrected?  An unfulfilled dream?  A relationship that has lost its passion?  The hope that things will ever get better?  I know there are areas in my own life that need to be resurrected.  As a Christian, I know that there is a divine plan for my life but, if I lose sight of my goals,  I'll find myself struggling to just get through another day.  I've learned that changing my focus from my probems (and we all have them) to the blessings in my life (we all have those too!) gives me renewed energy and motivation to get back up and start again. 

We all have strengths ... talents ...  purpose. 

Jacee, Jaden, Jacob & Garrett

Life goes on.  We each have the choice to move forward regardless of the obstacles in our way:

 disappointment

 health issues

       missed opportunities 

...or we can stay where we are - paralyzed in regret and resentment.  Where are you today?  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is our source of hope and expectation that there is nothing that cannot be resurrected and renewed.  

Reagan

Having turned 60 last summer, my biggest hurdle is the feeling that I'm "too old" to be of much use at this point in time.  That's not the truth ... but it can cast a pretty big shadow sometimes.  Whatever your hurdle is ... let's catch a new vision ... dream a new dream ... and allow God to breathe a breath of life into our renewed purpose.  I'm ready to go forth in JOY!

Precious Memories ....

Memories .....

                        they can evoke powerful emotions .... good and bad.   As a life coach, I often help people process through painful memories of their past.  But many times reliving the good memories can bring healing to the spirit.  My sisters and I experienced this over the weekend while visiting with our 82-yr-old dad who now lives in a nursing home.  Having suffered several debilitating strokes and then the sudden accidental death of our mother last year, Dad is often confused and has difficulty speaking coherently most of the time.  But we do get glimpses of "Daddy" from time to time and we know he's still in there.  Often we'll bring pictures or try to talk about the "good old days" hoping to jog his memory and stimulate his senses enough to keep him communicating and able to relate to his surroundings.  On this last visit we began talking about the days when he traveled and sang with the southern gospel quartet, The Virginia Travelers, and how later my sisters and I sang back-up for him when he did his solos. 

Left to Right - Mitch Brown (Dad), Glenn Currier, Dave Rose, Jim Cook, Paul Secord at the piano

As we began singing, his countenance brightened and he began to sing along with us.  The tears began to flow as we realized he was singing harmony and remembered the words of the songs he sang so many years ago.  We could see he was reliving those wonderful days.  Soon we had staff and visitors

standing outside the door of our private little room listening in on our "jam session" with Dad.  No one but us knew that this precious elderly man had once traveled extensively singing in great concert halls as well as many churches and camps spreading the Good News in song and Christian entertainment for many years.  His beautiful natural tenor voice made him a favorite and there were many requests for his solo features such as "Oh What A Savior," "I've Been To Calvary," and "Sweet Jesus."  His voice is now weak, cracked, and often hard to hear ... but I believe the angels in Heaven stopped their singing that day to listen once again to Mitch Brown sing "What a Day That Will Be."

Mitch Brown 2012                                                            Mitch Brown 1962

Thank you, Dad, for living your life with great purpose and joy!

Left to Right - Margie, Debbi, Dad, Lena, Annette

My "Not To Do" List

Everyone who knows me very well at all knows that I'm a list person.  I have lists in my purse, lists in my car, lists made on scraps of paper lying around the house, and numerous journals and small notebooks with lists of everything that can be listed.  My husband, Dave, teases me about needing a list of my lists.  (Don't tell him ... but I  do have one!)   On any given day you'll find me working off of more than one To Do list.  I have a To Do list for today, one for this week, and one for "As Soon As I Can."

My lists are my friends.

 

They help keep me organized.

They help me be sure I get everything done.

They keep me from forgetting important dates and appointments (most of the time!)

But, lately, I've begun to realize that my lists do one other thing:

They keep me in a constant state of "I've got to ....."

I always have something to do.  My To Do list never gets completely done.  So what doesn't get done today will end up on tomorrow's list, making it longer - more likely not to be finished and, therefore, making the day after tomorrow's list even longer.  It's taken years, but I'm finally beginning to recognize a pattern here. I've been living my life with purpose ... missing out on a lot of the joy.  So ....

                                  

I've made another list.

My Not To Do List.   Things that I can scratch off of my To Do list.

1.  Getting the yard furniture I've just put together out of my living room and into the back yard where it belongs.   It's been raining for three days and still two more days of rain in the forecast. I can push the tables against the walls and at least have the room neat until the sun comes back out.

2.  Clean and vacuum the living room.   See #1.

3.  Straighten the playroom and clean the hall bathroom.   My grandchildren have been here every afternoon this week and will be here next week during Spring Break.  Scooping the toys into the toybox and freshening the bathroom will suffice until they get back to school. 

I can feel my stress levels coming down already.  Moving these items from my To Do list to my Not To Do list means I can enjoy a second cup of coffee with Dave on our only day together without focusing on what I "should" do as soon as I've swallowed the last drop. 

The laundry is done and that last load of towels can sit in the dryer until later.

I can finish this blog post (my To Do lists have kept me away for a month now) without being nagged by the need to sweep the kitchen floor.  It's not that bad and can wait until I'm in there fixing lunch for Dave.  

Dave and I can have lunch together without me jumping up to strip the bed linens ... as long as I get the bed changed before bedtime we're good. 

Everything on my Not To Do List will still have to be done.  They will end up on my To Do list again ... but not today.  I'm learning to find the balance between being driven and being lazy.  I stumbled across this scripture the other day in Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 (CEV) "What do we really gain from all of our hard work?  Our bodies ache during the day, and work is torture.  Then at night our thoughts are troubled."   (Probably from stressing over all the things we didn't get done!)  The writer goes on to say, "It just doesn't make sense!" (Ecclesiastes 2:24 CEV) This is not to say we should be haphazard ... I believe in hard work and excellence in all that we do.  But I've allowed the things on my To Do lists to interfere with my spiritual life.  My alone time with God has taken a backseat to things that I think I must do but that don't really satisfy my inner being. In  Isaiah 55:2-3 we find God saying, "Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and you will enjoy the very best foods.  Pay close attention!  Come close to Me and live." (CEV)  What a refreshing invitation!

My inner peace and satisfaction is increasing as I learn to live in the moment ... enjoying the limited alone time I have with my husband who works long hard hours to provide a comfortable living ....  relishing the time spent with my precious grandchildren .... cherishing every moment I have left with my elderly dad who now lives alone in a nursing home since the death of my mother last year.   And most of all, spending more time in His presence ... where my soul is refreshed and restored. 

So here I sit ... at His feet (with my lists still clutched tightly in my hand) trying to find the balance between the Mary and Martha in me.   To quote  Lisa Bevere,  "I'm sitting at the feet of Jesus ... but who's going to fix dinner?"   It's a learning curve ... but I'm making progress! 

Hugs and Blessings,

Deb