I have a trip East planned in a couple of weeks. It's for high school graduations of 2 grand children and the priority is time with kids and grand kids. However, I had hoped to link up with 2 girlfriends from years past---we had spent a wonderful night together 2 years ago. But they are busy---busy in ways that left me feeling that our friendship was not high on their lists. I know we are all busy but their reasons seemed a bit lame.
Anyway, I contacted another friend who truly has a complicated, stressful life. We haven't had time together for several years. When I emailed her with a suggestion of dinner together, her response was,"Absolutely! We will make it work!" It felt like arms open wide--welcoming me.
Is that how coming home to God is? If we have lapsed in our spirituality, in making God a priority in our life, when we ask to come home, does He open His arms wide and say, "Absolutey! We will make it work!"
I believe that. I also believe because God does that for us, we do it for others. Is there someone in your life who would be thrilled to hear you say, "Absolutely! We will make it work!"
Blessings-Penny
Monday, May 30, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
pet peeve
We went to a matinee concert yesterday---a beautiful classical music presentation. The usual request was given for everyone to turn off their cell phones and all other mobile devices.
And then there were two! One to our right and one to our left. As the magnificent sonatas were played the annoying lights of their phones came on. One took pictures. A few minutes later the other answered a text. Do they think the request is not for them??!! The lights from their devices really were distracting! I wanted to tap them on the shoulder and ask what made them so important. Of cours I didn't. I just stewed.
Then as we drove home I considered how fortunate I am. If the biggest annoyance in my life is the light from someone's cell phone disturbing my afternoon concert, I really better re-examine my state of thankfulness. In Bible study in the morning we had talked about contentment. How so many of us in this day and age complain, think life is unfair. The political discourse is sad if not frightening---the anger, the discontent. Personal conversations are filled with complaints.
One woman in the Bible study who works with severely disabled children talked about the parents of the children...how some of them seem to accept that this (the child's disability) is just a part of life. They don't seem angry...they don't seem discontent. They accept and work to make the best of their situation.
What makes the difference? What makes some of us so irritable...ready to pounce? What makes some of us more content with what life presents?
"God grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." The truth of familiar prayers.
Blessings-Penny
And then there were two! One to our right and one to our left. As the magnificent sonatas were played the annoying lights of their phones came on. One took pictures. A few minutes later the other answered a text. Do they think the request is not for them??!! The lights from their devices really were distracting! I wanted to tap them on the shoulder and ask what made them so important. Of cours I didn't. I just stewed.
Then as we drove home I considered how fortunate I am. If the biggest annoyance in my life is the light from someone's cell phone disturbing my afternoon concert, I really better re-examine my state of thankfulness. In Bible study in the morning we had talked about contentment. How so many of us in this day and age complain, think life is unfair. The political discourse is sad if not frightening---the anger, the discontent. Personal conversations are filled with complaints.
One woman in the Bible study who works with severely disabled children talked about the parents of the children...how some of them seem to accept that this (the child's disability) is just a part of life. They don't seem angry...they don't seem discontent. They accept and work to make the best of their situation.
What makes the difference? What makes some of us so irritable...ready to pounce? What makes some of us more content with what life presents?
"God grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." The truth of familiar prayers.
Blessings-Penny
Sunday, May 15, 2016
another view
We drove out past Red Rock Canyon this morning to a breakfast gathering. Most of the times we drive to Red Rock Canyon we are taking visitors to enjoy the history and views within the canyon. It is so worth seeing. This time we drove past the usual route and enjoyed a different view. The massiveness and multi colors of the rocks are absolutely inspiring. Each way you turn, the sky is bright blue and the majesty is overwhelming.
It is reminder that in our lives, each incident, each conversation, each relationship is worth viewing from a different perspective. If we just take the time to consider another person's opinion, to consider their history, to consider their view of things, we might have a whole different picture.
I need to learn how to download some of these pictures on this blog. I'd love to share them with you---God's grandeur--Gods' gifts.
Is there another perspective you need to consider?
Blessings-Penny
It is reminder that in our lives, each incident, each conversation, each relationship is worth viewing from a different perspective. If we just take the time to consider another person's opinion, to consider their history, to consider their view of things, we might have a whole different picture.
I need to learn how to download some of these pictures on this blog. I'd love to share them with you---God's grandeur--Gods' gifts.
Is there another perspective you need to consider?
Blessings-Penny
Monday, May 9, 2016
another generation
The other grandmother, Debbie, and I baby sat the grandchildren last week...babysitter emergency. The children are a boy almost 4 years old, let's call him David and a 14 month old girl, let's call her Elizabeth. They are precious children (of course). What struck me was watching them problem solve.
I sat on the floor with Elizabeth in the morning and played with Fisher Price little people going down a slide on the side of an amusement park toy.. Later in the afternoon as I sat on the floor and watched her the little people were spread throughout the living room floor. She was sitting next to the amusement park toy and looking at the little people. Next thing I saw was Elizabeth toddling around the floor, picking up the little people and taking them back over to slide down the slide. Fourteen months!! Isn't that brilliant??
And then Debbie had a card for David to complete for his mother for Mother's Day. The card had a series of incomplete sentences such as "My mother is powerful when...." or "I love it when my mother...." As Debbie read the incomplete sentences David filled in the personal testimonies. He got it immediately!! He only needed instructions once. That's pretty amazing for a three year old boy!
So in looking back over the past two weeks I am touched, moved and feeling blessed---watching the teenagers two weeks ago and the babies last week. I may not be the highest priority in those families but I belong.
Are you feeling blessed? Included? No matter what, we are a priority in God's family.
Blessings-Penny
I sat on the floor with Elizabeth in the morning and played with Fisher Price little people going down a slide on the side of an amusement park toy.. Later in the afternoon as I sat on the floor and watched her the little people were spread throughout the living room floor. She was sitting next to the amusement park toy and looking at the little people. Next thing I saw was Elizabeth toddling around the floor, picking up the little people and taking them back over to slide down the slide. Fourteen months!! Isn't that brilliant??
And then Debbie had a card for David to complete for his mother for Mother's Day. The card had a series of incomplete sentences such as "My mother is powerful when...." or "I love it when my mother...." As Debbie read the incomplete sentences David filled in the personal testimonies. He got it immediately!! He only needed instructions once. That's pretty amazing for a three year old boy!
So in looking back over the past two weeks I am touched, moved and feeling blessed---watching the teenagers two weeks ago and the babies last week. I may not be the highest priority in those families but I belong.
Are you feeling blessed? Included? No matter what, we are a priority in God's family.
Blessings-Penny
Monday, May 2, 2016
the periphery
I just spent 4 days in southern California with my son and his family. It was a lovely visit---good food, comfortable home with great view, time with each of them---and especially a few private hours with my grand daughter. Lexi is just about to be 17. She has her first boyfriend. He's cute, plays football, goes to a different high school. They met at a church youth group. While I was there he asked her parents if he could have their "blessing" (his word) for them to be boyfriend and girlfriend!
Who does that these days??!! Who has those kind of manners??!! What I mostly read about is teenagers posting naked pictures on social media, bullying, hooking up. Where did these two very nice kids come from?? Of course they came from homes where parents take time to talk about responsibility, consequences of behavior, respect, manners. I'm so very pleased for all of them---the kids sense of social behavior, the pride the parents must feel.
The whole visit, however, was not "perfect." The parents went to a social event and though I was hesitantly invited it was clearly an event they felt awkward including me. They had apologized for the need to attend before I visited but I still felt "on the periphery" when the time came. My husband and I are slowly coming to the realization that we are "on the periphery" with all of our children. We understand they are all busy with children, jobs, exercise, homes etc. etc. etc. But the clear realization of our peripheral standing is giving us a bit of a jolt. We have seen it coming and talked about it but each occasion is a bit of an "ouch."
The good news is that this realization gives us an opportunity to see our relationship as a gift---strong, connected, humor filled, willing to talk and wrestle with these issues, mutually supportive; we play well together.
And we realize that we are not on the periphery of God's family. We are included and cherished in His family.
So are you---no matter where you might feel peripheral---you are one of God's children---treasured, loved and important.
Blessings-Penny
Who does that these days??!! Who has those kind of manners??!! What I mostly read about is teenagers posting naked pictures on social media, bullying, hooking up. Where did these two very nice kids come from?? Of course they came from homes where parents take time to talk about responsibility, consequences of behavior, respect, manners. I'm so very pleased for all of them---the kids sense of social behavior, the pride the parents must feel.
The whole visit, however, was not "perfect." The parents went to a social event and though I was hesitantly invited it was clearly an event they felt awkward including me. They had apologized for the need to attend before I visited but I still felt "on the periphery" when the time came. My husband and I are slowly coming to the realization that we are "on the periphery" with all of our children. We understand they are all busy with children, jobs, exercise, homes etc. etc. etc. But the clear realization of our peripheral standing is giving us a bit of a jolt. We have seen it coming and talked about it but each occasion is a bit of an "ouch."
The good news is that this realization gives us an opportunity to see our relationship as a gift---strong, connected, humor filled, willing to talk and wrestle with these issues, mutually supportive; we play well together.
And we realize that we are not on the periphery of God's family. We are included and cherished in His family.
So are you---no matter where you might feel peripheral---you are one of God's children---treasured, loved and important.
Blessings-Penny
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