Thankfulness In The Adversity Of Others

There are many times in life when I have been inspired by people who have overcome adversity or are in the process of doing so.  I read their stories and my heart aches for the trials they are going through.  Yet, many of them have found a strength beyond their own and have exhibited behaviors that are truly awe inspiring to me.  I am very humbled by their experiences and their responses to them.  I never quite know how to tell them how much I appreciate their example.  How much they inspire me and bless me.  Because without the trial they are experiencing, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to respond as they did.  So how do you say ‘thanks for the blessing’ when you, at the same time, wish they never had to go through it in the first place?  My hope is that I too would be an example to others when I respond to the trials in my life.  Yet, I never feel as though I am good at this.  I usually complain through the entire event.  And usually feel a real lack of faith (very humbling and convicting, indeed).  So,  for all of those who know me and who have braved the storm through your trials….you have been my inspiration.  And I pray God’s blessing in your lives.

My New Addiction

I just discovered that my grandson has a powerful addictive hold over me.  I can’t stop looking at him…even when he sleeps.  Noticing this, I began to think of my other grandchildren and discerned that they too have this same hold on me.  Then I realized that this addiction also extends to other children.  I think being around children releases some powerful endorfin in me that gives me a great sense of ‘well being’.  Being around them brings out the best in me.  Brings out the joy in me.  Yeah, for children!

New Adventures…..or “retirement”

I haven’t blogged in a long time.  I have been pretty busy, I guess.  Reading a previous blog…there was a time when I was pretty bored and didn’t have much direction.  Not any more.  Life is fun, exciting and full of promise for new adventures ahead.  Just have to expect them, wait for them and enjoy them when they arrive.

Stolen Tires Led Me To My Perfect Peace

I hadn’t worked in about eighteen months.  I had been retired.  I found a new job with a small company in Pittsburgh.  I loved my first day on the job.  I got to meet politicians.  I got to use my office expertise to the fullest.  It was a busy office and I was providing a much need role in contributing to it’s success.  It was my first day and I felt real good about the job.  The only problem was that it was located in the most dangerous, crime infested part of the city.  I was safe inside, but, outside was dangerous. 

When it was time to go home I went outside to get into my car which I had parked along the curbside just outside the building.  I was horrified to see that every car on the street had been robbed of all four of their tires.  EVERY CAR.  At first I couldn’t see my car (actually it was my husband’s Subaru).  And therefore, somehow I must have avoided the disaster looming before me.  Upon closer inspection…I realized I was not so lucky.  Because, right in front of me was the car I hadn’t recognized at first…my husband’s car. 

What was I going to say to him?  I knew he was not happy about me taking this job in the first place because of it’s location.  Now, all his worst fears have come true.  We were vandalized, robbed!  What’s worse…I was stranded now…in an extremely dangerous neighborhood …. with no way to get home. 

I tried to find help.  There was not one policeman in sight.  I wandered the streets looking for any place to be safe.  To find someone to help.  I even thought of calling my niece (who lived in that neighborhood) and asking her if she could talk to anyone about getting my tires back.  But, then I thought better of it.  I didn’t want to put her into a precarious position with the thugs.  So I gave up on that idea. 

I decided the only thing I could do was walk home.  When I got to the part of town where I had to cross a wide river, I found myself straddling atop a fallen telephone pole that spanned across the deep, cold, dangerous waters.  I knew this was the only way to reach the other side of the river.  I was going to have to scoot myself inch by inch across the pole and hope that I didn’t fall in.  I was too terrified to move, for I knew I would certainly fall in. 

Then, I looked to my left and saw an old homeless man in the exact same predicament as me.  He was about 20 feet down river…also sitting on a telephone pole….also needing to reach shore safely.  He did not seem to be afraid though.  He scooted across the pole a little too quickly.  HE FELL IN!  But, fortunately, the river current did not catch him.  The upper half of his body made it to land while his legs dangled freely in the water.  He was secure there for the moment.  But, I knew I had to get to him quickly or the river would take over and sweep him away.

“Hold on!  Don’t move!”, I yelled to him.  “I will help you!”   Suddenly all my fear was gone and I raced across the telephone to dry ground.  I ran over to the man.  He was oddly, cheerful.  And oddly, he also was holding a plastic rope. 

“Throw me the end of the rope.” I said.  He threw it.  I wrapped it around my wrist.  I tried pulling him higher up onto the shore, but, the rope began to slip from his hands. 

“Wrap it around your wrist and hold on.” I said.  When he did, I was able to pull him to safety.  But in the process, the rope cut deeply threw his wrist almost severing his hand off completely.  Strangely, the man was not worried about it.

“Thank you, Cheryl.”  he said.  I looked at his hand and it was completely healed.

“How did you know my name?  Who are you?  What is your name?” I asked him, bewildered.

“I am John.  John the Baptist.”  he said.

I fell to my knees before him in utter awe and humility.  My spirit knew what he was saying was the truth and that for some reason, John the Baptist was visiting me. 

“My Lord!” I said.  I wanted badly to touch his feet.  I didn’t though. 

He got up and led me to place a few feet up the riverbank where I saw a large metal box.  He motioned to me to look inside the box.  It tipped forward toward me without me touching it.  Inside was the baby Jesus!

“He is your Perfect Peace.”  John said to me. 

I looked into the face of the baby and he suddenly became the man Jesus.  He looked back at me lovingly.  He changed back into His baby form and I felt my spirit lift him from the cradle and raise Him to my bussom.  I rocked Him close to my heart and kept repeating (chanting the mantra)…

“JESUS IS MY PERFECT PEACE”

Then I woke up…

Wow!  What an amazing dream!  I just had to write it down before I forgot any part of it.  I don’t know what it all means, but, I know that I will carry it’s message with me every day….Jesus Is My Perfect Peace.

I don’t know if it was the Ambien I took before bed that gave me this weird dream.  Or, if it means trials are coming my way that will cause me to fear.   The point is, not to worry or be fearful because I will find perfect peace in Jesus.  I am supposed to keep him close to my heart.

Lap Dogs and Music

Pon Pon the Pug and me.

I’m in a moment of bliss. Got my grandaughter’s Pug sitting snugly on my lap underneath my cape (no, I’m not a super hero) while listening to my favorite music. Life is grand. Dogs are grand. Grandkids are grand. God is ultra grand!

“Time” the great healer.

When Time is given a chance to do it’s work, it’s healing is complete and it’s building power is strong and sound. When we rob Time it’s ability to work in us….we cheat yourselves. When we take the short cuts in life thinking we can get to the end result quicker we find we have missed out on the beautiful possibilities that Time had to offer us. Possibilities to become healed, stronger, in better touch with ourselves and happier in the end.

Isolation is both lovely and ‘a really bad thing’.

I live in a beautiful isolated section of the woods in Pennsylvania. It’s quiet and peaceful. Lot’s of birds, a other critters. It’s a great place to think and reflect on things. But, too much of that (I have found) is not good at all. With only one other person in the household to bounce my thoughts off I find myself feeling very anxious and wasting away. Luckily for me, I discovered how much fun blogging can be and find it to be a great release. I know…why don’t I get out more. Well, it’s not that easy. You see, I don’t know where I want to go or what I want to do. I’m sure I will figure it out (and very soon I hope). In the meantime I’ll take trips to the mall or the library or to see my dear friend. Don’t feel sorry for me though. I am very blessed to live in such a beautiful setting and I am grateful for it. As soon as I figure out how to make my contribution to the world around me, I’ll begin to feel much better.