The Reason for All Seasons

This is the time of year we begin to see posters, billboards, scribblings of pencil drawings and even books on why Jesus is the "reason for the Season." I couldn't agree more with this statement...He IS the reason we celebrate with gifts & parties; and we can't forget the wonderful Church Cantata's and Plays, that are (many times) big productions. Yes...we celebrate the birth of the One who reconnected us to the Father, so that we might live better while here and have an eternal home with our Creator.

Yet, for some reason, this has always bothered me. Just as we celebrate our own birthdays, we should also celebrate the main event...Jesus coming to earth. I can agree with that. However, there are a couple of problems I'm experiencing. Do we really KNOW what day His birth was? Sure...don't be petty, Mary. Of course, we don't know the EXACT day, that's why we chose a day ourselves to celebrate. Okay...I can go with that.

Yet, the saying, "Jesus is the reason for the season" has taken over to a new level of focused opinion. I'm about to walk into deep water here...but I believe we Christians have vicariously made Christmas superficially about this. I say "superficially" because we can't seem to stop trying to please people with our "gifts". Christmas has become a dreaded experience for most of the people I talk with in any given week. And they are the ones that say, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Jesus has become our excuse rather than our freedom.

I do know there are people that love God/Jesus/Holy Spirit with a love that comes from a deep part of their being. So why does the season overtake us with dread? May I submit that it's partially because we don't have the fortitude to say, "ENOUGH!"?

Don't get me wrong. Gift giving is really gratifying. I feel so very blessed to have reached a place that we can give without pain in the offering. (Which in itself is contradictory to satisfaction). But what about those that can't give? Does it cause them to feel less than acceptable? If "Jesus is the reason for the season", why must we put others in a head lock, forcing them to either go into debt or crumble under the pressure of non-gift giving? Maybe we could ALL just get back to the real reason for the season. Just a thought...

The truth? Jesus is the reason for ALL seasons.

Now that we've established that...couldn't we also say gift giving is for ALL seasons? Why must the last month of every year be a burden that would take our eyes off celebrating the main event? Jesus, coming to earth, to satisfy the weary, the broken hearted, defeated and in-need-of-a-saviour, person?

Yes, Jesus is the reason for all my seasons. And He has called us all to reach the lonely, the broken, the desperate, the weary...in all seasons.

So, could we just say it like it is? Christmas time is the time many substitute love for bitterness. If Jesus really is the reason for our season, why aren't our hearts filled with joy? With celebration? With expectation? "Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. Oh come ye, oh come ye, to Bethlehem."

Just a thought...please don't stone me.
Here you will find me, in Mary's World!

I Remember Her

I remember the day I was trying to find a place to put her picture, (the real one, not this frail attempt at a pencil sketch). I heard her voice, clear as a bell, say, "You're going to forget me." 

Anyone that has known Becky Johnson, is highly unlikely to forget her. Ever. I admit, I rarely stop by the grave site. Just can't find it in myself to stand there at the foot of her grave, knowing the body of one I cherished is under dirt. I do know she isn't there. And such a comfort that is to me. I can deal with this horrible situation much better knowing the person of Rebecca Louise (Prater) Johnson, is no doubt having a wonderful experience all her own. I can only image what it must be like..with the Lord of Glory. But if dreams are any indication of what life is like there...well, she's got it pretty good! (to say the least). She is so beautiful, happy and full of life. Radiant, might be a better word.

Our oldest daughter, Lindsey, has been having frequent dreams of her and calls to share them with me. I, too, have the dreams...but Becky likes visiting Lindsey, it seems, more than me. I must have a talk with her about that. Now, don't pretend you don't "talk" with those you've loved that have gone on to be with the Lord. It just seems to come naturally. The Bible tells us not to talk to the dead. But I'm pretty sure the Lord was talking about us trying to conjur up spirits, with candles and darkly lit rooms, and such. I'm simply talking about when she comes front and center in my mind, I just talk to her. It's mostly a one sided conversation...but that's okay with me. Sometimes I think I can hear her answer me...but it's probably just what I remember about her and how I think she would respond to my silly discourse.

She was a jewel, that one. Always said what she thought and was sweetly (some of the time) direct. But her goal was to help you see how very wonderful you really are. She always prayed for people to be ruthless with their problems. Wanting us to be victorious...not victims. "If you face your problems, they cannot conquer you." "Jesus is the answer." "Everyone creates their own value." "So? Take care of it!" "Now listen, Mary..." Yup...she was passionate. Now I've made myself cry. Back in a minute... :*

I miss her so much at times. I miss her coming to the house, even if we weren't home, to borrow a can of something or other. She would never call and ask if I had it on hand, she just brought her spare key down and helped herself! I wouldn't know it was gone until I had need of it. Then, I would go to HER house and get whatever I needed! We could do that, ya know. She was my sister, my protector (for many years), and my spiritual guide. Her instructions always made sense, I just didn't like a lot of them. Especially when she told me I couldn't always have it my way. She loved me anyway...wanted to kill me probably, on occassion.

Well, I could possibly write a book about her, but I'll save that for later. Just know that from the time I was 9 years old, I can remember her saving me from something or other. There was the time I was thrown into deep water, as my assailant stood on the shore and laughed, yelling "sink or swim." Well, I was drowning! Becky to the rescue! And did my brother ever get a tongue lashing from her! She was so mad at him...but as far as I know, she never ratted on him. That was only one occassion. There were many more to come...much more tramatic. But Becky was always there, being the hand of God, for her little sister.

This pencil drawing of her, came as a result of seeing another blogger's drawings that I follow. She's a pencil artist and I love visiting her blogs. I visited her site this a.m. and found enough inspiration to bust open the new drawing tablet that was a part of a Christmas gift last year. I have never attempted a portrait of anyone, but couldn't think of anyone else I would rather try to sketch than Becky. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I just had to try. As you can see, I must practice, practice, practice. But the passion was there as my pencil gently glided over the pad. I kept telling her I was doing my best. "Yes, I know the lips need work." "Uh-huh...you never wore your hair that high." Erase, erase, re-sketch. "Sorry, Beck...I just can't get the shadowing right." Finally...when I finished, I sent the drawing, via text message, to my girls in North Carolina, with the inscription, "Does this look like anyone you know?" I was very relieved when they recognized their Aunt Becky. (Of course that was after Lindsey said, "Marilyn Monroe?")

Well...here's to you my beautiful sister and friend! I will see you soon!

P.S.

Lindsey and Meg...that does not mean I'm headed there anytime soon. Well, I don't think so anyway. LOL. It's just my way of saying that time passes quickly. I'm hoping I'm allowed to stick around to meet and influence any grandchildren I might be blessed with. And...I hope they like my slobbers, cause I'll be kissin' them ALL THE TIME!!! AND...

Until then, you'll find me here...in Mary's World!

 

The Fulfillment of Creating

I'm not so much a fan of summertime, yet, I love what it produces. For the most part. I love the cool early morning breezes, blooming flowers, lush vines and other bushy plants. I don't love the insects...the wasp, spider and snake. I still haven't figured out the purpose of these critters. Maybe they were created to show us differences. Varmits to bring clarity to just how wonderful the opposite is. Understanding that if all were perfect, we wouldn't know it, for lack of something to compare it to. Bringing life from sub-standard mediocrity, to a role of clear choices. Whatever their purpose, they have my attention and I will always be on the look-out for them, so that I won't fall prey.

One of my favorite things is the time of the earth being renewed by the onset of springtime, that rolls into Summer. Coming out of the very low temperatures of Winter (which I love), and into rain that softens the earth so that seeds may spring into life once again...producing green where once was seeming death. We clean up our yards and purchase plants and flowers to dress up the chorus that Spring asks for. Oh how I love it!

Over the years I have come to respect beauty. Yes, we must endure the storms that wreck havoc with our own pieces of the planet. It really doesn't belong to us, we just take ownership as if it did. And that's okay. God gives us opportunities to show ourselves what we are made of. He already knows...He just wants us to know. So we are given stewardship over his earth. Each of us has our own "little world" to care for. And I love mine! However, should it be taken from me, or should I give it up willingly, I know God will allow me another piece of His earth to care for. And I know that involves whatever my hands find to do. When He created, He said, "It is good."

Don't you just love making something beautiful out of things not so beautiful?  Putting your "touch" (my signature...as I like to call it) to an existing piece of property, just does it for me! I love creating! And I have found that my husband of 36+ years, does also. He just has to have a little coaxing from time to time. But something else I've noticed, is that as the years sweep past us, he needs less and less coaxing. =}  When left alone, he comes up with some really great stuff!

Well, time to go make something beautiful out of my long neglected refrigerator/freezer. You know it's time when you have to move things around to close the door. How it gets that way I cannot figure out! When I clean, I organize. Top shelf is for sandwich add-ons ONLY, (includes soft drinks). Second shelf, right side, is dairy (cottage cheese, dips, sour cream, butter)...left side, sauces ONLY. Third shelf for jellies and small unexpected refrigerated items ONLY. Fourth shelf, neatly stacked left-overs (and bagged coffee) ONLY. I think we have someone living here that instead of pulling the shelf out where he can see what's in the back, simply moves the front items to another shelf. And there you have it...

Until next time...you will find me creating (or re-creating) in Mary's World!

The Beauty of this World

Some do not like all the rain we've been getting. And it is true, that even too much of a good thing becomes not so good. Yet, as I look out my study window, I love the lush green carpet of grass, the deep green color of the leaves on our large Oak trees and gracefully slender Elm, that comes only from sufficient moisture.  Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

The wind is gently caressing the leaves of the trees as it makes it way from east to west, and I am so very relaxed and confident in the wisdom of my God, as I sit and sip my early morning coffee. There is no need...or room for, complaint. Everything is as it should be in my world. Well...most everything.

There may be a few things I can work on changing...as I receive grace to help me change them. It's true...some things we just cannot change. Like the weather. Other things, well yes, they are changeable...and it is up to us to change them. Like our attitude, or how we view each other. I suppose irritants will always be close by to place stumbling blocks in our path. Life takes a little work. If all was perfect, I'm afraid we would be very lazy people. Opportunities face us daily, and says to us, "Let's see what you can do with this." Only the determined, with focus and desire, (and a good dose of God's grace), will pry that stumbling block right off it's axis.

And then, then...the beauty of this world will shine through!

As always, you will find me here...in Mary's World

What I Really Know About the Downhill Side

Awwww...the "downhill side." I'm beginning to see more clearly what this is all about. In June of this year, I will be turning 64. This simply amazes me. "The Golden Years," it's been so gracefully called. Many have a negative view on this and tell me those golden years aren't so golden.  I would like to shine a light, so that we may have a clearer view than the dark side has.

What could be so great about arriving to the 60th year?  As good as those earlier, busy times of my life were, I'm beginning to think that living in the "60's" might have them beat. Sure, I treasure the years of my children growing up, organizing home education for them, over-seeing a home school support group, leading a drama team at our church, and owning/managing/working in a beauty salon, keeping a home (some-what) and a husband, happy. Those are memories I am so grateful for. Some really great memories, some not so great. Every season of life has it's ups and downs. Can you remember your teen years, your courting years, your work place years? I see complaints DAILY on fb about the down side of life. Let's not mourn about our senior years, or any year! They all have purpose.

Now I am freer than ever before to choose how I spend my time. What shall I learn more about or become better at? Or what new activity shall I try. Maybe I will get back to my art. Sketching & painting. For now, I'll put my artistic talent to use in giving the rooms in our house, face lifts. I can sense a world of possibilities...not much different than the former years, just more time to explore them.

My husband nor I are rich, monetarily speaking, and I do feel a bit of arthritis in my left arm, wrist and hand. Glad I'm right handed! =} Maybe I am a little slower than back in the day, yet I still have business responsibilities that take up much of my time, and I am the happiest I've ever been. I really wondered how my husband and I would get along, once our girls were gone. Truthfully, it frightened me. Our girls were our world (still are...to a degree) and I worried if the spark would ignite once again. Would we have to re-discover each other?

As it turned out, we had nothing to worry about. We DID find each other and we're lovin' it! I find it impossible to dwell on what I don't have or can't change. I suppose some people may have been born with this attitude or developed it along the way, but I cannot imagine having reached this state earlier than 60. Becoming an AARP card carrier member of the senior generation was a reality check for me. I simply do not have time to waste on ways in which the glass is half empty. Or three-quarters empty. I must see (and do) the glass as still having a portion left for me to enjoy! I even try to find the good in the bad. I am not preoccupied with how I can make life turn out one way or another. For the most part, it has already turned out. I find myself appreciating things I didn't notice earlier in my life...a stranger's smile (maybe they're smiling because I'm smiling)...the reason's people say what they say (not just the fact they are saying them)...the value of every person created (not just the people in my holy huddle). So much we over-look in the busyness of life.

Observing my children move into their destiny, does not make me want to relive my earlier years. I thank God for those years...they formed even me. But now I have come out on the other side of those extraordinarily rich parts of life, free from the demands that go along with them and free from "what if" and "if only" thinking. Now I find myself feeling so blessed to have had the opportunity of raising two beautiful, inside and out, young ladies that are carving their own paths in society.

Oh, it's not over for me!!! I still have my statement to sign. My heart is to do everything with excellence, not perfection, but with all that I have to offer. Yesterday I saw a toddler in the seat of a cart being pushed by what appeared to be his grandmother, and my eyes could barely keep from staring. That is a future I am so looking forward to.

Until then, you will find me here...in Mary's World

Fresh Wind

Something is afoot in Miami. The ground has begun to tremble with the pounding of soldiers feet. A fresh wind is blowing over the called out ones. A wind that beckons us to listen as the Spirit of God speaks.

It has always been the heart of God for those of us still managing planet Earth, to lean fully into the things He directs. Sometimes we are placed in a position of rest to wait for our time to march. It's not a comfortable place to be, simply because one feels left out. A feeling of being displaced...

Yet faithfulness calls and says to maintain...to continue to learn...to love what He has given you to do at the moment...to see beauty outside your comfort zone. And to be content without becoming complacent. See others...family, friends, mere acquaintances, as people God loves. See them on a natural level as well as a spiritual level. If we aren't careful, we will become so work oriented (spiritually speaking for now), that we will over-look the preciousness of life as we know it. We deny our natural understanding to focus on the spiritual. And even though we are told not to LEAN on our natural understanding, we MUST acknowledge it...just don't use it as a crutch or make it complete truth. Simply because God can change a situation in the blink of an eye. Everything is not as it seems much of the time.

Something has begun to stir, where I thought maybe there would be none...anymore.

I'm not sure yet, just where this wind will blow. But I sense it marching down main street, down the side roads, the alleys, the businesses...the churches! I knew it was coming in 2005. But as the years stretched out, the assurance became little more than recognition that maybe I had gotten it wrong...again.

The dreams...the dreams! They over-took my night hours. "I have a fresh word!" one of them insisted. "South and West"...and then the gate to the city of Jerusalem was facing "south & west"..."you'll walk where demons walk...but as long as you don't lay near the fire, you'll be okay."  Then there was the dream of my life being enveloped within a house without a foundation. Another dream of descending into dirty water with dead fish floating in it and my Mother waiting just at the exit to call to me to pass through the clean water and she would give me food to eat once I was clean again. So many dreams without complete understanding because it seemed as if just the opposite was happening.

Being the analytical person that I am, trusting too much at times in what my natural eye beholds, I lose sight of the spiritual. God is always orchestrating, but we must be in tune with what He is directing, lest we become dull of hearing.

But today...today, I could almost feel the wind blow over my face, snapping me to attention.
  
Waiting for instructions, here you'll find me...in Mary's World.

Time For An Upgrade

It's been more than 20 years since we've done anything major to the place we call home. Oh, we've had bits and pieces redone, but not the whole.

We began our "upgrading" December of 2010, when we decided it was time for new transportation. It had been 10 years and 200,000 miles later for our car and pick-up. At the time we didn't realize we would be purchasing two vehicles...at least not at the same time! But two weeks after driving the new car, our truck decided it was through with us and left Dennis stranded beside the very busy, no shoulder, Highway 10. So now, we...by the grace of God...have a couple of new rides. That was our first upgrade.

Now, a very important long-term event is starting to look possible. Coming into the 21st Century, we are modifying our humble abode...one room at a time. Nothing outrageously expensive. No...not getting crazy with it...just getting with it.

Our motivation? The possibility of having guests in six weeks. I've wanted this for some time, just didn't have the time or motivation to start such a task. But now I am excited! Not overwhelmed, not anxious...just excited. We will be doing most of the work ourselves (no extra money =}) except for the lovely 1970's blue tub in our master bath. See!!! I told you we were outdated!!!

Bought the necessary tools and products to begin on the room that has served first as a study, then a nursery, a school room, and eventually as a bedroom for our youngest, very beautiful, daughter until she grew all up and decided she was done with that small abode. And when her sister decided the same thing about her room, a change in our lives took place and we had to re-group...Dennis & I. Lindsey's room became our study and Meg's room, a guest room. Just in case one of them needed to see Mom & Dad. Later it became a catch all.

So Meg's room gets my attention first. She had this wonderful idea of painting it dark cherry, ceiling and walls! And that's all I'll say about that! Yesterday, I purchased primer, color for the ceiling (it's excited too), color for the walls and woodwork. Prime first, then paint door, closet door, trim, planked wood and cornice Next the ceiling and walls!!! Wahoo!!! Then we will bring in our office desk, computer, file cabinets; hang some sheers, pictures and shelving. Bring in an occasional chair to sit next to my Mom's Drum table and we'll be good to go with the refurbished room.

Then on to what is now our office/study, Lindsey's old room. That will be our new guest room. My thoughts are to create a beach atmosphere. We'll see how that goes...one room at a time. =} Those are the two most important rooms at this moment, but our plans are to go next to our bedroom, then the bath, then the living room, kitchen, and last but not least, Dennis' Man Cave. This will take a while!!! I'm thinking upwards of a year. (Not his room, but the whole)! But at least we'll have taken  away the clutter and renewed our very first house that over the years has become a home with many, many memories! The memories stay, the look goes! =} I can hear the girls cheering as I type. Last trip home, they sat side by side on our couch, eyes roaming around the living room, twinkling with mirth as they giggled and whispered. "How long have you had that grapevine wreath with the gold lame` ribbon, Mom?" Lindsey asked as her eyes danced. That did it. It has to go...

Why am I sharing this with you? It's not that I think you need to know we are finally doing something about the inside of our house, it's for a totally different reason. Hope you've made it this far with my ramblings.=]

As I was showering this morning, the Lord was visiting with me about this new upgrade. And because I am a person that believes everything is significant, our decision to renew our house, was symbolic of Christ's love for us as his children. He doesn't leave us in the same condition for our entire life here on planet earth. From time to time, we need "cleaning up, re-newed with fresh revelation". We just can't live on what was. His Spirit is new and fresh every morning. Great is His faithfulness, the Word tells us. And I have found that to be very true.

Yet, there was something else I heard the Spirit say. "Sometimes it hurts. The renewing process...sometimes it hurts." As I left for work yesterday, I gave Dennis instructions for what I needed him to do for me as his part of this process. (I'm probably the only wife that does that...right?) Because the room is relatively small, I am going to need the shelving that is already in the room, to stay. But first it must be taken down and the trim at the ceiling will have to have a portion of it cut out so the shelves can butt up against the ceiling. It's just gotta be this way so the right side of my computer desk will fit beneath the shelves and they can serve as a ministry CD/DVD shelving unit.

He called me at work. "This isn't going to work, Mary. Your trim will break when I try to get it off the wall. It has too many knot holes," he said. I was busy..."Make it work. You can figure it out...I know you can," said I. And he did!

Just like the process Dennis had to do to save some of the board for later use, and throw some away after being cut and disposed of, God is in the pruning business so that the new, cleaned up with a new look, will serve a different purpose. A needed purpose. A purpose different than it had served before. Not BETTER, necessarily (maybe better)...but DIFFERENT! Sooooo exciting! I love how God interacts with us! Always showing us...well, most of the time...His divine purposes. We don't HAVE to know, just obey, trust Him. He's got us! And He loves us deeply. So deeply, He laid His own life down so we might live! Don't you think we can trust Him? He TOLD us there would be pain and suffering in this world, but we need not worry because this is not all there is! When we've finished our task here, we'll step into a brand new home, that will serve a different purpose. We can take "one room at a time" to see the beauty unfold gradually. We don't have to see immediate results. We won't see immediate results. First there must be the cutting away, letting go of some things that have been held tightly in our grasp, then the refreshing comes.

As the natural (the Lewises humble abode) gets a fresh look, I pray...I know...God is at work in our hearts refreshing, rearranging.

While this is happening you can find me, as always...in Mary's World.

The "Filter"

I had heard it referred to only one other time. And now once again, "filter" enters my hearing world. This time it was from a young person talking about the brassiness of the older generation. "They lose their filter," she said with great compassion.

Some time ago our eldest spoke yet another truth to her mother, (which she usually has no problem doing.)=} Not sure where she got THAT trait from. She said, "Mom, you need to engage the filter between your brain and your mouth." WHAT? I didn't realize there WAS one! And now, all of a sudden at the ripe old age of 60 something, I'm told that it isn't necessary to speak everything I think. We laughed...well...I laughed.

I am continually learning new things! I love it! There's a modern term for "think before you speak." Come on now...be honest. How many of you out there in cyber space knew that? It is quite the mouthful. But it does bring the chuckle to a normal boring day. Even for one that may be losing her "filter." Not sure I ever had much of one to begin with. Maybe it was all clogged up with the necessities of life, much like our vacuum gets after vacuuming up cat hair through-out the house.

Now tell me again why people choose not to have children? Oh my...what a trip it's been. I love my girls so much. All the wonderful experiences they give me, I would not trade for anything I can think of. Sometimes they make me cry, (never on purpose). But mostly they make me laugh. Even as I'm typing this, my face is all stretched out in this huge smile.

All I'll need at the end of my days, are my girls beside me...just being themselves.
(And my Dennis, of course) =} Not that I think that's anywhere close, so don't get all excited everyone! I've still got this "filter" to clean out.

Until that time you will find me... in Mary's World.