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Shadow of Death

I crisscrossed the roads of Norfolk and Virginia Beach quite a bit this winter when I stayed there to help my daughter with her new baby. One afternoon as I headed back to her house following the directions of a navigation system, I drove past some city services buildings and noticed an unusual display of t-shirts. It took me a second, but I soon realized that it was a memorial for the victims of the Virginia Beach shooting on May 31, 2019. The complex was just a couple of miles away from my daughter’s home. It was a sobering thought for me. She and her husband had also spent time in Pensacola, FL for Navy training a few months prior to the shooting at that Naval Base. Life nears the “shadow of death” more closely and more often than we realize.

Many near miss or divine intervention stories emerged from the events of 9/11. People overslept, missed the bus, or had traffic tie-ups that kept them from being at the office on time, resulting in escaping the horrific tragedies at the Pentagon and the Twin Towers in New York. Unplanned circumstances saved the lives of quite a few that day. They too narrowly passed by the “shadow of death.”

I faced the Corona dilemma early on when a new student from an affected region transferred into my school. At the time, school officials had no enforced policies in place. Our principal gave us only vague assurances from the school district. I contacted a friend who works in the international enrollment office and she confirmed that the county had no regulations for them to implement. Those of us who were to work closely with the new student had concern but we accepted the risk. We too were “in the shadow.”

I love Golden Books. We often read this depiction of the 23rd Psalm.

The Corona virus pandemic brings a seemingly tangible danger to our world. Although there is a wide continuum in how folks perceive their personal risk, the virus and its potency are real. The daily stats, new policies and lifestyle changes indicate a threat. Risk has moved from the cloudy shadows into clear view and many are shaken by the fear that they could get sick or that loved ones could die.

The phrase “valley of the shadow of death” is taken from the Twenty-third Psalm. Verse 4 of the short chapter states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” For centuries this passage has comforted its readers with promises of God’s protection and provision. Believing that God leads us results in calm and rest. David, the shepherdboy turned king who was inspired by God to write these words, explains a conditional peace. These promises are given to those who call the Lord their Shepherd, who are in God’s flock. Times of crisis remind us to check our status. Are you truly one of God’s sheep, living safely in the boundaries of His Fold? Now is the time to make sure that your life and soul belong to the Light of the world, Jesus (John 8:12).

Illustrator Tasha Tudor produced versions of both the 23rd Psalm and The Lord’s Prayer. She always included Corgis and floral borders in her artwork.

Cloudburst

With all the rain that soaked our area in August and September and then Hurricane Florence that walloped the Carolinas, it seemed apropos to share about clouds and a gray spirit.

There are times when zest for life eludes us. Continuing dull weather or an endless ‘to do’ list or another day of feeling alone deprive us of joy and energy. Paul Tripp writes that we lose sight of the amazing awe of God (Awe, 2015).

One of our many recent storms, taken by my friend Carla.

I experienced that kind of day; a day when the glumness never subsided. But as Broadway’s Annie crooned, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow” and it almost did. Dark clouds parted slightly the next day. The early morning also brightened with some hearty laughter over a family text. My morning progressed with successful errands and we fixed a comfort lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup. The afternoon gave way to household chores fueling a satisfaction in accomplishment. We planned on our usual after-dinner walk but got an unexpected downpour instead. As the heavy deluge persisted, my husband and I decided to knock off one more errand.

Specialty summer drink at my “go to” coffee shop, Jireh, in Centreville, VA.

We drove to a store and dashed from our car to the store entrance in drenching rain. Once inside we continued to hear the downpour pelt the roof. We finished our quick purchase and as we exited, found a glorious sky unfolding! Dense pure white puffball clouds billowed out of streaming silver storm skies. Clear, dazzling azure-blue filled the rest of the infinite skyscape expanse! I considered taking a picture but knew the beauty couldn’t be captured in a photograph, just as my words don’t adequately convey the brilliance of that scene.

Sunny October days now shine regularly for us and we pray for the on-going hurricane recovery in the Carolinas. As you may face clouds and gray monotony in life, don’t give up. Instead, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV

“Joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1peter5:10&version=NLT for another encouraging Scripture.)

Postscript – I recently published a blog acknowledging the two-year anniversary of “A Writer’s Daughter.” I sent it only to my blog subscribers and did not post it on social media. You’re welcome to look back at it, enjoy the link to Josh Wilson’s song “Dream Small,” and I hope you’ll become one of my subscribers. Thank you.

This is a favorite photo of my son. I love the joy and energy and also the cool cloud background.

A Message on America’s Birthday

My usual writing process is to share an experience and some thoughts, ending with an appropriate Scripture quote. Today on America’s birthday, I will let Scripture speak for itself. This passage, though addressed to God’s people as they inhabit their new land, parallels modern life in Western culture. In affluence and intelligence, God can be forgotten and society credits itself for its success.

Folks find creative ways to display the flag.

1”Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

⁶“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. ⁷For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. ⁸It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. ⁹It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. ¹⁰When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

¹¹“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.¹²For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, ¹³and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! ¹⁴Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ ¹⁸Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

¹⁹“But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Deuteronomy 8: 1, 6 -14, 18 – 19 New Living Translation

Star and stripes atop a construction crane in DC.

This Season

Those of you who do not know me personally may be wondering what happened to me and my blog writing. As of mid-March, wedding plans took over my free time. Our son got married in May and our daughter became engaged in March and began plans to marry in early July! It is a fun, happy and exciting time for us but it is also very busy, and at times, a bit stressful. It humors me that in our 32nd year of parenting the two weddings would come less than 2 months apart! But the possibility of two upcoming weddings crossed my mind even last fall before either of the ‘kids’ were engaged: I created one of my passwords using a plural reference to weddings. I will return to writing and sharing as soon as the preparations end, but for now, know that I am fine and we are busy. Enter into our joy!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: … a time to laugh … and a time to dance” Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

Life, Love and Loss

Contrasts. For me, the juxtaposition of opposite ideas, experiences or images ignites comprehension and awakens emotions. Sunsets display beautiful contrasts as fading light bounces off of the darkening horizon. Many foods pair contrasting flavors of sweet with salty or spicy. Home decorators prominently place accents of contrasting color, like the orange touches I’ve added to a bedroom of mauve. Contrasts cause me to contemplate.

Last month, I saw two friends in greatly contrasting situations. The one friend is quite young and has just had her first baby. We visited together and I watched her care for her newborn with mothering skill that was becoming more natural for her. We talked about her new life. She’s enjoyed a season of being at home. We discussed her marriage and the very great transition husbands and wives go through, from footloose couplehood to the parenting responsibilities of a threesome family. They ponder jobs, a home, more children and keeping their romance alive. New parenthood brings joy, wonder, adjustment and a changed reality.

The day after seeing my young friend and her baby, I attended a memorial service for the husband of a long-time acquaintance. Through social media, I was aware that her husband had been diagnosed with cancer but I had not spent any time with them in years. The couple was set up by friends because “they were from the same state, were both tall, and both liked to laugh.” It was a perfect match and love endured for 27 good years. With amazing composure, the widow shared fun and meaningful stories of those nearly three decades together. The couple came to understand that God’s timing for his life would be shorter than they had envisioned but their faith assured them of God’s plan in even this loss.

So life conflicted with loss; a baby’s arrival contrasting a husband’s passing; a cradle and a casket. But life and loss can be mastered by love. I don’t mean to say that loss is easy. Death, especially untimely bereavement, is tragic and devastating. Love isn’t replaced but it isn’t lost either. My widowed friend read this Scripture to summarize the faith and love she and her husband shared: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12: 9 – 11

Small Business Saturday

A big box discount warehouse or the hardware store downtown? The well-known coffee powerhouse or a local tea shop and bakery? Amazon or Etsy? I prefer the latter of each and patronize small businesses when I can. Of course, I make purchases at a large department stores and eat at chain restaurants, but when it’s possible and practical, I give local companies my business. I want to support community entrepreneurs in their ventures.

Today is Small Business Saturday. As the holiday shopping season begins, the Small Business Saturday initiative designates the Saturday after Black Friday to encourage and incentivize buying from non-chain retail stores. I participate in and promote this worthy cause.

I appreciate meaningful displays. I noticed this at a fast food chain, but as a franchise, it’s locally or independently owned.

Last year, after my Thanksgiving company went home, I headed out for some time alone. I drove to a quaint shopping district not far from our home. I went to several one-of-a-kind shops. I bought some reasonable items as ‘thank you’ gifts and stocked up on useful stationery and candles. It’s satisfying to buy directly from store owners who are often quite personable.

On my way home, I stopped at my favorite local business: the garden shop down the street. Lush plants of every kind and lavish home displays fill its various atriums. It is also a terrific example of small business success. The owner had a rag to riches life story accomplished through hard work and smart investment sense in the nursery business. Since I visit this garden center often, I have a routine. I enjoy the free coffee and popcorn, meander through the greenhouses and décor rooms, and then check out the sale aisle. I usually pick up a plant or two to exercise my green thumb. I am not sure what I ended up with that small business weekend but, while there, I filled out a raffle card before taking home a few of their beautiful garden calendars for the new year. A few days later I got a call from the garden center. Apparently, my name was drawn in the raffle and I won a $50 gift card! Hey, it pays to shop local.It is wise to be selective with your purchasing power. You can decide where to buy and who will get your money; options abound. You may be aware of a company’s policies or positions that you feel strongly about supporting or not supporting. Such discretion is your prerogative as a paying patron. Ultimately, all of our money comes from God, His blessing in our lives (Psalm 24:1). For that reason, we are held accountable for how, and where, we spend what He’s provided. Consider a few more Scriptures in light of your spending choices: “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14:12) ^“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27) “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:23) “ Now the overseer (leader, example) is to be above reproach, . . . not a lover of money.” (1 Timothy 3:2-3)

The Heart of the King or the Queen or the President

An Old Testament proverb, as rendered in the classic King James version, goes like this: “The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord; as the rivers of water, He turneth it whithersoever He will.” At the end of this most combative election season, we can rest in God’s control over events, and now even over our new President-elect.

Furthermore, we must respond to God’s command to pray. We are told in Scripture to pray for “kings and all those in authority” and the ensuing promise is for peaceful and quiet lives. (1 Timothy 2:2) Donald Trump, like every president before him, needs our prayers.

And finally, in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded his followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. (Matthew 5:44) I am not suggesting that any candidate was an enemy, but America has enemies, within and outside of our land, who abhor our freedom and values and seek to destroy them. Prayer is our greatest defense.