Bible – Page 10 – A Writer's Daughter

Summer: A Season for Everything

Two summers ago, I witnessed a wide array of life experiences in my neighborhood. Within about a week, there was destruction and expansion, loss and celebration, among the two dozen or so homes on our street.

It began with an eviction of catastrophic proportions at the first home on the block. The entire contents of the house were thrown out onto the driveway and street. Furniture and personal belongings were broken and irretrievable on the pile. Eventually, a bulldozer loaded the ruins into a county garbage truck. I never knew if it was a rental gone bad or a disputed foreclosure.

But then a neighbor around the corner held an open house for their remodeled home. They did a beautiful job of updating the home’s exterior and adding new living areas that probably better suit the needs of their young family. Many cars lined the street throughout the afternoon and it was obvious that it was a happy housewarming.

About this same time we got word that a retired couple at the end of our road lost their three year old granddaughter; a case of sudden infant death syndrome. Although we usually chatted with them in passing, we made an intentional visit to their home. As we sat on their deck, they softly shared memories of a little girl they loved but who had lived far away from them on the west coast. They showed us her picture and thanked us for the card we sent, designed by a special artist.

Life goes on and two houses down from us, a family threw a barbeque and jamboree for a 50^th birthday! We were forewarned that it would be loud but I won’t complain about kids, friends and family gathered outside to run, laugh, eat and sing in commemoration of five decades! I was delighted to watch the lawn lanterns glow and listen to the country music on a warm summer’s night.

Life is happening all around us all of the time. Sometimes we have the opportunity or obligation to join in and other times we just observe. I have written previously about “rejoicing with those who rejoice; mourning with those who mourn” Romans 12:15 (March 31, 2017). The Bible also reminds us that people, our neighbors, experience many life seasons: “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born, a time to die . . . a time to tear down and a time to build” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2 and 3). Wise King Solomon wrote more on God’s perspective on work, priorities, life and eternity in that passage. Take a look because it is always worth reading the words of the Author of Life.

The puppy next door loves learning her “sit” command!

And who can resist the cuteness and energy of a new puppy? That summer two years ago, the next door neighbors got a new puppy. He has grown up into strong, good-hearted woofer. This summer, he has a new ‘sister’: another adorable black lab puppy, so full of life!

Knowing Egyptians

For most of my adult life, I had little familiarity with Egyptian culture and people. In recent years, however, my ESL teaching has introduced some wonderful Egyptian children into my life. The first student who comes to mind was a 6^th grader named Monique*. It was her first year in the US but she already had a passable understanding of English. In spite of culture shock and the challenges of her preteen class, she pushed through every day, excelling in all her subjects, including the 6^th grade American history curriculum! She maintained a sweet and innocent spirit. At the end of the year, her teachers selected her for the academic achievement award in her grade, out of nearly 100 students!

Solomon with his homemade kite. I had to cover his face for confidentiality reasons.

Another Egyptian family had several children in the school. One of them had significant disabilities yet he was the delight of the staff. He was usually grinning, and drooling, from ear to ear, in spite of his physical handicaps and his inability to speak. I wondered how his family managed his care with limited resources and their language barrier.

Pictured above is Solomon*. He was a very energetic primary student. He was so excited about life and learning and people that he could never stay in his place or remain quiet. Although that effervescent spirit was a challenge in the classroom, his enthusiasm endeared him to me. He made great progress as a language learner and accomplished near grade-level reading by the end of the year. Once, his reading group had a book about making a kite. For a follow-up, I copied the directions and gave the students the kite materials. To my joy and amazement, a few days later Solomon showed me his completed kite, so I took his picture! Kids actually doing something like this on their own is quite rare.

Solomon belonged to a special group of Egyptians called Copts. This term is short for Coptic Christian and they are among the oldest Christian sects in the world. Egyptian Orthodox believers, including Solomon, can often be identified by a small cross tattoo near the wrist.

Today’s Coptic Christians in Egypt are being violently singled out. Since the Arab Spring in 2011, there have been numerous assaults on them. Twenty-one Egyptian Christian young men were executed on a Libyan beach by ISIS in 2015. This April, suicide bombers attacked two Egyptian church services on Palm Sunday, killing 40 attendees. In May, buses headed to a monastery were ambushed by terrorists resulting in 28 more deaths.

Terrorism is not isolated anymore. This spring, England was horrified by a bombing at a concert that took the lives of nearly two dozen, mostly young teens. Since 2001, the US has experienced terrorism at the Boston Marathon, and many shooting sprees including San Bernadino, Fort Hood, and Orlando. All of these are horrific but the Egyptian attacks are particularly appalling in that the Coptic Christians are targeted.

The Bible warns of persecution. The Apostle Paul was beaten and jailed repeatedly throughout his ministry, and eventually he was martyred near Rome. But of his travail he said, “I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) The persecution of Christ-followers has continued through the centuries. God loves His own but in His sovereignty, mistreatment and murder happen. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus warned, “In this world you will have trouble.” Then he added this encouragement, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) My Christian sisters and brothers in Egypt need our prayers.

*Names of the students have been changed.

The Goodness of Singing

This week at work I received an email about songs and language learning from one of my professional organizations. The report noted that singing makes learning a new language easier and students retain more new vocabulary when it is sung, rather than spoken. This did not surprise me. Early childhood education has always been rich in music, poetry and chants because young children love them and through rhythm, rhyme and melody, kids pick up a lot! It would be reasonable that the same benefits could apply to learning a second language.

Actually, I have heard about other positive results from singing. Singing elevates mood. Participating in singing is known to help depression, whether that is singing in a group or just singing on your own. At work, after the classes recite the Pledge of Allegiance, there is a patriotic song. I try to join the singing whenever I can, knowing that it will boost my spirits at the beginning of that day.

There is also evidence that singing is good for dementia patients. Singing together helps dementia patients connect with others and it exercises an important region of the brain. Singing has cardiovascular benefits and it reduces stress, increases immunity, and improves mood and memory. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3767275/) No wonder nursing homes have so many sing-alongs!

The Bible frequently refers to singing, and usually it is in the context of singing praises to God. There are fifty Biblical directives to sing, including Psalm 96: 1-3:

¹Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. ²Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. ³Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

We’re told to sing. We’re told to sing to God. We’re told it’s praise and we’re given ‘the why’: to share Good News and repeat God’s great works.

Modern hymn writer Keith Getty and his wife, singer Kristyn Getty.

This Sunday, June 25, there will be a worldwide opportunity to sing. In churches around the world, a new hymn entitled “For the Cause” will be introduced and sung, in quite a few languages, I might add! Modern hymn writer Keith Getty, best known for “In Christ Alone,” has composed this new hymn and Sunday is the rollout at participating churches. Here is the link to find out more: https:www.globalhymnsing.com.

As God is our Creator, it doesn’t surprise me that He’s given us something that’s really good for us. Singing is a gift. It’s not about the perfect tune or moving lyrics, nor does it depend on the quality of your voice. Singing is an expressive action, mostly with joy but always with emotion. As Elsa sang, “Let it go” and see how good you feel!

Listen to “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, sung by Kristyn Getty.

The Circus is a Strange Anniversary Date

The trained lions and tigers are unbelievable!

Every year when our anniversary rolls around, my husband and I look for something special to do together. A concert or play makes a nice evening out but there rarely seems to be anything going on when we want to celebrate. This year that was the case as well, except that we noticed the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus was in town at about that time. We had also heard that the circus was ending its 146 year old run this season. The original version began in 1871 and the two circuses merged in 1919 to form “The Greatest Show on Earth!” While a circus is not really your typical formal anniversary date, we decided to go.

Thanks to Kathy Turner for sharing her circus photos with me.

The show lived up to its name. We enjoyed all the classic acts: trapeze artists, stunt clowns on stilts and animal acts including the marvelous big cats and dogs, kangaroos, and other exotic animals. There were bikes and motorcycles and basketball on unicycles. We watched horses with stunt riders and dozens of performers on ice skates. A ringmaster narrated a story that wove the acts together and a live band played the background music. It was energetic and fun entertainment. Of course, the audience was entertaining too. The arena was full of children and families. Twirling wands and light toys buzzed and blinked all around us and the air was filled with the scents of popcorn and cotton candy. We had traded the romantic for something rollicking!

As we left the show, we talked about the demise of the circus. The circus is great fun so why was it closing? My husband thought that the costs had pretty much put a show like this out of business. In the early days, the circus would arrive in town and spread out its tent in a vacant field. The crew and performers worked for room and board and maybe little else. Now, high-cost facilities have to be rented and staff have workers’ rights for wages. I also thought that the public’s taste for entertainment had evolved. With film’s special effects and technological advances, it is harder for a live performance to amaze its audience.

I’ve written about change before. It is inevitable and it reaches into every aspect of life. Recently, my church has faced a lot of change. Our pastor of over 35 years, has announced a transition toward retirement. Many church staff have also moved on. The service and worship formats are different. Familiar songs and styles are gone. It is hard to adjust to so many changes. I miss the people and the ways to which I was accustomed. As I process these shifts, I remind myself of two important things. The first is that, again, change is inevitable and it can be good. People are changing and the church adapts to continually reach its audience. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22) An aged out congregation will one day become an empty sanctuary. The second reminder is that the Gospel does not change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The hope of the cross is eternal; that message will never change.

“The Greatest Show on Earth” closes down this weekend in New York. Despite its fame and popularity, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus is ending. The world changes rapidly but God and His Word are unchanging.

Who Runs Across Your Path – Episode Three

I write this final episode of my series “Who Runs Across Your Path” with a sense of sadness. The story ends unexpectedly.

A couple of summers ago my husband and I were attending our church’s Independence Day and military appreciation service. We had a guest with us and the auditorium was packed. We were seated in a section different from our usual spot. Amid the patriotic music and special features, I noticed a woman sitting a few seats away. She was alone. Her attire suggested to me that she was not American-born. As the service progressed, the woman remained on my mind. I wondered if she had a family or any connections within our church. Maybe she was just visiting that Sunday. Towards the end of the hour, I realized my husband and I would be rushing out with the crowd; we were taking our guest to lunch. I got one of my teacher business cards out of my purse and jotted down my phone number and email. I added a note that went something like, “If you need any help, please give me a call.” As the postlude, “Stars and Stripes Forever” began, we hurried out and I handed the woman my note.

Two weeks later I had an email in my Inbox; subject line: My Angel. (See blog post “Once, Twice, Three Times an Angel” 09/29/16). It was the woman from church. She wrote that she had been praying for some help. My offer was divine intervention for her! Through email, we made plans to meet at church in a few Sundays. Our first visit went very well. She was easy to talk to and there was plenty for us to find out. I had offered to help and her ‘need’ was to embark on a jewelry creation she envisioned. I have no experience in jewelry-making so I knew I was not that answer for her. We did, however, chat over her ideas and how she might accomplish them.

Fatima’s daughter shared this picture of her with me.

We continued to meet on Sundays. Her name was Fatima. She worked as a nanny and had been living in the area for about 20 years. She had first come to the States with Indian diplomats providing childcare. Fatima had been widowed very young and diplomatic employment was a good way to support her young child. She left a little daughter in India with her mother to make a living for them. As the years went on, she nannied for different families. Now, her immigration status was undocumented but good work for her back in India was scarce. Nannying had allowed Fatima to provide well for her daughter, who was now grown and practicing law in India. There was a strange way in which I was getting to know Fatima’s daughter at this time too. When I would email Fatima to plan to meet or check in on her, I was actually emailing her daughter. Her daughter would read the email to her mom on the phone and Fatima would tell her how to reply to me!

Then a season of great difficulty beset Fatima. The children she cared for outgrew the need for a nanny. The family tried to assist her with finding a new job but in a changing world of more daycares and increased focus on immigrant status, nothing materialized. She had occasional babysitting jobs but little else. Local relatives did not give help. I connected Fatima with an immigration lawyer at church but there were few options. I still saw her at church where we talked and prayed. At one point she was hired as a live-in for a family but they were cruel and overworked her and refused to give her food. Fatima suffered again. How could I help this soul who just ‘ran across my path’? We offered to bring her to our home for a weekend. I gave her grocery money. Sitting with her, talking and listening did the most good I think. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” She was encouraged and not alone; she kept her faith.

Eventually a promising live-in nanny position came up. She moved in with a kind family. They treated her well and she loved caring for their young children. They began to teach her computer skills which she enjoyed. She had scheduled days off for rest, during which she told me she loved to read the Bible. My friend was now in a safe and hopeful place. Her new dream was to save up enough money to return to India and live with her adult daughter.

Things turned out unexpectedly. I got an email from Fatima’s daughter telling me she had died. Fatima became ill and her employing family took her for medical treatment but she passed away a short time later at their home. I think years of hardship had weakened her small frame and Fatima’s body could fight no longer. The daughter immediately filed paperwork for a visa to come to the US. About 10 days later she arrived in the States and stayed with local family. Fatima’s present and former employing families shared much information about Fatima’s life and work with her daughter. The daughter also visited church and met Fatima’s friends. She gathered her mother’s things, completed paperwork, and received her mother’s ashes.

I met Fatima’s daughter and her cousin for coffee. She looked like her mother and I recognized the smile and laugh. We talked lightly; I did not know how much her mother had divulged about her past hardships. I offered my condolences to a daughter who had barely been with her mother. But Fatima had greatly loved and sustained her only child from afar.

Who runs across your path? A lot of people do. We can’t touch them all but when God prompts you to reach out, do it! Through it, God uses you, He teaches you, and He blesses you. Amen.

The Lamb

I display these figurines in the springtime. The lamb was my model for a birth announcement drawing.

“The Lamb” by William Blake is probably my favorite poem. I featured it on the front of our first baby’s birth announcement. I don’t know when I first read the poem, but it may have been in my college children’s literature class. The poem is documented in my textbook from that course, Anthology of Children’s Literature, 5^th Edition, 1977. Below is “The Lamb” copied from that volume.

The Lamb By William Blake

Little lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Gave thee life and bid thee feed.

By the stream and o’er the mead;

Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing, wooly, bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice?

Little lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Little lamb, I’ll tell thee,

Little lamb, I’ll tell thee:

He is called by thy name,

For He calls Himself a Lamb:

He is meek, and He is mild;

He became a little child.

I a child, and thou a lamb,

We are called by His name.

Little lamb, God bless thee!

Here is the cover I drew for our first baby’s birth announcement. I colored the ribbon pink for our newborn girl!

I think poems are meant to be enjoyed, not analyzed. Poets have motives and messages, as Blake did, but the beauty and importance of them is in their sound and their wording. For that reason, I will not write on and on about the meaning of this poem. What I will leave you with, as always, is how God’s Word is evident in the poetic verse. God created all life (Genesis 1: 24, 26, 27). God gently tends living things (Psalm 23). Jesus is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29 and throughout the last book of the Bible, Revelation).

I came across the directions for decorating a lamb cake as I was going through my Easter recipes. I did this when the kids were little.

What William Blake omitted in his poem is the sacrificial nature of the lamb. The lamb is not always “wooly bright”. Its life was taken as a payment. Then the Lamb of God, Jesus, died as the final and complete sin payment for us. That, and His overcoming resurrection, is the message of Easter!

Who Runs Across Your Path – Episode Two

This is a favorite photo of mine: my toddlers walking together.

This is the second story in my series about the random intersection of lives. Our paths intersect with other people’s paths and this sometimes leads to opportunity. My first story was a runner’s story but we cross ways with souls no matter how we’re moving.

The free Continental breakfast offered at many American motels is the modern version of Canterbury Tales. Chaucer’s characters were on a pilgrimage and their life stories and personalities met as they progressed toward their destination. At the hotel breakfast bar, travelers usually don’t have the same destination, but they do have being on the road in common. Fairly easily, I’ve observed, folks tend to talk over the cheap pastries and boxed cereal; stories emerge.

We were out of town overnight, taking advantage of the free breakfast in the lobby, when I began to catch on to a conversation near me. I much prefer people watching over the din of TV’s streaming network news. Two travelers struck up a conversation. The one, whom I will call a Listener, asked the other about her travels. She responded by saying that her son and his girlfriend had been in a motorcycle accident. The Mother’s son was transported to the nearby university hospital and she was staying at the motel in order to visit her son. The Listener took very serious interest in the Mother’s story. She dug up all the information about the crash and the injuries sustained. The Mother shared the involved story without hesitation. I imagine that being away from home, she hadn’t had anyone to talk to in person about the accident, except busy hospital staff.

Then the Listener’s husband showed up at breakfast. The Listener immediately began to recount the Mother’s saga to him. In great detail, she filled him in on the Mother’s situation staying at the hotel and explained the son’s injuries. At one point I saw her pointing to her leg, verifying with the Mother, the son’s condition. Repeating the story with such passion and detail validated the Mother’s distress and communicated tremendous empathy.

At this point, it was time for us to leave and continue our journey. I was left wondering why the Listener had stepped into the Mother’s story. The Listener, while clearly the personable type, did not strike me as nosy. Her chattiness seemed genuine and she really did focus on all that the Mother had been through. I did not get to see the end so I don’t know if the Listener got involved at a more material or spiritual level but I am sure that the Mother left the breakfast bar full, not just from breakfast, but satisfied because someone cared enough to hear her heart.

The Bible says we are to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) and that is just what the Listener did for the Mother. Tears often draw tears from others. We are sensitive to loss and we express sympathy. But that Scripture text begins with the words “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). It is not so easy to join in the happiness and success of others, especially if things aren’t going well for us. I recall my Pastor sharing about this difficulty. As an infant, his daughter developed a severe and life-threatening condition. He and his wife saw many specialist doctors and he told how in one waiting room, they conversed with another family. The other family had come for a follow-up appointment after their child had recovered. My pastor told how hard it was to rejoice with them when the outcome had not been the same for his suffering daughter.

As our paths cross with the lives and stories of others, we will encounter both their joys and sorrows. God asks us to join them in the moment. Be hopeful too, that God will send you sojourners to share your paths of joy or sorrow.

For another story where distressed travelers encountered Someone who cared, see Luke 24: 13-35.

Who Runs Across Your Path – Episode One

I am not a runner but I will meet my peeps at the Finish Line!

‘Who runs across your path’ is a statement, not a question. It’s a statement about the intersection of lives and this episode happened to a runner I know.

Out for a morning run, the runner I know came upon the sound of yelling. That might suggest danger, but the runner soon determined the location and source of the outburst. A young girl was in the front yard of her home and her father stood at the door. He was bawling out his daughter and she was crying. Runners don’t usually like to break their stride but this scene broke the runner’s heart. The runner stopped and spoke to the girl. She was waiting for her school bus that morning, and not wanting to be alone, had woken her father. Apparently, she had been told not to disturb him. He was irritated and probably tired and he had lashed out at her. Seeing the runner stopped and talking to his daughter brought some sense and calm to the man. The yelling ended and he made his way toward the girl, waving off the runner in silent acknowledgement of his error and the runner’s kindness.

My husband ran track in high school and still holds some school records.

This episode answers the question asked in the Gospel of Luke: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) A lawyer had posed this question to Jesus following His remark, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Your neighbor is whoever crosses your path. Love is being willing to put aside a personal agenda to address others’ needs. Being able to do that requires a couple of things. It requires open eyes and ears. You can’t meet needs that you remain oblivious to. Secondly, it requires compassion. A tender heart develops as you understand and experience God’s great care and sacrificial love.

My treks will never be at a runner’s pace but I hope I’ll recognize circumstances of need and love neighbors when they run cross my path.

The Work of Your Hands

My family had the wonderful opportunity to go on a mini winter getaway. Northern Virginia has not had any decent snow this year so it was especially fun to experience a wintery atmosphere. The first morning my husband and I stopped for some hot chocolate. We ordered at the counter and waited as the young woman who was both the cashier and barista, prepared our drinks. She seemed barely twenty and had darker skin tones and long, dark hair. She could have been Hispanic or Native American; either would have been likely in this western part of the country. She was neatly dressed and cordial, though not as jovial as other resort workers had been that morning.

She finished off our drinks with real whipped cream sprayed from the chilled silver canister and then carried the two steaming cardboard cups to where I was waiting. That’s when I noticed her left hand. She had a thumb but three of her fingers were missing and she had only a disfigured partial pinky finger. It appeared to be a birth defect. Yet she had just delivered two hot cocoas to me, one in each hand!

Many people use handicaps as an excuse not to work. If working is hard and a disability complicates matters, some will decide not to work at all. They rely on others and miss the satisfaction of accomplishment. A disability is an embarrassment too. In a culture where perfection is prized, it is difficult to be in a place where you will get noticed. Thoughtless comments may be overheard. Bravely, this cashier turned barista, took employment out in the public eye.

“A work of art” sounds like an oxymoron but we can take pride in our work products*. These cute sugar cookies from Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates are decorated for Mardi Gras.

Sometimes, depending on the disability, employment can be hard to find. This is particularly true for those with cognitive impairment. It takes well-trained supervisors and special options to employ the developmentally challenged. Creating a business niche for them is a labor of love. Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates in my town is just such a place. Coffee drinks and homemade confections are made and sold, giving work to special needs young adults.

Work is a gift. God gave mankind work in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). Of course work became cursed after Eden (Genesis 3: 17-19), but it continues to have value. Occupation offers a healthy use of time and a sense of fulfillment, and it provides financial support as well as the opportunity to give to others and help those in need. The Bible tells us to do work and to do it well (Colossians 3:23). I’m applauding the overcoming attitude of the young café worker. For her and all of us, “(Lord,) establish the work of our hands, yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)

*A good book on the subject of being artful on the job is A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman

“Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” Danny Gokey

“Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” is a song inspired by events in an operating room. A surgeon was performing open heart surgery on a woman. The heart was successfully repaired and it was ready to be functional in the woman’s body again. In the usual time and method of restarting the heart, nothing happened. Perplexed, the doctor leaned over and spoke to the anesthetized patient on the table: “Tell your heart to beat again.” Her heart began to pump and the operation ended successfully. Listen to Danny Gokey’s (American Idol Season 8) brief explanation of “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” and then stay another couple of minutes to hear the moving song.

When I first heard someone tell the story behind the song,

Each year I start paperwhite bulbs after Christmas (thank you Santa Sally). I love watching the awakening of the dry, brown bulbs into a glorious head of lush, fragrant white flowers.

I happened to be sitting beside a couple who are good friends of ours. They both had married the love of their lives as young adults. They had children and raised their families for decades. Then both lost their spouses to cancer; an unexpected, crushing end to their planned lifetimes. After a time of grief and adjustment, the widow and widower met each other. Their affection grew and eventually they married. It struck me that our friends also had allowed their hearts “to beat again.” For a time, I am sure it seemed to them that the world had stopped and there was no life ahead. Gradually the healing touch of God revived them.

Everyone faces challenges in life. Obviously, some difficulties are far more devastating than others. I don’t think I’ve encountered the depth of pain, loss, and collapse that some experience. I am grateful but there is more life ahead. When I think of “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” I think of persistence and not giving up. I think of expecting setbacks and realizing life isn’t perfect or easy. Psalm 90:15 says, “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us.” We’ll have both kinds of days. So whatever sadness or failures come our way, God is there reminding us to go on, to check our pulse and get that heart going. Jesus put it bluntly yet hopefully when he said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take HEART! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)