S-l-o-w D-o-w-n

The other day, I was running around doing my typical errands; drug store, grocery store, post office, dry cleaners, etc., when I drove past a neighborhood park that I have enjoyed walking in, birding, and snapping a few hundred photos!

The weather was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l; sunny, mild, with a slight brisk breeze.  I thought for a moment about how much I had planned to do that day, and what a wonderful day I was missing.  Then suddenly, I pulled over – parked my car and went into the park.

I looked around at all the people in the park; couples, families with children, single folks - walking, riding bikes, some even skating or skate boarding. 

I listened to the sounds around me; constant chatter, laughter, birds chirping & singing, children cheering and even a bunch of older gentlemen arguing over their bocce game.

I enjoyed the smiles of those I passed, and found myself in many quick conversations with those no longer strangers.  I even had two buddies wanting to pose for a picture during a break in their bocce game.

I strolled around the familiar lake – checking out the ducks, geese and a curious turtle.  Watched as excited children threw pieces of bread towards the ducks and giggled as groups of feathered diners went a bit crazy for an afternoon snack. 

A few young sailors showed off their talents on the lake.

There were many, many dogs, which of course brought a smile to my face each time I came across them.  I even passed a skater with his dog trotting alongside him. 

As I continued, I came across others involved in all sorts of activities; badminton, deep converstations, exercising, groups doing Tai chi, and even someone riding a unicycle!

I then took a stroll on a path that goes through a wooded area, where I was blessed to spot a Red-bellied Woodpecker – and wondered, as I do every time I see one of these, why is this the bird’s name, when actually the crown on his head is red, and he has a grayish belly?  I laughed as I attempted to get a picture of this extremely active woodpecker, and finally just stood back and watched him fly from tree to tree, almost as if he were teasing me.

As I came out of the wooded path – I saw a Good Humor Ice Cream truck parked on the side street and tried to remember - when was the last time I stood by an ice-cream truck waiting to order my ice cream treat?  After this day, I will be able to remember!

While I continued to walk around, many people came to mind, and I said a short prayer for each; some I knew situations they were going through, others I asked the Lord to be there for ‘whatever’ they were dealing with at this moment, and if all is well, to continue to bless each one.

I thanked the Lord for the beauty around me, for the people in this park, and even for ice-cream.  I thanked Him for my family; my children, my grandchildren, my father, my sisters & and their children.  I asked Him to reveal himself to them at that very moment.

I returned to my car – realized it was now too late to stop by the post office or pick up my dry cleaning, but smiled and thought – it was all worth it.  I felt calm and yet energized, ready to continue on my journey – with a thankfulness for this one day when I decided to slow down.

Hey Mom, What's for Dinner?

“Hey Mom, What’s for Dinner?”

How many times did I yell that out to my Mom and how many times did I hear my kids doing the same?

We’re a family that loves to eat – I mean really loves to eat.  Might be from the Italian heritage I was brought up in – might just be we are natural foodies!

My Mom loved to cook and experiment, making her ‘concoctions’ - as she would call them.  Unfortunately, Dad only liked typical meat and potatoes or any homemade Italian dish.  So we were limited in trying other cuisines as we grew up, unless we went out for dinner to celebrate some occasion, but that usually only resulted in going to a Chinese Restaurant.  Dad was married before, and when he went to spend a day visiting his children, Mom took advantage of that day, and experimented away.

When I was older, I was “assigned” to cook for my family and have dinner ready when Dad returned from picking up Mom from work.  I wrote about this in a previous blog, Stir-fry.  But as the years passed, I grew to love cooking more and more.  I still do!  I now live alone, and still spend a ridiculous amount of time cooking dinner for myself – but love to sit down and enjoy my creation!

At a very early age, my children grew up trying all sorts of food, all types of cuisines, and learned to love a variety of dishes as well.  Yes, they still occasionally had the ‘All American’ Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, a quick Macaroni dish, or Hot Dogs in Crescent Rolls (with cheese rolled with the crescent rolls).  But they were saved for those days when our schedules were totally insane and this was a quick fix.

When asked, my children would choose meals that were not the typical dinner most kids their ages wanted.  They were also given the choice of their favorite dinner on their birthday – and again, chose less than the ordinary meals for kids their age.

Chinese Pepper Steak – my son’s favorite – a frequent request.  Larmen (a Japanese noodle soup) was another favorite of both my son & my daughter.  Oh, the Mexican Casserole, Chicken ala Jim (named after my friend who shared his recipe with me), many stir-fry dishes, and so much more. 

But what I remember most about these meals, are the amazing conversations we had at the dinner table; the laughter, the serious questions, questions and discussions about faith, the sharing of our day’s activities and concerns, and the ease my children had in opening up.

I made having dinner together a priority in our family.  Even when they were young enough to be sitting in their high chair – they were at the table during dinner, together as a family.  If my children had activities that took up a chunk of time – I would sometimes make an early dinner we would eat before heading out – or pre-cook something that could be heated when we returned later that evening.  And if due to their schedules we stopped off somewhere to grab a bite to eat – I made sure we sat together, ate together, and still had a relaxed time together.

There were many times when my children would have to come in for dinner, while their friends were still outside playing, waiting for them to return afterwards.  Did they complain about this?  Of course!  But once we started our dinner, the conversations flowed, and I knew it was the right choice.

Not many families sit down together for dinner anymore.  Many feed their children (no matter what age) at a separate time than the parents.  Many eat on the run and some even leave it up to older kids to heat up or fix their own quick meal.  How very sad.

It’s known that more times than not, most fussy eaters are children who eat by themselves, or just with their siblings, rather than with the entire family.  Mealtime to them is just a time to fill the belly, and takes them away from whatever activity they are involved in.  If dinner was a regular time they were able to be with their family, chat with each other, and ask the thousands of questions children have on their minds, mealtime could also be an activity they could look forward to.

Kids who have frequent family dinners are less likely to try drugs, drink, or smoke, and they're also more likely to get better grades - according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.  Parents engaged with children at the dinner table opens the door to the perfect way to connect with their children, easy communication, building trust, and helping them gain the confidence to make wise decisions in their lives.

I don’t think people realize the amazing gift they have tossed aside due to not scheduling their family to sit and eat together.  Many save this for holiday meals, or special occasions.  But why should it be a “special occasion” for each of us to sit with our children, share how their day has gone, what’s on their mind, and of course enjoy a fabulous meal?

The benefits of having dinner with your children go far beyond what is being served on the dinner plate.

Hey Mom, what’s for dinner?  A question to really think about!

He Is Risen!

Yes indeed – He is risen!

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” – Luke 24:1-3

My Savior is alive!  He walks with me, he hears my prayers, he guides me, he comforts me, he corrects me, and he enjoys my praises!

After that horrendous Friday – when many turned away from Jesus, doubting all he had preached, believing he was defeated – as he had told his disciples earlier, on the third day, he rose from the dead!

Some were given the privilege to see him that very day.  Some, including Thomas, did not see him immediately and found it hard to believe he had risen from the dead.

He later appeared before Thomas and then spent another 40 days on earth, appearing to many, proving he had risen and preparing his disciples to continue the work he began, once he would leave to be with the Father.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed.  Blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.”

I have not literally “seen” the Lord Jesus Christ – but I have seen his work in my life, have seen him answer prayers, have seen him change my heart, have seen other’s lives changed and touched by a living Savior.

No other religious leader, prophet, or teacher has risen from the dead.  Their bodies still remain in their graves – and many, all over the world, worship them, trying to live up to the approval of a person no longer alive.

Not only is Jesus alive – he has given all those who trust their lives to him the gift of the Holy Spirit – to guide them, and intercede for them with God the Father.  He has also left us his Word – a Living Word – to know him – intimately.

My faith is not based on its moral principles or depth of some spiritual experience.  If that were the case, it would be no better than any other religion of the world, and Jesus would be only another great moral teacher.  No, my faith stands entirely on the person, the work and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ called to me and I answered.  He knew me before I was in my mother’s womb – he had a plan and a purpose for my life.  My answering has allowed him to guide me on this path, to know his plans, and to be able to say, with certainty, “Halleluiah, Halleluiah, He is Risen!”

It Is Finished

No one took his life!

It may seem that way to the world as the soldiers beat him unmercifully, tore away at his flesh, dragged his tortured body up a hill and nailed him to a cross; as he gasped for his breath while hanging on the cross – crucifixion being a tradition of the Romans to ensure a slow and painful death; as they mocked him - calling him to come down and prove himself to others by freeing himself.

When Jesus prayed to the Father earlier in the Garden of Gethsemane – he asked, “If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.”  But he also said, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will,” showing his willingness to be obedient to the Father’s plan for redemption.

As he hung on the cross – he took full control.  He asked the Father to forgive those that “knew not what they were doing” as they sneered and mocked him, waiting for him to die.  He spoke with the two men hanging on either side of him.  Seeing the repented heart of one, he told him he would be with him in paradise.  He called to his disciple to care for his mother and his mother to know she will be cared for once he was gone.  Although earlier he refused to drink when being offered something, to fulfull scripture he now called out, "I thirst" and then received some vinegar offered to his mouth. 

But most importantly – he willingly took on my sin.  A blameless man, who knew no sin, was willing to take on my sin, fulfill my sentence of death – being separated from his Father for the first and only time ever – since my sin could not be in the presence of a Holy God.  He became the holy sacrificial lamb – shed his blood as atonement for me – so that I, Nancy, may be able to stand before a Holy God.

And once he knew that all he needed to do was accomplished, then, and only then, he bowed his head and gave up this spirit.

So when I look upon the cross, and remember his words – “It is finished,” I remember he gave his life for me.

A Choice

This week is known as ‘Holy Week’ - the week that we remember and celebrate all that happened so many years ago - that actually signifies the most important activities in the Christian Church’s history.  The week began with Jesus Christ coming into the city of Jerusalem, riding on a mere donkey like a poor man, being honored and praised by palm waving crowds of people who had seen him during his three year ministry; amazed by his teaching, speechless by his miracles, touched by his healing, humbled by his forgiving messages, hopeful for his promises of a Kingdom to come.

“ . . the whole crowd began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’” -Luke 19:37-38

Later that week, most in the same crowd would cheer, “Crucify him,” as Pontius Pilate asks what he should do with a man that even he saw no fault in.  What turned the heart of many adoring him to begging for his death?  What is it that when signs and wonders were even before their eyes, they still did not believe?  How could they choose to free Barabbas, the destroyer of life over Jesus, the giver of life?

“And they cried out all at once, saying, ‘Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas. . .’  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them.  But they cried, saying, ‘Crucify him, crucify him.’” -Luke 23:18, 20-21

How many times has the Lord called to me to forgive, and I might choose revenge (even if only in my heart), or apathy – ignoring the unforgiveness deep within me?  How many times have I chosen the easy path, one that feels comfortable among everyone around me, rather than stand boldly for my faith, my belief, and my hope in the Lord’s promises?  How many times have I thought, ‘I’ll do that later,’ when there is a need now – to pray, to serve, to respond?

When I’m choosing carnality before holiness – I am choosing Barabbas over Jesus.  A carnal mind is actively hostile or opposing God.  It’s living to please myself instead of living to please God – a state of selfishness.

When I’m in this state – I cannot please God.  “The carnal mind is enmity against God.” -Romans 8:7

Holiness is waiting, reaching out to me, to adorn me in a garment of grace.  When I choose carnality – I’ve closed the door to the grace being offered and allow the shame of a selfish heart to dwell within me.

I need to daily make a choice – the right choice.  “Set your affections on things above not on things on the earth.” -Colossians 3:2

From the day the Lord called me to be his own, to accept him as my Lord & Savior, to follow him for the remainder of my days; he has given me choice after choice – to choose life rather than death.

Who will I serve?  Will I choose to serve myself or serve God and his calling on my life?  I do not want to be part of the crowd demanding Jesus be crucified – rather I choose to be part of the crowd weeping at the foot of the cross.