The Afternoon of Life

You, Abba, are the Father of our hearts. You created us because You loved us, and we -- in return (more specifically, “I”) -- have failed You. You have loved me with a never-ending love and I have thrown it back in Your face at times because “I” wanted what “I” wanted when “I” wanted it. How sinful could I be against You, O Lord? I’ve used Your Name in vain, calling on You to grant “my” wishes instead of bowing to Your plans for my life and moving into the center of Your will in obedience. I’ve claimed Your name while acting in the darkness of my sin. I’ve told you, “No” in childish, immature, disobedient, willful sinfulness! I am ashamed. Yet, You, Father… Father of the broken… Father full of loving-kindness… Father Who does not give up on me… You have loved me with a never-ending love. How I’ve hurt You… and You’ve returned that hurt with Your patience and mercy and love… I am not deserving. I’m tired, Lord, of sinning against You. You ...

Facebook is a funny place.   As I read updated statuses, my thoughts go from a friend who’s getting her nails done at a salon…to a doctor I don’t know personally, but one of my friends knows, who will be having a kidney removed that’s likely got a cancerous tumor in it.   Someone else is looking for tires for a craft project, while another friend prays for a child facing surgery.   I then read of a friend visiting Florida who purchased her lunch in a grocery store and then walked behind the store to eat her fresh lunch on a beach by the ocean and warmed by the sun…while I’m staring out my window and the beautiful lake-effect snowfall that is so thick I cannot see my neighbor’s house.   A comedienne shares a delightful story of a visit to Hawaii with a friend who longed to see the crystal, blue waters….and finally saw the crystal blue waters in a toilet bowl!   A friend’s husband has a drinking problem…and they are separating for a while…and another friend ...

  Happy New Year, friends and family.   One of my New Year’s resolutions is to get back to things that I enjoy…pleasures that have somehow not been part of my life the last few years as I’ve said goodbye to people I love.   I think part of the grieving process is that we move away from the things that make us feel good…because it somehow feels disrespectful to enjoy life when so many have lost the ability to do so.   But I’m making a choice in the New Year to honor my dad, my mom, my brother Richard and my “son” Sampson by moving away from grieving for them and missing them towards celebrating that they are part of the reason I am a creative human being.   Dad taught me to love words and language.   Mom taught me to love music and beautiful things.   Richard taught me to look for the good in people.   And Sampson taught me about the search and the struggle to find a purpose and a place in life.   All of those combined have given me life ...