conversations, meditations, reflections
Posts tagged friendship
Pleasant days…
Feb 27th
February 21, 2010
Had a nice time yesterday afternoon. We drove up the valley, took lots of pictures, especially of the Bible camp I have attended many times through the years, from the time I was a very small child. Came home and posted the pictures up on a facebook page dedicated to memories of the camp!
We went out for supper at the home of some good friends, and had a wonderful visit.
Earlier in the day I cleaned house, did book keeping, and went for a walk and for tea at Starbucks with a friend. We looked at a couple of photo albums of pictures from our childhoods – and today I scanned ones of her and emailed them to her.
Today after street church breakfast, I was going to come home and sleep, but ended up scanning lots of pictures, especially historical pictures from my dad’s side of the family, and posting those on facebook too, to share with my friends and relatives.
Got groceries. The other day the street pastor went shopping for the street breakfasts, and picked up a package of those little cocktail wieners for me to make “pigs in blankets” with. But somehow they must have got mixed in with the groceries of the person in front of him or behind him at the till, because he never ended up buying them! I told him, “Oh well, Father must have something better planned!” And sure enough, I just went shopping, and was able to get a dozen packages on clearance for much, much less! Praise the Lord! I knew You had a deal coming up, Father!
Helping other stretch their pennies
Feb 13th
13 February 2010
Well, I must look approachable! Maybe it’s the smile I seem to have plastered on my face most of the time… Because You love me, eh! ?
One day recently I was in the cereal aisle at the grocery store, and a man with a tired, worried expression on his face, came up to me and asked, “I heard they have cereals here for really cheap, like $2 a box. Have you seen them?” And I said, “I don’t know about cereals for $2 a box, but I can show you an even better way to judge the cost and value!” So I showed him the self tags that give the price per 100 grams, and explained how that makes a difference to cost and value. And he “got it” and was really excited. Next thing you know, he was running up and down that long aisle of cereals, comparing the prices in this “new to him” way, and before long he was heading to the check-out with 2 or 3 really “good value” boxes of cereal in my grocery basket. His comment as he passed by, “That really does make a big difference!” and the huge smile on his face that totally erased the worry lines, really made my day!
Then a couple days ago I was in the same store again, this time in the “frozen prepared foods” section (which I don’t often shop in, but I was looking for a “treat” for my hubby!), and a lady came up to me, also looking kind of worried, and asked, pointing at the shelf price labels, “Do these prices include taxes and stuff, or will I be charged extra?” And she held out her hand, and I saw that she only had a little over $2 in change, all the cash she had to buy herself food. So I explained to her about how “single serving” foods are taxed with GST but not family servings… and then explained about cost/weight as well. Her face lit up and she started thanking me enthusiastically. Then she showed me a package of wieners she had picked up. They were “no-name brand” and cost $2 for the dozen. She asked if “no-name” was as good as brand names, and I told her I couldn’t be sure without knowing the ingredients, but that I had seen brand name ones in another section of the store which were on sale for $1 a dozen. So I took her over there, and she was thrilled. “Now I have $1 left for juice!” she exclaimed, and starting heading for the no-name cheap pop section. I told her that there was a sale on real juice, the one litre size, over in the juice section, and took her over there. Again, she was delighted! She was laughing and laughing, to be able to get so much food for so little.
Sometimes we assume that things we know are general knowledge, and/or we feel shy to talk to people we don’t know – but these incidents have really showed me how simple it is to watch out for opportunities to truly “help” people in simple ways by sharing our knowledge and our simple abilities (like my ability to stretch a dollar really thin, which You taught me by giving my so many kids, lol!)
(Afterwards, I thought to myself, “I should have at least said, ‘God bless you!’” … still, I was happy to be able to share Your love in such a simple, practical way!)
Thank You for my wonderful little home… hospitality… yay!
Dec 4th
November 25, 2009
The days have flown by! Nanowrimo-ing sure takes up a lot of time! And then there’s work, family time, church-in-the-park, morning coffee times… and a big birthday party (about 2 dozen people) for my hubby! Happy 57th!
I have been really wanting some time with You, Papa. It’s just good to be quiet and alone together.
Yesterday at coffee time we were talking about how things were when we were growing up… and I realized how fortunate I’ve been! (good family, decent home, church, education…)
I was thinking about our house on Hardie Road – it was 1200 square feet each on both floors. More square footage on one floor than we now have on two floors… and bigger than any house I’ve lived in since I finished school and left home. But it was wonderful for my parents who really did have the gift of hospitality! Guests year round, plus all those ISCF gatherings, piano lessons, people camping out in the rec room, etc etc etc.
I love how we all fit in here the other day for hubby’s birthday. One cozy group in the living room, another group around the dining table, a couple folks in quiet conversation on the bench, a couple more hanging out in the kitchen… and there’s still space behind the couch to set up another table for games or whatever. It was awesome! Thank You!
Can’t wait for summer when we can extend it out onto the back patio space, too!
And even a couple chairs and a little table outside by the front door for breakfast and/or morning coffee, in the early morning sun J – and the late evening coolness!
I was thinking again about my sometimes-dream of eventually owning several units, where like-minded-folks (and/or family!) could live close together and share their lives…
I need to find out when the next strata meeting is! And I need to meet my neighbors!
We can actually seat a lot of people in our little dining-living-room! 3 on the couch, 2 on the brown leather chairs, 2 on the wood stools/coffee tables, 3 on the wood bench, 4 on the dining room chairs, 1 on the office chair, 1 on the child’s chair, 2 on the brown leather footstools, and even a couple more on the ends of the TV bench, if needed! That’s 20! Wow!
Lord, I so long to be hospitable – on a regular basis! And I so long to have my neighbors drop in. It’s not so easy to get to know people this time of year, dark and cold, everyone tucked inside. And kind of sad to be far from good friends like D and L, and D and D, and so on, who lived close to our other place.
Father, that really struck me on Sunday at church-in-the-park-I-mean-basement (!), how happy that mom and her little guy were to get scrambled eggs for the little guy’s breakfast, and that ½ jug of milk to take home. They were so joyful for such small things! A wake-up call for me! Thank You!
I love You, Lord! Thank You for Your salvation! Your sacrifice! Your love and care!
Thank You for all I am learning from You and Your Word as I do the NaNoWriMo thing. Thank You! Amen! J
Sunrise photos… Peach Fest parade… native drummers… friends… family photos… thank You!
Nov 7th
Aug 8, 2009
On Saturday, hubby and I went out early and I took a lot of excellent sunrise photos! He found 3 camera memory cards so we looked at them (in our camera), one was new, the other 2 had photos, featuring First Nations people, with cedar hats, etc. So we went to the “Aboriginal Village” set-up in Gyro Park, and it turned out that one of the exhibitors had had his bag stolen (with his camera in it) so the people we talked to were pretty sure it was his (he’s West Coast) and said they would pass them on.
Home for a bit, then back uptown to Farmer’s Market (set up in front of the courthouse). People were lining up for the Peach Fest parade, so hubby grabbed a spot under a big tree, and I went home and got us lawn chairs. Then his allergies started acting up, so I walked home again and got his allergy pills and the camera. I took a lot of shots of the Vancouver City Police motor bike show, as well as other parade pictures. It was going on to noon by the time we got home. I watched some TV, mostly HGTV, for awhile, then went back to Gyro Park and watched a group (Tsimshian, I think) do some drumming and singing. They told an interesting traditional story of how all the west coast tribes with potlatch traditions originated, and they sang a Haida song (I’m not sure I’ve heard that one before, but it definitely sounded Haida; they said it was) and a paddlers song which I have for sure heard often before. I really enjoyed it – hadn’t heard that kind of singing and drumming for a long time! Afterwards, I thanked the young girls who had helped with the drumming.
After awhile, I headed homeward. Stopped and chatted with R for a couple minutes outside Starbucks. Just as I got home there was BD pulling away, so he came back and visited till hubby got up. I was making fried rice for supper, and BD went to Safeway and got a roast chicken and some take-out Chinese (sweet and sours, chow mein, chop suey). So we had a feast! BD seems discouraged about being a Christian, so I tried to encourage him, and told him he should drop in to church-in-the-park some Sunday morning.
After hubby left for work, I tidied up, and got all the ingredients and equipment ready for fried bread, then set the alarm for 3 am, and went to sleep on the living room floor (the coolest spot in the house – right under the fan!).
Oh, and yesterday, and again today, I went to the Staples website, to their job-search area, called “Staplesville,” and looked at all the different job possibilities, as well as reading about their corporate history, mission statement, etc. I made a list of job possibilities that sound the most like me… So if You want me to have an interview, thank You for helping prepare me…
(later, after a nap!)
I looked on facebook and was delighted to find new pictures posted by my daughters so of course I had to comment on them and save them! Later in the afternoon I finally went through all my photos from the start of July and posted some on Flickr and Facebook.
Well, I drove my son over to my daughter’s place, had a short visit there, and then came back and loaded pictures to Flickr, journaled, and read Your Word.
Being a neighbor…
Nov 7th
July 14, 2009
Last night I noticed the next-door neighbors had left their interior car lights on, so I went over and told them…. Thank You for this opportunity to be a neighbor to them! Yay! Thank You, Papa, Jesus, Holy Spirit! You are awesome!
Last night BD brought me an amazing little tuner for my guitar! It works so great! And I’m taking it as confirmation from You to get back into “praise and worship” with my guitar! (Thinking of getting my clarinet out too…). Going to do Bible now….
Company… and becoming centered in You…
Nov 7th
July 10, 2009
…. J, who is visiting us, went over and prayed with the young francophone [Catholic] couple next door, for their baby. They saw him bringing his Bible in the house yesterday and asked him if he was a Christian? (yes) a Baptist? (generally!)… Could he baptize their baby? (No, but he could pray for the baby and for them… and gave them a brief explanation why… so they asked him to come by at 9 this morning to pray for the baby… even wrote it on their blackboard: “Paster 9 am” … so he went over and prayed with them, and adored their little baby… and told them about us…
And I was so happy, because I’ve asked You about them, Papa… and perhaps this is Your answer, and Your opening! Wow!
I looked at the Esperanza website again today…. Wishfully…. But yes, I want Your will – Your adventure!
Yesterday evening I took S and the kids uptown to the Thursday street market. The kids loved the jugglers and such, and we listened to a Christian rap group. Then we walked along the beach by the Art Gallery. It was real windy! I loved it, but longed for the ocean smells and the big waves and all…
I spent an hour or more practicing my guitar today… doing single string playing (rather than chords) until my fingers started falling all over each other lol! J I loved K playing the other night!
Proverbs 14:6 “Knowledge is easy to one who has understanding…” Oh Father, my head aches trying to figure out all this stuff… please give me wisdom/ understanding… I don’t want to be one of those “deceived women”!
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Papa… that is a way I do not want to go!
I heard a talk show on CBC radio yesterday – there is a study going on to see if actually housing people (with addictions, mental health issues, etc) while carrying on other forms of treatment, improves their chances… hmmm… (and there is an ongoing demonstration under Granville Bridge of people who don’t want to be housed in the East End because they want to live where they can get work and health supports, etc, and be away from the drug culture – even if it means living under a bridge! – but people living in “nice” areas don’t want people there who aren’t fully rehabilitated… boy oh boy… catch-22…)
Proverbs 14:14 “The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways… 15. The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps… 18 The naïve inherit foolishness but the sensible are crowned with knowledge” … Oh dear God, please don’t let me be a backslider or naïve… please make me sensible! Thank You!
Just read 2 Timothy 3 …. Father! Thank You for my childhood in which I did come to know the scriptures.. and, I think I better focus on the scriptures, and on worshiping and obeying and loving and fearing/ revering You, and seeking the guidance and power of Your Holy Spirit! Thank You for Your Word, for Your answer to my confusion…
Col 1:9 “ we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10. so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11. strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Oh Father, THAT is what I want for my walk with You! Please do it in my life! And in the lives of my whole family, and in all the church everywhere! Please! Thank You!
Just read Colossians 2,3,4,5,6 … Okay! Oh Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit – help me to be centered – firmly rooted, built up in, serving, holding fast to, growing, hidden in, renewed to a true knowledge, stable in my faith in Jesus, doing all in His name, and thanking the Father through Him…. And yes, help me to truly be overflowing with gratitude!
Hmmm…. “I like to think that…” … oh no!
(later…) What an excellent day! Very sunny – and hot – over 30 C.
This morning, after watering the garden and front lawn, and making breakfast, I walked 6 km along the beach and hillside, then wandered through the artisans and farmers market, along the beach to the SS Sicamous, back along the shoreline, through the Japanese gardens, and home. It felt so awesome! I have missed fresh air and walking exercise. Later I read my Bible, sitting on the porch; then D and L came by and we coffeed for ages, great visit! Sent them home with a big bag of fresh lettuce from the garden. Then lunch, a tad of silly TV stuff (ie I Love Lucy!), a phone call from my daughter… and got my laptop back from my wonderful son-in-law who used his techie skills to make it good as new! Wow, thanks G! Later made supper – my son declared it “Gourmet!” And then made chocolate chip cookies – really had a craving for them, even on such a hot day. Studied in Ephesians, then had a nap, and now feeling energetic! Wanting to go walkabout again… have been concerned about GJ… saw him this morning; he did not look well. I said, “Good morning!” but he just kept walking, like he didn’t even hear me. Looks like someone beat on him… Oh Father, please take care of him…
Potluck… glad to be part of the family of God!
Nov 7th
July 8, 2009 POTLUCK… GLAD TO BE PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD!
So I did go out for my morning walk, and mowed the lawn, and took pictures of my little garden, and put out the garbage and recycling, and had breakfast, and checked my email/ fb/ news/ etc… all before 8 am!
Since then I have done my Bible reading and a bit of study, more fb, and phoned a crazy amount of people to come by this evening to potluck and to visit our company! Also tidied the house and got some paper plates etc. B suggested I make fry bread… but I am TOO tired! I am SO excited to have people over to potluck!
(other end of the day!) So! Awesome, amazing, fun, beautiful evening! Real fellowship! Wow! Thank You, Jesus! Once again – YOU DO LOVE YOUR CHILDREN! AMAZING GRACE!
I’m so glad I’m a part of the “family of God… and the church at Penticton!”… K even took my guitar up and sang some worship songs… and I sang along…
BTW, I looked up “penal substitutionary atonement,” read quite a few viewpoints about it, etc… and listened to at least part of the interview with “The Shack” author… So I DO see J’s viewpoint… and I agree in the basics… but I really don’t think I’m as convinced Calvinist/ Reform/ Baptist as he is!! …
I’m going to listen to the interview again… and read the definitions… and really try to understand the whole thing because I do think there IS something really fundamentally important, even key, there… but…. I think maybe I still have some “but’s” or at least some not-sures, and/or questions/ wonderings…
We had 30 people over for potluck, altogether!
church all over the place… acceptance and tolerance… coming out of the church ghetto
Jun 5th
May 28, 2009
Brought homemade raisin bread to coffee time. Hubby came this time, too. At lunch time, ___ and ___ (from the “church in the park” group) came for “Sunday soup” (or should I say, Wednesday Soup!). We all had really good conversation – total emphasis on the Lord! It is so awesome when God’s children get together!
After that a dear sister phoned and we had a nice long chat, and her hubby even joined in on speakerphone after a bit. And then another sister phoned. I love this family of God!
Oh, and a friend sent me a devotional thing about “acceptance” and “tolerance” … which, it is true, a lot of Christians tend to think of as “dirty words” in our world today. Anyway, Dorothy Valcarcel, wrote:
“One of the interesting processes that affects the conclusions we come to is what is called ‘diagnostic bias.’ I call this phenomenon, jumping to conclusions based on previous information that has filled our minds or become part of our life experiences… Here’s what I found. In nearly every Christian book of quotes or prayers and poems, anytime the word ‘tolerance’ or ‘acceptance’ was used – it was done so in a very negative way… Sadly, we leave no room for one who doesn’t agree with us 100% of the time to feel as though they can even be comfortable in our presence, when we have such limited vision….
Here’s the point we need to remember when thinking about the words – acceptance and tolerance. Naomi’s acceptance of her [Moabite/pagan] daughters-in-law didn’t diminish her beliefs or standards. Her tolerance, or as the dictionary defines this word, her respect and recognition of the behavior and beliefs of her foreign daughters-in-law didn’t lessen her consecration to God. Instead, by opening her heart and opening her mind, through respectful kindness, she gave these Moabite girls a glimpse into the heart of a [good, kind] God…. Naomi’s acceptance of these girls didn’t lower her standards of purity and grace. Instead, her strength in accepting these girls led them on a higher path to the God of heaven and earth….
… I thought of times in my own life when I’ve allowed a ‘diagnostic bias’to keep me locked within the walls of seclusion where I avoided being challenged by the need to stretch my heart, to open my arms wide and to provide a harbor of acceptance where searchers could come for safety.
Let’s ask God everyday how we can use His heavenly awareness to help us accept and tolerate what we don’t understand before we push others away with our holier-than-thou attitude which totally misrepresents the love of the God of heaven and earth who so generously sent His only begotten Son that ALL might be redeemed.”
I think that is really powerful. And I think it is something the church, as we’ve often known it, needs to really think about. It seems to me that more and more we’ve been pulling ourselves into a sort of “Christian ghetto” and, while we say we want people to come to know the Lord, we want them to come into our buildings, and follow our ways of doing things, on our terms, as we confuse our “culture” that has developed “in the church” with what Christianity really is. hmmm….
Weather reports, good times, good reading, good friends! Yay! Thank You!
Jan 24th
January 24, 2009
Yay! It’s snowing! Well, lightly flaking anyway… but still it’s weather! We’ve hd pale gray low level overcast and dampish chilly slightly sub-zerio weather – BLAH! – for so long (except for a slight break over the western mountains early yesterday… but not long enough to let any sunshine through… I can see why folks get “SAD” (seasonal affective disorder…) this gray chill – not even clouds, just thick pale gray overcast – is way worse than the long Arctic night: it may be dark for a whole month, but at least there are stars, and the moon shining – and beautiful northern lights!
I have loved this week, Lord! G & J came over for, unannounced (Yay!!!!) on Saturday for coffee; good prayer and message on Sunday, helping out with the library on Monday, the Upper Room coffee time on Tuesday (love the open conversation!), the Truth Project on Wednesday, coffee with my great friend V on Thursday, going to the doctor on Friday with my son (and the two of us reading from the same magazine while we waited for the appointment… and laughing together about what we were reading) (and then that interesting conversation at the pharmacy with that guy, about dousing…) (and later going grocery shopping with hubby, and God blessing us with amazing buys! Wow!), and then today walking over to visit with J another great friend and more awesome conversation (and some definite confirmation from You, for both of us!) (and ha! I dropped in on her unannounced! I love that freedom!)… and tonight there’s a prayer gathering at a home…. yay!
And just to think that last week I was feeling down from being stuck inside and lonely and feeling kind of useless… and wanting to be participating in the body of believers… well, well, You sure have been answering prayer and moving me out! Yay! (I think You sent that book to encourage me, too!
Oh! So add the book note-taking and blogging to my list of great times this week! Yay again!
Oh! And to top it all off, there was actually a bit of wobbly sunshine straining through the cloud cover while I was walking over to visit my friend this afternoon!
Thank You!
Notes from Oct 19: positive thoughts about Facebook
Nov 20th
Feeling so sad for ___’s little notes on Facebook – and sent her a “want to chat?” note. She wrote back, about her loneliness – and I wrote back, comforting her, pointing her gently to the love of Jesus…
And then there was my little FB conversation with ___ – she’s missing her parents who have passed away – and I was able to say “I know…” and give her links to my story about Mom and the angels, and about Dad and heaven. (Your direction, too, I believe… Lord?)
I am just so touched by all the sad little notes (and happy ones too) that people put up – and my “mother heart” just weeps and longs to reach out – I even put up a comment on my FB about how blessed I’ve been with all the young folk in my life and how I am praying for them….
You have been preparing me, Lord – I see it more and more – even as I go through my old journal writings and read those amazing words and promises from You… I can’t wait to see what else You will do.
Like in John’s sermon today: God is inviting you on mission with Him (not you inviting God on mission with you!)
I have been feeling lonely the past few days… God has given me such a longing to talk heart-to-heart… but my friends are all busy… then I thought maybe it was just to draw me closer to Him (and for sure that has to be a huge part of it because – I’m sorry – I’ve really wandered off… I read those old journal entries and I can’t believe how intimate my times with God were – before I got caught up in His “work” instead of in relationship with Him – oh dear God, please help me to focus – to:
Turn my eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace!
But also – I believe – He has wanted to open my heart and eyes to see the needs of others – all those kids (and others) on Facebook… so many who’ve been part of my life at some time… and maybe I’ve prayed for them, loved them, longed for them to know and follow Jesus… and now… I’m able to share with them – little notes… but also the writing God has given me for them (even though I didn’t know it when I wrote it! WOW!)
