More Than Conquerors

In going through Mom’s things after her death, Dad found a little thought jotted on a piece of yellowing paper tucked away in her Bible. It said, “Do the most. Say the best. Leave the rest.” No doubt she had heard that in a sermon or a Bible class lesson ad thought it worth preserving. Not only that, but I think she must have thought it worth living.

My mother was like anyone else, human, with her weaknesses, but her faith was strong in difficulty. And she seemed to have a handle on her eternal destination. It occurs to me that she was on God’s side. Some people try to get God on their side through their actions. Their worship, their offerings and their prayers are aimed at securing Divine approval. But that will not work.

On the other hand, a man on God’s side can’t lose. He may have some failures or be overcome in the battle with disease or other struggles, but each o these contribute to the ultimate success and sweetness of the final victory.

Satan appeared to have won at Calvary. But then the resurrection came and God resoundingly turned Satan’s worst to a glorious triumph for both himself and man. Redemption was made possible for those who would align themselves the plumb line of the Testament of Christ. That’s what Mom did and she taught some very vivid lessons of faith and courage in her fight with cancer. I hope they are truly learned.

Thank goodness that, “in all thins we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

(originally written in November, 1983)

Relaxing/Unwinding

This post is in response to a challenge to write a blog in reaction to the topic of relaxing/unwinding.

I am a hard working, and self-motivating kind of guy, but it is not like those driven guys that define themselves by the hours worked. I work with lots of people, which means that there is potential for stress and tension. And I do get frustrated on a not infrequent basis. But I love my job. I seldom have a headache or lose my appetite over such things.

As I have thought about it today, I have decided that at least part of the reason those things are true, is that I can let things go fairly easy, and find a way to relax or unwind. I don’t think one little blog will hold all the things that I find relaxing and refreshing.

I have a Lazy Boy recliner that is a good friend. When I sit down in it, it sorta welcomes me with open arms and a soft embrace. The world melts away, and all the more so if there is some inane television show on the tube. I can vegetate without a serious thought. Or I can pick up a book and lose myself in it. It doesn’t even have to be a particularly good book.

I can relax by playing in the yard with the grandkids, or taking a walk with my wife. I love to relax over a meal, whether a feast or a bowl of cereal. If you take me out to the ball park, I don’t care if I never get back.
A vacation can really rejuvenate me, especially if trip allows me to get to Dominica , in the Caribbean. There is a place at the end of that island that is so magnificent that I am enlivened just to sit there and soak up the view.

Over the past couple of years I have found that blogging is a way to release a lot of the days burdens.
I suppose that my conclusion is that the activity is not so important as the ability and willingness to let go of things that can drain me of the ability and will to do the duties that are mine to do.

Experience

I have been blessed over the years to have had some great teachers, from Mrs. Morrow in kindergarten to Dr. Willis in grad school. But I believe that my best teacher, by far, is Experience.

Experience is the most persistent of teachers, always providing opportunities to learn and advance my understanding. S/He lets me know there are things I can do and must do. S/He has shown me that there are things that I cannot do and need to depend on others. Experience teaches me dangerous things to avoid, as well as beautiful things to pursue and embrace.

Experience has helped me get jobs and taken me to exotic places. S/He has given me confidence that I could accomplish and achieve. S/He has brought me disappointment when I did not reach a goal, but also brought great satisfaction when a job has been done.

Experience has introduced to a vast number of people. S/He has brought me into contact with people that are the greatest joy in life, and taught me to love them. Experience also has taught me that there are some folks with whom I will have no positive interaction. Experience has taught me how to endure them, at times even honor them.

Experience has helped me realize a lot about life and how to handle the ups and downs. Through Experience, I know that when I am having a mountaintop moment, it will not be long till I have to go back down into the valley to continue my journey.
And when life has dealt me a severe blow, Experience reminds me that it is another hurdle to be overcome, but that the sun is still shining behind the clouds.