A Tribute to Mother-Part 4

Posted on May 5, 2014 by rstaples2013

This is part 4 of a 6 part series entitled, “A Tribute to Mother.”

H is for homemade answers

Saturday nights we went to town and packed in the alley behind main street. I smelled onions and hamburgers frying from the corner restaurant. Wouldn’t it be great to buy a hamburger-but, that was an extravagance we couldn’t afford.

We came home and Mom sat us at the kitchen table. She left for a minute and came back dressed like a waiter with hairnet, menu and big apron. She introduced herself as poon –se – pah and said she would be serving us. We played restaurant, she acted confused, she made us laugh, we forgot we wanted to buy hamburgers. What could be better than fresh bread, cut in squares, soaked in cream and sprinkled with brown sugars.

H is for homemade answers.

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A Tribute to Mother-Part 3

Posted on May 2, 2014 by rstaples2013

This is part 3 of a 6 part series entitled, “A Tribute to Mother.”

T is for Tunes.

Sometimes there was nothing to do but sing. Walking behind the cows in a muddy cow lane on a hot summer day, Mom and I made up a song. There’s one word in it we weren’t supposed to say so when I get to it I’ll say BLEEP.

When you come to the end of a perfect day
And you sit alone with the flies
And you look at the BLEEP on your overalls
And the cowtails in your eyes
And you think of the cucumbers yet to pick
And how low the station pays
And you chew on a stalk of new brown hap
And you dream of better days.

T is for Tunes…

Sometimes there is nothing to do but sing
Sometimes the bleeped out word is the only word that fits.

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A Tribute to Mother-Part 2

Posted on April 30, 2014 by rstaples2013

This is part 2 of a 6 part series entitled, “A Tribute to Mother.”

O is for Oops, I’ll have to do it over.

I was probably six or seven when I walked up to May’s to buy groceries. I gave her the list and the money. She put the groceries in the bag, added up the cost, opened the cash register and gave me one cent change.

On the counter were two jars of suckers. One was a looped paper stick which held a clear circle wrapped in cellophane. They were yellow, orange, or red. They cost one cent. The other jar had a straight paper stick, a round ball on the end, hard on the outside but with a soft filling. They were wrapped with brown (chocolate) or red (cherry) paper. They cost two cents.

I stood and looked at the stickers a long time. May asked, “Do you want one?”

I want the one that cost two cents but I only have one cent. May said, “I’ll give it to you for one cent.”

PROUD of my deal, I hurried home with the groceries and told Mom what I had done.

She wasn’t happy. “Roselyn, that was not right.” She went in her purse, pulled out a penny and said, “Go back and pay full price.”

I trudged back-May was gracious.

My pride was hurt, but my heart was light. Even today, when tempted to negotiate to my advantage, I remember…

O is for Oops, I want to do it over.

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A Tribute to Mother-Part 1

Posted on April 28, 2014 by rstaples2013

This is part 1 of a 6 part series entitled, “A Tribute to Mother.”

I actually found this in a file entitled “Memories” I have no idea how long ago I wrote this. My mother died 7 years ago after a 10 year chapter of dementia. It took me 5 years to miss her, as her dying was actually a relief. Now, however, I have only precious memories. Celebrate her life with me!

M is for Miracles

I must have been three or four years old when Mom came running into the house from the barn. “Honey, get your coat and hurry-I want to show you a miracle.” I found my coat, she helped me tie my scarf and we hurried to the barn.

I could hardly believe what I saw next. Dad was standing behind a cow pulling on a rope that somehow went under the cow’s tail. Dad pulled hard and then I saw calves feet and legs sticking out from the cow. All of a sudden a baby calf slipped out and landed on a pile of straw. He straightened his wobbly legs, Dad rubbed slim from the calf’s face with a gunny sack and before I knew it the baby calf found the place to get milk!!

As a nurse I have seen many babies born but none without tearing up and thinking-this is a miracle.
M is for miracles…

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Running to Jesus

Posted on April 25, 2014 by rstaples2013

I’ve met a friend that is so “radiant” with the Presence of God that I’ve asked her to take me with her into a deeper relationship with Him.

Her answer was, “I don’t know very much. All I know is to run to Jesus”.

That picture has directed my heart to Isaiah 30:15 that says: return to me, rest in me, embrace quietness and confident trust.

What does returning to God (running to Jesus) look like with faith through aging eyes?

Today I am praying this prayer:

“Oh, Papa God,

Those little feet that ran barefoot on the farm and laughed when they landed in a cow pie were mine running to you.

Those teenage feet that fell in love with you and wanted to die for you on a mission field were mine running to you.

Those young adult feet that decided to cut their own path were mine running from you.

Those bruised and blistered feet that made a U Turn of repentance (a decade later) were mine stumbling back to you.

Most of my adult life, I have walked circumspectly in your general direction. But, I have processed my steps through the grid of my own head. I have moved toward you but seldom have I ran.

Now, I want to run. I don’t care if I stumble. I don’t care how I look. I want to go barefoot again and run to you.

And, Papa, when my physical feet can only shuffle and my steps be only slow I want you to hear the feet of my heart racing towards you.

Then, I will fall in your arms and be home.

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Have an Answer Ready

Posted on April 23, 2014 by rstaples2013

I was given these five questions, under the title “You Have an Enemy” and asked to respond in a written interview. The quote by Neil Anderson was included in the request. These are my answers. I welcome your thoughts and would love to read your answers to these question.

“If you are a Christian, you are a target and if you are in ministry, you are a bulls eye” – Neil Anderson

Questions:

1 How do you serve, lead and minister with the reality and presence of the enemy all around you?

On a visit to China, I met some widows who lived in the church and prayed. My interpreter explained to me that this was important because the enemy could come in at anytime. As I processed this, I realized that the only difference here in the States is that the enemy does not wear a uniform.
I remind myself that the enemy is present but disempowered. At the cross, Jesus stripped the enemy of power, allowing him to live (for now) but giving the power that the enemy had coveted to those who are sons and daughters of the King. When we recognize who we are in Christ we can address the enemy from victory rather than pleading for victory.

2 What has been the most challenging thing about prayer for you?

Unlearning that prayer is a discipline that I need to cultivate and learning that it is a natural conversation with our Father who loves to hear my voice, is interested in what I have to say and loves to confide in me.

3 What difference has it made?

I no longer scold myself for not praying enough but instead look forward to building intimacy with God through spending time with Him.

4 How have you allowed God to speak to your heart?

I love to listen to worship music that welcomes the Holy Spirit and helps me focus on the Presence of God. When a time of encountering His Presence happens early in the morning it is easy to return to it throughout the day.
God speaks to me through His world. I meet the Artist as I ponder the artwork of creation.
I give myself permission to let scripture speak to my heart, even when it is not in context. (When I teach, I am careful to get the context right). When I am “hanging out with God” I discover Him speaking directly into my story from random scriptures.

5 What replenishes you?

Watching God be God
Friends who love me enough to pray for me, correct me and encourage me.
Knowing my cat is waiting for me at the door.
Watching my Koi swim peacefully, never worrying about being wet.

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A Model for Prayer

Posted on April 21, 2014 by rstaples2013

My seven year old granddaughter, (who calls me Besta which is the Norwegian word for Grandma) said, “Besta, the Bible you gave me doesn’t work in Sunday School”

I asked her to explain. She said that the Bible I had given her was stories and in Sunday school they asked for Chapter and Verse.

Delighted that she was taking such an interest in the Bible, I told her she could go to the church bookstore and find a Bible that would work in Sunday School. I said that she should pick it out, with her mother’s help, and I would pay for it.

Today I got this text “ Dear Besta, Today I got my Bible. Today is 4/18/14 and I like it because I love Bible’s like you. I love you Please pay me back, Love _(name).

I smiled as I read this text and then I recognized it as a teaching tool for prayer.

Address the One Who made the promise

Remind the Promise Maker of today’s date.

Remind the Promise Maker that you have done what He asked
you to do.

Tell the promise keeper you love Him,

Cash in on the promise.

Choose a promise and claim the benefit of a Resurrected Promise Keeper.

Example: “Lord God, You have promised that you will never leave me. Today is a day that I desperately need to be aware of Your Presence. I have released my cares to you, as you instructed me to do. I love you. So now, please show up in my life in a way that I can recognize. Amen.

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A Good Day to Move

Posted on April 18, 2014 by rstaples2013

Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand).

Today, on Good Friday, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. This act, initiated from above, opened the way for those of us who are children of God not only to walk directly into His Presence but also to dwell there.

Most of us, who are navigating faith through aging eyes, know that we are going to have to move someday. We consider the options of a smaller house, a condo, an apartment, and a senior living center. We hope we won’t need to live in a nursing home and worry about having enough money.

I am not discounting the reality and the stress of choosing a physical environment that will accommodate the probability of weakness and dependence. But, today, I want to talk about another kind of move. I want to invite you to consider with me the invitation to dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

This home became accessible to us when the curtain was torn in two.

As I checked out some things I have learned that there is a secret place available for me, it has actually been reserved in my name for a long time. I was stunned, as I read the application, that everything has already been paid in full. This includes all amenities. I quickly checked for the length of the contract and saw that it guaranteed for eternity.

This is a place where I can dwell, even as I wander the physical options noted above.

I wonder why I haven’t moved into this secret place before?

Spend some time in Psalm 91 to learn more about the protection and provision. Let me know if you move today.

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Watching God with Wonder

Posted on April 16, 2014 by rstaples2013

I am writing this from a page in my story where I have exhausted all I know to do. My prayer for guidance seems to be answered with
“Watch God be God”.

This phrase is not unfamiliar to me as we lean on it for ministry decisions. The step that is new is releasing to God a sense of responsibility for a personal wringer.

As I process this, I am aware that there is a choice of definitions for the word “wonder”.

Dictionary.com confirms that “wonder” can be defined by “to be filled with admiration, amazement, awe” or by an alternate definition of “to doubt”.

As I watch God with wonder, am I honoring Him by resting in the shelter of His care or am I writhing with anxiety as I doubt His promises.

One way to answer this question is to examine the construction of my prayers.

Do I begin my prayer with “Please” or with “Thank You?”

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This Child Must Live Here

Posted on April 14, 2014 by rstaples2013

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a fellowship group at the home of a friend. As the gathering developed, it became apparent to the friend who had invited me that his home was too small. He emailed me the address of where the event would be held.

On the evening of the event I punched the address into my GPS and started following the directions. As I pulled near I noticed many cars parked around this destination home. I walked toward the house realizing I did not know who lived there and I didn’t know the other guests.

I took a seat and watched with interest, finding myself amused and expectant as to how this event would develop.

There were three little dogs running around inside the home. Most of us kept a cautious distance from these animals but one little girl jumped into the midst of them and started playing with them.

I reasoned, “This child must live here.”
encounter

I wonder what behaviors people pick up when they watch those of us who say that we are children of our heavenly Father; joint heirs with King Jesus.

Do they see us “at home” in the Presence of God? Do they see us relaxed as we talk about our Provider? Do they see us honoring our Father by working and playing well with each other?

Do they see us keeping a cautious distance from risk or do they see us free to enter in because we know who and where we are?

Is there any evidence in our life that would even give an angel a clue that we are citizens of heaven?

That this child must live here.

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