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The Essence of Living
When things go bad, good people step up and do something. I love to hear of examples of this, and there have been plenty recently. Take the February snow and ice storm, for example.
It began on February 13, 2021, when foul weather hit in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, my own neck of the woods. But it quickly spread north, south, and east, eventually impacting more than 170 million Americans in various ways and causing blackouts for more than 9.9 million people in the United State and Mexico. Texas, in the United States, was particularly hard hit and 14 million Texans suffered various forms of misfortune from minor to catastrophic.
The able stepped up.
Jim “Mattress Mack” McInvale, owner of a three-store chain of furniture warehouses in Houston called Gallery Furniture, opened up two of them to anyone who needed a place to stay. Thousands of people had such a need and hundreds of them streamed in to his two facilities, setting up camp on beds, recliners, sofas, tables, and floors. McInvale had the in-store restaurants running and even had other meals besides brought in for his guests.
And this is what he said: “We think that the essence of living is giving and it’s not our privilege to do this, it’s not our right to do this, it’s our obligation. This is what we’re put on the earth to do is help other people and when situations come up, that’s the time for us to spring into action and help people get a better view of the day because some of their lives right now are very, very dark.” Indeed!
Nina Richardson and Doug Condon are of a similar mind. On Valentine’s Day, just 24 hours into the epic storm, a young woman named Chelsea Timmons attempted to deliver groceries to their home in Austin. Her own house was in Houston, three hours away over extremely bad roads. But that became sort of beside the point. Chelsea’s brakes locked up on her way down the steep, icy driveway and she slipped and slid right through their flowerbed and took out a small tree before stopping just short of the house, thankfully. She was mortified and filled with dread.
She was left with no option but to text the family inside the home and tell them of her plight. Doug came right out. He tried to free Chelsea’s car from the ice and snow without success. All three began making phone calls – to AAA and area tow services. No luck. No one would/could come.
That was when Nina and Doug invited Chelsea to stay with them until she could safely get out and moving again. Five days later she was able, finally, to do that. In the meantime, she was tucked up – safe, warm, and well-fed – with a couple who’d been, until then, total strangers to her.
These folks – Jim, Nina, and Doug – did what they could in the circumstances. We all can and should do the same. Paul and Timothy, in a letter they apparently sent jointly, wrote, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4, NIV).
As “Mattress Mack” said, it’s our obligation to do what we can when we can. I’d argue, though, that it’s also our privilege.
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act,” said Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (Proverbs 3:27, NIV). And that’s sound advice.
That is, in fact, the essence of living.
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A Few of My Favorite Things
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with strings –
These are a few of my favorite things.”
Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rogers
A couple of days ago I was driving into town from my rural home. A wondrous sight fell to me: off to one side knelt a man in a garden. He was digging and planting. And on three of his sides sat a small dog, looking with diligent focus and utter concentration down at what he was doing. They all looked alike, were possibly litter-mates. But their undivided interest and sweet curiosity was clear. I’d have stopped for pictures if I hadn’t known the view would immediately change upon my doing so by disturbing everyone’s attention. The enchanting scene would no longer exist. But it made my heart smile, it was so very delightful. It made me feel warm all over and reminded me, once again, of how much joy and beauty there is in our world. So much.
It reminded me of all the things for which I am grateful, of the blessings that are mine, of the fact that I have and do enjoy many “favorite things.” Here are just a few.
There are puppies and kittens, of course; there are dogs and cats. There are farmers. While gazing at the man planting, my mind turned to my grandfather, who farmed. I spent some considerable time on that trip thinking of my grandpa’s bent figure and his excitement over a harvest. He and my three other grandparents are among my most favorite things.
I was making the trip to meet two long-time friends for lunch in a town 90 miles away. These two befriended me when I turned up at the church they attended almost 17 years ago. They have both mentored, encouraged, and used me in various capacities in and out of the church in these intervening years. They are two of my favorite things, absolutely. But other acquaintances, too, are precious to me. I am indeed rich in friends.
I love a good book, a close and challenging game of Words With Friends. I take great pleasure in looking out over the lovely yard my husband has made and keeps for us. I like to hike and ride my new bike, now that I can do those things. And the vistas I’m often rewarded with – favorite things!
I enjoy music, and especially get a kick out of finding something new – a new artist and/or genre and/or instrument(s) unfamiliar to me. I really appreciate new information/understanding/insight. On any subject.
I relish coming across a photo I’m not expecting, one that takes me back in time and enables the enjoyment, once again, of a moment that holds special meaning for me. One such instance occurred two days ago. On a particular Facebook page I frequent, one that pertains to the town I grew up in, someone posted a picture of the teacher group at the school where I attended kindergarten and first grade. And there they were – my two earliest teachers, both of whom I loved dearly. Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Klassen, I owe the two of you my utmost gratitude for the start you gave me, for being kind to me and patient with me, for instilling in me the love for words and books. For teaching me to read! You are two of my favorite things. My life would not have been nearly the same without you.
There are more favorites, of course: certain foods (and, I confess, food in general), a good sermon, a birthday, the sun, the sight of Rick sitting in his chair across the room from me, answered prayers, good news, a compliment.
And from whence do these joys come? From our heavenly Father, who loves us. Scripture is a “favorite thing,” and here’s a favorite verse: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).
Ah, so much to savor, and all from One who is crazy about us.
What are a few of your favorite things?
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Who’s On Your Prayer List?
I took a walk this morning in my local park and added a little boy to my prayer list. He looked to be about four and appeared to be with his grandmother.
I’ve never had children and have always believed I wasn’t very good with them. But I enjoy them and get a kick out of talking to and being around them. I’ve had a few call me “Grandma” over the years and some do seem to genuinely enjoy my company. So maybe I’m not as inept as I’ve thought.
At any rate, this morning there was a little boy. When I passed him the first time just off the track I was circling, he smiled, very sweetly and amiably. He was just as cute as it’s possible to be. By the time I was set to pass him the second time, however, I could see he was no longer smiling. I have no idea what happened between the first and second rounds, but it was clear that something had.
His grandmother had him posing for pictures out in some long grass, and he wasn’t having it. He wouldn’t look at her. He was turned partially away from her. He certainly wasn’t about to smile for her.
“Look up,” she said. “Smile!” No go. He did neither.
I stopped. The boy looked up at that. “Would you like a picture of the two of you?” I asked her.
“Oh, yes. I would, thank you. That would be wonderful,” she replied, and handed her phone over. The youngster had come alive, was now looking my way. His grandmother joined him and both turned toward me.
“What’s your name?” I asked the little guy. “Daniel,” he said. Then he straightened up to his full (approximately three-foot) height. “My full name is Daniel Jefferson Jackson, though,” he informed me quite grandly. (This is not his real name, but it is something similarly strong and manly and impressive!)
“Wow!” I said. “Daniel Jefferson Jackson, smile up.” And he did. I took several pictures, it was determined by the two of them that they were adequate, and I said good-bye and left them.
But I haven’t been able to get the sweet boy out of my thoughts. I haven’t the faintest idea what his story is, what circumstances he’s dealing with or will deal with. But I do know that he’s a precious child of God and is loved supremely by his Creator. There are big plans for that boy, of that I’m certain, because there are big plans for all of us. And I feel impressed to pray for him. He can certainly use all the help he can get, I don’t doubt. We all do. This is a complicated, messy, difficult, and – yes, thrown in – joyous life we’re engaged in. But we need direction and encouragement and support whoever and wherever we are, through whatever is happening to us.
So Daniel Jefferson Jackson is now in my prayer rotation. I’ll be remembering him daily. And I’m eager to someday learn what my prayers meant to and for him. I may never see him again in this life. But prayer makes a difference. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
I claim this promise for young Daniel. My prayer is for blessings upon him; protection, direction, guidance, and salvation for him. I believe that he will receive these things. And I can hardly wait to see him again in the kingdom.
Who’s on your prayer list?