remarkable

Many people have had remarkable experiences during their lifetimes. My grandparents were of that generation that endured many winter storms and depressing times and yet they survived and lived to tell about those events. Others have yet to encounter situations or circumstances because they are either too young or inexperienced with life. Regardless, life does take us on a rollercoaster journey of pain, joy, fulfillment, disappointment, regret and positive choices. The thing is, we can attribute our life events and choices to either coincidence or providence that got or will get us to where we need to be.

Coincidence is that remarkable concurrence of circumstances. We just happen to have that five dollar bill in our pocket when we were short a few dollars on a purchase as we stood at the till at the coffee shop. Coincidence is when my brother was on holidays in Australia and ran into our aunt and uncle at the hotel he was staying at. We see examples of coincidence in so many movies where the plot is manipulated. The boy meets girl scenario or the train robbery timing. What a coincidence we say!

On the other hand, there is providence, the foreseen care and direction of God or as some prefer, fate or the gods to control people’s lives. But Divine Providence is taking the good, the bad and the ugly and making the person or situation blessed, orchestrated by the Divine. There are countless examples in life and certainly in the bible that demonstrate this concept. Take Joseph for example. His brothers were jealous, his father showed favoritism, the slave traders made money off of him, his employer’s wife tried to seduce him, the king’s cup-bearer forgot him and he endured years in a prison. And yet, he and his family were blessed, reconnected and saved because of Joseph’s eventual position. That’s Divine intervention or providence!

Divine Providence - our God - takes everything and works all things together by plan, not coincidence for those who believe and trust in Him. It’s not a coincidence that He is in control of the universe and our lives. Can you think of instances in your life where there was only one clear reason that things happened as they did? I can because I believe in miracles. It’s God’s hand.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

kinda’

You could say I’m kinda’ one of a kind woman with a kindness about me.

I have a picture framed in my home with the words “Kindness Changes Everything” and I truly believe it does. When we are gracious, kindhearted, showing goodness and are sympathetic toward others, we are demonstrating to the world that we care. This interpersonal skill - showing care and sympathy or empathy for others - is instinctual according to researchers (Di Salvo - Scientific America, 2017) They discovered that research shows kindness is the most important predictor of stability in a relationship.

Even though KIND snacks, a food company from New York City (2004) is a popular choice of food, KINDness is a choice we make when we want to show a specific kind of behavior. Even though kind also means a group of people with similar characteristics, wouldn’t it be amazing if we all showed kindness through our actions everytime we encountered another human?

My girlfriend sent me a little story today told by Katharine Hepburn that clearly demonstrates what kindness can do. Apparently, when she was a teenager, her and her father were standing in line for circus tickets. There was a family ahead of them that impressed her. There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12 and even though their clothing was neat and clean, she could tell they didn’t have much money. The children were well behaved, excitedly talking about the clowns, animals, and acts they would be seeing. It would be the highlight of their lives. The husband and wife were smiling at each other, obviously happy and in love.

When the ticket lady asked how many tickets, the father proudly stated, “eight children and two adults.” Then she stated the price. The man’s lip quivered and he asked her, “how much did you say?” She repeated the price. It was obvious the man didn’t have enough money, but how was he supposed to turn and tell his children that they couldn’t go to the circus. Katharine’s dad saw what was going on. He reached into his pocket, pulled a $20 bill out and dropped in on the ground. They were not wealthy by any means either, but her dad picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me, sir, but this fell out of your pocket.”

The husband understood. He looked right at Katharine’s dad, took his hand, squeezed the $20 and said, “Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to my family.” Katharine and her dad went back to their car and drove home as there was no money for them to attend the circus. She recalls that even though they didn’t get to the circus that night, what her and her father felt was a joy inside from a kindness displayed that the circus could never produce. The value of giving, caring and kindness blesses others.

There are different ways to practice kindness. It creates a sense of community; a willingness to share. Even being kind to one’s self is important. It is an attribute mentioned several times in the bible from Jesus’ miracles to God’s blessings and kindness to us here on earth. We are to practice it daily.

After all, isn’t that what the golden rule is all about?

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

women

Yesterday was International Women’s Day. It was a day I had the privilege to listen to two inspirational women on a Zoom session and it was the day my dearly loved aunt passed away. But in fact, everyday should be celebrated.

We are creatures of sensitivity, creativity and flexibility. We are emotional and passionate and our fierce love consumes us when we fight for justice. We are the gentle rain and the thunderstorm because we speak as such. We are the sunrise and the sunset because of the beauty we display. We are the ocean wave that continually slaps along the shore being there consistently for someone somewhere or the fresh mountain air in lungs that give birth to new creations. We are patient. We are strong. We build families and support each other. We were made of love, for love, to love ourselves, each other and a world that desperately needs it.

Memories of my mother remind me of the endless days when she was tired, but she would still have so many tasks to complete while we were sleeping in our beds. She always gave of herself for others to have a better tomorrow. And when she laid her head on her pillow, the thousand prayers uttered from her lips and the worries and cares were sent heavenward as she finally rested. Many women, the world wide, giving of themselves for the betterment of others. From generations ago who sacrificed and endured so we could have better lives, and I am thankful and grateful, as I too have known denial of myself to give to others. It is the woman’s heart beating in her breast.

We have given Mother Nature the attribute of a woman and countless cultures revere the femininity. Tears can flow from her and laughter from her lips. Woman is practical and spiritual. The bible shares many stories of women of faith. Rahab welcomed spies to save others, Ruth ventured to a new land and Mary trusted God to carrying the Savior of the world in her womb. We carry the Holy Spirit within us. Let’s share that with the world and as the great Psalmist, David writes in the Psalms:

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

. Psalm 46: 4-7

march

The March of Time marches on. This progress of time, this flow or course of chronology, is when things happen beyond our control to stop them. Take aging for example. Some people are distraught because when they look in the mirror, they see a reflection with wrinkles and age marks and long to return to their youth. Others look with optimism at the future, looking forward to aging and seeing events unfold before their eyes that will eventually weaken. Even Shakespeare writes of the seven ages of man in his play, As You Like It, ending with the famous line: Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. The march of time waits for no man. Time has been written about, spoken about and thought about.

During the time period from 1935 to 1951, the company that owned TIME magazine, produced a series of news films that were shown in cinemas in the United States called March of Time. They were the main sources of news on film before television became popular. There was also a series on American radio with the same name. Our news world has changed drastically. We are inundated with much media. Over time, history has revealed itself.

Thinking back over the course of events a year ago, it’s hard to believe how much things have changed as time marched on, regardless of the fact that it seemed that the world came to an abrupt halt. We now feel we are living in madness. And speaking of March Madness…..

March Madness is the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) men’s basketball tournament held in the United States each spring. It generates more than $800 million each year and the term “madness” came from the excitement the tournament generates.

We are unable to control the steady, unstoppable advancing of time and all the events that come with it. No one was prepared for 2020; however, the church of Sardis is warned ahead of time by John who wrote from the island of Patmos around 96 CE in Asia Minor.

4 “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!

5 “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.

6 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

Revelation 3: 4-6 The Message

Are you listening?

paradox

As I was browsing through various books in a shop one day, I came across many oxymoronic book titles. This little figure of speech - oxymoron - is also known as paradox. Many titles, reminded me of parts of our lives that speak self-contradicting words, with us living in opposition to self and others.

Take “The Kindest Lie” for example, or “Beautiful Lie” by Ifran Master. It brings to mind, having to hide the truth from someone by not saying anything or telling a “white lie” because it will hurt them too much. Or what about “Open Secret” - isn’t that just gossip or talking behind someone’s back? I have had a thousand “Silent Screams” when I have to hold my tongue or am ready to explode with anger. I kept things inside and have also had to stand in the “Lonely Crowd” even being with hundreds of people but not knowing a soul. Of course, there’s the “Perfect Storm” or “Book of Heroic Failures”. I’ve had a few of both in my lifetime and those are just a few book titles.

Then there are the phrases and sentences that people will sometimes voice, such as “I think you clearly misunderstood me!” or Why don’t we “get some diet-ice-cream?” or “Why don’t you just act normal?” and a favorite, “I’m on a working vacation.” I do know that the “best cure for insomnia is getting lots of sleep” or as Samuel Goldwyn probably told his children if he had any, “if you fall and break your legs, don’t come running to me!” Even Winston Churchill believed, “a joke is a very serious thing!” and he “lived his life to the end.” Really?

“People have one thing in common. They are all different.” And I know that “the world is full of apathy, but I don’t care.” You see, “common sense is not so common”. Even though there are countless contradictory sayings, some people live their lives as that by saying one thing and meaning another. In the bible, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. “Do good to them that hate you and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you,” Mark 6: 27-28

In these days of thought bombardment, restrictions and restraints on freedoms, thought manipulation and indecision, we must “believe in free will. We have no choice” as Isaac B. Singer says. We continually struggle with what is truth, what is right, what is good. Paul experiences this throughout his ministry. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate...For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing" (Romans 7:15, 18b-19).

When the battle gets tough and we are caught in the crossroads and contradictions, let us remember that our only deliverance is through Jesus.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

— 1 John 5:4-5, ESV

logophile

It is an arcane fact that I am a logophile. I do not aberrate or show any depravity in my life. You might be flabbergasted to know that I also do not display hubris, nor do I relinquish any rueful feelings. I show redamancy to the ones I love and hopefully my collection of followers will burgeon beyond my wildest dreams on social media. Okay, what did I just say? Interpretation is as follows:

It is a known fact to few that I am a person who loves words. I do not deviate from moral standard or show any corrupt act or practice in my life. You might be showing intense shock to know that I also do not display exaggerated pride or self-confidence, nor do I withdraw or retreat from any sorrowful, regret or remorseful feelings. I show a love returned in full to those who love me and the ones I love and hopefully my collection of followers will grow and expand rapidly beyond my wildest dreams on social media. There you have it.

I am always intrigued by the fact that each profession has its plethora of words. There I go again. Excessive amount of words; not to mention that certain vocabularies are necessary to comprehend and are precise to that occupation. For example, if you broach the subject with a boss; a mechanic simply means to finish the inside of a hole to a shape other than round, as in a keyway to the cylindrical projection, as on a casting or a forging. Another example might an ACE, an enzyme that increases blood pressure for a surgeon, but is also a great pilot for the airlines or a fighter ACE who is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. That would increase my blood pressure too! And so, words are there to play with, to learn, to test and try and certainly to get to know, like a whole new world awaiting you.

Jesus always had a way with words. When the Sadducees and Pharisees would ask him a question, he would reply with a question. When his disciples didn’t understand a concept, he told them a parable. In the church, we have words that are difficult to understand as well - Redemption, Salvation, Resurrection - but there is only one true Word - and that is Jesus.

John 1: 1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.