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Where would I be if I had not experienced all that life has served me? There have been dreadful things, some with long-lasting effects; with pain and suffering that stifled my movements for lengths of time, that I told myself I did not select.

There have been good times that brought joy beyond measure. These were times that I still treasure; times that I count as blessings. Times that have made the journey worth every step along the way.

But where would I be without it all? Whether I, at times stood tall, or suffered badly with the greatest of falls. I am who I am because of it all.

Was that the plan?

Old and Blessed            

No matter how good life seems to be,

something will go wrong at times.

The rhythm will go flat,

 and there will be an absence of harmony.

But this is just the way it is.

Can’t you see?

He said, during hardships lean on me.

Old and Blessed

I recall a time when we romped with endless abandon, playing indoors and out without care, enjoying life as kids everywhere. We would enjoy cartoons on TV, as much as going outside to ascend a tree. Our joy was unconditional, not dependent on any outside occurrence to make it eventful. As time passed by, we assumed the responsibilities of adulthood marriage, mortgages, service to others. We viewed all who were needy as our sisters and brothers.

And now, as we age with God’s grace, we find ourselves experiencing changes in our bodies and the need for a slower pace. We no longer romp about, but we cherish each moment as we know our lives are closer to running out.

We’re blessed to still be here, no longer romping, but holding memories of those days near and dear.

Old and Blessed

There are things I need to do. Iife always presents things one must do. You are gone. Many of those things I did for you. It was my responsibility to do things for you.

Without you here, do I need to do those things? There are things I need to do without you.

Without you, there are still things I need to do… 

Old and Blessed

I wrote the blog (below) about my mother in 2018 three days after she passed. In honor of her and the upcoming Mother’s Day, I’m reposting it. By the way, this blog is still performing well after almost eight years on WordPress. It has the highest numbers of anything I’ve written; everybody loves mom.

How did you do it?

What comes below is special, composed by my cyber friend, atimtoshare.com. After reading this, I couldn’t help but reblog it. With Mother’s Day coming up in a couple of days, my thoughts went to my late mom and all the moms I’ve witnessed doing hero stuff every day, including my two daughters who are now at bat doing the best they can at being moms. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom heroes of the world. God bless you!

SUPER HERO MOM . . .

Winter makes its way back north. Most of the time it hasn’t made that much of a footprint. As it leaves for Canada and other locales it comfortably rents, spring meanders into space it’s to occupy for the next few months well past lent.

Spring just can’t come in quietly. It often tries to tango with winter. Winter is more than willing to dance as spring enters. The two of them cut a jig, enjoying themselves and kicking up heavy rains, high winds and tornadoes, creating a menace to all who lie in their way. They sometimes leave homes, neighborhoods, and entire towns strewn across the landscape like fresh cuts of disturbed hay.

Spring in Arkansas one minute shining, chirping, and blooming like a rose, the next reigning down on us all like water pressurized through a car wash hose.

Old and Blessed

I’ve been told that you are what I make you to be. That is true to a certain degree; however, from what I can see, you always have the final say. Your direction seems set for any given day. I must be prepared to adjust for your twists and turns. Maybe that is how I get from you what I yearn.

Old and Blessed

The journey will be short, from first notice to needing the most potent of solace. From having hope abundant to reeling from the shock of eminent fate. I sit, watch and pray.

With God’s help and medical science, I was sure the outcome would soothe my soul and conscience. However, this journey went from celebration of an early victory to submission under an enemy who knows not any measure of contrition. I sit, watch and pray.

My faith has been tested. Its graphing looks jagged, with sharp peaks and valleys. Praying is hard, but it provides comfort in the shadows that mimic a reality God has promised me I will experience, but not without Him at my side. I sit, watch and pray.

And though my loved one is suffering, I draw strength from her as her immovable faith provides buffering. She shows, even in the face of uncertain dark steps yet to take, how God’s promises of presence is there for our sake.

Through it all, I sit, watch and pray.

Old and Blessed

Did He proselytize? Yes. He did, but His method was invitational, not aggressive, not in your face, not contrary to His display of grace. Did He promote a nation? No. He promoted a society to come, a kingdom for all to be like no other before, and only He was the open door. Did He force Himself on anyone? No. He respected personal will, explaining fully what would happen when prophesy was fulfilled. Did He hold back any service when He saw a need. No. Transaction was never the center of the way He extended Himself to perform a good deed. Did He flaunt His riches? No. Though He owned it all, He willingly lived a life of poverty on His journey to sacrificial fall. What was His purpose? He was motivated by love to serve, to show what God is like; to teach the way of the kingdom; to heal, restore and confront evil; to fulfill prophecy; to form a community of followers; and to model a perfect human life for all of us.

Are we misrepresenting Him? More importantly, are you…?

Old and Blessed