To Dad with Love

Father’s Day is just around the corner. Some of us will spend the day honoring the man who poured his life into ours, while others will have to be content with their memories. Those of us who grew up during the late 50’s and 60’s will remember the fathers from family sitcoms, “Leave it to Beaver”, “Father Knows Best” and “Ozzie and Harriet” to name a few. Then there was Pa Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie who was firm but very loving to his children. Each of them were wise and had sound advice for their children. However, that was TV and not real life.

Some fathers have been negligent, abusive, cold and aloof or totally absent from their children’s lives. Sometimes dads have had to make hard decisions about the care of their children due to circumstances beyond their control. Perhaps they had poor models in parenting themselves and struggle in raising their families. Whatever the case, it is not easy raising children.

One of my favorite movies is “Field of Dreams.” One of the plots involves the main character played by Kevin Costner coming to terms with his father. He remembers his father as being too busy to have ‘a catch’ with him. When his father arrives in the ‘field’, he sees his father as a young man before all the cares and responsibilities of adulthood had taken its toll on him. In the end, he is able to have ‘a catch’ with him.

 I always cry because I would love to go back to see my dad before he became my father. I might understand him better if I could truly understand what he went through as a boy growing up during the depression. The moving around to different pieces of property due to increases in rent, or relocating because of the scarcity of jobs. His parents were in their thirties when they married and his only sibling was born with Down’s Syndrome and had other health problems. He began finding odd jobs to help the family income when he was 7 years old. How did all of these things affect his view of the world? He gave his own plans to stay close to his elderly parents and brother, so that when the time came he’d be able to take over his brother’s care.

We knew he loved us. But it was hard to show that love except by making sure we were cared for in material things. He never wanted us to need basic things like he’d had to go without in his childhood. His job was to provide, not have fun with us.

We all have a Father in Heaven. He, too, loves us. He wants the very best for us. He gave His only Son to die for us. He desires to have a deep relationship with us. He wants to have ‘a catch’ with us. Will you join Him in ‘a catch’ today? 

June 6, 2013

Today is like any other day for most of us. But today marks the day in 1944 which began the beginning of the end of Nazi oppression and terror reign on most of Europe; D-Day. It didn’t come easy. This day had been in the planning stages for a very long time. Three countries took it upon themselves to begin the arduous task of liberating millions of people from the maniacal Hitler-led forces. Russia had been asking for over two years for help. If the Nazi regime had another area to defend, Russia could work from the east to help in the cause. The United States, Canada and England answered that call and began the task of creating a coalition of military minds to work in concert together. They would invade the beaches of France, causing the Nazi war machine to divide its attention between two fronts.

Many lives were lost; sacrificed to liberate France and then the rest of Europe. But it wasn’t just brilliant military minds, the cooperation of several countries, or the actual physical push of thousands of brave men who stormed the beaches that day. There was also the power of prayer at work; both among the military and the people at home.

“…Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely… I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!...Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” ~Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Let us never forget.

Blessings,

Anna

Choices

We make them every day. Some are conscious and others aren’t. Even if we don’t make a choice, we have inadvertently made a choice. We didn’t have a choice about being conceived or being born, or who our parents and family turned out to be. But we do have choices on how we respond to them, especially as we get older and have some control over our behavior and thought processes.

We can choose to hate people who have hurt us or choose to forgive. We might be in a difficult relationship but ultimately we can choose to risk leaving and freeing ourselves from that situation or remain in it.

We can choose to apply for jobs, or change when we aren’t completely comfortable with them. Situations change, people change and priorities change. Nothing remains the same. The interaction with people affect our choices. Health and job stability may play a factor, but whatever the case, choices are made.

Change is scary for some. Others call it adventure and follow wherever the heart and mind desire.

Most of us like our lives to remain constant and predictable. However the world is in flux all the time and whether we like it or not, choices must be made in order to keep going.

Jesus made a choice. He chose to descend from heaven and live among us. He chose to sacrifice His life for each of us. He chose and because of his choice; it has made all the difference,

What kind of choices are you making today? 

Blessings,

Anna

Remember Those Who Came Before

This weekend many of us will spend time placing flowers on our loved ones graves. Civic groups like Boy Scouts will place flags on the graves of those who served and died for  their country. Hopefully we will take time to remember these men and women who gave their lives protecting us.

As a child, I had no idea of the true reason for placing flowers on our loved ones’ graves. We drove from Washougal, to Riverview in Portland. Most of our family members were right here in Vancouver. It took the better part of the day to drive, take flowers that had been cut from our flower beds and make bouquets for the individual. Mom and Dad usually took some tools to clean around the graves. We did this as a family and it became a tradition.

When I grew up, I came to realize that the original reason for placing flowers came from the Civil War. Families laid flowers on their fallen members who had died serving in the Civil War. It was called Decoration Day because they ‘decorated’ the graves with flowers. As time marched on, the name was changed and came to reflect all people in one’s family who had died, not just those who had died serving their country, but all individuals.

It is a day for remembering. It’s also become a day to celebrate life. Many have family gatherings; picnics or barbecues and other family oriented activities. They are times of making memories with those we love.

However, let’s not forget the One who created families. Spend some time reflecting on the Creator of the universe and all He has done for each of us. He gave His only Son to die for our sins so we might be reconciled and have a relationship with Him.

Blessings,

Anna

True Love

May 16, 2013

“The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband.”   Zephaniah 3:17

 

I heard a speaker share about his relationship between his fiancée and the difference that came when they married. You see, he was a poor college senior and she had graduated and was teaching. He had nothing, she had an income. However when they married, he received all she had and she received all he had into the relationship.

Now this may seem lopsided. She had much to offer the marriage whereas he had nothing. The speaker then likened this relationship to the one we have with Christ. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we bring nothing to the relationship, but Christ gives all that He possesses to us! We are the Bride of Christ!

Think about that. What does that mean? Do we really grasp what that means? Of course not. We can’t fathom all that God desires to give us through our relationship with Christ. However when we are in an authentic relationship with Him, we will learn some of what that means.

Most of us at some point in our journey through this life begin to view our relationship with Jesus as just a good friend and not the intimacy of our first love.  Any of you who have been married for a while know what I’m talking about. Early in our relationship with our to-be spouse, we wanted to be together all the time. We wanted to share every detail of our life with the other. We couldn’t wait to see each other and hated being apart. When we married, it was the same way for a period of time.

Then, some of us begin to assume and take for granted the time we have together. We can be apart for longer periods of time and it doesn’t bother us. Sometimes our communication skills break down. Boredom filters our view of the relationship. Other relationships become more important. The original relationship is broken, sometimes beyond repair. However, with prayer and a willingness to open up and share, healing can take place. A marriage relationship can heal and become stronger.

The same is true when we realize how much God truly loves us. We can return to that relationship with Him. God desires that more than anything. The Groom desires His Bride always. Have you drifted away? Come back. He is calling your name. Have you never had a relationship with the God of the Universe? You can. Talk to Him, tell Him what is on your heart. Accept Him and become a part of His Bride, the church.

Blessings,

Anna

Motherhood

Happy Mother's Day

To commemorate Mother’s Day I am passing on a few wise words from some 2^nd graders who were asked a few questions about their moms. I am sharing a few of them.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1.     She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.

2.     I’d make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it, not me

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3.     I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

  I laughed so hard especially after the third one.

I am the mother of 3 grown children and have 4, +1 on the way, grandchildren. I have had my share of blessed moments as well as many sorrowful times. Discipline is always hard. Was I too rough? Was I too soft? Should I have listened more and spoke less? I know we aren’t perfect in our parenting and we certainly can’t go back and redo the mistakes we made but hopefully our children will come to realize as they parent their children how difficult it can be.

Today, my daughter-in-love came to see me in the office. She was coming to help me with a technology problem but also bringing a gift for the youngest grandchild who we will see this weekend. However, the gift that she and our son had gotten for me was at home. My son was apparently in a dither about his wife not going home to get the gift for me! Now we will only be gone for the weekend and one day sooner or later shouldn’t make much of a difference, but my son was somewhat upset that I wouldn’t receive it until later. The gift for his niece was not as high a priority as far as he was concerned. I know my son loves me. He doesn’t say much but I just know it in my heart. He isn’t overly demonstrative, (and that’s okay) but this show of emotion touched me deeply. And that, to me, is more wonderful than any tangible gift a mother could receive.

Each of my biological children, their spouses and the children brought forth from those unions are the best blessing a person can have. I’m sure every mother reading this blog would agree concerning their love ones. It’s also my belief that every woman, whether she has given birth or not,  is a ‘mother’ to someone and you, too, are blessed.

God bless you on ‘your day’ and every day.

Blessings, Anna

The world seen from the view of a Dandelion

Dandelions are everywhere!  Children love them. Adults see them as the bane of their existence. Children see them as a pretty flower they are allowed to pick. Adults spray them, hoping to be rid of the menace in their otherwise perfect lawn.

We do not have a ‘perfect lawn’, in fact, our lawn is so imperfect that the only thing green in it are the weeds. It doesn’t matter what we put on the dandelions. They come back.  

Even though it’s considered a weed, many have found uses for it. Different parts of it are used for herbal remedies. Since I’ve never used any of these, I cannot ascribe to any of them, but there is a vast amount of documentation for its use. Some use the leaves as greens in their salads, just like the common weed, nettles. But again, I’ve never tried either.

What I did find out about dandelions is that the flowers are actually made up of many flowers. That is to say, each petal is an individual flower. And of course when the flowers begin to wither, they produce the wispy white stalks that we all love to blow, sending a multitude of seeds into the atmosphere, to drop and begin propagating another plant.

God made a perfect world. He created everything in this perfect world to work in harmony. Mankind, given free will, chose to break the harmonious rhythm. Even though we are imperfect, God can use each of us. We, like the dandelions, bloom and when the time is right, we send out our seeds (Good News) to fall where they may.

So the next time, you’re trying to kill that pesky weed in your yard, contemplate the fact that we are all imperfect in this world. God can use imperfect humans to spread the Good News around the world.

Blessings, Anna