Growing Up

I pondered this morning in how difficult it is as a parent to let go of my children as they grow up.  I want them to become adults, but I miss when they were totally dependent on Anne and I for everything.  My wants gets mixed up with the needs of my children.  I know that Will and Abby need to grow-up and break away from their dependence on Anne and myself as their parents, but I still find myself wanting them to stay small with all their great needs.  At this point, I find myself realizing that for me to want this is to satisfy my own wants and not that of my children needs for growth.  I realize also, that parenting is more than teaching my

children to learn things; it is for them to succeed at doing these tasks successfully on their own.  That is at least the outcome I hope for.  But, for that to happen, I have to let go and let them succeed and/or fail with each challenge they face. 

This led me this morning in wondering about my relationship with God, “Is it much the same, do I want to stay a child, or does God want me to be less dependent on him? Is in fact my relationship with him like that of a dependent child who is constantly asking for things, that is, one who is totally dependent on God for everything?”

I remembered what Paul said in his letter to the Hebrews.

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”  Hebrews 5:12-14 

So, it appears that God does want me to be less dependent on him for everything.  But, what are the things that he would want me to depend on him for?  And, what are the things that he would like me to do on my own?  This in turn led me to think, “How do I teach my children to be independent?”  I give them a task and guide them with each undertaking until they can do it successfully on their own.  In thinking on this further, “Sometimes I have to stand back and let Will and Abby fail in order for them to realize that it is ok for them to recognize that they don’t have to do it perfect the first time, that comes with the following tries.  Parenting and Christian growth then appear to be much the same.  I am starting to see now how God looks at our lives as his children. 

Stressful Moments

It is difficult at times to see God's hand working in our lives during stressful moments. He asks us to walk by faith during these challenging times, and to not rely on our feelings of anxiousness, and sometimes, desperation. Like the water that heads towards the sea, we too have a destination and purpose to fulfill in God's plan for our lives.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).

What This Truck Means to Me.

When enjoying the auto show during Winona's Steamboat Days I came across this pickup. It looked just like my Dad's truck. Very fond memories came to mind. I remember once Dad forgot to change his oil in the truck for the whole summer. It went dry and he had to have it overhauled. A friend of his did the overhaul; Dad had too many other vehicles to look after. The dicotomy of the situation always perplexed me until now. Dad was so particular over the vehicles that he worked on, but failed to take care of his own. I remember one time when I was tearing down Dad and my uncle Bobby's race engine, he told me to clean each piece so that one could eat off it. Setting each nut and bolt on to the white paper, (in order) I could not leave an oil print by each part. Then later, to see what happened to his pickup perplexed me so. I loved and still love and respect my father then and now. He has been gone since 1984 and his many accomplishments still ring true to me at the present time. But, like this truck, I see that we too need to take care of our lives by nurturing them each day, and by so doing, we can nurture others.

A relationship with Jesus is also vitally important for our well being. He helps us to see ourselves, not with fault and failures, but through his eyes of love that he has for us. And with his insight that he gives us, we too can learn to see ourselves as he does. In return, we can take care of our hearts and love others in the same way. We then become the reflection of Christ to a hurting world.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

My son, Will standing proudly near the 1972 Chevy truck.
1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

The Pocket Watch

The summer was hot as the man thought of his acquaintance he had met while visiting back home.  His thoughts wandered as he worked the oats and wheat fields of Kansas.  The job was hard, but it paid well and he wanted to save up his hard earned money for a farm back in Minnesota.  He had plans to start farming, marry and raise a family.  

Working in the blistering heat drained him of his energy as the day passed by into evening.  Contrary to the heat of the day the coolness of the night breezes on the Kansas landscape brought relief to his dry parched body.  Each day his dream kept him going toward that goal of a wife, family and a farm that he could call his own. 

As the days turned into months he soon realized that the season’s crop of wheat would be ending shortly.  He was now in the fields of Canada taking in the last of the wheat harvest and soon he would be heading back to Minnesota and his dreams.  He wondered, “Would she remember me after all these months away?  We only met briefly, but I knew she was the only woman for me.”  With every mile of the train traveling south, he thought only of her.

Climbing the steps to the loft he could hear the band playing softly the music that brought so much joy to his heart.  “Will she be there?"  He waited so long for this moment, perhaps she had found someone else?  Looking around at all the people it became hard to see if Anna was at the dance.  Did he put too much into a future with her, and now only to find that she is another man’s wife?  Glancing in the shaded light he could see the back of beautiful woman with raven black hair. "Could it be her?  Was this the moment that would change my future, or were my dreams for nothing?"  She turned and the radiance of an angel in white was standing there smiling in his direction. 

He mustered all his courage that he could summon and began walking over to Anna with the intent of asking her for a dance, but another man stepped into view and he was crushed in his soul at that very moment.  "Have I indeed lost the lady, that I fell in love with when I first saw her years ago?"  The music played on and on and he was not able to approach this beautiful woman without another man stepping in line to grab her into his arms for the next dance.  When all hope seemed lost, he saw her standing alone.  Now was his chance, and then it happened, the band stopped playing and his heart almost stopped as well.  He thought that the dance had come to an end, but he was wrong, they were only taking a break.

In resignation he forlornly saw that some single people were gathering on the steps of the loft to catch the cool breeze rising into the hay mount.  At that moment, he too wished for the escape of the night air as well.  As he sat down he found himself staring at the steps going down to the darkness below.  “How much was I like these stairs, heading down to no where.  Only darkness waited for me now, a dream shattered by my own shyness and slowness of heart."  He thought, "Why didn’t I move faster across the floor to reach Anna?  My future might have been different."  

Dejectedly, he stared at the floor as if trying to divine some hidden mystery when all of sudden a lady’s laced boot stepped into view. Returning swiftly back to reality, he instinctively pulled away to allow her to pass.  The shoe though did not move. It just stood there in front of him.  He slowly looked up only to see the raven-haired beauty looking down at him. 

“August, may I sit here please?”   With his most courteous voice he attempted to speak, but nothing came out.  He could only helplessly gesture with the wave of his hand.  He found that he had not the command of even his own voice, for it was gone.  He could not speak even a whisper to her.  It was then that this elegant lady looked deep into his eyes and he found himself lost in her beauty.  She smiled and his heart stood still, and yet he could only wait with breathless anticipation for what might happen next. 

“What is that ticking sound that I hear?” she asked.  At that moment, each man reached anxiously into his pocket desperately looking for their watches, but to their collective despair, they found none.  “It is my watch,” said August.  It was then that he handed her his pocket watch, and he found that it was not the only thing that he gave her that night, he realized that his heart was hers as well.

                                    August, Verna, & Anna Thurmer

Light for Our Souls

The sun I am told has wonderful properties for clothing hanging out in the open sunlit air. They smell so fresh after a day on the clothes- line. Either when putting on your clothing or sleeping on sheets that were caressed by the wind and touched by the sun, you feel renewed. Funny how God's light does the same for our souls.

Our Focus in Times of Trouble

Psalms 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from?

Winona sunrise.  God helps us to see his hand in our lives when we are hurting and afraid.  He will never leave us, no not ever!

Compassionate Heart of a Child

Yesterday when driving home we stopped by the grocery store to get some needed things for supper. When heading home on a side street we spotted a man who had a sign that said that he was hungry and in need of help. I said, thinking out loud, "I don't have any cash on me!" Abby spoke up, "Daddy, we have the care package that I made up in the back." I pulled over and Abby got out and gave it to him. He said with a grateful, but sad look on his face, "Thank you and God bless you!" Abby said as she got into the car, "I hope that we put a Bible in the Care Package!" Abby made two care packages up about a year ago and put the items in a ziplock bag and stored them in the back of the car. She had kleenex, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, hair soap, chemical hand warmers and money from her allowance that she put in the bag. I was, needless to say, very humbled by Abby's act of kindness.