Monday: Busy as a Bee

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

Colossians 3:23-24

This phrase, Busy as a Bee, dates back to at least the 1300’s; such a long time ago. It can be found in The Canterbury tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: “In omen been! For ay as bisy as bees.” Bees are industrious and hard-working creatures making them good examples of work ethic.

It’s Labor Day again! It’s been a national holiday since 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed the law to recognize the value of the workforce in America. I can’t help wondering how much our nation’s attitudes have changed towards work since 1894. Are we still busy as bees?

The Bible talks about the importance of keeping our hands busy, of providing for our families and tells us we will eat of the fruits of our labors. Work gives us a feeling of accomplishment and, at times, great joy. Yet, sometimes there is poor management. Or co-workers can be difficult; leaving us frustrated. If we could remember our work is for the Lord then there is hope of dealing with these problems on the job. Remember, you are giving a testimony of what God is doing in your life, even at work.

As for Labor Day, take a few moments to rest and thank God!

Free Ebook Copy of “I Am the Light” Sale starts September 10th-13th

“Jemi’s Noble Quest” is the first book in the “I Am the Light” series. The story will take you back to the beginning of time.

Journey along the Great Sea before the time of Jesus. Meet a young women, Jemi, who will find adventure in her busy, fishing village. It’s there she will journey far past sandy shores to a time when life first began. On her journey, Jemi will find great courage, unusual companionship, and will receive her calling.

Weeping

A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.

Jeremiah 31:15

Weeping, weeping Rachael is weeping…

The wind whistled a mournful cry
as babes were ripped from mother’s arms.
Down depressing, dark alleyways they hid;
almost suffocating weeping children.
Babes who had just learned to walk,
innocent boys with dark brown eyes.

The fig and palm trees were silent
that chilled night as the ground rumbled.
Down small simple villages dimly lit and
quickly behind filthy corners they came.
Ruthless, raging, rough men ten times
in size; no sense of pity for the pitiless.

The heavens grew angry at what took place on dirty bug infested floors where
blood flowed down mother’s broken
fingers; across bosoms rising and falling.
How empty were numb hands and deaden homes; grief stained hearts forever broken.

In modern times, thousands of years later,
unborn children wait in sacred wombs trembling for their very first breath taken away. Parts of what could have been now just discarded as unwanted trash and waste; justified? Little has altered, through sands of time.

Weeping, weeping Rachel is weeping.

Monday: Crossing Bridges

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 5:1

Having researched the idiom, or proverb, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there” or “Don’t cross that bridge till you come to it”, I found the phrase has been used since the 1800’s.

Most research agreeds the phrase means “not to deal with something before it happens”. I found an interesting note that crossing a bridge, in times of old, was consider risky business. I laughed! Personally, I hate crossing bridges especially if they are tall and go over a body of water.

This idiom appeared in writing by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1851 in a piece he wrote titled, “The Golden Legend”. Eventually, it was made into a cantata showing the struggle between God, Satan and man. The poem is lengthy and I had the sense of not wanting to cross its bridge.

Yet, every day we are in need of crossing some sort of bridge: a challenge on the job, tedious training of a child, caring for a loved one, perfecting a talent, ministering to a friend or just the battle with sin. Many things in our lives are battles to be crossed over just as if they were bridges.

Prayerfully, consider how to cross your bridges this week.

Past Refections: My Cat

Photo by Emma, age 5, 10 years ago

Cat died today, faithful felon of old: my foot warmer, security blanket, and endless friend. I’m unprepared for grief. Let the cat in, let the cat out is no longer a routine in my life. As day breaks with morning’s new sunrise, I will ponder how to fill the empty corners.

“O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory.” I Corinthians 15:55

With cat’s passing I consider death and loss: the unborn, the war orphan and the unexpected loss. I’m told we shall not all sleep, instead be changed. This soul will be given a new body. I will weigh the balances of life and death.

As days and weeks melt this grief, I choose to move forward. Embrace someone who suffers more than I. Grasp the hope of each new day. Yet, in the crook of some days I’ll page through the memories of cat and I… cat died today.

Duck Grief

Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5b

Duck quack, quack
duck quack, quack;
wiggle, waddle,
wiggle, waddle,
duck quack, quack!

It was a sober moment.
Six children gathered
as their grandfather 
fought the battle of
his life and would soon
lose it to his cancer.

It was late afternoon,
sun warmed chilled air,
I can’t remember the
season, only children
who soon would know
the pains of ugly grief.

It was then my young son
adapted the tune above;
wiggling and waddling as
he sang; soon all the kids
followed lined up in a row.
Joy came in midst of grief.

Monday’s: Ducks

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God

I Corinthians 10:31

Idiom:  have / get one’s ducks in a row
• get well prepared or organized for something that’s going to happen

During yesterday’s early, foggy walk I saw a string of turkeys waltzing down the road. This growing family continued cruising down the middle like a car would, until I drew neater to them. Finally they headed to the corn field where breakfast awaited them. The event had me considering certain phrases we use in our conversation with others. I thought of “get your ducks in a row” and wondered of it’s origin.

The most popular idea, from the phrase “get your ducks in a row”, was that it came from the world of bowling. I had to laugh. I would have thought it was from hunting fowl. Early bowling pins were often shorter and thicker than modern pins. They were named duck pins and would be manually set in place between bowling rounds. The bowling pins needed to be organized in their proper place before the next bowler. Therefore, organize the pins for the next person.

What are your plans for the week? Are your ducks, or should I say turkeys, all in a row? Does part of that planning include things God wants you to do? Whatever we do should be for His glory.

Monday: Tomorrow

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He will math your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Recently, I was reminded that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. We can plan, pray and put into action the details of the days to come, but it is only God who directs our paths.

As summer comes to an end, my husband and I have just a few more free days with the grandkids. Last Friday, was one of them. What to do? What haven’t we done? Why not a Pike Lake picnic?

Pack the beach tent, chairs, towels, food, food, food, sand toys with building materials the night before. It’s gonna be great! Surf and sand; along with someone fishing (Barry). Friday morning comes and it’s not even 60 degrees out. OUCH!

Well, we made the best of the morning, but needed to add jackets to the mix. We can loosely planned the future. However, God is the only One who knows the details.

This week is my church’s VBS. Somewhere between 60-100 children will travel through our little church. We have a great curriculum, a wonderful staff and decorations dangle from everywhere. Prayer has been bathed over the event. All is ready, but only God knows the fruit it will bring.

Seek God’s direction in all things!

The Wind

You said the wind was lush,
even refreshing like the sea;
a fine companion any day.

I said it was a trembling torrent
waiting to bounce it’s victim;
like a rough, raging ocean.

Yet, we sat and enjoyed each
other’s company that summer;
as eddies encircles our water craft.

Months have slipped by, maybe
years, which hold that treasured day.
I long to be at your side, in the wind.

Now, I stand alone as wind whips
my weary body and think of you!
I welcome the memory wind brings.

For Alexis, my wind lover.