Where Could I Go?

I live in Tornado Alley, the area in the central U.S. known for spawning the violent winds that sometimes tear up whole towns. Kansas is close to the top for frequency and severity of the storms. Of course, you knew that. You remember Dorothy and Toto getting blown to the Land of Oz, don't you?

Although I don't have a specially constructed shelter, I do have my basement outfitted with the items that would keep me safe and marginally comfortable if a twister lifted off my roof. I have spent a number of hours there on occasion, waiting for the all-clear signal so I can return upstairs. It's good to have a place to go. I passed by any number of houses that would have made a good home because they had no basement to provide personal refuge (it is to be hoped) from disaster.

There are other storms in life also, even violent ones. They are able to twist one's heart and mind with incredible pain. They can destroy what has taken years and years to build in just a fraction of that time, leaving grief and loss. They scatter plans and drench hopes. Yes, "into each life, some rain must fall." (Longfellow) But no one ever expects a tornado. "Where could I go? Oh, where could I go, seeking a refuge for my soul?" (an old song by James Coats.) You need a place to go.

I like book titles that send my mind off into wanderings and wonderings. I noticed one the other day: Home for Broken Hearts. That's it, I thought. That describes the refuge that God provides for weary, hurting people in life's tornadoes. "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. The LORD says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.' " (Psalm 91:1-4, 14-16)

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

"He Maketh Me to Lie Down"

In recent weeks, I have tried conscientiously to spend a little while resting after my work in the morning and early afternoon. Sometimes, I am restless; there is always just so much to do! The other day, I was fussing inwardly at the restriction with which I felt compelled to comply. As I was forming my complaint, I remembered the words in the familiar 23rd Psalm. It says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures."

Was that God speaking to me? I'm not sure, but it certainly was an appropriate reminder! I've never heard anyone expound on that part of the verse. Always the emphasis is on the plentiful supply provided by the Good Shepherd, drawn from the picture of abundant grass for grazing. Only one of the classic commentaries available to me mentioned "making me lie down." Charles H. Spurgeon, the "prince of preachers" and a prolific author, wrote in his commentary on this psalm about the "distracted souls" who know what it is to feed on God's grace, but never find the rest and satisfaction of appropriating it as their own—lying down in it.

God wants to lead us in paths of righteousness and perhaps through the shadowed valley too, but what if He plans for us to lie down sometimes? He wants us to be spiritually fed and satisfied, of course, but could He be guarding our health and safety and well-being by encouraging our literal lying down as well? Isn't some of our busyness a nicer-sounding word for anxiety?

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Things Mama Taught Me: Air Out Your Soul

My mother believed in soul-care long before people were talking very much about the concept. She regularly engaged in activities which she declared "aired out her soul." When we lived in the country, she rode one of the horses. She sang loudly while she washed milk cans in the dairy barn. She played hymns on the old upright piano. These things pushed aside whatever difficulties were pressing in that day and brought fresh courage. They kept her soul from becoming stale. They aired it out!

I don't often think about them airing my soul, but I too seek restorative activities:

* Being where there are lots of trees and an expanse of green grass is refreshing for me; if there's a stream or lake, so much the better.

* Looking up into a star-filled sky at night, if I can get away from the city lights, is quieting.

* Taking prayerful and meditative walks restores my soul. I don't have Nickie any longer, the terrier of undetermined heritage, but the long walks on which she took me were good for both of us! I hope some day to repeat that particular exercise.

* Getting my hands into the dirt to make something grow causes my inner growth too.

* Playing the piano is very relaxing, as long as I never do it for anyone but myself! So is singing in the shower and while fixing breakfast. ("Sing like no one's listening!")

Discover for yourself what airs out your own soul. Do it often.

MaryMartha

An Anniversary of Sorts and a Staycation

In a few days, on the 19th of July, this blog will have been online for a year. What an experience it has been! Especially when I first began, my brain had to handle whole new concepts, like templates and widgets and domains and HTML. I bought Blogging for Dummies, and true to its name, it got me into the action!

I "became a writer" when, in perhaps the fourth grade or so, I learned that the books I loved so much were written by real people. I began to write little poems which I gave to my teacher, who was warmly encouraging. The "fire" never went out, as through the years I continued to try, but mostly in vain, to become a free-lance writer. When part-time "retirement" became an option, some hours were available for more serious pursuit of my interest. Writing every weekday has been a productive discipline—and it is a discipline. Many things call to me, but none so persistently as my determination to make productive use of this opportunity. It has been a spiritual exercise as well, for I have to entrust the results of my efforts to the Lord of the Harvest. I do this gladly!

It's time for a break now, and I will be having a "staycation"—a combination of vacationing and staying at home. I am going for a week to a nearby country location with a lake and grass and trees, walking paths, a hammock, rocking chairs on the patio, friendly cats, and wonderful friends as hosts. I could pitch a tent there, but I prefer the comfort of a real bed and some air conditioning in what we fondly call "the garden level" accommodations (a walkout basement). There is no television, no Internet, no cell phone reception (although the hosts have a landline if guests have an emergency), minimal kitchen facilities—basically nothing to do. What a treat! I will walk and read and think and pray, eat and sleep and "veg out." I'll be back blogging again around the end of July.

MaryMartha

Lessons from a Bird

Be like the bird that, pausing in her flight
Awhile on boughs too slight,
Feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings,
Knowing that she hath wings. — Victor Hugo

I was only in the middle grades, but I was so impressed by the beauty and truth of this poem in my reading book that I memorized it. That was a long time ago, and I admit I’ve failed to quote the lines accurately sometimes; nevertheless, they are still beautiful and still true. I can learn some lessons from this little creature.

“Pausing in her flight . . . “ The bird doesn’t try to fly unceasingly. She lands on a slender branch to rest awhile. Perhaps it sways with her added weight,but it doesn’t matter to her that this is not a substantial limb; she’ll be there only a few moments. Should I be distressed by the instability of things I would like to rely upon? No, I’m going to be at this particular place in life a relatively short while. No troubling circumstance lasts forever. I will be all right.

“And yet sings . . .” The little bird sings! There’s something thrilling about bird song, so spontaneous, so unheeding of vulnerability. She is unafraid, even though her perch is precarious, and dangers are present everywhere in the neighborhood. Likewise, I am not to be threatened by what I see around me or feel alarmed by changes in circumstance. Were I to be more like the bird, I would be “singing and making melody in [my] heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19 NKJV) If I let it, that song might actually burst from my lips sometimes!

“Knowing that she hath wings.” Because she has wings, the bird is able to move to a realm above uncertainty and restriction. I can too. If I practice what the Word of God says, I can have strong spiritual wings. “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

The bird was meant to sing and fly. And so am I.

MaryMartha
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Scripture marked NKJV taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture marked NIV taken from the New International Bible. Used by permission.

Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com

Three Little Lambs

I have three tiny little lambs on the top of my computer desk, given to me by a good friend. They remind me while I am working that there are other things in life besides work, even though I find that interesting and rewarding.

One little lamb is just lying there, looking relaxed and pleasant. She doesn’t appear to be anxious about where to graze next or following the flock somewhere or anything else. She’s resting.

I used to think sleeping was a waste of time. It took quite a few years for me to realize that life is supposed to have rhythm, and if I disregard any of its aspects too greatly, I will pay in almost every other area. “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” the Psalmist wrote. (Psalm 23:2) That tells me that God expects me to stop my activity sometimes, and just rest.

But more may be happening with this little lamb than just resting. A sheep is among the group of animals called ruminants. Part of her stomach is a large storage area for food that she has consumed quickly, then later regurgitates, re-chews, and re-swallows in the process called cud-chewing. Rumination or cud-chewing is done mostly when the animal is resting and not actively eating. Healthy mature sheep may chew their cud for several hours each day.

Part of the rhythm of my life, I’ve learned, needs to be “ruminating”: thinking, dreaming, planning, pondering Scripture and what I have read elsewhere, processing the events of my days. The meaning of things escapes me if I only take in (graze) and never make time to think (chew the cud). So when I am quiet for several hours, I may be resting or I may be ruminating. (And you’ll never know which!)

The next little lamb has her eyes closed and little hoofs folded—well anyway, they’re together. I think she’s praying. She has a serious expression on her face, but it doesn’t look like worry. She must know that she has a Good Shepherd who is watching out for her and knows all of her concerns.

I know I’ll never learn all there is to know in the realm of prayer, but it’s something like breathing. I don’t have to know all the technicalities of my respiratory system in order to breathe satisfactorily. James Montgomery wrote in the words of a hymn, nearly two centuries ago, “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air.” When I’m short of breath, I get anxious, and likewise when I get anxious, I grow short of breath. Pretty much like praying! Sometimes I know I need to breathe more deeply, or I need fresher air. Sometimes prayer too takes extra attention and effort.

The third lamb is grinning and kicking up her heels. She is ready for play—a game of hide-and-seek or tag, or maybe just a run through the pasture. She is the one who has the most to teach me!

I grew up with a strong work ethic: “Finish your work first and then play.” This served me well during my years of schooling and early in my career. But as I grew older, I found myself with so much to do that when I worked first, I often never got around to doing the other things I wanted to do like reading, or needlework, or gardening, or taking a class. I don’t think it’s necessarily a good idea to play first, but I am learning to leave some time for “kicking up my heels.” Robert Fulghum (author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten) had good advice for balancing life: learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. He just may have three little reminders on the top of his computer desk too.

MaryMartha

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email: mrymrtha@gmail.com

Jesus Said, Take My Yoke

When I said, "Take My yoke," you've always assumed that meant you were going to have to shoulder part of My load. Even though I told you My burden is light, you've had all the burden you can carry already and wondered how you could take on some of Mine. And the part about finding rest for your soul? That didn't make sense to you at all.

"I see you laboring under your heavy load. This is what I am really saying to you: Here, let Me help you. Just slip in under this yoke and I'll carry the load with you. I am gentle—I won't scold you or jerk you around if you stumble. I'm going to make this burden-carrying less complicated for you, and I won't mind at all if that means I take the heavier part.

"Remember this: Take My yoke is an invitation, not a command."

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29, 30 NIV

MaryMartha
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