Trees in the Hospital

Nursing is an art:  and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God's spirit?  It is one of the Fine Arts:  I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts.                                        ~Florence Nightingale



I'm in this sterile environment wishing I was home with my own dirt.  Even with the fun up, down, longer, shorter, bend-in-the-middle bed, I'd rather be home.  Even with the ready availability of fluids, antibiotics and pain medicines, home is still my choice.  But since I'm stuck here, let me tell you about the sheltering going on at Saint John’s. 

Clear liquids isn't my choice of meal fare.  Although if you wait enough hours to eat, beef broth is quite filling.  Unfortunately, when I'm used to RB delivering clear amber tea in the morning, the ugly cloudy tea just doesn't cut it.  Enter beautiful Janelle! (The fanged one who takes my blood)  WITH Tazo tea -- made just the way she knows I like it.  Ah...shelter.  Spending her 45-minute break by my cell, making me belly laugh in spite of the pain...  Yes, that's sheltering.

And the chaplain that stopped by my room wanting to know if I had a spiritual advisor…  I pointed to RB (which tickled me for some reason).  I'd rather RB pray with me than anyone.  His prayers go clear to the top!  It was sweet that the chaplain prayed with us though, our hands representing the triune God as he asked for wisdom for the doctors.

Joy-bringers: Melanie and Camron

Renee's Karen Kingsbury book, Unlocked, has sure kept my mind busy.  I rarely read fiction, but Kingsbury is one I really enjoy.  She writes good emotion.  Renee might not have known how important it would be to have that book to read when she loaned it to me.  It's already done its share of sheltering.

Janelle, my friend and phlebotomist

And the lotion, brought by my Melanie – great stuff (but not quite the best gift she brought -- that was Camron) -- and how can you not feel sheltered with a foot rub?  Being a momma with four children makes it hard to shelter, so the gift was shared by Shawn who for two days has freed Melanie to bring some love and shelter to me.

Facebook and e-mail and text messages.  A husband who slept in the craziest chair so I wouldn't be alone.  From nurses who answer every question and deliver meds on time to the dear elderly nurse who took my vitals and the nutritionist who brought liquids with a smile and solids right on time.  From the kind woman who cleaned my room to my doctor who is trying to make an educated "guess" to the nature of the illness, I've been sheltered. 

15 minutes and she'll be walking through that door!

This hospital stuff isn't too bad.  But waiting for another hour and a half is.  Because then my sweet Emily will return home from five days in Washington DC.  She's kept in touch, but nothing will equal that hug.  That just might be the best medicine of all.

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Sheltering with Life Skills

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.



Leighton and Emily are graduating this year.  Not together -- Emily here in Indiana and Leighton in Virginia.  Leighton's parents are a part of a thriving church ministry  along with Janene's writing and their family music ministry.  Janene was probably eight when RB and I were married.  She stood at our gift table and watched while we opened each gift (the old reception style!).  With long curls to her waist, her eyes just danced when we opened her card.  Janene had taped four quarters to the inside so we could get a soda pop from a vending machine on our honeymoon. 

For the next seven years, we traveled with the college choir and quartet.  Janene's father was the president of the college so she traveled with us.  As we pounded the pavement, I taught her crochet and macrame. Even then Janene was writing poems and letters to me.  When we moved to Indiana, she was devastated -- until her father told her God had shown him our families would end up living near each other.  The rest of the story: We moved to Bedford and the Beers moved to Indianapolis.

Our Sarah Janene was named for this girl who was like a little sister to me.  We've laughed until tears ran down our cheeks.  When Sarah died our tears ran in grief.  (This trip down Memory Lane wasn't in my writing plans to day, but my mind is full of snapshots -- of Janene delivering meals to me when I was up against a writing deadline...of the encouragement calendar she made one year for Christmas chock full of memories, encouraging thoughts and verses written in the daily squares. 

Back to graduation.  It's become a tradition for many graduates to have a "life book" to display at their reception. I already have Emily's book finished.  While Janene would've made a beautiful book for Leighton, it would have taken her hours and hours.  Scrapbooking is easy for me.  I love to do it, and I work quickly.  When I offered to make Leighton's book, Janene was one happy mama!

 Yesterday a big envelope of pictures arrived.  Oh the memories of sweet Leighton!  Today I will set up my table and get to work.

This made me think about the ways we can shelter others with our life skills.  Janene has used her gifts for me so many times.  She wrote a song for Melanie to sing to Shawn on their wedding day.  She wrote a poem to celebrate Sarah's short life, and whenever I need a quote or illustration for writing she quickly provides one.  Our phones are hot with texts asking each other for prayer.  Is prayer a life skill?
 
I'd love to hear how you shelter with your life skills.  RB shelters through music.  He's cut (either his own or helped others) over 30 albums (yes, he's THAT old), 8-tracks (makes me giggle), cassettes and cds. He uses calligraphy to letter numerous birth and baptism certificates, Bibles and mementos. Janelle uses her camera to bless others (I'm the happy recipient of many).  Eleanor freely gives her decorating skills (and supplies) to brides, church dinners and showers.  I taught a crochet class at Emily's school. Melanie prepares a bit more food than her family needs for a meal so she can bless a working mother.  Janet listened to many health questions of her church family over the years of being a nurse practitioner.  The Skills List goes on -- Are you here? -- Sewing, cake decorating and house cleaning.  Quilting, vehicle maintenance and organizing.  Hospitality, flower arranging and food preparation. Indoor painting, recovering furniture and decorating. 

Why don't you write down three life skills you have?  And beside each one list the specific way you will use this for sheltering.  I'd love for you to leave them here to spark another's creative thinking. Isn't it such fun to shelter?  Nothing makes me happier!  God will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do (Hebrews 6:10).  And I will guarantee your heart will be full of grace -- and your soul generated by love.

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Sheltering the Stressed

God tells us to burden him with whatever burdens us.  ~Author Unknown

Chocolate is my go-to when I'm stressed.  How that one ball of Lindt white chocolate truffle can give me the energy to finish my assignment on time!  Popping the ball -- whole -- into my mouth and tasting the smooth liquid chocolate makes letters start dancing across the computer screen, consonants skipping, vowels bouncing and punctuation sedately moving into their correct places.  Ah, white chocolate.



Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul

 But as delicious as it is, sometimes white chocolate just doesn't cut it.  It's then that I wish I lived near a Cracker Barrel.  Have you ever tasted one of their Valo-milk candy bars?  Those white clouds of marshmallow covered in chocolate can make me forget what I'm feeling stressed about.  They are a grown up version of the Mallo cups my dad and I used to get when we went to auctions.  They sold them unwrapped, by the box.  Even then chocolate de-stressed me, although as a child it took much less chocolate to alleviate my  stresses -- like cleaning my room or folding my brother's diapers, learning multiplication tables or enduring spats with my friends.

Today, chocolate covered cherries, Valo-milk candy bars or dark chocolate Mounds can put a smile on my face even if supper burns, the neighbor's cat gets in my van or I arrive home from the grocery store and forgot the laundry soap I needed.  Yes, I am a diabetic and yes, in spite of it there are days that a handful of M & Ms can do what a handful of nerve pills can't.

But some days, I just can't handle the extra sugar grams or there isn't any chocolate in the house.  It's then I turn to prayer.  Doesn't there seem to be something wrong with that confession? 

We do that, though, don't we?  It has nothing to do with believing God answers prayer.  It's just that we don't want to bother God with our daily stresses.  I have one friend who has it right.  Once or twice a week she will call with a "please pray" plea.  It can be as small as, "today is my son's birthday party and I'm feeling stressed," or as large as "we're have to make a decision about our ministry." 

Sometimes I feel like I leave God in the "prayer closet."  I have my prayer time, walk out, then shut the door until the next day.  But moving forward, I want God to stay with me throughout my day.  I want to be able to say, "Help me make this decision," or "Remember Emily; she should be taking her test right now."  The joy of reaching out to touch Jesus' garment, looking inward and feeling His presence as I pray, bowing my head in respect as I present my request, and  turning my eyes upward as my prayers reach the Throne of Grace are all impossible if I shut the door of the closet in God's face.

I have found that when I carry God's presence with me throughout the day it's easier to share my little frustrations with Him.  The hurts of inconsiderate friends, the chronic pain, the deadlines and the requests of my friends -- I can "cast all these cares on Him, for He cares for me."  What a beautiful promise.  All I have to do is give the cares to God.  He does the rest. 

I think I'm going to have to find something else to blame my chocolate habit on.  God's going to be taking care of the stress.

* * * * *



Stress-free Gift

Book: Ollies 1.99
Godiva Chocolates 80% off after Valentines Day

Is one of your friends having a stressful day?  First offer your friend's frustrations to Jesus.  Then gift them chocolate.  It can serve as a visible reminder of prayerful sheltering for your friend.

Ghirardeli Single Vanilla Bean White Chocolate
They'll be hiding in church mailboxes tomorrow.

This post linked to:

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Spiritual Sundays

Sheltering with Happiness

Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope. 
                                                                            ~Josh Billings





Do you ever feel like we have an easier part sheltering others when someone is mourning than when when they are rejoicing?  It must not be a new occurrence or Paul wouldn't have written it to the Romans.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).  A more simplistic version says, Be happy with those who are happy, be sad with those who are sad.  A good friend knows how to shelter even in the happy times.

Kayla is that kind of friend to Emily.  When we moved to Muncie ten years ago, it was an answer to the prayers of Katie.  Emily is a couple years younger than Katie, and a couple years older than her sister Kayla; through the years they have  melted into a tight threesome.  With Emily finishing high school, it leaves Kayla -- solo...

It's going to be as hard for Kayla to face a few more years in school as it was for Emily when Katie graduated.  Yet not one time did Kayla act in any way but overjoyed for Emily yesterday as she took her last test and gave her final speech. 

Kayla had a card ready for Emily -- music card playing "I'm so Excited."  And she wrote the sweetest note on it.  We celebrated last night at Applebees and not one time did Kayla act anything but totally excited for Emily.  Katie and Kayla both have been special friends -- always there when Emily needs cheered, and happy when she is happy... From my perspective, that's the way to shelter. 

Well, that -- and the way Melanie celebrated with Emily -- Krispy Kreme doughnuts and four of Emily's favorite littles were involved!

I love celebrating the happy times with my friends.  My mother taught me that principle by giving me an example to follow.  Those who cannot rejoice are plagued with jealousy.  There's no way to sugar coat the sin.  And it is a sin when we resent the joy that comes to others.  Nowhere have I read that God wants us to envy those who rejoice. 

In fact, In James 3:16 it is clear what God thinks of envy.  For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.  The Bible is full of examples of jealousy:  Satan, Cain, Miriam, King Ahab, King Herod and so many more.  Here are some steps I've used when I've been tempted to envy others.

1.  Stop comparing yourself to others.

2.  Verbalize (confess) your feelings -- to God. 

3.  Write a list of the good qualities of the one you envy.

4.  Praise God for blessing others.

5.  Make a gratitude list of the ways God has blessed you.



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Open My Eyes

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.
                                                                    ~ William Newton Clark   




For some reason this story just makes me want to giggle.  Ben-Hadad, king of Anon was angry -- very angry.  Stalking around the palace his eyes sparked with his anger.  "Every day I plan raids and every day my plans are foiled.  Who is the traitor in our midst?"

His officers tried to calm the king.  "It's not one of us, King.  It's a snitch in the Israelite camp, the Prophet Elisha.  He tells their king the things that are whispered in your bedroom."

Seriously, wouldn't that be fun?  Well, not for Ben-Hadad, but for Elisha who was the snitch?  Every morning God would tell him what battle plan Ben-Hadad had for the day.  Elisha would go directly to the Israelite king to share the plans.  The Aram king knew who the Prophet Elisha, was.  King Ben-Hadad's army commander, Haman, had leprosy and it was Elisha who was used of God to heal him. 

"Go find where he is," the king said.  When the men came back with the information, the king sent horses, chariots and soldiers to capture the Prophet.  They waited until nighttime, then surrounded the city of Dothan. 

When Elisha's servant looked out the window the next morning, he was beside himself.  There seemed to be soldiers everywhere.  "Oh no, what are we going to do?  I'm going out to fight."

Elisha threw his head back and laughed.  At the servant's surprised face he said, "There's more with us than be with them."  And then Elisha prayed, "Lord, open my servant's eyes to see your protection."  When the Lord opened the servant's eyes, he looked around in amazement to see horses and chariots of fire filling the hills.

There's more with us than be with them,

We're on the winning side.

Though mountains surround,

And chariots abound,

We're trusting alone in Thee.

H. Robb French

After that, the Arameans had quite a day.  To sum it up, they were blinded, taken to another city, experienced sight returned,  ate a feast in the enemy camp and were returned to their own army camp.  Here's the best part -- they left Israel's territory alone. 





Emily trying out Grandpa Kuhn's glasses.

Sometimes I just wish God would open my eyes -- especially when an issue looks like a huge mountain.  I try to work it out in my own way.  I fret, search my mind for the best solution, even try to manipulate the situation just in case God doesn't come through in time.  Where's my faith?  I know God can answer my prayers. I've had miracles in my life.  Big. Huge. Miracles.  But the next time I still whine pray, "Lord, what am I going to do?"  I want God to open my eyes so I can see His plan.  I want to see the chariots of fire on the mountain.  Instead I grope in the darkness of my unbelief.

Instead, I should be trusting -- and resting assured it's God's best plan. Trusting that whatever comes to my life God will use for His glory.  I think from now on I'll just pray that God will open the eyes of my heart. I don't have to make sure He has everything under control.  I just need to praise His plan -- before I know it.  To open my heart's eyes to see my Lord high and lifted up, shining in the light of His glory.  This will silence my fears -- and leave room for faith.   

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.

Open the eyes of my heart.

I want to see you.

I want to see you.

To see you high and lifted up,

Shining in the light of Your glory.

Pour out your power and love,

As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Holy, holy, holy,

Holy holy, holy,

You are holy, holy, holy,

I want to see you.

Peter Baloche

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Sweeter Than Honey

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.
                                                                             ~John Newton




Most of you have probably heard of George Beverly Shea.  He was born into the home of a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Winchester, Ontario.  George's mother woke him each morning with "Singing I go, along life's road, praising the Lord, praising the Lord."   As George grew, and his father moved their family to New York and New Jersey, it became evident that George's full and resonate voice was a gift from God.


George encountered an opportunity for a job at a radio station.  He was told he could sing an occasional hymn (obviously this arrangement indicated they didn't want him to get too carried away!).  Later one evening when he sat down at the piano to practice for the Sunday service, he found a poem.  It was written in 1922 by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller.  The words spoke to his heart and an appropriate melody came easily, as did the decision about his offered job.

George Beverly Shea
by Paul Davis

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He's all that my hungering spirit needs;
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

...Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I wonder how many times George Beverly Shea sang that song.  In December of last year, The Recording Academy decided to honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in conjunction with the 2011 Grammy Awards.

"I was surprised to receive the call from The Recording Academy president before Christmas and am honored for the recognition," Shea said. "The music has been for God's glory."

Over his musical and ministry career spanning more than 80 years, Shea has produced over 70 albums of hymns, including nine CDs, with RCA and Word Records. He's still giving concerts near his home.  At 103 years of age, Shea still believes "Jesus is sweeter than honey from out of the comb."

 Those same words from the third verse came to me yesterday as I was listening to the Bible.  David, in Psalm 19:10 said, "The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More are they to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." and again in Psalm 119:103 said, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth."

My whole wheat bread recipe calls for honey.  And my granola recipe, too.  And I love honey in my tea.  Why?  It's sweet. And so are the words of my Lord, written  in the Book of Life.   

The sweet words, "Come unto me and I will give you rest."  "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love." "Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you."  Sweet, sweet words.  Just like Jesus -- He is sweeter than the honey out of the comb! 

* * * * *

Ice Cream Topping

for a

Honey of a Guy

Do you have a friend who would "give someone the shirt off his back?"  I was raised by a man like that, worked with a man like that, and RB and I have a friend like that, too.  Actually we have more than one abundant giver friend -- a couple Marks...and Ken.  Ken isn't the kind of guy that broadcasts his gifts, either monetary or practical.  But I speak from experience when saying I've been on the receiving end of a few of them -- and I also hear how others have been the recipients of his blessings.  When I do, I say to myself, "Ken's been busy." 

A couple years ago when Ken's son was in Greece he brought me (and his parents) a jar of nuts covered in honey.  I know how much Ken enjoyed the treat, so when I saw this recipe on Martha Stewart's website I wanted to try it for him.  And of course we all know that behind every great man stands an even greater woman [insert giggle] -- I included the bee plug-in from Bath and Body Works for his wife.  The bee bandana came from Hobby Lobby. 

Do any of the rest of you stock up at Bath and Body Works' clearance sales?  I'd love to hear creative ideas of what you do with your "loot." 



Ingredients

1/2 cup walnut halves 

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup dried apricots cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup good-quality honey

Directions

1. Stir together nuts and fruit; transfer to a 6-ounce jar. Top with honey.
2. Topping can be refrigerated in jar up to 1 month; to serve, bring to room temperature.

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It's Been Crazy

Part of being sane is being a little bit crazy. –Janet Long

Bravery. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of teachers allowing their students to thrust themselves into a full-fledged Crazy Week.

Last week was PHA’s annual Crazy Week. The week was full of mismatched clothing, slippers and cowboy boots, musical Christmas ties, Eeyore pajama pants, face paint and hair dye (washable, of course!). Mr. Scott, Mrs. Clemens, and Mrs. Coleman make sure we get the education we need, but oh boy, do they also make sure we get to have some fun mixed with our tireless efforts! It was refreshing to get out of the normal routine and go a little crazy.

It is easy to take for granted all of the many different things our teachers do for us every day. But when I stop to think about the hours they spend repeating the same formula over and over and over, trying to get it into our heads; or explaining the differences between gerunds, participles, and infinitives yet one more time; or patiently listening to us stumble through passages we have “memorized," I become extremely thankful for the time they invest in our lives.  Just knowing they truly care about each one of us, well, that’s indescribable.

I have been blessed to have attended Christian day schools from kindergarten through the present day, and as I reach the end of this chapter in my life, I become more and more grateful for this privilege. The theorems, postulates, punctuation rules, and history lessons do not begin to compare to the lessons I have been taught in the weekly chapels, and morning devotions, or personalized talks with my teachers. Each one in their own way has taught me so much, and has become a wonderful influence in my walk with the Lord. I treasure these times, and as I turn the page to discover the next chapter, I will remember their loving discipline, their encouragement, their instruction, and their friendship.

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