A Tidy Life

I function best when things are neat and tidy. Things don't have to be perfect, and I am FAR from compulsive about being organized and sanitized! But, I do like to eventually get things in order so life flows a little more smoothly and a lot less frantically.

Life for the most part has been "tidy" for me. I've had ups and downs, and problems most everyone faces, but for the most part, I've straightened up the small messes, and gone on with living. The last few years have been a little more challenging for me. I've found life is not as easy as it once was. Emotional challenges, health issues, major decisions my children need to make, aging parents, and lack of sleep, all contribute to a feeling of being out of control. Life is not as "tidy" as I'd like it to be.

If I had my way, things would line up perfectly. The right decisions for my children would be completely and unmistakably obvious. My mom's memory issues would vanish and she'd be how she used to be. My glaucoma would simply be healed instead of me having to have surgery. I would not have had to deal with hurt and the emotions that accompanied that. And I would close my eyes and be able to sleep ALL night. Something that hasn't happened in about 3 years now!

Yet, I can say that am thankful that things don't always go my way. If they did, I never would have understood forgiveness like I do. I wouldn't have developed my relationship with the Lord through prayer as I have. I would not have had to trust my Heavenly Father for His care and understood His love for me. I would not have known that I can truly trust Him for my next step as well as the future for my life and for my family's lives.

Though life is not as neat and tidy as I would like, I know I have a God that walks along side of me daily. He sees the big picture and can be trusted to work all things together for my good because He is Good. I don't know what the outcome of my eye surgery will be on Thursday, but He does, and I trust Him because He has been and always will be faithful.

Though life can be messy, the Lord is an expert in straightening things up, if we will only trust Him!

"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 make your paths straight."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

This is Your Brain in Love -- by Dr. Earl Henslin

This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin looks at the correlation between the brain and people's behaviors, and the way it causes them to interact in relationships. He has concluded that through the use of a SPECT scan, (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography imaging) obtained through Dr. Daniel Amen's Clinics, one can determine the exact area of the brain that is affected and therefore, through the use of supplements, food, or drugs, one can balance these areas in the brain that are overactive and solve issues in marriage that have long been sources of problems.

Chapters 1 - 3 are introductory, describing love and sexuality in the context of marriage and the importance of a healthy functioning brain in the midst of it. The following five chapters define different types of "lovers" (I feel better term would be personality types) -- "The Scattered Lover", "The Overfocused Lover", "The Blue Mood Lover", The Agitated Lover", and "The Anxious Lover". Each of these chapters begin with a quick test in order for you and your spouse to rate yourselves/each other to see if you fit this profile. Then, throughout the chapter there are suggestions as to how to deal with the problems associated with this "brain problem" as well as stories of couples who have found help dealing with these issues.

I found the scientific research of the brain fascinating and it reinforced my belief in our Creator who designed intricate systems of the body. The brain can affect our feelings and actions and in order to function to our full potential, our mind, spirit and body need to be healthy.

The final chapter gave the secrets to lasting love: kindness, patience, forgiveness, and honesty and why they are good for the brain.

I found the book to be interesting, but not quite what I expected when I looked at the title. I was hoping to find a book with more suggestions for deepening the marital relationship through spiritual and emotional connections, but instead, it felt more like an infomercial for the Amen Clinics. Though Dr. Henslin did recommend supplements at times before medications, and offered suggestions for dealing with each type of "lover", he always seemed to recommend the SPECT brain scan -- a costly scan that insurance did not cover. Those with limited resources or without access to an Amen Clinic, may tend to "blame" their problem on a faulty brain, and not deal with some of the underlying issues that have caused their brain to become faulty.

My husband and I didn't really fall into any one category particularly. We each have a few of the characteristics of each of them occasionally depending on our circumstance, so the book wasn't exceptionally helpful to me. But readers who rate very high in one category, may have their eyes opened for the first time, and begin to seek the help they need.

Rest

As I was with my grandson last week, I was reminded just how much we are alike. It wasn't so much a physical resemblance, (though the thigh rolls looked quite similar), rather it was how quickly he could go from being perfectly content, to completely upset in just a matter of minutes. At times he was practically inconsolable. All his basic needs had been met. He had been fed recently, his diaper was dry, he was fully clothed, and he was around people who loved him. He had just been playing and smiling and yet, for some reason, he suddenly became unhappy. He was tired and needed a nap, but he continued to fuss, struggle, and refused to give up his fight. Sometimes his crying went on for an hour. His mom and I knew he needed to relax, settle down, close his eyes, and rest in the arms of the ones who loved him, but he chose to fuss, wiggle, arch his back, and scream! We would rock, walk, and rock some more, and eventually he would give up and fall asleep, but not till he had made himself "most miserable!" I had to smile. The change was dramatic! The look on his face now was one of peace and contentment. And, once again, life was as it should be. How much easier would it have been, if he had just closed his eyes, and found rest in the arms of his Gramma!

I thought about how many times I do the same thing. Things seem to be going fairly well. I have all the necessities of life. I have food to eat, clothes to wear, a home to live in, and a family who loves me, and yet, something goes crazy in my mind and I loose it! I begin to fret about the "what if's". I worry about finances. I'm frustrated about decisions that need to be made. Fear begins to creep in, and emotionally I'm drained and tired. What I need to do is to curl up in my Father's loving arms and find peace and rest there. Instead, I usually begin to fuss. Soon this becomes a frantic cry as I wiggle and fight the One who is trying to soothe me. It would be so much simpler if I quit my fretting and rested, but like my grandson, Ben, I choose to struggle against the very things and the very One that would help me.

In those times of distress, I need to remind myself that taking time to rest in the Lord will do wonders for me, as well as for my loved ones around me. There is nothing worse than a frantic, crying, inconsolable woman!!

So the next time you find yourself weary and tired, instead of fighting it, allow the Lord to hold you in His arms and comfort you with His love, and find the peaceful rest you truly need. I'll try to do the same!


"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 11:28-30)

Rediscovering God in America by Newt Gingrich

Rediscovering God in America, by Newt Gingrich and featuring the photography of Callista Gingrich was an interesting look into the faith of our founding fathers. The book is a "walking tour" of thirteen buildings and memorials of our nation's capital. Each of these buildings, Mr. Gingrich points out, have references to God or quotes from the Bible, indicating the importance of faith in the founding of our Nation. In a day where every effort is being made to strip God and faith from America, it was refreshing to read quotes from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,and Abraham Lincoln, to name just a few, and see evidence of the role God played in our country's history. The amazing photography captured the spirit of America and was "proof" of the things described in words. The photos added to the overall appeal of the book.

Though I have visited Washington, D.C. in years past, and noticed many references to God as I visited the Memorials and Historic Buildings, this book renewed my desire to revisit these sites, with even more awareness of the implications of the role of God in the hearts of our founding fathers. The book was beautifully designed and small enough to pack in a tote bag and use as a guide book if you visit our Nation's Capitol.

After reading this book, one realizes how difficult it would be to erase the evidence of God without totally defacing these buildings which have become symbols of our nation and it's history. So, until you can take a walking tour of Washington, D.C. in person, enjoy the tour in word and picture through this wonderful little book.

Invisible

Have you ever been in one of those "new-fangled" bathrooms where everything works by sensors. I guess they think it will save water and paper, but I'm not convinced that it is best invention for me. The other day when I was in one of those bathrooms, the silly commode flushed twice before I got up, and then wouldn't flush when I was through! I waved my hand in front of the sensor several times. Even sat down and got up again hoping to trick it into flushing, and then finally found the little button and flushed it manually.

Next I went to the sink. GREAT -- automatic soap dispensor and faucet. I did my thing and waved my hand for some water....no luck. Maybe you have to do the soap first....no luck. I took a quick glance in the mirror. Yes, I was really standing there. One more attempt and the water did come on, got a little squirt of soap and the water stopped. Another few attempts got the water running again. YEAH!! Clean hands. As I glanced over to the paper towels, you guessed it, sensor driven again! That too gave me trouble. As I was waving my hand in front of it, a woman walked into the bathroom. I asked her, "Am I really here, or am I invisible, because the paper won't dispense for me." She just laughed, I wiped my hands on my pants, and left the bathroom.

We can laugh when the situation involves a sensor on an object, but what about the times when we feel we are invisible to the people around us? Have you ever been to an event and wandered around hoping someone would notice you and invite you into the conversation? Have you been stressed and pleading for family members to help around the house only to be ignored? Have you ever been talking to someone when someone else, "seemly more important," comes in and the person leaves you mid-sentence? When these things happen, you feel invisible and it's easy to get discouraged. We feel no one really sees our needs or cares about us. It's in times like these, that we need to remember there is Someone who does see us and knows us better than we do ourselves. We are never invisible to the Lord.

So, when you have those moments when you wonder if you really ARE invisible, take a look in the mirror -- the mirror of God's Word -- and know that you are precious in His sight.

Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord. You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. (Psalms 139:1-5)

Jesus Lives by Sarah Young

Jesus Lives is an intimate devotional book that intertwines Scripture in dialogue form. The book contains 180 individual devotions written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to the reader. Each one is like a personal letter of love as Jesus speaks words of encouragement, hope, guidance, correction and acceptance, drawing you into a more intimate and practical daily walk with the Lord.

The book is compact and attractive. It is visually appealing both inside and out, and well organized with a table of contents that lists the devotions by themes. Opposite each one page devotion are 3-4 Scriptures on which the devotion was based for further reflection.

Sarah Young does an outstanding job incorporating solid biblical truths in each devotion. Her purpose, "to increase the awareness of Christ's Love" in the reader's life is accomplished.

I would highly recommend this book. Read it carefully with your heart ready to hear His voice, and you'll see His love in your life and know that Jesus Lives!

A Life Well Lived

I don't like funerals. I am easily brought to tears, and funerals are a place they fall freely. I mourn the loss of a precious person, but also grieve with the immediate family who will now go on without the presence of one that has been so much a part of their lives. Funerals also make me stop and think about my life. When people gather at my funeral what will the testimony of my life be? When the famous die, great accomplishments or heroic deeds are mentioned. Obituaries note the things they were well-known for -- positions held, inventions created, awards received. But what about the people the world deems as ordinary?

At a recent funeral, one of the preachers noted that some people's lives are measured by one event or by a single accomplishment, but this woman's whole life told her story. Some of the most humble, quiet, unassuming people will, I believe, be honored and welcomed into heaven with the greatest of fanfare. Those things done in secret will be revealed. Those quiet words of encouragement spoken at the right time will be applauded. Those prayers voiced when no one was around will be made known. The faith that was lived through difficult circumstances will be rewarded. These are the things that in the end make all the difference.

If I am honest, I am sometimes a bit envious of people of great accomplishments. Deep down I sometimes wonder if my life makes much difference at all. When people gather at my funeral there won't be any news-worthy events to report. But my simple prayer is that in some small way they can say my life was a life well lived because she loved her Lord and she loved her husband and family deeply.

More than the applause of the world, I simply want to hear Jesus say to me:

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)