"The Power of Words" - Prompt 19/21

For this prompt, I decided to randomly choose 10 - 20 words from the dictionary, and write a short story ... or maybe the beginnings of a longer one, like my "Random Story Line" that keeps on going!

{I randomly chose a total of 15 words from the "Webster's Student Dictionary - Newly Revised Edition (1999)"; they are listed below along with definitions where needed ...}

1.  Book
2.  Embankment
3.  Cloisonne - (n.) type of enamel decoration, where the section of enamel are separated by little ridges of metal.
4.  Fish
5.  Half-mast - flags flying halfway up the flag pole as a sign of mourning.
6.  Powder - very fine dry grains (like flour).
7.  Recover - to get back that which has been stolen; to get well again after an illness; to get over (a shock); or to put a new cover (on a chair).
8.  Scorpion - a poisonous tropical insect which stings with a long curved tail.
9.  Sterile - not capable of bearing fruit or children; so clean that no germs/bacteria can grow.
10.  Suburbs - residential area on the outskirts of a city or town.
11.  Sultry - hot/heavy (weather); attractive in a dark way; passionate.
12.  Eclectic - taking ideas, etc. from several different sources.
13.  Grave - (n.) tomb/hole in the ground to put a dead body in; burial place; (adj.) serious/solemn.
14.  Grenadine - red drink made from pomegranate juice.
15.  Re-think - (n.) second thought about a problem; (v.) to think again; to reconsider.

And, now for the story!

The book fell from her hands and down to the bottom of the short embankment.  On this beautiful, yet sultry afternoon, she couldn't wait to be outside.  Now, it was hard to recover from the news she had received: "The outlook is serious ... grave.  We may need to re-think our plans."

Down the street, she noticed all of the flags flying at half-mast.  "Was this how her life would continue," she thought to herself.  Another day, another life - or lives - taken in this simple, usually-quiet suburb.



Another life placed into the open grave, dark and dank, waiting for the next victim.  Her heart would not let her dwell on it any longer ...

"How long," she pondered, "how long would this continue?"

Slowly, she stood on shaky legs and picked up the thermos filled with grenadine, the red pomegranate drink that always soothed her.

"Perhaps another sip would help?" she wondered aloud.  "Or maybe a few sprinkles of the powder she had hidden away ... No!  That would be too easy ... and too hard!"

Slowly she stretched, felt her abdomen.  Deep in thought, she continued down the embankment.

"Sterile?  No babies for me," she thought for the hundredth time.  "Why?  What had happened to cause this?  What will I do now?!"

Her thoughts kept wandering, trying to answer the questions she held deep inside ...

Was it the fish?  It did taste a bit funny.  No, that was just her way of avoiding the real problem ...

What about that scorpion they had spotted on the beach?  No, we never even came close ...

She would never know the answers; would never have the courage to return home and search for the lost cloisonne bracelet.



Her grandmother gave the bracelet to her years ago, just a small piece from her eclectic collection.

And, wrapped inside the box was the letter that would explain everything ...

If only she could find it!


The End ... or, is it only the beginning?!

"A Providential Moment" - Prompt 18/21

Today's prompt invites us to "write about a moment in our life when we experienced God's providential intervention or care in a powerful way".

And, Dawn adds to these words, "Sometimes I think GOOGLE is God's providential care for my blogging life."

That last sentence?  It reminded me of an incident, perhaps more than one, when God's care - providential or not - came via the Internet, specifically Facebook, and other bloggers!

I've been reflecting on this moment; but first, the "state of mind" I was in during this time...

{Since I've already journaled about this in my "regular" journal, I'll just quote my own words and the words of those who helped during this stretch.}

August 8, 2016, after being away for four days attending a scrapbooking retreat, I returned home on a Sunday evening - tired and ready to relax.  That evening was OK; but the next day was back to how things are...not really "normal", but for us, the way things normally are!  And, I wrote in my journal:

"...And, I'm home!  Back to the cat - who loves me, and is trying to make sure I stay HOME for awhile; and to the one who treats me like crap!

"Leave him?  Not possible!

I do think it's the dementia...or is it?!  I'm jut not sure; but I am so tired of being spoken to and treated this way in my own home!  I do know it's hard and when he gets that way - which is hard to predict - I am ready to leave...for awhile...forever!"

So, my mindset was one of discouragement, frustration, uncertainty...failure.

And, God knew I needed a lift; perhaps a few lists to help get me back on the right path.

The first was an Evening Blessing from Susie Larson (via Facebook):

"May God give you glimpses of the new beginnings He has for you.  May you stay in step with Him; and trust Him in the meantime.  May God give you joyful contentment in the place He has you now.  May you faithfully steward your current assignment, as you wait for God to move you.  May you see the treasure of trusting the timing of your dreams to god.  He is with you and He cannot, will not, fail you.  sing for joy today and trust Him fully with your tomorrows.  Sleep well tonight!"

These words were helpful, but I was still so tired from the weekend with late nights crafting, that I was becoming very discouraged trying to get my weekly blogs written and published...

And read these words from "The Happiness Dare" by Jennifer Dukes Lee, inviting us to join her for "the dare"...

"I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to each of us, 'Pay attention.  Savor the life God has given to you.  Thank God for the Good when life is beautiful.  And fight hard to find the happy when life is brutal.' (page 45, "The Happiness Dare")."

Yes, so much was put before me in those few days when I needed to read them...and, I'm not finished yet!  In fact, the really "weird" incident is yet to come...but, not yet!

First, some words from the Message Bible I found on an old bulletin or magazine:

"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah!  Father of all mercy!  God of all healing counsel!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.  We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort - we get a full measure of that, too!  (2 Corinthians 1:4-5)"

WOW!!  Talk about words hitting home!  I wrote...

"He comes alongside us when we go through hard times..."

Yes, He does come alongside us; when we go through the good times and the bad times!  He helps us get through the hard times and maes our good times even better!  And, He prepares us to help someone else who is also going through hard times; perhaps even the same hard times we have encountered.

Hmmm!  This is all coming full circle now, once I share this "weird" incident, which also relates to the discouragement I felt in my writing as well as my caregiving...

After finding that last scripture, and journaling briefly, I also wrote out a short prayer to "end" the entry, and the day:


"Thank you, God, for being 'alongside' me no matter what!  I feel at times I've come to the end of my rope; it's hard just going from day to day sometimes...yet, You are there to strengthen me...every day!"




Here's what I wrote in my journal about the "weird" incident":

"This is so weird!  I struggled earlier to get my Simple Woman's Daybook finished; but the words were just not coming.  So, I just quit 'til later...or even tomorrow!

"That was a few hours ago.  I just checked e-mail and had a notification of a comment on my SWD post for August 8th...the one I was struggling with!  Somehow it was published!

"And, I do not recall hitting Publish!

"The comment has inspired me not to give up!

"So, thank you, Barbara - that is for real the person's name that wrote the comment - and thank you, God, for whatever happened to publish that "unfinished" post...and for Barbara and her words:"

"Just came across your blog from SWD.  I see by reading various links that you are trusting in God to help you through this touch season of life.  And He will continue to do so.  Your writing is what hurting people need so they don't feel isolated or...crazy.  Somebody's got to express this stuff and you are doing a good job of it..."

Boy!  Talk about hitting home!  Barbara's words hit the two points I was struggling with:

1) my journey with a husband who has dementia which is getting worse, and a hearing problem, and treats me like crap a lot of times; and,

2) my struggle with feeling discouraged trying to write and feeling nobody was reading or need to read my words!

Well, I guess she told me...

And, I guess God finally got to me!

One last scripture helped change my heart, and me resolve to do better:

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)"


And this scripture is the basis for my "change" for today and beyond...


Because I know it is I who needed to change!

And, with God's help, we can ride this journey together...peacefully, happily, joyfully!



AMEN!

"Second Chances" - Prompt 17/21

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In the movie, "Ground Hog Day", Bill Murray portrays Phil Connors, an arrogant Pittsburgh TV weatherman.

During an assignment covering the Ground Hog Day event in Punxsutawney, PA, Phil finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again.

After numerous times of repeating the day, Phil begins to re-examine his life and priorities.

These words in Lamentations 3 may be helpful for Phil Connors - or anyone who finds themselves repeating the same day, or same situations over and over again.

Lamentations 3:17 - 21 (The Message Bible)

"I gave up on life altogether.  I've forgotten what the good life is like.  I said to myself, 'This is it.  I'm finished.  God is a lost cause.'  It's a Good thing to Hope for Help from God.  I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.  I remember it all - oh, how well I remember - the feeling of hitting the bottom.  But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:  God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up.  They're created new every morning.  How great your faithfulness!  I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).  He's all I've got left."

Verses 22 - 23 from NRSV says:  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

He gives us today ...

But, then we have tomorrow to "get it right" if we have failed in any way; or if we didn't get everything finished.

And, if we still didn't "get it right"; if we still haven't finished our task ...



There's always tomorrow ...

Again!

Like Phil in "Ground Hog Day," we are given the chance to examine our lives and - eventually - to "get it right!"

Emily Freeman says, "God believes in second chances, and even third chances ... He believes in moving past the mistake.  He believes in helping us to become who He knows we can become."

Thank you, God, that you give us second chances ... and, sometimes even more!

"The Letter" - Prompt 15/21

The prompt for Day 15 invites us to write a letter, with several ideas to follow - or not!  I've been pondering this prompt for a few days now...


None of the ideas seemed to work for me.  Yet, I kept hearing the words to a Mercy Me song, "Dear Younger Me":

"Dear younger me,

Where do I start,

If I could tell you everything

that I have learned so far..."

I used the idea of writing a letter to "younger me" in September 2015 for Blog-tember Daily.  That prompt was to write a letter to my 16-year-old self; read that "letter" here.

So, I decided to look ahead and write a letter to my "Future Self"...

Which is much harder!

What do I need to say to my "Future Self"?  When I try to think ahead, it's so hard to even think about what my life will be like...

• Still living in this 2-bedroom/2-bathroom apartment with Bobby and the cat?
• Still crafting, enjoying friends; and always still enjoying my family...with Sophie getting married, will I be a great grandmother?!
• Health OK or worse?  What about Bobby's health, hearing, memory?
• I'll be almost 70 years old five years from today, and Bobby will be almost 82...wild to think about!

As I said, this is hard!  I can't even think what it will be like in 5 years - or even less!!  So, what "words of wisdom" do I share?

First, I hope you find joy and happiness every day!  And, I hope you can share your joy and happiness with others.

Second, I hope you are taking care of yourself.  I know I'm not the most physically active person, though I am active.  Try to eat healthy and keep your weight under control and don't let life stress you out!

Remember, God has put you where you are for a reason...either to be there to help someone else, or to learn a lesson yourself, or maybe both!  Those doors that were closing years ago, were so He could put you in the right place for His Master Plan!

And, don't forget to have fun!  Whenever you can get out and do something new, different, challenging, FUN...DO IT!

Whenever you can learn a new craft or technique, learn it!

Whenever you get the chance to go some place you've "always wanted to go", GO!

Don't let life pass you by...

Live it to the fullest!

Perhaps this has really been written to the "now me" instead of the "future me"; perhaps it applies to both!

So, grab a strong hold on life, whenever and wherever ...

And live life to the Fullest!

"Every Picture Tells a Story" - Prompt 16/21

"A picture is worth a thousand words"...

And after I get started with this prompt, it may end up being a thousand words!

Every picture tells a story...

If we look at a picture long enough, a story will formulate in our minds!  That's what I did last January when I found a picture of steps leading up to a stone doorway; I wrote a short story about that picture and what I would find once I walked through that door.  Read that story here.

I pondered what picture I would use for this challenge:  something really fun?  Something unusual?

Perhaps something that had me searching for more information a few years ago?

During the summer of 2007, my husband and I were on a mission:  Find historical churches in our area.

We originally planned a trip to Palatka, FL because of the historical and local landmarks; but finding a list of 12 churches older than 100 years in and around the Palatka area had us intrigued.  We expanded that list as we visited the churches and they were checked off the list.

While driving along State Road 100 in Putnam County that day, headed from one location to another small town, we spotted a sign on the side of the road:

Photo taken by B. London

Of course we turned around and headed back to check it out; the church fit the "over 100 years old" criteria, but was not on our list!


As we drove down the sandy road to the parking area beside the church, I became excited about what we might find.


 
Coming into our view was a small white church with a cemetery beside it, surrounded by beautiful azaleas and dogwood trees.

Wandering around the cemetery, we  found many graves and headstones, some dating back to the mid-1800's.  I was drawn to one because of the child/angel that was attached to the headstone, the words filling my heart with sadness:

"Owen Worth Wall

Born Nov. 3, 1898

Died Mar. 26, 1902

Papa's and Mama's"

This child was not even four years old when he died!

I had to know more...

But, all I could find at that time was information about the church and cemetery.  So, I documented what I had found, and added it to my photo album.

When I decided this was the perfect picture for the prompt for the "21 Days of Journaling in July" challenge, I pondered the story I could write about this little boy...

How did he die?  How would the story go?  Who were his parents; did he have any brothers or sisters?

I had to know more; it wasn't enough for me to write a story...I had to know the story!

So, I went back to the Internet; and this time, I was not disappointed!

Owen Worth Wall was born in Putnam Hall, FL on November 3, 1898 to the Honorable John P. and Nancy L. Wall.  He was the youngest - the "baby" of the family - with eight brothers and sisters.

I can imagine the happiness in that family!  The joy and excitement to welcome another little one into their household; they already had eight children...what was one more for them to love?!

On March 24, 1902 Owen was bitten by a mosquito on his finger, which developed into blood poisoning.  Two days later, on the 26th, this precious little one was gone.

According to the obituary that appeared in the Palatka News, Owen (actually called "Worth") was "an unusually bright child and the sunshine of the home."  Surely the family was devastated to lose this little one.

OWEN WORTH WALL Birth:  Nov. 3, 1898 Death:  Mar. 26, 1902 People in all parts of the county will feel a sincere sympathy in the bereavement which has come into the home of the Hon. and Mrs. John P. Wall of Putnam Hall, in the sudden death, on Wednesday of last week, of their little 8-year old son Worth, from blood poisoning. The trouble originated from a mosquito bite on the finger on Monday before. The little fellow was an unusually bright child and the sunshine of the home. (Palatka News Obituary dtd Friday, 3 Apr 1902.)  Burial: Paran Baptist Church Cemetery Putnam Hall Putnam County Florida, USA Created by: Donna McPherson Record added: Jul 12, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 39377038

It would be ten more years before John and Nancy Wall lost another of their children, and he was in his thirties when he died.

But, their mother, Nancy L. Wall died in 1903.  The only information I could find was that she is also buried in the same cemetery as is her husband who died in 1921.  I was unable to find an exact date of death for Worth's mother, or why she died...

But, I feel it would be clearly possible that she grieved so much for her precious little one that she died of a broken heart.

There was more information on the family; the founder of Putnam Hall where they lived; the Wall Family Cemetery; and the church we had discovered.

But, for this prompt and the picture I am writing about, I found what I originally could not discover:  more information about a precious little one who died before he had a chance to live...

The other information will be added to the photos; and I will be making another trip to the cemetery to find the graves of the other family members.

Perhaps another story will be added once I learn more information; but for now, that is all the story I will tell about "Papa's and Mama's" precious little boy.

"Your Perfect Day" - Prompt 14/21

I admire Elisabeth Elliot - wife of Jim Elliot who was savagely killed along with others trying to witness to them.

For today's prompt, "Your Perfect Day", Dawn suggested a few quotes from Elisabeth Elliot as a jumping off board for our writing...

I will wait to title my post after I see where the writing leads; but have chosen this quote to get me started:

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Elisabeth Elliot said it about the life of faith; it is to be lived "one day at a time."

Back in the 70's and 80's, the sit com "One Day at a Time" portrayed the life of a divorced mother (Bonnie Frankin) raising her two teenage daughters (Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli).  Each episode showed their lives dealing with their situation...

Much as I dealt with mine when I was also a divorced mother; but my children were much younger, at 4 and 6 years old.  It was still necessary to live life "one day at a time."

The lyrics of the theme song for the show says that they will "muddle through one day at a time;" 

But, there's a gospel song that says it even better; here are a few lines that hit home for me with this prompt:

"I'm only human, I'm just a woman,

Help me believe in what I could be

And all that I am.

"One day at a time,sweet Jesus;

That's all I'm askin' from You.

Just give me the strength

To do every day what I have to do.

Cheatin' and stealin';

there's violence and crime.

So for my sake, teach me to take

One day at a time."

I am only human; just a woman trying to understand who I am, what I could (or should) be!  I just need God and or Jesus to give me the strength I need.  There's so much violence right now, and crime and... well, it's hard to think that anything could even come close to being perfect.

The last verse to the gospel song may be a clue:

"Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus;

And tomorrow may never be mine.

Lord, help me today,

Show me the way

One day at a time."

God's Word says in Matthew 6:34:  "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today's trouble is enough for today." (NRSV)



Elisabeth Elliot said it this way in the quote at the beginning of this post:  "It is today for which we are responsible.  God still owns tomorrow."

Isn't that how it should be?  We take care of the "today" that we have; and leave our "tomorrow" in God's hands!

 So, as to "Your Perfect Day"...(or my perfect day)?

Every day would be my perfect day because I wouldn't be dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future...

I'd be living my life to the fullest...

One Day at a Time!!

"Let Them Come" - Prompt 13/21

Today's prompt is titled "24 Hours with God in History" where we choose a time we would like to spend with God.

Actually, I am calling this "Let Them Come" because I would love to spend time with God's only Son, Jesus, with the little children.

I don't know if I would want to be one of the children, or to come to Him as I am, at whatever age or state of life I happen to be in.

I just know I would love to be in His presence!

The disciples tried to stop the children from coming to Jesus; they didn't want them to "bother Him".  But, Jesus stopped them from keeping the children away, saying:

"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14).

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For a whole day - 24 hours - I would love to be part of these children surrounding Jesus, faces smiling joyously as He speaks with them; as He reaches out His hand to brush away a stray hair, or a stray tear.

Jesus would spend time with the group of children, then reach out to them individually.  I would wait patiently for Jesus to reach out His hand to me...and would anxiously place my hand into His as we walked away together.

I would share my joys and concerns with Him; and listen intently as He eased my concerns and celebrated my joys.

Found on Pinterest

I could learn so much in Jesus' presence, even for that short time.  His acceptance of me, for who I am, would ease my anxiety and allow me to open up to Him.  We would share with each other, friend to friend!

A fave hymn of mine is "What a Friend We have in Jesus" (by Joseph M. Scriven 1820-1886).  The second verse says,

"Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer."

The 24 hours would end before I could blink my eyes.  Yet...

He is always beside me; "He walks with me and talks with me..."  (from "I Come to the Garden Alone" - also known as "In the Garden.")

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All I have to do is reach out to His outstretched hand, waiting for me, and grab hold!

"Literary Love" - Prompt 12/21

Today's prompt invites us to "explore the background and biographical information of one of our fave authors"; or to "write about our favorite Devotional Book"...

I will attempt to highlight both!

The author I would like to highlight today is Ann Voskamp.

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The caption for this photo was:  "Having an Attitude of Gratitude; Ann Voskamp 1973".

Upon first entering Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, she invites her readers to "Come on in!"  Following that invitation, a brief bio is shared:

"It's quiet in here.  Come rest a bit?  Nice to meet you!  My name's plain & simple Ann, without even the fanciful 'e.'  I'm a farmer's wife with a happy mess of 6 kids, a crazy camera & a bunch of books that landed on the NY Times bestsellers lists, but hey, could I just get you the relief of some easy words right now?  You know - relief for those dry days that are kindling for burning bushes...for holy experiences with God."

Her words issue a very welcoming invitation to enter her space - her blog - and enjoy a moment or two of her life on the farm with her family and the many "creatures" that surround them.

Ann's words are packed with down-home truths that captured my attention from the first time I read her beautiful words.  She has opened my eyes to the every day gifts all around me.

I discovered Ann's "One Thousand Gifts" online as I was searching for books to read or devotionals to use for my morning quiet time.

I found both!

Last year I started following the "One Thousand Gifts" concept of finding God's blessings - or gifts - in the everyday things around us.  Part of the appeal is that she gives a "prompt" for each day, just as some of the blog posts I publish have followed a prompt!

Earlier this year, I started including the companion devotional in my morning routine:  1) read the day's scripture and meditation in "The Upper Room" devotional; and 2) read from a second source...I finally found "One Thousand Gifts Devotional" by Ann Voskamp at a used book store; and added it to my morning routine.

Though I haven't read any of Ann's other books, it is on my "to read" list.  I just love the way she writes in such a poetic, inspiring way...

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And, I definitely feel that Ann's "gift" is from above!!

That is my "Literary Love" for Prompt 12!