Five Minute Friday – Only Through Stories

One of the downsides of marrying late in life is that you may not get to know your in-laws.  That’s the case for both Chris and me and we often feel the loss of not knowing them in person, but only through stories.

Actually, Chris was able to meet my mother Gayle when she was in her late stages of Alzheimer’s.  He met her for the first time on Easter Sunday 2008.  It was one of those awkward times you get with Alzheimer’s because she had a mouthful of food that she refused to swallow, nor would she spit it out.  With her mouthful of food she walked arm in arm with Chris back to her room. 

She sat on her sofa, next to Chris and to my amazement answered questions Chris asked her about her stuffed dog.  She even gave him a bite of her brownie.  She seemed to take to Chris right away.  But within a matter of days, Gayle was hospitalized for pneumonia and within a few weeks she was dead. 

In the ensuing months Chris and I were engaged and married.  Things would happen that would remind me of Gayle and I would tell Chris another Gayle story, of which there were many.

Stories like how she used to hide her used Depends in the closet, or when she would sit down on the floor and refuse to get up, or of the many hospital visits.  One of the most memorable was when she tried to “escape to Vegas” by climbing over the wall, only to hit her head and get an ugly gash on her forehead that needed stiches. 

One story that comes up regularly is the logic I had to use with Gayle to get her to do something she didn’t want to do.  I would tell Gayle, “You don’t have to want to do this, you cannot want to all you like, but you still have to do it.”  There was something crazy about that, but it worked.  She was satisfied that I knew she didn’t want to do it. 

I think both Chris and I feel a loss because we didn’t get to know each other’s parents and I often wonder what our lives would be like if we had that opportunity.

My Five Minute Friday,I mean Saturday submission is a day late again…but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to participate in The Gypsy Mama’s Five Minute Friday.  Head on over and read the writings of many gifted individuals while you are there.  Perhaps you too would like to try your hand at writing for five minutes and see what comes out.

The Defeated Foe

DEFEAT

Front and center!

I want a full report on your subject

Well most evil one

I am happy, excuse that vile word, to report success

In keeping this man down and defeated

I’ve been surprised at how easily he’s swayed

It doesn’t take much

To keep him from reading the Bible each day

Anything from fatigue to busyness

Or little distraction from an aptly timed phone call will do

To keep him from reading the Enemy’s wretched Book

Well done…that’s a must

If he reads it daily

He may actually begin to believe it and live it

It’s critical to cut off the lines of communication with the Enemy

I find he’s easily satisfied with talking to a friend

Instead of praying to his heavenly Father

I don’t even have to work at this one

It comes naturally…thanks to that good old sin nature

It’s a wonder what little grumbling and complaining will do

One of my favorites is when he thinks he can get through the day

On his own strength and relying on his own wisdom

What a joke! 

Well done…it’s imperative that he never knows the truth

That the battle has already been won

That he already has the victory in Christ

Defeat, we may never see him in the Lake of Fire with us

But we can make sure his life here on earth

Is a miserable and defeated existence

Carry on wretched one

Our time is growing short

Excellent work in rendering your foe ineffective and defeated

by Susan Wachtel

July 6, 2012

Happy Independence Day 2012

Wishing my fellow citizens of the great nation a very Happy Independence Day. 

We are certainly living in some very trying and dark days for so many of our citizens. 

Last night, as I read Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, I was reminded that our country has gone through and come out of much darker days than what we are enduing today. 

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – November 19, 1863

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.  We are met on a great battle-field of that war.  We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.  It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate – we can not consecrate – we can not hallow – this ground.  The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.  The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Gettysburg Foundation

Since this is an election year and our selection of President may set the course this nation goes down I want to have a better understanding of what our nation’s founder had in mind by reading the US Constitution.

US Constitution

If you would like to have a better understanding and grasp of the US Constitution, through Hillsdale College you can take an online 10 week course “Constitution 101:  The Meaning and History of the Constitution.” 

Lord…I pray that there will be revival in this nation.  That Your people who are called by Your name will repent and return to You.  That through Your Holy Spirit we will walk in a manner that is good and pleasing to You.  That even the thoughts and intentions of our heart will be good and pleasing to You.  I pray for the untold millions who are godless and without hope.  But I thank God that You tell us in Your word that You desire that all would come to repentance.  You tell us that today is the day of salvation.  May we be mindful that we are not promised tomorrow, much less our next breath.  I pray Lord for the unsaved, that they would repent of their sins, believe with their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.  We thank You Lord for the assurance from Your word that all who come to You will not be cast out.  I pray that You will bring about revival in this nation and let it begin with me. 

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

One Thousand Gifts - At the End of the Day

9.      For today I have a job, as does my husband.  The Lord has continued to provide for us through our jobs.  In today economy and job market that is no small feat. 

10.   For good health and the ability to perform my job. 

11.    Thank You Lord for keeping my heart and mind stayed on You.  

12.    Thank You Lord for giving me a desire to love and bless my enemies and to pray for them.

13.    Thank You for the Balanced Word by Dave Rolph and using his radio ministry to revive my spirit on my lunch hour.

14.    Thank You for answered prayer.

15.  Thank You for the prayers of my faithful friend.

 

One Thousand Gifts – Thanks from a Grateful Heart - July 1, 2012

As I start my day, on the Lord’s day here are a few things that I am grateful for:

4.      I live in a nation where I am free to go to church and worship

5.    Free to own and read my Bible

6.    Have the education and ability to read

7.    For the Holy Spirit who enables me to understand Gods word.

8.    For a church and pastors who are faithful to preach the full counsel of God’s word with authority.

One Thousand Gifts – Thanks from a Grateful Heart

I want to foster a grateful heart and remember the Lord’s many benefits and gifts to me each day.  Starting today, I’m going to join Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts and start counting. 

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s

Psalm 103: 1-5

Let the counting begin. 

1.      I am so grateful for my security and salvation found in Christ alone.

2.    I’m thankful for the gift of prayer and that I can cry out to the Lord anytime, night or day. 

3.    The Lord is never too busy to hear me.