WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

AN UNWELCOME SHIFT

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--SHIFT

Five minutes to free-write about it

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This is the sad tale of a very unexpected and unwelcome shift. 

It didn't start out that way though.

For the first time since I can remember, summer started pest free. There were no hordes of stinkbugs or lanternflies on my balcony--not even one. What a great shift from summers past,

I looked forward to thriving plants, and to being able to sit outside for a change without worrying about bugs flying on me or my hair, or inadvertently carrying one into my apartment on my clothes.

And then came the unexpected shift. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted one loan lanternfly crawling along the ledge outside my window. Then a couple more on the balcony railing. And then two or three gathered in the corners of some windows. And then, what I dreaded most, one comfortably feasting on a leaf. Ugh!!!

Feeling grateful that so far it's been nowhere near as bad as it has been in the past. Hoping against hope they don't keep multiplying and that my wildflowers survive.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

AFFORD

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--AFFORD

Five minutes to free-write about it

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This is my very first post on my new Macbook Neo computer.  

The very old computer I had been using was on its last legs. It needed  to be replaced, but how?  There seemed no way I could afford a new one--let alone another Mac.

Thinking I would have to settle for a refurbished PC, I called my grandson-in-law who is an expert in such things to see if my Mac files could be transferred to a PC. Imagine my surprise when he told me that Apple had just come out with a brand new, no frills, very affordable model--the Macbook Neo, which he suggested I check out.

Not only was it half the price of a regular Mac, but I could pay for it in 12 no-interest monthly payments. 

The easy part was purchasing it on Amazon Prime, which got it to me in two days. However, figuring out how to set it up, migrate everything over from the old computer, and then install the new Microsoft Office package (which my daughter gifted me when my old version wouldn't work after being migrated), turned into a huge challenge that literally took several days of repeated effort because I kept doing things wrong and having to do them over and over before finally getting them right.

In my frustration, I questioned why I was having to struggle like this. Why couldn't I just enjoy my unexpected blessing without all this effort. And then I remembered a very old parable about a man who found an emperor moth cocoon and took it home so he could watch the process of the moth emerging. As the moth struggled to get through the tiny opening in the cocoon, he felt pity for it and enlarged the hole with a snip of his scissors.

That enabled the moth to emerge easily, but its body was swollen, its wings were all shriveled up, and it would never gain the ability to fly. Preventing the struggle had deprived it of the very vigor it needed to be able to do so. 

The struggle the moth needed to engage in as it tried to emerge through the narrow opening was God's design for forcing fluid from its body into its wings. Similarly, what may seem like frustrating challenges to me, He allows as catalysts for growth and inner resilience.

How fast my perspective changed, as did my attitude to one of gratitude, as I realized that what had at first seemed like wasted time, had not been wasted at all. It had exercised my mental muscles, giving my brain cells a much needed workout, even as it strengthened my inner resources as well.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

IN ITS LAST PHASE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--PHASE

Five minutes to free-write about it

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The last few days have been particularly challenging. I've been praying for the Lord to strengthen my inner resources so I can stand strong and not cave in at times such as these, and He has been doing just that,

It seems as though Satan has been working overtime finding ways to attack me on the battlefield of my mind. He may not be omniscient, but he sure seems to know my vulnerabilities and which buttons to push. I'm having to constantly remind myself of verses such as John 8:44b--He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

This morning when I was out watering the plants on my balcony, I pondered the plight of this spotted lanternfly that was in the last phase of its life, having gotten trapped in a spider's web. Immediately the taunts began as thoughts, like flaming arrows, penetrated my mind trying to convince me to believe that I am in my last phase as well.

True, I am in the winter of my life, but age is just a number. And I'm far from the age of 120, which was Moses' age when he was still going strong. As per Deuteronomy 34:7, Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. 

And then we read about Caleb, who at the ripe old age of 85 stated that he was just as strong for war as he had been when he was 40 years old and Moses had sent him to spy out the land. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then (Joshua 14:11).

Raise a Hallelujah!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

REROUTED TO JESUS

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--ROUTE

Five minutes to free-write about it

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My first thought was, how does Miss Kate come up with these FMF prompts, haha.

Seriously though, it made me think of a story in one of my devotionals about a little boy and his dad strolling along hand in hand. The little boy lets go of his dad's hand and goes skipping ahead. Until, suddenly, on the route they had been walking along, he catches sight of a large dog looking at him. That unexpected encounter so scares him, he makes a quick about turn and rushes back to his dad.

Only when his hand is once again securely resting in his dad's hand and he is assured that his dad is right there beside him, does he feel confident enough to walk past the dog.

How like me (and maybe you?) as I go confidently about my day thinking all is well and under control, only to come face to face with a scary looking obstacle. How quickly that serves to reroute me back to Jesus for the reassurance of His presence.

What I have been learning from my recent trials, and have had confirmed over and over, is that when we put our trust in Jesus, He helps us face the future, walking alongside us every step of the way along the route we need to travel.

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Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. -- (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. -- (James 1:2-4, NLT)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

TUESDAY THOUGHTS

The wildflowers in the planter on my balcony have been a source of so much joy. All the different varieties opening up (I had planted a packet of mixed seeds). 

One of my morning highlights, when I go out to water them, is to see what new color I can see. This day, it was not a color, but some delicate, intricate-looking leaves I had not noticed before.

Today, during my quiet time, a passage in one of my devotionals jumped out at me. It was about how easy it is to get your eyes so firmly fixed on the problems in your life that you completely overlook the blessings.  That is so true, and I hope I'm not guilty of doing that so much anymore. 

The joy my wildflowers bring, no matter how discouraged I may be feeling, is just one small example of the healing effect of opening my eyes to the blessings surrounding me instead of fixating on the troubles. 

SHORT

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--SHORT

Five minutes to free-write about it

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At first I was going to skip this week's challenge, but then an old photo popped up in my Facebook memories of a granddaughter whose birthday is today. She looks so tiny in that shot. Definitely much shorter than I am.

That got me to reminiscing about other brief moments in time when I was not the short one, and to looking through old (and some not so old) photos.

These are of my two children--then and now...

...and my oldest granddaughter.

When my local great-grandchildren started to catch up to me, we started a tradition where whenever we got together at my daughter's home (their grandmother) we would stand side by side in front of a little mirror in her entrance way to see how much taller they had grown since my last visit, a ritual that was repeated each time until with great fanfare they were able to announce to one and all that they had passed me by and I was now the shorter one.

This is a picture of me and one of my great-granddaughters, standing in front of the little mirror that has witnessed the transformation from shorter to taller and taller to shorter so many times over the last several years. 

And this is one of my favorite comparison photos--then and now--of my two oldest great-grandsons.

This short reflection really brought home how brief the time is that we have to enjoy our children, be an influence in their lives, and create happy memories together they can carry with them when they fly the coop and are out on their own.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

OUTCOME

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--OUTCOME

Five minutes to free-write about it

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Though I have gotten good reports on my follow-up visits to my surgeon and GP, and I am feeling quite a bit better, the outcome of my surgery (so far) has not been what I expected it to be. 

Rather than dwell on the frustration or disappointment, however, I'm trying to stay focused on the positives and trust that God did not miraculously work things out the way He did for this to become my new normal.  

One of the issues seems to be that many of the things the hospital dietitian told me I should eat when I transitioned from liquid to soft mechanical diet, and that I could eat or drink if I wanted to, were actually things that make symptoms worse and that are on the GERD avoid list. 

Come to find out from my GP that just because they do not seem to bother me was not an indicator that they are okay foods for me to be ingesting, because symptoms can take up to two hours to manifest.

So now that I have transitioned from soft mechanical to regular diet, and have the proper information as to what I should be eating and what I should not, I'm being mindful of my choices and hoping that this unwanted outcome is only a temporary glitch on the path to recovery that will eventually reverse itself with patience and the necessary corrections. 

PIVOT

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--PIVOT

Five minutes to free-write about it

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The last few days have been pivotal (in the sense of a turning point) for both me and my plants.

The wildflowers I had planted and thought would be too strangled to bloom because I accidentally overcrowded them by adding too many seeds to the pot, are looking beautiful. And the tomato plant that had been sitting on a sunny windowsill in my bedroom and was looking half dead, immediately perked up when I moved it out to the balcony.

As for me, I'm perking up as well, and having a renewed desire to start taking pictures again as I'm out and about doing errands. Yesterday I had the energy to pull over twice and get out of my car to take these pictures of some pretty purple umbrellas outside a local eatery, and a July 4th fireworks stand.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Way, way back in the day, when my children were the age my younger great-grandchildren are now, my son found a ring in the playground.

I never found out who it belonged to, and it fit perfectly, so it became a well-worn piece of jewelry. In fact, it's one of the few rings I ever wear anymore.

I wonder who it belonged to and what became of her.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

TUESDAY THOUGHTS

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

(Psalm 34:8, NKJV)

Still pondering the events of the past almost two months and the amazing and unexpected ways the Lord moved in my life, providing tangible evidence that He is in control and can be trusted to know what's best, no matter how things may be looking from my point of view.

I'm also thinking of how perfect the timing of the messages in my devotionals have been. Like the one early on that exhorted me to welcome my challenge as an opportunity to trust God, and to hold His hand tightly as He walks through it with me. And the one today, at the other end, having personally experienced these truths play out in my own personal circumstances:

                                                Do not presume to know what's best

                                                When you begin to pray;

                                                But say to God, "Your will be done,"

                                                Then trust His perfect way.  (David Sper)

VIBE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--VIBE

Five minutes to free-write about it

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VIBE: A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing (Vocabulary.com). -- Distinctive feeling or quality capable of being sensed--e.g. good, bad, or weird (Merriam-Webster dictionary).

That is what the promptings of the Holy Spirit feel like to me. It's that still small voice within that, if I am sensitive to, points me in the right direction by alerting me as to whether something or someone has a good vibe attached to it or not. However, in order to benefit from its guidance I need to trust God and obey--even when it goes against what my own senses or intellect would like me to believe.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not

depend on your own understanding. Seek his

will in all you do, and he will show you which

path to take.  (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)

PART

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--PART

Five minutes to free-write about it

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One of the things I pray for during my morning quiet time is that the Lord would increase my inner strength so that I don't cave in when buffeted by the storms of life. But, truth be told, I tend to feel a pang of fear when I pray it, because I know that in order for the Lord to answer that prayer I will be tested.

And tested I was, when I unexpectedly wound up in the ER during the month of May--not once, but twice--and at the beginning of June, had surgery for something unrelated that I had been led to believe I was not a candidate for. 

The way the Lord orchestrated all the details was so mind boggling it gave my confidence in Him a much needed boost, driving home the point that He is on the throne and in control. My part is to trust Him whether or not I understand the whys and wherefores. His part is to work out the details. 

Though I am feeling stronger, I'm still in recovery mode and do not yet know for sure what the final outcome of the surgery will be, but some of the lessons I'm learning are to stay present in the moment so I don't miss out on today's blessings by letting fear of tomorrow rob me of their joy, and not to let the things I don't know keep me from experiencing the comfort provided by the things that I do. Things like Jesus is my good Shepherd who will never leave me or forsake me, and who is always by my side. Or that God is my father, and I am His beloved child. 

I don't need to go down trails of what ifs, because I can be rest assured that He sees things I do not see, and knows things I do not know, and is working all things together for my good and His glory as He weaves the tapestry of my life.

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We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us. and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. -- 1 John 4:18 (TLB)

BACK HOME

Just a brief update to let you all know that surgery was successful, and I am now back home, learning to be patient and accept help as I recover, and pondering many things. 

 

One of the things I've been pondering is the miracle of how this surgery even came to be. That deserves a post all of its own.

In brief though, I firmly believe the Lord used the small bowel obstruction that landed me in the ER just to introduce me to the wonderful thoracic surgeon who repaired the hiatal hernia I had been told was too risky to repair and that it was a surgery I would not be a candidate for.

I have already posted the details of how an X-ray taken as I was being prepped for pre-op revealed that the obstruction was gone (here in this post if you want to read it), and the surgery was cancelled. 

The thoracic surgeon who was going to collaborate in the surgery recommended that I go home, gain some strength, and reschedule the hernia repair for a later date--as opposed to him doing it then. 

His plan was to do minimally invasive robotic surgery--unless he went in and found there was a lot of scar tissue from a previous laparoscopic surgery I had had, which is what had been thought to be the cause of the bowel obstruction that disappeared. And plan A is what it turned out to be as there was no scar tissue to be found either.

When I ponder how the Lord orchestrated the details of a surgery that had never even been on the radar before my visit to the ER for something totally unrelated, my awe is too great for words.

DEAL

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--DEAL

Five minutes to free-write about it

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This was one of the views from my window for almost three weeks. Three weeks on an IV with no food or drink. 

It's funny how hard it has always been for me to lose weight, and how quickly I managed to lose 8 lbs. Now, instead of stepping on the scale in the morning to see if I have (hopefully) lost sometihng, I'm stepping on to see if I've managed to gain anything back. But I digress. 

One morning I woke up fine. By the end of the day, I was not. 

Since then, it's been a challenging time of unexpected ups and downs, ever changing plans and schedules, encouraging news and news that's not so encouraging, having every single available vein poked so many times they had trouble finding new ones--even with the help of an ultrasound (and I am a big wimp with zero pain tolerance and needle phobia). 

Throughout it all, what's kept me going is reminding myself that Jesus, my good shepherd, is right there with me, holding my hand, sometimes even carrying me. It's also reminding myself that even when I don't understand--and more so then than ever--I need to trust that God is in control, that He sees the end from the beginning, and that His plan and timing are always the best. Sometimes He reminds me of it too, such as in the form of a miracle. 

Like being on my way to surgery for removal of a small bowel obstruction and having one more X-ray before a nurse--very aptly named Rejoice--came to prep me for Pre-Op, but the surgery got cancelled.

The X-ray revealed there was no longer any obstruction and the surgery was no longer needed. The thoracic surgeon who was going to collaborate in the surgery and repair my hiatal hernia at the same time opted to postpone the repair until June to give me a chance to go home and regain some strength, and then, hopefully, he would be able to do the repair in a less invasive and more effective way.

However, the deal is this. One miracle does not necessarily mean assuming a second one will follow. It may or may not, but should not be taken for granted.  

The deal is that peace comes from putting my trust in God--no matter what--and seeking His face rather than His hand. It's looking at life's challenges as opportunities to acknowledge my neediness,  rely more fully on Him, and increase my intimacy with Him as my dependence deepens.  

I loved the words of a Sing Devotional I was listening to the day I was discharged (which unfortunately did not have a link I could link it to or even go back and listen to it again to get the name of the man who was leading it), but in essence, he likened pain as going from an open wound to a tender scab, and eventually to an empowering star. 

The worst of times, in retrospect, he went on to say, is often the best of times even if it doesn't feel like it at the time, because it's during those times when God is able to change our hearts and teach us the deepest lessons, and we learn to rely on Him instead of on ourselves.

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Hiatal hernia repair surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd. Will keep you posted.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

DECISION

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--DECISION

Five minutes to free-write about it

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Have any of you ever decided to declutter and then later regretted having gotten rid of some of the things you did?

I used to save cards, letters, kids' artwork and term papers, and such, and had three large boxes full. And then I got on the decluttering bandwagon and convinced myself I needed to go through these boxes and only save the things that meant the most. So I did, and pared them down to just half of one box so there would still be room for anything down the road I felt I really couldn't part with.

The same thing with my clothes. Anything in my closet I hadn't worn in over six months got donated to the thrift shop or to our church's clothing giveaway, for someone else to enjoy.

Why I decided to do these things, I do not know. It's not as though I live in a cluttered apartment, but it seemed like the thing to do.

Invariably though, there always seems to be something that I think of that I would like to wear that I haven't in a while, only to discover I no longer have it. And this morning, I thought of something I wanted to read that had once been in one of my boxes of mementos, only to realize it was something I had gotten rid of. 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

TIMING

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--TIMING

Five minutes to free-write about it

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Friday's prompt made me think of how important it is to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and quick to obey before the moment passes.

Most times I do respond right away to spiritual promptings, but other times I don't, and the moment passes, and the opportunity is lost. 

Just this morning, for instance, I was talking to someone at church and had a strong prompting to ask him a certain question, but it felt awkward and I didn't do it. Maybe there will be another opportunity, maybe not, but I'll never know what the Lord might have used that question to accomplish had I obeyed at that moment in time.

The same thing has happened in my writing. I'll feel prompted to write a post (especially on my other blog--At The Foot Of The Cross), but I'm in the middle of work or what I think is some other priority, so I just quickly scribble a note or two on a scrap of paper so I don't forget to do it later, but when later comes, the passion of the moment is gone, and if I do write something anyway, it does not have the impact it would have had, had I done it when I first felt led to do so.

Which made me think of a passage in the Old Testament (Numbers 14:1-45) about the consequences of missing God's timing.

The spies sent out to scout the land of Canaan brought back a negative report, and as a result,  instead of trusting God, the Israelites disobeyed Him and refused to enter the Promised Land because they were afraid. Then, when God told them they would die in the wilderness for their unbelief, they tried to make up for their disobedience by setting out to fight their enemies even though Moses warned them not to do it because God was no longer with them. 

They refused to listen, did it anyway, and as a result, they were defeated.

FRIDAY FUNNY

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY