He was always 'Daddy' to me, even though I was 40 years old when he died. That choice of a name always felt cosy, warm and loving to me. And that's the way he was. I grew up in a close, affectionate family with a wonderful mom and older brother, Donald. Being in kindergarten when World War II broke out could have caused much fear because New York City and the Atlantic Ocean were close to my little suburb of Ridgefield Park, NJ. But loving parents protected me and even though we endured air raid drills, we were never attacked by German bombers.
I do remember those air raid drills. Our family would all hover down on the living room rug as the air raid sirens screamed above us. Every light in our house and street had to be turned off to prevent any enemy airplanes to attack. One night was especially cloudy, dark and scary. Daddy found a small flashlight for me and as I held that tiny light I felt better. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. The air raid warden, a friendly neighbor, saw my light and said it had to be turned off. So, Daddy wrapped his arms around me and kept me safe.
The Sunday papers were always a hit arriving with delightful comics. Daddy would seat us on the sofa, Donald on one side and me on the other side, cuddling close as he read the comics to us. I don't remember the stories but I do remember the undivided attention as he chuckled and patiently read all those comic pages.
He was always supportive and proud of me. When, in my 30s I launched a singing career throughout the US, Canada and other countries, Daddy would stand there and tell friends his "buttons were popping off his shirt" he was so proud. As my singing career grew with record sales, travel expenses, honorariums, Daddy would spend hours managing bookwork. How I appreciated that!
He had a great sense of humor, constantly telling endless "corny" jokes (at least as a teenager I thought that) to all his friends. Later I realized he just wanted to make people laugh and enjoy life. He was also a good example of a happy marriage, always being affectionate and caring with my mother.... kissing goodbye even when going on mundane errands.
He never 'spoiled' me but was always advising me and counseling me on important decisions, especially when I fell in love with Dick. Daddy had instant rapport with my husband and they enjoyed working on major reconstruction for our newly purchased home.
Growing up in a loving, supportive family it was somewhat of a shock to me when I learned about absentee fathers, abusive fathers, harsh fathers. It was then I realized how fortunate and blessed I am to remember my Daddy who always had time for me and loved me unconditionally.
In this age of IPhones, work demands, media bombardment, cultural enticements, may fathers today give their sons and daughters undivided attention, wise counsel and unconditional love so that on Father's Day these dads will be remembered with honor and devotion.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADDY!
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Old age passion
My paternal grandparents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary back in the 1950s. I remember vividly the 50th anniversary party. There sat Nana and Pa on the sofa, greeting relatives and friends parading in and out of Aunt Muriel's house, smiling and shaking hands with well-wishers. Struggling with arthritic legs and a trifle overweight body, Nana remained seated on the sofa. Pa, having recently recovered from cancer surgery on his face due to years of cigar smoking, joked and laughed with every guest. Pa affectionately called Nana, "Dorie" even though her name was Lillian, but to Nana he was always 'John'. I remember thinking that day, "They really still love each other". The attention they gave each other, never ignoring, but serving cups of coffee, sitting close together on the sofa, always together whether shopping or cooking a meal and especially their affectionate touches gave proof of their long lasting love.
Dick and I were engaged to be married at that time and we were madly in love. Here we were craving each other's presence, hearts racing every time we were together, clinging to each other, heated passion with every kiss. Yes, we experienced deep true love yearning for the day we would be married and experience God ordained oneness. Then the glorious wedding day was celebrated on December 27, 1958, a beautiful sunny warm winter day at the Presbyterian Church in Ramsey, NJ.
This December of 2018, Dick and I will celebrate 60 years of marriage. Unbelievable! I never thought we'd live this long, especially since we are both cancer survivors. Dick had successful surgery back in 1990 for prostate cancer and I was miraculously healed of CNS lymphoma (cancer of the brain) in 2010. Yes, 60 years of marriage....not total bliss because as two independent, strong-willed people, we've had our moments of disagreement, anger and resentment. But we remembered our vows to Almighty God and stuck it out, reminding ourselves of that first 'eros' love that bound us together.
Do we love each other even now?.....when we struggle with physical problems that impede any 'love-making'? Absolutely, and the love between us is probably stronger than ever. It would be my guess that most married senior citizens in their eighties are unable to carry on an active sex life due to medical and physical reasons. But why should that lessen 'love'?
When we express marital love we express intimacy......two hearts united as one.....two different personalities meshing together......two lives committed to caring for each other. So, as we are blessed with still being here in this physical life in our senior years, how wonderful to continue the intimacy of love.
Holding hands as we walk around the pond, holding hands as we sit together on the sofa watching a movie, holding hands as we sit close in church praying, holding hands as we say mealtime 'grace'. And when we hold hands we experience a lifetime of marriage. His hands once strong and smooth as he spent 27 years as an elementary principal but now still strong but weathered from 20 years of cutting wood for our catalytic stove as we enjoyed retirement. My hands, small but always busy with raising four children, sewing special dresses and playing the piano, now arthritic and knobby. But we now hold and caress those hands together......and that is intimacy.
Due to various physical problems involving back, leg, general bodily pain and discomforts, many senior citizens find sleeping in a recliner chair their only comfort. Fortunately, we are blessed that we are still able to share our queen size bed together. Snuggling close to each other as we lay side by side, arms about each other, we rejoice in that familiar intimacy. Stroking his face and whispering "I love you" brings a softness to my heart. And when he smiles and says, "And I've never stopped loving you", I giggle with joy. Yes, that is loving intimacy.
Our prayers at night are special. As we lay there together, we pray for each member of our family, naming each slowly and thoughtfully, that God in His grace and mercy would bless each one with health, protection and wisdom in following Him. We conclude our prayers by together reciting the 23rd Psalm. As children we had memorized that psalm and now in our senior years it takes on increased meaning as we consider 'lying in green pastures, being led by still waters by a Shepherd who comforts with His rod and staff''. And together we receive the Lord's blessing. That is loving intimacy.
So, what is "Old age Passion"? It is the deepest love.....it is binding, forgiving and tender. The best of love surely is in our senior years.
Dick and I were engaged to be married at that time and we were madly in love. Here we were craving each other's presence, hearts racing every time we were together, clinging to each other, heated passion with every kiss. Yes, we experienced deep true love yearning for the day we would be married and experience God ordained oneness. Then the glorious wedding day was celebrated on December 27, 1958, a beautiful sunny warm winter day at the Presbyterian Church in Ramsey, NJ.
This December of 2018, Dick and I will celebrate 60 years of marriage. Unbelievable! I never thought we'd live this long, especially since we are both cancer survivors. Dick had successful surgery back in 1990 for prostate cancer and I was miraculously healed of CNS lymphoma (cancer of the brain) in 2010. Yes, 60 years of marriage....not total bliss because as two independent, strong-willed people, we've had our moments of disagreement, anger and resentment. But we remembered our vows to Almighty God and stuck it out, reminding ourselves of that first 'eros' love that bound us together.
Do we love each other even now?.....when we struggle with physical problems that impede any 'love-making'? Absolutely, and the love between us is probably stronger than ever. It would be my guess that most married senior citizens in their eighties are unable to carry on an active sex life due to medical and physical reasons. But why should that lessen 'love'?
When we express marital love we express intimacy......two hearts united as one.....two different personalities meshing together......two lives committed to caring for each other. So, as we are blessed with still being here in this physical life in our senior years, how wonderful to continue the intimacy of love.
Holding hands as we walk around the pond, holding hands as we sit together on the sofa watching a movie, holding hands as we sit close in church praying, holding hands as we say mealtime 'grace'. And when we hold hands we experience a lifetime of marriage. His hands once strong and smooth as he spent 27 years as an elementary principal but now still strong but weathered from 20 years of cutting wood for our catalytic stove as we enjoyed retirement. My hands, small but always busy with raising four children, sewing special dresses and playing the piano, now arthritic and knobby. But we now hold and caress those hands together......and that is intimacy.
Due to various physical problems involving back, leg, general bodily pain and discomforts, many senior citizens find sleeping in a recliner chair their only comfort. Fortunately, we are blessed that we are still able to share our queen size bed together. Snuggling close to each other as we lay side by side, arms about each other, we rejoice in that familiar intimacy. Stroking his face and whispering "I love you" brings a softness to my heart. And when he smiles and says, "And I've never stopped loving you", I giggle with joy. Yes, that is loving intimacy.
Our prayers at night are special. As we lay there together, we pray for each member of our family, naming each slowly and thoughtfully, that God in His grace and mercy would bless each one with health, protection and wisdom in following Him. We conclude our prayers by together reciting the 23rd Psalm. As children we had memorized that psalm and now in our senior years it takes on increased meaning as we consider 'lying in green pastures, being led by still waters by a Shepherd who comforts with His rod and staff''. And together we receive the Lord's blessing. That is loving intimacy.
So, what is "Old age Passion"? It is the deepest love.....it is binding, forgiving and tender. The best of love surely is in our senior years.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
What about dementia?
Dementia. Our culture denies dementia. Not surprising because dementia is frightening. It is emotionally painful as you see your loved one slide away. But the shocking reality is "every 65 seconds someone new is diagnosed with Alzheimer's". And Alzheimer's is just one manifestation of dementia. How did all this happen? Right now there is no cure and no scientific explanation why it hits some and not others.
I am not an expert on dementia. I am just an ordinary person who lives first hand with a loved one who is a victim of 'mild dementia'. And my, what a challenging 24/7 existence that is. There is another factor that intensifies the discomfort. We are senior citizens. In this stage of our lives we are not employed, not sought after for community roles, not active parents. So, indeed, what clout do we have? Does the culture really understand? Or does our culture just pass us by with thoughts of....."He's out to lunch!"......or "She's crazy!"
What is the reaction of the world around us? Dementia causes friends to run away and families to over react with placement in facilities. In contrast, a cancer diagnosis causes friends and families to gather round with meals, loving words, hugs, even walking the dog and cutting the lawn. But dementia? Denial, walking away, better things to do.......
Then the caregiver takes the entire burden on herself .......articulating the correct word when he speaks in confusion.......reminding him gently what day it is.....where he is......what the plan is for the day.......patiently smiling as he endlessly repeats the same personal stories......enduring the loss of social interaction.....telling him again and again how much she loves him........reminding him how proud she is of him......looking at old photos together of when he was honored in his professional career.......reminding him of simple tasks he was currently engaged in but lost focus.......never criticizing him when he loses common sense. And all the while the caregiver is in deep emotional pain. Where is the wonderful, strong, independent, highly recognized, athletic, attentive parent, financial wizard, talented, faithful man she married?
God gave her this man as her husband 60 years ago. He has loved her, cherished her, protected her, provided for her, laughed with her, cried with her, debated with her and rejoiced with her. And now, even though some family and friends look away, she will stand by him "til death do us part".
Oh, may our culture seek to understand and support all our friends and families burdened with dementia knowing that dementia could even hit home.
I am not an expert on dementia. I am just an ordinary person who lives first hand with a loved one who is a victim of 'mild dementia'. And my, what a challenging 24/7 existence that is. There is another factor that intensifies the discomfort. We are senior citizens. In this stage of our lives we are not employed, not sought after for community roles, not active parents. So, indeed, what clout do we have? Does the culture really understand? Or does our culture just pass us by with thoughts of....."He's out to lunch!"......or "She's crazy!"
What is the reaction of the world around us? Dementia causes friends to run away and families to over react with placement in facilities. In contrast, a cancer diagnosis causes friends and families to gather round with meals, loving words, hugs, even walking the dog and cutting the lawn. But dementia? Denial, walking away, better things to do.......
Then the caregiver takes the entire burden on herself .......articulating the correct word when he speaks in confusion.......reminding him gently what day it is.....where he is......what the plan is for the day.......patiently smiling as he endlessly repeats the same personal stories......enduring the loss of social interaction.....telling him again and again how much she loves him........reminding him how proud she is of him......looking at old photos together of when he was honored in his professional career.......reminding him of simple tasks he was currently engaged in but lost focus.......never criticizing him when he loses common sense. And all the while the caregiver is in deep emotional pain. Where is the wonderful, strong, independent, highly recognized, athletic, attentive parent, financial wizard, talented, faithful man she married?
God gave her this man as her husband 60 years ago. He has loved her, cherished her, protected her, provided for her, laughed with her, cried with her, debated with her and rejoiced with her. And now, even though some family and friends look away, she will stand by him "til death do us part".
Oh, may our culture seek to understand and support all our friends and families burdened with dementia knowing that dementia could even hit home.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
"Come on seniors.....Speak Out"
We all grow old. A newborn squeals at the abrupt entrance to the world and from that moment begins to grow and change to fulfill a God given purpose. We become aware of the aging process in our thirties as we struggle to keep up with the light hearted abandonment of youth. Then as the decades pass with increasing speed we suddenly realize we have become 'senior citizens'. How did this happen so quickly? I ask myself as I find myself in the eighties...Why is my physical body literally deteriorating? The state of aging is obvious......white or grey hair, hearing aides, glasses, canes, walkers, slow of speech and slow of movement, daytime napping. And indeed some memory loss....."What's her name again?"...."What day is it?" The aging catches us by surprise and we wonder "How do I cope?" I missed that class in college......Dealing with the senior years 101... ..which of course was never taught."
Then the reality hits. Our culture here in the United States has a problem with aging! Look at the commercials on TV. Youth is worshipped, seniors are ignored or laughed at. Where do our seniors live? Huge corporations are cashing in on the plight and lives of seniors. Retirement communities offering independent living, assisted living, plus nursing homes with 'continuum of care' are popping up in every state. Financial arrangements vary from affordable costs at 501C3 non-profit facilities to total liquidation of personal financial holdings upon death. Some corporations have seized upon the financial assets of seniors promising them life-long care but grabbing all their money. Yes many seniors today have comfortable pensions (unheard of today in the business world). Many seniors today were born around the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s and lived their lives watching the budget, paying bills on time, never entering debt and in retirement have substantial savings. And these savings they wish to pass on to their children as gifts of inheritance.
Does our culture today essentially respect seniors? Or is our culture too busy, too focused on youth to truly respect the older population. Which, by the way, is growing in volumes due to 'baby boomers' now entering their senior years. Here is the increasing number of senior citizens, who have lived productive, important, creative, decision making lives in various jobs, roles, individual capacities with God given gifts to enhance our world and where are they now? Living alone in a condo, living alone grieving loss of loved one, living a challenging handicapped existence. BUT filled with knowledge. All those years of experience in an occupation, raising a family, coping with problems or grief or tragedy, travels, interpersonal relationships. What a wealth of knowledge to share with loved ones, friends, the public.
So, let us seniors speak out. Let us share our memories, our experiences, our knowledge. Let us give to our younger culture wisdom that we have accumulated. Let us feel worthy, respected and honored.
I pray this will happen.
Then the reality hits. Our culture here in the United States has a problem with aging! Look at the commercials on TV. Youth is worshipped, seniors are ignored or laughed at. Where do our seniors live? Huge corporations are cashing in on the plight and lives of seniors. Retirement communities offering independent living, assisted living, plus nursing homes with 'continuum of care' are popping up in every state. Financial arrangements vary from affordable costs at 501C3 non-profit facilities to total liquidation of personal financial holdings upon death. Some corporations have seized upon the financial assets of seniors promising them life-long care but grabbing all their money. Yes many seniors today have comfortable pensions (unheard of today in the business world). Many seniors today were born around the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s and lived their lives watching the budget, paying bills on time, never entering debt and in retirement have substantial savings. And these savings they wish to pass on to their children as gifts of inheritance.
Does our culture today essentially respect seniors? Or is our culture too busy, too focused on youth to truly respect the older population. Which, by the way, is growing in volumes due to 'baby boomers' now entering their senior years. Here is the increasing number of senior citizens, who have lived productive, important, creative, decision making lives in various jobs, roles, individual capacities with God given gifts to enhance our world and where are they now? Living alone in a condo, living alone grieving loss of loved one, living a challenging handicapped existence. BUT filled with knowledge. All those years of experience in an occupation, raising a family, coping with problems or grief or tragedy, travels, interpersonal relationships. What a wealth of knowledge to share with loved ones, friends, the public.
So, let us seniors speak out. Let us share our memories, our experiences, our knowledge. Let us give to our younger culture wisdom that we have accumulated. Let us feel worthy, respected and honored.
I pray this will happen.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
A SPECIAL GIFT
Music is a special gift.....a gift from our Creator. Where did those sounds come from? How did our throats have the capacity to make melody? How did our ears join with our larynx to coordinate sounds into music? And how did our brains conceive of abilities to write music notes, to name them and compose songs? Our Creator has given us this wonderful, inspiring, awesome means of music.
These days when our media bombards us 24/7 with shocking, tragic, depressing news our spirits groan for sounds of joy. What better way to find that joy? Music. You can find music playing on a number of venues.....Sirius, smartphone, Bose, TV, radio.....but how wonderful when you recall a tune and start humming by yourself.
How many times do we recall hymns sung at Sunday's worship or contemporary tunes at last week's worship service. When you hum that music or even sing the words, joy fills your heart. I know it fills mine!
When I think back on the hundreds of solo concerts that I sang, I remember the thrill of sharing my heart with audiences. Because that's what music does. Music sounds come from the heart.....emotional feelings of love, joy, struggle, pain, fear, victory. As I sang those songs from memory, with no sheet music in front of me preventing an audience barrier, I could sense the spiritual messages in those songs communicating in the hearts of the audience. That's what music is......communication heart to heart.
So when news is bad, when the day is stormy, when times are depressing, hum a tune about Jesus. You will be reminded of His love.
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.........."
"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have being." Psalm 146:2
These days when our media bombards us 24/7 with shocking, tragic, depressing news our spirits groan for sounds of joy. What better way to find that joy? Music. You can find music playing on a number of venues.....Sirius, smartphone, Bose, TV, radio.....but how wonderful when you recall a tune and start humming by yourself.
How many times do we recall hymns sung at Sunday's worship or contemporary tunes at last week's worship service. When you hum that music or even sing the words, joy fills your heart. I know it fills mine!
When I think back on the hundreds of solo concerts that I sang, I remember the thrill of sharing my heart with audiences. Because that's what music does. Music sounds come from the heart.....emotional feelings of love, joy, struggle, pain, fear, victory. As I sang those songs from memory, with no sheet music in front of me preventing an audience barrier, I could sense the spiritual messages in those songs communicating in the hearts of the audience. That's what music is......communication heart to heart.
So when news is bad, when the day is stormy, when times are depressing, hum a tune about Jesus. You will be reminded of His love.
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.........."
"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have being." Psalm 146:2
Friday, October 13, 2017
Are they really 'Golden Years'?
I remember thinking in my 50s, 60s, and 70s....."Oh sure, I'm getting older but it's not so bad. Maybe I can't run around as much, get tired more easily....but culture is right. Golden Years are wonderful!",
Well, now I'm in my 80s and life has suddenly, drastically changed. I can honestly say I am experiencing physical deterioration! Yes, my body is deteriorating....falling apart......unpredictable aches and pains.....drooping body parts pulled by gravity......wrinkly skin......edematous legs....arthritic joints. How come? Where is my body going??? 'Golden Years'? I don't think so.
Isn't it amazing. We spend our lives growing physically and mentally, producing, creating as we seek to make a name for ourselves in this highly competitive world and then......boom!....all of a sudden we start decreasing in body, mind and strength. Why did God make us this way? Why can't we humans go out to a standing ovation, glorifying our accomplishments and rejoicing in our man-made success? But instead we end our lives in our later years limping, holding our canes or wheeling along in the chair, laden with hearing aides, braces and trifocals. 'Golden Years'???
Psalm 90 describes it so well......verse 5 "You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered." And verse 10 "The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." NIV
I ask myself, "Where is the Janet I knew?" But then I realize 'Janet' is still here. Even though my body is falling apart and decaying, I am still me. I am still the 'Janet' that God in His wisdom created. Even though I can't walk 2 miles a day, even though I can't sing concerts all over the place, even though I can't entertain and serve dinner for twelve, even though I can't wash the windows and vacuum the pool, even though I can't shop all day for all those things I want but don't need, even though I can't jump in the car and drive 9 1/2 hours to our lake house in Canada....I am still Janet.
I am the same Janet who thinks, feels, remembers, prays, cries, laughs, loves....all those intangible attributes that are part of me. Those personality traits are not going away. And that is the life that was, is, and always will be....me! Just the physical body is wearing down and crumbling away.
In Genesis 2: 7 we read about the creation of man...... "And the Lord God formed man of the dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a human being." Then we read in Genesis 3: 19 after Adam and Eve disobeyed God's commands and ate the forbidden fruit, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you will return."NIV
No wonder we see ourselves deteriorating. Our physical bodies end up in dust! Our flesh literally rots, decomposes and falls away.....the bones become brittle and break.
So if my physical body is turning to dust, I know how vitally important it is to trust in my Lord and Savior. The God I dearly believe in, the precious Jesus who has protected me, loved me, healed me, gifted me has never left me. Now is the time to draw close to Him and prepare to enter His presence for that is where I will be throughout eternity. I love what it says in Revelation 21: 3-4 "Now the dwelling of God will be with men, and He will live with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." NIV What a blessing eternity will be!
Yes, the Janet that God created will live on into eternity......the non-physical, inanimate me. How beautiful....how amazing. We are all totally different people with totally individual personalities and that is why Janet will always be Janet.
I'm so glad I know Jesus, that I know His Spirit dwells in me, that I know when my body turns to dust I will be in Paradise with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16 NIV
Well, now I'm in my 80s and life has suddenly, drastically changed. I can honestly say I am experiencing physical deterioration! Yes, my body is deteriorating....falling apart......unpredictable aches and pains.....drooping body parts pulled by gravity......wrinkly skin......edematous legs....arthritic joints. How come? Where is my body going??? 'Golden Years'? I don't think so.
Isn't it amazing. We spend our lives growing physically and mentally, producing, creating as we seek to make a name for ourselves in this highly competitive world and then......boom!....all of a sudden we start decreasing in body, mind and strength. Why did God make us this way? Why can't we humans go out to a standing ovation, glorifying our accomplishments and rejoicing in our man-made success? But instead we end our lives in our later years limping, holding our canes or wheeling along in the chair, laden with hearing aides, braces and trifocals. 'Golden Years'???
Psalm 90 describes it so well......verse 5 "You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered." And verse 10 "The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." NIV
I ask myself, "Where is the Janet I knew?" But then I realize 'Janet' is still here. Even though my body is falling apart and decaying, I am still me. I am still the 'Janet' that God in His wisdom created. Even though I can't walk 2 miles a day, even though I can't sing concerts all over the place, even though I can't entertain and serve dinner for twelve, even though I can't wash the windows and vacuum the pool, even though I can't shop all day for all those things I want but don't need, even though I can't jump in the car and drive 9 1/2 hours to our lake house in Canada....I am still Janet.
I am the same Janet who thinks, feels, remembers, prays, cries, laughs, loves....all those intangible attributes that are part of me. Those personality traits are not going away. And that is the life that was, is, and always will be....me! Just the physical body is wearing down and crumbling away.
In Genesis 2: 7 we read about the creation of man...... "And the Lord God formed man of the dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a human being." Then we read in Genesis 3: 19 after Adam and Eve disobeyed God's commands and ate the forbidden fruit, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you will return."NIV
No wonder we see ourselves deteriorating. Our physical bodies end up in dust! Our flesh literally rots, decomposes and falls away.....the bones become brittle and break.
So if my physical body is turning to dust, I know how vitally important it is to trust in my Lord and Savior. The God I dearly believe in, the precious Jesus who has protected me, loved me, healed me, gifted me has never left me. Now is the time to draw close to Him and prepare to enter His presence for that is where I will be throughout eternity. I love what it says in Revelation 21: 3-4 "Now the dwelling of God will be with men, and He will live with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." NIV What a blessing eternity will be!
Yes, the Janet that God created will live on into eternity......the non-physical, inanimate me. How beautiful....how amazing. We are all totally different people with totally individual personalities and that is why Janet will always be Janet.
I'm so glad I know Jesus, that I know His Spirit dwells in me, that I know when my body turns to dust I will be in Paradise with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16 NIV
Saturday, June 17, 2017
His Plan.....
Have you ever asked "Why am I here?" or "Where did I come from?" or "What's going to happen to me......if........?"
I've asked those questions....yes.....many times. Life sometimes appears so complex, so challenging, so unpredictable.....that we wonder.....and subsequently search for an answer.
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about Creation.....how this earth was formed.....how we humans came to be......how amazing the way our physical bodies function.......how our minds, emotions, and bodies are intricately connected.....how we are all created with a hunger in our soul for a living God.
The search, of course, brings me to reading the Bible again and again. It never ceases to amaze me that as often as I read scripture over and over, the more I gain from it.
It all begins with Genesis chapter one......"In the beginning". This has become a controversial chapter mainly due to evolutionary thinking in our culture. Having been brain washed with Darwin's theories in school, I remember, as a teen, driving along the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey and thinking....."It took millions of years for the Delaware River to carve through that mountain. How did that happen?" And then I would look at the river and wonder why the river has stayed at the same level for hundreds of years and never gotten any deeper. I thought 'evolution' kept evolving. Hmmm.
But over 30 years ago I was challenged by some 'creationists' to think of Genesis in a literal time frame. That God, in His infinite wisdom and unequaled power, created all there is of heaven and earth in just 6 literal days. It was quite a step for me, but as I looked at various rock formations and vast differences in land geography, I began to say, "OK, I'll try thinking all this was created in 6 literal days, only 10,000 years ago by Almighty God."
Then my thoughts went to the amazing miracles I've read about in the Bible. What about the 'loaves and fishes' and 'Jesus calming the storm' and 'raising Lazarus from the dead' and the 'Virgin Birth' and 'Jesus resurrection'. And think about 'the Flood' and 'the parting of the Red Sea'. Was I going to throw all those miracles away or did I really think they happened? Then if God has the power to perform all those miracles.......surely Creation in 6 days only 10,000 years ago is an easy job.
My next question was "Why? Why did He do all those amazing miracles?" And the answer my consciousness keeps repeating......."because He has a plan."
Now I can speak personally You've all heard the story of my experience with brain cancer......my sudden diagnosis on July 8, 2010 with CNS lymphoma a "lethal, aggressive, rare cancer" located in the left thalamus of my brain and being told on that day "Janet, you have 7 weeks to live!" And when told that, I remembered the beautiful vision I had of Jesus the night of May 26, 2010 (just 6 weeks prior to my cancer diagnosis) when Jesus came and spoke to me saying,"You will be healed, BUT on My own time frame."
And here I am.....2017......still alive, with clear mental faculties, total memory recall and NO SIGN OF CANCER! In fact my oncologist in Holland MI told me this year when I saw him for my annual update appointment, "Janet, your cancer experience is unprecedented. Of all the patients that I have known with CNS lymphoma, you are the only one I've known to live this long. If those patients did in fact survive their initial diagnosis they never survived more than 31/2 or at the most 4 years. Here it is 7 years since your diagnosis and we see no sign of cancer. This indeed is a miracle."
Yes, the miracles in the Bible are wonderful. But when a miracle happens to me.......Wow. Now it's personal......now I know what a miracle feels like. It is real! Jesus is real and He healed me!
Of course I wonder, "Why? Why me? Why didn't God perform a miracle on all those younger women. Why give me the 'miracle'?" And the answer my consciousness keeps repeating........."because He has a plan".
Yes, God has plans for each one of us and that plan is for the 'good'. As I daily struggle with my physical disabilities resulting from the brain cancer I, like Paul, pray for healing and deliverance. I still walk with a cane, still struggle climbing stairs and walking over uneven ground, cannot totally use my right hand and arm, even struggle turning over in bed, struggle opening heavy doors, struggle with living in a right-handed world, become frustrated with difficulty dressing and performing ordinary household chores, everything takes longer for me to do........yes.......I keep wondering........Why Lord? Why have You healed the cancer and left me with all this physical inability? And the answer my consciousness keeps repeating........."because He has a plan."
God created everything and everyone. His plan is beyond my inept human mind. But God knows what He's doing. He has a plan and, as I communicate with Him each day, I pray that I am abiding in His plan.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. Psalm 93: 1-2
I've asked those questions....yes.....many times. Life sometimes appears so complex, so challenging, so unpredictable.....that we wonder.....and subsequently search for an answer.
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about Creation.....how this earth was formed.....how we humans came to be......how amazing the way our physical bodies function.......how our minds, emotions, and bodies are intricately connected.....how we are all created with a hunger in our soul for a living God.
The search, of course, brings me to reading the Bible again and again. It never ceases to amaze me that as often as I read scripture over and over, the more I gain from it.
It all begins with Genesis chapter one......"In the beginning". This has become a controversial chapter mainly due to evolutionary thinking in our culture. Having been brain washed with Darwin's theories in school, I remember, as a teen, driving along the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey and thinking....."It took millions of years for the Delaware River to carve through that mountain. How did that happen?" And then I would look at the river and wonder why the river has stayed at the same level for hundreds of years and never gotten any deeper. I thought 'evolution' kept evolving. Hmmm.
But over 30 years ago I was challenged by some 'creationists' to think of Genesis in a literal time frame. That God, in His infinite wisdom and unequaled power, created all there is of heaven and earth in just 6 literal days. It was quite a step for me, but as I looked at various rock formations and vast differences in land geography, I began to say, "OK, I'll try thinking all this was created in 6 literal days, only 10,000 years ago by Almighty God."
Then my thoughts went to the amazing miracles I've read about in the Bible. What about the 'loaves and fishes' and 'Jesus calming the storm' and 'raising Lazarus from the dead' and the 'Virgin Birth' and 'Jesus resurrection'. And think about 'the Flood' and 'the parting of the Red Sea'. Was I going to throw all those miracles away or did I really think they happened? Then if God has the power to perform all those miracles.......surely Creation in 6 days only 10,000 years ago is an easy job.
My next question was "Why? Why did He do all those amazing miracles?" And the answer my consciousness keeps repeating......."because He has a plan."
Now I can speak personally You've all heard the story of my experience with brain cancer......my sudden diagnosis on July 8, 2010 with CNS lymphoma a "lethal, aggressive, rare cancer" located in the left thalamus of my brain and being told on that day "Janet, you have 7 weeks to live!" And when told that, I remembered the beautiful vision I had of Jesus the night of May 26, 2010 (just 6 weeks prior to my cancer diagnosis) when Jesus came and spoke to me saying,"You will be healed, BUT on My own time frame."
And here I am.....2017......still alive, with clear mental faculties, total memory recall and NO SIGN OF CANCER! In fact my oncologist in Holland MI told me this year when I saw him for my annual update appointment, "Janet, your cancer experience is unprecedented. Of all the patients that I have known with CNS lymphoma, you are the only one I've known to live this long. If those patients did in fact survive their initial diagnosis they never survived more than 31/2 or at the most 4 years. Here it is 7 years since your diagnosis and we see no sign of cancer. This indeed is a miracle."
Yes, the miracles in the Bible are wonderful. But when a miracle happens to me.......Wow. Now it's personal......now I know what a miracle feels like. It is real! Jesus is real and He healed me!
Of course I wonder, "Why? Why me? Why didn't God perform a miracle on all those younger women. Why give me the 'miracle'?" And the answer my consciousness keeps repeating........."because He has a plan".
Yes, God has plans for each one of us and that plan is for the 'good'. As I daily struggle with my physical disabilities resulting from the brain cancer I, like Paul, pray for healing and deliverance. I still walk with a cane, still struggle climbing stairs and walking over uneven ground, cannot totally use my right hand and arm, even struggle turning over in bed, struggle opening heavy doors, struggle with living in a right-handed world, become frustrated with difficulty dressing and performing ordinary household chores, everything takes longer for me to do........yes.......I keep wondering........Why Lord? Why have You healed the cancer and left me with all this physical inability? And the answer my consciousness keeps repeating........."because He has a plan."
God created everything and everyone. His plan is beyond my inept human mind. But God knows what He's doing. He has a plan and, as I communicate with Him each day, I pray that I am abiding in His plan.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. Psalm 93: 1-2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)