America The Compassionate

I once knew a WWII veteran who had strong feelings about the American response to returning Desert Storm veterans. These young men and women of Desert Storm were treated as heroes. Our country made every effort to show them gratitude and respect and not repeat the horrific mistake made by so many when our Vietnam veterans returned home. This man felt, due to the superiority of weaponry of the United States, the men returning were not heroes in comparison to those of WWII. I have to tell you that I was shocked. I would never have imagined a veteran could feel that way about other veterans, regardless of the tremendous improvements in defensive and offensive weaponry. Men and women had died during Desert Storm. Many had permanent injuries, as this WWII veteran had. This man had a grandson who was also a veteran. In my shock I asked, "Let me ask you something. If" your grandson "was one of those veterans returning from Desert Storm, would you feel the same way?" I could tell this question hit him really hard. He hesitated only a moment and then, with a little smile, said "No." Please do not feel that I did not have the utmost respect for this gentleman. He had earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star as an Army soldier during combat in France. I not only had respect for him, but great love. I was very proud of him. You see, that man was my father and his grandson, my nephew.

Many Desert Storm veterans, just like some WWII veterans, were not all Americans. There were some who had not yet received their U.S. citizenship, but fought with and as Americans. They are as loved and respected as any other and some were granted U.S. citizenship while still on the foreign field of engagement. Were they any less thought of as American soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen? Their sacrifices were the same. But this post really is not about veterans. I'm not sure I can explain my point sufficiently although I will try. I think my shock with my dad was his feeling that the Desert Storm veterans had not earned the right to be treated with the same respect and appreciation that his generation had. I might add here that my dad's response to the Desert Storm veterans did an about face after that discussion and I have used it here as an example only.

Because of our painful experiences in life, should we not wish something better for anyone who is going through the same thing or should we take an 'it's not fair' approach?  Should we let those experiences make us compassionate for everyone in our position or should we become bitter and resentful that the outcome for others is not the same as ours? Should we wish good things only for our own or for anyone who has suffered as we have? Was salvation offered to the Jew alone or also to the Gentile? Is it our responsibility to share the Gospel with our countrymen alone or also with those of other nations?  If disaster strikes should we extend a helping hand to ours alone or to anyone in need? If it has been made impossible to extend help to our own should we then refuse to help the foreigner? If there are those who are hungry or naked should we ask where they were born before we offer food and clothing? If a child is in need of medical care that we can provide, should we offer it only to our own or also to the child that is not ours?

The United States of America has been and still is the most compassionate nation in the world. We are undergoing some dreadfully dangerous changes that the majority of us did not choose, but we still remain a nation of people with loving and giving hearts. As we prepare to celebrate the establishment of this great nation, let us remember that God has blessed us tremendously. As we look around at our fellow citizens, let us take note that we do not all look and sound the same but we are no less Americans. I am grateful to be born an American. I am proud to be an American. I am thrilled that my three year old grandson will celebrate his first Independence Day as an American. Because of the grace of God and the compassion of his parents, he has this opportunity - to be an American! So I pray that through our difficulties as a nation and as individuals, we will remain America The Compassionate.
                                                 

Happy Gotcha Day

One year ago today a precious little boy had his forever family. I was in Massachusetts when I got the e-mail from his mommy saying, "We've got him." What beautiful words they were to read. I cannot give thanks and praise enough to God for creating this child. He has brought so much love, laughter, joy, and gratefulness to our lives. To hear him say, "I love you" brings an emotion I cannot even describe. He is not the first of my grandchildren and hopefully not the last. Each one is unique and equally loved. But today is the first anniversary of Harrison's Gotcha Day, as it is called in the world of adoption.

He is all boy. Trucks and swords and playing loud and rough. He has learned English so well he has to be taught Mandarin again. He knows he is Chinese but he knows he is American. He told me the big remote is Chinese so it is his. Haha  He has a little Southern drawl that is more pronounced on some words than others. He knows he is loved.

It's funny how adopted children take on the personalities of their adoptive parents the same way biological children do. It's like God leaves a blank gene to absorb the characteristics of the new family, not the physical traits but definitely the personality and character traits. I know most will say that is learned behavior, but I think it is much more, much deeper than that. Watching one of his favorite movies with him is a repeat of watching movies with his daddy when he was a child. He is saying the script along with the characters. That used to drive his daddy's friends crazy. Many times I have said to him, "You are your father's child.".  Not to relate him only to his daddy, for I know the same applies to his mommy. As his paternal grandmother those are the things I recognize in him.

I don't want him to grow up too fast, but I understand there is no holding that back. So I cherish every moment with him, God has a purpose in bringing this child here, far above just to be a part of us. I know one day God will use him in a mighty way. I may not be here to see it, but I know it will be.

No Joking Matter..

This will be quite different from my regular posts. More serious, much darker, but it is something that concerns me as I watch people on this road of life. In fact it breaks my heart.

Have you ever heard someone talk about hell in a joking way? I am sure we all have. Some of us have been guilty of doing that before we became Christ followers. You know the sayings. "If you get there before I do, save me a seat". Or maybe, "See you there." Or  "All my friends will be there and we will party". And there are many others. I know from my own experience when I was a teen and lost in a world of unforgiveness, that those jokes were just a big show. What they actually showed was that I didn't want to think about the reality of going to hell. Too often what we fear, we joke about. But hell is no joking matter. I know some will say there is no hell, or hell is here on earth. If they truly believe it does not exist, why joke about it. Why address something that doesn't exist? No. There is a hell and it is not here on earth. Some people go through horrible things here, but it is no comparison to what hell will be like.  I know the questions too. "How do you know? Have you ever been?" Thankfully I have never been, nor will I have to go. But I am confident there is a hell. Not, Hades, the grave, but Gehenna, the place of fire and brimstone. This is a place that was prepared for Satan and his angels. A horrible place the human mind cannot even comprehend. Then there is the comment, "If God is love he would never send anyone to hell". God is love. He is also just. He does not send anyone to hell. It is a choice each one must make for themselves. Maybe you think, "No one would choose that". Unfortunately many, many have chosen, are choosing, and will choose hell. By rejecting the Christ who died for their sins, they choose hell.

I wonder sometimes what makes a person who once had a soft heart for God decide to no longer believe. Or one who was curious and interested in learning more suddenly become so anti-God. I know many excuses people use. "I was forced to go to church as a child." "Churches are full of hypocrites." "I don't need God to be a good person." I could go on and on with excuses I have heard. Not one of them is going to mean a thing when these people stand before the One True God. And they will stand before Him and they will bow the knees to Him. We are told in Phillipians 2:10 & 11
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". That is not speaking of only Christ followers. It speaks also of all those who reject him.

If you are reading this and are one of those who are rejecting Him, I beg you to open your hearts and minds to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Do you feel a stirring inside, an uneasiness that you can't explain? That is Him calling you. Please don't close you heart and mind and reject him still. Please, for it is no joking matter.                                                                                                    

In Honor Of

Today I had a quiet Christmas day with just my fur babies. We do our family Christmas time together on Christmas Eve. Now that all my children are married or on their own they have Christmas day for their own families. We had a wonderful time at my daughter's house last night.

I had planned to roast a small turkey breast when I got home to have for my dinner today, but I was just too tired. It was after 10 p.m. and it had been a long day. As I sat in the semidarkness with just the Christmas tree for light, I pondered over many things. It was my third Christmas without my husband. Although I miss him so much and always will, I can think about him without breaking down. I thought about our times with our children at Christmases past. They are good memories. I thought about what this beautiful holiday is all about. The baby in the manger, the man He would become, His death on the cross for the sins of mankind, for my sins, His resurrection, and the assurance that I will be with Him one day. Then my thoughts turned to the two women who had the greatest influence on my life and I began to plan for today.

I decided my Christmas dinner would be in honor of them. Normally things are done in memory of someone who has died, but I chose this to be in honor of and not memory of them. I became as excited planning my dinner as I did when I was a little girl planning a tea party with my dolls & stuffed animals. I planned what dishes I would use and why. I planned my menu which was pretty simple and straight forward.

This morning I got started on my cooking. I had brought a couple of things home from our Christmas Eve dinner. I roasted my turkey, made my dressing, and gravy. For me a complete meal would be dressing, gravy, a little bit of turkey, cranberry sauce, and a deviled egg. But I know I needed some vegetables so I heated some beans and corn. Of course, no Southern Christmas dinner is complete without sweet tea (although mine was sweetened with Stevia not sugar).

Now for the ladies I was honoring. My mother, Bennie Bell Sutton, and her mother, my grandmother, Emma Phillips Bell. My mother was one of the most generous people I have ever known. Although her health was never really good, she was always doing for others. She sang hymns when she washed the dishes, hung the clothes on the line, or shucked corn. She bound our family tightly together and her loss was a great one. My grandmother always made me feel that I was the most important grandchild she had and she had a lot. I am sure she loved us all the same, but it was just her way to make each of us feel special. She told me Bible stories the way a child could understand and be excited about what she was hearing.

I used a hodgepodge of dishes in honor of my two special women. My turkey and dressing and my cranberry sauce were on dishes that belonged to Mama. The deviled eggs and my chocolate meringue pie were on dishes that belonged to Grandma. The divided vegetable dish, salt & pepper shakers, and the teapot are all of the same pattern Grandma used, Autumn Leaf by Hall. Those from the south who are old enough may remember the Jewel Tea man. His truck would come to houses and sell tea as well as dishes and other kitchen necessities and he was a regular at my grandmother's house. Now you can find these dishes in antique stores or on web sites. They are not only beautiful but very durable. So this explains my choices for dishes.

I know there were others today who ate alone and maybe it was a little selfish of me not to share my meal with them. I just needed to be alone to honor the two special women in my life who helped make me who I am today.

God Sent A Child

It is so amazing how our God knows what we need, when we need it, and how it will change our lives forever. In my last post I told you that I have been going through a difficult time with grief. Some people think that after a year, everything should be back to normal. Even after 2 years it's not back to normal. There will never again be the same normal. A new normal will eventually find its place.

After my trip to Massachusetts I was filled with anticipation for the day my son and daughter-in-law would return from China with my new grandson. I knew that this was going to be a very traumatic time for a 2 & 1/2 year old. I knew it was going to be traumatic for my son and daughter-in-law as well. Even though they had looked forward to the day when he would be theirs, it would be no easy introduction. I only got three messages while they were away. One to let me know they had arrived safely in Beijing. One to let me know that Harrison was with them. The last was his picture. He was brought to them on 6/30/2014. On 7/1/2014 he officially became their son, my grandson.

On 7/11/2014 I drove to the airport to wait. Before they arrived my son texted me. "No crying. It upsets Harrison." I didn't want to cry. I couldn't stop grinning. Their plane was early and people began to enter. I stood their with my camera ready even though I was not close to the door they would come through. Finally, I saw my son. There behind him was my daughter-in-law holding the hand of the most beautiful little boy. Harrison was home. He was shy, but very interested in the Marine Bear that stands inside the airport. Near the baggage claim area is a case with model airplanes inside. That is where I was able to get near him. He was fascinated with the planes. We stood there looking & repeating "plane". I took them home and helped get the luggage in. I hugged my son & daughter-in-law. Harrison, still in his daddy's arms, leaned over and put his cheek against mine. That did it! I had to turn and leave. Once the door closed behind me the tears fell. I had to thank God for this precious child he had placed in our lives.

In the past almost 2 & 1/2 weeks I have had the blessed opportunity to spend a lot of time with Harrison. Last week I stayed with him when his parents went back to work. We have bonded well.He calls me GraMa just as all my other precious grandchildren. He hugs and kisses me. He loves my cell phone because it has videos of him, and there are a lot. He interacts well with all our family members. He is proving to be very intelligent. It is amazing to watch him use the cell phone or his Leap Frog. He absolutely loves to play basketball. He does not make a fuss when it is nap time as long as you read his favorite book a few times. He is big for his age. He is doing very well with his English, but lapses into Mandarin occasionally. He has stolen my heart.

I think of our God and how when there was no answer for the state of mankind, He sent a Child.
Then I see the time of my own sense of helplessness and God sent a child. Amazing love!

Massachusetts Trip

I really thought things would get easier as time went on without my husband. They haven't. In fact things have been really difficult. I don't want to whine. I am blessed to have children, friends, and church family to love and be loved by. I do miss my husband, though. So much!!! To the point that my physician thought I needed grief counseling. He asked me if we had someone at church that would be available. Thankfully we do and I contacted him about setting up an appointment. However, he had to have some surgery on his vocal cords and was unable to counsel for a time.

In the meantime I decided to go to Massachusetts to see my husband's family. I was so excited about the trip the grief was not such a problem. My oldest sister-in-law is not in good health and I knew I needed to go then. I also picked a time that would get me back home before my son and daughter-in-law would have to go to China to bring my new grandson home.

Best laid plans! My trip was planned, tickets purchased, rooms booked, arrangements made for pets. My oldest daughter and youngest granddaughter would go with me. My daughter-in-law would take care of my cats while I was away and I planned to board my dogs. I would take care of their cats and keep one of their dogs, Gabby, when they went to China. Then the call came. They had travel approval to go to China and would leave on June 25th, the same day we planned to stay overnight in Raleigh before our flight out on the 26th. So we did some scrambling. A friend from church & my youngest daughter would take care of the cats. My son-in-law, whose wife and daughter were going with me, would keep Gabby till I got back.

So on 6/25 I took my son & daughter-in law to the airport. Spent the rest of the morning getting ready to leave myself and then we drove to Raleigh. We flew to Hartford, CT on 6/26 and drove a rental to Massachusetts. It was a wonderful trip. We stayed in Springfield and had a beautiful view from our 11th floor window.

Night view of Springfield, MA

Was so good to see family and tell them how much I love them all. I did not get to see my husband's brother and his family. They had a high school graduation and other plans. I would loved to have seen them too.

We spent a day in Old Deerfield Village sightseeing. A beautiful and historic place. The old cemetery is a touching place. Many buried there were killed in an Indian Massacre. The Indian House was one that was attacked. The museum there houses the original door from the house and you can see the opening that was chopped into the door.

Old Deerfield Cemetery

The Indian House

Original Door From The Indian House

We visited the small town of Ashfield where my husband grew up.

Ashfield Town Hall

Apple Valley, Ashfield

We went to the town of Shelburne Falls where there is an old trolley bridge leading to the town of Buckland. When the bridge was no longer used, the two towns made it into a walking bridge planted with beautiful flowers. It is maintained by both towns.

Bridge of Flowers

 There are also ancient glacial pot holes here which are quite unique.

Glacier Pot Holes

We ate twice at a great little place in Greenfield, MA. called Village Pizza. If you are ever in Greenfield, trust me, you DO want to eat there. Three generation family owned business with great Italian food & fantastic service. Just know that one plate of spaghetti and meatballs will feed three people.

We flew back home on 7/1 and the wait began for my new grandson. More to follow.

Atheists Welcome

I have not subscribed to a newspaper in years. A few weeks ago I said,"Why not?" and took a short subscription. I have enjoyed it for the most part. I like to read the letters to the editor, half-heartedly work the crossword puzzles, check the obituaries for the passing of anyone I might have known, and read the local happenings. I never read the horoscopes. I rarely read the advice column, but recently I did. Since I missed the actual letter that all the responses were concerning, I am going strictly on responses themselves. Response from the columnist. Responses from other readers. All about that one letter.

Apparently it was regarding a mixed marriage. No, not racial but religious. One spouse is religious and wants them both to attend church and the other is an atheist. I don't know if these were their feelings before they married or if they occurred after. What confused me were the responses to the situation. I realize being "religious" means nothing to God. It is the state of the heart and the relationship with Christ that matters. I would say the responses were an attempt to be politically correct, but I think they were totally sincere in their advice. So you are probably wondering what the advice was.

Almost all suggested that the couple attend another church where the atheist spouse would feel comfortable. There was talk about a church that would preach living a good life, spiritual enlightenment, etc. You get the idea I am sure. I don't know why I was surprised, but I found it mind-boggling that not one letter suggested that the "religious" spouse earnestly petition God in prayer for the "atheist" spouse. That is not to say that none were sent, but none were printed.

I have many friends whose spouses will not attend church with them. They still love each other. However, in the cases of my friends, the believers pray earnestly and request prayers from others for the unbelieving spouses. God hears our prayers. The answers may not come in a time period we would like, but we continue to pray.

So should Bible preaching churches welcome the atheist? I think our churches should encourage attendance by all. They are not just places for Christ followers to recharge and find fellowship. They are places where the lost hear the Gospel, the Holy Spirit can deal with hearts, and church members can serve God and others. At least that is what they are suppose to be. We ARE to show love to the lost and not beat them with the Gospel. This does not mean we avoid the Truth of Scripture. It must be taught and preached in It's entirety. We are not to excuse or condone sin, but we are to love the sinner. For what are we, but sinners forgiven through the blood of Christ? Some may enter our churches with the intent to disrupt. That has certainly happened many times in many churches. However, while there they might be drawn by the Holy Spirit to accept the Truth and be unbelieving no more.