tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24401151305000156642024-03-13T00:18:10.592-04:00The Olive BranchThe Olive Branch extends hope and encouragement to those who wonder about life. Through the weaving of personal insights, scripture, literature, observations in nature and the world in which we live, you will join in a journey with the God who never leaves us, but stays with us and draws us to HimMarcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-71613212822569371772013-11-26T10:41:00.000-05:002013-11-26T10:41:32.375-05:00Raindrops of Thanksgiving<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuCSg-983F8/UpS_96-1nXI/AAAAAAAAAYk/tIwR-7zDAuw/s1600/Picture+of+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuCSg-983F8/UpS_96-1nXI/AAAAAAAAAYk/tIwR-7zDAuw/s400/Picture+of+Rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been reading the words of thanks as my friends post
daily their thoughts on gratitude—an excellent exercise in the recognition of
an abundant life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family, work, friends,
health, nature, sunshine, pets, food, shelter, joy, and on and on goes the
list. If the practice becomes one of daily exercise, we wake every morning to
the wonder that a new day brings, knowing we have much for which to be
grateful. And we can name them – one by one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I am reminded of a
song that says, “Give thanks with a grateful heart” and I cannot help but
wonder if the mind and heart always work together in giving thanks. We know in
our minds that we can list those things for which we are thankful. We know in
our minds that we have a warm bed. We know in our minds there is food in our
refrigerator. We know filling our car with gas is routine. And yes, we are
thankful for those seemingly simple abundances. We have been given so much and
we want to express it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But does the listing of our abundances give us a grateful
heart? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which comes first—gratitude or
thanks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, it is gratitude which
must come first. We recognize somewhere down in our soul that we are part of an
amazing plan. Just look up on a starry night. Spend some time there and you
will feel that you belong in some plan that is bigger than yourself. Gaze into
a sunset or watch rain falling orderly outside a window and tell yourself, “I
am a part of this life and I have a great benefactor who loves me. God, it is
you and I feel this gratitude in my heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gratitude in our hearts is an emotion we feel when we strip
away all the noisy stuff of the world that says we have to have this or that to
give thanks. And gratitude can still be residing in our hearts when our world
has fallen apart, when our hearts are broken. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gratitude is simply saying the first verse of
the 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanksgiving then, is the overflowing of our grateful hearts
and then becomes this joyous, outlandish listing of blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Psalmist goes on to say, “He prepares a
table before us in the presence of our enemies.” Don’t you love that? Even as
wars, famines, floods, storms, diseases, and disasters surround us this
Thanksgiving, God alone prepares for us a table of abundance. A table full of
love and assurance that in His care, we have everything we need. And we are
more than satisfied. Our hearts are full of gratitude to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sharing of our gratitude then becomes thanksgiving. We
must share our gratitude, for if we don’t we are not being thankful to God or
to our fellow man (and that, by the way includes spouse, parents, children,
co-workers.)The writer of Hebrews calls thanks the very fruit of our lips:</span></div>
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of
praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."(Hebrews 13:15) <o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-5897266322963962262013-09-30T18:23:00.000-04:002013-09-30T18:23:01.171-04:00Spider Webs and Mountaintops <span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a spider web outside my window. No spider works
there, but bits of leaves and dust and a dead fly remain trapped in a gauzy
maze. Occasionally a breeze will move the web and I silently hope for release
for the fly. I silently hope the web will just blow away on its own or be
washed clean by a rainfall and remove itself from my view. But instead I wait
and look at it. I wonder why I don’t take charge and clean the windowsill and
be rid of spiderwebs and death fragments and entrapment. I know I will—I just
have to get to the place where I decide it is time for it to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to get to the place where I will change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where is the place we change? Is it when we have had enough?
Is it the place where we can’t stand ourselves anymore? Is it when we have new
insights, new direction, and new inspiration? Is it when we seek change from
those around us who offer an idea, a word of encouragement, a hope-holding hand
along with some spoken words of truth? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why do we resist change? It’s not because we enjoy looking
at dead flies caught in spider webs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
the webs are gnarly and sticky and we are caught and it is just plain hard to
get out of it. It holds us in a grip and entwines around us, until like the
fly, we become exhausted simply trying to flee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of our energy is devoted to breaking free, leaving no energy for
productivity and meaning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we forget
how good it feels to fly. And we die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I belong to an energetic group of women writers who trek to a
mountain house every year and we work through some of the “webs” in our
writing. The webs are all shapes and sizes. Some are fresh. Some are in need of
major de-webbing. And some just need a little sweeping with a whisk broom. But
each writer brings ideas and encouragement and hands to hold and words to
encourage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view of the mountain
range keeps us focused on the goal. What goal is that? That somewhere out
there, just over that mountain, the words will come. Somehow the spider webs
become insignificant. The entrapment loses its gnarly grip and we become free
to write, free to grow, and free to become all that God intends us to become. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so how do we change? We surrender old ways and commit to
new ways. On the final night of retreat, we set goals for ourselves and offered
comments and questions about those goals. A scribe even wrote them down and
will send them out—written in words to hold us accountable to one another,
dated so we can measure our productivity, reminding us that we have viewed the
mountains—and somehow, the spider webs <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seem insignificant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 121:1 “I lift my eyes to the hills; where does my help
come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-40670785109949912302013-08-14T11:38:00.000-04:002013-08-14T11:38:44.540-04:0042 Years, 42 Thoughts<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am sitting here looking at a map of the world. Here I sit
in Atlanta. And far away, on the other side of the earth my son and his new
bride are seeing things I have never seen, experiencing places I will probably
never go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am happy for them and
share in their joy as they send pictures and first impressions of the sights
and sounds of a fabulous honeymoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember my honeymoon. It was 42 years ago today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while we did not travel around the world,
the looming chairlift to view the Smoky Mountains was fairly spectacular for
this Kentucky girl and her man. Each year, we have made the effort to celebrate
these quickly-gone-by years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a
trip or maybe not. Maybe dinner at a favorite restaurant or maybe not. The
important thing is that we remember – and we celebrate. Tonight, we will cook
together. Steak Au Poivre on the back porch. Monogrammed linen napkins. Candles
and Van Morrison. Perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was talking to a friend the other day about the mystery of
marriage. We agreed that sometimes even in a fairly good marriage we can go
days, weeks, sometimes longer wondering who really is this person we married
and can we go the distance? There are definitely “seasons.”She asked me how we
had made our marriage work for all these years. I have been trying to think of
answers that would encourage and motivate my own children to help them grow in
their own marriages. Some are not very profound, some are silly, and some
serious, but together they seem to be a good recipe for a marriage that goes
the diastance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 – Forgive one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Little annoyances can build up to big trouble. Clear the clutter of
small stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 – Find the good</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 – Greet each other with eye contact – hugs and kisses are
a bonus as the years go by</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 – That means, put down the paper or iphone to acknowledge
one another</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5 – Help each other <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
marriage is a team. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6 – Support the interests of each other</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7 – Say “Thank You” and mean it. A smile is a bonus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8 – Surprise each other</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9 – Share concerns with each other</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">10 – Do things together </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">11 – remember all days are not glamorous and fun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">12 – you will have some really bad days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">13<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- respect each
other’s need for space</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">14 – work together on long range goals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">15 – keep yourself physically healthy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">16 – pray together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">17 – read a devotional together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">18 – worship together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">19 – plan a budget and stick to it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">20 – answer the phone when he/she calls</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">21 – be an encourager</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">22 – give each other space for friends and hobbies – but not
too much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">23 – recognize the fact that you will not always see
‘eye-to-eye’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">24 – keep a bucket list and annually review and revise – and
revise again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">25 – change will happen; change is good, but then you must
change with change</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">26 – love your in-laws – expand your ability to embrace
others with grace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">27 – work hard with a daily schedule</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">28 – live on less; save more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">29 – read good books, but don’t insist you read all the same
books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">30 – laugh at yourselves together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">31 – serve the homeless; go on a mission trip; think of
others you might help</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">32 – remember birthdays and anniversaries – late does not
count!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">33 – be hospitable and open your home to others</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">34 – learn new skills; take a foreign language or cooking
class</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">35 – sing together; sing with your friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">36 – be a tourist in your own town – see the sights together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">37 – recognize that some days are harder than others; move
through</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">38 – go to farmer’s market and find something new to fix for
dinner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">39 – forgive each other for not being perfect – think I said
that one first and repeating again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">40 – extend grace abundantly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">41 – be grateful every day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">42 – celebrate each day as a day to improve</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be
glad in it! (Psalms)</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-71619414319450642592013-05-30T14:28:00.000-04:002013-05-30T14:28:06.198-04:00Facing The Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
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My daughter and I were zooming up the highway to a favorite
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very center of our lane. Lying on his back, legs quivering, he had already been
stunned by one driver, and now I would barely miss him. But we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knew his life was in jeopardy and the road he
planned to cross became his deathbed.</div>
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And then I hear of a child who has relapsed with cancer and
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How are you doing?</div>
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<br /></div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-44115393901513737492013-05-15T17:20:00.000-04:002013-05-15T17:29:08.955-04:00After 30 Days, Then What?I heard an interview with a man who helped after the bomb exploded in Boston. After 30 days, he was questioned about his involvement and how he is healing. His voice cracked. He stammered a bit, but was able to tell how he had stepped over some hurt people to get to the ones who were near death. The memories haunted him and when asked if he thought he could move forward now, he wondered how he would. It might take a lifetime.<br />
<br />
I also watched a young woman be interviewed after barely escaping from a car that exploded on a bridge in California, killing all of her friends.. Traumatized, she cried on camera, saying she wanted to go back and pull her friends out of the car, desperate to save them from the raging flames. Those memories will haunt her for a long time.<br />
<br />
Tragedies seem to be constant and more and more horrific. We are exposed to the raw details of the event, experiencing the daily devastation from our own safe homes. We cringe when we listen to the report of three little girls held captive for ten grueling years. And as we drive down our own streets, we wonder if that could ever happen to us.<br />
<br />
And if it did happen to us, how could we ever move forward? Recover? Heal?<br />
<br />
One man said, "I have to put this behind me now and move on."<br />
<br />
One man looked down and wept. It will take him longer.<br />
<br />
One woman could not speak. It will take her even longer.<br />
<br />
But with time and loving support, they will move forward. They will look at life with different eyes. Their eyes will be eyes that carry the depth of painful experience, wounds. And because they look with wounded eyes, they will see the injustices around them more often, and possibly seek to reach out to extend the hand of grace to another.<br />
<br />
And yet, in the beauty of perfect Spring days, I know that even in a troubled world, all is well. Every day this week as the news reports defy goodness in this world, I can look out to a creation that is full of wonder and perfection, new life, and a desire to bloom and grow. And in some way it is the same yearning in my own heart that knows that yes, God is making everything new( <a href="http://biblehub.com/revelation/21-5.htm">Revelation 21:5</a>).<br />
<br />Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-784180211006859972013-04-29T12:24:00.001-04:002013-04-29T12:24:36.233-04:00Breathless Expectations<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The writer of the book said the one thing we can be certain
of is uncertainty. But I delude myself with my <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>own confidence. I put myself on a schedule to
perfection, an agenda of self-confidence. I discipline myself and practice skills
until I "know for sure" that nothing will harm me. Not me. Not my
family. If I study hard enough, make enough money, take my medicine, pray
regularly, and be kind to my neighbors, my lot is secure.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mae2w-8l_Sk/UX6eIpEWBrI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/dnly5-aFDCY/s1600/DSC01362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mae2w-8l_Sk/UX6eIpEWBrI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/dnly5-aFDCY/s200/DSC01362.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wrong. Right outside my window this the perfect example.
Little lettuces, planted carefully and watched over faithfully are snipped in
the wee hours of the night <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by a fat
rabbit. I knew it might happen. It happened before, but I will try again. I
must never give up hope. I will try other varieties and put down some
repellent. And I will trust.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The writer said that "certainty is the mark of a
commonsense life— gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be
certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what
tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it
should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next
step, but we are certain of God."<a href="http://utmost.org/">http://utmost.org/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who lives with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">breathless
expectation</i>? I will tell you who. The person who has walked through the
valley of the shadow of death - yet certain of God. The person who has watched
the life they loved be taken from them through illness or tragedy - yet certain
of God. The person who has experienced rejection - yet certain of God. The
person who has been treated unfairly, yet holds their head up with grace,
certain of God. That is breathless expectation. My friend who lost her daughter
eight years ago said recently on her birthday, " I will sing to her today.
I will fling the joyful birthday anthem to the wind and let is soar over the
clouds and into the halls of heaven."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is breathless expectation.</div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-86176589426991040292012-12-18T08:22:00.001-05:002012-12-18T08:22:22.319-05:00Small Signs of Advent - Morning Stillness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j991bqRDZX4/Ttoy-iRV7kI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tS04XMMC6KE/s1600/Aspen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j991bqRDZX4/Ttoy-iRV7kI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tS04XMMC6KE/s1600/Aspen+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Why is the morning so still? Why is the time
between darkness and dawn so very quiet? The night voices begin to quiet
themselves and the morning voices , like me, are hesitant to start
moving. Stillness. <span> </span>I open my eyes and leave the warm space
to listen and wait. As the first rays of light peek through the trees,
the morning noises, one by one, come to life. Another day. Another new
morning reminds me of the words from Isaiah, "Morning by morning He
wakens - wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught."( Isaiah 50:4)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
have learned the quiet before dawn is what rescues me from the perils
of the day. The stillness and quiet waiting are when I hear the voice of
God, assuring me that the One who brings his first rays of light to
creation is also bringing me a ray of light, a ray of hope, a ray of
guidance. <span> </span>It is the example Jesus gave to his disciples
where, "In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went
to a deserted place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35.) The Christ child
teaches us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot help but wonder about
those who miss the quiet before the dawn. Admittedly, sometimes I am one
of those, but choosing to miss the lonely, quiet place of silence is
dangerous. Henri Nouwen, in his book Out of Solitude says: "Somewhere we
know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhere we
know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without
listening speaking no longer heals, without distance closeness cannot
cure. Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our actions quickly
become empty gestures."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where is the place of "somewhere?" The answer lies in my Advent reading for today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"God
wants to open the heart before it opens itself to the world; before the
ear hears the innumerable voices of the day, the early hours are the
time to hear the voice of the Creator and Redeemer. God made the
stillness of the early morning for himself." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God
Is In the Manger)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Open my heart, God, to your day and let me always show up as you wait for me in the stillness of the early morning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-17040079351932657652012-12-17T11:50:00.000-05:002012-12-17T11:50:13.130-05:00Small Signs of Advent - Weeping for Newtown <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The headlines tear to shreds my peaceful Advent journey.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Small, innocent children and teachers are senselessly murdered in our country. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God,
where were you at Sandy Hook Elementary School? God, you whose eyes are on the
sparrow, who sees and knows everything, where were you when the tormented young man left his home where he killed is mother and then entered the school and opened fire on innocent victims?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is unthinkable and my heart bleeds with the brokenhearted families who are
reeling in pain and and whose lives will never be the same. I
look for the "small sign" and can't seem to find it through my weeping.Maybe that is the small sign.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I return to the writing of Ann Weems who gives voice to anguish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Anger
and alleluias careen around within me, sometimes colliding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lamenting
and laughter sit side by side in a heart that yearns for the peace that
passes understanding. Those who believe in the midst of their weeping
will know where I stand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the quiet times this image comes to me: Jesus weeping.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus wept,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and in his weeping,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he joined himself forever</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">to those who mourn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He stands now throughout all time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">this Jesus weeping</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">with his arms about the weeping ones:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">'Blessed are those who mourn,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">for they shall be comforted.'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He stands with the mourners,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">for his name is God-with-us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus wept. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">'Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be comforted.' Someday. Someday God will wipe the tears from their eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the godforsaken, obscene quicksand of life,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">there is a deafening alleluia</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">rising from the souls</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">of those who weep,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and of those who weep with those who weep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you watch, you will see</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">the hand of God</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">putting the stars back in their skies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">one by one."(Psalms of Lament)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Holy Infant Jesus, your tears are joined to mine. I hear the alleluias.</span></div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-23327169714158444112012-12-13T14:38:00.001-05:002012-12-13T14:38:44.217-05:00Small Signs of Advent #12 - Staying Alert<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
If Advent is a time of waiting, then
shouldn't we always be alert to that for which we wait? The funny song
we hear on the radio reminds me that I, too, need to focus on the one
right thing. Alvin, the chipmunk, has the same trouble that so many of
us have each Advent. The director is preparing his group to sing their
Christmas song. Simon is ready. Theodore is ready. But then we hear,
"Alvin....<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alvin.....</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ALVIN!" </span>Alvin
is looking off, busy with other things, maybe good things, maybe not.
Time is spent getting him back on track to sing his Christmas song. (<i>The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late,1958)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How much time do you spend getting yourself "back on track" to sing your own personal Christmas song? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I read:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Be
Alert, be alert, so that you will be able to recognize your Lord in
your husband, your wife, your parents, your children , your friends,
your teachers, but also in all that you read in the daily papers. The
Lord is coming, always coming. Be alert to his coming. When you have
ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of
your life. Life is Advent: life is recognizing the coming of the
Lord."(Henri J.M. Nouwen, Gracias! A Latin American Journal)</div>
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But you say, "But I don't see the Lord in that person and I look and look, but can never find the Lord in the news." We
keep looking for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And guess what, we find the
Lord either in rejoicing because of the presence of those things or the
lamenting the great need of them. We rejoice with finding the Lord or we
search and wait for Him to be found. Either way, we recognize him and
our great need for him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even the Chipmunks in <i>Christmas Don't Be Late</i> recognize their need for Christmas when they sing:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We've been good, but we can't last.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Try
as we might, we just can't be good in our own might. We can't last. We
need the coming of Christmas to bring us the perfect Christmas gift -
grace, wrapped in swaddling clothes.</div>
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Pay attention! We have a song to sing!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Keep
awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in
the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else me may
find you asleep when he comes suddenly."(Mark 13:35-36)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Baby of Grace who comes to us,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
give me ears to hear and eyes to see without distraction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to recognize you every moment.</div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-20761313338733527602012-12-12T09:04:00.000-05:002012-12-12T09:04:15.023-05:00Small Signs of God #11 - The Visitor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gillPSNOmaU/UMe9GmqfwCI/AAAAAAAAAPA/ci0O7RLARaE/s1600/014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gillPSNOmaU/UMe9GmqfwCI/AAAAAAAAAPA/ci0O7RLARaE/s320/014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
My daughter called laughing, "There's a bird in our house. What do I
do?" After instructions were given for shooing the feathered friend back
to his habitat, I called back a few minutes later to check the status
and had to ask, "What kind of bird was it?" She said, "It was a
cardinal, Mom." Stunned, I hung up the phone. Stunned and pleased that
the shy, quiet red bird came close enough to my door to enter, sit on
the arm of my sofa, circle the room and exit gracefully.<br />
For
sixteen months I observed the movement of cardinals. I watched the
rhythm of life outside my window move through the seasons while life
inside stood still. Always, there would be a cardinal to cheer me, to
offer solace and hope. Each time they would visit a tree branch or the
feeder, some message would come forth and I would write my thoughts:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"There is a canvas outside our living room window that Nature has
painted. The river birch leaves are the color of mustard and closer to
the window a holly loaded with red berries. As Megan and I view our
“painting” it comes to life with a bright red cardinal, working among
the berries in the holly tree. I wish I knew more about birds, but I do
know that the cardinal spends the winters here in Atlanta. Yesterday,
there must have been 1000 birds overhead, fleeing for the winter. Other
birds, like robins, sort of stay around, but hide themselves. I always
felt bad for the robin, remembering the child’s verse, “The North Wind
will blow, and we shall have snow, and what will the Robin do then –
poor thing? He’ll sit in the barn, to keep himself warm, and hide his
head under his wing – poor thing!”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Could the winter habits of birds be teaching me something about
suffering? Warren Wiersbe says that in suffering we tend to fall into
three categories of coping. We can escape – flee when the cold winds
come. We can endure – hide ourselves under our wings – poor things! Or
we can enlist – find an evergreen loaded with nourishment to shelter us
from the storm. We, unlike birds, have a choice.<br />
I will choose the
cardinal this winter. Escaping is out of the question, enduring is
drudgery, but enlisting is taking the winter on, finding the bright, red
berries in the cold, singing when the wind blows cold, and trusting
that Spring will certainly come. I am not surprised at wonderful and
amazing God – He not only gives the wintering cardinal the instinct to
nest in the protected denseness of the holly, but also provides food
right outside the door of his nest and places it all for us to view. How
much more does he provide for us? As the song says, “His eye is on the
sparrow, and I know He watches me." (taken from <u><i>When God Comes Near</i></u>, Chapter 7)</blockquote>
For a cardinal to
actually come into my house was a visit out of the ordinary.
Maybe you have had such a visit. Others had those visits. Isaiah was
visited by God's counsel 700 years before the birth of Jesus. He must
have been so profoundly moved by his vision he wrote in Isaiah 9:6, "For
a child has been born for us." Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and wise
men all had visits out of the ordinary. But the smallest visit to earth
was Jesus himself - a tiny, out-of-the-ordinary child who came for us.
And He still calls us today, saying, <i>"Listen! I am standing at the door,
knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you
and eat with you, and you with me." Revelation 3:20</i><br />
I open my door today with hope - even in the cold - and invite Him in. Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-10242288067795047372012-12-11T09:29:00.000-05:002012-12-11T09:29:28.387-05:00Small Signs of God #10 - On the Bridge Between The Sacred and The Secular <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzA22VQxiCY/Tt9mt4AZkjI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Xw5EsOdqDAk/s1600/Europe+Trip+September+2009+159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzA22VQxiCY/Tt9mt4AZkjI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Xw5EsOdqDAk/s320/Europe+Trip+September+2009+159.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bridge of Angels, Rome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Millions of
people celebrate the Christmas season, but not all of them are Christians. They
shop and decorate. They attend the politically correct "Holiday"
Party and participate in the music of the season. Some will say they are
Christian, but just have trouble with a virgin birth and a resurrection - the
two, really big mysteries. They say they believe in God and sometimes they go
to church. They think there might be something after death - possibly a Heaven,
but surely not a place called Hell. How could a loving God send someone to
Hell? That's not very Christmas-y.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And then
Advent comes and asks us to look again at the message proclaimed. The time is
here when prophets warn, stars move in the sky <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and angels proclaim. Those who are unsure
in their faith find themselves in another Christmas quandary. They find
themselves on the bridge between the sacred and the secular and the choice
becomes one of confusion and distraction. Back and forth they go - we go. The
immediate often reigns over the important. Sometimes it is the good over the
best.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I heard a
speaker who made a strong point about this division. She said there are two
voices inside of us. Deep inside each of us there is God's Spirit calling.
Outside, there is the world calling - usually pulling in the opposite direction.
Somehow those voices gear up for our attention during the time of Advent. The
world pulls us to material pleasures and God's Spirit pulls to one, holy silent
night. It becomes a battle and Advent can leave us feeling sad and depressed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
conversation between Charlie and Lucy in the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Charlie Brown Christmas</i> explains our frustrations:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Charlie
Brown: I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and
sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not
happy. I always end up feeling depressed."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Lucy:
"Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful
season like Christmas and turn it into a problem."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Christmas is
not the problem. Christmas is the solution. Christmas is the voice that calls
to us throughout the year. Maybe it's because during this beautiful season for
celebrating, we find ourselves still on that bridge of indecisiveness, still
wondering, still watching for some small sign of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">God whose
infant cries call me to your holy night,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guide my steps
to your sacred manger,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For You are the solution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For God so
loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believeth on Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-4447924433215746072012-12-10T10:13:00.000-05:002012-12-10T10:13:27.396-05:00Small Signs of God - Day 9 "The Part I Will Play This Christmas"<br />
<br />
<br />
Small Signs of God <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
Day 9 "The Part I Will Play This Christmas"<br />
<br />
<br />
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When I was in 2nd grade, I was chosen to play the part of
Mary in the Nativity Play. It was not because I was a budding actress, but
simply because I was very tall like David Herrington who played the part of
Joseph and the audience could see us better from a distance. I remember being
excited that I got to bring my favorite doll to wrap and hold while the story
unfolded on stage. I also liked the pale blue gown and the way the scarf draped
over my head and fell in folds to the floor. I had to hold my head very still
though for fear of it falling off. I hope you're smiling just picturing this
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us have acted out the
scene at some point in our lives. My youngest daughter was a sheep one year and
the way her ears flopped when she baa-ed made my sides burst when I REALLY
wasn't supposed to be laughing. Oh, and one year six children in our home
donned bathrobes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and acted out the scene
to four proud parents. That one got a little out of hand when the two shepherds
got in a fight with their broom-staffs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I am asking myself: what part do I play in the
Nativity? If I am the angels, well, then, I am already in Heaven and have the
privilege of telling others not to worry. I can fly around and sing joyfully.
If I am Joseph, I am dazed and confused, thinking about the newly defined
family I have been asked to support and must find a hotel quickly because a
baby is about to be born that is not even mine. If I am Mary, I am tired and weary,
bearing the weight of the world, facing an uncertain future. If I am the
innkeeper, I am busy making money and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knowing
these people from Nazareth can't pay, should send them on their way - or on
second thought,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>offer them the shed. If
I am the shepherds, I am looking for a little action - something in the sky is
different and tending sheep can be such a drag. If I am the Wise Men, well, I
will come later, but I do see something happening different in the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stars and I start shopping. If I am the
animals, I can sense that something is different and I simply stand very still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see: all of creation plays a part in this mystery and
wonder of the birth of Jesus. No one is exempt from the reality of the divine
child in the stable. All Christian theology has its origin in the wonder of
that night - when God became flesh. It is how we "play our part" in
the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the end, scripture
plainly tells us that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord of all. (Romans 14:11) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God who becomes flesh among us,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want
to be the angel, glorifying you </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or the
lowly donkey, simply standing very still,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but
you have made me the human with a mind of my own to choose my part;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me the
wisdom of the wise men to search for you with every breath I take. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>Amen</div>
Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-27862046301368299872012-11-05T14:00:00.000-05:002012-11-05T14:00:06.828-05:00Who Will I Be This Thanksgiving?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uIVRoKIrxo/UJgIga-NHDI/AAAAAAAAAN8/SSkjVXdBkvQ/s320/Thanksgiving+2011+at+Donna%27s08.JPG" width="240" /> </div>
I start thinking about Thanksgiving on the first day of November. Who
will be at my table and what delicious foods will be served.<br />
<br />
But yesterday was All Saints Sunday. We remembered those we love who
have left this life in the past year. Their names were called as a
candle was lit and the bell tolled. We remembered all of those people
who have gone on in the past, giving thanks for their lives and their
impact on our lives of faith. It is a day of remembrance. It is a day of
hope. We face the future without them, but look to the day when we will
see them again.<br />
<br />
Being part of a service like this is reminder of our statement of faith.
And a statement of faith is important to someone going through this
process of grief. Because grief twists us and turns us in directions
that make us writhe in pain, make us wonder, make us uncertain of who we
are.<br />
<br />
And we falter and become uncertain of what we truly believe. <br />
<br />
And somewhere in our twisted, painful grief, we decide down in our soul who we will be.<br />
<br />
And the heightened emotions around the holidays make it all more intense. <br />
<br />
I think we have four choices:<br />
<br />
<b>We will hold fast to our faith and dig deeper to know God better. </b>We
experience a peaceful sort of joy in our sorrow. It is through our
trust in Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit can minister to us and help
us through the difficulty of grief.<br />
<br />
<b>We will walk away from our faith, blaming God for not healing or protecting our loved one.</b> We become cynical,bitter, and angry. But God never gives up trying to get our attention.<br />
<br />
<b>We will experience faith in Christ for the very first time.</b> We
start to grow in trust and love.Our priorities change and God begins to
reveal himself to us more and more. We have found something to cling to
that is real and eternal. We have hope.<br />
<br />
<b>We will decide to not decide, but stay on the fence, retreat and wonder, living an undecided life.</b>
We have heard the Good News of Christ, but just can't quite believe
that Jesus died for us and has provided a way where death is not our
final destiny.<br />
<br />
Right now is a good time to decide who you will be in your grief. In a
few weeks, we will be sharing the Thanksgiving table with those we still
have with us. Who will <u>you</u> be at that table? Will love and peace abound along with platters of food? Will gratitude be abundant?<br />
<br />
It's your grief. You choose.Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-26770689417907404882012-10-15T16:17:00.003-04:002012-10-15T16:17:58.743-04:00At A Loss For Words...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgHtFCP2csM/UHxvUyJni6I/AAAAAAAAANc/cjHuGfBn9gc/s1600/014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgHtFCP2csM/UHxvUyJni6I/AAAAAAAAANc/cjHuGfBn9gc/s320/014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My friend told me she drove down my street, wanting to knock on my
door to ask, "What do I do? What do I say to my friend who just lost her
child?" She thought I would have some words, some advise to move her to
action in a way that expressed her heartfelt grief. Because I had lost a
child, she thought I would have lots of suggestions.<br />
<br />
I
hugged her and thanked her and confessed that I, too, am at a loss. My
mind registers the knowledge, but my heart is presently breaking and
simply cannot process this loss. Death shocks and we have a tendency to
run away - escape our emotions, looking for air to breathe.<br />
<br />
We
search for the words or deeds that say, "I am sorry for your loss. I
love you. If I could take away the pain, I would. I know I can't do
that, but I offer this - my time, my casserole, my words of comfort, my
willingness to run errands, clean the house, empty the dishwasher, bathe
the dog, care for other family members, provide bedrooms for out of
town guests, sort the mail, answer the telephone, make phonecalls, pray,
refresh the plants, fill the birdfeeders, and all the while, feeling so
utterly helpless." Why? Because death strikes a mighty blow and we
temporarily lose our confidence.<br />
<br />
When we lose our
confidence, Jesus steps in to show us his own personal example of going
to the bereaved. Jesus shows us how to grieve. Jesus shows us how to
look beyond death. In the gospel of John, we are told a moving story
about Mary and Martha who sent word to their dear friend, Jesus, that
their brother Lazarus was sick. Jesus did not go to them immediately,
but simply told those with him that the sickness would not end in death.
And then Lazarus died. And after a very long four days, Jesus wept with
Mary and Martha at the tomb. Then he had a poignant conversation with
them. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11&version=NIV">John 11</a>,
Jesus reminded the sisters,"I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and
believes in me will never die." Then to prove his point of their
conversation, Jesus first prayed, thanking God for the opportunity to
show those observing that He truly was sent from God. Then, He did it.
Jesus raised Lazarus from death to life. In front of their very eyes.
And from his example, He is still teaching us today:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>1. Go to the person who is grieving.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>2. Weep with them.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>3. Be the hands and feet of Jesus through compassionate care.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>4. Pray, thanking God for the opportunity to share the Good News with others.</b></div>
<b>5. Rest in the words of Jesus who said, "I am the resurrection. Believe in me and live forever."</b><br />
Since
I believe all of the Bible is true, I am able to regain my confidence
in these passages when I face the reality of death. And somehow, all the
words and deeds done, carried out in love, become the hands and feet of
Jesus, transformed into a beautiful thing called grace. Can we follow
His lead?<br />
<br />Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-32754015589302162012012-09-25T14:10:00.000-04:002012-09-25T14:10:05.659-04:00Hope for Spring Daffodils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWUJepERvLE/UGHyBf_ZW0I/AAAAAAAAAMU/0GR0KjRo-QQ/s1600/P1010576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWUJepERvLE/UGHyBf_ZW0I/AAAAAAAAAMU/0GR0KjRo-QQ/s320/P1010576.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
Today I heard a talk about the history of bulbs in the garden. Through ancient Greek mythology, tales were told of bulbs springing to life after disaster, blooms rising up from the storm of defeat. As I sat there and waited to give my short report - specifically about daffodils - I could not help but agree with the historical musings. Yes, bulbs wait in the cold of winter, push through frozen ground, and amaze and delight us with their fortitude and color. Just when you think winter will never leave, that spring will never come, you look outside and dancing yellow faces are waving to you, beckoning you outside to welcome spring.<br />
<br />
It's just so hard to wait. It's just so hard to face the cold of winter. You work, toil, fertilize, nurture...and then you wait. Uncertain and unsure about so much. Did I plant deeply enough? Did I order the right variety for my climate? Did I work and prepare the ground enough? Will the pests leave the bulbs alone long enough to burst through the outer shell and send green life out to the world? Will I see blooms? Will I smell the lingering aroma? Will my daffodils flourish?<br />
<br />
Over the last four years, thousands of daffodils have been planted in my neighborhood to benefit research for specific causes. Every year more and more bulbs are planted. And every year, those of us who are diligent in the plantings, think about those bulbs this time of year.<br />
<br />
We plan ahead.<br />
<br />
<b>This is the time to fertilize.</b> Use a low-nitrogen all purpose fertilizer to stimulate bulb growth. Bulbs will grow underground until the temperature reaches 40 degrees.<br />
<b>This is the time to purchase new bulbs.</b> Search for varieties that have proven successful in your climate. Choose a variety for naturalizing or one variety for mass planting. Groupings are showy!<br />
<b>This is the time to be preparing a new bed, free from tree roots and red clay.</b> Not your favorite task, but as the temperature continues to drop, you will be glad you did the hard work when the weather was friendly. A man with a strong back sure comes in handy!<br />
<br />
Admittedly, the most diligent gardener can experience failure. Improper planting, rodents, bad bulbs - these are just a few of the hazards always faced. But we plod on. We do everything in our power to make the blooming time one of success. And we hold on to hope. Hope that spring will surely come and bring with it the results of hard work, diligent effort, and the gifts of Creation for giving us a garden in which to play. Who would want to miss any of it?Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-33691974967027233512012-09-19T16:45:00.001-04:002012-09-19T16:45:27.257-04:00An Offering of Grace<h2 class="date-header">
Wednesday, September 19, 2012</h2>
Hi Friends of The Olive Branch,<br />
<br />
I am launching a new
blog site and would love for you to follow along: trust me, it's
simple. Just click on the link below and it will take you to the new
site. Once you get there, sign up to follow in the box on the top right
hand side.<br />
<br />
While I will continue to write on both
sites, Marcia Gaddis...On the Grief Journey will get most of my
attention until it is up and running. Thanks for supporting and
reading...and following!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://marciagaddis.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-is-new-day.html#comment-form">http://marciagaddis.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-is-new-day.html#comment-form</a><a href="http://marciagaddis.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-is-new-day.html#comment-form">Marcia Gaddis...on the Grief Journey</a><br />
<h2 class="date-header">
</h2>
<h2 class="date-header">
Today's Post on Marcia Gaddis...on the Grief Journey</h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2440115130500015664" name="3190813095238194966"></a>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<br />
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> "The tears...streamed down, </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>and I let them flow as freely as they would, </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>making of them a pillow for my heart...on them it rested."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Augustine</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Confessions 1X,12</b></div>
<br />
<br />
The funeral is over. The relatives are gone.The flowers have been given
away in small bunches. The remnants of cakes and casseroles are all
that remain. There are piles of cards and letters...some are opened,
some are waiting. You open your eyes and everything looks different. The
world is a new color of gray and nothing feels right. And then you
remember - it all comes flooding over you.<br />
<br />
You try to remember what day it is. Everything seems too quiet. There is
a hush in your home and in your heart. You look outside and even the
birds are silent on this day. But there is something inside of you that
wants to hear the birds sing. There is something inside of you that
strains to hear the faintest chirp. Anything that would bring you back
to the way it was...before. When life was normal.<br />
<br />
A few days after my daughter's service, I stood at the coffeepot next to
my husband and waited for the coffee to brew. We stood there, watching
the drip of the morning elixer and he whispered, "Would you like to go
to the recycling center with me today?" I knew then we would survive.
And I laughed that the mere thought of some task so utilitarian could be
such an offering of grace.<br />
<br />
<u><b>It is the offering of grace we mourners so desire</b></u>. It is
the offering of grace that reaches down into our soul, soothes us, calms
us with the simple tasks of daily life. I suppose they are different
for each <b>grief-stricken</b> heart. But when hearts are linked
together, the offering and the acceptance are always compatible. You
know what I need. You offer. I accept:<br />
<br />
a visit on the front steps,<br />
watching a child learn to ride a bicycle.<br />
<br />
a hand-picked bouquet from your garden,<br />
delivered hand-to-hand, eye-to-eye<br />
<br />
a linen handkerchief<br />
<br />
a note in the mailbox<br />
<br />
Maybe your heart is linked to someone today who needs a simple offering
of grace. Look around you. What will your offering be for the one whose
heart is resting on a pillow of tears?Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-31161782261833033642012-09-14T09:57:00.001-04:002012-09-14T09:57:58.183-04:00Visit My New Blog<br />
<br />
<br />
Hi Friends of The Olive Branch,<br />
<br />
I am launching a new blog site and would love for you to follow along: trust me, it's simple. Just click on the link below and it will take you to the new site. Once you get there, sign up to follow in the box on the top right hand side.<br />
<br />
While I will continue to write on both sites, Marcia Gaddis...On the Grief Journey will get most of my attention until it is up and running. Thanks for supporting and reading...and following!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://marciagaddis.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-is-new-day.html#comment-form">http://marciagaddis.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-is-new-day.html#comment-form</a><a href="http://marciagaddis.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-is-new-day.html#comment-form">Marcia Gaddis...on the Grief Journey</a>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-61213020462087648072012-07-30T13:11:00.000-04:002012-07-30T13:11:28.947-04:00Weed Control<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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It's funny how weeds love to grow when the temperatures soar.
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For a while you hardly notice them. They <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sneak in and grow along with the grass. Then
they take off. You can recognize them because they shoot up with an attitude.
They spread like wild fire, creeping through the ground, and before you know
it, they have choked out the good grass. </div>
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You must stop the choking. You must take action and try to
save the good grass. The directions on the container of weed killer say to
treat weeds during the growing season. Spray the weeds while they are growing
and they will be stopped. Last week I did just that. I sprayed with a
vengeance— nutgrass, crabgrass, and a multitude of "other" grasses
that do not belong in my lawn. Each day now, I celebrate a little more of the
yellowing and wilting of the invaders.</div>
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By contrast, there is a parable in the Bible where Jesus talks
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The lesson from the parable reminds me that for this present
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it's hard work. And sometimes we get weary and just want to ignore those things
in our lives that seek to invade and destroy. But until that final harvest comes
that is spoken of in Matthew, we must work the fields— and wait—and trust. We
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lies. We must know how to vote, what to stand for, and where to draw the line. </div>
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Where are you celebrating "the wilting of the
invaders" in your life?</div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-69421410112374220962012-06-11T13:44:00.000-04:002012-06-11T13:44:04.461-04:00The Unforced Rhythm of Grace<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The goal I seem to accomplish
when traveling is to unabashedly wear myself out. There is so
much to be done in so little time. I take it on myself to go on beach walks and
long bike rides after playing a round of golf. I hike, poke through markets,
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>catch up on reading late into the
night or talking over late night decaf. It's all good. I wouldn't change a
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exhaust myself again, and attack my calendar with a machete, slashing all
unnecessary events. It takes a few days <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of atmospheric change to make the transition,
but rest comes. I've settled myself back into my quiet routine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I like my busy traveling, I also like my
routine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Routine is a good thing—a
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</span>It is actually very restful and productive to be part of a routine.
Watch an out-of-sorts toddler who has missed his nap. Watch an older person who
has to leave his home for a hospital stay. Watch me on vacation! In every
example, you find disruption, chaos, and ultimately melt-down. I like best the
way the toddler handles it—he has a crying fit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But the creative side
of me wants to argue, "But too much routine is boring. I don't want to do
the same thing—routinely—day after day. The writer Amy Tan once said, "</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have to be displaced from what's
comfortable and routine, and then you get to see things with fresh eyes, with
new eyes." And I love what Emerson said about routine, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/643923/ralph-waldo-emerson/so-much-of-our-time-is-spent-in-preparation-so-much"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">“So much of
our time is spent in preparation, so much in routine, and so much in
retrospect, that the amount of each person's genius is confined to a very few
hours.”</span></a></span></div>
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Well, that explains it. That explains why my "genius"
is so underdeveloped. I spend my days preparing, thinking, and keeping my safe routine.
It explains why seeing with fresh eyes can plant new ideas that grow creativity.
Yes, even on the busiest of days. And yet, in my routine, I stumble upon the
solution. I stumble upon another quote that restores me, settles me, and ignites the creativity in my soul. In Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message), Jesus
said, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get
away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real
rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced
rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep
company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." </div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Ah, to learn the unforced rhythms of grace.</div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-87820842483496215762012-06-04T15:42:00.000-04:002012-06-04T15:42:04.680-04:00The Thinking Window<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone has a "thinking window." It's
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fresh idea, truth. It's where you sort and toss and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prioritize. It's where you remember and
reconsider and refresh. You look through your thinking window to the other side
and see something from a different perspective. All new.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I can't look out just any window and think. I wish I
could because in the last month I could have uncovered a wealth of new images
looking at the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. I could have heightened
my perspective looking up to Mt. Ranier, Whiteside Mountain, and the Blue Ridge
Mountains. If travel enabled new ideas to morph into words, I would have a
lifetime reserve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I love the way Anne Lamott talks about writers
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">“Hope is a revolutionary patience for
writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope begins in the dark, the
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ideas will come—once I settle myself again—at my
thinking window. I want to believe the sights I have seen and the beauty I have
witnessed will over time come together as fresh fodder for the written word. Let
them sink in and blend and multiply and then reinvent themselves, bursting
forth in new thoughts and ranges of colors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Apostle Paul also gives wisdom to those who
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in God alone. Until then we will always be searching, looking through our own
window of thought, trying our best to figure things out. Paul wrote to people
in a big city where life was busy and distractions were many—not unlike today,
just 2000 years later saying, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a
mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Probably the first thing you do each morning is look
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to a dream, or wisdom for a big decision. Take some time at that window, allowing
some "revolutionary patience" to still your heart and fill your
senses with the wonders of a hoping creation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can learn at our thinking window. Dawn will come.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-19898627697975912962012-05-30T16:36:00.000-04:002012-05-30T16:36:42.478-04:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5u36CjMJic/T8aCAzXliJI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jDYLZWYO9OE/s1600/DSC01852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5u36CjMJic/T8aCAzXliJI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jDYLZWYO9OE/s320/DSC01852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b> Trail of Tears...And Uncertainty</b></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The older I get, the more I love home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
I have been away for two weeks, attending the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference</b> in Asheville, NC.
I stopped on the way home and visited friends who opened doors to their
mountain homes, offering rest and respite and transition from four days of attending
classes, listening to speakers, and thinking more than I normally think. It is
home, though, where I reconnect, renew, and refresh my mind. As I water the plants
and fill the bird feeder, everything somehow gets sorted and prioritized in my
mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is home where I reflect and
sort and plan for another year of writing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
was my third year to attend, and I felt more comfortable when the routine question
was asked, “What do you write?” I experimented with safe answers such as “I
write non-fiction—the daily life kind of stuff—gardening, relationships, personal
struggle." Or “I write memoir." That sounded vague enough without
delving into my personal, painful story. Or, if I was feeling transparent, I
said, “I write about death and grief—life and living.” This year, I mastered
the "elevator pitch" by succinctly saying, "I published <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When
God Comes Near</i></b> in 2010, writing about my faith journey during the
illness and death of my daughter. Now, I am writing a book about grief—good
grief." I admit, it's not as exciting as a thriller mystery, or a trendy
cookbook, but I write what I know. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
drive to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Asheville</b> is pretty
spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you get out of Atlanta, you head north to the foothills of the Blue Ridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
as you wind further north, you enter a cloud of misty green. I returned home
through those magnificent mountains with misty thoughts of my own mountains to
climb as a writer. I remembered the Cherokee nation, forced against their will to
leave a land they loved and to traverse through famine and hardship to some
unknown territory that would become their new home over time. <span class="medium1"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The journey itself
became known as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"The Trail of
Tears"</b> or, as a direct translation from Cherokee, "The Trail
Where They Cried.” In one of the saddest episodes of our country’s history
where over 4000 people died, lives were torn apart, displaced, and left to their
tears on a trail to uncertainty. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="medium1"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
is a legend that says an Indian chief prayed for comfort for the grieving
mothers who were losing their children to death and starvation on the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following his prayer, a white rose began to
spring up every time a tear fell to the earth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="medium1"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Supposedly, to this day, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cherokee Rose</b>, my very own Georgia state
flower, still blooms along the Trail of Tears—life and beauty rising out of
pain and sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
am learning that each of us has our own trail of tears—our own trail of
uncertainty. If you tell me you do not, I won't believe you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All who are in touch with life have been
displaced by something—emotionally, physically, socially, or spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been forced to travel a trail of
uncertainty. And the legend rings true—when tears are spilled and prayers are
offered, something good happens in the midst of sorrow. A flower blooms on the
road of sadness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"How
can good come from pain?" we continue to ask. One thing I learned at the
writer's conference was that everyone has a unique story to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are true and some are imagined. Some are
being developed. Some are being filed away and some, regrettably, thrown away.
But all good stories should offer some kind of reconciliation to the reader. Name
the problem and offer a solution. Change the reader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Cherokee tribe did not get to the Oklahoma
territory overnight. There was no GPS dotted with five star hotels and
Starbucks, but there was a chief who sought a higher source for help. And
following the little signs of life that bloomed encouragement along the way,
the travelers stuck with their journey and learned new ways to live. They told
their stories to their children with memories of a past life and with hope for the
new territory to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a writer, I
will be doing just that—seeking help from above, looking for the signs of
encouragement along the way, and learning new ways to live. I will remember the
past and point to the future. Maybe I, too, will change the reader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-69473411350841987522012-04-03T10:52:00.000-04:002012-04-03T10:52:26.980-04:00Look Up to Find a Lenten Message<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZEHgULj6vw/T3sOQiXp4aI/AAAAAAAAAJE/cQAKYUa8iHQ/s1600/Clip+Art.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZEHgULj6vw/T3sOQiXp4aI/AAAAAAAAAJE/cQAKYUa8iHQ/s1600/Clip+Art.gif" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">A fellow writer and friend of mine wrote:</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Pay attention to people who encourage you spiritually. They just might have a Lenten message for you!"</div><div class="MsoNormal">But who is looking for the Lenten message? </div><div class="MsoNormal">Who is following Christ this Holy Week as his actions as teacher and healer turn abruptly to his intense passion of walking toward abuse, ridicule, and death on a cross? The message can often seem too hard, too cruel, too painful to watch. There have been years when instead of going the distance to the cross with Christ and attending church on Maunday Thursday and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good Friday, I fled to the golf course, away from waiting and watching Jesus and His passion. I ran away , taking my pain and sorrow to the beauty of creation. It was all that made sense to me. It was all I could bear.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But it was there in the beauty of God's creation, the Lenten message sought me out, found me, and revealed to me the true Lenten message of hope. I have told the story before, but it bears repeating for those who might be looking for messages outside of church doors this week. </div><div class="MsoNormal">We were finishing our round of golf, moving around the course, and walking onto the 18th green. As we walked by the lake and onto the green, I saw some movement above me. I paused, looked up, touched Mike's arm and whispered, "Look Up! Look Up!" There waving snow white wings, hovering above us were five white doves. It was as though they were waiting there to give us the Lenten message - a message that said, "It is a sad day, but Sunday is coming. Jesus is alive. Your child is with Jesus. And one day, the five of you will be together again - in Heaven."</div><div class="MsoNormal">And then I remembered the song,</div><div class="MsoNormal">"On the wings of a snow-white dove<br />
He sends His pure sweet love<br />
A sign from above <br />
On the wings of a dove" </div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, several years later, we reflect on that day as a day of gratitude that together we witnessed the Lenten message - delivered <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to us personally on the wings of five, white doves, sent from above. Where did the doves comes from, you ask? I, too, pursued that question and learned that they lived close by and were often released <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for specific missions, only to return to their home when their mission was completed. </div><div class="MsoNormal">How like God to send those doves as a Lenten message. But as my friend said, you have to pay attention. </div><div class="MsoNormal">You have to look up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-37083038169925567932012-03-26T15:24:00.000-04:002012-03-26T15:24:22.464-04:00Falling Down, Finding Help<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5iB-VI1OSs/T3DCSSUiz2I/AAAAAAAAAI8/vKDvu30ltVU/s1600/P1010578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5iB-VI1OSs/T3DCSSUiz2I/AAAAAAAAAI8/vKDvu30ltVU/s320/P1010578.JPG" width="282" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been walking most mornings for over 25 years and never, not once have I fallen.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today that changed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a split second after tripping over a crumbling sidewalk, I stumbled, crumbled, and fell to the ground. Fortunately, I was able to descend slowly because of my unsuccessful effort to aright myself. As if in slow motion, I allowed my wobbling legs and flailing arms to land on a grassy spot allowing my palms to block the worst of the blow. In the back of my mind, I was also considering the consequences of rolling into the street. Now, that would not have been pretty.</div><div class="MsoNormal">To be honest, none of it was pretty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My walking partner felt helpless. My neighbor, who was in his car, waiting to pull onto the street, watched and waited to see if I would get up. And thankfully, I did get up - a bit humiliated, but relieved even more. I told everyone watching that I was sorry they had to witness that early morning scene, but I was grateful they were there - just in case I could not get myself up. Falling down is something none of us desire to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is in the getting up that we feel tremendous gratitude and much relief when we realize we are not broken, bleeding, or bruised. </div><div class="MsoNormal">But this very theme is what we continue to spiritually ponder as we journey through this time of Lent, experiencing the descending path of Jesus, which is the glory that comes from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the contrast between the descending path where we have trouble with glory. We think of glory as grand, better, more powerful or successful. And God reveals his glory by Jesus becoming more and more despised, rejected and hunted. God reveals his glory by having Jesus go all the way to death on the cross. He did that for me. And you. </div><div class="MsoNormal">It is why we should not be afraid when we fall down....when our hearts are broken, or we are disappointed, or the morning walk does not turn out the way we thought it should for our own glory. A little soreness here and there can be a reminder of those falls, teaching us to watch out for those things that would trip us and cause us harm, and asking ourselves where in the midst of our falling down can we discern the loving presence of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is there to help us stand.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!</i> (1 Corinthians 10:12)</div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-57573057995075972322012-03-05T17:02:00.001-05:002012-03-05T17:07:48.574-05:00The Best Version of Myself<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">To tease his patient into giving him information about her condition, a doctor asked, "Am I a fireman?" She teased back knowingly and answered, "I don't think so." She affirmed his presence as a doctor and he continued with his quest for a quick diagnosis.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wouldn't it be nice if we could always have our identity diagnosed so quickly? Just ask a probing question and someone affirms who we are. Then we can move on in our quest for knowledge - or prestige, or power, or beauty, or acceptance.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But what happens if our search for our own identity fails us? In our quest to be the best version of ourselves, we bump into others who daily reject us, compete with us, turn from us, and give us reason to wonder about ourselves and who we really are. We then start bumping into our own self in a way that becomes critical and self-abasing. We begin to not like ourselves because we just can't measure up to the expectations of a secular and self-absorbed world. And sometimes that "world" includes family and closest friends. And then we remove ourselves ,become invisible to the world, and become a victim of retreat. </div><div class="MsoNormal">And the world wonders why we can't get our act together. </div><div class="MsoNormal">And the world turns it's self-conscious head and moves on without us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But that is not what God intended for us. Scripture says God created us in his own image with a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">(Jeremiah 29:11)</a> Scripture says we are the apple of God's eye (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">Psalm 17:8</a>) and He watches and cares for us. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">(Psalm 23)</a> Scripture says a whole lot about God's love for us. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">John 3:16</a>) Scripture is the best self-help book I have ever read. God is a great motivator.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was with a group of friends in January and someone threw out a phrase that is staying with me through these first months of the year. She said, "I want to be the best version of myself." That's it. The best version of myself is the person that God intended for only me to be. Not the cover on the magazine, not my older sister, not my younger sister, not by best friend nor my neighbor, not my business associate, not anyone else but the version God himself intended for me alone. If I fail becoming the best version of me, then I have failed God. I have disappointed the one who planned my life before he created the world. Now that is identity, for sure.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Who is it you really want to be? </div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you want to be me? </div><div class="MsoNormal">Or do you want to be you?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440115130500015664.post-23847712089979527422012-02-15T13:24:00.000-05:002012-02-15T13:24:30.057-05:00The Daffodil Dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBZF0CFG8Ts/Tzv3_cl633I/AAAAAAAAAI0/YLPRCeAPkH8/s1600/DSC01823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBZF0CFG8Ts/Tzv3_cl633I/AAAAAAAAAI0/YLPRCeAPkH8/s320/DSC01823.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>You will see them popping up along streets, around mailboxes, naturalized in ivy beds and at entrances to neighborhoods. They begin their arrival as early as late January and continue to dance through the season even into April. Yes, the daffodils are opening their faces every day to the sun! The slender green shoots begin to break through the soil while the earth shivers. Bravely they stand in the wind and cold temperatures. And just when you think it will be a long time before the blooms start to swell, they pop out to delight us with color and fragrance - and hope.<br />
Daffodils, the brightest sign of springtime hope, were a favorite flower of a young woman in Atlanta who died from a rare disease called <a href="http://www.cjdfoundation.org/">Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease</a>. In memory of this young woman, the Club Estates Garden Club in Atlanta's Brookhaven community began to sell and plant daffodils in the fall of 2008. The project became known as "The Daffodil Dance." Planting wonderful varieties such as St. Keverne, Asphasia, Pipit, Smiling Sun, Golden Echo, and Accent, the neighborhood now flourishes with over 12,000 bulbs planted throughout the neighborhood. Daffodils, dressed in hope, dance through the season bringing sunshine and hope for weary,winter hearts.<br />
Is your heart weary from winter? A a winter of unemployment, discouragement, or fear? Look outside. Look around and you will be amazed at the lessons we can learn through the strength and agility of daffodils. Take some time to stop and simply admire the details. Draw even closer and you will see perfection and rich aroma. Look beyond the planted beds and see determination and growth along untended paths of rural highways. Where homes have been abandoned or torn down, daffodils continue to multiply and live on, sometimes flourishing in wild abandon. Who doesn't want to flourish in wild abandon? Hope is our answer, reviving and restoring the soul through the beauty of a dancing daffodil. And we, like Wordsworth, can join his verse that says "My heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils."Marcia Gaddishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216949216877321934noreply@blogger.com2