Poems, Personal Stories, and Observations

Posts tagged ‘gratitude’

Siren Warning

Next to our church building is a building housing the school gym, meeting rooms, and other facilities. On top of the building sits a community [air raid] siren, which is tested every first Wednesday of the month at noon. I believe the main purpose of the siren system is to give warning if a tornado has been sighted in that particular county. Of course, it could be used for other warnings. You’re supposed to have a way (radio or otherwise) to find out what it’s about. I am grateful for those who set up and maintain a system to warn people of danger.

Today (first Wednesday of the month) we were worshiping at the 11:30 Mass in the church, and the siren blasted off at noon, before Mass was finished. The priest just keot going and the people acted like nothing was happening, except little kids who probably got scared by it. It IS quite loud, being perhaps 100 to 200 feet away. The first few times I heard sirens here, they were a bit scary, though I learned that the first Wednesday occurrence at noon is just a test. The real ones are scarier. My first one happened just after arriving home in the dark, under a heavy downpour of rain. I heard the siren and didn’t know what to do, being my first summer in the midwest. I called my son’s mother-in-law (we are quite good friends), and while on the call, I think the siren stopped. But it turns out, you are probably supposed to go to your basement to be safer.

The homily (talk by the priest) included a warning about being in a faction or “tribe” and losing sight of the overall transcendence of God because you’re bogged down in your own opinion, wanting to be right, or boasting about your own “tribe”. (This was inspired by the Scripture text: 1 Corinthians, chapter 3.) Many homilies or sermons, if the church is worth its salt, warn about attitudes and sins that are not pleasing to God, and/or not helpful to the unity of the church. So, be grateful when you are given a warning. It might save you and others a lot of grief.

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There Is Nothing …

In a recent Sunday homily, the priest stated, “There is nothing you can do to make God love you less.” Perhaps superfluously, I might restate what he said like this: “There is nothing [bad] you can do to make God love you less, [and there’s nothing good you can do to make Him love you more.]

The priest went on to say something like, “It is we who turn from God, not He from us. We’re afraid to come to Him after we’ve sinned, but He’s waiting for us with open arms. He wants us back.”

What is our response to such a love? It might be fear, grateful acceptance, or something else. Fear, because that kind of love might demand something of us that we’re not willing to give — perhaps letting go of our anger, unforgiveness, blaming others, bad habits, etc. Or, in realizing the immensity of that kind of love that no human can give us, an overwhelming gratitude that responds by giving to and serving others — and yes, letting go.

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Neither Do I Condemn You

As I write this, I’m 71. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the Bible verse below, but today it finally sunk in, as if Jesus were speaking to me.

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery: ‘“… Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.”’ (John 8:10-12)

If Jesus does not condemn the woman, then neither should I condemn myself for my sins or failings, but in gratitude, go on to live for Him and be holy with the help of His grace.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!” (Zechariah 9:9a)

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Old Lady’s Blues

Well, the air’s too wet,
I’m covered in sweat.
The chiggers are ‘bitin;
Soon there’ll be lightnin’.

But I’ve got food to eat,
A roof over my head,
Even have A/C,
And people who love me.

Well, the news is bad;
It’s makin’ me sad.
My back is in pain;
Might be goin’ insane.

But I’ve got good friends, 
A garden to tend,
Cats who like to cuddle,
Rain enough for some puddles. 

Well, I spilled the dinner,
Don’t seem to be a winner.
The grandbaby’s cryin’;
Life can be tryin’.

But there’s always a light;
Your smile is so bright.
We may not agree,
But you’re talkin’ with me!

Just heard the doctor’s verdict,
Says my blood pressure’s imperfect 
Not to mention blood sugar,
Extra carbs in the cooker.

But I’ve got Jesus beside me;
There’s nothing can fright me.
Well, maybe things will, 
But He’ll help me, until …

I can see through the night,
And hear music bright,
Be calm in the storm,
‘Til He brings me home.

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Comparison

It’s a mistake
To compare ourselves to others.
That sin do not dare —
For joy it surely smothers.

Don’t look askance
At gifts you have been given.
Grow gratitude —
Let yourself be shriven.

Joy everywhere —
Our happiness, so be it.
God is alive,
If we will but see it.

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A New Arrival!

Our second grandchild, Lucy Marie, has arrived!

Born to Jacob and Teresa
May 10, 2022, 8:04 a.m., 7 pounds 11 ounces, 20 inches, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

We are overwhelmed with gratitude, especially for the following reasons:

The obstetrician had decided a month or two ago to do a C-section, because the baby had turned and was presenting breech.  So 5/10 was five days before the projected natural due date.

It turns out that the umbilical cord was wrapped twice around Lucy’s neck.  Given that problem and the breech presentation, it’s probable that the C-section saved both the baby’s and perhaps even the mother’s life.  In another time or place, it could have been an incredibly sad day.

My two brothers were breech birth, and thank God they survived, and our mom survived the births!  I don’t think she had C-sections.

So we give thanks and praise to God for His overwhelming mercy.  We also say that when things turn out more tragically — we thank God because He helps us get through those times.

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Thank You, Everyone!

Ohio Report: January 26, 2022

Here in southwest Ohio, it was 7 degrees Fahrenheit this morning at 7:20 a.m.  No wind to speak of, clear skies, and no ice on the roads, so it could be a lot worse.  No snow today, except little piles left over from January 17th.

I’m sure people from Siberia, Alaska, Canada, the northernmost states of the U.S., and other places will be laughing at me for thinking 7 degrees is unusual, but it is for this coastal California girl!  Maybe a few times at Lake Tahoe, I’ve experienced 7 degrees.

If you have cold weather, never take for granted (if you have them) a home, a furnace, electricity, warm clothes, and food to sustain you.  I once watched a documentary in which they did an experiment with three couples or families, perhaps around the 1990s or later.  The challenge was to see if they could survive a winter without all the modern conveniences.  I think they had a cabin already; not sure.  At any rate, they had to grow and preserve enough food, and collect enough firewood to survive winter.  All three families failed.  They didn’t preserve enough food nor collect enough firewood.  They had to go back to their regular life before finishing the challenge.

The goats at my son’s in-laws are doing well in their indoor winter pen. They have a milk house heater for when it’s freezing or below.  These are Nigerian dwarf goats, so they aren’t as hardy as, say, Scottish goats.  They eat grain, leaves, and hay, and seem to really enjoy having people visit and pet them, not to mention the food provided.

We are fine here because of hundreds, if not thousands, of people:  those who made our warm clothes; those who grow, deliver, and sell food; those who make and sell and maintain furnaces and refrigerators; those who build facilities for and maintain and deliver gas and electricity; those who collect our garbage once a week; those who deliver mail and packages to us; those who sustain us spiritually and/or in friendship and love, those who helped us have health and the ability to work to pay for bills – the list could go on and on.  Thank you, everyone!

Update: December 23, 2022

It was NEGATIVE 7 degrees Fahrenheit this morning. 7 degrees is balmy!

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Changing Lightbulbs

I’m changing lightbulbs

Instead of cursing the darkness

Instead of cursing the lightbulb company

Instead of cursing someone who might have broken them

I’m changing lightbulbs

And thanking God that I could afford new ones

And thanking God that there will be more light

And thanking God for my husband who helped me

I’m changing lightbulbs

And hoping I can give some to those who don’t have any

And hoping there will be more light than darkness

And hoping that we can work together

I’m changing lightbulbs

Instead of sitting around

Instead of having a frown

Instead of getting down

Let there be light!

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What is Freedom?

Freedom is the grace to make good decisions, the power to do good. Freedom is being able to express your beliefs, while respecting others beliefs. Freedom is to receive forgiveness, to be released by the grace of God from the guilt of my wrongdoing, and to offer forgiveness to others. Freedom is receiving the grace to forgive my enemies, instead of living a life of resentment and blame. Freedom is letting go of the past, and having hope for the future. Freedom is appreciating those who have helped you have freedom. Gratitude increases freedom. Freedom is a great gift, and a great responsibility. Thank you, God, for the great gift of freedom.

Written July 3, 2021

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The Confiteor

Some of you may be familiar with the prayer called “The Confiteor” (“I confess”). The form of this prayer that I’m most familiar with is:

“I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (And, striking their breast, they say) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.”

Some time ago, I realized something new about the Confiteor. When we say the words, “Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault,” it’s not about me beating myself up and blaming myself for everything, it’s more about the fact that, compared to God, I am an extremely faulty creature, and in His great mercy, He has made a way for me to be saved.

When I compare myself to others (or focus on myself), it creates misery, but when I compare myself to God, who is all Perfection, it creates humility and gratitude.

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