Soup Cans

I grew up in a poor family and we start our marriage on about $5.00 an hour salary as factory workers. The checks I wrote out back then were for small amounts, $5 or $10. We thought about every dime we spent. But gradually our income increased and we could do a lot of things our parents were never able to do. Our closets got full and we ate good food.

However, recently my husband is unemployed and I'm reading the price tags on the soup cans and everything else. I've always wanted certain foods and labels because all foods are not equal. So I've tried the generic and the sale items. They are just not the same. With food, usually you get what you pay for.

While I still buy food for the taste- I know it's a luxury, I learning that I can do without a lot of other things that I used to buy without thought of the cost. You really can learn to live on less. And usually you spend what you earn.

The Joke's on Me

For the last ten years we’ve lived in an old farmhouse in need of remodeling. Since we had two kids in college we decided to wait. So this is the year we update most of the house. We’ve gutted several rooms and made a master bath with a big shower stall which had to be brought in through the window. I’ve fought the mildew that grew on the old tile and I wanted the shower to be one piece so that I wouldn’t have to worry about grout and mildew. The old shower’s water pressure trickled down and this has nice pressure.

When I cleaned the shower I noticed a knick in the top layer. Not only that but the new fixtures are quickly getting waterspots. To keep the new things clean takes more time now. The old stuff didn’t look much different clean. I’ve decided that new stuff isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and it’s a distraction from what’s important in life.

God must wonder why we spend so much time and money and effort on the things that deteriorate so quickly. I'm wondering myself. These new things could easily distract me for the rest of my life. I don't care to go back to that old way so the scratch on the shower will be a reminder that I'm not made for this world and the temporary things are not worth fusing over.

"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:12-18 ESV

Losses

I grieved this week for two sets of parents whose opportunities for grandchildren look slim. One whose daughter may not conceive and another whose daughter may lose her premature baby and her own life as well. The toughest night of my life was seeing my daughter struggle to bring life into the world as her blood pressure soared to stroke level. But the outcome was worth the struggle and more. And the struggle made the blessing of that first grandchild so much more sweet.

So what do you say to these whose losses are so much greater? I think the best response is to cry along with them and keep your mouth shut. And hang in there with them in their grieving. Whatever you say will sound hollow in the light of their loss. There are no words that can make them feel better.

After the silence I can go to the Father and pray that his loving care will make it all right some day.

Wiseguy

This little guy isn't talking much but all the time he's listening and taking in the world around him. On Thanksgiving day I was standing at the kitchen island fixing the corn casserole and I cleared my throat. A second later I heard Elijah clears his. He was sitting on the other side of the island down on the floor where I couldn't see him. So I did it again and he did too. Then his mommy noticed and did the same thing with the same echo. So we made a little game of it. Now we're noticing that he imitates us in many other ways.

Never take for granted that these little ones are watching and learning from how we live. They learn from us way too early and we can't see the behaviors until later on.

Confessions of an Extremist

Today, listening to the Turks on Air America I found out that I am an extremist. Not only that, the campaign ads that ran in my area called my views extremist. That offends me and puts me in the same category as those who blow up innocent children with their suicide bombs and even Hitler himself.

I wish that those who say such things could meet me and most everyone else who thinks like I do because I’m a pretty mild-mannered person who never breaks the law except for a little speeding. I pay more than my fair share of taxes and I don’t cheat on my taxes. I give a lot of my income to others. My job is helping people and I try to do it well and kindly regardless of how they look or what they say or think.

I feel strongly that certain things such as abortion, gay marriage and embryo stem cell research are morally wrong. I’ve been friends with gay people and I know some who have sold their discarded embryos. I know a few people who have had abortions. I don’t look down on them or avoid them. I try to see the other side of these things and I listen to/read other opinions and review my own to see if I’m wrong. No one has been able to convince me otherwise.

I’m not going to blow up abortion clinics or picket anywhere or call people names. I make my voice known by voting every chance I get and every once in awhile I write a letter to my congressman or senator or a tv station.

I don’t see much reason for government to interfere in moral issues. The government should be limited and should provide the kind of environment where freedom, not license, can thrive.
Not too long ago my views were very mainstream and normal. While I don’t want to go back to those days I do wish we could stick to the old labels of conservative and liberal. They’ve been around for a long time and they’ve worked quite well. We used to respect each other's views.

Some day there will be no values to appreciate and whatever anyone wants to do will be acceptable. Differences will no longer be appreciated and dialogue will not be possible. I pray that I am wrong.