Do the math, blessings can multiply

     

     Poet Samuel Foss wrote, “Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.”

— The House by the Side of the Road 

     From earliest times, I think that has been my desire to be a friend to people, to help weary travellers along the highway of life, perhaps to nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word, so as to leave them with a blessing. 

     So, it was no accident that I met and married someone such as Nelson Palmer Eagles who became my soulmate and life-long ministry partner. 

     We soon found we shared similar desires. Nels would be the first to describe his extreme bashfulness during those growing up years. 

     Then, an amazing change took place in his personality, when, during his military service, Jesus became central in his life. What changes that made for Nels in many ways. 

     He began to love conversing with anyone, and even during the weeks before his death, he would often suggest, “Let’s go for coffee! Maybe we’ll meet someone we know.” He never allowed a stranger to be in our midst for long. 

          Looking back now, I see God’s many blessings on Nels' and my life throughout the years. 

     Just remembering, I believe helps us have a thankful heart. I also think God wants us to pass on our stories of blessings to the next generations. 

     A common theme throughout scripture, is to Remember the days of old. So, just what do we mean when we say, “We are blessed?” What exactly is a blessing? 

     This being a recent topic of my pastor, it really got me thinking, because I say it a lot. When I say “I am blessed,” does it seem to others that I think I have a special favour or protection from God that others may not have? 

     We sometimes tritely say, “Bless you” when someone sneezes. We may ask someone to ask the blessing at mealtime. Do we not sometimes speak words of God’s blessing in or over someone’s life? 

     My dictionary explain blessing to be — “gratitude, grace or praise, make happy or successful, bestow divine favour on, a religious rite as a blessing on my house or life.”  

     Think of it! We are all blessed in so many different ways. We just need to pause occasionally, and do as the old hymn says, “Count your blessings, Name them one by one, Count your many blessings, See what God has done!” 

     As I do, I find it helps to eradicate smugness, realizing it is not because of human attainment, nor who I am to warrant such blessings. But — Jehovah Jirah, The Lord Provides. 

     I’m learning, nothing tests us quite like blessings. I believe what I do with my blessings is most important and I must be aware each day as to how I can share them. 

     Blessings inspire blessings. Blessings become infectious, and begin to multiply. By the end of this month of May, I will have counted 25 years since moving to my present home in the beautiful Okanagan. 
         

     Presently, I am overseeing a renovation upgrade of my kitchen, with which I believe, Nels would be pleased. 

     Nels always believed it a welcomed obligation to keep in tiptop shape, whatever God had given us. 

     
     Throughout our lifetime together, whichever home we were in, also became home to those we welcomed under our roof — for short, or longer stays as needed. 

     My married days began getting used to living with two men, Nels' brother Lawrence, who lived with us until his own marriage, four years later. 

     Nervous at first, knowing little of how to cook, I soon learned that my brother-in-law was unassuming, quiet and graciously helpful. 

     Our first rented home in North Burnaby saw a variety of numerous house guests — the upstairs suite was, at times, occupied by a needy couple or family member. 

     

     Leaving that quaint tradesman house which had been the hub of our blossoming family life for nearly 13 years, we moved on to a cute, little rancher-style home in East Burnaby. 

     For more than four years, we made a great many memories living in our “pink house,” as we called it. 

     Sharing our home once again, we’ll always carry the memory of finding temporary sleeping space for the Robertson family, having returned from living in northern B.C. 

     Adding to the mix, my sister Merle, husband George and their three growing boys, it caused our combined family to show an extra abundance of love, patience and Christmas spirit during that winter of ’67. 

     Watching our family grow with all its demands, the thought of owning our own home seemed merely, a dream. Yet our dream came true when Nels found out, that as a veteran he was eligible for assistance in the building of a home. 

     Now, it seemed to be payback time—  as the Robertsons graciously housed our family during the period when we were forced to move from the rancher we were renting, due to it being put on the market for sale. Also, our new home was being built and wasn't ready for possession. 

     Soon, our home in Surrey became blessed with several young people finding their way under our roof, for short or longer periods of time. 

• What can you say when daughter Debi presents a convincing argument that a needy teenager should become our foster daughter? 

• Or a son Dave who goes to bat for a friend who needs room and board while attending college? 

• Or, a nephew from Ontario working to become established in the West? 

• Surprise overnight buddies of Roger’s would become visible in the morning, as I checked the downstairs rec-room. 

• Even my own mother, Lena Estabrooks shared our home with us, for the better part of one year, (after having moved out west with her son, Vincent, who came in search of employment).
  

• Vincent too, shared our home in Surrey, with nearly two acres of land in which he parked his travel trailer — Vincent spent many wonderful years with us.

     I guess, we felt very grateful for our home and wanted to share it with others. 

     When you live within the bounty of Blessing and God’s Spirit nudges, it’s pretty difficult to say “no” to a need. 

     Retirement at last, for us both, with a move to our present home, the ongoing saga of God’s blessings continues. 

     I so miss that guy who joyfully shared in helping to make our home a welcoming house by the side of the road.  

     With hospitality, being one of my spiritual gifts God has  given me — I cannot but carry on. 

     But, as Job said in the Bible, “only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return.” (Job 16:22)

     Meanwhile, He has written my name in His day-timer  so no worry!   

     

     “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; …give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much, and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.” 

 — Proverbs 30:7-9

— beulah

Motherhood, a beautiful partnership with God

Guess which of our four children I am holding in this photo with Nelson. Is it Karen, Debi, David (Brent) or Roger. This was our first home in Burnaby, B.C. at 3933 Francis Street.

   

     Mother’s Day — a day set apart to honour our mothers, or for many of us, their memory. 

   Considering that precious something called motherhood, I am always awed as I realize anew that beautiful partnership mothers have with God, in bringing a new life into the world. Though the various stages of parenting can bring joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride, yet no other career in life is more fulfilling. 

   To have a major role in guiding a young life to become all that they were created to be, is an awesome, yet beautiful adventure. 

     Someone cried, “Where must this seed be sown to bring the most fruit when it is grown?” The Master heard as he said and smiled, “Go plant it for me in the heart of a child.” 

     God blessed Nels and I with two beautiful daughters and two handsome sons, giving us enabling grace to parent them to adulthood.

     Now, living to see their children’s children, (to-date only two great-grands, but patiently waiting), I feel truly blessed with love, care and attention.                           

     April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Almost daily, our news makes mention of another sexual assault or sexual misconduct, whether at a university campus, in the work place, in the military, on our streets or among elected government officials. 

     Recently, Senator Don Meredith chose to resign from his position in the Senate, before possibly being expelled for sexual exploitation of a minor. Can we no longer count on our leaders to give moral accountability? It seems our generation is obsessed with sex, as if it was something new. 

     Sex has been around since the beginning of time — a beautiful gift from God when He created us male and female. Unfortunately, it has become distorted, defamed and misused. Someone has said, we are experiencing the plague of immorality. 

     Having lived these many years, I often go back in memory to those earlier days, before the sexual revolution, five decades ago. Of course, life was not perfect then either, but somehow it seemed a bit safer in our homes and on our streets. 

     Casting off what was thought as puritanical restraints of past generations, the 60's and 70’s ushered in a new era of sexual experimentation. It could be called a coming-out-party, complete with sex, LSD and rock n’ roll, in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. Labelled, “Summer of Love,” an effort was begun to trade traditional morals for a new vision of freedom, love and enlightenment. “If it feels good, do it!” became the theme. Now, fifty years later, the grand visions of free love and fulfillment has instead, delivered suffering and social breakdown, with marriage being defaced and devalued. 

   With moral decline all around us, it seems the moral compass no longer has a true north. We are living in perilous and unpredictable times. 

     C.S. Lewis called our world “enemy occupied territory.” 

     As we feel surrounded by negative influences of a predominately secular world, we may at times, almost wish we could be a part of the early monastic movement, detached from the world as described in 1 John 2:16 — “the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” 

   Yet we know it is not our mission to escape the world, isolating ourselves from others. Instead, as Jesus said, we are to be the “salt of the earth” in whatever environment he has placed us. 

   Salt, we know, is a preservative that stops the process of decay. Just being there, has its effect. Likewise, our lives have influence, whether we are aware of it or not, in our work place, in society, or in our neighbourhood. 

   Christian author Phillip Keller wrote an article entitled, “Salt for Society,” in which he states, “Either our lives are counting for good and for God or they are making an impact for evil and the enemy. The way we live, the things we say, the attitudes we entertain, the lifestyle we adopt are continuously producing either positive or negative results in society. Our lives, whether we are aware of it or not, either count for God or against God. There simply is no middle ground.”  

   

     That is something we all should wisely consider. Kent Annan, says it right — “…weep at the world, then get up, wipe the tears from our eyes and see a little more clearly the vision for His Kingdom coming (on earth), and how we can help it to come.”   

   Hope is looking to the future in such a way that we have confidence in the present.

— beulah

How do the words taste, coming out of your mouth?

     

     You’ve heard it said, "Keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them.”   

     Words matter. 

     Our words reflect what is going on in our minds, a symptom of the disposition of our hearts. The mind is the place of understanding. The heart is our disposition or temperament towards life, people and God — from which comes our actions, behaviours and our words. 

     Why do we hear of so much anger in today’s world? We know the daily stress of life can cause us to become irritable with others, often blurting out harmful, unkind words without thinking. 

     I grieve when I hear of the strife that is tearing apart today’s families. 

     Thoughtless words of others can wound us deeply. Roadside anger, often resulting in accidents keeps happening regularly. 

     Our elected politicians have difficulty controlling their emotions during parliamentary debates, sometimes throwing angry slurs. 

     In some instances, the daily workplace has become a toxic environment. A day at work may not pass without someone being snubbed, ignored, put down or irritated in some way by our fellow worker. This, then, can cause a disrespectful response. 

     I’ve heard of companies that wisely offer anger management courses to their workers. 

     When God created us humans, anger was among the emotions we were given. It is one of the most destructive emotions. Some emotions need to be purified and controlled, anger being one. 

     And, no anger is to outlast a day. Ephesians 4:26 reminds us, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” 

     In our family, that was one emotion Nels always made us give an account for at day’s end, if it had been a problem for any of us throughout the day. Uncontrolled anger is sinful. God warns of the potential evil waiting to be unleashed when we don’t master our anger. (Psalm 37:8). 

     The book of Proverbs teaches, “It is to one’s honour to avoid strife; but every fool is quick to quarrel.” 

     It is possible to feel anger without letting it boil over into rage. 

     Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could follow Jesus’ example? 

     "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 

 — 1 Peter 2:23

     Some anger is not sinful. I like to call it “righteous” anger that I feel, when I hear of the terrible, inhumane atrocities carried out on humans, especially on innocent children. I believe Jesus showed righteous indignation when He cleansed the temple of marketplace activity, believing they were robbing the temple of its sanctity. (Mark 11:15-17). 

     If we are a Jesus-follower, we have access to the fruit of His Spirit within us, one of which is self-control. 

     We can allow His character traits to become ours. Perhaps we can then be a calming influence and the quiet example needed, whether in  the workplace, in our home, or in the public arena. 

     There’s none so blind as those who will not see. We need to stop and consider the other’s point-of-view. 

     As athletes, may we perform with integrity. I’m reminded of the saying of Grantland Rice, a gifted sports writer in the first half of the 20th century. 

     He believed in good sportsmanship and felt it could lift people, societies, even nations to improved moral and social action. 

     Rice is best remembered for the following short poem he wrote. “For when the one great scorer comes to write against your name, he marks not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.”   


     “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” 

— Proverbs 15:1   

     This week, on May 2, I celebrate again, my spiritual birthday. 

     

     In a very real sense, I was “born again” or “reborn spiritually” when I invited God’s Spirit into my heart. It was then His Spirit gave birth to my spirit, making me spiritually alive! 

     This is exactly what Jesus meant when He answered Nicodemus. 

     See story in the Bible, in John’s Gospel, Chapter 3. 

     It’s been a wonderful journey since May 2, 1946, and as the old hymn goes, I find Jesus becomes, “Sweeter as the years go by.”  

     Last Friday, the Glenmore Girls, (we’ve dubbed ourselves) met at my home for our weekly Bible Study. 

     We listened to a DVD, of speaker Beth Moore, and she challenged us with the following five statements as a reminder and pledge of our faith.  

• 1. God is who He says He is.  

• 2. God can do what He says He can. 

• 3. I am who God says I am. 

• 4. I can do all things through Christ. 

• 5. God’s Word is alive and active in me.  

— beulah