I PUT MY HANDS IN YOURS

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To those who belong to my age, those who have crossed over the 50 summers bridge, in the middle of one or perhaps going to the next decade.  You may have been through this predicament.

I have looked at the back of my hands and I see all the wrinkles and lines in them.  The fingers are out of shape as opposed to how they looked way back then.



They are of great value to me because I have cared for my children with them.  I have patted quite a number of backs with my right hand to encourage or to offer sympathy.  I shook hands with acquaintances and church members with a tight warm grip.

They have washed floors, scrubbed all kinds of surfaces at home and done laundries after laundries with them.

I used them to massage aching backs of family members with tender loving care.  In fact a gentle touch does a lot of cure which enhances good blood circulation, a great aid to a fast recovery.

Being an employee, I depend so much with my hands to do a lot of work.  I work with accounting books and I use the computers.  Therefore, I need my hands to do my work fast and accurate.

Now comes aged hands..... they grow weary easily and they cramp and refuse to budge when you want to hit the keyboard.  What now?

I do love that picture of a hand clasped by a carer, as as symbol of trust and love, as does the picture of a little one's  held by his Dad and Mom.  They are pictures of nurture and security.

We may feel, in our advanced state, the insecurity of not being able to do things like before.  Some of us maybe suffering from different kinds of  illnesses which makes them useless or which may require a lot of help from others.

Looking at them, a picture of wear and tear, I will just hold them close to my heart and think of the love they have gestured with.  I'd like to be remembered in love rather than the beauty my hands show.

How do you see your hands now?  Are you seeing the hands that has put on gloves after gloves registering the years they have toiled?  What memories do they evoke when you look at them.  What if you remember them used as tools of punishment?

I want to share with you a poem written by Joan Walsh Anglund:

I shall be older than this one day.
I shall think myself young when I remember.
Nothing can stop the slow change of masks
my face must wear, one following one.
These gloves my hands have put on, the pleated skin, patterned by the pale tracings of my days…
These are not my hands!
And yet these gloves do not come off!
I shall wear older ones tomorrow, till, glove after glove,
and mask after mask, I am buried beneath the baggage
of Old Woman.

Oh, then, shall I drop them off,
Unbutton the sagging, misshapen apparel of age,
and run, young and naked, into Eternity! 

And with this poem, I shall put my aging hands unto Him who promises me of renewed strength and spirit, to Him who will clasp mine in His as we walk together in Paradise.  Unto His hands I do rest mine.

 

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

I Corinthians 15:54

LORD, I PUT MY HANDS IN YOURS! 

....And on that promised day, I shall be set free... free of temporary things.  Things that loose value and charm.

ROADBLOCKS

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When we encounter roadblocks on the road we are taking, we are forced to decide what to do next.

Roads could be closed for repairs or because of flooding.  Sometimes, due to a vehicular accident, we are required to stop until the road is cleared and all police matters are taken cared of.  We are stalled and we become impatient.  We could get angry depending on where we are heading and what was the purpose of the trip.

If you are on your way to respond to some emergencies and you are anxious to be there right on time, encountering a roadblock is not welcome.  You feel distressed every minute that goes by because you do not want to loose time.

There are times that we need to make a turnabout and take the road back to find another exit that would lead to our destination.  Or perhaps, if the obstruction is a temporary one, where we need to wait a short while,  still their is a need to wait.

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Whatever obstacle is blocking our way, and causes a delay, it is always a situation we do not like.  It easily sends us over to boiling point and sometimes we yell in frustration or bang at something to spew our anger out.

So it is with our Christian walk.  Our roadblock could be a prayer over something pressing that has not taken a YES for an answer.  We need it badly.  Or we want an immediate solution.  We look out and there is no sign of positive answer.  Often we get frustrated and we shout out to God, "why did you not meet my request with a positive answer, Lord?  Lord, didn't you promise that all I have to do is ask?"  But still, the answer takes a long time coming.  Or maybe the answer was a plain NO or a WAIT one that would take longer than we are willing to do.

Lately I was asking God for provisions over something that is quite pressing in the sense that my youngest  son needs it for a course in drafting.  We needed a higher end Computer which is costly.  I would not be able to afford it if bought in cash.  Another option is to buy on credit which would curtail high interest rate.

A month have passed by and I still had nowhere to go.  I was about to give up the plan for Nico to enroll this month (May 2012).  He has already lost a lot of time in High School.  And at last he passed, by way of the Alternative Learning System which is recently offered by the Department of Education.  It is such a great joy to me that Nico has finally got his certificate.  It means that he could go to college.  But we decided on letting him take an informal-vocational skills training.  He is good in designs and graphics, so he wants to learn about drafting using the computers.  It would be such a let-down for him to be left behind once again.  Sometimes, it would usher in disappointments (let alone loosing heart) especially that another cousin is joining in the course but  the cousin would like to finish before the next school year begins, which will start in June.

The answer came yesterday, quite without notice, and not what I have expected  to be the source for my need.  My sister came back for a requirement she needed for her VISA application to Canada.  I did not even know she was around.  She dropped by the office to let me know she is going back to Vietnam that same night.  She wanted to say goodbye to me.  I opened my problem to her and she readily offered to pay for the PC.  I cried because I did not want to impose it upon her, but she told me she wanted to help.

Last night, I praised and thank God because He knew all the time.  I also thanked God for Martha is praying with me over my son's case.  All I needed was to trust Him and be patient to wait.

The lack of provision has caused me to think I was the roadblock myself, to my son's dreams.  But God, in his own time, moved that great boulder out of  my way.

During my early morning devotion today, He led me to the following verses:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair ...

2 Corinthians 4:8 (NIV)

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

          Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Thank you God for roadblocks in our way,  it makes us pause and look up on you.  We get time to reflect upon your promises and to trust you truly and helps make our waiting moments a hopeful one.  For we know that you are always near and sees through our heart.  Amen.

When our roadblocks looks like Mt. Everest, then we need to kneel down and let God move it out of our way.

What is blocking your way today?  Keep trusting and hoping.  Be persistent in asking the Lord and do not tire of waiting.

MY BOULDER

 Maybe, the obstruction is blocking our way for a more meaningful service or ministry, then the problem could be something we need to process and something God has been sending alerts on but we are busy to take heed.

Or maybe God has been pointing at a detour, which will take you around and back on the way to your destination. Perhaps, the detour will be useful for the task that lay ahead.  Take it and ask God to lead the way.

              All of God's answers, (YES, NO, WAIT),  have   its own brand of benefits.   Being mostly short-sighted, it takes sometime for us to realize it.

MY MOM AND THE RED UMBRELLA

PHOTO CREDITS
SHTICKS FIGURES CREDITS

Today is one such day that I would cherish.  Veronica of TheSticks.com, sent me another picture which I would like to link to my post RAIN RAIN RAIN.

Soon the rain would be coming, as the season is a little awry these days.   It is summer and yet it rains in the early mornings or at night.

I love the rain, not only because of my pleasant memories during my tender age, as the one I told in the post above, but because it is more welcome than the heat we experience during our summers.  It used not to be when I was younger.  We had to walk to school and back to our homes, but I did not remember intense heat like we have now.

I heard in the news that up north, pets are getting sick and some are dying because of the dry and humid temperature.  We are warned not to expose ourselves outside at midday until 3:00 P. M.  We might suffer from heat stroke or skin cancer.  It's advisable to carry drinking water all the time.

We are praying for our land.  Farmers need water for the crops.  Farm animals are in need of the blessing God has in store up where He has gathered them.  God, please open up the floodgates, but just enough to revive the land.  I do believe and hang on to your oath which you wrote with a band of lively colors across the sky when drizzles are reflected by sunlight.  You are reminded that never gain shall You flood the earth with water, like in Noah's time.

For the picture:  My heartfelt gratitude to Veronica.  She just institutionalized my Mom with the Big Red Umbrella.  The post has touched her profoundly and I owe it to God, for the voice He gave me, to tell the story.

The picture portrays the story of how I run to my mom, that stormy afternoon, when she fetched me from school with her big umbrella.

My mom is now Mother Shticks and I, Lolita Sticks.  That's two generation of Shticks.

My Father in heaven, blessings are overflowing, even right here in blogospace.  Thank you and may you continue to bless the circle, with more members, wisdom, humor and friendship.  All glory and honor belongs to You alone.

Note:  Following is Veronica's comment on the post RAIN RAIN RAIN,
March 15, 201.

Veronica Shticks said...

Lolita, I was very touched by the part where your mother comes and picks you up with her bigger umbrella. I want to be like your Mom and have my little girls remember all the times I was there for them. this is a very sweet post with cozy imagery--at least for me who also associate rain with wonderful happy things. The pictures are beautiful and the storytelling is heartwarming! 
- - - - - -

Veronica, you just don't know how blessed I am to read of your reply about my mom and how you want to give your two daughters a lot of moments to remember that they would keep in their hearts.  I pray that God will give that to you for that is a very pleasing desire.

Thank you too that it has touched your life and that you are constantly reminded about how to nurture your own daughters.  My mother is highly honored.

HELLO MAMA SHTICKS!

MELLOWED WITH WISDOM

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How I wish our church worship area to be located on the ground level.  I am in awe at those senior members who could still smile even though young people run up and down the stairs, passing them while they struggle, with their slow and difficult assent up every Sunday, to attend worship service.  And yet, we feel so anxious about the pain they have to carry, while climbing up those mighty steps.

After the service, again they would go down those steps, slowly, laboriously, down one step after the other hanging on the rails.

What we could offer them, while in this situation, is just to slowly go up behind them, preventing error in step.  On going down, we have to be ahead and let them go down slowly, in their own pace.

Presently our church is having a fund raising campaign to hasten up our Lot and Building Fund to reach the necessary amount for us to purchase a property that would hold our growing membership.  I am especially praying for this to be reached earlier because the new location is a walking distance to my office.  This would mean I could come visit whenever I like during the day, or to attend activities easily.

Another motive I am praying over this is what I have mentioned above.  We could then worship on ground level.  We have a handful of these senior members who are insistent in coming to church, pain and all.  Once we acquire the property we are laying claim for,  our church service vehicles could pick our elderly from their homes and then they could just amble along slowly to the worship area without fear of mishaps, and to give them easy access.

While I am deep in thoughts regarding this matter, I was brought to the realization that one day I will be like them too.  Right at this point of my life, I have existing pains.  What would it be like to be in their age?

Still, I'd hang on to the Lord, if He allows me to grow well into my sunset..... lower down the horizon,  towards the dark ....., with great hope to be like our elders, edging onwards, leaning upon Him.

Then I have better take time to better meet those days ahead.

I have searched for a website that would give me informations and some ideas as to what to do regarding problems of aches and joint pains.

Here it is, together with a few pictures of easy exercises, to maintain flexibility.  Well I would be trying them, but I could not promise I will stick to them religiously.  I always slip in these areas.  Pain would be bothering too.

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I usually use the lowest step of our stairs to do an up and down routine just until it tires me.  But then again, not regularly.

This is the site.

FROM THE SAME SITE

I'd rather be doing this in front of the TV or reading a book.

Our joints need time to relax and avoid further damage.  The lovable pet dog is an added novelty.  He would warm our ankle joints perfectly and with TLC.

Or you may choose to go a little techie and join our blogging circle, a company of encouraging members, happy to listen (read) about your pains, pray for each other and send us to sunnier days.

Anyway, as of this writing, my right knee and thigh up to my pelvis and mid hips, is giving a slow musical rhythm of pain.  They are tolerable, just like a little hot chili thing, yet it could gravitate into the night or during the climb upstairs.

Our summer here in the Philippines is so hot, it reaches to 35 degrees Celcius.  But today, at dawn it rained.  A little colder, enough to give me a little signal.  My Texan Gal would say her butt-ro-meter tells her that it is gonna rain today.

Anyway, here are a few collection of verses, about the Mellow Age:

Leviticus 19:32
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (NIV)


Proverbs 16:31
“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV)


1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” (ESV)


 Psalm 92:12-14
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing. ” (NKJV)


Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (NIV)


Ecclesiastes 12:1-3
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.” (NLT)

You, my Lord, will be our strength, in the days when we are weaker, older and slower.  And you will grant us wisdom and grace born of the knowledge of you.  Amen. 

A TASTE OF DEATH

..fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

~Hebrews 12:2~

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

~Philippians 2:8~

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

~Hebrews 2:9~

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 A song to come with the foregoing verses:

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
By:  Hel­en Lem­mel
Sung by John Starnes 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

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I opt to write only a few questions for I am in awe at the verses I have posted above.  I just want to Honor the author and perfecter of our Faith, by being silent, inwardly and outwardly.  I sat with God this morning and He has led me to Hebrews 12:2.

There are just these questions I would like to list down.  Feel free to share your insights regarding these questions I have dwelt on.

• How much love has He that He tasted death for everyone?

 

•  What wonder brings us to our knees?

• Do we understand what compassion there was which made Himself sin for the pardon of the sinful?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Cor 5:21)

• Who am I that He endured the cross, and despised shame, to offer me life?

• Do you know of an earthly King who has offered his life for the sake of his subjects?  

 

In conclusion, let us meditate on this over our own grief and affliction:


"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

                                          ~~~~Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV)~~~~