Who Was The Masked Man??

Thirty years ago I was a single mom with three children and a new found relationship with Jesus Christ. After much prayer, screaming, crying, surrender and soul searching, I had accepted that I would be single forever. Jesus fulfilled my every need, and I was completely in love with Him, but there was still this little nagging deep inside that longed for my soul mate here on this earth. It was something the Lord chose not to take away. I wondered why.

Then one day, I heard something. It was far off in the distance, very faint. Remember the old Western movies when they would put their ear to the ground and then stand up and say, "one rider on a fast horse." It was kinda like that. I passed it off and went about my day.

A few days later I heard it again, only stronger, closer. After that I would be working away or just sitting and thinking and there would be this flash of something white. It always passed so quickly I could not tell what it was, much less describe it. The sightings and the hoof beats grew closer and I saw them and heard them more and more often. One day I was able to distinguish a cape; another day I saw a sword; later there was the glimpse of a beautiful steed tossing his mane in the air.

By now, I was enthralled with the mystery heading my way. Could it be? Could it POSSIBLY be? But no, I had told the Lord I only wanted Him and that I would stay single for Him forever. But now this. What exactly was this? Every day it grew closer and closer. Then one day, I heard the Lord say, "unencumber yourself."  I knew I was making room for something or someone new in my life.

Late in December the sightings had become daily and the sound of the hoof beats thunderous. Then early one morning in late December the phone rang.

"Hey Booger. Can I come go to church with you?" It was my old flame, Royce.

And the rest, as they say, is history. My knight in shining armor had arrived!

My dear Royce, you rescued me, covered me, loved me, paid my bills, held me close and loved my children. It's been an amazing ride - the best of my life! I know the Lord sent you to me and for that I am forever grateful. He knew just who I needed.

Happy Anniversary Dear!

Beauty in Barrenness

Even in death there is the beauty of life just waiting to burst forth. The seed is in the ground and it appears that death is everywhere. Life has ceased and dust covers all. But in that darkness, in that barrenness, there is beauty. It is the beauty of surrender; of trusting; of knowing that He is still in control; that life will begin anew.

Jesus is the seed of God the Father, placed in this world to die and reproduce. We are His reproductions.

^{Matthew 27: 35} And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Winter is cold and drab. The sky is often cloudy and dreary. We see brown sticks where lively green tress once were. The flowers from last season are all gone, leaving no evidence they will bloom again. But the beauty is that beneath the earth, in the darkness, in the the quietness of our soul, these tiny bulbs are drawing nutrients from the soil in preparation for a new season.

Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

⁶⁰ And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

The winters of our life are a quiet place where nothing seems to be happening; it is a place of death. But that death is beautiful because it will usher in new life. 

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24


Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psm 116:15. 

In times of barrenness we wait with expectancy and prayer until the Lord comes and brings new life.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. Zechariah 2:9-11

^{Matthew 28:2} And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

There is resurrection power in our lives as well.

¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Hang on Sloopy - springtime is close! 

Awesome Aunt Agnes

This past Sunday we celebrated the life of my Aunt Agnes. It was a bittersweet day with memories of the past alongside celebrations that she is safely home with her Lord. Isn't that always the case? Good for the one gone on but not good at all for those of us left behind. We miss her smile, that twinkle in her eyes, her gentle ways, her love.




This morning I was thinking over all the things she taught me: everything from how to apply makeup to how to peel a boiled egg. Start with the big end where the pocket it - it works every time. But, more than what she taught me was the example she lived before me. I remember the summers she paid me to come and play with my cousins. Seriously, she did just that. They were only a couple of years younger than me but she paid me to come and stay at their house every day during the summer. I thought it was a big time job but looking back I suspect she did that to keep me from having to stay home alone all summer.

My mom worked about a mile from their house so I would ride to work in the carpool with Mom. The plan was for me to walk the mile down to their house in the morning; no big deal for a twelve year old girl. The problem was the dog. He lived on the way and I had a big issue with dogs. So, Aunt Agnes stopped mid-way of preparing for her work day and drove up to meet me every morning. That dog wasn't going to hurt me, but she knew I was scared. That is how she was; quietly giving of herself. It may seem like a small thing, but to me at twelve years old it was huge.

Aunt Agnes was one of five aunts on my mom's side of the family. They were all great in their own ways, but during my childhood, she was the most hands on. I guess you could say she was 'user-friendly.' She and my uncle often visited us and it was always a happening because they were so much fun to have around. I am sorry I didn't take the time to sit and tell her and Uncle Jr how much they mean to me; that they have been two pillars in my life for as long as I can remember. That they have always encouraged me and loved me, even in my worst of times. But one day, she and I will hook arms and take a walkabout in Heaven where I will reveal all my heart thoughts to her.

I realize that in the busyness of today's world, families are not always as close as they were when I was a child. The Sunday trip to Grandma's house doesn't happen as often as before. You know, those Sunday afternoons when the grownups sat around in chairs outside and talked and laughed and ate good food while the kids ran around playing silly games and establishing clubs and forts. There was an acceptance and a freedom in knowing we were much loved. Cousins were in a class all their own and it did not matter the age difference, we all had something in common: we were family.  Of course that did not mean we were free to act anyway we wanted to. Nope, Mama Sosebee was quick to keep us in line at her house. But to me, that is just one more indication of her love for us.

Mother once told me that in all the years they were together as a family, she never heard one of my aunts have harsh words with another. And in turn, I never heard my mom say anything negative or critical about any of them. I, personally, find that amazing. The bond of love and friendship was birthed in God and showed in their everyday lives. That is the core of what they have taught me. Unconditional love; commitment to family; concern for the lives of others; and being there. Always being there. There is strength in a family that stays true to God and to each other.

I pray today that I can be hands on and user friendly to those God has placed in my life, that His love will be free to flow through me.  His love surpasses all hurt, offense, wounds and grief. Today my prayer is for my Uncle Jr and his family; that God's love and comfort will reach deep into their spirits and bring His peace.

The Promise

It is very quiet and peaceful this morning. Looking out our bay window I see a sunny sky for the first time in a few days. Just staring at that soft blue sky with a fluffy white cloud here and there brings a calmness. I'm content to sit and drink in God's gift to me this morning; another beautiful day filled with His love. His handiwork is all around me, in the beauty of nature.

There is a little drama playing out in our backyard; one we see every year about this time. The trees are all barren and brown. Long spindly pines have a few green needles here and there but they are mostly at the top of their skinny trunks. The hardwoods are void of any foliage.  They are brown and empty. Row after row of barrenness, as far as I can see. The trees reach up to the sky as if they are pleading to be released into new life. The grass is brown as well with a few muddy circles here and there left over from the recent rains. Overall its a drab scene.

Right in the middle of all this barrenness is a yellow bell bush in full bloom. It's tiny yellow leaves are standing at attention, reaching up and capturing all the rays of the sun and reflecting them back into its surroundings. I love this bush and its message to me that spring is so very close. Every year I watch for it's blooming as a sign that new life is about to explode.

A few weeks from now when everything around it has burst forth, the yellow bell bush will barely be noticed. It's yellow leaves will turn green and it will blend in with its surroundings. But today, this week, is it's time to shine. This little bush has a purpose, a command to herald the beginning of a new season. When everything around it is still asleep and barren, this little bush is shining, alive and bright. 

I'm sure the little bush thinks he is all alone out there, listening to the Master's command to come forth, but little does he know that in the front yard there are yellow flowers blooming as well. They too are heralding the beginning of a new season and they too will blend in with the new colors in a few weeks. But they and the bush will have done their job. They have notified us that change is coming. Time to get out a new wardrobe, don new shoes and walk forth into spring. 

Thank you, God for the seasons in our lives, both in the natural and in the spiritual. You never leave us barren and drab but always there is a springtime. Even in the most dreary winters, there is the promise of spring. Thank you for the centennials who stand strong and point the way to new life, even when they feel all alone. We move from glory to glory on the wings of your love. 

Thank You For Your Service, Sir

This weekend, Royce and I drove to FL for our annual family reunion. It was around noon on Friday when we stopped to eat before helping with the set up for Saturday's festivities. One of our favorite places to eat in Webster is at the Farmer's Market Cafe where they serve home cooked food. They have the best fried chicken and fresh peas and beans ... and banana puddin'!

Royce and I were waiting in the rockers on the front porch enjoying the crisp, sunny FL air with an old friend when an elderly couple came up. The man walked slowly with two canes while she followed with one cane. They were typical of older people who have learned to manage as their bodies begin to slow down but Royce's friend explained what was special about this couple. He was a veteran of World War II and had been injured at Iwa Jima.

He was 17 when he joined the Marines and was sent to Iwa Jima where he had his knee cap blown off and had walked with assistance since.

We said goodbye to our friend and went inside to eat. We were seated right next to the couple and as we listened to their conversation we noticed the gentleness and joy in their countenance and their words. People spoke and smiled and this sweet old man responded with the grace of the elderly.

We wanted to pay their check, but before we could, the waitress came over to their table to say that someone had paid for their lunch. The retired Marine was confused as to why someone would do that.

Over at the register stood this tall, robust cowboy. He wore working jeans, really cool rugged boots, an obviously much used work jacket and a rather large cowboy hat.  He was not a showroom kinda cowboy but an honest-to-goodness hard working guy, probably 6'4" and obviously very strong and capable. The type guy you want on your team.  He turned around from the cash register and walked to the couple, tipped his hat to the Marine, then in a deep Sam Elliott type voice softened with respect, he said:

"Thank you for your service to our country, Sir."

Yep, Royce and I are tearing up. Then to the wife he tips his hat again, takes her hand and says in a gently resounding voice, "thank you m'am." As he walked away he laid a hand on the Marine's shoulder and said, "God bless you, Sir."

That was all. No big show or long talk. Nothing showy or loud, just an honest thank you from a young man to an old one.

Tears are now running down our cheeks but there was more. When the waitress came to clear their table the Marine handed her an obviously large tip which she tried to refuse. His reply: "No ma'm. This man has been kind to us and we need to spread it around."  Like his new friend, no big show, just an honest desire to pass on a blessing.

By now I am a mess and my lunch is just sitting on my plate getting cold. We got a chance to talk for a bit with the Marine  and say our thanks. He could not stop thanking us. How amazing that this kind and gentle man in his 80's or 90's, who had given much for all of us had such a thankful heart. No grudges, no animosity, no complaining - only a heart to bless others.

I am certain there are many of all ages with that same attitude, but Friday morning was a reminder to us of the gentleness that once graced our country as a whole. Simple things like respecting our elders; loving our neighbors; showing honor to whom honor is due and loving with grace are all standards that God has placed in the hearts of His children. In Webster, FL, as well as towns big and small all over America, people still hold to those values. It's like an underground army strong in Him, marching to His beat.

It would be nice if I had taken a photo to post with this blog; or even had I asked the Marine's name; but the moment was too intimate to sensationalize it. Instead I have this memory in my heart and I pray that somehow we can all grasp the importance of this simple encounter.

We moved on to setting up tables and chairs and putting out flowers and all the paraphernalia necessary for a family reunion. We were busy with life's routines, but in my heart I had a new friend. I believe that one day I will stand in Heaven and hear his name and I will know this dear man. Thank you Jesus for kindness.

God bless America and all He has placed within our borders. We are blessed beyond words.

^{Galations 5:22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.