Cloud formations…

I am a big fan of sunrises…and sunsets. On vacation, I have been known to get up EARLY in the morning, grab my camera and go find a spot to watch the sun come over the horizon. It is always remarkable to me to see the light change in the sky as the sun makes its appearance for the day – usually the colors of the sunrise are paler, more subtle and harder to capture on film. The subtle transformation from darkness to pale greys and pinks and blues – just beautiful to behold. And the world is usually quiet then – watching the sunrise tends to be a solitary event as most people are still snoozing, especially when you are on vacation.

Sunsets, on the other hand, are usually more vibrant in color. Bold reds, vibrant oranges and sometimes bright pinks dominate the sky at the end of the day. Nothing like being at a beach, looking over some water, as the sun slowly descends and kisses the horizon goodnight. (Did you know that there is an ancient saying that if you listen really really closely as the sun sets, you can hear a “click” as it hits the horizon? Yeah, I’ve never heard it, but I think that is fascinating.) While on vacation, you can usually get someone to stop for a moment and watch the sunset with you – but oftentimes, back at home, in the everyday hustle and bustle of life: sunsets are missed and/or ignored.

Unless they are just amazingly spectacular or different. I work on the 40th floor of a high rise building in a metropolitan city. The orientation of the windows of my office is westward, so every night (if I take the time), I can see the sun set. Now, with all the building clutter, I cannot see the sun hit the horizon, but I can see and appreciate the colorful display that God blesses us with each evening…if I take time to get up and look out the window. My desk does not have a window view, so unless I get up, I usually miss it. UNLESS one of my co-workers (who are blessed with windows) makes some noise about the sunset. That is what happened on yesterday. “Come see! You have GOT to see this sky tonight!”, my co-worker exclaimed. Dutifully, I got up to see what he was talking about and grabbed my camera. The attached picture is the result. (If you look really closely at the picture, you can see my camera reflected in the window)

When you see something like that – how can you NOT believe in the awesome and creative power of God? And that LITERALLY was my immediate reaction to seeing this cloud formation in the sky through my office window. God is amazing – He puts this in the sky for our enjoyment and I wondered how many people, driving home on I-75/85 last night, even took the time to look up and notice? How many were too busy concentrating on what their plans were for the evening, or yelling at their kids in the backseat, or being despondent over something that happened at work – to even notice? I know I have been guilty of not noticing. I wonder if it makes God sad that we take sunsets for granted?

We should really pay more attention to the sky. Take the time to stop and look up every once in a while. Bible tells me that there will be a day (soon, I hope) when everyone is gonna be looking up – whether they consciously want to or not. There is going to be a cloud formation that shows up in the eastern sky that is gonna be unlike any other cloud formation ever formed in the history of man. See, this cloud won’t be made up of water particles, but of angels – coming to take us home to live with the Lord. The Bible tells us that EVERY EYE is gonna see this cloud coming…EVERY person will stop and take notice. Some with great anticipation – some with fear and trembling. I’m praying to be a part of the first group. I’m praying you are too. Maybe stopping to look at sunrises and sunsets is one way to prepare for that event. Maybe.

Be blessed.

“We are the world…”

A girlfriend of mine told me last night that musical artists have come together to make a remake of the 1985 charity phenomenon WE ARE THE WORLD in order to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. I had a couple of reactions to the news: the first, “Man, I’m getting old! Was that song really released 25 years ago?”; the second, “are they bringing back all the ‘old’ musicians who sang in the original song or using the talents of the newer musicians of today?” and lastly, “Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J - a rap section? Really?” Hmm. The list of artists to participate in this project is … amazing and I look forward to the premiere of the song and video during the Winter Olympics.

I remember 25 years ago watching the video of this song play – and tearing up at the lyrics – looking at all the musicians who took the time out to record what became a historical, musical, phenomenon that raised money for hunger relief in Africa. The simple words “We Are the World” reminded everyone that we are all in this together. If we have been blessed with abundance, we have a duty to help our brothers and sisters who have less. And people stepped up to the plate. In 1985, the song was played constantly on the radio and made it to #1 on the charts – but the charity founded in support of the song raised over $30 million for the hunger relief effort. $30 million is a lot of money today – but it was a LOT of money a quarter of a decade ago.

But the lesson inherent in this type of “coming together for the common good of all people” is not a new thing. We should be doing it in our every day lives. Especially now when our neighbors and friends (and even some of us) are going through tough economic times and trials. Those of us blessed with jobs and/or financial security have a responsibility to those who may not be in the same position. I am not saying you have to give a handout to EVERYONE who asks, but we have to show compassion in all of our dealings with people. I recently received an email from a dear friend and his family where they just laid it on the line about their financial struggles and where their family is right now. And while they asked for prayers, they were also asking for tangible assistance. My heart was immediately moved to respond and after a telephone conversation with the wife, a plan was put in place to assist them.

There are simple things you can do to assist your friends who may be struggling right now. Things that can be done anonymously and/or without stepping on prideful toes (‘cause yes, it is hard to admit that you are in a position of need – been there, done that). Here are some simple suggestions: cook a meal and invite them over to eat. Once they come over, open up your pantry and refrigerator and invite them to “go shopping” in your house. When you are shopping, if something is on sale, pick up extra and then give the extras to the one in need. Send coupons in the mail of things you know they enjoy. Gift cards (gas, prepaid, grocery) make excellent gifts that can be slipped into a “thinking of you” card – or can be sent anonymously. And include fun stuff too: just because you are going through a rough time doesn’t mean you don’t like to still do fun stuff: send movie ticket passes or information about free events going on around the city or host a game night at your house.

Most importantly, once you do these things: keep it to yourself. You don’t have to go around bragging about what you did and how you helped out and how so-and-so would have surely perished without your assistance and contribution to their life. The Bible admonishes us that we shouldn’t always let our right hand know what our left is doing. And encourages us that what we do in private, God sees and honors. When … if He feels you need public recognition for your actions, He will make that come to pass. Until then, do it from your heart and believe me, as you bless others, you will be blessed. I’m a witness to that.

We are the world. It starts with you. It starts with me. I encourage you to be blessed…and then, be a blessing.

A special “shout out” to my paternal parental unit (my father) as he celebrates his 68th birthday today. There is a lot I could say about my father and my relationship with him, but he is a lot more “private” than I am and out of respect, I won’t tell his story, even as it overlaps mine. I will say this: I am his first born and only daughter. He likes to add the caveat “that I know about” and it is a running joke that if there is another daughter out there somewhere, she should have showed by now because I have staked my claim as “first and only”. We don’t have the typical “father/daughter” relationship – at times, it is downright strained and awkward, but I think we both act on Biblical principles in our dealings with each other: I strive to “honor” him in all things (Ex. 20:12) and he strives to not “provoke his (daughter) to anger” (Ephesians 6:4). Both of us have been successful – and unsuccessful – at that over the years.

Regardless of the state of our relationship at any time, I am ever reminded that I AM my father’s child – half of my chromosomal makeup is from him and impacts every area of my life: I get my phenomenal work ethic from him – “do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it again.” and “if your name is going to be on something, it should be a good representation of who you are” were caveats drilled into me as a little little girl that stay with me even today. I used to look like him, but now I am looking more and more like my mother. I get my ability to look at things rationally (and sometimes seemingly without emotion) from him. My obsession with being everywhere on time (and even early) comes from him and his statement, “if you show up on time, you are already late.” I get my stubborn, dig my heels in when I think I’m right attitude from my father as well. My methodical way of looking at things – yeah, that is a trait from my father as well. And I get my love of God and desire to know Him better from my father as well.

Like I said, my relationship with my earthly father has not always been “peaches and cream”. It is difficult at times for two people who are so much alike to exist peaceably. In fairness, over the years, I have caused my fair share of conflict and strife in our relationship. Sometimes totally innocently and other times, maybe without such innocence. Misunderstandings born out of miscommunication and/or silence on one or both of our parts have resulted in wasted time, never to be regained. But the past is the past and cannot be changed – eventually, you have to move on. (Or as one of my good Facebook friends recently posted: The past should be a springboard, not a hammock.)

Being my earthly father’s child has made me draw closer to my Heavenly Father. See, I am HIS child as well. Our relationship hasn’t always been “peaches and cream” either. With patient loving kindness, long-suffering, patience, mercy, patience, grace, and did I mention: patience? – my Heavenly Father daily shows His love for me. When my relationship with my earthly father was at its lowest ebb, I wondered how could I have a relationship with my Heavenly Father Who I could not see when I couldn’t even have a relationship with my earthly father who it was possible for me to see? It makes it a little difficult – or it did for me. Until I realized that God, in love and mercy, had put other tangible examples of fatherly love in my path to show me Who He was/is/can be in my life and since then, my relationship with Him – and with my earthly father – changed.

My father is not perfect, our relationship is not perfect. But I believe – I have to believe – that he is the “perfect” father for me or God would not have made me the fruit of his loins. The lessons I have learned (and continue to learn) from my relationship with my father draw me closer to the Lord – and that is where I want and need to be.

Happy 68th birthday to Rudolph Arnett Lorenzo Smith. May God richly bless your day and your life with His love. May all your wishes, dreams and aspirations come true. And when Jesus returns to take His children home to live with Him, may both of us have lived our lives in such a way that He will say to us: "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt. 25:21). Love you, mean it.

Be blessed.

Weddings make me feel this way...

I spent yesterday watching a very good friend of mine get married.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Margo Gilleylen. God's richest blessings on your marriage. It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding and the food at the reception - AMAZING, but now the hard part of "marriage" begins and I will be praying for your success as you move forward as husband and wife.

It is always interesting to be a single woman at a wedding - especially, a single woman "of a certain age". (Mine is 45, in case you didn't know). It doesn't matter how accomplished you are, or what you are doing in your life, or even how happy you might be with your life, it is tough being a single woman at a wedding. Automatically, people are looking to see if you come with a date - and if you do, the questions will begin to fly - ESPECIALLY if you are showing up for the first time with the gentleman. (Poor babies - why would a man subject himself to that kind of scrutiny?) You are pressured to stand around to catch a bouquet at the reception (which I have learned to avoid with great dexterity) and if you shed a tear or two, it can be misconstrued that you are crying over your own status as a single woman in a world made up of couples - and not because you are just genuinely happy for the happy couple. And then there are always the questions from "well meaning" (read: nosey) older folks: "So, when are you going to get married?" or the blanket "Well, I guess you will be next" statement that is just like fingernails on a chalk board to me.

Let me state for the record: I LOVE BEING SINGLE!! I don't have a problem with checking "SINGLE" as my marital status on surveys and censuses and general questionnaires. I am not looking to walk down the aisle wearing the (almost) white dress with friends and family looking on. It may be great for some - but not for everyone. And I am resigned that it probably ain't for me. Call me selfish (as some have), but relationships and marriage are a LOT OF WORK - and I, personally - right now - where I am in my life - I don't have the time, energy or desire to "do the work" to make a relationship not only right for me, but for the gentleman who would have to deal with me.

I have learned to be content, happy, and sometimes downright ecstatic right where I am. Now don't get me wrong: it hasn't always been this way. Sure, there was a time when I wanted to be a "Mrs. Somebody". Every young girl dreams of finding her "Prince Charming" and being swept off her feet. But I learned early in life, that marriage is not a fairy tale. The books never go into what happens AFTER the happy couple rides away into the sunset: when there are kids, unemployment, arguments, crazy family members, sickness, or death. It is easy to have the wedding - more difficult to have the marriage. So, I am content to be single. And in our society that is not always easy because everything seems to be geared towards being part of a couple - cruises are cheaper if you have 2 people in a room; maitre d's in fancy restaurants seem to always have a sneer in their voice when they say, "will someone be joining you this evening?"; and go to a movie by yourself on Saturday night and you would think the world is going to stop spinning on its axis. And then you have the well meaning friends who do one of two things: they always have someone they want you to me - or they exclude you from stuff because "well, it was going to be a bunch of married couples there and we didn't want you to feel 'weird'" - REALLY? Whatever! Single people like to mix, mingle, eat, and fellowship too, you know. I'm just sayin': It takes a strong woman to be single and happy these days.

Philippians 4:11 says: "...for I have learned in WHATSOEVER state I am, therewith to be content." And that is me. Right now, right here: I am content. One day God MAY knock me upside my head and say, "Here is the man I have prepared you for and he is prepared for you." He may. He loves me and knows what is best for me. But until He does that knocking ... I am satisfied, fulfilled and happy right where I am. So, while I loved seeing Joe and Margo get married today - loved hanging out with my peeps and fellow well wishers, enjoyed the music and the sentimentality and the dressing up for the occasion ... I ain't pressed to do the same for myself.

Here endeth my vent. I'll get off my soapbox ... for now ... after all, the "worst" time of year for single women just about to begin: Can we talk about Valentine's Day? UGH! That is truly the topic of another blog on another day.

Be blessed.

You look just like...

For the last week, my friends on Facebook and I have posted pictures of celebrities that people often tell us we look like. It has been funny to see how other people see people and the reactions people have had to the posts. I put up LISA BONET because, ever since the first episode of THE COSBY SHOW that is who I have been compared to. There was even one Christmas when, while shopping in the mall, a gentleman approached me and asked for my autograph. It took me a good ten minutes maybe to convince him that I was not “that girl from that show on Thursday night” – and even then, he insisted that I give him an autograph. So I did. (I wonder if he kept it). I have also been compared to Tisha Campbell (Gina from the show MARTIN), Janet Jackson (when she played Penny on GOOD TIMES) and Kim Fields (when she played Tootie on THE FACTS OF LIFE). Of all those very beautiful ladies, I can only see the resemblance to Ms. Bonet – and then, only fleetingly.

On a non-celebrity basis, it is always my mom that I get the “you look just like” comment. And as I get older, it is more pronounced. It is very weird to see it coming to fruition cause I used to always think I looked more like my father, but as I get older, the RACHEL in me is truly coming out. I even see it myself these days, but there was a time when I was in deep denial about it. “I don’t look like her” I would say, stamping my feet in frustration…”why can’t I just look like me?” Not that my mother is not a beautiful woman – I just wanted my own place, my own identity in the world. But too many times (especially lately), I have been approached by people who say, “without even asking you, I know who you belong to ‘cause you look just like your momma”. I just accept it now – and sometimes, I don’t even sigh about it. Sometimes.

I am waiting for the day for someone to say to me, “You know…you look just like I expect Jesus to look like when I see Him in heaven.” Now THAT would be compliment beyond measure. Wouldn’t it be nice for someone to recognize and see Jesus in you? As Christians and children of the King shouldn’t that be our aim and goal? I think so. The “trick” is to live your life in such a way that this becomes the reality.

The sermon I heard in church today (by the younger brother of our pastor) was entitled JUST KEEP SHEEP. One of the main points of the sermon was “greatness doesn’t come without faithfulness.” Meaning, it is by being faithful in the “small things” that God prepares us for the greatness that is within us. If I want to reflect and “look like” Jesus, I have to be faithful in the small things – in the places where He puts me or allows me to be placed, I have to reflect His character. For me, that might mean smiling a welcome to the visitor sitting next to me at church. Or sending a get well card to a random person on the sick and shut in list. Or picking up the phone and calling the church member you haven’t seen in the last two or three weeks. That might be the “small thing” that God is asking me to be faithful in…you have to determine where He is calling you, because we each have a call. What is yours?

“You look just like Jesus” Yep, that would be the greatest compliment ever, don’tcha think?

Be blessed.

Jigsaw puzzles...

A little known fact about me is that I LOVE to do jigsaw puzzles. Don't have the time (or space) to do them as often as I would like, but I love them. All the little pieces that, individually don't make any sense, come together (slowly but surely) to form a picture of beauty, peace, serenity. I am big on puzzles that can be framed after completion and put on a wall somewhere as a piece of art. And occasionally, if I see a puzzle that will have "meaning" to someone else, I will put it together, write a message on the back of the puzzle and then put it in the mail to them for them to put together and enjoy. (But you can only do this for certain people - and the puzzle has to be fairly small and easy to put together - or the recipient might get frustrated by the gesture, not intrigued)

Everyone who does puzzles has their own method of attack to completing the puzzle. I, personally, am a "get the frame together first" person. The frame pieces all have the straight edge to identify them and therefore, they are easy to pick out of the bunch. Once you get the frame together, it is "easy" to fill in the puzzle from the outside in. Others like to get all the pieces that look alike or that make up an easily identifiable part of the puzzle together first. Whatever floats your boat.

And the puzzle business is big business. You have all kinds of puzzles to buy: big ones, small ones, themed ones, challenging ones, 3-D ones, circular ones (yeah, I haven’t tried any of those yet). And there are puzzle accessories – glue and storage mats and tables…well, lots of stuff to help you with your puzzle making fascination. The point is: it is a cool hobby to have (in my opinion). You can do it alone – or occasionally, a friend may come over and “help” – adults can do it as well as children – it’s nice and quiet, doesn’t disturb anyone while you are doing it. And at the end of the process, you have something long lasting to show for it.

People are like jigsaw puzzles too, if you think about it. Some of us are still at the “framing” stage – waiting to be filled in. Some of us have chunks of ourselves well defined and just looking for a place to land in the total scheme of things. And some of us are just out of the box: a straight up mess that looks to be without rhyme or reason. But God is the ultimate “puzzle put-ter-together-er”. He sees the big picture of our lives and is making the moves within our lives to make us whole – to make our puzzle perfect – if we will allow Him to. Sometimes, it takes time…the pieces that look like they should fit together don’t and you have to adjust and rearrange – you cannot “force” a puzzle piece to fit – not if you want the picture to be complete in the end. I have learned that patience is a skill any true puzzler has to develop – be patient with yourself as God puts you together as He sees you.

Be blessed.

It's the little things in life...

We are all familiar with the quote “It’s the little things in life that count”. I have heard that saying several times in the last few days and it has struck a chord in my soul. I am a big proponent of “little things”. I still think it’s important to say “Please” and “Thank you”. I think birthdays and anniversaries should be celebrated – with gifts and cards – even if they are from the dollar store or are “recycled treasures”. I think “random acts of kindness” go a long way to making people feel better about themselves, and maybe even about you as the person who blesses them in that way. That’s just me. If I am out and about and see something that I think a friend, relative, co-worker might enjoy or benefit from, if it is within my means to get it, I usually do. Many of my friends have received the phone call, “Hey, I’m at so and so and I saw this and I know you like this, do you want me to pick it up for you?” (The recent Blockbuster store closings brings this to mind – LOTS of my friends got that call and got blessed by cut rate deals on their fav movies and/or TV series) And it is nothing for me to write a quick “thinking of you” card and drop it in the mail to a friend who crosses my mind. Nothing like going to the mailbox on a random day (not your birthday or anniversary, you’re not sick, nothing major going on, just an ordinary day), opening it up and seeing a handwritten note from a friend – just my opinion. And so I do it – not as much as I am prompted by the Lord sometimes to do it, but more and more these days.

Because, I’m finding out, in these days of tough economic crisis, horrific natural disasters, illness running rampant and death after death after death: it is the little things, the personal touches into a friend’s life, that are important. Sitting down and sharing a meal – important. Picking up the phone and actually having a conversation – important. Listening to someone vent – important. Making someone smile – important. And you know what? Most of this can be done by anyone, anytime, anywhere, at no (or little) cost. Some of the best gifts I have ever received, and that I cherish the most, are the ones that didn’t cost a thing. It’s all about paying attention, being aware, stepping outside yourself sometimes. It is often easy to get caught up in the “big things” going on in our lives and around us (see first sentence in this paragraph). Maybe by concentrating on some “little things”, the “big things” will fall more into perspective and focus.

And I am finding out that paying attention to the “little things” is Biblical. I have a goal to read through the Bible this year. (Thanks to my new Facebook friend, John E. Parker, who has started a group, READ THE BIBLE THROUGH IN 2010 – become a fan if you are on FB – you will be blessed!) And for the last couple of days, the reading has come from Exodus, where God is giving Moses the instructions on how He wants the sanctuary built. Ok, talk about attention to detail – attention to the “little things”!! From how the anointing oil is to be mixed to the dimensions of every piece of furniture to the design and placement of the washbasin – everything is meticulously detailed. So, there must be some value in paying attention to the details – to the little things.

I pray you will make time in your day and life to cherish the little things that make life worth living. I know that is my plan, aim and goal. Join me, why don’tcha?

Be blessed.