Discerning the Caller

I began packing yesterday for my trip with my daughter for college visits and to visit my folks this weekend. I like to start packing early so I don't forget important details, like my duck caller. For my Dad's birthday, I sent him a goose call. My folks like to sit at a park and feed the geese, but sometimes the geese are very far away. At those times, my parents sit at the bench and enjoy the sun, but until the goose caller, they were powerless to get the geese to come near. Not any more!

My dad has had all winter to practice with the goose call. Now with good weather back in NY, the geese should return. And I am bringing my duck call that I bought years ago when my daughter and I used to attend the Wildfowl festival in Washington, NC. We had great times listening to the duck call contest and wandering among the amazing duck carving art contest submissions. My duck call is pretty fancy, made of beautiful dark wood with a nice lanyard so I can bring it wherever I go. You never know when you may want to call a duck. I always have my duck call with me in my kayak,  but haven't called many ducks lately. However, I thought it would be great fun to call ducks and geese with my parents. I am sure my 16-year-old daughter is just tickled to death with these rip-roaring plans for our spring trip.

I know most people who use duck calls are hunters, and they are not calling the ducks near so they can feed them. One would hope that the ducks would be discerning, and be careful whose call they heed. One hopes the same for the world. It seems many people heed the call of deception, and lies, and destructive forces. I just heard that the most violent century on earth was the past century. This does not suggest we humans are heeding the proper call. We are following the hunter...not the One who holds out His hand, longing instead to feed us the bread of life.

I hope the geese and ducks sense we wish them no harm, since I have visions of them flocking around my gleeful parents as we toss hand-fulls of goodies at them.

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John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 6:35 

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:51 

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Scrubbing Away Evil

I washed my car yesterday. The last time I washed my car, inside and out was....well....  never. So it was a big moment. I find it telling that I spent an hour thoroughly washing my car after returning from my volunteer stint at the abortion mill sidewalk begging mothers to let their babies live. If only evil washed away as quickly as the dirt on my car.

And I am going on record to tell you the dirt did not wash away very quickly.

It was an amazing day yesterday at the abortion mill. Three moms chose to let their babies live within the first hour of our team being on site. And then, one of our counselors, who is deaf, got a car to stop before pulling into the parking lot. She handed the mom our information pamphlet and pointed to the free, pro-life ultrasound unit in the RV parked on the corner. At that point, another counselor, Rebekah, raced over and was able to verbalize what the other deaf counselor could not. Amazingly, the couple decided to go in the ultrasound RV. We had high hopes for baby #4 being saved. They were in there a very long time. In fact, Rebekah's husband and family had to leave and all the other counselors had already left. I offered to stay and drive Rebekah home so she could greet "save #4" as they emerged. Almost ALL the people who see their baby on the ultrasound choose life.

When they emerged, we were all smiles with gifts in hand for them...only to learn they were not at all convinced to choose life. The mother was crying, but it "wasn't the right time for a baby." The man told me, when I asked, that he knew God, and he knew abortion was wrong, but God would forgive and after all, he had driven forty minutes to get there. How could he just waste that gas money and not do what he had come to do?

Rebekah and I tag-teamed our ardent pleas for at least 45 minutes. The couple agreed with everything we said. We were willing to find the man a job and I even had some legitimate contacts in his field. We implored, shared the gospel, spoke of the dangers both physical and emotional, reminded them that for nearly every objection they raised, we had a solution....Then, exhausted, we prayed with them, reminding them that God loved them so much that He sent His only begotten son to die in their stead. Surely a God who sacrificed so much on their behalf would be faithful to see them through whatever struggles doing the right thing might entail. They went to talk in their truck. We had to leave so Rebekah could get to her son's doctor appointment in time.

I texted the couple a few minutes later, with the verse, "Remember, nothing is impossible with God. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Praying for your decision."
They did not text back.

So in the end, Rebekah and I felt ready to collapse, as though we had fought a war. And indeed, we had. But the war is not of flesh and blood. We all have the choice for God or not God. I fear the couple chose not God. And I went home after dropping Rebekah off and cleaned my car, scrubbing the dirt off till it shone like a new creation.

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Micah 2:1 

Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.

Acts 3:19 

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

John 14:15 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Psalm 73:1-28 

A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.

Proverbs 14:12 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Exodus 20:13 

“You shall not murder.

Broken Tails

I finished kayaking and after putting my boat back in the car, went to the upper porch of the marina building. It overlooks the river, and has a line-up of white rocking chairs under a shade-providing eave. The lovely breeze floated across the porch, and as I rocked, I felt that heaven could not be much more glorious than this. So I rocked in the rocker, peacefully watching the river. I was texting with two women who had chosen not to abort their babies through the work of Cities4life sidewalk counselors who have remained in touch with me as their pregnancy progresses. At that moment, a green anole lizard skittered across the porch floor.

I love anole lizards. We had one for years as a pet till he quietly and unobtrusively died and we found his skeleton one day. (we only had to feed him a handful of crickets once every two weeks and by that time, after years of owning him, my daughter didn't peek in on him often...still, it was sad to see the skeleton, particularly since we weren't the ones that initially discovered it. A friend of my daughter's pointed it out saying, "Uh, I think your lizard is dead." There were still crickets hopping about so he had not died of starvation, in case you were having bad feelings about us.)

Anyway, this porch-skittering anole was interesting in that he had only half a tail. Clearly, the back half of his tail was gone. The prevailing opinion regarding anoles with lost tails is that when they fight other anoles, the victor bites off the loser's tail, and eats it.

Ick.

This is not problematic for the loser, because his tail will regenerate. All he loses permanently is his pride. In the case of humans, this would be a good thing. I don't know about how strongly that particular character defect ranks in anoles.

But I thought about the anole, advertising the fact inescapably that he lost a battle, as evidenced by the obvious loss of his tail. Most of us hide the wounds of our battle with life. Most of us hide it so well that the great majority of people we interact with don't even know we are wounded. They just think we are odd, or angry, or controlling, or shy. They don't see that we only have half a tail. I remember reading a Facebook post that I find very true: Treat others kindly. You don't know their story or what hidden struggles they endure.

Smile at those around you. Be gentle. Think of the anole with half a tail.
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Matthew 11:28-30 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Lamentations 3:22 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

Romans 8:1 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Psalm 34:17-20

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Breaking Well

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved and watched the Kentucky Derby. This year, I was rooting for California Chrome, the horse that cost a paltry $10,000 when most Derby horses cost millions. The trainer was 77 years old, and had been sure the colt everyone laughed at would become a great horse, based on his bloodlines. I assume a lot of people laughed at the old trainer as well. California Chrome could win -- in fact he was the favorite, but only if he broke well out of the gate. He hates to run with mud in his face thus needs to lead the pack. Unfortunately, he has a problem with breaking well out of the gate.

I rooted for him the whole way. He broke well, he stayed near the front, and when he came down the homestretch, he stretched the distance easily between him and the rest of the pack. He crossed the finish line well in the lead, and the elderly trainer collapsed in the arms of his wife (I assume that is who she was...). Both appeared to be crying. I love fairy tale endings. sniff sniff.

So many good lessons. Ignore the nay-sayers. Break well from the get-go. Don't fall behind. Run in the manner that your gifts are best called into play. Don't let mud slinging slow you down. When the end is in sight, don't lose heart -- sprint to the finish. And as the garland is placed around your neck, don't forget to smell the roses.

Can I hear a neigh....er... an Amen?
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1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Philippians 3:13-14 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Enjoying God's Bounty

Finished my work, setting up a route of colleges that my daughter and  I will visit traveling to see my folks. After 23 years of homeschooling, my last child is beginning the college selection process. One more year, and I close shop as a teacher. So with our trail of colleges settled,  I headed out on my bicycle to enjoy the beautiful day. I had an errand to run, and only needed to go to the drugstore 2 miles away. That is an easy bikeride. I felt a little weary though, the toils and troubles and sleepless nights taking its toll. So I thought maybe I would just drive.

NO! That is silly. A 2 mile ride on my bike will be 15 minutes. Half an hour round trip. If more people rode bikes for little errands, less gas would be consumed, less air would be polluted, and more people would have sun sparkling in their eyes. No doubt the world would be a better place. I rode my bike.

I was so glad I did. As in so many things, it is sometimes hard to get started, but doing the right thing is often its own reward. As soon as I was in the fresh air, pedaling through the quiet streets listening to birds singing, I was reminded God made this world for me. He certainly doesn't need it for Himself. He has the whole universe and beyond. He made it for me. and for you. It is a crime not to be out in it and enjoy its bounty.
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Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

In Need of a Friend

A beautiful day, I thought as I crossed over one of the large lakes near Charlotte that I have never kayaked on. Oh how I wanted to stop there, the waves glinting in the sunlight and beckoning to me. But I was on a mission and could not. I drove an hour to take out to lunch one of the women I'd counseled who chose not to abort her baby. "K" is a new believer in Jesus, and is trying desperately to get out of the terrible life situation she is in. Cities4life (The abortion sidewalk counseling ministry I volunteer with) is providing as many resources as possible, but "K" has many strikes against her. Still....she has God, and God is bigger than any struggle.

As "K" ate her chocolate lava cake for dessert, sharing it with her adorable 20-month-old daughter, she smiled at me and said, "Thank you for taking me to lunch. I was feeling mighty lonely."  As a new believer in Jesus, she has made major life changes. The old crowd she used to run with no longer are her friends. She does not want to be dragged again into alcohol, drugs, and a life of poverty. She is slowly taking all the right steps. She took her placement test for community college classes, signed up for child care, and now is waiting for it all to fall into place. Please pray for her that the funding she needs comes through.

But what she really needs is a friend who lives nearby. She doesn't know a single person nearby who loves God. She is overwhelmed with her responsibilities, and knows she needs to go to church, but has not yet found one where she connects on a personal level. She has found few people are willing to befriend someone with a mountain of troubles who has nothing to offer but a hunger for Christ...and I am talking about in the church itself. This makes me very sad and troubled.

"I have no friends," she told me, "I text you more than anyone else I know."
"I'm your friend," I told her, reaching for her hand. However, I am old enough to be her mother. She needs a peer. Oh Lord, please bring her a friend who loves you and will walk alongside her as she seeks to honor and follow you.

As I drove home, back over the beckoning lake, I thought about who God might bring who would be willing to be the gentle arms of Jesus helping to steady this sweet woman's walk. Friends have so much power, both for evil and for good. We need to choose our friends wisely, but we all need friends. I read that teens with more than 2 "high risk" friends are in dire danger of choosing high risk behavior themselves. On the other hand, if the bulk of her friends are God seeking, pure, and wholesome kids, she is in less danger of becoming high risk, and can be a lifeline to the high risk friend. I thought of poor "K" surrounded by people who would drag her down. I prayed that instead, God would send the perfect friend to help her rise above the pit.

Is He calling you to be a friend today?

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If interested in helping support cities4life and their mission to help women who choose not to abort their children, please go to charlotte.cities4life.org
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Proverbs 18:24 

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 15:13 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Corinthians 15:33 

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Proverbs 27:9 

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Rich beyond Measure

I could not believe it. I looked down and there on the sidewalk was my insurance for the rest of my life. A stunning sparkling purple gemstone, surrounded by diamonds. I was rich! I picked up the ring and looked for an inscription, so I wouldn't feel bad about keeping this multimillion dollar find. No inscription! Finders Keepers! I slipped it on my finger. It fit perfectly. God sent me this ring!

Uh...no I didn't.

Excuse me? That must not be the voice of God. It is the Deceiver, trying to rob me of my fortune.

Someone will be heartbroken and searching for that ring. You must find the owner.

I tried! There is no inscription. It is in the middle of the sidewalk. Good grief. What more can I do?


(incriminating silence)

With a sigh, I walked into the various stores along the sidewalk and left my name and number.
"If someone comes looking for a valuable ring, have them call me," I said.
As I was returning to my car, the phone rang.
Drat! There goes my secure future.
"Vicky, I am the store owner. I had a thought. Many valuable rings are registered. There is a jeweler in this shopping center. Maybe they can help you identify the owner."
"Thanks," I said, "I will try that!"
I walked into the jewelry store, noticing some rings in the counter display that were very expensive and looked a lot like the ring I had found.

"May I help you?" asked the man at the counter.
"I found this valuable ring," I said, "And was wondering if there is any way to identify who it belongs to."
I handed him the ring.
He looked at it for all of three seconds, and handed it back, "Costume jewelry."
"Excuse me? It isn't valuable?"
He smirked and turned to a customer that wasn't a doofus.

Taking my ring, I hurried out of the store.

You were willing to sacrifice for me, weren't you?

Yes.


Well then stop blushing and being ashamed. It was a little test, but a test nonetheless.

My initial thoughts to do the right thing failed, however. I guess you know that.


Of course. Nothing is hidden from me. But what matters most is not where you start, but where you end.

Thank you. I feel better. Would it be ok if I kept the ring now?


Yes.

I don't really like it.


But you liked it when you thought it was valuable?

Hmmmm....I guess I did.


There's a lesson there, beloved. Ponder.

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1 Timothy 6:10 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Peter 2:15 

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

1 Peter 3:17 

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.