Service - The Other Side

It was a beautiful day - one I had been waiting for! Not to hot, not raining. YES! Perfect! It was time to clean out my shed.

I knew there were things in there that just got moved and put there to be "dealt with" at a later time. Well, it's a later time! Besides, I needed the space to move the stuff that sits in my garage that truly belongs in my shed.

So, out onto the lawn went the contents of the shed: lawnmower, weed eater, multiple old cardboard boxes (empty), flower pots, ladders, wheelbarrow and multiple other assorted items.

Shortly after the bottom fell out of the bag of lime (as I was lifting it), my neighbor walked over. "I see you're cleaning the barn!" I nodded as we exchanged greetings. He cast a glance at the wheelbarrow. "Is that tire flat?" Again, I nodded. "I'd be happy to take a look at it for you...."

This neighbor is a tinker-er. It's a rare occasion that I step outside and not hear the clanking and banging coming from his "barn". He's in his late seventies, but is spry and agile. His mind is sharp and with his hearing aids, he can tell if my mower is "not quite right" from his porch. He has refurbished playground equipment and set it up for my children.

One morning, a few months after I'd moved in, I began to realize what joy he brought me - simply through the sounds of his labor. A giving spirit, always working on a cause.

He asked how my weedeater and the lawnmower were working. "Fine". He nodded and looked away. Deep within me, there was a tug: "He's trying to help you! He wants to help you! LET HIM!"

I looked back at the weedeater. I mentioned how I'd had to hold it together with electrical tape after a screw had fallen out. His face lit up. He'd be happy to look at it, he said.

He asked again about the lawnmower. I suggested he help me with the "end of season" care that it would require. Again he agreed, without hesitation.

As he walked away, I was reminded again of a phrase spoken by a friend of mine: "Do no deny another an opportunity to serve."

That's hard for me.... but I'm working on it!

Thank You God for this opportunity - for the gift of this neighbor, and Your still, small voice within....

Another Hallelujah!

So... for all of you who are wondering how things went at church - conveniently enough, I feel I need to share with you exactly what happened. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, read yesterday's post)

I woke up fairly rested - only two middle of the night interruptions. We got to the church for the band rehearsal. ipod in my ears, I stepped onto the stage to practice while the musicians were getting their cords and wires straightened out.

My son was needing frequent attention - and paper airplanes - but I pressed forth. Rehearsal with the band went OK. I still didn't *know* the songs to my level of comfort, but I continued. "Please, help me", I signed. "complete(ly) trust(ing) You today". Every chance I got "complete(ly) trust(ing) You today".

After the rehearsal, I went to the cross and offered my prayer - asking that God would open my heart, take my self out, and Him enter in. That He would help me to hear the words and understand the meanings, and that the right signs would come off my hands.

Just before the service, the worship team gathers to pray. The worship leader turn to his left and asked the man standing next to him to pray. Then, he turn to his right, and asked that I would pray along as well...a first. He's never asked that of me before. I nodded, knowing that all the practice and preparation would be beneficial - and that God would be with me.

I have got to say that the "low end" of the base reverberating in the floor of the stage, helps bring it home. The first song was full of energy - certainly more than I felt this morning. Announcements following the song, somehow came off my hands mostly right. More songs, prayers... Finally, the last song before the sermon.... the one that I had struggled with most - not that it was "hard", though it did have a line that made no sense in English, not to mention ASL. It just never seemed to come together at home.

As the intro began, I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. Now was the time - My Self out, God in. "I love you, Lord with all my heart..." I didn't even let myself take a moment to celebrate that that first line came out right... press on... "... My heart and soul are praising, Hallelujah".

That's when the tears came. Lots and lots of tears. Ignore the tears... press on. The words of the worship leader through the instrumental portion of the song fly off my hands. The song continues. Second verse. "...All that I can say is Hallelujah". I'm aware that I have signed "must cry out hallelujah". Powerfully. So true for me at that moment. There is nothing else to say.

The tears have made their way down my cheeks, over my jawline, down my neck reaching the center of my chest. Briefly, I wonder how many people in the congregation can see the light reflecting off the streams of wetness on my face. Doesn't matter.

I have been met. I have surrendered and trusted. He has been faithful. Again, and again.


(... and the song was awesome...He SOOO had my hands.)

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

Today, I simply want to say how grateful I am for my "village". I do believe it takes a village to raise a child... or two, in my case!

My "village" is made up of my friends, neighbors, teachers, church family... to name a few. Women in my carpool, women in my supper club, women I pray with, women I talk with, women I laugh with, women I cry with.

I am especially grateful for my "village" after a long day of running here and there. A morning of teaching and running errands before heading to scouts with my daughter. Meanwhile another mom in the carpool drops my son of at his piano lesson - where he will stay for a play date til I can round him up again. Arriving home, supper is waiting. We eat and head to church for the evening. The kids work on their Christmas program, I work on my interpreting. For a while, it's a typical Wednesday routine. On Wednesdays, I receive.

On Tuesdays, I cook. Thursday, I drive the carpool, and volunteer at school. This weekend, it's my turn to help care for another child, while his mother is out of town. It comes full circle.

We give.... we receive.... both are a blessing...

Thank you God for my "Village", and Your hand in establishing it.