Table Talk

 

Table Talk

 

Placed in the middle of our living room is a round cocktail table. My mother bought it years ago in the damaged section of an expensive furniture store. It was given to me when my parents moved into a smaller home. Since then it has followed me back and forth from Minnesota to Montana several times. My son, Nick, restored it to mint condition.

 

Years ago, when Judy and were dating, I invited her to a party at my apartment. When she arrived, I was dancing on the top of the cocktail table. Seeing me there  was not a step forward in our courtship. Nonetheless she married me and along came the table.

 

A week ago, sitting in the living room during the first winter snowstorm, we  reminisced about life. We spent forty five years together. Memories of the ski lodge and the other places we lived reminded us that the table made the same journey.

 

 Our children learned to walk by hanging on to its edge. Almost all of our grandchildren did as well. It almost brought us to tears that right here before our eyes was an important piece of family history. We have grown older, the table remains the same.

 

Almost every holiday, birthday and anniversary is celebrated around this table. Loaded with food or presents it continues to serve us well as we gather together. Sitting in our living room that snowy evening I realized all that this table represented. If only a table could talk.

 

Rumor has it that there is negotiating going on as to who will inherit the round table. Wherever it ends up, it will be cherished. May it continue to be a family gathering place bringing joy to future generations.

Fear

 

Fear

 

“Let me affirm my belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke those words at his first inaugural address in 1933. Brave words in the middle of the Great Depression. They echoed in the American spirit for the many difficult years to follow: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, September 11th. Those who are ignorant of history can find themselves paralyzed by fear.

 

The truth is that the world is a dangerous place to live. Couple that with the reality that no one gets off the planet alive is fertile soil for fear to germinate into a phobia of life itself. Curious enough, with the onslaught of COVID 19 in the midst of an election year, fear appears to be gaining the upper hand in our country. Fear of what may happen undermines our ability to embrace life to the fullest.

 

Although I am not a fan of social media, I ran across a recent post from someone

who found the following on a sign in a Mennonite store. I am reminded that perspective helps:

 

2000 Y2K is going to destroy everything.

2001 Anthrax is going to kill us.

2002 West Nile virus, 2003 SARS, 2005 Bird Flu, 2006 E.coli are going to kill us. 2008 financial collapse will do us in

2009 Swine Flu will kill us.

2012 the Mayan Calendar predicts end of the world.

2013 North Korea will cause WW III.

2014 Ebola Virus will kill us.

2015 ISIS will kill us.

2016 Zika Virus will kill us.

2020 the Corona Virus will do us in.

The truth is FEAR is going to kill you. Turn off the TV and PRAY and TRUST IN GOD…and wash your hands.”

 

The Bible says of the righteous person: “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”

Candor

 

 Candor

 

Remember the old Westerns on the big silver screen? There was Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers. Saturday theater matinees featured black and white thrillers of the Old West. One line often spoken by an American Indian to a white man in the movies: “white man speak with forked tongue.” A perceptive statement that you can say one thing but mean another.

 

My observation is that there is a lot of  “forked tongue” talk going on even for an election year. With all that we have been through this year, the last thing our world needs is a lot of double talk. That’s where candor comes in. Candor is the quality of being open and honest. It assumes that my opinion is based on fact not fiction without bias or prejudice. You may ask, “Is that possible anymore?”

 

Candor assumes that I am able to express my views on a variety of subjects without employing derogatory, inflammatory, hyper emotional half-truths in my daily discourse. The discipline of candor means that although I have strong opinions on important issues of our day, I have learned the skill of sharing them without anger, name calling or baiting. I am confident in my perspective but open to the views of others. Just because someone is vicious or deceitful in their words doesn’t give me liberty to do the same. Candor is an important character trait of a civilized society.

 

A little wisdom from the Bible to help us practice candor in our daily speech: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slanderous as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Jesus has forgiven you.”

 

Daily

 

Daily

 

COVID has thrown a wrench into my plans for 2020. I am not happy about it. Last February Judy and I were just about to make reservations for our often talked about European Riverboat trip. That along with our summer get together with our children and grandchildren at Sandpoint, Idaho cancelled. Plans to visit churches in our network cancelled. Twice weekly chaplaincy at local hospital cancelled. Lucky life itself wasn’t cancelled.

 

About the only thing not cancelled was my daily routine consisting of rising early (5am), walking the dog, Sunday church on Zoom (now social distancing in our building), lots of reading, extended happy hour, Netflix and Prime. Once in a while sneaking out to McDonalds drive thru for a burger and a shake. Options definitely narrowed.

 

However, I’m learning to live life on a daily basis. In fact, I been asking God to show me how to do this one day at a time. This means I don’t get stressed out about tomorrow while living today. So, I find myself enjoying the little things like watching the birds from the patio. They’re not worried as long as I make sure the feeders are full. Long walks with Daisy that I never took time for before now. Meaningful conversations with my wife that were overlooked in busyness.

 

I am reminded of these words of Jesus: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

 

A little chorus we used to sing in church comes to mind. “Thank you, Lord, for this fine day. Thank you, Lord, for this fine day. Thank you, Lord, for this fine day right where we are.”

 

Wherever you are I pray you can rest in this fine day!

Curriculum Vitae

 

Curriculum Vitae

 

Lately I noticed my memory slipping a little. I recall past events but when it comes to a specific date and time, I need help. Recently, someone asked me about a certain incident. I had to search my files to find the answer. That’s when I found my Curriculum Vitae.

 

I apologize about Latin again. My life is saturated with antique phrases. A curriculum vitae is a short account of one’s carrier, qualifications and accomplishments; a written overview of a person’s life. I don’t like the word “resume” because it’s French meaning “a summary.” I’m not much on French. How do you summarize a life?

 

Anyway, I found this piece of paper that laid out the course of my life. I prepared this a long ago just in case I got fired and had to apply for another job. It was a skeleton outline of sixty five years of work. No mention of being a golf caddy, a soda jerk, a one man lawn service and dog poop remover. Just a sterile listing of academic credentials and pastoral postings. Not very stimulating.

 

Today if I were to make an updated curriculum vitae it would read like this: stayed alive for seventy six years; survived forty five years of marriage with the same woman; raised four children; getting to know seven grandchildren; pastored fifty years; endured numerous personal, political, social and economic crises; and to date sound in mind and body!

 

Having said all this, I await one more entry in the list of life experiences. It’s found in Bible where Jesus tells the obedient servant: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, more shall be given you. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

 

C’est la vie!

 

By The Numbers

 

By The Numbers

 

Before you think I have finally gone off the deep end, I confess that there are some surprises left in life. During Covid-19 I have lots of time on my hands. Banned from volunteer chaplain work at the hospital because of age (grounds for a discrimination suit) and no travel to our network of churches, I needed a new challenge. After reading fifty books so far this year, I need something else.

 

It was my neighbor who introduced me to a new hobby: painting by numbers. Yes, I thought that was for kids. Little did I realize it’s a major pastime for adults.

When I Googled “paint by numbers” I was shocked by all the companies that sell  painting kits. What began as a way to sell more paint back in the 1950’s is now a major market for people who have time on their hands.

 

Here’s what I discovered. I knew that staying within the lines is a healthy discipline. Following directions, such as using the prescribed numbered paint to the matching number on the canvas eventually produces a beautiful piece of art. While painting my mind is free to wander without falling asleep. Having completed my first work, an up north cabin and lake scene, I’m amazed that I actually painted a picture.

 

Judy and my kids are very supportive with their kind compliments upon viewing my first masterpiece. One comment, “I didn’t realize you had an artistic side.” Neither did I. With that kind of encouragement there is no end to my budding  artistic ability.

 

I read on Google that it’s possible to have a photo of yourself transposed on to a paint by numbers canvas. While marveling at the technology, I don’t have the stamina to spend that much time looking at myself, let alone painting me. It’s hard enough facing myself in the mirror every morning.

 

Back to the numbers!

Precious

 

Precious

 

Remember Gollum, the ugly hobbit in Lord of the Rings, grabbing hold of the ring and calling it “my precious.” Obviously, the ring had meaning. He wasn’t going to let go of it. What was precious to a fictional character may be a piece of jewelry to another. Precious is something of great value not to be wasted or treated carelessly.

 

My precious is three important choices I made in life. At the time I did not see them as precious. The choices one makes, simple or complex, freely or under duress, do alter your course. Some are good, some not so good, a few are precious.

 

First Precious: Early in life I chose to serve the Lord. It wasn’t something that was imposed upon me. It was the desire of my heart to follow God. I know this sounds a little religious but no different than someone choosing to be a doctor, engineer or policeman. I had no idea this choice would seriously alter my world. This choice introduced me to people, places and experiences that greatly enriched my life.

 

Second Precious: Marrying Judy and living forty five years with her has brought a richness that words can hardly describe. Opposites attract. The blending of graciousness, beauty, mercy and the gift of coloring outside the lines continues to stretch and mature me. Four wonderful children and seven grandchildren are frosting on the cake.

 

Third Precious: Montana is my home. Growing up in a large metro area gave me life opportunities. Montana gives me wide open spaces and a lifestyle that enlarges me. From the vast prairie of the Hi Line to the soaring mountain peaks of Bozeman, my spirit soars. Montana, wherever I roam, is a smorgasbord for my eyes. Montana is not just a place, it’s a state of mind that enriches my soul.

 

There is a precious yet to come. It’s written in the book of Psalms:

 

“The Lord’s loved ones are very precious to him, and he does not lightly let them die.”