HOLD ON

Sometimes,

A wallop catches us

Off guard

a card, dealt under the table

Unfairly, perhaps,

A nasty slight of hand

Strong enough to numb

And cast us abroad

Into an endless sea of fear and doubt

Tossed about

Helpless to do anything but

Barely hold our heads above water

It may be bad news, a crushing loss,

Circumstances that lay us flat

Render us unable to even clear our mind

We find

We have no idea who we are or where we’re headed

We struggle – aimlessly, even fiercely -

But to no avail

For the headwind is strong and we…

Clearly, we see

Are not strong enough nor brave enough

To weather the storm alone

This storm, anyway

Sometimes,

They say to “let go and let God”

And yes, it may be best to

Let go of all that we cannot control

With the final goal

To be rid of worry, fear, and fitful tossing…

But HOLD ON!

What of the times where you stand a chance

To gain a foothold, a toe hold, a sliver of hope-hold?

With a glimmer beyond, hold on for dear life

With all that is in you and know

That others reach out to hold on to you

With love, caring, hope, and faith

We hold on to each other because

That is what we are meant to do

And HE holds on to all of us

Who seem to need a reminder of this

Sometimes…





 There's an opportune time to do things,

a right time for everything on the earth...

A right time to search and another to count your losses.

A right time to hold on and another to let go…

Whatever was, is

Whatever will be, is

That’s how it always is with God

  ~ Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 and 15 (from The Message) 

 

 

 

 

That Pesky Persistence

If I hadn’t heard the noise, I still would have known. Our little dog, a terrier mix, has an innate ability to hear the slightest noise and smell the slightest odor, ultimately and doggedly following it to its source. At least attempting to… He has recently learned that the suet feeder hanging from the eaves just outside our kitchen window attracts more than birds. The louder-than-usual sound of the madrone branch scraping against the window and the heavy swaying of the feeder caught his attention and he responded with his typical whining, barking, and frenzied demands to go outside immediately. To him, it all spelled one thing – SQUIRREL!

And he was right. As I stood, rock-still and quiet near the window, I watched that Eastern gray squirrel attempt what I thought might have been impossible. Literally within inches of the window, he tenaciously climbed up to the smallest and most brittle twig and time after time leaped toward the suet feeder, crashing gracelessly to the ground each time. I found it agonizing – and humorous – to watch. It was also exhausting to see his fruitless efforts and I finally turned my attention to other things. When I noticed that the noises had stopped, I checked again and there he was – precariously hanging from the bottom of that wire feeder, proudly gorging himself on the suet.

Although I love all animals and certainly appreciate that they all have their place in the world, these gray squirrels are not my favorites. A non-native species, they likely arrived in the Pacific Northwest with the help of humans. The most common squirrels found in most urban settings, they have also migrated into rural forested areas. Unlike most native squirrels, such as the smaller Douglas squirrels, they have adapted well to human habitation. Both species will give birth in the spring and fall; however, fall is typically a much busier season than any other time of the year. This possibly explains the frenzied search for food. Whatever the reason, they – and certainly all squirrels in general – are relentless in their pursuit of whatever it is they deem necessary to survive. This includes defending their territory, collecting nesting materials, and finding and obtaining food. As we have learned over years of trying, it is nearly impossible to out-smart of squirrel. Far more cleaver people than us have tried.

As we enter this brand-new year, we would do well to keep in mind the squirrels and their dogged persistence. Frustrating though it may be for us, more often than not this trait gets these furry creatures what they need. Trying new methods, climbing, leaping, and yes – often falling – are all a part of life’s journey for us, also. When we step out in faith, persisting in what we need to do to attain our goals, even with the accompanying setbacks, surely we will accomplish whatever it is we set out to do. Fortunately for us, we do not take this journey alone.

 

“But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
~ Luke 11:5-9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windfall

Sometimes, when we are diligently searching but looking in all the wrong places, the very thing we seek waits for us in plain sight. Things we don’t even know we need…

Glad to go out on a mission, I sought the variety of greens that I usually gather for holiday decorations. For cedar, I knew right where to go; the revered old tree had some lower branches that needed pruning. It was easy, using the long-handled loppers, to cut a couple of long branches off.

Once those were down, I pruned off the smaller branches and made a stack on the lawn to be retrieved later.

The Douglas firs were more difficult, as most of the lower branches were gone. Strolling the edge of the pasture, I searched for any possibility when something caught my eye.

 

Scattered about were many small branches blown down by a recent storm. I gathered them up and stacked them into another pile.

 

There is a spot where western white pine cones accumulate. It’s a bit of a mystery as there are none of these trees nearby that I can see, and now there were more there than usual and some unmistakable long-needled branches.

 

I made another pile. When I was finished, I had more than enough fresh greens to do what I wanted and to share with friends and neighbors.

After fifty years of marriage, my husband and I have reached a new plateau, of sorts, in our relationship. Gone are the rounds of endless discussions trying vainly to change a mind, the hurt feelings, the frustrations of not seeing eye-to-eye on an issue. We have always agreed on most of the important things, but have our differences, as everyone does. Perhaps the struggle to turn a partner into someone other than who they really are is a hallmark of youth, but it is one we’ve surrendered to time. We now truly value each other - “warts and all” – and with that acceptance comes a tremendous peace.

 

A few years ago, through a series of volunteer projects, I gradually became acquainted with a couple of remarkable women. One is a chatterbox - innately honest and a warm, caring person with a heart as big as all outdoors and a fierce enthusiasm to throw herself wholeheartedly into any endeavor she is a part of.  The other appears quiet and reserved and can size up a situation quickly, has an eye for detail, and a determined stubbornness when it comes to preserving the environment and all creatures within it.

One is a non-practicing Catholic; the other has probing questions on all things involving faith. We get together often, discuss anything, and respect each other’s opinions. Beyond a doubt, I have become better informed, stronger in my convictions, and more willing to act for causes I believe in because of their willingness to question and share. Ours has become a treasured friendship.

We had been without a dog for fifteen years when a series of circumstances led to our adopting our little rescue terrier, Scruffy. We wanted to find a dog locally, but we found him on the internet. We wanted to travel a short distance, yet we drove to another state to see him. We wanted an uncomplicated process - we visited him at an incarceration facility for young men, but still could not bring him home because the rescue group needed to visit and approve our home. Lord knows he has his issues, unique behaviors, and odd little personality quirks, but he has added a certain energy, challenge, and spirit to our aging lives. He makes us LAUGH harder than we have in years, gets us out of the house daily, and gives us a reason to look forward to every day. And we wonder – just who saved whom?

All of this is windfall - unexpected, unearned, a sudden gain or advantage. In one form or another it comes to all of us, but we need to open our eyes to see and recognize it. And when you do, acknowledge, accept, and value it – trust where it comes from and that there will be more to come.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.         Ephesians 3:20-21