Hope Harbor

You too be patient; strengthen your hearts … James 5:8 Webster’s dictionary defines patient as: “Enduring trying circumstances with even temper… Enduring without protest or complaint.” Circumstances in my life recently have granted to me opportunities to exercise patience. When I was in the local hospital emergency room because of my fractures, the quality of care was good but I did a lot of waiting. I waited for x-rays, for a diagnosis, for pain medicine, for a cast to be put on and then for discharge instructions. I think it is an interesting irony that the noun “patient” means a person in need of medical care. Those who desire to live a life that is pleasing to God, are instructed to be patient. Patience is a precious attribute. It is a component of the fruit of the Spirit. It often grows in a climate of trial and difficulty. Romans 5:3-4 (Amplified Bible) states: Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowi...

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” Deuteronomy 33:27 I continue to think about how important it is to trust and to feel safe. Due to the discomfort from the fractures and the need to keep my leg elevated, I am spending a considerable amount of time in bed these days. Bridget my cat seems to be quite happy about that. She curls up next to me and purrs. It is as though she feels safe and comfortable. Such contentment is heartwarming. As I reflect on how I was actually safe and in good hands, in spite of my momentary doubt, when the young men rescued me after my fall, I am reminded of how important it is to put my ultimate confidence in my Savior. I can be secure in Him. There is an old hymn Safe in the Arms of Jesus . What a lovely precious reality. Below is a link if you’d like to listen to the music and lyrics: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3646248017965248513&ei=KHbqStzyOZzcqgLJkZyiDg&q=safe+in+the+arms+of+jesus# **My apologies ...

“… Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs." Psalm 12:5 (NASB) When you trust someone you feel safe. I certainly have wonderful and trustworthy friends. The injuries I sustained in my accident yesterday necessitated that I have help to get up from the floor. Thankfully there are those I can call upon in times of need. Among my rescuers were two young men who have compassionate hearts as well as strong muscles. They came with not only the brawn to hoist me out of my predicament but also the kindness to lift me with gentleness. I wish I could report that in the midst of the challenge I was a stellar example of courage and cheerfulness. I wasn’t. As the youthful assistants got ready to get me to a more comfortable position, I surveyed the obstacles in the situation. The fractures were quite painful and I started to focus on the risk that movement might hurt me further. I voiced my distress. In order to reassure me, one of the guys ...

It’s amazing how things can change in an instant. Today in a quick moment I fell out of my wheelchair and I broke my leg. The injury will alter my activity level for awhile and slow me down. When I thought about how fast things happened today I was reminded of a few things. The verse that tells us about the speed at which Jesus will return and transfer us into His presence came to mind. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (New American Standard Bible) 51Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. When the trumpet blasts, in a moment, the time it takes to blink, we will be changed. That is a promise of instant transformation. We tend to like instant things. Microwaves are necessary appliances in most households. Internet services are constantly being upgraded so connection speed will increase. Waiting is n...

It requires diligence to maintain things properly. I was reminded of this recently when I saw my friend applying a fresh coat of paint to a frequently used railing. Time and handling had worn away the color covering the metal. If this project had been neglected, the appearance would have become untidy. In addition to unsightliness, as paint peeled away, if the problem was ignored, rust might form and pose a potential hazard. Thankfully, my friend did not neglect this task. She diligently and skillfully applied the needed paint, giving the railing a fresh look and ensuring it was safe to use. As, I admired the improvement, I commented that I hoped her work would not be quickly damaged by weather or human carelessness. My friend replied good naturedly that she won’t mind touching it up again as needed because it’s just necessary to keep up on things. Life does require that we’re not negligent. We must put forth effort to pursue what is valuable. God gives grace for our relationship with ...

“…The Lord delights in kind words …” Proverbs 15:26 The Living Bible Don’t you find it pleasant when you hear kind words spoken about someone you love? Last night on the way home from a meeting at church, there were three people in the car so Tanner shared the back seat with one of my friends. As we travelled we enjoyed nice conversation. From time to time I overheard my friend speaking sweetly to my beloved dog. It was heartwarming to listen to my friend telling Tanner: “You’re such a good boy.” “You are the best puppy.” And more. As I reflected on how it was such a delight to hear the kind words for Tanner, I thought perhaps that God takes pleasure in hearing words of encouragement about those whom He loves. Proper words are a treasure. They are sweet and can bring healing. (Proverbs 16:24) God is honored when we care about others and we endeavor to speak uplifting words. What we say matters. The tongue is very powerful. May we bring joy to the heart of God as he listens to our kind ...

Have you ever wanted to spare someone you love from pain and suffering? I had that experience yesterday. Tanner, my loveable Labrador, has an ear infection. The veterinarian prescribed treatment and performed a procedure that Tanner definitely did not like. My typically amiable and happy dog protested miserably as the staff at the animal hospital wrestled him to cleanse his ear and insert the medicine. They had taken Tanner to an adjacent room to administer the antibiotic. While we were separated, I could hear the struggle behind the closed door. My heart ached as I heard Tanner whimper and even yelp, resisting the efforts of the caregivers. I was sad to hear his distress as he was hurting. I wished I could rescue him from the agony and make him understand that this was for his good and that he will feel better. As I reflect on my emotions about Tanner’s difficult unpleasant experience, I am reminded of a sweet lovely encounter between my brother and his daughter. When my niece was a l...

Sometimes life can be exhausting. We have many tasks to accomplish each day. Often we can have such a huge amount of responsibilities that we neglect to rest. Fatigue can drain our energy and make it difficult to function. When our bodies are tired we need to take time to replenish our vitality. We need to rest. It’s amazing how much better we can feel after a good night’s sleep or even a short “power” nap. When we’re weary, it’s more than physical exhaustion. Weariness involves a sense of burden in our soul. Thankfully, Jesus promises that he will give us rest when we come to Him. Matthew 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible) 28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30For My yoke is wh...

Health Care Reform has received a great deal of news coverage recently. There has been much discussion and debate concerning providing quality, affordable health care for all of our citizens. Some have expressed concern that individuals who are elderly and people with disabilities may be at risk because they may be presumed not to have sufficient quality of life, or may be judged unworthy to utilize scarce resources. Many options are being proposed, and multitudes of opinions are being expressed. It’s difficult to grasp all of the information. One thing I am certain of is that all life is precious in God’s sight. I am grateful that He is willing and able to take care of us. Perhaps because of hearing a lot about medical care and doctors lately, I’ve thought of a riddle I made up years ago. Here it is: What do you call C. Everett Koop (the noble, dignified pro-life former U.S. Surgeon General) and Jack Kevorkian (the misguided gruesome pathologist who assisted many to commit suicide)? A...

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible) I am ashamed to admit it but I tend to crave approval. I deeply appreciate support and encouragement. Thank you to all of you who have offered words of kind affirmation concerning this blogging endeavor. It helps me to keep going especially in times of doubt. I installed a visitor counter on my blog. I frequently check the statistics so I can know if anyone “out there” is actually reading what I’ve written. The truth is though I need to be willing to labor to please God and not seek attention and glory from other humans. I suspect that it is my fear of unfavorable opinion (including my own negative self-appraisal), that causes me to be reluctant to try my hand at new things. A dear friend gave to me a gift of a lovely art kit. This was an especially precious present because it had belonged to her darling daughter who has gone to heaven. I r...

Recovery can be excruciating. Even though it may be a difficult process to endure, recuperation is worth it. In the midst of pain, have you ever doubted? I certainly have. I have said stupid things that prove that I questioned whether the necessary interventions would be beneficial. Many years ago I was in a serious automobile accident and sustained multiple injuries including several fractures in my left leg. It hurt horribly. I knew instantly that my leg was badly broken. However, a series of errors and misdiagnosis resulted in me not receiving treatment for several days. I eventually needed surgery to repair my bones. While waiting for proper medical care I was in a significant discomfort, but it was tolerable in comparison to the agony I experienced following the operation. When I awoke from the orthopedic procedure, what I felt was more than I could bear. My brother is a physical therapist and served as director of physical therapy at the hospital where I was a patient. He came to...

Truth is essential. I had an episode this morning that reminded me afresh how distressing it can be to not be certain. I was engaged in a personal care routine and I dropped a gauze pad that was soaked in a medicinal solution which protects my skin. Tanner gladly retrieves things for me so he promptly attempted to fetch the item that had fallen. Not wanting my beloved dog to become sick from the chemicals moistening that pad if he put it in his mouth, I firmly told him No! (He must have been bewildered since picking up things is part of his job.) I wasn’t sure if he had obeyed. In fact, I even wondered if he might have swallowed that pad because I couldn’t see it. I was concerned because it was potentially dangerous. Therefore, it was quite a relief when I found the missing gauze on the bathroom floor. When I saw it I thanked God. I was grateful that no harm had come to Tanner. I was also glad to be relieved from the anxiety of not knowing the reality of the whereabouts of the gauze pa...

As part of her course work as she pursues a degree in elementary education, my friend is preparing a unit study on the topic of butterflies. Today she shared with me her plans for the lessons, and we discussed the resources she had gathered. I expect it will not only be informative for her future students but great fun as well. I told my aspiring teacher friend that I wish I could be there for the activities and instruction on these beautiful creatures. I enjoy butterflies. There are so many colorful varieties. It’s pleasant to see them fly gently from flower to flower on warm sunny days. Not only am I in awe of butterflies because of their beauty and grace, I also marvel at how they develop. The process of metamorphosis is amazing. God transforms a caterpillar, a creature that can only slither, to a winged wonder that can take flight. The beginning of a butterfly bears no resemblance to what it ultimately becomes. The wonderful transformation from caterpillar to butterfly gives me hop...

I am grateful to have Tanner (my service dog) in my life. Tanner is a wonderful companion. He assists me with daily tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening and closing doors, turning on lights, and getting the telephone in an emergency. Several months ago, I sustained fractures in an accident in my wheelchair. Tanner sensed my distress from my injuries and wanting to help, brought the phone to me without me even giving that command. He is a very sensitive and highly intelligent dog. Tanner does his job with enthusiasm. It pleases me when he dutifully performs tasks to help me. What delights my heart even more is his happiness to be with me. I take my handsome black Labrador to the groomer regularly. The process to have a bath, nails clipped and ears cleaned takes about an hour. When I return to pick him up, he greets me with enthusiasm and exuberance. The hearty tail wagging and lavish licking puppy kisses could give the impression that we had been separated for a long time. It...

It is worthwhile to know our history and the foundational principles of our nation. I have a friend who is pursuing a degree in Education. A requirement of her coursework is that she demonstrates knowledge of government. My friend must take a proficiency exam on the topic of civics. I’d like to learn more in this area too, so I decided to study with my friend. I did some research at the library and found some interesting material. One of the books I located, The Constitution of the United States An Introduction by Floyd G. Cullop, Mentor Penguin Putnum publisher New York, NY 1999, was particularly informative. The author had been a teacher of junior and senior high school students for many years. In the introduction of his book, Mr. Cullop shares that invariably when he introduced the topic of the Constitution in his classes, pupils asked why they were required to study it. I think his explanation for understanding our nation’s founding document is noteworthy: “To be ignorant of it ...

Today is the anniversary of my mother’s birth. Sadly though there will be no party, and no birthday cake with lots of candles. I didn’t send a greeting card. My mom is no longer with us. She died many years ago following a difficult battle with cancer. It has been almost three decades since her death, but I still miss her. She was a bright, witty and competent woman who made a significant impact on my life. She was my caregiver, provider and protector. At times she served as my advocate. I have many fond memories. My love for words and strategy, likely stems from the countless hours I spent watching my mom and grandmother play Scrabble. It was quite a rite of passage for me when I achieved sufficient vocabulary to join them in the game. I also vividly recall the precious Christmas in my childhood when she made it possible for me to receive my very first puppy. I think I may have been the happiest kid on the planet the day that dog came into my life. Then, when my dog died it was my mo...

Often it seems that things get worse before they get better. If you’ve ever done any remodeling you probably know what I mean. When I purchased my house it needed major modifications to improve accessibility for my safety and independence. The renovations included building a ramp with a deck (which involved creating a door where only a window had been originally), widening some doorways, lowering counters and cabinets and installing a roll-in shower (which required that a wall be moved in order to make the bathroom larger). It was a huge project. Thankfully, I had a skillful contractor with a vision for what was possible, and determination to get the job done. He and his small team of dedicated laborers did a tremendous amount of work in a short period of time. These changes were necessary before I could live in my home. I was eager to be able to enter my house, so the ramp was completed in the early phase of construction. My heart soared with excitement when I received the news that t...

Tanner (my service dog) once again made me think of something important. He typically awakens me in the early morning because he needs to go outside. He is also eager for me to get out of bed because he is hungry. I wish I could say that I always happily and swiftly bound out of bed to meet the needs of my canine companion. Those who know me well, know that I tend to be a bit of a night owl and quite a sound sleeper. Therefore, waking up very early is not always easy for me. Some mornings are more difficult than others. Particularly, on these dreary, cold and rainy days, it has been a challenge to quickly rise early. I have resisted Tanners attempts to get me out of bed. I have responded to his nudging and tapping with his paw with a groan, commanding him to go back and lie down. Tanner obeys, but then returns to my bedside again and again until I finally rise to address his needs. This morning poor Tanner needed to make multiple attempts before I got up to alleviate his discomfort (fu...

News reports today were filled with coverage of a runaway balloon in Colorado. All the attention was focused on this escaped homemade inflated weather monitor because it was feared that a six year old boy was onboard and had floated away. When the balloon landed, the boy was not found. A massive missing person search ensued. Sometime later, it was discovered that the child was at his home, up in the attic, inside a box. Hiding. I’m not sure what actually transpired this afternoon that caused the balloon to drift out of control and the entire nation to be gripped with concern for a little boy. There has been much speculation that perhaps the little guy whose whereabouts had been unknown got into mischief with his brothers causing their parents expensive balloon to get loose. Fearing he would be in big trouble for the untethered dirigible, rather than admitting his error, the little boy hid. Hiding when we are afraid, or if we have transgressed, is an age old problem. When Adam and Eve d...

I have another animal story to share. I thought perhaps these insights I've learned from the critters in my life could be called "pet parables". Years ago I had a nice cat with the formal name Barnabas Noble. (His name was inspired by Barnabas in the Bible who was an encourager, "the son of consolation") I called him Barney. As Barney was aging he had some medical issues that taught me much. Once prior to an appointment with the veternarian he was restricted from eating. I learned a valuable life lesson while fretting that my old sick cat just couldn't understand why I was temporarily withholding food at the vet's instruction. As he uttered pleading meows, my heart ached because he was not able to comprehend that my motive was only for the good of my beloved feline friend. I felt frustration over not being able to explain this because he was just a cat. Then in the midst of my distress, I heard God clearly speak to my heart: "And you're just a h...

I've written about my wonderful service dog Tanner. I should also tell you that I have a beloved elderly cat named Bridget. I adopted her many years ago when she was a spunky adorable little kitten. Bridget entered my life in a season when I was making a transition to a new stage in my life's journey.I sensed that it was as though God wanted me to cross a bridge in order to enter into new things He had in store for me. I named my feline friend Bridge t to commemorate that period of changes in my life (new home, new church, and deepening of my faith and relationships). My cat has been with me during many significant times. Just recently she was used to remind me of an important lesson. It was an early morning and I was engaged in my typical routine of pet care. Bridget apparently was very hungry. As I was attempting to put her food into the bowl she burst in and stuck her head into the dish trying to gobble up her meal. I had more food to give to her, but because her head was in...

This is another article I had written for Speak, the newsletter of Canine Therapy Corps. http://www.caninetherapycorps.org/ Rehabilitation is a lot about learning new things. Individuals who experience the onset of disability or chronic illness must learn many new things while interacting with others and the environment as they face new challenges. Often it is necessary to learn to do basic activities of daily living using a new technique or with the aid of adaptive equipment. As people participate in the rehabilitative process, they must deal with a host of professionals new to them, and also learn a myriad of terms to add to their vocabulary. Due to the required new skills and knowledge, rehabilitation is indeed a lot about learning new things. It is also a lot about courage. When I was a child, there was a popular cartoon hero called Under Dog. His well-known slogan was “Never fear, Under Dog is here!” as though the very presence of a beloved canine could instill bravery. While Unde...

This is an article I had written for Speak , the newsletter of Canine Therapy Corps. http://www.caninetherapycorps.org/ I consider myself a dog lover. I’m happy when in the presence of a canine compan­ion. However, I have a confession. I haven’t been fond of bulldogs. Their appearance can make me apprehensive. The overlapping lower jaw resembles a scowl, and the pro­truding teeth could give the impression of fierceness. I realize now, though, that my opinion must change. On my very first eve­ning as a volunteer with the Canine Therapy Corps at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, I met Bertha, an English Bulldog I found to be beautiful. Oh it’s true, she does have the characteristic facial features I had thought to be off-put­ting, as well a chubby, awkward stance. But Bertha has other, far more important, char­acteristics that make her beautiful. Bertha was matched with eight year old “David” for the session. She dutifully fol­lowed his commands to “front” (come), stay, and, ...

As is likely evident from the very large photo on my blog page, I have a service dog. His name is Tanner. Not only is Tanner gorgeous, he has a wonderful temperament – quite affectionate and playful. He also seems delighted to do his job. He fetches everything I drop with great enthusiasm as his tail wags vigorously. He also seems to put his all into turning on and off light switches. When Tanner closes a door, he does so with such gusto that nearby walls and windows seem to rattle. And, (dare I admit it) Tanner even eagerly takes off my socks for me. I should also mention how grateful I am that Tanner has faithfully retrieved the telephone for me in times of emergency. To be sure, Tanner does love to play, but he also seems quite happy to do his work. It’s almost as if he is pleased to be doing that for which he was created. I think it’s true for humans too. God has a good plan and purpose for each of us. He knows us best because He designed us. In His wisdom, our kind Heavenly Father...

Today I made a choice that made me start thinking about not postponing things that could be done now, or at least begun. Do you have some things (or talents) you are reluctant to use? Do you own items that you save, waiting for the right time to take them out of storage? I do. For example, I have bath towels that I keep on an upper shelf for guests to use. These towels are not as faded as my towels I use for myself regularly, and they are more plush and absorbent. This morning I found one of these fancier towels on the shelf I can reach (where the "every day" towels are kept), and decided to use it. I was pleased by how it was so soft and cozy. I had the thought that perhaps I should use these "company" towels more often. I wondered why I had kept them in an inaccessible storage space to be used only for those who I would prefer not to see my well-worn bath linens. I enjoy the nice towels. Perhaps it's okay to use them. Why not today? Please do not misunderstand...

I wanted to post this yesterday in honor of my friend Pat's birthday, but I was stuck with computer problems. My dear friend Pat has a terrific talent for transforming trash into treasures. Certainly Pat possesses many other skills and abilities as well. She also has the endearing attributes of compassion, insight, sensitivity and a delightful sense of humor. To be sure, there are lots of reasons Pat is a cherished friend. I marvel at her meticulous makeovers. Pat rescues items from the garbage heap and restores them to their intended beauty and function. A mutual friend told me how Pat repaired an old lamp. This light fixture, which was destined to be discarded, is now a lovely addition to her home. The ability to restore is valuable. The dictionary defines restore as: Return to its original condition Return to life; get or give new life or energy Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken Bring back into its original existence or use As I read the belo...

After posting my very first blog entry, I felt a sense of victory because I had finally summoned the courage to move forward, to take a risk and try something new....to get "unstuck". It's a good thing to be released from things that hold us back. Staying "unstuck" is seems. though, can be a challenge. I'ts a rather interesting irony that the day following my conquest of the threshold preventing me from daring to use this forum for writing to express my self, I encountered situations in which I was literally STUCK! Yesterday after coming in out of the rain, the towel I use to dry my beloved service dog Tanner (He's the handsome one in the photo on my blog page.), mysteriously became entangled in my front wheel. I was unaware that the towel had attached itself to the wheel, so I continued moving about my house oblivious to the tangled mess I was creating...untill ... I started to feel a bit stuck. When it became increasingly difficult to maneuver my wheel...

Have you ever been stuck? It's a terrible feeling, Knowing there's somewhere to go, dreams to pursue, goals to achieve, but not being able to get out of a rut, or move forward. I have felt this horrible paralyzing sense of inertia for quite some time. Creating this blog is my attempt at getting myself beyond this seeming impass that has hindered me from taking risks or finding a sense of purpose. I have long felt the urge to write - sharing with others thoughts and insights I've had that have enriched my perspective on life and the heart of God. I've even had the somewhat grandiose notion of being an author of a book entitled "Stuck on the Threshold and Other Meaningful Metaphors" (A collection of life lessons I'm still learning) The origin of the title... Once while still working, I saw one of the agency staff interns who had difficulty walking, try to navigate around seated on an office rolling chair. I observed him trying to leave a room and move on to ...