Hope Harbor

It's good to remember important dates and significant events in our lives. This past week were a few valuable anniversaries that are meaningful to me.  My mother was in my thoughts because it would have been her birthday. Even though this year marks the time when I have lived more years of my life without her than I had the privilege of enjoying her (She died when I was 27), I still miss her. On a happier note, one of my brothers had a birthday yesterday  This week was also the anniversary of when I met Tanner my beloved canine companion. In some ways it is hard to believe that it has already been two years that Tanner and I have been together, and on the other hand I can hardly imagine my life without that loveable service dog. In honor of my anniversary of being matched with Tanner and in celebration of the joy he brings to me I thought I'd share one of my favorite photos of him: Isn't he handsome? !  . As I've reflected on the importance of remembering what...

Those of us who have had medical issues have spent quite a bit of time in waiting rooms. We wait to see the doctor. We wait for blood work to be drawn. We wait to have scans or Xrays. And then we wait for the results. I have often mused that perhaps there is a good reason we are called "patients". I have a friend who has endured challenges that have caused her considerable pain and restricted mobility for a long time. She has also struggled with a stubborn wound in her foot that will not heal and has become infected repeatedly. After countless hours in waiting rooms and undergoing surgeries and other troublesome treatments, my friend has made the difficult decision to follow the advice of her physician and have a portion of her foot amputated in order to prevent further damage. Would a miraculous healing been welcome? Definitely. However, this dear woman sincerely told God "Not my will, but Yours be done." She is an excellent example of trusting in the integrity a...

Today's date 1010/10 reminded me of the phrase perfect ten. In the Olympics the judges score the performance of the athletes on a rigid rating scale. I have watched many  skaters and gymnasts striving for the rarely achieved 10 poimts from everyone on the judging panel. Uncommon? Yes. Impossible? No. I can still recall the amazement of watching a 14 year old gymnast from Romania execute a flawless routine in the summer of 1976 and become the first ever to win a gold medal after earning a perfect score of 10. Jesus instructs His disciples to be perfect. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 New International Version) Such an admonition can indeed seem daunting. If we look only at our weaknesses and often glaring imperfections, we could become disheartened at the command to pursue perfection. Thankfully, God's perfect love casts away fear. Through the perfect work of our Savior we receive what we need. He grants the grace that is ess...

Psalm 135:5 (New International Version) 5 I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. I've had this song Our God is Greater on my heart recently. In fact 2 different days I woke up with the chorus repeatiing in my mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc The lyrics glorify God and inspire faith. It made me think how impurtant it is to truly believe that we have an awesome God. My heart was stirred to worship as I pondered His power and grandeur. I was struck with the thought that not only is the God who loves us great, He is greater. We could be facing gigantic problems, but God's grace is greater. We might have huge financial difficulties but God's ability to supply all of our needs is greater. We may be carrying a hravy weight of loneliness and fear but God's love is greater - perfect love that casts away fear. I was in a play once and I played the role of fear - a miserable character shipped wrecked and lost on a deserte...

It is really a wonderful thing to receive good news. I have been dealing with some medical issues. For quite some time I have had several bothersome kidney stones, and was told I may need surgery to remove them. In addition, something on my pancreas was noted on an earlier CT scan that was a cause for concern. Many dear friends and loved ones have been praying for me. I went to the doctor yesterday and received an amazingly good report. According to the recent CT scan the stones in my left kidney seem to have decreased and those in the right are the same - not any more or larger in size- which is good. And whatever was on my pancreas was not seen on this most recent scan!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will follow-up in several months but at this point no surgery is needed. I am grateful for all those who prayed for me and so thankful that God answered all of those prayers! I also heard a great story that was aired on the Today Show about a little boy and his family who experienced a genuin...

If we put all of our emphasis on only one one thing our lives can be out of balance. We can lack stability and experience many ups and downs. When I was a child I was once (and thankfully only once) put on a teeter totter. I don't know if the person responsible for me at the time thought I might enjoy the opportunity to "participate" with other children, or if they embarked on an experiment to see what I could do. It was a terrifying experience. Since I have very poor trunk stability (it's difficult to keep myself upright), I was holding on for dear life. Also because I lack stength in my legs, I was completely at the mercy of the kid on the other end. The energy and zeal on one side of this playground equipment was not matched with comparable ability As the see-saw was propelled up and down by only one rider, it felt completely out of control. I was so grateful when someone observed my predicament and rescued me. I recently heard a preacher on the radio pre...

2 Corinthians 1:2-5 (New American Standard Bible) 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4whocomforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. The things we experience in life can teach valuable lessons. Our endurance of circumstances can equip us to offer encouragement and support to others. A very dear friend of mine had surgery today. I am praying that she has a very speedy and excellent recovery. Recently my friend and I were discussing the procedure. A few years ago I had a similar operation. I told my friend that following the initial adjustment period, I had no regrets and the surgery proved to be beneficial. Also, I shar...

Safety belts are important. They can be life saving. Often when a passenger on a paratransit bus or in a friend's van, I nonchalantly neglect to use a safety belt. I presume that my wheelchair anchored by straps is sufficient precaution. This is incorrect. It is dangerous for me and others to not wear a seat belt in a moving vehicle. In a previous post, I told of a tragic accident in which my nephew was involved. He was a passemger in a car that careened into a deadly crash. Sadly, the young driver was ejected and died. In an instant of youthful impulse, my nephew's teenage friend drove off without buckling up. My nephew did the wise thing. He was compliant with existing laws and clicked his seat belt into place. Thankfully he sustained no injuries in that horrible collision. I have vowed now to always wear a safety belt. I am reminded of another belt which offers protection - the belt of truth. The apostle Paul elaborates on the armor of God which serves as a metaphor...

Lamentations 3:22-24 (New American Standard Bible) 22The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." I am so grateful that our good Heavenly Father is a God of second chances. In fact, His mercy and faithfulness is so great that each day offers the hope of a new start. My teenage nephew endured a traumatic experience this week. He and three friends were in a terrible automobile accident. Sadly, the youthful driver was thrown from the vehicle and died. The two other passengers sustained minor injuries. Amazingly my brother’s son was unharmed. When I heard the story of this horrible incident, I had a range of emotions. I felt sorrow for the loved ones of the young man who was tragically killed. I also had gratitude in my heart that my nephew remarkably survived without being hurt. In additio...

Sometimes it is difficult to find words to adequately express love. I once had a neighbor who told me a charming story of how she and her granddaughter would play the “I love you more because _________________” game. This good natured competition consisted of a contest of who could come up with the best description of the reason why one’s love was bigger than the other’s. My neighbor finally conceded that her darling granddaughter was the winner because she exuberantly proclaimed: “I love you more because I’ve loved you all of my life and you have loved me for only part of your life!” Regarding our relationship with God we would need to say that He has loved us all of our lives but we have loved him for only part of our lives. 1 John 4:19 (Amplified Bible) 19We love Him, because He first loved us. There are many wonderful attributes to God’s love: • It is everlasting and draws us near Jeremiah 31:3 (New American Standard Bible) 3The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying...

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Amplified Bible) 16Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. 17For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 18Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. Often when we compare our situation to the circumstances of others we can gain a new perspective. Our struggles might seem minor in contrast to the dif...

When we love someone it is a delight to our hearts to know that they know how much they are loved. It's a cause for heartache when the one who is dear to us doubts that we care. I have many cherished friends. I hope they know how much I value them.  I hope using my relationship with my dog as an example doesn't seem too trite, but I believe my fondness for Tanner may illustrate my point. Thoae who know me are aware of the fact that I have great affection for my canine companion. (Even those of you I have never met, if you have been a reader of my blog, you probably have surmised that I am happy to have Tanner in my life.) My wonderful dog is endeared to me not because he is so very handsome, though indeed he is. I love him not simply for the tasks he performs or because he behaves flawlessly (Tanner's conduct is not perfect.) My tender feelings for this loveable puppy are stirred partly because he is so winsome, but mostly because he is mine I've been told...

The tendency to forget things can cause problems. These lapses in memory most often create relatively minor inconveniences. However, failure to remember something important potentially results in significant difficulty and can even be downright dangerous. Forgetfulness led to a challenging episode in my life recently. I have a designated telephone which Tanner has been trained to retrieve. This task performed by my beloved service dog is crucial in the event of an emergency. In a scatterbrained moment I had forgotten to replace that phone on the base. I fell trying to get out of the shower. In desperation I told Tanner to get the phone. He ran for it but to my dismay returned without it. I repeated the command several times with the same result. I was frustrated and then realized the telephone was not where Tanner could get it. Poor Tanner… He started whimpering because he wanted to help but was confused. It took me over an hour to get myself "unstuck" and maneuver so I cou...

Psalm 119:130 (New American Standard Bible) 130The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Human beings often have the inclination to make things more complicated than they need to be. We all have probably heard the stories about the guys who get lost and take longer to get to their destinations because they refuse to ask for directions. There are also numerous examples of hours of frustration spent trying to assemble items and then have them malfunction due to not following the instructions. If someone familiar with the area had been consulted, the trip could have gone more smoothly. Reading the step by step manual helps to put things together properly more easily. I have the tendency to fret at times and make things more complex than necessary. One example of my knack for compounding the difficulty of a situation is the struggle I’ve been having in writing for children. I have come to the realization that I have a great deal to learn about t...

God is very kind. He has an amazing way of demonstrating love and mercy. I received a lovely gift recently. A very dear friend found a couch and rescued it from being discarded. She retrieved this piece of furniture with me in mind. She knew I desperately needed a new couch. The sofa that had been in my living room for many years was a hand me down and had definitely seen better days. The passage of time, many visitors and also a couple of pets had left my old couch worn and sagging. I had often looked at it recentlywith the thought that I reallly needed to replace it. However, because I currently have limited finances, I did not know how that could be possible. So you can probably imagine my awe and amazement when I received the message from my friend letting me know that she had a couch to give to me if I wanted it. I'm not sure why the previous owner was getting rid of that couch. It is in very good condition. It looks nice, and, I am told, is quite comfo...

Sometines adverse circumstances can bring out the darkness in our hearts. Regrettably that was the case for me this week. Following a late night and distressing morning of plumbing problems, I headed off to a medical appointment at the women's cancer department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. My transportaton was late so I arrived after my scheduled time. The staff was gracious and fit me in. Because my visit with the doctor was postponed, I missed my return ride. When I called the transit company, the dispatcher informed me that I would need to wait two hours before a vehicle could be availanle to take me home. It would have been nice if I could report that I patiently received that news, considerate of all the other passengers who were also eager to get to their destinations. Not true. Regrettably, I complained about the situation, and rather insistently tried to persuade the transportation representatve that there should be a way to take me home sooner. I was told that...

Isaiah 40:8 (New American Standard Bible) 8The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. Scorching heat and a lack of rain can make things parched and brittle. We have been having sweltering hot temperatures and not much rain in the area where I live. I’ve been spending most of my time lately in the comfort of my air conditioned home. While it is nice to avoid the discomfort of the heat and humidity, I do at times grow weary of staying indoors. Tanner my service dog also seems to be a bit bored from our limited activity. I do try to at least take him for a short walk when the weather is bearable. Recently, on one of our strolls, I noticed how dry and withered the lawns in my neighborhood were becoming. I realized how important it is that living things have water regularly for continued growth. Early in the month, my area had received quite a bit of rain. Despite the showers in previous weeks, the flowers seem to be wilting and the grass is losing its...

Psalm 27:6-8 (New American Standard Bible) 6And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. 7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. 8When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." Sometimes it seems to us that God does not answer our prayers. The key phrase in that statement is seems to us. In our human frailty we often  lack the capacity to discern the wise ways of our all-knowing Heavenly Father. Someone with whom I am acquainted is among the many in this difficult economy who has lost her job. This dear woman has been unemployed for many months. During this time period, she has taken steps of faith and has been a good example of trusting God. She even started a blog Staying in Hope  http://stayinginhope.blogspot.com/  which is devoted to offering ...

Names have great significance. What parents call their children traditionally has been indicative of their hope and belief concerning their destiny. I awoke this morning with the song I Will Change Your Name on my heart. Here's a link to a video if you'd like to watch and listen to the beautiful lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyhsSFT6A5k&feature=related This is more than just a sweet song. It is based on solid Biblical truth. Isaiah 62:2-5 (New American Standard Bible) 2The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. 3You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her," And your land, "Married"; For the LORD ...

 I haven't posted on my blog in a while. I've been involved in a number of activities. My church had a retreat in which I participated. I've also been doing some research into the process of publishing as I consider whether to put my writing into print. However busyness is not the main barrier to my blogging. I suspect I may have experienced a case of writer's block. I've been having difficulty identifying topics to share and trouble finding words to communicate. The root cause of my problem with a lack of productivity is uncertain. It could be a touch of anxiety or a bit of lethargy or some combination thereof. As I pondered the reasons for my writing woes, I considered the concept of a "block". The word can refer to something that prevents an action, or it can be a protection from harm. A road block can definitely impede the flow of traffic, but it can also keep an area safe because it might be necessary for repair, or for security in order to apprehend...

Another set of homonyms that can teach life lessons with spiritual significance is sow, sew and so . Children from my church recently planted seeds, in a Vacation Bible School activity in order to have a greater appreciation for the important work of farmers in our nation to provide food for multitudes. This was an important lesson not only about planting and how to sow , but also about hard work and patience as well as trusting God to provide what is needed. In order for crops to grow, a farmer must first sow a seed to give them life. When the proper soil is prepared and the seeds are planted and cared for, they will yield an abundant harvest. The skilled and conscientious farmer needs to cultivate the soil so that his labor will be fruitful. Jesus taught a parable about the necessity to sow in good soil. He explained that the seed represents the Word of God and the soil signifies our hearts. (Read Matthew 13:3-23 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013:...

I mentioned in previous posts that I am intrigued by homonyms. I wrote about a few of these fascinating words which sound the same but have different meanings. I thought of another set of homonyms – feet and feat. Interestingly, the Bible has quite a bit to say about feet. Those who proclaim good news and acknowledge God are said to have “beautiful feet”. Isaiah 52:7 (New American Standard Bible) 7How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Those who know God as their source of strength will have protection and stability as they walk through life in grace. Habakkuk 3:19 (New American Standard Bible) 19The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places. We are also instructed to take the Gospel with us wherever we go as faithful soldiers of Christ. Ephesi...

I am so happy to share Tanner's movie. He is indeed a star. Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The diversity and splendor of God’s creation is amazing. Yesterday I went to the zoo with a friend. It was a lovely day. The temperature was quite warm but there was a gentle refreshing breeze. The sun shined brightly as God held back the thunderstorms which meteorologists had forecast for the day. There were many interesting sights to enjoy. We also had a delicious picnic lunch provided by my friend’s employer. One of my favorite things about a visit to the zoo is the special dolphin show. We attended the program and were seated in a central location in the arena. Since we were positioned directly in the path of the water that overflowed as the talented sea mammals performed their stunts, we ended up being soaked by those splashes. It was quite fun. Another highlight of the day was our time in the butterfly exhibit. I learned about types of butterflies that I had not known about previously. I was fascinated by the grace and beauty as the many colorful butterflies fluttered about. ...

I wanted to share some good news. Those of you who read a previous post on my blog (My Life is in Your Hands) know that I lost my wallet. I am happy that you can rejoice with me because that which was lost has been found. Actually, it was delivered. Amazingly, an unexpected package was in my mailbox. Inside a bubble-wrap cushioned envelope addressed to me with no return address, was my wallet. All of its contents were intact except the cash and insurance cards which likely blew away in the storms which arose the day I lost it. Some kind person took the trouble to send my wallet back and apparently was not seeking recognition. I am very thankful. I wish there was some way to express my gratitude for the good deed of this thoughtful anonymous person. I am happy that I can share the joy with friends and neighbors and even blog readers. This story of the lost and found wallet has reminded me of the parable in the Bible of the woman who had lost one of her valuable coins. She diligently se...

It is heartwarming to see wonderful ways to express love. Today I wayched a movie on the Hallmark channel. It was one of those sweet sentimental, have some tissue handy type films. The screenplay had several endearing characters including a widowed father and his young adult daughter. Their affection for one another was evident. There was one line I especially enjoyed. When this dad wanted to tell his belovved daughter how much he cared, he would exclaim: "I love you as big as the sky." This touching expression implied a love so great that it was immeasurable. We are told in the Psalms that God's love for us "reaches to the heavens and His faithfulness stretches to the skies". Click on this link to enjoy a great worship song about the marveous love of God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJWKadxYME&feature=related May you be blessed and know the joy of our Heavenly Father's amazing love.

It is essential that we remember that God has our lives in His hands. He has all things under control. He knows about our circumstances... And He cares. Sometimes when we face difficulty, we may be prone to forget these wonderful truths, I was tested in my trust the other day. I lost my wallet. My theory is that it must have fallen out of my wheelchair and I didn;t notice as I was going down the somewhat bumpy sidewalk on my way home. Many have helped me search, but my missing wallet could not be found. There have been two significant thunderstorms with severe wind gusts since then. My wallet could be in another state by now, and it's contents might be scatterred accross the Midwest.  It is quite distressing because it contained valuable items. There was a bit of cash inside. In addition my wallet held ALL of my forms of identification as well as documentation for medical benefits, a few business cards and so on..I have many contacts to make and many forms to comp...

I am very grateful that energy can be renewed. It is vital that strength and power can be replenished. Today I once again had the privilege of getting some extra sleep because of the kindness of a friend who was willing to help take care of my dog and cat. Because I didn't have to get up to let Tanner outside and feed him and also Bridget, I could rest longer. When I was getting up this morning, thankful to feel a bit more refreshed, I took notice of the cord plugged into my wheelchair recharging its battery. As I viewed this insulated conductor infusing power into my wheelchair, I was prompted to ponder that restoration of energy is essential in order to sustain life. It is not only equipment that needs a source of energy. Our bodies need food and water regularly jn order to survive. Sleep is also necessary for us to continue to function, Our spirits need to be kept alive as well. What is the source for our spiritual life?  Two lines from the chorus of a song sung by the ...

I’ve been aware of feeling quite tired recently. It can often be difficult to keep going when we lack energy. Today as I thought about the fatigue I felt, that consideration was quickly and clearly interrupted as this verse came to mind. 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NASB) As I pondered this scripture, it struck me that the instruction did not promise that we would never become tired. Instead we are exhorted not to grow weary of doing good. Weariness is a physical and mental exhaustion that makes us vulnerable to becoming discontent and miserable. In another passage in the Bible, we are urged to not lose heart, and we are promised that we will in fact reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:9) I admire and respect those who are willing to continue serving and doing what God has called them to do even though they are tired and seem to have spent all of their natural resources. How do they do it? How do precious faithful ser...

I am so grateful that I was not abandoned in the problems I created for myself. The other night very late I was channel surfing and came upon a very interesting program. The television show I found was a documentary about the astonishing efforts to make it possible for a severely obese man to have life saving surgery. The man was so large that an extensive amount of planning and coordination was required in order for him to have the needed operation. Accurate measurements were necessary to make sure that this bedridden man could fit in the ambulance to be transported from his home to the hospital. Nurses and other personnel had to have special training so that they would care for him in a manner that was safe for both the patient and staff. The operating table needed to be modified in order to accommodate the man's enormous body mass. It was even necessary to structurally reinforce the floors of the hospital to ensure that they would support the massive weight. This ext...

Life is filled with lots of distractions. All too often what is most meaningful can be crowded out by the mere mundane. It is essential and hope. It's a paradox of the Kingdom that when we don't strive and we let go of self-centeredness, God is exalted and He takes care of us. God is great. He deserves our adoration simply because of His awesome attributes. He is Almighty (all powerful), completely good, totally wise and absolutely holy. We can and should worship for Who He is. We must also praise Him for what He does. He has been the propitiation for our sins. (Hebrews 2:17, IJohn 4:10) He provides for all our needs. (Philippians 4:19) He protects us as we position ourselves properly. (Psalm 91) He grants power for us to be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) He gives promises and directs our paths. (ITimothy 4:8, Proverbs 3:5-6) He is a Present Help in times of trouble. (Psalm 32:7, 46:1, 50:15. It is an amazing thing that as we offer to God the honor that belon...

1 Peter 5:7 (New American Standard Bible) 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Did you ever wish you could take away the pain and heartache of someone you love? I know that feeling. I have a dear friend who has been struggling with serious health issues for quite some time. In addition to her life long disability whivh limits her mobility, she has had difficulty breathing and often experiences overwhelming fatigue. Then about a year and a half ago, my friend had a bad fall. She sustained serious inuries. If all this wasn't bad enough this woman has had terrible hassles with durable medical equipment vendors. Their incompetence has meant that she has lacked needed adaptive devices. This has resulted in her being confined to bed for many many months. Amazingly, through these challenges, my friend has been a stellar example of faith and trust. I have the privilege of speaking with my friend frequently. Last night in our conversation, she told me about the...

 In my first job after college, I worked in the medical library of a small rehabilitation facility. Though it was many years ago, I still recall vividly a poster which hung on the wall of the reading area. It had  a lovely nature scene depicting a powerful waterfall cascading over rocks. I think the reason this poster stayed in  my memory is not just the beautiful pictute, but because of what was written on it. The caption read "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."Perhaps these words are so memorable to me because they are a quote from Helen Keller. Despite the fact that she was unable to see or hear, she had a life filled with significant accomplishments. According to the definitions listed in Webster’s Online Dictionary, the word adventure implies a wild or exciting undertaking which may involve some risk or danger. Certainly a person who is blind and deaf faces challenges and must take risks to function. It is true regardless of ...

Hebrews 12:1-2 (King James Version) 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; If we are looking in the wrong direction, we could miss out on things coming our way. A friend stopped by for another purpose this afternoon, but Tanner and I caught him just in time to engage him in a quick fun game of Frisbee toss. Tanner has a great durable and flexible disc with which he plays quite enthusiastically – especially with a buddy who has the strength and agility to throw that toy much higher and further than I can. As my friend threw the round red saucer it soared high and flew deep into the yard. Tanner was so excited. Each time he took off running frantically. Since he was not paying attention to the path of his toy, he repeatedly either sped ahead of the l...

Sometimes we need someone to be truly present with us. It is indeed a gift to have people in our life who are caring and attentive. This morning I was feeling a bit under the weather so I stayed in bed longer than usual. Despite the fact that Tanner’s needs had been met because a kind friend came over early to let him outside and feed him, my very sociable service dog didn’t seem to like the idea that I was resting and not interacting with him. Tanner repeatedly nudged me and tapped me with his paw. He seemed discontent until I got up and could focus more on him. It was not sufficient that we were in the same room because I was not alert. This incident caused me to consider that occupying the same space is inadequate for someone to feel connected. In addition, as I thought about what it means to be genuinely present, I realized that present is another one of those words with more than one meaning. (I mention the obvious because in previous posts I had discussed homonyms.) Accordi...

Sometimes even when things look rather bleak and dreary, they can change and become brighter at just the right time. If you read my post from late yesterday, you will know that I as well as many others, were praying for good weather today for the sake of the outdoor wedding ceremony of a dear young couple from my church.  This morning it was raining heavily with periodic rumbles of thunder.  It sure did seem that  an alternate arrangements was going to be necessary. However, God had another plan. Perhaps He wanted to awe us with His lovingkindness and His power.Maybe the God of the universe wanted to remind us that He is indeed in control of all things. As I was praying this morning earnestly asking God to disperse the clouds and send away all the rain, I thought of the incident when Jesus was in the boat with His disciples and a fierce storm rolled in creating a dangerous situation. In the midst of His panicked followers, Jesus calmed the waves and stilled...

When things are going well, it is usually not difficult to trust and maintain peace, Yesterday was a gorgeous picture perfect day. Tonight meteorologists forecast that we might get some heavy rains. I hope not. A young couple from my church are getting married on Saturday. A lovely outdoor wedding is planned. As I was thinking about that many people are praying for excellent weather for this special event I thought of another set of homonyms - weather and whether . Weather often determines how easily things function and can even influence our mood or impact our health. Songs have been written about the effects of weather on our quality of life (e.g. Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down) and expressions in our language indicate this too (e.g. I'm feeling under the weather today). It is important that we believe in God's goodness and love for us regardless of the circumstances we face. I recently remembered that Job who suffered tremendously, once proclai...

Children frequently say charming things that can sometimes make us chuckle Often they remind us of what truly matters most. Today I received a delightful package. It consisted of many sheets of colorful construction paper with children’s drawings, as well as thank you notes printed in pencil by the 2nd graders who Tanner and I visited to teach about service dogs. (To lean more read the post Tanner the Star http://hopeharbor.blogspot.com/2010/05/tanner-star.html ) In their notes the children thanked me for coming to their school and told me that they liked learning about service dogs. I smiled because several made a point of asking me to “Say Hi to Tanner”. It was heartwarming to read that those children wanted us to come again. They enjoyed the “Tanner Movie” that my friend produced showing Tanner working and playing. A common theme in those sweet letters was that the kids liked learning about the things Tanner can do (pick up dropped items, turn lights on and off, open and close do...

Proverbs 7:24 (New American Standard Bible) 24Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth. Paying attention and listening carefully is important. If we are distracted and let our minds wander in conversation, things can get confusing and complicated. Recently I experienced firsthand how essential it is catch even the smallest details when someone is speaking. I was talking on the telephone to a friend sharing with her my ideas about creating books for children. She was being supportive and had some input to offer. At one point she suggested highlighting key words by making them bold to “stand out”. In this age of computers and word processing programs, this is a simple strategy which I had already applied to my writing. The only problem is what I heard my friend say was “make them FOLD to stand out” I pictured a quite elaborate and complex system of words popping off the page. I thought it sounded rather interesting and likely fun for young l...

In a previous post I had stated that I would do a series of posts dealing with homonyms. Today as I thought about how I have taken a break from writing about those interesting words that have distinct meanings though they sound exactly the same, another set of homonyms came to mind - break and brake. I believe it is possible for our hearts to be broken and our dreams deterred if we allow doubt, fear or insecurity to cause us to put on the brake so to speak and stop pursuing the destiny God has planned for our lives. Since childhood I've enjoyed education. I was fond of many of my teachers. I even dreamed of becoming a teacher someday. I had high hopes of imparting knowledge and the love of learning to students in my very own classroom. However, I encountered detours on my journey toward this goal. Significant adults in my life had the opinion that I had an unrealistic career plan. The reason for the negative attitude was based primarily on my disability. Some, particu...