Unexpected Tomatoes

Delays

Waiting, waiting, waiting! How much time do we all spend waiting?
Maybe you have heard that we should "not be anxious for anything but through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" Some of you will know that this is a Bible verse found in the new testament book of Philippians, Chapter 4, verse 6. If you're anything like me maybe you also find that sometimes this is a tough thing to do!
It seems like life is sometimes full of delays. I'm sure you have probably experienced some kind of waiting lately, one of those "adventures" supposed to build patience!
I had two of those incidences just today. First of all I went to the airport to pick up my husband, Robert, and his plane was forty minutes late. As is common at most airports these days I wasn't allowed to pull up to the curb and wait and I was too cheap to pay for parking. So, what to do? I ended up exiting the airport maneuvering to about a block away where I managed to find a free parking spot in a small office complex. From there, windows rolled down, light breeze on my face, I had the enjoyment of watching the planes take-off and land. Let me explain that airports hold a special place in my heart. My dad was a commercial airline pilot so I have very fond memories of not only watching jets take-off and land but also actually siting with him in the cockpit during flight. I also spent eight years as a flight attendant in my twenties. But today I sat grounded, windows down, my little Maltese dog on my lap (yes I've turned into one of those who takes their dog in the car with them!) Of course I was disappointed that Robert's flight was late as I was very anxious to see him. Never the less his delay provided me a memorable experience. I was able to stop all the busyness and actually think! For twenty minutes I reflected on the past, enjoyed the present moment, and dreamt of the future. By the time I drove up to greet Robert I was completely relaxed and thankful for his delay.
Next waiting game I played today has to do with my video blog. My videographer, Bobby, dedicated a few hours to me yesterday and we had a lot of fun taping my next two videos. The only challenge was he only had a few hours last night to edit and post one. He left for an all-day educational meeting today with a new web designer that is helping him design our new St. Patrick Project website. He called to let me know that he didn't get my video posted yet and probably won't until at least tomorrow. I hope you all don't mind but I am once again writing.
What's the point here? I think it's just that things don't always go the way we planned. However, when your best-laid plans come undone find something productive or worthwhile to do during your delays. Take a walk this weekend. Read a book. Smell the flowers of Spring! There is a lot to thank God for!

Happy the person, and happy they alone,
Who can call today their own,
They who, secure within, can say,
"Tommorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today" John Dryden

Until next time, God IS blessing you! Donna

It's Not Over!

It's Good Friday. No video today....I've "gone dark" since my videographer (Bobby) isn't available. Although it wasn't planned, I think the darkness is appropriate since this morning represents a dark time in history. It's the morning that Jesus Christ was dragged from his overnight prison cell, mocked, beaten, tortured, paraded throughout Jerusalem, and finally crucified between two thieves. On this day Jesus not only felt terrible physical pain but he also experienced the deep emotional pain of abandonment. As he was nearing death he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He ultimately surrendered to God the father and then he died.
Try to imagine how Jesus felt; alone, afraid, uncertain, defeated, deceived. Many who he had grown to know and love had turned their backs on him. From beginning to the bitter end of that tragic day, he suffered a terrible and very painful way to die. All hope had been destroyed that Friday for the people who had followed him and who expected and believed that he would save them from the ills of society. Those followers certainly would not have given this day the name "Good Friday". There was nothing good about it. It was over....or was it?
Now, nearly two thousand years later we know why we call it "Good" Friday. We know the outcome of the story. Jesus Christ conquered death by rising from the dead three days after suffering death by crucifixion. The stone was rolled away from the burial spot and the tomb was empty! He did this so he God could provide a means to allow people to be forgiven of their shortcomings (sins). So that all who believe in him as their lord and savior will have eternal life. This is the celebration of Easter morning!
Today you might be feeling alone or afraid. Maybe you are grieving or maybe you are enduring great physical pain or hardship. Perhaps you also feel abandoned. The outcome of your personal story is not yet known. If you are feeling down or even hopeless remember that all hope was gone on the day that Jesus died. More importantly remember that on Easter morning he rose from the dead and on that day hope was reborn. Christ continues to live in your heart if you accept and believe in him. He will assist you in overcoming anything if you allow and ask him to help. Pray, have faith and hope. Believe. "He has risen, He has risen indeed." Happy Easter! May you experience His love in a renewed way this year. Until next week... Donna

Spring