People

Thoughts and reflections on us as people with much in common.

October 9, 2021

Reflections on Muscadines

• Waiting for when times are ripe is an exercise in patience
• Develop good and savory aspects of your heritage
• Preparation can be a long process
• Choose that which will build up and strengthen
• Discard that which is not productive or nourishing
• Consider the many ways your interests and gifts can be used
• Be careful of what you surround yourself with
• What you surround yourself with will influence all that you are
• Careful pruning develops better fruit and stronger character
• We project our true character through our words and actions
• May the scent of our actions draw and not repel
• Act compassionately so others may taste of goodness and hope
• Take nourishment through the Son’s light
• Draw wisdom and knowledge through God’s Word

From “Reflections from the Everyday” by Charlotte-Anne Allen

September 25, 2021

Our Tongue

Sword – Mighty weapon to defend from harm
… Or lethal rod to destroy and cut

Log – Strong support to build and shelter
… Or battering ram to pummel and rend

Pen – Words of encouragement and knowledge
… Or scathing ridicule and lies

Hammer – To join, unify, and bind
… Or offer violence to break and tear

Brush – Smooth and untangle woeful thoughts
… Or jerk and beat and cause only pain

Paint – Beauty flowing from careful application
… Or sprays of anger and frustration

For help or harm
… We have that choice

Think first, ponder greatly
Seek wisdom and grace

Before wielding
that powerful tongue!

September 4, 2021

Cosmos

Summer’s bright splash of color
Swaying in greeting to wind’s light touch
Quiet conductors with raised wands

Now trills the songbirds’ joy
In harmony with busy buzzing
Neighbor greeting neighbor and
Workers moving in steady contentment

They lead an attentive orchestra
Turning to hear their voices and
Lifting faces to welcome soft touch

So, we move to quiet beat
Giving thanks for day’s harmony
For splashes of color and gentle touches
Work well done and songs well sung

August 15, 2021

Reflections on Tissues

  • The ability to start fresh brings hope
  • We all have imperfections and regrets
  • We sometimes fill up with junk
  • Clearing out the junk brings much relief
  • Be prepared to clean up your messes
  • Help comes from unexpected places
  • Be patient with yourself and others
  • Memories of pleasant surprises bring smiles
  • Be willing to reach for healthy assistance
  • Removal of stress or worries releases pressure
  • Soft words can strengthen and heal
  • Dance sing express joy and lead others to do the same
  • Daily contact infuses us with our Creators presence
  • God is by your side during darkness and light

– from “Reflections from the Everyday”

August 6, 2021

Connections

Building growing forming joining
Connections produce the larger whole

Dot-to-dot, white country fences,
Friends and neighbors, family

Look around you everywhere
All with places or parts to play

Birds sitting upon a line,
Small child clinging to your hand

Business office, work and play
Emails filling texts exchanging

But best of all formed and strong
Speaking caring come together

Making connections
To last and treasure

July 10, 2021

Reflections on Fizz

  • When surrounded by adversity, rising above it can be daunting
  • Encouragement pops chains and pushes back words of ridicule
  • We join with others so that our voices may be heard
  • Joyful laughter bubbles forth with good company
  • Our reactions to others are our own choices
  • How we respond makes room for light or drives all into darkest gloom
  • We seek many things to quench our thirst
  • What we gain may fall flat and leave us without satisfaction
  • Thirst for what is lifegiving
  • We bob about in confusion when we lack purpose
  • A bubbly personality brings smiles and lightens the day
  • We are filled and completed by God’s Spirit

July 4, 2021

Beginnings

“Yaaay!!!” I joined the mob of other kids streaming from the school. Faces were excited and energy was high. The beginning of summer vacation was a long-awaited event! Thoughts of free time, lazy mornings, and summer events filled our minds. Visits to relatives, camping trips, fresh garden food, and (for me) frequent travel to the local libraries to keep my summer reading stack replenished were welcome plans. I still look forward to the warm weather and the change of pace that this season brings. Each season in life is a time of new beginnings.

The Bible is full of stories of beginnings. Some of them were very hard and others were most welcome. What do I do with my beginnings? Times change and events impact our lives, with my family (births, farewells, deaths) … in my work (saying good-bye to a child I have worked with and their family) … my church (as I move from one area of service or commitment to another) … and in the changing responsibilities and seasons throughout the year. Endings mark beginnings.

What thoughts do you have about your own beginnings? As in the excitement of summer, resolve to enter with a positive attitude and assurance of God’s presence and guidance for whatever may come. Whether our beginnings are marked with anticipation or with anxiety, we can take courage.

Ecclesiastes chapter three begins with acknowledgement that “for everything there is a season,” times for beginnings and endings… and new beginnings, and so life goes on. The writer continues with,

“What gain have the workers from their toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time.
Moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds…
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy
and enjoy themselves as long as they live.
Moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.” *

As we move with intent in our work and in our rest, I hope that we can look with anticipation and interest. My prayers are that we will take comfort, even excitement, and be strengthened as we face new beginning through our more challenging times. May we remember and know afresh God’s presence with us. As we come to Him in prayer and give thanks for His gifts each day, may we be blessed through our beginnings.

*Ecclesiastes 3:1, 9-12