Dear Reader:

I, sometimes, have to laugh at humanity for making life so much more complicated than God ever intended. Here we were given a beautiful world, a paradise, and all we had to do to maintain it was simply love one another as we were and are loved by our Creator. That’s it…in a nutshell.

And boy, did we blow it!

I remember when this “old” photo was taken back in the summer of 2014. Rutledge was about one year old and Eva Cate was four going on sixteen. (Jakie and Lachlan were still waiting in heaven for their number to be called up.) I was babysitting and it had been a wild ride….at some point all one could do was just give in to the craziness and laugh out loud….and that is what we did!

I decided to save this photo on my desktop because it always makes me smile when I see it! It is definitely an ‘in the moment’ slice of life filled with love and laughter. (Besides I am trying to remember where that orange blouse is now….I need it Monday night!)

You know you’re getting old when….I watch politicians promoting everything but love for their intentions on how to run the country…. things like putting up really big fences, punishing people who simply want the same thing our ancestors did when they came to America, trying to destroy (instead of improve upon) laws that potentially equalize better health and housing conditions, turn a blind eye to the gun violence in our own communities, and place our own security issues over the security of our world as shared by the billions of fellow human beings on this earth.

Yep…I am getting old and opinionated. It is time for me to turn off the news and head to my garden for tranquility and peace. As I sit there I wonder how mankind can possibly ‘un-do’ the mess we have created since our arrival in this speck of the universe.

Of course, I already know the answer to that question: turn to God. What we can’t do…He certainly can. Abraham Lincoln certainly realized this when as President he governed over the most divisive time in our country’s history. Yet, with God’s help…the country was pulled together again.

My favorite quote from Lincoln: “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”

I feel sure every President would concur with Lincoln on those days when man’s knowledge just doesn’t stand up to the situation. It is actually refreshing to see a leader today, show emotion about trying to change the world with what one feels is morally right…and not always politically popular. A rarity indeed in a time of insatiable egos…that prevail instead of seeking help from God.

In this excerpt from Martin Luther King’s speech “Where do we go from here”  he stated what he considered the obvious….we go find love.

I’m concerned about a better world. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood and sisterhood; I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence.

For through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate through violence. Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.

And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to humankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn’t popular to talk about it in some circles today. And I’m not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love; I’m talking about a strong, demanding love.

For I have seen too much hate. […] and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we aren’t moving wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.

………………………..

I am sure you must be thinking by now….“What’s going on with Becky today…it might be Sunday but for heaven sake get down out of the pulpit girl.” 

What is wrong with Becky is that I am looking at an emerging world that I don’t like….not for me, not for my children, and certainly not for my grandchildren.

So until tomorrow…We might  disagree on how to restore a world that runs on love, not hate….but please reassure me that humanity still seeks love, still seeks God in their lives… because God is love. God IS love for all His children.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Gloria Houston (author of children’s books) and I have continued to correspond over the holidays. She is really going through a tough period right now and is very weak. Prayers and petitions to God on her behalf for renewed strength and improving health are much appreciated!

*I sent a picture of her laughing with her mom, Ruthie, at the 95th birthday party of Ruthie in Waynesville, NC that Brookie and I attended five years ago… that’s hard to believe!

Over Christmas I sent her a holding cross and just received this email back from her yesterday after checking to make sure she got it.

Thank you, Becky, especially for the cross.  My friend helped me open mail because I was very weak, so I had lost the sender’s name from it.  It is a thoughtful and meaningful gist.  I so appreciate it!

I will send an update soon.  Love g

Pam Stewart sent me this short video (aka Facebook) while I was away this week….some of you might have seen it already…it really touched me and I loved the poem: (written by a 92 year old woman) “The Gift Wrap and the Jewel.“) If you haven’t heard the poem….take a minute to listen.

The Gift-Wrap & The Jewel. By Wanda B. Goines – YouTube