Author: dianafmurphy@gmail.com

As I drove down a mountain road last week I noticed this tree.  I had to back up and take another look.  The tree was just hanging in midair, it seemed.  I looked up to see it was caught on other tree limbs, but it didn’t look very stable.  I’ve thought a lot about that tree and how I sometimes feel like the bottom has fallen out of my life, too. I’m sure that’s happened to you, as well.

The day you hear the words “cancer,” “there’s been an accident, “six months to live,” or “you’re fired” can make the bottom drop out of your world and leave you hanging. Like that tree, you wonder how long you can hang on. Job, in his torment, cried out, “He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree (Job 19:10).  He also expressed his hope for redemption in Job 19:25. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”

Yes, sometimes, the bottom drops out of our little world and it’s difficult to hang on to hope!  Without God, we would truly be hopeless. “Thanks to be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). I discovered that when I can’t hold on any longer, I have to let God hold on to me.  He does because He is able. We have to trust Him to hold on as long as it takes. His support is strong and sure.

There is hope that one day we will be like the tree mentioned in Psalm 1. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:3).

Let God hold on to you when you can’t hold on any longer!

“’The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,’ Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘There will be peace and security in my lifetime’” (Isaiah 39:8).

Every time I read this verse I think, “how selfish!” Then I look at myself and wonder, am I selfish, too?  I have to admit I am.  Isaiah had told Hezekiah his descendants would be taken away to Babylon as captives!  How could Hezekiah think that was good?

When I think about my children and grandchildren I don’t want bad things to happen to them now or in the future. I want them to live in freedom and in the truth of God’s Word.  So, what is a grandparent to do? I don’t think most grandparents settle for “peace and security in my lifetime” without wanting the same for their grandchildren. We can’t control the future, but we can trust the One who does. So I try to be a link to help them stay connected to God.

Here are things I do to plant seeds of blessings in the lives of my grandchildren:

1. Pray for them-often-and by name. Pray for their decisions, safety, and faithfulness.
2. Write notes and letters-use pen and paper! Text messages and email are good, too. But what person refuses a handwritten note in the mailbox?
3. Recognize their achievements with cards, notes, and my presence when possible.
4. Make phone calls-Skype or video chat. I need to do this more often.
5. Trust God to work in their lives. This is the hard part sometimes.

Those of you who are grandparents probably have more ideas. I don’t live in the same state as my grandchildren so I would welcome any ideas you have to stay connected to faraway grandchildren.

I don’t know if Hezekiah prepared his children and grandchildren for what was to come. But I pray I will be a faithful example in showing my grandchildren that no matter what we face, we can face it with God.

God said through Isaiah, “I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:9c-10).

 

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” ( Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Does your life get in the way of living? Do you ever feel like closing the door and shutting out the world?  Most people have had these feelings. I know I have, though not as often as before I retired. Jobs, children, husbands, dinner, laundry, the bills, etc. seem to demand our attention-all at once.

Solomon wrote about there being a time for everything, every activity under heaven. He also expressed his frustration with the meaninglessness of things in life- “a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.” He spoke of those who hoard wealth and never have enough or those who lose all they’ve worked for leaving nothing for their children.

You may be in a place where you’re feeling the exhaustion and futility of doing all you do. You may have lost the joy of living.  Remember what Jesus did. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).  Jesus must have been busy, too. The gospels indicate that He was busy teaching, healing, and answering questions, but he took time to pray.  If Jesus needed to talk with His Father, how much more do we have that need?

Solomon concluded that what really mattered was to “fear God and keep his commandments.” Before you throw away your “to do” list, think about what Max Lucado said in his book, Cure for the Common Life. “Worship can happen everyday in every deed. We can make a big deal about God on Sundays with our songs and on Mondays with our strength. Each time we do our best to thank God for giving His, we worship. ‘Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering’” (Romans 12:1, MSG).

What would happen if we thought of our schedules as our service lists, our offerings and sacrifices given in worship to God? I remember the time in my life when I made this change in my thinking.  It changed my harried attitude to a happy attitude. My focus changed from doing things to being God’s servant. The schedule and “to do” list didn’t change, but how I approached it changed.

In their song, Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory, Joe Beck and Carl Cartee remind us that all creation sings to the honor of God’s Name and our prayer should be, “Don’t let me miss the glory!”

God desires our worship through work and our lives lived to praise His Name. We can look forward to the day when our time on this earth is over and He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

“That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him” (Ecclesiastes 3:13-14).

“Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father. . .” (Proverbs 27:10a).

I visited faraway friends last week. I try to visit at least some of my friends from my former states of residence once a year.  This month, Adela Bajko left this earth for her reward in heaven, thus the reason for this trip. Her husband, Paul, died last August and I’d visited Adela once since that time. It was my hope to visit again this summer. She was almost 98 years old! She lived a full and fulfilled life. She and Paul survived the war and time spent in a displaced persons camp. They eventually came from Poland to the USA, received their college education, had a family, and began a ministry.  Through it all Adela remained faithful to God and to the ministry with Paul. She  encouraged everyone around her. She was always hospitable, loving and serving others. I was blessed to count her among my friends as far back as my first year of college.

I spent the night with a preacher couple Wayne and I have known since the time we were married. They were both a source of strength and comfort during Wayne’s illness and death.  I am blessed by their friendship and hospitality. Thank you, Loren and MaryJane!

The next day I drove a couple more hours and spent time with friends known since the 80s and 90s. I enjoyed dinner with a dear friend who served many years as a Sunday School teacher at a church Wayne and I had served.  I spent the night with a couple from that same church. She worked and continues working with the youth. I cherish the many memories we share.

Another friend isn’t able to get out much, so I spent some time with her, reminiscing about our hours of planning and doing VBS and other children’s classes and activities. We talked about how life changes and the hope we have in Jesus, the One who never changes. I don’t know if I’ll get to see her again on this earth, or any of the others, for that matter. I’m glad we all share the same hope.

I finished my day of visiting by meeting a realtor friend for lunch at a restaurant. She helped us buy and sell a house while we lived there.  Our lives have both changed since I moved from there, but she has stayed in touch and I’m grateful.

Friends are important to me and I love it when they come to visit. There’s nothing quite like sitting down, face to face, with a friend who you’ve shared life with. I’m looking forward to the time I can take another friend trip.  May God bless all my friends! Even when I can’t visit often, God is present with us.

“A friend loves at all times . . .” (Proverbs 17:17a).

“. . . there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”(Proverbs 18:24b)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 13-16).

Grandson, Braidon, has been with me for two weeks. His mom has arrived for his third week. As you can imagine, it’s been a busy couple of weeks for me. Both daughters are with me for a couple days, along with two more grandsons. With so many high school and college-age grandchildren, it’s difficult to get everyone together at the same time. I’m grateful for the few days with those who can come. The summer heat is upon us and I am very thankful for air conditioning.  I grew up without AC and survived, but I would be suffering without it today.

My summer reading includes a book by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson, names many recognize as gifted speakers and writers. The book titled, Living a Life on Loan: Finding Grace at the Intersections, explores how serving others provides opportunities for our lives to intersect with other’s lives.

The authors include a section about being salt and light. “Salt and light make a difference in their surroundings.” No one is surprised by that quote but I don’t stop and think, very much, about how that applies to what Jesus said:  You are the light of the world and you are the salt of the earth. This is how Rusaw and Swanson expressed the meaning of what Jesus said.

“Jesus is saying that if you are a person who has discovered God’s love and        grace in your life, you are a person of influence. Not that you could be, might be, should be . . . but that you are.  Jesus compared you to salt and light. His questions are ‘What good is salt that loses its flavor?’ and ‘What use is a light that is hidden?’ Such salt and light have no influence.”

So I have to ask myself, does my life make a difference when it intersects with other’s lives? Do I act as salt by enhancing the flavor or preserving the good in life? Am I lighting the way for anyone or revealing the truth of God by the way I live? The way I live should align with the way Jesus lived and with the truth of God’s word. “A life lived as if it’s on loan from God should be attractive and authentic” (Living a Life on Loan, p. 117).

I need to be more aware of life’s intersections and learn to put other’s needs ahead of my own. I must have a servant’s heart! Jesus did. He said he came to serve, not to be served. I surely miss that mark often. My selfish heart forgets to serve or ignores the need and I’m neither attractive nor authentic. How are you doing at the intersections?

“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:9-10).

“O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old—what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from our children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:1-4).

I have Grandson, Braidon with me this week. He’s seven, but he’ll tell you he’s almost 8 (Oct.). It’s been a busy week because he is busy.  He has slept very well at night after running through the yard and hay fields on whatever adventure his imagination is taking him. He’s doing well and we talk to Mom every day. Not once has he cried or asked to go home-yet. That’s a blessing for all of us.

My dad had his 94^th birthday this week. His birthday always falls on or near Father’s Day. What a life! He is a faithful man of God and a man of integrity in the community. He spent his life farming and doing carpenter work.  He also drove a school bus on back country roads for 20 years or more. There are many houses in this area his skills have touched and many lives influenced by his character. Thank you, God for such a dad and I’m grateful to have him with me for so many years.

These days Daddy isn’t able to be very active but he wants to be. He planted a couple of tomato plants near the house.  He still does his own laundry and most of the housework.  I help sometimes. I’m sure it’s hard to be dependent when one has been so independent.  My sister-in-law and I help him with cooking and sharing some meals with him. From my perspective it’s also hard to see my daddy become less able, but I’m glad I’m nearby to help.

I’ve been thinking about the differences between life in my dad’s younger years and the life of my grandson. Today’s culture has strayed from Biblical values further than any time in my lifetime. Many consider “sin” a “choice” and neglect to honor the Creator who made them.  I pray regularly for my grandchildren to be protected from the evil one.

We, the Church, must stand strong and remain faithful to our faithful God, who never changes. His Word is just as true today as it was when the Israelites rebelled against God and were taken captive by their enemies.  I pray for the Church and Christian families as they pass the truth on to the next generation. That is our hope. Praise God for faithful fathers who not only teach truth to their children by their words, but model it for them as well. God bless fathers.

“Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’”  Psalm 79:9

 

 

“One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there” (Luke 5:17).

 Luke tells us how Jesus had called his disciples and they obediently followed Him. He continues in chapter 5 to explain how the news of Jesus’ healing power spread after He healed the leper. In verses 17-26 we read about the healing of the paralytic. He had to be carried and let down through the roof in order to reach Jesus. When I read this account I wonder, was it because the Pharisees and teachers were sitting there in the way? Yes, Luke says there was a crowd, but he also says those Pharisees were “sitting there.”

Luke is very clear in stating that healing power was present with Jesus and the men carrying the paralytic were determined to get him to Jesus.  Jesus not only healed the man, but He also forgave his sins. The Pharisees and teachers complained about that since they obviously did not believe that Jesus had power and authority to forgive sins.

How often do I “sit there” when God’s power is present waiting for me to act? I’ve found that being retired can sometimes bring the temptation to not be productive with my life. I figure there will be another day to do whatever it is that needs doing. I’m working on that with God’s help. Jesus doesn’t want me to waste my time with self-pity or laziness.

Some days I act more like an obstacle than an obedient follower of Jesus.  Staying connected to God through His Word and through prayer is most important for an obedient follower.  Working at whatever I do as if I am doing it for the Lord puts the best perspective on my work. Doing the laundry and cleaning my house for the Lord! Yes, it is only by His blessings that I have those things to do. The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. . .” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a).

How will God use me today? I’ll get busy on the work at hand and allow Him to guide me from there.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

 

 

 

I just returned from the Murphy Family Reunion, which is held every year on Memorial Day weekend. I am posting a revised and updated copy of something I originally wrote several years ago. It’s longer than most of my posts but I hope it will be worth the read. I’m thankful for my late husband’s family legacy. His Christian upbringing was the basis for his faithful service to God and our almost 48 years of marriage were enhanced because of his parent’s faith.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nannie loved having her kids and grandkids visit her. She knew everyone’s favorite desserts and had them prepared before their arrival. She loved having all the family home at once, especially for Christmas or Thanksgiving, however that was seldom possible.  So she enjoyed families visiting one at a time whenever they could.

Marshall and Dot Murphy had seven children, five sons and two daughters. My husband was the middle child and he along with two of his brothers were preachers.  They couldn’t easily leave their churches at Christmas or Easter because there are usually special services at those times. Someone suggested that Memorial Day might be a possibility for a suitable time for the family to get together. So in 1976 Memorial Day became the day of the annual Murphy Family Reunion.

The day began early in the morning for Pappa and sons as they prepared for the pig roast. Those of us who wanted to sleep a bit longer would soon be awakened by the smell of smoke. The fire was burning and the pig was laid on a rack over the hot coals to cook.  In a few hours the savory aroma of cooking pork would infuse the air. Later, as portions of the pig came off the fire, the sound of chopping began. It was the job of daughters and daughters-in-law to chop the meat to be bathed in Nannie’s special barbecue sauce.  I, as one of those daughters-in-law, tried to find a different job. This was too much like the butchering days of my childhood which I dreaded. In spite of my feelings about the process, those barbecue sandwiches became the focal point of the meal.  As we gathered year after year it became apparent that certain dishes were prepared by certain family members and we anticipated the enjoyment of our favorite dishes.

A very pleasurable tradition instituted by Nannie was taking the young grandchildren to get Slurpees at the local 7-Eleven. Now that I’m a grandmother I understand she probably considered that the highlight of her day.  I know she always returned with a car load of smiling children cooling their tongues with various flavors of icy treats.  As the grandchildren grew older, she saw to it that they were entertained for a few hours at the local theme park–King’s Dominion.

From the beginning many friends were invited to these gatherings. Some friends of the family were present every year. Others were occasional visitors, but on this day they were welcomed as part of the family. Meanwhile, grandchildren grew up, married, and had babies of their own adding to our numbers. New lives were being added to our family, but just as there is birth there is death. There were aunts and uncles now missing from the family photos.

Over the years, as our families grew, life became busier. The pig roast became a thing of the past as grilled chicken took its place and finally already-prepared barbecue found its way to our feast. Food, though still important to the Murphy family, was taking second place to the enjoyment of being with each other.  Instead of spending time cooking at the grill, more time was given to playing games and a special time of recognizing birthdays and anniversaries. Everyone gets a gift for their multiple of five birthday or anniversary.

Once after Pappa’s health began to deteriorate, the sons temporarily reinstated the pig roast because they knew he enjoyed it so much.  Not long after that, Pappa made his debut to eternity. Nannie was with us ten more years until cancer took away her health and eventually her life. Suddenly, Memorial Day took on a whole new meaning. The annual gathering became a memorial for the mom and dad who had reared seven children. Then, the oldest son, later, his wife, died leaving us with memories of a brother and sister-in-law who always opened their home to us for dinner when we were in the area. Some years later, two more brothers were taken by cancer (one was my husband). This day is filled with a multitude of memories from years gone by. The grandchildren, who now have children of their own, are left with many happy memories of spending Memorial Day with their grandparents, aunts and uncles.

This annual gathering often gave opportunity for members of the family to worship together on that weekend.  One year was an especially unique worship experience for the whole family.  The little country church, in which Nannie and Pappa served with their growing family, was the location for the reunion. Through special arrangements with the congregation the Murphy family led and participated in the entire service.  Following worship we shared our meal with this congregation in appreciation for their Christian influence in the life of the Murphy family.

This year was the 42^nd family celebration and the children are now the older generation.  The responsibility of planning each reunion is rotated through the siblings each year. These are years to cherish our children and grandchildren. I do not know how long this Memorial Day gathering will continue. That will be decided by each generation to follow. Nannie and Pappa Murphy left a legacy of faithful service to the Lord’s Kingdom. The continuation of that legacy will likewise be determined by each succeeding generation.  We pray that the generations that follow will be found faithfully serving our wonderful Lord.

“Honor your father and mother–which is the first commandment with a promise–that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3).

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”, (Proverbs 17:22).

 I was digging in the dirt today. I pulled weeds and planted a few seeds. Last week I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, and some impatiens.  When one is working in the dirt one’s body is in a humbled position.  As you may know, the word humble comes from a word meaning earth or ground?  I was down to earth today!

Several years ago I wrote the following:

The words humor, human, and humble are related words. I thought it might be interesting to research those and some other related words. God created humans from dirt.  When plants die they are humified. Humification is the process of making humus, the organic part of soil or dirt. The word humble comes from a word meaning earth.  When one is brought down to earth, literally or figuratively, humility or maybe humiliation is brought upon the human.  Where is the humor in that?  I was surprised by another meaning for the word, humor—“a normal functioning bodily semifluid or fluid (as the blood or lymph).” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary)

Humanity has no hope without Christ. The human is like living dirt until he humbles himself before his Maker who promises to lift him from his earthly life, fill him with the Holy Spirit, and one day change his human body into a glorious body like the Maker’s.   In the meantime, the humbled human becomes more humane to his fellow humans. May all humans enjoy some humor on this humble earth.   We need a little humor in our lives, do we not?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

“May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!”  Proverbs 23:25

A few days ago one of the cows here on the farm gave birth to a calf, which was found dead. If you’ve ever heard a cow mooing for her calf you know how sorrowful it sounds. I felt so sorry for her as she kept going back to the place where the calf died, but it was not there. I know many mothers have had to give up young children to death. My own mother’s first son died at age 2. I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for her.  My younger daughter’s firstborn died at birth. I shared her pain and grief.

It seems mothers do a lot of “letting go.” It was quite traumatic for me to see my little girls being swallowed up by a big yellow school bus! Then there are the sleepovers, the trips with friends, weeks at camps, and other events when mothers leave their children in the care of others. Letting go was especially difficult for me when it came time for college. I think both Wayne and I cried when we moved our oldest to a college campus and drove home without her.  I cried most times whenever we left one or both of them at college. Then we had to let them go when they got married, wondering if those guys were capable of caring for our precious girls.  (They were.) My fourth grandchild is graduating from high school this week, so the “letting go” continues in this family.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, endured the ultimate “letting go.” She suffered the trauma of seeing her Son, the Son of God, dying for the sins of the world. Jesus had done nothing to deserve death—we did! Mary let go of her Son so that she and all of us could receive eternal life.

Whatever stage of “letting go” you’re in—my prayer is that you are depending on God to see you through the hard times of “letting go.”  Praying for our children never ends, does it?  As long as we live we pray for them and their families. I am so thankful for the prayers of my mom and dad. I believe those prayers saved me from a lot of trouble. I’m quite sure God helped me at times when I didn’t even know I needed help.

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8).

Happy Mother’s Day!

I miss my mom. She went to be with Jesus three years ago. This picture shows my mom, me, and my two brothers in front of the 2-room school we attended. (1958) The older brother died 30 years ago at age 38 and I have a sister born two years after this picture was taken.