BUILD...OR...RAZE? GOOD QUESTION...

 

I watched them tearing a building down

A gang of men in a busy town.

With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell.

They swung the beam and a side wall fell.

I asked the foreman, "Are these men skilled?

The kind you'd hire if you were to build?"

He gave a laugh and said, "No indeed.

Common labor is all I need.

I can easily wreck in a day or two

What builders have taken years to do."

And so I asked, as I went my way,

Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder with a well made plan

Lifting other the best I can.

Or am I a wrecker, who walks the town

Content with the labor of tearing down.

We've plowed through the pandemic...or at least it seems we're in recovery.  That is strictly my personal opinion and as you know, I am no expert on most things.  

There have been crimes involving the wearing of masks.  We've had all sorts of arguments over social distancing...among other things...name it, we've had it.

For quite some time we've been embroiled in 'woke'...'cancellation'...new words/classifications (at least, new to me).  Who knows what is acceptable or some sort of crime?  Certainly, I am ignorant concerning most of it.  One can do what they personally consider a most innocent gesture or word when unbeknownst to them it has become an insulting or obcene thing?

Don't throw me under the bus here, I'm not taking this down a political avenue.  What I am trying to do is point out some things that seem to be 'taking over' or at least becoming more prevalent.  Bear with me.

This is just a small thing in the big picture of what's going on but it is a beginning point to me. It's a 'zing' thing.  In the urban dictionary one definition of 'zing' is 'a form of put-down' so that's how I consider it.

Point in question...I follow a woman in an eastern metropolis who recently wrote in her blog about an encounter with an acquaintance who publicly spoke, what she considered, a 'catty' remark to her and; she responded with a 'zing' that was equally as catty.  What ensued was a long string of comments that all applauded her for her 'awesome zing response'.

That's what grabbed me; this concept of getting in the best 'whack' of the pack...getting the best of the other party.

What has happened to us that we feel the free wheeling urge to have a most hurtful response...the get even thing?  

I admit I've played that game and I'm ashamed of myself for doing so...I should have kept my mouth shut...my lips zipped...but I didn't.  Did I offend/hurt someone?  Yes indeed...I did, in a big way...it was most rude of me and I never apologized.

Okay, God has worked on me; I'm giving myself an overhaul from inside out...currently it's my mouth; trying to be more like Jesus.  The importance is God knows my heart; He knows I'm catching myself when I might say the 'zing'...whoops, stop in your tracks...no 'zing-ing' for you! 

 

Remember, love your neighbor as yourself...right?  Right!!!  I surely don't want to be tearing others down, I want to build bridges...to build other up - I can do that, I can. 

 

 One last thing.  I read something that gripped my heart and filled me with sorrow.

Last week, a mom in California was driving her six year old son to kindergarten via a California freeway.  She was changing from the carpool lane to her exit ramp when another driver cut her off.  She said she gave the other driver 'the finger' which apparently enraged the persons in the other car..  

Suddenly her son cried out that his stomach hurt.   She pulled over to check him; he died in her arms.  The other driver had shot into the rear of her car, the bullet went through the rear of the car, into the back seat where her son was sitting.  The police have yet to find the driver who fired a shot that killed the child.  

Be careful out there...it's dangerous.

From my heart...to yours, 

Vasca  

 

 

THERE IS LIGHT...

  

And God said, "Let there be light"...

and there was light.

Genesis 1:3 

Monday morning I was unusually anxious to hit the floor to begin the day; most unusual, as I have been sleeping late most of the last few mornings.  I hadn't been up five minutes when my place went dark; whoops, no electricity in the entire building.  Okay, I needed to eat something 'cause I had to take my meds...they liked to go down with company...you know, with food.  Couldn't cook/zap anything but thankfully had some cereal and milk.  Ate it in semi-darkness but it did the job.

I couldn't read or shower...or anything but think.  After an hour it returned to regular service and I thanked God for it.  Oh, how I take these luxuries for granted.  I don't like having them go off.  When storms knock out thousands of users it really messes things up.  Just think, hardly anything these days can do the job w/o it.  

During my lifetime I've been to Carlsbad Caverns several times.  You get down in the depths of that beautiful cavern in the Big Room and what?  They turn off the lights; surely that is THE darkest dark ever.  That room is more than six football fields wide and 25 stories high.  What it must have been like discovering the place w/small lamps?  Ooh!  

Two years ago Jeff and Mary Linda gave us tickets to "Sound of Music" in Dallas for a matinee performance.  We got tied up in traffic/parking and were a few minutes late.  Rather than wait for a break the usher went ahead, showed us to the aisle then left leaving us groping in the dark. I actually got on my knees to crawl to my seat.  Ha, talk about groping?  All four of us decided that was one dangerous scene.  I'd have paid for a light...no matter how small. 

I live in a corner apartment at the front of the main building and of course that provides a 'bird's eye' view of everything.  I can't count the times the EMT's come 'round...at all times of day and night.  Of course we're a community of elderly people, so that isn't surprising.  

When they come in the middle of the night their flashing red lights illuminate my bedroom walls. 

                                          

 I don't mind the light at all.  However I always give pause to who it might be...how serious it is...how frightened the passenger might be...the concern of family and loved ones.

I always say a prayer for the medical techs and the person they're working on...they need prayers!  

I recall when one of our grandson's attended WCS early on; their campus was just off the main thoroughfare and when an ambulance would go by; siren wailing...the children would stop and pray!  How wonderful.  I'm thinking 'become like little children'.  

When red lights and sirens sound going down the streets, highways motorists immediately pull to the side and stop, giving safe way to those in harm's way,  We respect those lights.  

What about green lights?  Man alive, when a green light goes on?  "Get outta' the way, pokey.  I'm in a rush, got places to go and things to do."  Never mind, most of the time you'll get there same time as them.  Green means 'go'...the green room for TV, etc. means the ready to go place where the talent or guests wait to go on stage.  Means "GO"

I doubt most of us have any trouble with going...except!  I loved going...I've gone here and there most of my life.  I flew all over the world alone...me, the girl who was frightened of her own shadow but love changes things and I wanted to be where my main partner was so I threw down the gauntlet and went...I did GO!

My problem was going when God nudged me...I was like a balky mule...I'm not going.  My conscience got the better of me and I went...all the way to Chine...even relocating once while working there.  I initially agreed to go and then turned the leaf and said 'No, I cant go'.  God stepped into my heart and I went and stayed.  It was my life changing experience and God's purpose worked...of course.  He does have a certain way.  I believe you understand.

But why is it where worldly things are involved I seem eager to jump on the bandwagon...spiritual going always seems a bit more difficult. Do you find yourself in those situations?

          

Then, there's that WARNING light that puts terror in your heart...you know, the one in some cases where you're driving merrily along, enjoying the drive when whacko!  

                                      

That warning light starts flashing.  Well, if you're a non-mechanic like me...your heart jumps up in your throat and stays there 'cause what are you gonna' do if the car breaks down and you don't have a clue what to do except call your road service if you happen to have one!  Okay, so maybe you're an extremely gifted woman, a genius to boot.  Be my guest.

 

Think about all these lights...hey, they're all around us, almost everywhere.  Warning, warning...they're in your car, in your computer...in your phone.  Warning of low fuel, overheated engine, dinner burning, etc.  Endless warnings.  Sporting events...whistles from the refs, umpires letting the players know they'd just caused a penalty that'll cost the team.  Yikes!  Warnings on your grocery things...you cannot avoid the warning signs.  Okay, so you think they aren't important?  Think again!

Thank you, God for lighting the world.  You gave instructions for our behavior...warning signs are very clear, simple enough for anyone to understand and yet, oh wow what happened.  So many mistakes...so many!

Lot's wife comes to my mind...you know she was warned not to look back...red lights were everywhere due to such a sinful city they chose to live it, lived there anyway.  God was saving them, gave them an out with a warning.  Foolish woman. Who would want to be a pillar of salt?  Ugh. 

Foolish woman indeed...that's me...how about you?  I've made some really bad decisions in my adult life...certainly old enough to know better.  I have a terrific conscience and when I'm about to step in stuff it nags me.  What do I do?  Well...I put it in a closet and close the door, refusing to open because I know what it will do...and I don't want to hear it.  I want to do what I want at that point in time.  That's the truth, so help me.  I have improved and always come around begging God's forgiveness.  I guess 'old age' has wizened me.  Thank God for giving me second changes repeatedly.  Lesson after lesson!

You ever had anything bad happen to you because you failed to pay mind to the warning signals sent your way.  Oh God, I would never fall into that trap.  Oh yeah!  Two words I no longer have in my vocabulary...never and always!  Bite my tongue!  The fine can be almost unforgettable...really. 

God is right there with us; right around, under, over...and what is it He tells us? "I will never leave you, I will be with you always."  Oh my, how great is our God...He said, "Let there be light and there was light."  I cannot survive without His light to guide me...all the way...I've nothing to fear.

From my loving heart...to yours, Vasca 

SMILING EYES ON STAGE...

 OF ALL THE SENSES,

SIGHT MUST BE THE MOST DELIGHTFUL

Helen Keller 

 

First things first...okay, I know Smiley is not wearing a mask; since Smiley is alone he opted to leave it at home...not to worry, all's safe.  

Now!  You may have noticed I've been out of action since July; I've missed writing, missed you as well.  I guess Covid-19 just cast a spell on me!

It's a wild ride, isn't it?  Covid-19 has turned everyone, everything, everywhere upside-down and it hasn't given up.  I know everyone is praying for it to go away...the sooner the better! 

Things have been cancelled/put on hold affecting everyone.  Weddings, funerals, birthday parties, worship services in usual places, vacations, school schedules.  Currently things seem to be loosening up somewhat...schools are in full swing (sort of).  Businesses opening/closing.  You name it, it's affected.

Wearing of masks is continuing...wow!  While wearing mine I do some silly things.  Do you?  Early on, Patrick (son #3) took me for a doctor's appointment.  I was politely practicing social distancing and all the things one is supposed to do.  However, I had a blockage in my throat so I coughed it up into a tissue only the tissue was outside my mask so I sort of had a little mess...not nice!  Mask held on for a spell.  I'm bad about remembering it's on and oops!  Like blowing my nose...oh my! 

Wearing a mask covers smiles, thus I cannot see anyone smile nor can anyone see my smile and believe me, I smile at everyone.  I miss seeing others smile.  Do you feel that way?

What to do?

Well, we have eyes to use...put 'em into overtime?  Yes, with practice I suppose smiling eyes could fill the gap...playing a major role.

People are bound to be smiling behind those masks - you just can't see them.  So I'm trying to see if I can manage to put more smile into my eyes!  I don't know if I can but I'm working on it. 

 Hmm,  I do get injections regularly in one of my eyes...maybe the doctor has some special 'smiling additive'...'ya never know! 

My mother always said she could never tell if my sister or one of the twins was lying. She added she could always tell if the other twin and I were lying by looking into our eyes...they gave us away!  Must be something magical there, yes?    

 

Someone said: 

"Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts".  That's something to think about...after all you never know who might be caught up in some sadness.  Let's face it, not everyone is happy.

Eyes can speak volumes, you know.  Just don't roll them when someone's looking at you! 

I pray though no one sees my smile, they'll see it in my eyes & know it's especially for them.  

From my smiling eyes...to yours, 

Vasca