American Graffiti

This sounds like a strange title for this week's blog, but something that I observed this week seems to want to stick in my mind. As we were traveling to pick up some canned goods for the ministry from an amazing couple in a nearby town, we had to wait for a long train to pass by. The drawing and art on the train cars were unreal in their beauty. I have often seen this type of graffiti before, but for some reason it really attracted me this day. The colors and talents just mesmerized me - my mind went wandering about the artists - where did they live, how old were they, what were their lives like (the train was quite long and I had not realized how long I pondered these things)? Can you imagine what could be accomplished if this talent was directed in God's direction - proclaiming His glory through art????  Are our lives similar to this thought?? We could accomplish so much for the Lord if we concentrated our talents and energy on serving Him.

It has certainly been an interesting week keeping us busy trying to juggle schedules - sometimes we had to put off what was planned until the following day because of "road bumps" that occurred. Fred had a toothache, so we managed to get in to see the dentist almost immediately. It was so cold in the office so I went outside to warm up as Fred was being worked on (why are the medical areas soooooooo cold?). When I came back in, I was told to go to the room where Fred was and ushered to a leather couch and presented with a warm blanket as I relaxed while the dentist finished his work. Never been in a dentist office like  before - the dentist was Dr. Victor V...... (something) from Russia and a strong Christian. After listening to Fred talk about Caring Hearts Ministry and CRM, he finished up, then informed his office staff that we were not to be charged, as he would accept just what the insurance paid and ask nothing more from us!! It amazes me that so many folks want to help and find creative ways to do so. The office staff was so friendly and kind and as we left they informed us they like cookies - so when Fred returns the end of the month, I will have a platter of homemade cookies for them. For the rest of the story - Fred has to have a tooth extracted next week when he goes to the specialist this week.

When delivering the produce on Friday with Doug (our winter help is beginning to arrive - Dean also helps Fred on Fridays so I can finally attend quilting classes!) Fred got a flat tire. He was so concerned because the families were going to arrive for their weekly distribution and no produce was there yet. After several phone calls (AAA, local tire services, etc) the tire was changed, some very wonderful folks involved in the ministry arrived, transferred the trailer to their vehicle along with the rest of the items and delivered them, although just a bit late. All in all everything worked out well. In the meantime, I was home trying to finish the quilt top for our great grandson Jaylen due in February.
The sewing machine kept jamming, up. Then the iron quit working, and I was getting frustrated. Guess ole Satan was trying to discourage us - didn't work though! Fred arrived safely home, got a new tire (the other one was unrepairable) for just $10 as we had purchased road hazard on the prior tires, I finished the quilt top, and got a new iron. All was well in our world.

As we enter a very important week with the upcoming election, we are all very concerned for our country. Pastor Robert's sermon this morning centered on Jesus' reply to politics and value, based on Matthew 22:15-22. A serious and dangerous subject in these times, but centered on what the Bible tells us to do. It is a known fact that someone will loose this election - the scripture verse is the answer of how Christ is calling the church to act on the results. We as a country need to support the president, no matter if that person is our desired candidate. Each one of them is made in the image of God according to Genesis 1:27. Every candidate falls short of the the glory of God - neither of them is perfect, but remains under the power of God. They have no power that God does not give them. God allows many things to happen and come to pass that we cannot understand - we pray for the correct person to be put in power according to His will, but then complain because it is not the person we favor. Many people feel cheated and angry if their candidate loses, but tend to forget that God is indeed in charge. Our primary identity is found in the One whose image we bear - that is where our identity is and where our loyalty belongs. 

Pray continually for this election to be God's will and not ours, that we strive to be the image of God in this broken world. Pray for our country as well as all of our churches to remain loyal to the One whose image we bear.