Stories

My Anything

 

“I would give anything if I could change what happened!”

Have you ever imagined that what you are going through right now could be the “anything”? That’s right. Maybe God took you up on the offer. So the toe you broke yesterday, and are now cursing, could be the result of the deal. Perhaps a miss-spoken phrase or a fender-bender was avoided and you have essentially ‘given anything’.

Back to reality; we may have actually dented the car while following too close, or said the wrong thing to a relative. And, we did break our toe. However, I’m thinking its how we handle the situations we face that is the result of the deal. A deal that God first gave to us, before we even entered the world.

God put it all out there with the phrase “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 ESV) By this, wasn’t He saying that yes, you may have those difficult times, but you can come to me anyway to get the respite needed? I don’t think God said that you won’t have burdens. In fact, Jesus said;

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3-10

 I am not saying that we will live our lives unscathed. Many have to face things that are more tragic than I will ever know; but God knows what you are enduring and the love He has for you is unmatched.

I thank God that He understands when I want to take something back, or give anything to change, even though I can’t. I am also grateful for the promise in a deal made before I was born; one that is my “anything”.



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Sad yet real life

 

 Sad yet real life

                I had raised the window shade and sat on my couch while typing on the computer. A sudden thump was heard. It was almost as if someone had deliberately thrown an object at the window. I went to look and saw a bird lying on its back on the ground. A smaller bird hopped along the bricks that lined the yard. Back and forth it stayed looking at the fallen bird, and back up to the house where it had hit. In my mind, I thought of the mom bird teaching the baby bird how to fly.

                I imagined that I could hear the baby calling to the mom. “What do I do now?” “I think I got it now, mom.” “You were showing me one of the things to look out for.”

                I imagined the mom had been protecting the baby. Perhaps by stepping, or flying, in front of potential danger.  Maybe these were the same birds that I had seen a month ago and said that God would take care of them. The weather had been unseasonably cold. The new snow covered the ground where the young birds had searched for food.

                I am touched by the possibility that God can let things happen in such a way that, even in the tragic times, we are being taken care of. Is it expected? Is it the way we had planned/wanted? Are we making the right choices?

                When “No” is the answer to any of these questions, turn it around to “On” and remember that the Holy Spirit is “On” this. He has got it.

                I will remember seeing the baby bird hopping back and forth. I will remember the feeling of helplessness. I will try to remember that God has a bigger plan; that sometimes the tragic happens. It is sad, but it is life.

 

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Go Fly A Kite

February 21, 2015, my father will be 85. He is not reluctant to share his age with the public. My dad, William F. Hendershot is a man that I respect. I have come to find out in my 54 years of life, that many others respect him as well.

He is an accomplished Bio-Chemist with a well deserved title, Dr W F Hendershot, PHD.  My mother worked to help him through his graduate school classes. They raised 4 children with love and expectations as we all have successful lives.

But this is not about degrees, accolades, or achievements. In the movie ‘Mary Poppins’, the song Let’s Go Fly A Kite shares the feeling I get when I think of my dad... Let me explain. 

It began when he was 7 or 8, Dad would be known for flying kites. He along with his brother Bob had caught the wind currant at just the right velocity to produce the needed low pressure above the wing and a high pressure below it. The kite was strong and majestic as it flew, encouraging the young boys to stay focused on their success. That is, until they realized they would be late to school. Not wanting to stop their tethered craft from its flight, it was decided that they could tie the string to a fence post to let the kite play in the wind until they returned. However, they were never to see it again.

That didn’t stop my father.  After meeting my mother, his fascination with kites was encouraged by his father-in –law, Sollie Guthrie. They discussed, and maybe flew some kites as grown men. It was especially enjoyed after the birth of his first child, my brother.

I can remember on Summer Saturdays, when the wind was just right, my dad would often be outside with me, my sisters, and my brother.  Mom would come too. We would all have our own kites that had been purchased for our adventure.

As our kites would soar in the air, our dreams on free flight would join them. My own love of the wind is due to the power I have experienced. In bible stories that show the Holy Spirit coming like the sound of the rushing wind; In impressive ships and sailing crafts guided by the powerful air current; In precious time I have spent with family maneuvering our kites in the sky.

My dad didn’t give up when the wind wasn’t apparent in his life. He has struggled through some things and been blessed to glide high over other things. He taught me to give God the glory in everything.

I have followed Dad’s example as I fly kites with my grandchildren. We talk about the fun I had with my parents and children. We talk about the wind. We also talk about dreams and goals for our lives.

I pray that I can show the blessings of life as my dad has for me.

 These are some pleasant things that touch me as I think of this 84 year old Bio-Chemist that tied his kite to a fencepost in Dalton, Georgia.

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Overcoming injustices

This is the story of a girl who hated stereotypes and labeling. The girl grew up in a loving family with a nice home. There was a swimming pool and a decorative garden, making it seem like a Spanish villa. It was located on a corner making its existence even more regal.

The father, with a PHD, was a top executive and often had guests from other countries coming to America in order to complete deals and develop pharmaceutical drugs that would be used in the company product line. The mother, a gourmet cook, would have parties to entertain the visitors. She would make exquisite foods and they would have meals that included guests from England, Spain, South Africa, Sydney, Australia, India, Japan, etc. Sometimes, more countries would be represented and sometimes less.

The girl’s house was one of the more prestigious homes in the community. The girl had a gift as a hostess for the parties. She would easily converse with the guest from Australia, talking about his sailboat excursions at the same time carry on a conversation with the man from India enjoying the family descriptions in a ‘broken English’ dialect. She was quite comfortable with the tall man from South Africa and laughed with the Asian woman.    

The problem arose when, at school, the girl was mortified to think that anyone would think she was more affluent than others. She would often downplay the dinner party so as to cover-up any idea of being well off.  The girl made an effort to include everyone. If someone would refer to her affluence, she would laugh it off. She hated to be thought of in that way so she made an effort not to talk about the parties or her father’s position.

Another problem she would have was that of stereotyping any person or group. She would not stand by and let the ideas of a few become an issue. If someone were to say something derogatory toward any culture, even as a joke, her blood boiled and she would point out the opposite to be true.

The girl’s siblings did not appear to be as offended by the negative things said. Everything came to an abrupt halt when this girl was in an automobile accident. She could no longer find the words to stick up for the accused cultures. She stuttered now, but knew how she felt; no-one listened to her influence any more.  The girl only observed things and couldn’t do anything about it.

The parties became fewer as her ability to communicate became less. Her parents took a big hit financially due to the girl’s hospital and doctor bills.

The girl still felt a loyalty toward any oppressed group or peoples. Life went on.

When it came time for the girl to graduate high school she did not have the bond that she once did with friends. Two of the foreign visitors from her dad’s work accompanied her to a few graduation parties/open houses for the people that had once been close.

A tall, thin, black man, Iggie Ignacia, from South Africa, and a shorter, white man, Gordon Baker, from Sydney, Australia laughed with her as they entered homes. These adult men were two of the people who would forever be remembered in helping the girl’s High School alone feelings at graduation. Two new friends, if just for a week will always be remembered.

 

One day, the girl, who was not a child any longer, discovered writing. Finally there was an outlet for her inner thoughts. Could she use it? Would this be a venue to address treatment of others in school? Even with her spelling errors, she wanted to say what she felt about the injustices in this world.

The way I would like this story to end, is still being written. The girl can choose to be self absorbed, listening to her fears and inabilities and endless mistakes. Or, with the help of God through her friends, she can continue to learn from her mistakes and keep trying.

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