Mosaic Moments

"Something beautiful, something good. All my confusion, He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, But He made something beautiful of my life." (Bill and Gloria Gaither)

As I packed, a large plastic tub of broken glass pieces appeared. "Brenda, throw that stuff away." How could I? There was a craft project in there somewhere. And sure enough ---- these broken shards have transformed the tops of two discount store tables...and created something very beautiful.

This analogy I don't have to belabor, do I? We have all been a tub of tragedy at some time. We could have all been on the trash heap. But someone in our lives and Someone in our lives saw beauty and spent the time saying, "I believe in you...there is greatness in you." How thankful I am for those people in my life and for the Lord Jesus Christ whose broken body made a way for my salvation.

I will enjoy these tables on my East Texas deck, thinking about the fun I had in my mosaic moments, and reveling in the reflection of these glass pieces. Way cool!

Yikes!

"Do you know Don Wyrtzen?" asked my Sunday School teacher Dr. Don Campbell, former President of Dallas Theological Seminary.

Of course, I knew who Don Wyrtzen was, but didn't expect Dr. Campbell's next sentences. "He is sitting right there with his wife. I told him what a good piano player you are."

At that very moment, I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. I love playing the piano for my Sunday School class. I love accompanying the music director when he sings. BUT NOT IN FRONT OF DON WYRTZEN.

He is one of the pillars of Christian music. He concertizes, conducts, produces, composes, teaches, and.......you get the picture.

I play hymns.....period.

But then, I remembered something rather important: I play hymns to encourage others to sing praises to Jesus. Music is a way for me to use my gift of encouragement. Psalm 33:3 says,
"Play skillfully with a shout of joy!" That is my heart's intent. Once I got over myself, I focused on what I was there to do ---- help the music director facilitate singing.

It was a pop quiz and I didn't do too well. I thought first of what Don would think. Guess the Lord still has work to do with me.

The pic shows you the holiest place in my Piney Woods house.....the corner with the piano. In this space, I find much peace and joy. I make music that strengthens my heart - and even makes me laugh.

I don't perform for world-class audiences. Wait, maybe I do. For, my music is for Him who made the Universe to sing. WOW!

Linten Thoughts

I have several gifted, artistic friends. I must have a little brain space devoted to the pursuit of creativity.....most certainly that of others! My friend, Chris, is a ceramicist,and a sculptor. I now know she is an accomplished 2D and 3D artist. She is going to send me a photo of the Dumpster Diva which I will proudly post. I will save the juicy details for that entry, but it is a magnificent illustration of taking the discards of life and making them glorious.
My friend, Judy makes paper. She is in the newspaper business, but this paper is a work of art. I buy paper at Staples ---- she forms it with her hands. Of course, mine goes into the printer, or spends its days being scribbled on as I try to organize my budget. Hers is turned into something beautifully textured.
When I lived in Des Moines, I bought a nativity from a local artist whose love was handmade paper. I enjoy it so much, I keep it out all year long. As I have known Judy, the little framed manger scene has become more valuable to me because I know how much effort it took to form.
Judy makes my week fun because I collect lint for her! Yes, lint from the dryer. These days it takes much longer to accumulate anything worthwhile for her....oh, had I known her in the days when I had 3 children under 4, she would have hit the mother lode ( or mother's loads, as it were).
I eagerly wrote her last night to tell her of the purple and yellow lint that came from two new beach towels. Sadly, most of my lint is very grayish.
My bag of lint for Judy is often like my life. It is the discarded extract that God uses to form something artful. He takes the extra and gives it texture.
He was eco-nomical before Ralph Nader was born. My life is an environmental issue from day one. Nothing is wasted. He takes my pain, my grief, my gray moments and mixes them in with an occasional purple or yellow experience. He mooshes them together in order to craft something beautiful. I am His handiwork.
Judy makes my laundry room a holy place as I gather the lint for I think how He is working all things together for good. YAY for lint! YAY for a creative God!

Meet the Red Head

Thanks to L'Oreal's color # 7, I am often auburn-haired. But is is temporary and varies dramatically, even from day to day. At heart, I have brown hair.

I want you to meet the newest member of my family ---- a red-head through and through. The color isn't sprayed on --- it is baked into the metal.

I am taking suggestions for a pet name. I tried this with my dear Cruiser and auditioned a number of names like Rhonda, Sue, and other Beach Boy monikers. However, in the end, "the Cruiser" just became its ID. As you know, it is usually "The Cruiser and I did this and this and this." We are a team.

But "the cart" just doesn't have the same cache. A friend threw two possibilities in to the pot yesteday: "Jack" and "Little Red." Jack would be appropriate as it is truly nimble and quick. Little Red has the lead right now. Of course, in Texas, it will have to be "L'il Red."

You can just tell a true redhead (but you can't tell them much....booooooo). I like that the red won't wash off when it rains. L'Oreal #7 will have to be the closest I come to experiencing life in the red lane, but I will enjoy riding around Holly Lake Ranch with _________.

How Firm A Foundation

"Stand by the pipes and I will take your picture," were my instructions to sister Mary Helen. She and her husband are building a new house. By Thanksgiving, they will be moving into their dream home.

I have never been through this process, so sharing it with her will be fun. Actually, standing outside the project will probably be much more fun than being intimately involved in every nail, screw, and outlet placement. There is much to be said for vicarious construction!

We journeyed to the job site to inspect the foundation. Of course, being the analogy freak that I am, I immediately wandered off mentally to the land of "this is like...."

And, of course, this was an easy one. But, it wasn't as easy to answer as it was to formulate.

What is the foundation of my life? Jesus Christ, of course. As I ran down the personal catechism, I asked myself: "In whom do you trust?" Jesus Christ would be the answer again. "Oh, really, Brenda?" The voice stabbed at my heart. Recently, the financial meltdown had threatened not only my joy, my peace, but my entire well-being. I could do the sovereignty talk, but the acid in my stomach, and pain in my psyche told me I needed to revisit the answer to the trust question.

Martin Luther wrote the words, "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith, in His excellent word." Interesting choice of words. Doubtless, Martin Luther had walked through the cathedrals of Germany as he anguished over the nature of God and salvation. Ultimately, he understood that it was by faith, and faith alone, that the Lord brings us to redemption ---- no works. THAT is the firm foundation. THAT is the only foundation.

Just as Mary Helen and her husband depend on the integrity of their house's foundation, so must I depend on the integrity of God's word....his excellent word. When He says, "Fear not" (as is written nearly 365 times in scripture), it means, "Brenda, look in my face and get over trusting in your retirement plan ---- look in my face and see where life is--- look in my face, period!"

Lord, I believe ---- help thou my unbelief. Thanks, Mary Helen, for giving me a great jumping off place for thought and faith.

Cup of Love

"Run over and ask Mrs. Denning if I can borrow a cup of sugar, Brenda." I was about 5, but I still remember the neighborliness of the lady next door. Sometimes I forget my own name, but recall Mrs. Denning and her mother, Mrs. Hermann vividly. Probably because they baked sponge cake, added a chocolate drop to the top, and offered it to me regularly. Yum.

There are other cups, too. Like the silver baby cups received to commemorate a child's birth. Often engraved with the name and birth, they passed along through the family until ending up in a garage sale.

Wise friends of mine rescue these treasures and "repurpose" them. They and their daughter have a lampmaking business. Their favorite bases are antique silver pieces.

Last week at the end of the bible study at C.C. Young Retirement Center, Bob and Delores handed me a beautiful gift bag....."to remember Jack!"

As I began unwrapping, I immediately recognized the form of a handmade lamp. The base was an antique silver child's cup, circa 1850. Lovely scroll work graced the cup. "Keep it for yourself to remember this special day, but give it to him when he is grown." What a lovely sentiment.

Of course, my mind kept on wandering along the lines of cups.....and landed on the beautiful words, "Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord. Come and fill this hunger in my soul." Whenever I look admiringly at this artful lamp, I will remember Bob, Delores, and the Lord Jesus who eagerly fills my heart's cup.

Fun in the Sun

"Hey, Gram ---- those girls think I am cute!'" Oh,my. Where did his childhood go? He will be fifth grade next year and already I see him preening as he makes his way around the pool. I have much to learn - and in a hurry!

When I wish for him to just stop turning into a teenager, I remember God doesn't want us to stay as children. I know He wants us mature and secure. I know He wants us changed into the image of His own dear Son.

"Watch me, Gram." That call never changes....each generation asks for attention. How thankful I am to watch Andrew. And, I thankful I am He watches over me with a never wandering eye. Andrew and I had lots of fun in the sun today on this first day of summer vacation. My prayer is he will have hours and hours of joy in the Son!