Carol Wilson Update

Stage 4 Cancer brought many challenges--and also a host of loving and praying friends. Almost-daily postings to this site are to help my friends walk with me through this journey, and to express my gratitude to them and especially to God...On 7/8/08 Carol passed through that final curtain of death and is now healed. We thank God for her life and "arrival"! Chuck

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Let the Lord keep me in his thoughts

I have been enjoying studying the Psalms this month.  Often in the past I have had a goal to cover a certain amount each day, but I am taking the Psalms at a slower rate.  Usually focusing on one a day, looking for previously unnoticed messages and then reflecting upon how that reading applies to me personally.  As I read Psalm 40, I was visualizing how “down” David appears to have been…possibly in the pit of depression?  But he recalls “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”  What a testimony of the Lord’s goodness!

I have thought about that frequently since reading it, questioning myself about how often he has lifted me out of what seemed to be an impossible situation, but how faithful was I in giving HIM the glory on each occasion?  How easy it is to focus on our own cleverness, or the advice and council of another human being and forget who really provided the basis for the solution.  It is a good reminder to me that I like David, give glory to the Lord’s faithfulness, unfailing love and saving power!  I like that 17th verse; “As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.  You are my helper and my savior.”

As I look back over my calendar, I am amazed at how many things I have managed to squeeze into my schedule.  It is a delight to have so many opportunities and the health and strength to participate in a good number of them.  It is encouraging to be among very active seniors here that continue to be involved to the maximum that their strength allows, and graciously adjust as their activities need to be reduced.

Next week I plan to get some landscaping work done around the new addition.  The irrigation has been run to that area and the sand has been replaced with good soil which should encourage the health of the plantings.  With the help of a Master Gardner friend, I have staked the location of each plant and expect the plants to arrive later in the week.  Hopefully the addition will look more inviting from across the lake when the planting is competed.

Thanks so much for all of your kind notes, phone calls and emails.  They are always appreciated!

Love to you all,


Chuck

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Amazing weather

This evening I took a quick look at the weather around the country and was reminded to pray for so many of you that are challenged with difficult driving conditions and power outages.  Snow can be beautiful, but after so many years living with it, I have to admit that I do not miss it.

I am amazed at how rapidly days pass here, but in my spare time I enjoy watching the wild life activity from my porch windows.  The osprey have returned to take over their relocated nest.  This past summer the power company carefully removed it from top of a transformer with a tall cherry picker, added about a six foot extension to the pole, secured a large dish at the top and swung the nest into place.  This removes the danger of their shorting out the transformer.  During the past two days the birds have been adding twigs and large tree branches to the nest.  It is amazing to see them carry the large pieces and weave them into the fabric of the nest.  They are located directly across the lake from me so I have a great view, especially with binoculars.  I have a small alligator that swims by often as well as our big 6-7 foot friend.  Fortunately he is rather shy and keeps his distance when anyone is near the lake.

Thanks for praying about my meeting today.  It was fun talking with the group and I was pleased to have the opportunity to share with them and become better acquainted.   I was surprised to learn that one of the group attended the same church that Carol and I attended in East Lansing, so we enjoyed comparing updates and information about mutual friends in that area.

Today I read Psalm 31 and enjoyed David’s desires and honesty.  Here are some phrases that especially spoke to me; “Oh LORD, I have come to you for protection”…”You are my rock and my fortress”…”I entrust my spirit into your hand.” And then he inserts; “I am dying from grief!”  But quickly responds; “But I am trusting you, OH LORD, saying you are my God!  My future is in your hands.”   A good reminder to keep our focus clearly upon Him, regardless of our circumstances.

I was delighted to have another couple from Charlotte visit me this week.   Hopefully they will delay their return until the weather and roads clear up.  It is always a bit difficult to really believe that there can be such a contrast in weather only a few hours away.

I trust that each of you is comfortable this evening even if the weather outside is frightful.

Love to you all,


Chuck

Saturday, February 01, 2014

Memories

Having been asked to speak to a group of senior missionaries, I was thinking about what to say as I drove back from a meeting from across the state yesterday.  I am to tell “the story of my life” in approximately 30 minutes.  So where do you start in distilling 80 years into 30 minutes?  While staying with dear friends after the meeting last evening, I was given a book that the wife had written about her childhood that filled 280 pages!  That triggered my thoughts, reminding me that I needed to decide what I should focus upon to make my “story” meaningful and yet fit into 30 minutes.  I decided that I could only touch a few high points but to focus on three of the most influential people in my growth as a Christian.  Who should they be?  Quickly three came into mind.  Grandparents (together I saw them as one), a long-time friend and my greatly missed wife, Carol.  Each of which continually reached out to others and were praying for the needs of many as they strived to glorify their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

My grandparents taught me so much about Christian character and complete trust in the Lord.  Many weekends and most summers during my pre-teen and teen years were spent with them on their farm which was a short distance from my parents’ home in town.  They were hard workers and considered rather successful, but they always strived to be obedient to God and His Word.  I was especially impacted by their consistent Bible reading after breakfast, church involvement and concern for others that were hurting.  In spite of the potential loss of a crop, my grandfather never panicked as a storm drew near at harvest time and neighbors were feverously working in their fields nearly around the clock and all day Sunday.  He simply continued his church and people involvement and trusted the Lord to provide as he did his part working diligently during six days of the week.  When he took his last breath on earth well into his 90’s, I experienced a huge loss! 

I became acquainted with a popular department head at my university who was my teacher in a class at church while I was a student.  A verse that he often quoted came from the sayings of Agur in Proverbs 30:7-9; “Oh God I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die.  First, help me never to tell a lie.  Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!  Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.  For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say ‘Who is the LORD?’  And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult my God’s holy name.”  His love and character was a great influence in this young man’s life and I was honored to serve with him on numerous boards and committees during later years.

Do pray with me as I put my thoughts together.  I pray that I might be used of the Lord to encourage these dear folks, some of which may feel that they are of minimal influence in their retirement years and some that are now limited in their physical activities and dealing with considerable discomfort.

Have a blessed weekend,


Chuck