A True and Timeless Treasure

 

I don't remember where it came from or how I acquired it, but it's mine and has been for nearly 30 years.  To the average onlooker, it must appear to be just a desk, a piece of well-constructed metal with a wooden seat and top.  To me, it is a treasure, a rare find, the holder of memories, an heirloom of sorts, as I had plans to pass it on to my children with the hopes that they would pass it on to theirs. 

One day last spring as I was cleaning and hastily trying to rid the house of extra stuff, the desk was banished to the back porch.  I had great intentions of moving it to an enclosed shelter, but life happened. Day after day, month after month, it sat on our back porch enduring moisture-filled Pacific Northwest weather.  As with all things left outside too long, it began to rot and ruin.  My desk, once beautiful and useful, sat covered with mold and moss, the wood cracked beyond repair, and the metal rusted.  This abandoned treasure... today, a heap of rubbish. 

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

Last year, my dear friend, Ms. Linda, went home to be with the Lord.  She was a godly woman whose life radiated her love and devotion to Jesus Christ.  Never married, she simply gave her heart to her one true love, the Lord. I miss her, and have longed to have something of hers - something she loved.  Something sentimental.  Something I could hold and cherish and keep forever. Something.

This afternoon, I talked with Ms. Linda's niece on the phone. She asked me to come see her because she had something she needed to give me.  I jumped in the car and drove to her work, curious about the something she might have.  We talked for a few minutes, reminiscing about Ms. Linda and her life. After a few moments of conversation, she withdrew something from a bag... a treasure... Ms. Linda's Bible.  

 

That moment, God gently spoke to me through his Holy Spirit.  He lovingly reminded me that the treasures of this earth will pass away, but the treasures of heaven will last forever.   I no longer have a pretty desk, but I do have God's Word...a true and timeless treasure. 

And He has my heart.

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The Coffee Cottage

I am in Newberg, OR. I am sitting at The Coffee Cottage sipping on a passion fruit iced tea. I am aware of my surroundings and the people that have joined me in this small, but cozy old house turned cute and quaint coffee shop.

In front of me sits a young woman with her laptop open. Earlier when I walked past her to order my drink, I noticed the web page she had open was from George Fox University. My mind wanders and wonders.  Is she a student? High school or college? Is she married and if so, what is her husband like? Does he treat her well? Does she live on campus, in an apartment, in a dorm or with her parents? Where is she going, what will she be doing, who will she be with after her drink is gone and her laptop is closed?

To my right sit two elderly ladies. One brought her own drink in a plastic pink cup and the other ordered an iced tea with free refills. They both ordered sandwiches. Different kinds, but with the same type of chips...Tim's. They appear to be in their late 70's. Maybe they are sisters or maybe cousins. Possibly neighbors or lifetime best friends. Perhaps they live together and depend on each other everyday for companionship.  Do they meet here every week?  Same time, same place, same drink and same sandwiches?  Their conversations are deep and it's apparent they know each other very well.  I hope to be and have this kind of friend when I am their age.  Incomparable.

Bruce.  Bruce is a middle aged man dressed in shorts, a tee shirt, a ball cap and sandals.  He has a grey beard and is currently reading the sports section of the newspaper.  He randomly gets phone calls and speaks very loudly (this being the reason I know his name).  The whole coffee shop knows he works in the business world and makes and breaks deals.  Bruce appears to think he's all that, but personally, I think Bruce needs a serious attitude adjustment.

The corner chairs are occupied by three young ladies.  Late teens, early 20's.  They are all 3 sporting the same tee shirt...I love Fox.  Fox racing or GFU?  One girl is wearing a cross necklace and seems to be very kind.  She almost played the piano and I wish she would have.  It would have been a nice touch to the ambiance of the room.  The trio has been engaged in a game of chess.  But it has ended, for I heard one of the girls joyfully shout, "Checkmate."  They discussed how she won, finished their drinks, and decided to go on a walk.  I enjoyed their youthfulness and the level of energy at which they embrace life.

From the kitchen I hear the chitter chatter of the employees and the clanging of dishes.  It is obvious that the baristas love their jobs and take great pleasure in serving their guests.  They have done a mighty fine job of making me feel comfortable and it is apparent they appreciate the patron's business.

I'm going to continue sitting here observing the coffee house atmosphere.  I still have an hour or so to soak up my surroundings and enjoy these people I will most likely never see again.  Although we may never be together again, I have enjoyed every moment spent with them.  Thanks to The Coffee Cottage for an incredibly relaxing afternoon.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Tuesday

August 23, 2011

Outside my window...dark, humid, and 82 degrees. 

I am thinking...about a friend who recently lost her husband and a song by Third Day...Cry Out to Jesus.  I don't know that she's ever heard it and so I think I'll send it to her, hoping she does just that...Cry Out to Jesus!!!

I am thankful...for the healthy baby boy growing inside of me.  He was not in my plans, but I serve a God whose plans are greater than mine.  And for that I am eternally grateful.

From the learning rooms...is an incomplete Rainbow Resource order.  Hopefully curriculum will be ordered this week and school will begin in early September.  I think we're all getting ready.

In the kitchen...Knowing I was going to be gone all day I prepared a chicken potpie early this morning.  I came home to a clean kitchen and no leftovers.  I'm glad it was a hit. 

I am wearing...maternity clothes.  YAYNESS!!! 

I am creating...a menu and grocery list for the month of September.

I am going...to spend the day with my hubby tomorrow.  We're driving down to George Fox University in Newberg, OR.  It will be a good day.

I am wondering...if I can actually keep up with my blog.  I have the desire and time, but do I have the creativity?  I have so much I want to do with it.  Going to give it a good shot.

I am reading...Sisterchics in Wooden Shoes.  One more easy, pleasure read before school starts.

I am hoping...and praying the next two weeks pass by with little stress and worry.  God is in control...this I know!

I am looking forward to...a new school year. 

I am hearing...the clicking of my keyboard and a movie playing in the background. 

Around the house...the four youngest kids are sleeping and the rest of the gang are watching a movie.  I'm sitting here in the living room typing away on my laptop.  It's a cozy night in the Walker home.

I am pondering...the new series Tim is preaching on Sundays.  Reconciliation.  I'm excited, yet nervous, to see what God had in store for me over these next few weeks. 

One of my favorite things...the gift of friendship.  Nothing compares!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Newberg, OR tomorrow with my man, dentist appointment on Thursday morning (yuck), pool party Thursday afternoon, and a possible haircut on Friday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My beautiful and crazy daughter, Cayla Nicole Walker.

She's awesome.

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Lost and Found

"Mom, I cannot make you laugh.  I can't even make you smile."  A sad, but true, statement spoken to me by my beautiful 14-year old daughter.

"Babe, you've lost your smile again."
"Babe, did you find your smile?"
"Babe, while you're at the store, see if they have any smiles on sale."
"Did you lose your smile....again?"  Sad, but true, words verbalized to me by the love of my life.

"Mom, are you okay?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Can I do anything for you?"  Sad, but true, questions asked by my children on any given day.

I have lost my joy.   I realize now that I lost it over 2 1/2 years ago.  I remember the day vividly in my mind.  Words of a loved one crushed me.  Crushed my heart.  Crushed my soul.  Crushed my being.  That day turned into weeks, the weeks into months, and the months into years.  As time passed, it became easier and easier to allow any and all of life's uncomfortable circumstances to steal my joy.    

This morning I was sitting in the nursery at church while Abbie slept peacefully in the crib.  I had my Bible opened to the book of Phillipians.  I listened quite intently to the Word being read and preached.  God met me there in the quietness and gently spoke to my joyless heart.  Tender, encouraging words meant for me and me alone, His child, His treasured and cherished daughter.

The sermon ended and I headed back into the auditorium for a time of praise and worship.  Once again, God met me there and spoke tender, encouraging words to my joyless heart.  I sang.  I prayed.  I worshiped.  I walked up front to the communion table.  Tears fell as I began to remember Christ's sacrifice for me.  Realizing what I had been doing for the last 2 1/2 years hit me like a ton of bricks.

I stood at the altar and poured out my heart to God.  Surrendering my joyless heart to Him, I begged Him to meet me and fill me with His joy.  Once again, He met me where I was and I felt His presence.  I felt His love and His comfort.  I felt His embrace and His forgiveness.  As the service ended I felt a feeling I haven't felt in a very long time.  JOY!   I walked out the doors of the church building, smiling and singing these words to my Heavenly Father:

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.                                

Where? Down in my heart!

Where? Down in my heart!

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,

Down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay.

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Seasons of Surrender

The year is 1991. The season is fall. The church is small, rural, and Southern Baptist. The pastor preaches. The choir sings. The congregation worships. A lost and lonely girl watches and listens. She takes it all in. She wonders. She thinks. She ponders. How can the creator of the universe love her? A 19 year old single mother with no direction in life. She is lost. She is lonely. She is in need of a Savior. The pastor finishes his sermon. The congregation continues to sing and worship with the choir. The lost and lonely girl feels a tug on her heart. The Holy Spirit moves and she has no other choice but to follow His lead and surrender all. She surrenders. All.

The year is 2004. July is hot and the due date has come. The hour long drive to the office is overwhelming. The midwife is ready and waiting. The room is quiet, calm, and serene. The contractions are close together. The pain is incomparably intense. The need to push is upon me. I am scared. I am lonely. I feel lost. I push. Nothing. I push again. Nothing. I look longingly into the eyes of my midwife and tell her that I cannot do this. She gently but sternly reminds me that I have no other choice but to surrender. Surrender all. I surrender my body to the pain and I surrender the pain to the One who brings comfort. There, in that moment of surrender, I worship as I give birth to a miracle, our second daughter, Katie Jane Walker.

The year is 2011. The month is May. I don’t want to hear, “Do you know how that happens?” I don’t want to change any more diapers. I don’t want to get up in the middle of the night to nurse a needy infant. I don’t want to wash more baby clothes. I don’t want to be tired twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I don’t want to gain weight and give my body over to another. I don’t want to wonder if this child is going to live or die. I don’t want to experience the natural process of labor and delivery. I don’t want to be pregnant. And I for sure don’t want to surrender.

But I have no choice. Surrender is my only option. I need to surrender all. And so I do. Tonight as I sit here in my bed with my computer in my lap, I surrender all. I give up my desires, my wants, my dreams….to Him, the one who loves me most and knows me best. I am a vessel willing and longing to be used by my Father.

Use me, Father, for I surrender all.

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No Subject

I jacked my mom's blog, so what should I type? I guess I will type how sweet and loving of a daughter she has. Can you guess who jacked her blog? Correct, it is Cayla. I like jacking my mom's blog. I do the same thing to her on Facebook. Well I am going to go and blog on my blog. My mom just caught me I think, bye.

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My Simple Woman's Daybook

My Simple Woman's Daybook For Today

April 27, 2010

Outside my window...are cloudy skies, a cool breeze, blooming rhododendrons, eleven happy hens, and one gorgeous rooster.


I am thinking...do I want to go to Costco this month or can I put it off until next month? I'm leaning toward going. The cabinets show proof that I need to make such a trip.

I am thankful for...my new computer. The monitor is large and it works much, much faster than my old one. Matthew has adopted my old one for his school computer. Our new set up works nicely.

From the learning rooms...we are continuing on. Matthew is well in to his new curriculum and doing well. Lucas is motivated to finish his 3rd grade math book so he can start 4th grade. He is excited that he will be able to use a "real" math book and "real" paper. Enough of this workbook stuff. Katie is working on math, reading, and handwriting everyday. She loves school and looks forward to learning. Cayla is finishing up 7th grade so she can move on to her new curriculum.

From the kitchen...Breakfast was oatmeal cake and eggs. Lunch was burritos and fruit. Dinner was layered nachos. The kitchen is now clean and closed for the next 12 hours.

I am wearing...capris and a short sleeve shirt. I'm about to have to purchase maternity clothes as my regular clothes just aren't fitting as they should. Oh gee darn.

I am creating...nada.

I am going...to eat popcorn and watch a movie with Tim in a few minutes.

I am reading...Amish Children.

I am hoping...for a full nights sleep with no interruptions.

I am hearing...Tim talk to his brother on the phone and Do Re Mi Fa So coming from the girls' room.

Around the house...the older kids are putting the chickens in their coop for the night. Larah is in bed waiting for me to tuck her in and Tim is lying on the couch talking to James.

One of my favorite things...listening in on Tim's conversations. I can learn so much.

A few plans for the rest of the week...school and dinner at a friend's house. That's about it. Fairly quiet week at the Walkers.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

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