Appalachian Midnight

Pale moon on a mountain road,

Spectral trees with branches bare,

Aging homes in whitened sleep,

Winter's chill on silvered hills,

Frozen land and people proud.

- VQ (Dec. 24, 2010)

the value of being

In the shuffle of life, I cycle around to this thought:  Is there value in simply "being?"

You'll hear busy executives, exhausted sales associates, and harried parents talk about wanting to "enjoy life" or take time to "enjoy the moment" or "smell the roses."  It's all the same.  Deep inside, each of us wants to absorb the simple bliss of nature and relationship. 

Being a firstborn and driven to achieve and please, this is a difficult concept for me to embrace.  Maybe it is for you too.  I find significance in accomplishing something; that is where affirmation resides. It stretches me to imagine that there is actual value in simply being part of the kaleidoscope of the life God has given me.  Is it possible that sitting in the woods or by the seashore can more enirch the spirit than reading the newest self-help book?  Is it reasonable that sipping a cup of coffee by the twinkle of the Christmas tree has more benefit than checking off that last deadline? 

Well, the responsible part of me says absolutely not.  And granted, there are some duties that must be attended to on-time and with faithfulness.  But, I think its entirely possible that the "doing" will be less fruitful if there is no "being."  I suppose the soul needs nourishment in ways the body cannot supply through action.  And yes, there are some who carry this to extreme - I'm not advocating weird stuff.  But God's amazing world (that includes the beautiful things He's allowed man to create as well as nature) cannot be enjoyed on the run, so to speak. 

But, I've seen abuses of the system.  There are those who simply "be" forever and never "do."  Their houses deteriorate, their vehicles rust through, their relationships stagnate, and their legacy disintegrates.  Sloth is a voracious foe.  And the consequences are really not palatable.  Even those with great gifts are at risk here; art often requires much "being."  Hence, the eccentricies of the great masters.  Still, their contributions redeem them, at least in the perspective of our day.

So, what about the value of "being?"

As a homeschool mom, I am challenged with helping my children to understand this concept and assimilate it into their own world.  It seems we are always pushed for time, always hurrying to the next educational activity, at home or elsewhere.  Dilemma:  this window of childhood is small; there is so much for them to learn.  I have only 18 years to equip them for life (for my older ones, the sand in the hourglass is dwindling quickly).  Lack of ambition or vision will cripple them for life; stress and extreme schedules will smother them. 

Yet, when all is done, their ability to connect with others and to relish the incredible joy of simply being alive and being loved is huge.  While I want my children to be refined, educated, cultured and gracious, I do not wish them to be arrogant or lofty or impractical.  I certainly don't want them too overwhelmed doing and learning to be normal.  While I know I'll remember the things they accomplished while they were growing up, probably the things I'll mentally unwrap again and again will be the ordinary things of life we shared and the simple extravagant beauty of hugs and night-time rituals and unexpected smiles. 

So, the question remains "What about being?" And the answer will define both work and leisure. "All work and no play . ." as they say.  Then again, whose workshop are those "idle hands?" 

The writer of Proverbs offers superb perspective. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor-it is the gift of God. (Proverbs 3:11-13, NKJV)

That sounds like a good life.

for Thanksgiving

And the People Were Thankful

by Valorie Quesenberry

On tumbling seas, a humble ship . . .

its destiny -- the New World.

its masters -- a swarthy crew.

its heart -- a band of "pilgrims."

The voyage was long, the storms harsh, the future unsure but the landng was made.

A great rock looming on a craggy shore, the promise of a free land, and a faith in Almighty God.

And the people were thankful.



By planted fields, a stalwart group . . .

of settlers -- survivors, purposeful.

of natives -- quick, resourceful.

of friends -- feasting, playful.

The feast was welcome, the games friendly, the spirit festive,and the hearts were joyful.

Two peoples created by the same God and coming together on this fertile land of blessing.

And the people were thankful.


At revolution's dawn, a tiny republic . . .

the leaders -- strong, visionary.

the minutemen -- determined, ready.

the people -- sacrificing, resolute.

The battles were bloody, the conditions daunting, the soldiers untrained, but independence was won.

The infant that democracy birthed rose up in the strength of Providence and set the course of freedom.

And the people were thankful.


With divided hearts, a torn country . . .

the President -- bold, resolved.

the soldiers -- proud, stubborn.

the families -- brave, grieving.

The fields were graveyards, the destruction tragic, the hatred a curse, but the great wound was closed.

The people battled out their difference, brothers again clasped hands and mended the landscape of a united country. And the people were thankful.


In Liberty's gaze, a solitary immigrant . . .

the past -- squalid, desolate.

the present -- fearful, hopeful.

the future -- bright, promising.

The journey has ended, Ellis Island awaits, a new home to be made, and opportunities abound.

It was worth the cost to stand on the soil of America, the land of refuge, the home of the oppressed.

And the people were thankful.

Under Old Glory, a nation stands . . .

for liberty -- costly, sacred.

for justice -- fair, equal.

for brotherhood -- kind, merciful.

Foes have assailed her, wickness has assaulted her, centuries have tested her, and America squared its shoulders and set its strength to the task. God blessed her and through good and bad she came smiling through. And the people were thankful.


Around laden tables, an American family . . .

the scene -- warm, loving.

the food -- savory, plentiful.

the family -- close, loving.

Harvest has come, the pantry is full, the relatives have gathered and the turkey is golden and tender. No hardship is so difficult that it will not be overcome by the ministry of this Thanksgiving Day. A blessing is breathed, hands are folded, heads are bowed, and hearts have come home. The feast begins. And the people are thankful.

of being and doing

God uses my kids to teach me.  And sometimes He uses my relationship with Him to teach me how to be a better mom. 

I feel a compulsion to encourage and propel my kids to the top.  I don't want them just to do something, I want them to do it well . . . like, better than anyone.  You know?  Not just good grades - all As.  Not just play the piano -- challenge Beethoven. Not just make the team - score the most. 

I suppose it's noble to encourage a child to do his or her best.  There is certainly something character building about pulling out all the stops and pushing through to the top.  But there is also something to be said for enjoying the richness of life apart from goals and success.

As a firstborn, I never can see myself relaxing all of my expectations of myself or my children.  Nor do I want to. But God, the heavenly Parent, is reminding me of how He works.  While He expects me to grow and bloom in my spiritual walk and personal gifts, He also enjoys just observing my delight in living life like He planned as I am in relationship with Him.  He receives the greatest pleasure from knowing I'm His child.  He is happy when I am simply using my gifts and "abiding" in Him.  I don't have to prove anything, outdo anyone else or set a record.  After all, competition - against others or self - is a human invention.  Sure, it's great to beat one's personal best (and I like a good contest!).   But for perfectionists like me, the "better than" trap is always open and waiting. 

Maybe moms need to lose a little of the panic.  Maybe this mom justs need to relish my children's involvement and encourage more enjoyment in their activities.  Maybe it's okay if they don't make it to  Beethoven's level of virtuosity.  Maybe they can live fulfilled and successful lives without being first in everything.  Maybe they would even be happier. 

God expects us to live out fully the dimensions of His plan for each of us, but He does not push us to exceed it.  I should follow that pattern in my goals for my children.  Of course, it's a little harder for moms to know what are reasonable expectations because we can't see things from the perspective He has.  Yet, I think we do know somewhere deep inside that a mom's greatest joy comes from her children just being  - in relationship with her and in harmony with their abilities - than in doing.  After all, lives of incessant action can be eerily similar to windmills - continually beating a force against which they can never win.  I suppose the energy invested in life should be equal in measure to the joy that comes from relishing the simple pleasures readily accessible everyday, regardless of achievement or status. And the continal "doing" of Christian service should be balanced with the "being" that comes from lingering in His presence. 

Only in the context of "being" does "doing" have significance.  That's something I need to comtemplate a little more, both as a mom and as His child. 

always on our minds

It's truly amazing how many "news" stories are simply descriptions of the clothes popular women are wearing - either their fashion successes or malfunctions thereof.  Far be it from me to decry a woman's enjoyment of a pretty dress or the innate desire to look beautiful, but I think today's headlines tell us there may be a problem.  Everything is not all right in Camelot.

Many online news networks have a fashion channel that keeps American women updated on who looked good, who didn't and how we can avoid their diastrous results.  I admit to checking into the stories sometimes.  I mean, some of them are really kind of funny, and sometimes, I'm just plain curious.

I guess we need to realize that what women wear always makes the news.  It's a barometer of the culture's definition of femininity.  You can usually tell a lot about a society's moral code by the way the women dress.  (think people in primitive cultures who start wearing clothes when they come to faith.)

Our society defines womanhood in terms of sex appeal.  The clothing trends confirm it.  The difference in men's and women's casual attire is often only the cut of the pattern - with the women's clothing contoured or exposed to reveal female curves.

I suppose humankind has always been fascinated with the way women are dressing or undressing.  God created women to be worth looking at and men with eyes that recognize that fact.  But womanhood is much more complex and beautiful than outward characteristics.  It is a sacred gift from God, just as manhood.  It is a code stamped upon the soul; the body is only the reflection of what's inside.  It should be respected by both genders.  And that's something we can affirm on a daily basis - by both those doing the dressing and those doing the looking.