Comatose Intentionality

"Each of us, every day, is standing under a Niagra of blessings...."

~Doug Wilson

One emerging buzz word these days is Intentionality!  I hear it especially from mothers raising young children who have dedicated their lives to avoid “chance" philosophies, “momentary" lapses in quality time and "lack" of character training.  They want to be intentional in their mothering, not haphazardly raising the next generation…right on Girls! 

Intentionality!  It’s a fabulous word, used to set a standard for those in the trenches of any complex stage of life.  The word connotes being awake, aware and attentive.

Even at my stage of life, over 60, intentionality can be used to spur me on to being a better me, better wife, friend, mother, more godly and Christ like.  Contemplating how to apply intentionality into my life, I thought back to a conversation with my dear Viking.  For some reason we were on the subject of sleep, those hours when we are completely unintentional and comatose.  

He was amazed at how out of control we are every night as we lay in bed, sleeping away, unaware of our surroundings and lost in dream land.  I’m reminded him how often I find him passed out in a chair on the weekends, in his office kingsize lazyboy, in front of a golf game on TV or outside on the porch…Viking man is comatose frequently.   We came to the conclusion that much of our life is spent being unaware of all the wonderful blessings, full protection and invisible defense hovering over us at all times. 

I wonder if at times we appear comatose to God, even in our intentionality.  Even when we are wide awake and trying to be intentional in our life, are we really blinded and in a sleepy state, unaware of God’s grace and mercy being poured out on us.  I pray not. 

Thankfully, the Lord is intentional even when we are comatose.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?

 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm —
    he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Partners on the Way Down

Lessons from my husband

I married a Viking!  Arne Paulsen, my gentle, giant Viking.  He is a man with Norwegian blood running through his veins, like men who long ago advanced and conquered much of the northern hemisphere. 

Similar to his ancestors, Arne’s pursuit of adventure overcomes him every so often.  His 50^th birthday was celebrated with a drive of a lifetime in a Winston Cup car; his 60th took him to Mount Antero, in Colorado, and this year for number 61 he returned to tackle Mt. Missouri.  

These Colorado trips are taken with a group of men from church and while driving home each shares what they learned on the climb.  Arne arrived home last Sunday night just after eleven O’clock and was so pumped that we stayed up until two! He did all the talking and I just listened, with burst of unrestrained laughter.

There was no laughter though as he told of the two things he learned on the mountain this year, I sat and soaked in his wisdom.

First, Arne learned that, “We all need a partner!”  Last year he climbed alone and the “big” bear paws he discovered brought a quick end to the adventure.  This year he had a partner, Rich, who walked with Arne and “had fellowship, one with another.”  I John 1:7  We need each other, none of us is meant to do life alone.  We are a body who function together and when one is cut off it brings death in many ways.

Rich and Arne, Mt. Missouri, 7-21-12

Second, Arne learned that, “It’s almost as hard coming down as it is going up!”  He told the guys, “I’m on the downside of life and in my younger days I assumed life would be easier with the kids gone, with retirement around the corner and my youthful ‘stupid ambition’ under more control of the Holy Spirit…but I was wrong.” 

So true in both of these lessons!  And when both are combined…

We all need Partners on the Way Down!

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Raggedy Hair, Raggedy Heart

The Gray Haired Lady

Chapter 2

Has something like this ever happened to you?  I had waited way too long, until my hair was at that I-need-a-cut-NOW stage.  Thinking I could get an appointment in a few days, I called Hair Illusions only to find out Janice was booked for over a week!  Reluctantly, I took the first appointment that worked for us both and resigned myself to just looking raggedy! 

With a few days to go before my haircut the phone rang…it was my daughter.  “Mom, I called Janice to see if I could get in for a cut before our “date-night” on Friday and she’s booked!”  I fell right into her thoughts…”Oh”, I said, “I have an appointment on Thursday, you can have it.”  “Well, that’s what I was wondering”, she replied.  “And, since you won’t be going and I will, I could use a sitter…” 

Our plans, man’s plans, women’s plans…they’re fragile, ever changing with every whiff and whim!   However, when God has a plan and sets a date…it happens, it’s written in ink and every detail to accomplish His plan is perfect!

It was a Divine Appointment for the Gray Haired Lady and I to cross paths that day and I’m ever so thankful.

As we left off in chapter one, the Gray Haired Lady and I had exchanged smiles in the parking lot at Revive Our Hearts and I told my friend, Debbie, that I had to meet that woman. 

Debbie and I found our way into the recording studio and picked up our name badges.  Earlier that morning, we decided to sit near the middle section to avoid going away with sore necks from looking either right or left the whole day.  Debbie grabbed my book bag and plopped our stuff on two chairs in the middle, perfect, no stiff neck tomorrow I thought to myself.

These recording days are now like a little reunion as we meet and chat with women who are becoming new friends.  Like most women, there is always much catching up needed as events in our lives are ever changing.  Ellie, from New York and another Nancy and I connected quickly and chatted a bit…then I found my saved seat.

 

Heading for my chair I knew what God’s plans were for my day.  In front of me and over one seat sat the Gray Haired Lady…all by herself!  Eagerly, I seated myself and began telling the story!  “……I knew when our eyes met in the parking lot, and even told my friend that, ‘Today I have to meet that gray haired lady right there!’” 

The gracious, aged woman responded with a soft voice and strikingly peaceful blue eyes, “Well aren’t you sweet.”  At that moment I thanked God for His Divine Appointments in my life!  This was perfectly arranged and on His calendar, not one minute late or one minute early!  The Gray Haired Lady was about to minister to my raggedy heart, just when it was needed.

…and my haircut is tomorrow.

"I'm going to see Jesus soon!"

Back in the Day

Club night at our house was special!  My sister, Donna, and I would lay in bed giggling along with the group of mother’s precious lifelong friends in our living room.  We loved these events and our excitement grew as family specialties were prepared, the house was polished and the elegant tablecloths and dishes were brought out from their hiding places. 

One of our chores was to fetch the box of small glass plates.  These plates were fanciful, used only a few times each year.  Some were square with ridges on the bottom, others a swirling oval shape with etched sprigs of flowers on the underside.  No matter the shape, each had a spot for holding a dainty clear tea cup.  As we listened from our upstairs sanctuary at the laughing, chatting and clinking cups on trays, we wondered what would be leftover in the morning for us to have our own private “Club” and practice at becoming gracious, chatting women one day.

It’s fun to reminisce; just as it was enjoyable listening in as a child on my Grandmother and mother do the same when they were with family and friends.  So many family stories and so much laughter as the olden days were recalled. 

This morning I read Psalms 143:5-6 and it got me thinking about enjoyable memories.  I thank God for family history recounted and recollections of superb fellowship with friends, but foremost I’m grateful for the works of His hand in my life.

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all that You have done;

I ponder the work of your hands.

I stretch out my hands to you;

My soul thirsts for You like a parched land.  Selah

My Grandmother, in the green dress, and her "Club" using similar glass plates and cups.

The Perfect Way to Love

“Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way . . . God can give us the perfect way.” 

Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place

After eight days just spent with five of our grandchildren in our downsized two bedroom home, sadly to say my old human love was running short.  Tonight, with an empty and quiet house, I'm so thankful to our gracious and merciful Father who is faithful to direct when needed in the perfect way.

Looking out my window

Observing older women, or as this blog title states, “LEARNING FROM AGED WOMEN THE SECRETS OF REVERENT LIVING” has become a favorite quest since passing the 60 year old mark myself.

God has blessed me with a fantastic neighbor, Doris.  In fact, all I need to do is look out my window to observe her reverent living in action.  Doris and her husband, Larry, both in their mid 70’s, are always busy and active.  You can catch one or both of this couple working in the yard, on their way to serve others or at church in one of many ways, off to help their son and family with projects, giving grandchildren and others rides on their zip-line, walking, biking, visiting with neighbors and more.

What I admire most about Doris is her loyalty.   By looking out the window I have observed her devotion to her husband, loyalty to her home, her family, to her friends, her neighbors and their church. 

Doris and Larry serving at a Valentine Dinner for couples with large families!

Living in the Midwest, it’s common to lose many of our retired residents to warmer climates, some for many months.  Doris and her husband stick around throughout our frigid winter and annually attend the Moody Conference in February, have been seen shoveling out neighbors after a large snowfall, arrive early at the Wednesday 7a.m. prayer group even when it’s below zero and in the midst of chemo treatments!   

I have observed Doris in social, neighborhood and church functions and the one action I admire highly is her daily walk.  It’s not far, down the street and back, over and over for twenty to thirty minutes.  In her hand is an index card which is referred to now and then.  Looking out the window I catch that quick card glance now and then, along with ever so slightly moving lips…Doris is memorizing scripture!  Doris is loyal to God!

Thank you, God, for giving me a picture of a reverent woman, demonstrating her secret by living it out right in front of me!