today I’m wondering if anyone out there shares my aversion to (if not outright hatred of) roundabouts?  or is it just me?  I mean what were the British thinking? Roundabout, according to the dictionary, is a British term for merry-go-round. and secondarily a British term for traffic circle.  The first definition says it all.  The British knew what they were doing when they started putting “merry-go-rounds” at every intersection.  The proof is in the name they gave to their traffic circles. Calling them roundabouts shows they knew they were constructing “merry-go-rounds” for cars.  Given that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, one would think someone would have questioned the reasoning behind turning straightforward paths into circuitous challenges.

Apparently someone over here thought it would be cool to follow Britain’s example.  (don’t they know we are no longer a colony?)  Now there seems to be a conspiracy to bring these roundabouts to any and every intersection near me. You, like me, dear reader, may be innocently unsuspecting of this plot until it is too late. Your once very straightforward drive to work or to wherever is now suddenly a dizzyingly, dangerous and circuitous obstacle course that must be overcome.  Your drive is now a series of yielding, merging, circling, exiting (or not),  yielding, merging, circling, exiting; over and over again at each new roundabout.

It used to be so simple to get from point A to point B, the light told me what to do at each intersection or the well established rules of a four-way stop dictated my behavior.  But participating in this cut-throat, Indy 500 challenge at every intersection, leaves me little adrenaline left over for the rest of my day when I do finally arrive at my destination.

What were “they” thinking?  Are my lawmakers so bored that they have nothing better to do than to fix what IS NOT BROKEN?  Do they have that much extra money burning a hole in their budget that they need to spend it on merry-go-rounds?  (which I do not want to ride)  I have a few suggestions for them if that is the case.  I could point them to a pothole or two or more.  They really are broken and they are breaking our cars.

There are plenty of broken things out there that really do need fixing, ie. old, collapsing bridges and such.  I wish they would stop “fixing” things that are currently working just fine.  We need more support for our fire and law enforcement people, for our child services, for world hunger and world peace, for local hunger and local peace.  There are lots of things we need, but another roundabout isn’t one of them.

I spend enough time going in circles (metaphorically speaking of course) in my life that I have no desire to travel in circles literally, every day, just to get where I need to be.  These roundabouts are adding miles to my commute every day, particularly if no one will let me off (or is it out?) and I must continue to circle in the inside lane (don’t tell me it has never happened to you)  Plus, for the directionally challenged, such as myself, an encounter with a roundabout is a daily nightmare, often leaving me quite turned around.  If I get off too soon or too late I am headed somewhere I never intended to go and before I can figure it out, there is another roundabout in my path, taking me even further from my destination and leaving me hopelessly off course.

Life used to be so straightforward.  Now I am forced to travel in circles. Roundabouts take up so much more space and cost so much more of our tax dollars than regular, run of the mill intersections.  All this at a time when funding isn’t available for so much that needs to be done, so much that is actually broken. How are these roundabouts being funded anyway?  I’m beginning to suspect Russian collusion (not to be confused with collision, which is definitely associated with roundabouts)  Maybe the Russians’ plan is to keep us Americans busy endlessly circling, leaving us dizzy, disoriented, drained and discouraged; allowing them to be one up on us.  I bet you the Russians aren’t busy building roundabouts right now.

I recently heard a rumor that there was talk of putting in a traffic light/signal at some of the roundabouts to help with traffic flow.  Now I thought the sole purpose of the roundabout was to replace the traffic light and to improve traffic flow?  I sigh in resignation every time a new roundabout appears.  When will it stop? When there are no more straight roads left?  I am paying more tax money so that I can drive in circles, drive more miles, spend more time in my car . . . forgive me but I’m not seeing an upside here to this roundabout takeover happening at an intersection near me.

Maybe I will lead a protest of some kind, but first I will have to break free from these circles of life I now must navigate daily at my own peril.  Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Pr. 3:5-6)

sincerely,         Grace Day

ps.  I forgot to mention that the dictionary definition of roundabout as an adjective includes the words circuitous, indirect, meandering (none a ringing endorsement) and also the word “tortuous”.  I am not making this up, dear readers, check it out for yourselves.  So, in the final analysis, a roundabout is in reality a “tortuous merry-go-round.”   Happy driving everyone!

 

What is a typical day?  well, let’s see.  I turn some of my many molehills (life is full of molehills, you can’t avoid them) into mountains (that takes some concentrated effort such as worrying or fretting or stewing) then I get overwhelmed by the mighty mountains I have made.  Mercy comes to my rescue.  I receive mercy, mercy sets me free, she teaches me to be merciful.  I set all my prisoners free, now I can see my mountains moving, making a way for me to continue moving forward in faith, all the while I hold tight to my mustard seed.  I will need her again tomorrow.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”  (Matthew 5:7)

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, . . .  though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its’ branches.”  (Matthew 13:31-32)

“He (Jesus) replied, ‘Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” (Matt.17:20-21)

sincerely,      Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to confess, dear readers, it has been so very long since I have been on an actual date, that I completely forgot about all the angst and anxiety associated with such an undertaking.  (or maybe that’s precisely why I did agree to said date, I had no memory of what I had experienced so long ago)  As it turns out, for me, all of my angst and anxiety are focused on one all important aspect of my impending date — WHAT TO WEAR?

This is the dilemma that is consuming my waking hours and keeping me up at night. What to wear?  Nothing I can think of seems right.  Too dressy, too casual, too outdated, (why is it still in my closet?) too loose, too tight, too conservative, too trendy, too plain, too uncomfortable (why did I buy it in the first place?), not right for the season, not right for the weather, wrong color, wrong style, not my best look, (do I even have a best look?), no wonder panic is setting in. My closets are full to overflowing but I have nothing acceptable to wear.  How is this even possible?  The saying, “water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink,” plays in my mind as I continue to go through my closet and drawers in search of that perfect article of clothing that I can wear on my date.

Now two things occur to me at this point.  I realize that I have managed to leave my house seven days a week appropriately dressed for work, church, the gym, errands, meeting friends and whatever else takes place away from home, for many years now.  And I do this successfully every day.  At least I think that is the case.  No fellow Target shoppers have ridiculed my attire to my face, my gym friends seem okay with whatever I show up in, and of course my church friends are accepting and grant me grace.  But I do have one very tough audience, my high school students — they would say something to my face.  (and sometimes do come to think of it)

Why don’t I just go shopping you might ask?  The answer is, because I have to know what it is that I am shopping for, in order for that to work.  And I have no clue, no clue what this perfect, yet elusive first date outfit looks like.  So I wouldn’t recognize it even if I came face to face with it in the store.  I need help, big time!

The words of Colossians 3:12-14 run through my mind, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other . . . Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Now this is some good advice but I’m not sure my dilemma is decided.

Although I gotta admit, these intangible attributes are right for any occasion, they are always in style, never out of season or out of date, they look great on everyone, they fit every size, work for every age group; they are each person’s best color and best look.  These attributes are much more comfortable and becoming than their counterparts, which we often wear instead. (indifference, cruelty, pride, harshness, impatience and hatred are not a good look for anyone)  And love is the perfect outer garment or covering for the whole ensemble.

So, on second thought, maybe my dilemma isn’t that much of a dilemma after all. Whatever I wear, if I clothe myself with these attributes from Colossians, I will be well dressed indeed for any and every occasion.  Hopefully, my date will think so too.  (or he won’t notice what I’m actually wearing because of the dazzling effect of the intangible attributes with which God clothes His children AND God says that love covers over a multitude of sins, (1 Peter 4:8) even the most serious fashion faux pas.)

“And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  . . .  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

sincerely,     Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

If I see myself reflected in another’s eyes,  when they are gone and I no longer see my reflection, have I ceased to exist?  Am I no longer the daughter I once was?  the granddaughter I used to be?  no longer a wife, a fast friend; who am I without their eyes to attest to my existence?  in beholding me, reflecting back that I am seen, that I am known;

this is how I know my place in this world, where I fit, guided by what I see reflected in the eyes of those I have loved — I find my way — always know who I am, until you are no longer here — I search in vain, fearing I have vanished as well with your departure from this present place . . .

I knew myself reflected in your gaze — now I wonder who I am, (if I am even here at all?)  For if I find no reflection of myself, have I ceased to exist or am I merely invisible?  Then I realize the answer doesn’t matter — because there is no difference between the two — invisibility and death.  They are the same in so many ways.

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”   (Job 23:10)

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said , ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'”  (Genesis 16:13)

” . . .  I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”  (Isaiah 43:1)

“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”   (Matthew 10:30)

“Does He not see my ways and count my every step?”  (Job 31:4)

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  (1Cor. 13:12)

No more death, no more invisibility, no more poor reflections, just face to face fully knowing and fully being known.

“O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.   . . .  You are familiar with all my ways.”  (Psalm 139:1&3)

I will see clearly in eternity, reflected in my Heavenly Father’s face, my identity, which belongs to Him from the foundation of the world.  And on that day, there will no longer be a question of identity.

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

 

 

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”   (Philippians 4:13)

I want to pray down Jericho’s wall, stand on faith and watch it fall.

I want to pray down the walls hiding every human heart, watch those barriers crumble, bestowing a new start.

I want to walk on water and soar on eagles’ wings, I want to move mighty mountains and do other impossible things.

I want to handle serpents and face the lions in their den, I want to walk through fire, I hope it’s me He’ll send.

I want to see hearts of flesh replacing every heart of stone, I want to sing Your praises, Lord, with those around Your throne.

I want to see Your miracles, I want to know Your mighty power,  You alone are my Rock, my shield, my shelter, my strong tower.

I want to know Jesus’ resurrection power, Your word says lives in me;  I want to have the faith I need to set that power free.

Help me, dear Lord, to hold onto my mustard seed; for just as You have promised, that is all I’ll ever need.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”  (Matthew 19:26)

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I believe, help my unbelief!'” (Mark 9:24)

“He (Jesus) replied, ‘Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.'” (Matt. 17:20)

“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”  (Romans 8:11)

“I pray also that . . . you may know the hope to which He has called you, . . . and His incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,” (Eph. 1:18-20)

“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  (Philippians 3:10-1

sincerely,           Grace Day

 

 

 

Yes, that is the question of the day.  But today I think I found the answer.  At least my answer anyway.  It’s not the obvious answer, it’s not what I thought it was all these years.  Today my revelation came and it was a surprise.  I thought I went to the gym for my body.  Turns out I go as much for my mind and my spirit as my body.  I go for the people.

Today revealed that truth to me even though today at the gym was just like all my other days at the gym, nothing out of the ordinary.  But I realized that the ordinary at my gym is really quite extraordinary.  Why?  Because the people there are extraordinary.  Oh, not to the casual observer, perhaps.  We all look like the ordinary people that we are.  And yet when I learn their stories, get to see beneath the surface, I am encouraged and inspired in so many ways.

Today one woman showed up for our exercise class in an orthopedic boot.  She had broken her foot.  I have already written to you about my friend who comes to exercise class hooked up to her portable oxygen, which she has given a name and dresses in appropriate seasonal garb, to the delight and amusement of us all.  If I need to be encouraged not to give up (on anything) I just need to get myself to my fitness class at the gym.

Today was no exception.  I learned that a fellow classmate (who usually is next to me in the back row) has recently been signed and embarked upon a professional modeling career even though she is in her late fifties.  This requires no stretch of the imagination to believe in that she is tall and beautiful.  But this is usually a goal pursued by much younger women with only varying degrees of success.  So to me it speaks of hope in seeing things come to pass, of not giving up.   Then I noticed everyone signing a card, which turned out to be a wedding card for one of the exercise class members.  Remarkable!  Unexpected!  She is eighty-four years old and getting married!  I love knowing this because it gives me hope.  If this can happen for her, maybe this can happen for me too.  I should not count out any possibilities in life.  It is not too late!

So I went in to the gym to give my body a work out and came out of the gym inspired, uplifted, connected and reminded once again that everybody has a story. And I draw inspiration and hope from each of these stories.  If my body was strengthened as much as my heart and my spirit were today, then I really had a good workout!  And my commitment to keep on showing up, to not give up, was renewed once again as I spent time with these very ordinary, totally extraordinary people.  Did I mention my friend who walks the walking/running track daily with her cane?  I don’t need to look far for reminders of resilience and perseverance when I’m there.

God wants us to take care of our bodies and He wants us to renew our minds and uplift our spirits.  Apparently, I can do all three at my gym.  What a revelation! How thankful to God I am for all my gym friends, who are such encouragements and inspirations, God’s gifts to me.  They remind me to never give up.  Which reminds me that God never gives up on me.  God never gives up on any of us.  God never gives up on you, dearest reader.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  (Romans 12:2)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”  (Philippians 4:8)

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  (Deut. 31:8)

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Where can I flee from Your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, You are there;  if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.”  (Psalm 139:7-10)

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'”  (Jeremiah 31:3)

” . . . And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

sincerely,         Grace Day