Life’s Mysteries

By Robin Steinweg

 Some things are a nagging mystery to me.

1. Why, after years of home-educating my sons and scouring about for questions to ask, do I finally have plenty—now that they’ve graduated?

2. Why do people spend so much time wondering whether the chicken or the egg came first? Or why a chicken crossed the road? In an election year, it’s rather shocking to pass a knot of adults on a street corner having a serious natter about the habits of poultry. And yes, I realize “serious natter” presents a contradiction of terms. You see? It’s a day for mysteries, and it’s a mystery to me why I juxtaposed those two. 

3. And my most recent, most burning question: Why, when both my sheets and my towels are 100% cotton, do my line-dried sheets grow soft, snuggly and fresh, while the line-dried towels grow stiff and stubbornly snuggle-resistant?

T-shirts? Soft. 100% cotton. Blue jeans? Stiff. 100% cotton. Unmentionables? Shush!

What do I do when I have a burning question involving a Life Mystery? I do what I taught my student/sons to do. I researched. I discovered there are several camps concerning dryers and lines.

Camp One is opposed to using dryers and claims that if you use less detergent, pour vinegar in the rinse water (never fabric softener!), and shake your laundry vigorously before hanging on the line, the items will be tolerably soft. You will be environmentally responsible.

Camp Two suggests using vinegar in the rinse water, shaking vigorously, hanging laundry on a breezy day, bringing it all in while slightly damp, and using the Air Dry feature of your dryer for the last 5-10 minutes to fluff it all up nice and soft. This is considered fairly green.

Camp Three says, “Seriously?” And throws the whole load into the dryer. A nod might be given to vinegar replacing fabric softener. But who has time these days to run outside every fifteen minutes to see which items are slightly damp, and bring them inside in shifts, as they get there? And what about bird bombs? And allergens clinging to fabrics that will come in close contact with sensitive noses?

I could find no answer to my basic question as to why 100% cotton sheets grow soft when hung out, while 100% cotton towels grow stiff.

But while I researched, the clock ticked away. And though I righteously jumped on Camp One’s wagon, I thought better of it, and I joined up for Camp Two. Until I reconciled my day’s schedule with the clock. I said, “Seriously?” Tossed some white vinegar into the rinse dispenser, and threw my towels and my jeans into the dryer. After all, the birds are flying bombing raids and the breeze is laden with pollen. Camp Three’s lookin’ good. In which camp are you?

  

TRUST

By Sharon Wilhite

 

It was winter in the 1940's as the four boys took off for an afternoon of adventure on ice skates exploring the frozen vastness of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Hours into their fun, terror settled in as blowing snow created white out conditions. Too cold to stay out on the ice without moving until visibility returned, the boys debated which direction was home - each confident his decision was the right one. However, only ONE direction was the RIGHT one; three others would lead them miles away to an icy death far from home. The oldest, a boy scout, convinced the others that only his compass would faithfully point them in the right direction - not their own instincts.

Continually checking their progress against the needle pointing north, they eventually arrived safely back at their own shoreline.

 

The old gentleman relating the story slowly draws a box out of his pocket, opens it, revealing the original compass used in his tale; a sixty year old reminder of the meaning of "trust."

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

REACHING FOR JESUS

By Marie Tschopp

Scripture reading:  Mark 5:24b-34

Have you ever wanted something so badly, you were willing to do anything to get it? 

 
Florence* did.  For twelve years her menstrual bleeding wouldn’t stop.  In Biblical times, women on their periods were considered unclean—just like lepers.  Florence was not allowed to touch anyone, and no one was allowed to touch her.  Her husband most likely divorced her long ago.  If she had children, she couldn’t hold them, kiss them goodnight, or wipe away their tears.  Friends probably pointed fingers and whispered cruelties about a sexual sin causing her condition.

 
Florence went to several doctors who took her money, abused her body, and stole her hope.

 
The slow dripping of blood took its toll.  Side effects from anemia manifested—pallor, headaches, and heart arrhythmias.  Florence was tired, so very tired.  And desperate.

 
Then she heard Jesus was down by the lake.  Jesus—the prophet who made the lame walk again, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, healed lepers, and raised the dead.  She thought, “If I could just touch the hem of his garment, I would be healed!” 

 
Against Jewish law, Florence elbowed her way through the crowd and, when Jesus was within reach, she stretched out her hand and grasped hold of his robe as if her life depended on it, for it did.   All of a sudden, she felt different.   The bleeding stopped.  Headache, gone!   Her cheeks flushed pink.  Gone was the fatigue, replaced with a surging energy she hadn’t felt in 12 long years.  Florence let go of Jesus’ robe and watched him walk away.   

 
Suddenly, Jesus stopped and scanned the crowd.  Florence knew he was looking for her.  What was he going to do? 

 
“Oh, no!” she must have thought.  She broke the law.  Would he take her healing back?  Florence threw herself at Jesus’ feet.  Trembling, she poured out her story. 

 
In some scripture readings, we hear Jesus call a woman, “Woman.”  Not here.  He called Florence “Daughter.”   After years of being ostracized from her family, Jesus accepted her as part of his own.   He told her that her faith had healed her, and that she should leave in peace and be freed from her suffering.   

 
Today, Jesus makes the same offer to us—If we are willing to go to him, reach out, and grab hold. 
 

*Name given by author, not Scripture

Surrounded by Conspiracy

By Kathryn Lang

It IS a conspiracy. The technician that was at the house would neither confirm nor deny it, so I know THEY are out to get me. What are the odds that my main internet connection would go out and when I plugged in my back up air card it was ALSO not working? They planned it that way – I know they did.

I discovered that the THEYs of this world often cause a lot of the chaos that inhabits my world. Listening to my children . . . I am they. So, no matter who your THEY may be or what the conspiracy is that is keeping you from your purpose, there are some things you can do that will get you through.

Tips for Getting Through the Conspiracy and Beyond the Reach of They

- Smile! Nothing throws off the conspirators faster than a smile. The power of the smile will pour through your body and on to anyone that it encounters. Taking the time to smile will break the clouds – even if just for a moment.

- See beyond the moment. Not getting on the internet allowed me to focus more time on my family and on editing my novel, RUN (WARNING! Shameless plug . . . RUN will be available in bookstores later this month). I quit looking at the lack of internet access and found the possibilities that it offered.

- Review the situation and adjust for the circumstances. At the end of the day, I got more done that I ever did with the distraction of the internet. Not having the option made me realize that I need to adjust how I utilize that particular tool.

Maybe it was a conspiracy . . . by maybe instead of THEY plotting the annoyance, it was God planning the opportunity. I have found that what some see as a log in the road is often just a redirection down the right path.

New Signs of Life

By Nerola (Rolie) Grady

Spring is more than a season.   The earth becomes a quick change artist, revealing its color to a winter starved audience.   It’s that period when we’re surrounded by extravagant beauty if we dare to look.  A time to shed those TV dramas and walk out your own reality show with Jesus.

“Behold, I make ALL things new,” He said.  My challenge is to follow Him around and receive with an open heart.    It began yesterday when errands turned into fun as I watched a young couple stop traffic so a mama duck and her eight babies could cross the road.

Another surprise awaited me that afternoon when I stopped by my neighbor’s house.  She was laying out goods from her mother’s house for a garage sale.  “Make me an offer on anything you like,” she said.  My eyes landed on several sturdy pots and pans.  We quickly settled on a fair price, and I walked home with an answer to prayer…cookware that doesn’t leak!

Can God rejuvenate ordinary routines too?  I wondered while tackling a box of 10-year-old medical bills.  It wasn’t easy to revisit past illnesses while  updating our personal records.  But two hours later, I felt tension leave as old notices disappeared into my paper shredder.  Another step towards freedom.

What about potential crises?   Heavy storms threatened my relatives in northwest Iowa yesterday.  They hunkered down for several hours in the basement.  Thankfully there were no injuries, only anecdotes as my great niece shouted, “Gustnadoes, Mommy, gustnadoes are coming!”

Like first buds, life shows up in small packages.  But given time, it will quickly fill empty spaces and produce a fragrance that is irresistible.  This month I hope you too will be showered with Heaven’s delights….so much that joy replaces any lingering remnants of winter.