Feeling Invisible?

"Am I invisible? Am I inaudible? Do I merely festoon the room with my presence?" as Christopher Fry was to ask in The Lady's Not for Burning.

I've never read the book or seen the play and probably never will, but I love that quote! It made me laugh out loud when I first read it.

Do you sometimes feel as if you aren't seen or as if no one is listening? Life is such a demanding clamor of people and things. We're pulled in a dozen directions at once, and feel both invisible and inaudible. Who sees who I really am? Who truly listens to what I have to say?

"Honey, I'm home!" translates "Is dinner ready? as husbands need us and expect much of us. "Mommy, where's my bunny? morphs into "Mom, what did you do with my red shirt?" as our children grow. And "Are you coming over? or "Have you called your sister yet?" from parents whose control we long ago thought we were out from under.

It's Time!

Our homes are full of bells and chimes, the washer, dryer, microwave, phones, all beckon us to race to them for attention. When the only warmth and welcome seems to come from a pot full of freshly perked coffee or the brisk scent of brewing tea or the comforting aroma of hot chocolate, maybe it's time to stop and take a break.

Of course, we don't merely festoon our homes with our presence. We are loved by our family and we have sweet glimpses of appreciation.

But what do you do if you feel invisible?

Stop and turn things around. Lift something more than a cup of coffee or a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of tea. There is One to whom you are never invisible or inaudible. Lift your eyes, lift a friend, lift your voice, lift up your soul.

Pray: Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Psalm 123:1

Be there for a friend: For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:10

Sing: Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices they shall sing together . . . Isaiah 52:8a

Seek the Lord: Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 86:4

Praise: Lift up your hands in His Name: Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:4

They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing;

for the majesty of the LORD they

shall cry aloud from the sea.

Isaiah 24:14

God knows your name and loves you: Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing. Isaiah 40:26

Allow God to lift you: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

Be uplifted in His peace: The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:26

#

And here are a few quotes I've loved and leaned on for many years. I hope they will lift your spirits and help you to know without a doubt that you are never, ever invisible to the Creator of heaven and earth!

Theresa of Avila said:

"Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works

as for the love with which they are done."

From The Practice of the Presence of God--

"We can do little things for God. I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for the love of him; and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before him who has given me Grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king." Brother Lawrence

William Law wrote:

"What ever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank God and praise him for it you turn it into a blessing."

John Oxenham wrote in Bees in Amber--

"Not for one single day

Can I discern my way,

But this I surely know--

Who gives the day,

Will show the way.

So I securely go."

#

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

All Scripture is from the New King James Version of the Bible

It's Time photograph was taken by my daughter, Deborah Sandidge

Photograph of the little girl with her hands raised is my great granddaughter, River.

She's standing in the surf, thrilled with that huge Atlantic Ocean before her.

Bring out the best: Robes, Rings, and Sandals

But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’ (Luke 15:22 NKJV)

You are the Lord's special treasure*. The Father brings out the best for you.

Last May, Naomi** told us her story about finding a ring when she was a little girl on a walk with her mother and grandmother. Her story brought back memories of several ring stories I have. Rings have been milestone markers during my life and marriage, and this story is about the ring that marks my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

I really enjoy rings. They're beautiful and fun, and they have their place in the schemes of things. They are a signet, a sign for me. Every ring I wear has meaning and reminds me of a story behind it. But rings are simply things. The rings on my fingers are re-creations of all that is God's. He created the beauty of rubies and the brilliance of diamonds and the subtle gleam of gold. If it were not for Him, rings wouldn't circle my fingers at all. To me, they're tiny reflections, reminders of His glory.

Speaking of glory, this little tale tales place in Loafers Glory, North Carolina, in June of 1999. Loafers Glory is a tiny place that had its fifteen minutes of fame in the 70s as a feature of the National Geographic magazine. But it's also a place I've spent many wonderful summers.

On the way to pick up a pizza in nearby Bakersville, my husband, Jerry, and I planned to stop by the recycle center to take the trash and recyclables. We'd been painting the house and my hands felt dry and chapped. So just before we reached the recycle center, I took off my ruby ring and laid it in my lap for a moment to put lotion on my hands. (Yes, that's definitely an "Oh, no!" moment.) Distracted as we drove into the center, I totally forgot that I hadn't put it back on. The ring was hidden in the folds of my long sundress as I got out of the van to drop off the trash and bottles. We waved and spoke to Paul, the older man in charge of the center, and I never heard a sound as the ring fell from my dress onto the driveway. We did what we came to do and left.

Deep breath and long pause . . .

It wasn't until we returned home, finished our pizza, and began to relax, that I suddenly realized my ring was gone! I did a frantic pocket and purse search and did remember to pray. And it's a blessing to look back, because when I recall all that happened, those fervent prayers coincided with the time it was found. (I really do try hard to remember to pray about everything!)

In the midst of searching the van, I vividly recalled the moment when I must have lost it. So, back to the recycle center we drove, squealing tires and all (I can just see my guardian angel above us with wildly flapping angel-wings, panting to keep up with us!), where I searched the hot tarmac to no avail. I was devastated until Paul looked over at me-with-my-nose-to-the-ground, searching, and grinned. "Did you lose something?" He pulled out a business card and handed it to me. It could have been gold-plated, I was so thrilled! Well, poor guy, Paul found himself on the receiving end of a joyful hug and a bunch of appreciation. He just grinned from ear-to-ear and chuckled.

But I still had to claim my ring. A young woman, I'll call her Mary, who'd just lost her husband the week before, found it. She later told us that she'd prayed about what to do. She had her business cards with her an decided to write a note on the care: Found, lost ring. Call and describe. Then she left the card with Paul. She'd seen the ring in the recycle center driveway, sparkling in the afternoon sunshine, and thought some little girl must have lost her Cracker Jack® box ring. But when she picked it up and looked closer, she quickly realized that it was certainly no Cracker Jack® box ring!

And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' (Luke 15:9 NKJV)

I called Mary and left her an excited message that I was the ring's owner. She later returned my call to verify that the ring was mine, and Jerry and I drove up to her home at the tip-top of a mountain. Mary was as happy as I was, and since no way would she accept a reward, the Gideons ended up handing out some Bibles in her honor and name. We drove home, marveling at the gorgeous sunset, thankful and elated to have found that which was lost.

Be encouraged! God is in the details of our lives, caring for us in all things, great and small.

O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isaiah 25:1 NKJV)

* * *

* Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (Exodus 19:5 NKJV)

* Naomi Rawlings, Encouragement for Mothers and Daughters, May 16, 2011 Making Home Work Blog

The Gift of Interruption

by Sally Chambers

Jesus often stopped inthe midst of what he was doing when parents interrupted his teaching to tuck their baby into his arms or place their little ones on his lap. He never rebuked a mother or father or refused to bless a child. He never rebuked his disciples, who misunderstood for a moment the importance of that interruption. Those parents wanted their children to experience the blessing, touch, and attention of this great man, whom they believed to be the Messiah, and those children were blessed indeed.

My mother used to tell of a time when her father interrupted her at her desk as she studied late one night.

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and told her "There are sometimes things more important than homework."

And so, she left her studies behind. Her daddy led her outside, and together they entered the dark night, walking into the midst of wonder. Hand-in-hand, the two of them stood and watched the beauty of the shimmering lights in the northern sky.

That's the way my mother told the story of when she was a little girl--of living on Cape Cod--of how her father interrupted her homework one evening, to show her something she must see.

Was that the reason that when I was as deep into dreams as a six-year-old could be, my daddy woke me? "Wake up, Sally, there's something I want you to see."

His soft, whispered words pushed sleep away. And in the dim light, he smiled at me, wrapped my blanket around me, scooped me up into his arms, and carried me out into the night. My daddy interrupted my sleep because he wanted me to see something special--to experience something more important than sleep.

Outside, beneath the cool desert skies of Washington State, he held me and pointed to the lights of the north. Filled with awe, I watched the gracefully undulating, color-filled, shimmering phenomenon that my father explained was the aurora borealis. Even the name was magical to me. I've never forgotten the wonder I felt that night.

Children have a depthless capacity for wonder. Filling that capacity is both a joy and a great responsibility for those who care for them. Interrupting sleep or homework, play or a chore to behold one of God's works is a beautiful and unforgettable gift for any child.

Since that long-ago time, just as I showed them to her, my daughter has seen and pointed out wonders to her own children.

Now, it's my granddaughter's turn to show her daughter those wonders. And so, the gift of teaching a capacity for the wonder of God's creation passes down the steps of time. And yet another generation learns the value of interruptions.

Wha wonders have you shown your little ones? Was it the birth of a new foal? A meteor shower? An eclipse of the moon?

We serve an awesome God!

My daughter, Deborah Sandidge, took the last two photographs in this post. Enjoy more of Deb's work at her website http://www.deborahsandidge.com/-/deborahsandidge/

A Sleep Solution

by Sally Chambers

Glimpses and Guidance from the Garrett

Have you just been reminded by that women's magazine on the table that says you need to get your "beauty sleep?" and you know there's no way that's happening? Are you exhausted from conquering cobwebs, creating casseroles, chasing children, and the million other things you have to do every day?

I remember the times when I was exactly that, exhausted and complaining to my mother that 24/7 just wasn't enough. Wise woman that she was, she handed down some sage advice.

"Take naps when your children do."

No, I'm not encouraging you to sleep less, but I am discouraging you from worrying about when you sleep.

It's said that Ben Franklin only slept two to five hours a night, but he caught up on his lost sleep with cat-naps during the day.

Call it a power nap, siesta, or a kid-nap, it adds up to a smoother day. When I followed my mom's suggestion, I had much more energy, my "off-with-their-heads" mood vanished, and even though there was still dust in the corners, I don't think a soul noticed but me.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 NKJV

Meet Guest Contributor Sally Chambers

If you've come for the Thoughts of Spring Blog Party, welcome! If you're a mother trying to balance kids and work and everything else, we hope you stick around and follow our journeys. Please come back this week and meet some of the other authors of this blog.

Hi, I'm Sally Chambers, grandmother, wife, mother, and writer of inspirational fiction, devotionals, poetry, and more. I'm married to my retired engineer, high school sweetheart and we have two grown, married children. I've been a stay-at-home-mom, a business owner, and now retired, my passions are writing, reading, researching for my novels, Salvation Army, teaching Sunday school, and reading to children. Hobbies are beading, crocheting, and doing any kind of puzzle. Since I retired from a long-time career in insurance, I enjoy spending lots of time devoted to my writing. And you can see that I need spend some time creating some order out of my writing room chaos!

We live on Florida's Space Coast and love being so close to the ocean even though it means braving a hurricane or two...or more every year. Love the bird life here. Right now the robins are wintering as they wait for the northern snow melt, but the cardinals, jays, doves, and every kind of waterbird visit our feeders and two ponds.

And I wouldn't be a typical grandma if I didn't include at least one brag photo of my little great granddaughter! So here's my sweet River by the duckpond.

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?

An optimist. Yes, they'd be right.

What is your comfort food/drink? Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

A big mug of fresh-perked Dunkin' Donut's Cinnamon Spice coffee laced with lots of honey and cooled to perfection with Silk's chocolate soy milk. Starts my engine!

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

I have sand in my shoes and heart. I wouldn't budge from right here where I live now on the east coast of sunny, warm, sub-tropical Florida it's been home for a long time.

What are your favorite animals?

Horses and dogs. I've had and adored both. But if I tried to ride a horse now there'd be body parts strewn from the Space Coast to the Gold Coast! I didn't sit down for a week the last time I hopped on to ride bareback...the bruises were epic.

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

All of Crystal Laine Miller's blogs. Anything Crystal writes is interesting and informative. I love her When I Was Just A Kid Blog. She features the lives of people like Camy Tang, Eva Marie Everson, Colleen Coble, Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, Agent Terry Burns, and more, with their wonderful personal photos.

P.S. Yes, I'm a ♥hopeless romantic♥ (but married to that engineer who doesn't have a clue☺).

Dealing with Bed-Wetting

by Sally Chambers

Glimpses and Guidance from Grandma’s Garrett

Here’s a question that weighs on a busy mom’s heart.

“How did you deal with a child fully potty trained that still occasionally wets the bed at night?”

Here’s a little bit of help, hope, and encouragement.

Having washed a ton of sheets, rinsed off two little bottoms a gazillion times, dried buckets of frustrated tears, my own included, I can tell you both my two children and I survived without dragging the little problem into adulthood.

How do you deal?

With patience, pull-ups, pads—soft waterproof ones—and prayer, a silent one, for peace of mind and guidance for you and your little one. All will help both of you through the occasional sieges of nighttime bed wetting.☺

Before anything, know that this isn’t at all unusual. Check with your doctor, limit late liquids, overrule unusual stress, try taking them to the bathroom before you go to bed, and above all, assign no blame to either yourself or your child.

Put it in perspective. You don’t have a loving relationship with the sheets—but you most certainly do with your little one. They’re growing in every way there is to grow. They play hard and sleep hard, and nighttime just doesn’t offer the instant potty break that daytime does.

Something you might try is to put her to bed (with a waterproof sheet) wearing daytime underwear instead of a pull-up. It can sometimes be a psychological reminder not to wet her regular underwear. Rewarding for success with sticky stars on a calendar and similar rewards? I’m not so sure that doesn’t backfire, causing stress and disappointment when there hasn’t been a good night, and, as she goes to sleep, anxiety that she might not earn a star. Always reassure to encourage, and never shame as it only heaps on the stress. Mistakes happen and we pick ourselves up and go on from there.

As difficult as it might be for you, I believe it’s much more distressing for them. Just remember it’s a rare grownup that still wets the bed at night. Your little one will eventually grow up and out of it.

********
Your comments and questions are welcome, and we’d love for you be become one of our Making Home Work blog-followers.