Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

veterans

Saturday smiles: friends in deed edition

Life got overwhelming this week. Kids sick off and on. Unexpected uncertainty. Fear. Gloom. Rainy days. Our last week of “freedom” before my husband starts his last semester of classes.

Once again, though, God came through, showing His faithfulness, giving me reasons to smile.

Sunday afternoon, my friend Dawn, whose husband is also in seminary, texted to ask if I could get out of the house that night. Her request made me chuckle because at times we feel like prisoners in our homes, slaves to our families, so getting out of the house for something as simple as ice cream and a trip to the grocery store without kids or husbands is like a mini-vacation. So refreshing. And I’m thankful that my husband didn’t hesitate when I told him about the text. He’s 100 percent supportive of me leaving the house when I need a break.

The next night, I got to talk with my best friend, Katrina, for what’s become a monthly phone date. She is so encouraging and uplifting, and I love that our friendship has spanned decades and life experiences and geographical distance.

Wednesday morning, I had breakfast with a fellow writer and pastor’s wife who has become a great friend. I was pretty low in spirit that day, but sitting with a bottomless mug of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Panera with someone who’s “been there” was the cure for what ailed me.

Friendships don’t always come easily to me, so I’m grateful to have found a few kindred spirits in my life.

Other reasons to smile this week:

Seeing our nephew on Skype. He was sleeping, but still, it was more than a picture can show.

We had a financial scare this week but I spent a day worrying for nothing. God continues to take care of us.

During Bible study this week, we took time to encourage one another by telling of the positive qualities and spiritual gifts we see in each other. It was a fun and uplifting time, both in the giving and receiving.

Discovering that my husband was a recipient of $200 JCPenney gift card for being a veteran of Iraq. It’s an annual program for which he registered once before. Today we spent a family day helping him pick out some new clothes we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford.

Realizing I need to shop with my husband more often and/or pay more attention to the fashion trends of the day. Consider these comments while shopping:

Me: They make skinny jeans for guys?

Husband: Oh, yeah, you didn’t know that?

Me: “I need to get out more.”

And, me again, while noticing a pair of white jeans amongst the offerings: “You definitely should get a pair of those. What is this, 1985?”

Yet again, me: “Who would buy jeans with holes in them?” (Yes, it’s official. I’ve become old.)

Losing another pound and a half this week. That’s more than 9 pounds in almost a month!

Finishing our taxes.

Making snowmen out of the food offerings at Old Country Buffet. Check out the template here. And kids eating free? That’s ALWAYS a reason to smile.

Wishing you a week’s worth of smiles.

What’s your sign?

As the Fourth of July holiday nears, I’ve noticed the number of American flags increases. Actually, I started noticing it around Memorial Day. Most of our neighbors seem to have small ones lining their flower beds in their front yards. The flags are so prevalent I asked my husband, “Did we miss the free flag giveaway?” Last night on our walk around the block, we noticed a neighbor had put up a flag on a very short flagpole. The flag was just barely touching the ground while hanging limp from this too-short pole. We shared a look that indicated our appreciation for the effort at patriotism but disappointment for the execution. My husband, a veteran, is passionate about properly and respectfully displaying the flag.

Is it ironic, then, that we don’t have an American flag on display? I wonder if our neighbors, whose lawns are covered with small American flags, would consider us unpatriotic or un-American? I don’t much care if they do think that because flag or no flag, my love for my country is what it is.

So it is with symbols of my faith. I went through a couple of cross necklace phases (and a WWJD bracelet phase) but over time I abandoned those outward declarations, preferring to let my life speak for itself. (Disclaimer: I have no problem with anyone who chooses to wear a cross necklace, earrings or bracelets of any kind that proclaim a message about the Christian faith.) Granted, my life hasn’t always spoken well of the faith I profess, but I think sometimes the symbols immediately closed doors of conversation where without them, they could have been opened. Sure, the cross is offensive to those who don’t believe, but do we want people to be offended by us before we even have a chance to get to know them?

The Bible says people will know we are Christians by our love for one another, not by our jewelry, T-shirts, bumper stickers or fish magnets. (Or for my PA Dutch readers, by the black bumpers on our minivans.) If we aren’t loving each other in the church, and loving people outside the church, then the symbols of our faith that we wear will mean nothing to anyone.

I’m becoming more aware of how loudly my actions speak. What good does it do me to call myself a Christian if I don’t help those in need, pray for the hurting, visit the lonely and comfort the broken-hearted?

I’m reading this book, “Amish Grace,” about the shooting that happened at an Amish school near here several years ago, and how the families affected by this tragedy demonstrated forgiveness to the killer and his family. The authors describe how forgiveness is woven into the lives of the Amish for generations and is taught by example even to young children. It’s an essential attribute of their faith and lives, so when tragedy struck, they didn’t have to think hard about exhibiting forgiveness. That’s not to say it was easy, but they knew it was the right thing to do.

What is it about my life people will see? And will it move them closer to Christ? Most days I feel broken, unworthy and unable to carry the living water the Lord so freely offers. I mess up. I ignore. I judge. I dismiss. I see an opportunity and I pass it right on by. At least I’m honest, right?

Really, I guess what I’m saying is I don’t need to display a flag once a year or from Memorial Day to Labor Day to prove I’m patriotic, and I don’t need a cross necklace or a fish magnet on my car to prove I’m a Christian. Neither of those acts go very far in my mind to prove anybody’s commitment to anything.

In short, let your life speak, even if you think it doesn’t have much to say.