October 31, 2009

Lessons from Grandma's Hands

This was emailed to me. Just had to share it here, the Big Mmmmommma site...Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear strong voice.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

October 30, 2009

The PUB

TRUST - a crucial factor in all good relationships. When trust is lost, the relationship is broken.

A story is told of telephone operator who one day received a phone call.

She answered, 'Public Utilities Board.'

She was met with silence on the other end of the line.

Sensing that there was someone there, she spoke again, but this time, said 'P.UB.'

Still the silence.

Then just as she was about to hang up, she heard a lady's voice speaking faintly, "Oh, so this is PUB."

The lady went on to explain, "Sorry, I got this number from my husband's shirt pocket. And errr... I did not know whose number it was."

I wonder what would be the outcome for this couple had the female telephone operator answered with just 'hello' instead of 'PUB'?

October 18, 2009

Auf Weidersehen

Auf Wiedersehen (German pronunciation: [aʊfˈviːdəʁzeː(ə)n]) is German for "goodbye". The phrase more literally translates as "when we see again" or "until we see again".

That's the phrase my second Arrow learned while with us. He came back for his semester break having lost some weight. It is hard as a mother to see his already thin frame look even more thin and frail. Have been trying to put back some meat on him and I think we have succeeded to some extent.

Why German? He's going to take the language as part of his studies. Hopefully he will continue to do well and get selected to go to Germany for part of his course.

His course. Today he flew to go back and continue it. He probably wont be back end of this year for Christmas. We probably wont see him over Chinese New Year either.

And I didnt get to see him off at the airport. It was hard to worship in song this morning.....

October 14, 2009

Passion

This grows wild in our garden and just outside our fence! It's passion fruit! A yellow version.
Here is a friend eating it as is. Too strong for me though. I prefer it made into a juice with some bananas and a few cubes of ice. Yum!

October 5, 2009

Naughty but Nice

The other day Hubby and I suddenly fancied this dish. Can you see it? Dripping with the fried fat pieces, the sauce is sticky and thick and tasty. The noodles are thick, and covered with this dark sauce. Priceless.
Amazingly, this dish though simple, is actually difficult to recreate well.

My favourite part? The cabbage. Yum!

October 3, 2009

Good Food Good Fun

I nearly didn't want to go. For the dinner I mean. I was tired and a little low in spirit. I didn't want to spoil the fun.

But as six o'clock approached, I felt a second wind. So I agreed to go.

And I am so glad that I did!

The food was really nice. For more, visit here.
But the conversation around the table was wonderful.

The laughter continued to our house where we chatted like old friends over a hot drink.

There's something about the fellowship of the saints.

October 1, 2009

Teaching the Child

Excerpt from: The Heart of a Teacher
by Paula Fox

The child arrives like a mystery box...
with puzzle pieces inside
some of the pieces are broken or missing...
and others just seem to hide

But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out...
and help the child to see
the potential for greatness he has within...
a picture of what he can be

Her goal isn't just to teach knowledge...
by filling the box with more parts
it's putting the pieces together...
and creating a work of art

The process is painfully slow at times...
some need more help than others
each child is a work in progress...
with assorted shapes and colors

First she creates a classroom...
where the child can feel safe in school
where he never feels threatened or afraid to try...
and kindness is always the rule

She knows that a child
can achieve much more
when he feels secure inside
when he's valued and loved...
and believes in himself
...and he has a sense of pride

She models and teaches good character...
and respect for one another
how to focus on strengths...not weaknesses
and how to encourage each other

She gives the child the freedom he needs...
to make choices on his own
so he learns to become more responsible...
and is able to stand alone

He's taught to be strong and think for himself...
as his soul and spirit heal
and the puzzle that's taking shape inside...
has a much more positive feel

The child discovers the joy that comes...
from learning something new...
and his vision grows as he begins
to see all the things that he can do

A picture is formed as more pieces fit...
an image of the child within
with greater strength and confidence...
and a belief that he can win!

All because a hero was there...
in the HEART of a teacher who cared
enabling the child to become much more...
than he ever imagined...or dared

A teacher with a HEART for her children...
knows what teaching is all about
she may not have all the answers...
but on this...she has no doubt

When asked which subjects she loved to teach,
she answered this way and smiled...
"It's not the subjects that matter...
It's all about teaching the CHILD."