From today’s Bible study on Heaven, to conversations, from reading and processing, and a zoom meeting, it has been a big idea day. Just a few mentions.
The Devil in the Dentist Office. It wasn’t even the unlikely event that it would take three attempts to take one X-ray that irritated me but it was the waiting room. I like to meet and converse with people. Sometimes I’m in my own little world but I saw people upon entering and wondered who I would meet. Five minutes in I’m on my phone because not one person was available. You know what I mean…like the elevator ride where everyone is looking either at the ground or straight ahead. There were three people waiting and all three with heads lowered and phones in-play. Not even one eye contact or acknowledgment. I was called first so that was that. I think phones are awesome but they keep us from connection with the person in front of us. We have all seen it in restaurants where all the phones are out and no one paying attention to children. I get it as I waited too long for the Dr to read the X-ray and say all is well – post surgery. My purse was hanging too far to reach as I waited and I was bored, wishing I had my phone.
Water into Wine at the Wedding. Art Linkletter was wonderful with children. An old clip was streaming FB and a shy girl was describing the miracle of Jesus at the wedding with the punch line, “The more wine the better”. That is not the real reason for that miracle but what meant the most to me was the knowledge of the Bible from most of these kids from the 50’s or 60’s (based on hair and clothing). Today we might get a blank stare after asking a child what their favorite Bible story is. I also enjoyed the little boy who said that George Washington is currently the most famous person in the world and that he is married to Miss America. He was so certain!
Object of Attention. Aging is a conversation I recently had with a good friend. The following day I dressed as well as I could imagine for someone wearing an injury boot. What makes me proud of the awkward accessory is that I got the injury trying to play soccer with my skilled grandchildren. My mind thought I could do something that my body did not want to do. That is my summary of aging. I even want to chat with the dentist above to find out what is going on with my smile. After investing so much why does my smile fail to work like it used to? I used to be able to smile with confidence. There was a short season where, no matter what a woman wears or whether she smiles or not, she is the object of attention. We can’t count on that any longer. As I was driving away from the dentist office I passed a bus stop. There she stood in the rain. A woman of a certain age and not the object of attention except for my feeling sorry for her – a woman of a certain age, getting wet, not getting a rescue, and not feeling like a moment to smile.
A Mountain Climber. I was recounting with a friend who traveled to Maui with me, that I am afraid of heights. This friend had talked me into riding a mountain bike down a volcano. Yes – me. I was terrified, slowed everyone down, but jubilantly completed the ride. It was as exhilarating as it was frightening. I think the vendor needed to replace the brake pads after my ride. So, today when we had a Bible study on what Heaven “may” be like I grabbed onto the thought that, with fear gone, I could be a mountain climber. Not today, not in the here and now, but when I am freed from anxiety and worry I’d like to climb mountains. Also, with a new body, the possibilities are endless/eternal. I need to start planning for the limitless possibilities ahead for those who follow Jesus. One of the sweetest Heaven stories I often tell is about my Mom who had polio as a child, then developed post-polio syndrome later in life. She loved shoes but was stuck wearing black custom corrective oxfords. She told me, before Heaven came in 2008, that she was looking forward to Heaven because her mansion would have an endless closet of shoes. God gives good gifts to His children.
