Author: marycatherinethomas

M. Catherine Thomas is a published writer, speaker and teacher. Mother of two and grandmother..

Out of Nowhere

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Dale’s Dad was born in 1911. He often told the story of he and his brothers and I believe a sister piled into a Model T and drove out west. I guess somewhere in Oklahoma they picked up a goat and strapped it onto the running board of the car so they could have fresh milk. He was filled with wonderful stories like this. We would laugh until our sides hurt and tears were rolling down our cheek.

Dale and I have often talked about all his Dad saw in his lifetime. The first production line of cars, two world wars, the riots of the 60’s, space travel, telephones and right before he passed away Dale and I had bought our first computer. In one lifetime, so much was witnessed.

Granted, in my lifetime, I also have seen much, read much, experienced much. It’s the way life happens as none of us live in a bubble.

What prompted the above is a random memory that somehow, out of the dark recesses of my mind, came rushing up to the front of my brain today.

I believe I was in 7th grade and I had gone to camp for our school. It was May. Camp Glinodo was a camp run by the Benedictine Sisters. There was a pool on the property and we swam all day on Saturday. Of course, I burned, badly. I usually do that. This time there were blisters forming, which is also common for me. The nuns were checking on us for the last time. I was in the top bunk and I was crying. The nuns took me into the kitchen and figured out what to do with the burns. Eventually they decided to put milk on my sunburn. I was given something to drink and Sr. Patricia sat and talked with me.

The true reason for the tears came out at that time. My older sister was going to her prom and I wasn’t there to see her. I told the nun how beautiful her dress was, and I was so sad I couldn’t see her all dressed up. The thing I most remember from that is she had long gloves with pearl buttons on the wrist. I thought she was so elegant. I related to the nun that I was allowed to try them on and that someday, I would have long gloves like that.

After talking she took me back to bed and I slept.

I haven’t thought of that in decades.I have thought of the gloves, though. This was a time when young ladies wore gloves. When we went to church, you put your gloves on. Same with any outing. I had lacy ones with ruffles on the edge. I also had plain ones.

When I married and went to the commissary (grocery store on base), it was required to wear dresses, closed toe shoes and gloves to enter. I don’t know when gloves went out of fashion, or were no longer a requirement, but they disappeared. I never owned a pair of long gloves.

Such a random thought today. It amazes me when memories hit you. It’s like a random shot out of nowhere.

The Lord created us for things like this. Memories that make up a life. Memories that bring smiles and reminders of where you came from. Memories that are etched on our hearts and in our minds.

The Bible talks about remembering. We are encouraged to remember

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.” Psalm 143:5 (NKJV)

Change your Perspective

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November is coming soon. Yes, the calendar says so, but the weather is also telling me that it will soon be November. The pile of leaves on my side porch keep growing, and the blanket of new leaves on our front yard tells me this also.

Today, while walking, it was raining leaves. The backyard was filled with the fluttering of leaves raining onto the ground. The blustery wind blew leaves down our driveway leading them to a place where they could land.

I looked around, fascinated as I always am this time of year. The gazebo is framed with yellow and red leaves, the fall sun shining on it from above. I thought to take a picture and realized I have so many fall pictures already and they basically all look alike. I sighed, and common sense took over. In six months I would not be able to tell which year I took the picture since I am bound to take the same shots over and over.

After walking, I took Dale a cup of coffee while he was working in our loft area. I glanced out the window because there was a brightness coming in through our windows. I walked over to look. In front of me was beauty, and yes, I did take a picture.

I take pictures from the ground. I see the same perspective. My pictures do not convey the beauty my eye is beholding. This image is taken from our second floor. This is what we see when we take time to look while upstairs.

We live basically on one floor, the entry floor. Everything we need is on this floor. We did this so that as we grow older, we do not have to climb stairs since everything is ready on the entry level floor. The upstairs is a sit down office area, another bathroom, an extra room for guests and our toy room for the grands.

As I looked out the upstairs window today the Lord spoke to me about changing my view. Sometimes, if we venture and take the step, we can see a beauty that our God created and we miss by not looking out. The Lord’s artistry, and His hand is everywhere. We can see Him in His creation.

He just doesn’t give us things on the ground level where most of us are safe and contented. If we trust in His Word, His promptings, and through answered prayers we can have a mustard seed sized faith and step up to see a whole new aspect of what God would like to do in us, through us, or in spite of us.

Today, I am glad the sun burst through the trees to beckon me to the window. I am glad the Son gave me a new perspective and a challenge to take a step forward.

““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

Night

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“It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 (NKJV)

This is one of my favorite verses. Often I cannot sleep, but for the past few months I have not had a sleepless night where I have gotten up and roamed around our home restless.

Tonight, the blankets are itchy, at least to me they are. The pillows I have don’t work either. Dale is peacefully sleeping, as usual about a minute after crawling into bed. I do envy him that.

I am always amazed on sleepless nights how uncomfortable the bed, the blankets and the pillows are. I know in the morning I will want to stay in bed, it being the most comfortable place in the house. The blankets will be the most snuggly blankets and I won’t want to leave their comfort.

I will feel this way because between now and the morning I will fall asleep. It will come quietly and I will succumb to it, unaware that I have fallen asleep.

In the morning my eyes will open and I will be rested. Rested because the Lord gives His beloved sleep. He can make a couple of hours of sleep feel like a full night’s rest. He can calm the mind and the parade of thoughts. He can take tired muscles from a day’s work and quiet them, giving them restoration while slumbering.

So, now I will try once more to sleep, assured that my God gives me sleep.

Ruffled Feathers

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“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)

I would like to think that it takes a lot for my feathers to be ruffled, but I don’t think that is an accurate statement. We all have our points where we can feel our body tense up and before we know it our feathers are ruffled.

Being on social media, is sometimes a difficult place. You go online, just to relax and have some mindless conversations. Then, BAM! right in the middle of your news feed on facebook, there it is. A feather ruffler. You start to read and you know you should just scroll on by, but somehow you are drawn in. Like a black hole, you realize you are too far in to turn back. It happens daily, doesn’t it?

I have often said that my facebook page is vanilla. I have hidden, blocked and unfriended anything that I know will get my feathers in a twist. I have pages that I love and my friend list is people I enjoy chatting with or keeping in touch with. I say that my page is all puppy dogs and butterflies and church. And, personally, I like that.

In the past few weeks I have seen a change in the tone on some of my very favorite pages. The admins and moderators are doing a great job at keeping peace and keeping the pages under control. It’s an easy group page. I eagerly go to that page knowing I will laugh and smile and be pointed to the Lord.

Although the admins and the moderators are doing an outstanding job, there is a faction that keeps stirring the pot. It’s not just that page, there seems to be an undertone going on. It’s like people are looking to push buttons and once they have an opinion, everyone else is not right.

This spirit seems to be hovering in all areas of life. It concerns me. The scripture above comes to mind often. I see families dissolving over minor things. Communication is strained. It’s not like anyone has done anything, it is like the enemy of our souls is meddling.

In the end days we will see more and more of this. It can cause fear and misunderstanding. I choose to look up in anticipation. To know that soon, and very soon, we are going to see our King. (sounds like a great song there).

I have thought of ruffled feathers throughout today. Maybe it’s because I allowed my feathers to be ruffled a couple of days ago. I simply stated my opinion and went on to another notification. Today, I received back lash from it. Usually when this happens I can feel the anger rise up within me. My nerves start to quiver. I shake as I try to reinsert my views. Today, I merely restated my opinion and walked away. I have a feeling soon, this will be the norm for us all.

The one positive of ruffled feathers, though, is you are forced to examine your own thoughts and opinions. Do I really believe such and such? Why is that my belief?

It’s a good thing while your feathers are ruffled to look closely at them, smooth them down and be rational. I hope someone else needed to see this like I needed to write it.

Peaceful

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“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT)

The past few weeks I have had several conversations with people going through difficult times.

Each person is experiencing a time that would like to rob you of any joy, peace or knowledge of the Lord.

I have tried to be a good listener and to respond how I think the Lord would have me respond. What I have concluded is this world is not pleasant. Yes, the scenery and artistry of God is present everywhere in this world, but, living here is filled with troubles.

Each of us experience things that can tear our heart out. Sickness, cancer, death, isolation and loneliness can drive us to the brink of wondering where our God is and if he is actually listening or caring about us personally.

It is easy to look at the situation looming towards us. It is easy to say that there is no possible way that God could be in the midst of things. It can be easy to look at the world and what it holds and be disillusioned. Personally, I have done this. I have lost joy before, I have questioned and yelled at God.

What I learned is that God is big enough to yell at Him. He can take it. He, like the loving Father He is will allow us to scream, holler, yell, roll on the floor, pitch a fit, kick and fuss. He allows our tantrums, and again, like the good Father He is, He will gently pick us up and hold us.

The situations may not have passed, but He is watching over us. It could be days, weeks, months or years later and we look back and marvel that the Lord was in the midst of that season. Ever faithful, ever watching, ever caring.

Today was a day that would have liked to rob several people of their peace, it was an unsettling day. But, God. He was in the middle of it all. He was not distant. He was not taking a nap. He was not ignoring cries from hearts. He was in the center, watching and supporting.

This morning a young man in our church ran through the gates of Heaven and into the arms of a waiting Savior. As he rushed into Heaven, I know he was greeted by our Lord, His arms wide open and waiting to hug this man. He met him and greeted him with a “Welcome Home Son, I have been anxiously waiting for you.”

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b (NKJV)

This scripture has run through my mind this afternoon. The joy of our Lord is my strength. I do have the joy of the Lord. He gives it in abundance.

We may want to falter, and hesitate, and give up. Between the peace of God so freely given, and the joy of the Lord, which is our strength, there is nothing we cannot conquer. So, I will continue to have difficult conversations with friends. I will continue to pray how to respond. Most importantly, I will pray for them.

Changing Past Reflections

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“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Just a thought for today. How often do we look at our reflection and play an old record in our mind?

You know the type of recording, for some it may be a mental 77 rpm’s, a 33 long play, or a 45rpm. Or, some people listen to old mental recordings on a 8-track, cassette, or a disc. The point being, that at some point in our lives something was said, or hinted at and we recorded it in our mind. It became a part of us. It is what we listen to when we view ourselves.

Yesterday Dale and I had a conversation. It was an interesting one for both of us. We sat down to talk about what we’d like to get accomplished in the next little bit and out poured thoughts that we both thought were long buried and forgotten.

It wasn’t an argument, it was a real conversation, a good one. The result being I have since thought of the records (I’d like to say 45’s but it’s more like the long play album of a 33) that I listen to.

I have a pretty good memory, which is good, considering my age. But sometimes with that memory I think of off handed comments said in a moment and yet they cling to me like gospel truth. These thoughts do not build me up. I use them to criticize and tear myself down. I thought I had erased bad recordings, but like a stack of records you sometimes hit upon an oldie you had forgotten about.

All of this to say, for me, and hopefully someone else as weirdly wired as me, that our Lord is in the business of erasing for good all the old recordings we don’t need. Even at my age, I still discover that God isn’t finished with me yet. He continues to hold tight to me and fashion me into someone with a child like faith. Grasping onto my Savior’s hand and trusting Him to lead me where He wants me to go.

Sometimes that path means leaving the unplayed stack of records on it’s own and rediscovering melodies sang to me by God.

Prayer of Gratitude

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Father, I thank You. You have blessed my life in ways that were unimaginable. You bless this earth with abundance.

The weather is under Your word. Father, please be with those who are suffering still from the effects of the hurricane. Supply what they need for their lives, for their homes, for their families. Let them see what all You are doing. Bless the workers who have given up time to be a help during this time.

For our country dear Lord, You established this glorious country. You have guided leaders to follow after You and You alone. Allow the vision of our Founding Fathers to be established once more in the hearts of Your people.

Oh Lord, How I praise You! The earth sings of Your glory. The sun shines brightly, illuminating the artistry of Your right hand. Revive our eyes to see the beauty of your palette. Let us rejoice in Your creation.

Today, especially, as we enter our houses of worship, let us hear Your word and respond. I am so thankful for all of this Lord. I am grateful for this life You have given me, Amen.

Looking at the Same Things

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“They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23 (NKJV)

I have found out from living in various places that you can become accustomed to a place.

Growing up in Oil City, PA, I took for granted the Allegheny River and Oil Creek flowing through our town. The hills and the change of seasons were things that just happened, like clock work. They had always been there, so they would always be there.

When I married and moved to VA, I was amazed at seeing the Atlantic daily. I was in awe of the vastness of the ocean. It was an adventure, but I missed the hills of Oil City. I missed knowing where everything was. I missed home.

Eventually we left Virginia and moved to Japan. A foreign country with such a vast history was fascinating to me. The noise, the crowds, the trains, the language and the writing, each so unique and incredible to me. We eventually moved to our permanent quarters which looked out to Mt Fuji in the distance. I thought I would never tire of seeing this sight. Yet, after a few weeks I would open my blinds and continue on my day. Yes, we lived on a plateau overlooking Sagami Bay with Fuji looming behind that, but, it was home and life went on.

A few years later, we moved to the coast of Maine. Again, magnificence out our door. Lobster boats, the rock bound coast that challenged the Atlantic ocean in a different way than Virginia. The absolute cold and snow, the boundless beauty of this area. It was breathtaking and yet, during the summer I would be frustrated with tourist as they slowly made their way around the loop road. I would sigh, and say, yes, those are rocks, those are waves crashing, but I am on my way to the base, keep moving. I was accustomed to the sights.

I did the same with the view from our house in San Diego. The Coronado bridge, the bay, Point Loma, the sunsets painted by our Lord. Yet, it was home, dishes were done, meals cooked, laundry done.

It finally occurred to me that although sights capture your attention and are new when you first arrive, they become commonplace when you see them daily.

I thought of this today as I drove home from the store. The leaves on the trees lining a driveway for a farm shined brightly in the cold sunlight. It caught my attention and I asked forgiveness for taking such a beautiful view for granted.

Each day with our Lord is new. Each day is filled with fresh mercy and grace and forgiveness. How sad that our Creator wakes the world up, each place painted in a new way for a new day and we just drive down a road thinking about something entirely different.

This world was created for us. For our habitation, for our enjoyment, for our adventures and we grouse about so much.

Lord, let me see each day with Your eyes. Refresh my sight to see Your glory. Amen.

Refrigerators and Dreams

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“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Today was our day for our monthly Costco trip. Because of this, today I cleaned out my refrigerator, which sadly, I have neglected for a couple of weeks.

As I opened the fridge, I went for anything expired. Milk, lemonade, we are not huge milk drinkers, so that is a usual toss for us. The lemonade was pushed to the back and forgotten. It was past it’s prime, let’s say. Next the wilted celery was tossed, and bits and pieces of some other vegetables. After this, leftovers.

Cleaning the refrigerator is a job no one likes. I try to keep mine up to date, and use everything that is put in there.

As I tossed things I thought to myself, oh yeh, I was going to make this, or use this for (fill in the blanks). We all do this. We put things leftover from dinners, pledging to ourselves that we will make soup, or make a hash, but that we will promise to use what is left.

When I took my trash out to the can, it occurred to me that we do the same with our dreams. We feel prompted to do something or make something or bless someone. After the initial excitement, dreams are pushed to the back. Sometimes they are forgotten or just put on hold.

Often, out of fear, our dreams stagnate and evaporate into a distant thought. How sad this is. I believe that our Lord places within us dreams for our future, for our present and for our ministry. We initially have a rush of thoughts and plans only to panic and place those ideas into the back dusty closet of our hearts and minds.

Our Lord tells us in His word several times, to be courageous, to be strong, and to trust that He is going to be with us each step of the way. He will not leave us, He will walk along side of us, leading and directing us. He promises this. Lean on Him for He will give us strength and courage.

At the beginning of this year I revived a dream to write a book. This has been a year for me of roadblocks. Thinking about it, every couple of months I have faced a challenge. I sometimes get a thought to toss that dream back into the closet. Fortunately, I have a group of women who have committed to be there for me. To challenge me, to encourage me, to pray for me. I cherish these women. Because of them, that dream is as fresh today as it was in January when I retrieved it from that dark closet of my heart. I had hoped to have it roughly finished by November. Although that is not going to happen, I know that it will be done. I am facing my fears of inadequacy and seeing the hand of my Savior reaching towards me to continue this journey.

What journey have you been afraid to start? “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Join me in my journey of seeing dreams being fulfilled.

A White Stone

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17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 (NLT)

In Bible Study this week we talked about this verse. In particular, we talked about the white stone.

White stones were considered a covenant stone. A promise. A gift. In a court of law a white stone meant not guilty. These white stones were given to victors in an athletic event. This stone allowed them to participate in the victory parties held after the games. People who were honored were given a white stone with a message written on it. The white stone is a wonderful thing. When we are called to heaven as the Bride of Christ, we will receive a white stone. This stone will have a new name written on it, that only the Lord and I will understand.

After talking about this stone, I passed around some white stones I found in our driveway. This was something tangible to hold onto and remind ourselves of. The stones I passed around were not smooth. Some had some variations of colors in them. I had bleached the stones to get the dirt from the driveway off of them.

When we accept our Lord as our Savior, we are made white as snow (bleached) by the shed blood of our Lord. When we meet Him, as His Bride, we will receive a smooth and glorious stone, although now, our stone is not perfect. We are still preparing ourselves to receive that stone, so we have a few rough edges and some variations deep in us.

But, someday those rough edges will be made smooth. Our only color will be white . We will be able to meet our Bridegroom, Jesus, where He will gift us with a covenant stone. This stone will indeed be special as He will honor us as only He can. The stone we receive will have an intimate name that only the Lord and I will understand.

What I think this may be, in my limited knowledge is an endearing name, that will describe our journey of faith and life. I love how a simple white stone that we often trample under our feet is a symbol of a precious gift from our Lord. I don’t think I will view them in the same way again.