Author: marycatherinethomas

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

Ouch! In a good way

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When we lived in San Diego I became involved in prayer ministry. A group of us would meet an hour before church each Sunday and pray for the service, the pastor, the city, and any pressing needs we may have.

A lot was crammed into those hour prayer times. It formed a bond with many who were part of the team. Some of my favorite memories happened during the hour before church.

When we moved to South Carolina, I attempted a couple of times to pray before church. Some time while living in the low country and then once we moved upstate, here.

I became discouraged here as I truly didn’t know people of the church well. I could see the faces of those who sat in each seat, but I didn’t know the people. I prayed for the service, which I could figure out, and then I wasn’t familiar with the city to pray for the community.

San Diego was easy to pray. I knew that to the west was the Pacific, and I knew what suburbs were against the water. North was towards Los Angeles and so I could pray for the north county, for the marines on Camp Pendelton , and for the communities north of the church. East was the mountain towns that eventually lead to the desert. South were the communities close to the border of Mexico. I knew the direction to face and how to pray. I was confident in those times. I knew the city, I knew the people, I knew the church.

Change in location shifts your confidence. At least it did mine. I have always had the desire to pray and to lead prayer. I have been to prayer conferences where I have learned so much. Nothing in my desire has changed, nothing in my knowledge has shifted, yet, moving cross country disoriented my focus and confidence.

This morning at church our Pastor preached an incredible sermon. It was titled “When God’s People Pray”. The message was encouraging, and yet at the same time it produced an OUCH in me. I knew everything he was saying and in fact, I have said a lot of what he said at different times in my life. Prayer is important.

I felt it was time for me to return to what I had been doing long ago. That was the ouch part. But, it was a good ouch. More like a jab to the heart of me to prod me to do what I know how to.

The message was so encouraging also. For years I doubted why I liked to pray. Was I really called to lead and teach in this area? Or, was it vanity on my part for being asked to teach and lead so many years ago? Those two questions have plagued my thought process for a very long time.

I have not stopped praying. I wouldn’t know how to do that. Part of that stems from my Catholic roots and the prayers I learned as a child. I continue to pray for my Pastors, for my church, for the city we live in (although I still have no clue which direction is which)

Today our pastor talked about what the prayers of the saints are. They are incense to our Lord. The tears we cry while praying are put in a bottle with our name on it and written in the Lord’s book. God keeps track of our prayers. As I sat in my chair, I remembered all the tearful prayers I have prayed over the years. They have been perfume to the Lord and He takes notice of what we pray.

I have not relayed as well what was spoken today, but this is one sermon that will not leave me. It struck a chord deep within and something shifted back to me. The prodding that took place realigned what had shifted in the move across this country. I felt my confidence start to return in this area. I left church full. I received fresh bread in the words spoken. I was renewed.

I don’t know how I will put into practice what I relearned today, but I hope in the Lord to guide and direct me in His perfect way. We serve a great and mighty God. He cares for us. He listens to us. He hears our prayers.

“In those days when you pray, I will listen.” Jeremiah 29:12 (NLT)

Echoes and Treasures

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I always hesitate to clean up after my grandchildren visit. I will leave toys right where they left them and walk around them for days. I know when I put them away, the visit is over. I do the same with the beds my grands and kids have slept in. When I have that perfect guest room, it signals that family is indeed gone.

Today I look at the pile of toys and puzzles on my living room chair. There is a stuffed tiger that was hugged and kissed by our Little Miss so that we could hug tiger and actually be getting a hug and kiss from her.

I did put away her art things on the screen porch. Emptying the paint water and putting the watercolors away. I carefully piled the artwork and put it in my treasure drawer in my dresser.

The echoes of laughter and play resound in the home of grandparents. It is what keeps us going. It is a blessing of our lives.

Today Dale and I had lunch on our screen porch. There are ledges on each screen of the porch. Beside Dale were the treasures collected by our Little Man, a twisty grapevine that is hardening to become a walking stick. Many pieces of granite and broken concrete taken from our woods.

On the other side of the porch lay Little Miss’ treasures. A pine cone on a little limb. Some pyrite from the driveway, and other little rocks gathered from outside. A seashell from where the previous owners dumped their aquarium. All special and unique to her.

I don’t know when we decided to store their ‘treasures’, but it is now part of our decor. They are reminders of great adventures in the woods and yard. Adventures that are seen through the eyes of children.

I never knew my grandparents, they had all passed before I was old enough to remember. Grand-parenting is a privilege. I am honored to be called Grammy. I love the echoes and the treasures. They remind me of memories in the making. My grands may not remember a whole lot of us, but they will remember that they were allowed to keep their treasures in a certain place just for them.

As parents and grandparents, we store up in our heart memories of our children. They are dear to us. They bring us joy. I imagine our heavenly Father does the same. Looking at us and in us, He smiles and gently places our “treasures” in His heart.

Another Confession, (sigh…)

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I am a human. I am learning. Most of the time, I am relearning because I didn’t learn the first time. I have often said that the Lord has a sledge hammer with my name on it beside His throne of grace. I often picture Him sighing, and leaning over and picking it up once more to whap me upside the head so that I will get the message. It is a well worn hammer, I picture it worn on both sides from use.

For years, I have opened my eyes in the morning and thanked the Lord for the new day. Often I will remember to put on the armor of God. I always say, ‘I give this day to You, Lord, it is Yours.’ That sounds so lovely, doesn’t it? I almost sound like I am in tune with God.

And then… (There is always that statement.) I begin to tell the Lord what I am going to do with my day. I like to be organized and fit as much as I can in each day. The same is true in walking. Each lap, I pray for particular people. I am regimented. There has to be order.

This morning I started my walk, one lap, two laps, and on the third lap I heard it. “STOP! You are doing it again. ” It took a few seconds for the message to get to my brain. Again, I am making certain that I am doing everything I THINK I need to do. I overcompensate in almost every area. I confess it.

Once more my Lord leaned over about to grab that sledge hammer. Like a dog learning obedience I stopped and gave a sad puppy look to heaven.

I often tell others that they are enough, just like they are. They don’t need to strive because our Lord loves them, knows the number of hairs on their head, and even those in the hairbrush, that our Lord sings for joy over them each morning. I can believe that for others.

After realizing that I was once more trying to ‘do’ what I felt was right. What I was doing was rote, I heard, “Just walk. You are missing Me in trying to accomplish your list.”

I spent the rest of the walk silently walking. I remembered how I have had conversations with so many where I couldn’t get a word in edgewise and yet, here I have been doing that with our Lord. Prayer is a conversation.

So, I end with this. Lord, forgive me. Forgive me for not listening. Forgive me for not allowing You to move in my day the way You desire. Forgive me for not seeing my worth in You. I love you Lord.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118: 24 (NLT)

Nuance

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Having been raised in NW Pennsylvania, I love seasons. I love the budding of crocus in the spring. Seeing the bright green shoots coming up through the last of the snow, a promise of warmer weather with the crusty black layer on the white snow. Crunching through dead leaves in the fall was a joy I looked forward to. Slipping and sliding down the hills of our town, while trying to navigate walking in the winter. And, summer, that glorious season that was filled with activities and cook-outs. I will always cherish the memories of growing up in Oil City, PA.

We lived in San Diego for almost 28 years. Being in Southern California the seasons passed, almost without a thought. Only rarely did we see real weather there. Instead of the noticeable change of seasons, there was a nuance of change there. I learned to look for that nuance, to feel it as it came. It usually was a fleeting feeling, a breeze that smelled just a bit different, or a lone leaf waiting to be crunched under foot.

Today as I walked, I experienced a nuance. The weather is still the gates of hell hot, but a small breeze hit me and it smelled like fall. Granted here in the south, we still have August and part of September to go through before there is any real sign of fall, but today I received a promise. Cooler weather is coming.

I looked at the bunting on my front porch, knowing in the next week or so I will take it down, wash it and put it away for another year. The red, white, and blue wreaths and door hangings will be put away. My patriotic flags will be replaced by fall flags. Then, with a blink of an eye, I will be decorating for Christmas.

The years pass quickly. Each year seems to shorten in length to me. I once heard a pastor say, “Our life is but a burp in eternity” I laughed at that statement. I was in my late twenties at the time and felt like I had time to do so much. Lately, I have thought of that statement. A burp is small. We don’t even think of the time it takes to burp. Such is life.

If I am recognizing that seasons pass quickly, years are flying by and my life is a burp in eternity, the question hovers in me, what am I doing in the span of a burp?

“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” I Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV)

Clear the View

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Last week Dale and our son-in-law cleared 150 feet into the woods surrounding our home. They cut down several dead trees, branches that were hanging down, shrubs that were growing and had no where to go. Our home is surrounded on three sides by trees and brush, so with our acreage we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

As they finished this process last week you could see the difference immediately. Our views into the woods was remarkable.

When you go through your daily life little things escape your attention. It is like seeing a child after a long time. You comment on their growth, and the parent sometimes replies, “have they really grown?” To the parent the difference is unnoticeable unless it is a major growth spurt.

In our case, we saw branches hanging down and saw the shrubs appearing in the woods. It became our view and we enjoyed it. As we began the process of clearing in June we became aware that we hadn’t truly seen into the woods the past couple of years. It was unhealthy for our woods. The brush and shrubs could not flourish, and the trees were vying for the sunlight and nourishment from the ground.

Of course, as I always do, I saw the relation of the woods to my spiritual walk. I can profess my Christianity, pray, read my Bible, and do all the “things” I am supposed to do. I can do this forever.

The question remains though, how many dead limbs am I carrying around? How many ‘shrubs’ are sprouting out of me that are not being nourished? What do I need to do to clear the view and truly see the Lord in my life?

Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” (NKJV) How can I seek my Lord when I have dead limbs hindering my view?

Lord, today, let me clear my view to You. Remove the stubble and weeds in my life. I ask for clarity of thought, mind and purpose. Let me search for You and find You. Amen.

The Gathering Storm

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“He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:2-3 (NKJV)

As I walked this morning, the wind picked up a bit. I noticed that the leaves of the trees were turning upside down. Looking up I saw ominous clouds beginning to form in the sky. This transpires often in the summer months here. Thunder resounded in the distance and I expected to be caught in a downpour.

Today’s storm clouds are still hanging around, but so far there is no rain or storm to notice.

We look at weather apps and news to find what the weather holds for us during the day. Most of the time, for our location, the apps are anything but accurate. Our best bet is to look outside and see what is happening.

The same can be true of our world today. We hear of wars, rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, volcanoes, murders and so on and so forth. The news heralds doom and gloom. If we were to focus solely on what we hear and watch, there would be no joy for anyone.

Matthew 24:32-34 says, ““Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.” (NLT)

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6 (NKJV)

I often wonder when we will see the appearing of the Lord. Each decade brings more turbulence in the world. Each decade I wonder if the Lord can wait any longer. What season are we in? Yes, summer is here, but in the season of our God, what season is this?

I wish I could discern and say with authority what it is, but, no I can’t. We can look at the sky and know when it is going to storm or snow or be hot, and we can look at the news and talk of all that is happening in the world. But only our heavenly Father knows when our Lord is going to return.

A year ago, a dear friend shared with Dale and I a vision he had had. He said that the horses in heaven were out of their stables, pawing the ground and ready to be mounted and go. This still sends chills through me, as the time is drawing near, hopefully.

“The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.” Revelation 19:14 (NLT)

So, as I close I listen to the thunder rolling in the distance and await to hear the thunder of hooves on the day of our Lord reappearing.

Yearning

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“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NLT)

The past two weeks have been filled with much activity. In the middle of the weeks I had my final appointment with my orthopedist. My elbow is healing nicely and I can resume slowly getting back to normal. This is great news.

The only drawback is that I am weakened in my right arm. My wrist still hurts and my shoulder does also. I find I don’t have dexterity in my arm and that can be frustrating for me.

These minor frustrations lead me to the Lord in prayer. I know movement will return, as will strength. It will just take a few more weeks.

As I have thought about this, I realize that in the busy-ness of the past two weeks, I haven’t devoted as much time to prayer or reading my bible.

Today as I began my normal schedule the word “yearning” came to mind. According to Mirriam-Webster, yearning is defined as a tender or urgent longing.

I long to draw near to my God. It is an urgency within me. For the past two weeks, each morning, I had a seven year old grab a blanket from the back of the couch, wrap herself up in it and climb onto my lap. For the next few minutes there would be a cozy, intimate conversation between us. She would lay her head on my shoulder and tell me she loved me. This is what I yearn to do with my heavenly Father.

Little Miss #4

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I have always said that the current age of my children and grandchildren are my favorite. When they were newborn I loved the new person smell. Sort of like the new car smell only much better. The little coos and sounds that only babies can make.

Toddlers make me smile. You never can predict the next moment. Each second is a new discovery for them or a new emotion.

Now my Little Man will be 10 tomorrow and Little Miss will turn 8 in October.

We had two weeks with our Little Miss. I waited to write this last piece for her until she left. I wanted it to speak of current things we did.

We had many activities, all different and all enjoyable. My heart is full of new memories and experiences with her.

What continues to run through all encounters with our Little Miss is a zest for life. Her wonder of things around her astonishes me. Her love of nature, her love of all things water, bugs, animals and ice cream. Each thing holds her attention and care.

Although this Grammy is tired, I am filled with an awe of the things I take for granted.

When I see things outside they are just trees, grass, weeds, flowers. With Little Miss here, it was like a curtain was drawn back and once more there was a newness in what I saw. Trees took on personalities. Grass was more than just green, it held and hid discoveries of ants and bugs. The weeds were as beautiful as a florist shop. Flowers were meant to be stopped by and smelled.

Our outdoor cat nipped her. I wanted to get rid of the cat for doing that. Little Miss drew a picture and wrote a note to the cat to say she understood that the cat didn’t mean to nip at her. She attached the picture to a string and let the cat play with the note. Each morning she picked a black-eyed Susan to place in the cat’s water because the cat needed to have a pretty meal.

These are just a few of the adventures this senior had the past couple of weeks. I once more realized I need to see the world through the eyes of a child. What beauty we miss when we don’t do that.

“But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”” Matthew 19:14 (NLT)

A Few Days Off

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This week my oldest daughter and her family will be here. I am always saying how important family is to me. I am going to take a few days off from the blog to spend time with these precious people.

May our Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to shine upon you. May you be kept in His peace and calm.

Thank you.

Little Miss #3

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

This scripture has been used in many writings and in prayers. Today I use it in regard for my Little Miss.

She has a heart after God. She is always ready to pray and go to church and even discuss with you what she believes. Which is an interesting thing for a seven year old.

She has never ceased to amaze me. Born early and so small, preemie clothes were big on her. She may have started out small, but nothing has challenged her. She meets challenges head on and smiles when she has passed them.

I know her future is going to be an incredible one. Unlike most little girls who want to be a princess when they grow, or a dancer or any of the little girl dreams, this one wants to be an entomologist. She loves bugs!

I didn’t even know what an entomologist was until I was an adult. Plus, the study of bugs? No, not me. Bugs need to be stomped on, smashed and thrown away. I often wonder why they were created, but I know they have a purpose.

Little Miss loves her bugs. She knows which are beneficial and which aren’t. She will retrieve bugs from the swimming pool, grabbing a net, pulling them out, talking to them and placing them where they will be okay.

She is saddened by those she hasn’t recovered. She intrigues me with her knowledge and love for all things.

Our God gave each of us an innate ability and gift. This child can be all girl, frills, and shoes and jewelry, what you think of with a little girl, but residing deep in her is a respect for God’s creatures. The little ones. The ones we step on without a thought.

I have often been scolded, “Oh, Grammy, you just killed a bug”. I think nothing of it and yet she is thinking of the bug’s family.

Lord, may she grow continually noticing what You have created. Keep her heart pure and open. Let her serve You with a power and might. Use her mightily for Your kingdom. Amen