Mobile Community

There are a number of us that ride the same commuter bus to and from downtown Dallas every day. Over the last couple of years we have come to know each other on various levels. I have talked to a lot of them and know some of their stories.

There’s Susan who works from home most of the time but once a week goes in to the office. Paula recently lost her husband and has had to re-enter the work force. Brandon sometimes dozes off and asked me to nudge him if he starts to snore. There’s Nina, the lovely young Muslim woman who grew up in Africa. We speak openly with one another about our beliefs. We watch for each other now and I pray daily for her salvation. Today she gave me a gift: one of her beautiful shawls.

There’s the young man who boards the bus and immediately pulls his sweatshirt hood over his face, slinks into a back seat and goes to sleep. There is the chubby Hispanic lady who doesn’t speak English but greets all of us with a huge smile every morning. There is the handicapped man who sometimes doesn’t make his connection. If we see him struggling to make it, we ask the driver to please wait. And he does. There’s the doctor who rides to the hospital in his scrubs who sits beside the construction worker holding a hard hat in his lap. A young girl reads the latest Harry Potter novel while the middle aged woman next to her reads a Beth Moore study guide.

Once, a teenage boy fell asleep on my shoulder. His father saw and started to wake him but I shook my head, “No. Let him sleep.” There was the 5 year old riding with his grandmother who was infatuated with me and told me he was in love with me.

We know who gets off at which stop and notice when someone is not there that day. A few have had surgeries and there have been a couple of broken feet and wrists. We celebrate with the injured when the cast finally comes off.

The riders of Route 204 only see each other once or twice a day and only for the 40-45 minute ride to and from work. We connect and converse as we commute and while it might not be the “model” for community, in that bit of time we share our lives and it's good.

Sadie

This morning I wobbled to the laundry room with an armload of laundry only to be greeted by a spider. Again. I think the same one, but you know they all look alike. I pondered a minute about that spider. What possible purpose could he/she serve? She's right up there with snakes, mosquitos and the like. They are all part of God's wonderful creation, though, and the Lord does not create anything by accident. Critters included. In that moment, I pondered even deeper (still holding an armload of stinky laundry). I was just reminded gently by that same Creator that I still have purpose. As long as I live and breathe, I have purpose. Dearly beloved, so do you! If you are reading this please know that there is a divine reason you are alive and in this wonderful world! We KNOW that, but to be reminded doesn't hurt.

When you fulfill one purpose, don't worry. Your loving heavenly Father will give you another one! As I go through seasons of life from changing diapers to whatever else He has for me, I am assured that He is not finished with me! Be encouraged!

I didn't dare squash this spider that, unbeknownst to her, became a visual aid for the Lord this morning. So I named her. Sadie. Sadie watched from her perch on the wall as I put that load of laundry into the washer and on some crazy level, Sadie and I connected. HA! I think the Lord got a kick out that.

A few things I've learned....

I’ve learned that no matter how hard a day I’ve had, my calico greeting me at the door with a tail-hug around my ankles makes it all better.

I’ve learned that a cheese burger, fries and REAL Dr. Pepper is ok once in awhile.

I’ve learned that even after moving away from life-long friends and family, I can find my place in the Metroplex.

I’ve learned that when a snake is in your house all you have to do is scream really loud and spray him with the nearest aerosol; even if it’s hairspray.

I’ve learned it’s not such a bad thing if I don’t recycle every single time. It’s ok not to feel guilty about throwing a plastic bottle in the garbage rather than the blue bin in the garage.

I’ve learned that old socks, a raggedy robe and a hot cup of peppermint tea do wonders for the soul on a cold North Texas day.

I’ve learned that grape jelly fingerprints on the frig are the signatures of healthy children who have food.

I’ve learned that my car is cleaner now than when I had little ones but the Happy Meal boxes, spelling tests and crayons rolling around on the floor are sorely missed.

I’ve learned the smell of Old Spice After Shave will always bring back sweet memories of my daddy.

I’ve learned that expensive candles are not necessary for aroma therapy. Banana nut bread baking in the oven, my babies after a bath, and a spring rain on freshly mown grass are all I need.

I’ve learned that sitting in the hot tub outside while it’s snowing is really, really cool!

I’ve learned that your little sister can also be your very best friend.

I’ve learned that the smell of Jergen’s lotion reminds me of my mom.

I’ve learned I can cry and laugh at exactly the same time.

I’ve learned that memories of hard times fade and memories of good times are always fresh on my heart.

I’ve learned that in all seasons of my life the Lord is already there, patiently waiting as I stumble toward my latter years which He has promised will be greater even than my former ones!

The Armor

I was reading my Bible this morning and listening to worship music being played quietly in the background. Isaiah is where I’ve “camped” the last week or so. I love Isaiah and have read the words of this prophet many times, but today I saw something I do not recall having seen before.

In chapter 59, he talks about there being no justice in the land. He looked and was amazed that no one was doing anything about it. So what did our loving Lord do? He stepped in! Now, what struck me is what He did before going into battle. He Himself put on the amour of God! (vs 17) He put on righteousness as His body amour and placed the helmet of salvation on His head. However, here is where our wardrobe differs: He also clothed Himself in a robe of vengeance (something we cannot do) and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion. He changed His clothes to fight for His loved ones! That’s us, beloved!

I put my Bible down to let that marinate a bit. Hmm. While I do not completely understand it, I believe it and receive it. The only differences in our “fatigues” is the robe of vengeance and the cloak of divine passion. Vengeance is His, but would I ever love to have one of those cloaks of divine passion! I submit to you that we can! Why not? He never said in His Word “Passion is Mine, thus saith the Lord!” I think I’m going shopping for a new jacket. A passionate one. I know He wants us to have passion and I am convinced He is ready to present us with a hand-made cloak of divine passion if we just ask. I’m asking the Father for one. Will you?

The Frog

This morning I left for work while it was still dark. I backed my black Suburban out of the garage like I do every morning at this time, being careful of the fence and the neighbor's hedge. I hadn't gotten up speed yet when I saw a frog just ahead in my headlights. He hopped a couple of hops then hesitated, startled. Poor little guy! When he got up this morning all he wanted to do was go out for a breakfast bug and here I show up and scare him to death. The Suburban is so large he couldn't even see all of it! He just knew there was something really, REALLY big and frightening in his path. I stopped the truck and got out to shoo him out of the way. He was so confused he didn't know which way to go. He went one direction then hesitated, turned and went another direction. I guided him safely to the grass again and spoke soothingly to him. Then, he went about his merry way, albeit a different way than he intended when his day began.
I got back into the truck and it dawned on me. How like that frog we are! We start out going one direction not knowing that a Black Beast looms nearby ready to squash (pun intended) our attempts at following God. Our faithful and loving Lord gently guides us out of harm's way- AGAIN. The danger is so huge we can't see all of it but, oh Beloved! Our Lord does! He whispers softly and tenderly to us and leads us back to safety. The way we were going may not be the same path He puts us own, but His is the safest route. And the Black Beast moves stealthily away seeking someone else to devour.
Be encouraged! The Black Beast cannot harm you because you have a gracious and adoring Father who will stop it in its tracks and guide you back to the shelter of His arms. The Beasts that we encounter-some seen, some not- are no match for Him Who loves us so!