There they stood.
A family of five...
Husband and wife,
Oldest only son,
Middle daughter,
Youngest daughter
At the airport...
There was nothing striking about them. They looked fairly typical.
Dad was in jean shorts with a T-Shirt pulled tightly over his expanding waistline.
Mom wore outdated capris, sandals and a tightly fitted blouse that hung off of one shoulder and showed off her "muffin top" figure.
The son was clothed in jeans and a maroon T-shirt.
The oldest daughter was about 12 years old and dressed so plainly that I cannot even recall what she wore.
The youngest daughter was about 8 years old, adorned in flip flops, jeans and a pink T-shirt.
What made them stick out was the United States Army soldier dressed in his camouflage fatigues standing right in their midst with a large manila folder.
The son was going off to boot camp.
He had just graduated from high school the week before.
The family was saying their "good-byes".
The son went to each family member and offered a hug.
Dad first...
Younger sister...
Youngest sister...
Mom for last... that hug lasted a little bit longer with a little bit tighter squeeze than the previous three...
When mom let go, her hands went quickly to her face to begin wiping the tears.
The family stood shoulder to shoulder watching the boy who would soon become a man.
They watched and strained their necks, stood on their tip toes and waved their hands until he had fully disappeared through security.
The son was going off to boot camp to become a man, a soldier, an ambassador of the United States of America.
I stood there watching and wondering if he was going to be okay.
I stood there watching and wondering what the family dynamics at home would become with the son's absence.
I stood there watching and wondering about a lot of things...
My iWitness...
In some of the "Old" church language which is no longer "politically correct" the Church on earth is referred to as the "Church Militant".
The "Church" in heaven is referred to as the "Church Triumphant."
And we are called "soldiers for Christ" battling against the evil one as members of the Lord's army.
There's even a children's song titled "I'm in the Lord's Army." (Can't even begin to tell you how many times I have sung it!!)
Do you think of yourself as a "soldier" in God's army?
Do you think of yourself as going off to battle each and every day with God as your field commander?
What battles will you face today at home, work and out in this world in which we live?
The apostle Paul had some strong words of counsel for those of us going off to "boot camp."
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6. 10-20)
Take a look at the armor one more time... There's six pieces of armor...
Do you notice what part of your body is not covered?
Your back!
Face the battles of today head on. Don't turn and run away from them because there is nothing to cover and protect your back.
Today... put on the whole armor of God and get ready for the battles you will face.
You are a soldier in the Lord's army... an Ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Semper Fi...
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Final Exams
A friend of mine is the principal at a private Christian school. He will be leaving to take the reins at another school in the next few weeks.
As a final exam for one of the courses he was teaching he wanted to illustrate the "Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." He had a few ideas and he ran this one past me and asked if I had some thoughts. I certainly did and I responded to him yesterday. I was too late! The final exam had taken place on Friday. Here is my friend's response on what happened on Friday...
Had the final on Friday. It worked perfectly though! I had spent the past three days building up this final exam as nearly impossible and that they had better spend a lot of time preparing.
I wrote out three of the most complex essay questions I could think of and then handed the test out to the class. After a few minutes of sighs of disbelief and groans of despair, I offered the class an opportunity they may be interested in. I told them that I had selected one person in the class who could take this test for them but if they chose this option then nothing they could do could change that decision.
I had not talked to the student in advance but, in front of the class I asked, "Are you willing to take this test for your friends? Some of them have worked very hard and some have put in little effort but if you take this test for them, they will all receive your grade as a gift."
Nearly in tears and shaking so badly she could barely write, she nodded her head, "yes". The student went to work and took the exam for nearly an hour while her friends sat in silence watching. Her two closest friends were nearly in tears watching her struggle. When she handed in the exam, I reminded the class that while some had worked very hard this semester and others had done nothing, none of them could have passed this test but their friend took the burden on herself for them.
I then projected a slide on the screen with a pic of the cross and "For by grace you are saved, through faith" written under it. I said, "This has happened once before in history. There was a test that we could not pass, but someone else has already taken the test for us.
All of you were very quick to accept your friend's grade when she took the test for you, but accepting the gift of the cross isn't always so easy for some. Someone else did all the hard work for you, you just have to accept the gift. Something to think about....class dismissed"
Some wandered away quietly, others sat thinking and the student who took the test later told me that was the most important thing she had ever learned in school.
Seems like I got my point across...
Jeff... you got your point across! Well done!
As a final exam for one of the courses he was teaching he wanted to illustrate the "Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." He had a few ideas and he ran this one past me and asked if I had some thoughts. I certainly did and I responded to him yesterday. I was too late! The final exam had taken place on Friday. Here is my friend's response on what happened on Friday...
Had the final on Friday. It worked perfectly though! I had spent the past three days building up this final exam as nearly impossible and that they had better spend a lot of time preparing.
I wrote out three of the most complex essay questions I could think of and then handed the test out to the class. After a few minutes of sighs of disbelief and groans of despair, I offered the class an opportunity they may be interested in. I told them that I had selected one person in the class who could take this test for them but if they chose this option then nothing they could do could change that decision.
I had not talked to the student in advance but, in front of the class I asked, "Are you willing to take this test for your friends? Some of them have worked very hard and some have put in little effort but if you take this test for them, they will all receive your grade as a gift."
Nearly in tears and shaking so badly she could barely write, she nodded her head, "yes". The student went to work and took the exam for nearly an hour while her friends sat in silence watching. Her two closest friends were nearly in tears watching her struggle. When she handed in the exam, I reminded the class that while some had worked very hard this semester and others had done nothing, none of them could have passed this test but their friend took the burden on herself for them.
I then projected a slide on the screen with a pic of the cross and "For by grace you are saved, through faith" written under it. I said, "This has happened once before in history. There was a test that we could not pass, but someone else has already taken the test for us.
All of you were very quick to accept your friend's grade when she took the test for you, but accepting the gift of the cross isn't always so easy for some. Someone else did all the hard work for you, you just have to accept the gift. Something to think about....class dismissed"
Some wandered away quietly, others sat thinking and the student who took the test later told me that was the most important thing she had ever learned in school.
Seems like I got my point across...
Jeff... you got your point across! Well done!
My iWitness...
This is indeed the "Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" The only minor difference from the story above is that Jesus, the Son of God, knew ahead of time that he was going to have to take the test of a lifetime. He saw that we were failing and willingly offered his life on the cross so that he could take on our "failing grade" and in turn offer to us his "A+"!
When I face God the Father face to face and He gets ready to give me my "grade", Jesus the Son steps in and says, "Hey Dad! Here's David's grade. I took the test for him. David gets an A."
And God says, "Do you accept this grade David?"
And I say, "You better believe it!!! Thank you Jesus!!!"
Then God looks right into my bewildered eyes and face and says, "Well done good and faithful servant. Come on in!"
Does that sound logical and fair to you?
Of course it doesn't!
If it was logical and fair then it wouldn't be what it is... GRACE!
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
David!
"Christianity is not based on what I do but rather on what has been done..."
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2. 8-10)
(Ephesians 2. 8-10)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
On this day... June 2nd
On this day... June 2nd...
On this day 73 years ago Betty Padgett was born.
Without Betty there is no me...
On this day some "39" years ago my friend Amy Martin LeCato was born.
Without Amy my brother Doug is a lonely single dude.
On this day 26 years ago my colleague Nicole Kimm was born.
Without Nicole I would wander through my job more lost than I already am.
On this day 12 years ago my good friends Brian and Joan Ahier were married.
Without Brian and Joan there would be no Faith Louise Dendy in my life.
On this day 12 years ago at approximately 4:30 pm (Eastern Time), in the mountains of northeast Georgia in a town called Young Harris, in a Methodist church whose pastor was my cousin, Patty Ryle Clay, with about 100 friends and family gathered together...
Julie Keller and David Dendy were pronounced and announced to be husband and wife.
Without Julie... I am not sure where or who I would be.
Without Julie there would be no Joshua Knox Dendy.
Without Julie...
Happy 12th Anniversary Julie!!
I love you!!!
My iWitness...
Where were you on this day, June 2nd?
Ten years ago? Twenty? Thirty?
Where are you today on this day, June 2, 2013?
In the last twelve years...
I have been married to a an incredible woman that I never thought I would be in a relationship with...
I have lived in a state I never thought I would live in... Oregon
I have had two children that I never thought I would have... Faith and Joshua
I had a career that I never thought I would have... Consulting churches
I went back to a career that I thought was out of reach and out of touch - Pastoring the greatest church in the world - First Presbyterian Church, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
I ran a distance that I never ever thought I could possibly run - 26.2 miles in the Napa Valley Marathon
I climbed a mountain higher than I ever thought possible - 14,162 feet - Mt. Shasta (Thank you Father Mac!)
I learned to play the piano all over again under the patient and ever graceful leadership of Susan Scrimsher.
I had the incredible joy of learning how to worship under the artful and humble leadership and direction of my dear friend Steve Hamlin.
I even learned how to "preg-check" a cow by inserting the full length of my arm in the rectum of a cow!!
I learned how to play competitive tennis under the guidance of the best tennis teacher in the state of Texas - Cary Lothringer
I traveled to a continent on my first international travel - The Australian Open Tennis Tournament (Thank you to Howard Newman!!)
I discovered my birth family which opened a whole new world of reality to my life - Thank you to brother Doug for searching for me, finding me and having the courage to call me at home on June 11, 2006 and tell me that we had something very special in common. I will never be able to thank Doug enough!! (Thank you to Ellen, Laura, Doug and Betty Jean!)
I learned how to grieve the loss of my dad - Marshall C. Dendy, Jr. who died on April 25, 2010
I have gained a number of friends that I didn't even knew existed 12 years ago and now they are such a central embodiment of God's love and grace in my life each and every day!
I learned to appreciate that my family - Mom and Mary Jo are incredible people who have soldiered through so much!
I learned how to say good-bye to the greatest church in the world to embrace a new career as the Vice President for Philanthropy at the University of Dubuque.
I now live in a region I have never lived in before - The Midwest.
I now live in a state that only has four letters - Iowa.
I now live in the oldest city in this great state of Iowa.. Dubuque.
A lot has happened in the last 12 years. I am sure more will happen in the next twelve..
Where were you on this day years ago?
Where are you today?
Where will the Lord take you from here on out?
On this day...
Without you O Lord... none of this would be possible...
Oh Lord, you are amazing beyond comprehension. Your plans and your ways are beyond belief and comprehension. Help me to trust in you in all the uncertain days ahead... I love you...
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107. 1)
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
On this day 73 years ago Betty Padgett was born.
Without Betty there is no me...
On this day some "39" years ago my friend Amy Martin LeCato was born.
Without Amy my brother Doug is a lonely single dude.
On this day 26 years ago my colleague Nicole Kimm was born.
Without Nicole I would wander through my job more lost than I already am.
On this day 12 years ago my good friends Brian and Joan Ahier were married.
Without Brian and Joan there would be no Faith Louise Dendy in my life.
On this day 12 years ago at approximately 4:30 pm (Eastern Time), in the mountains of northeast Georgia in a town called Young Harris, in a Methodist church whose pastor was my cousin, Patty Ryle Clay, with about 100 friends and family gathered together...
Julie Keller and David Dendy were pronounced and announced to be husband and wife.
Without Julie... I am not sure where or who I would be.
Without Julie there would be no Joshua Knox Dendy.
Without Julie...
Happy 12th Anniversary Julie!!
I love you!!!
My iWitness...
Where were you on this day, June 2nd?
Ten years ago? Twenty? Thirty?
Where are you today on this day, June 2, 2013?
In the last twelve years...
I have been married to a an incredible woman that I never thought I would be in a relationship with...
I have lived in a state I never thought I would live in... Oregon
I have had two children that I never thought I would have... Faith and Joshua
I had a career that I never thought I would have... Consulting churches
I went back to a career that I thought was out of reach and out of touch - Pastoring the greatest church in the world - First Presbyterian Church, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
I ran a distance that I never ever thought I could possibly run - 26.2 miles in the Napa Valley Marathon
I climbed a mountain higher than I ever thought possible - 14,162 feet - Mt. Shasta (Thank you Father Mac!)
I learned to play the piano all over again under the patient and ever graceful leadership of Susan Scrimsher.
I had the incredible joy of learning how to worship under the artful and humble leadership and direction of my dear friend Steve Hamlin.
I even learned how to "preg-check" a cow by inserting the full length of my arm in the rectum of a cow!!
I learned how to play competitive tennis under the guidance of the best tennis teacher in the state of Texas - Cary Lothringer
I traveled to a continent on my first international travel - The Australian Open Tennis Tournament (Thank you to Howard Newman!!)
I discovered my birth family which opened a whole new world of reality to my life - Thank you to brother Doug for searching for me, finding me and having the courage to call me at home on June 11, 2006 and tell me that we had something very special in common. I will never be able to thank Doug enough!! (Thank you to Ellen, Laura, Doug and Betty Jean!)
I learned how to grieve the loss of my dad - Marshall C. Dendy, Jr. who died on April 25, 2010
I have gained a number of friends that I didn't even knew existed 12 years ago and now they are such a central embodiment of God's love and grace in my life each and every day!
I learned to appreciate that my family - Mom and Mary Jo are incredible people who have soldiered through so much!
I learned how to say good-bye to the greatest church in the world to embrace a new career as the Vice President for Philanthropy at the University of Dubuque.
I now live in a region I have never lived in before - The Midwest.
I now live in a state that only has four letters - Iowa.
I now live in the oldest city in this great state of Iowa.. Dubuque.
A lot has happened in the last 12 years. I am sure more will happen in the next twelve..
Where were you on this day years ago?
Where are you today?
Where will the Lord take you from here on out?
On this day...
Without you O Lord... none of this would be possible...
Oh Lord, you are amazing beyond comprehension. Your plans and your ways are beyond belief and comprehension. Help me to trust in you in all the uncertain days ahead... I love you...
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107. 1)
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Manners
The whole family went out to dinner last night.
We used the occasion as an opportunity to teach our children about "manners".
Let me clarify... We try to teach manners everyday.
It would be better to say, "We used the occasion as an opportunity to display the manners we have been taught."
How do we behave when waiting for our food?
How do we act once the food has arrived?
How do talk to our server when she brings us our food or a refill on our drink?
How do we treat the food on the plate that we don't like?
How do we ask politely to be excused to go to the bathroom instead of holding ourselves with a panic look on our face while incessantly wiggling in the chair?
Let's make sure we look people in the eye when we talk to them.
Let's talk with respect, using our "please" and "thank you's".
How do we keep our voices down to a low roar when in a tightly confined space where other ears are listening?
How do we listen while others are speaking?
It was a great exercise and everyone came home in one piece!
My iWitness...
The same exercise could be used for us on a daily basis as we put the "manners" of our faith on display everyday.
The apostle Paul said:
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy... (Colossians 1. 9-11)
What manners will we display today?
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
We used the occasion as an opportunity to teach our children about "manners".
Let me clarify... We try to teach manners everyday.
It would be better to say, "We used the occasion as an opportunity to display the manners we have been taught."
How do we behave when waiting for our food?
How do we act once the food has arrived?
How do talk to our server when she brings us our food or a refill on our drink?
How do we treat the food on the plate that we don't like?
How do we ask politely to be excused to go to the bathroom instead of holding ourselves with a panic look on our face while incessantly wiggling in the chair?
Let's make sure we look people in the eye when we talk to them.
Let's talk with respect, using our "please" and "thank you's".
How do we keep our voices down to a low roar when in a tightly confined space where other ears are listening?
How do we listen while others are speaking?
It was a great exercise and everyone came home in one piece!
My iWitness...
The same exercise could be used for us on a daily basis as we put the "manners" of our faith on display everyday.
The apostle Paul said:
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy... (Colossians 1. 9-11)
What manners will we display today?
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tornado Watch
All the parents were gathered in the Music room at the Irving Elementary School. We were there to watch our children perform a musical rendition of "The Frog and The Toad."
The class wasn't 20 seconds into their final number when the Principal's voice came over the intercom system and announced that the school was under a "Severe Weather Watch." The music teacher stopped the production and went on to explain in explicit detail that should the principal come over the intercom system one more time then we would all need to head down to the "tornado shelter" until further instructions were offered. After which, she smiled broadly and said to the children, "Ok... with smiles on our faces let's finish the show."
The children smiled and sang and all I could think about was the fact that we were about to get wiped out by a tornado...
My iWitness...
From what I could see there was no need for alarm. It didn't look too ominous outside. The wind was not howling. The skies were gray but they weren't turning black. It wasn't even raining. I quickly pulled up "The Weather Channel" on my iPhone and didn't see any threatening weather patterns on the radar feature.
My overall attitude was rather non-chalant.
And that's where the problem lies...
I have lived in the tornado prone midwest for one year. What do I know about severe weather watches or tornado watches? What do I know about everything becoming eerily still right before the clouds let loose their fury?
The answer is quite clear to me... "Nothing!"
Jesus has some simple sound advice and counsel for us who live in this world.
"What I say to you, I say to everyone: "Watch!" (Mark 13. 37)
Be on your toes.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Be mindful of those things that lead you astray.
Listen to the wise counsel of those who know better and have more experience.
Pay attention to your blindspots and weak spots.
Take the necessary shelter.
There is no dishonor in turning around and running and seeking the safety of the Savior's arms.
Jesus' words awaken us out of our non-chalant, novocain induced smiling stupor that everything is just hunky dory and we can just mindlessly mosey our way through the day with blinders on.
"Watch!"
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
The class wasn't 20 seconds into their final number when the Principal's voice came over the intercom system and announced that the school was under a "Severe Weather Watch." The music teacher stopped the production and went on to explain in explicit detail that should the principal come over the intercom system one more time then we would all need to head down to the "tornado shelter" until further instructions were offered. After which, she smiled broadly and said to the children, "Ok... with smiles on our faces let's finish the show."
The children smiled and sang and all I could think about was the fact that we were about to get wiped out by a tornado...
My iWitness...
From what I could see there was no need for alarm. It didn't look too ominous outside. The wind was not howling. The skies were gray but they weren't turning black. It wasn't even raining. I quickly pulled up "The Weather Channel" on my iPhone and didn't see any threatening weather patterns on the radar feature.
My overall attitude was rather non-chalant.
And that's where the problem lies...
I have lived in the tornado prone midwest for one year. What do I know about severe weather watches or tornado watches? What do I know about everything becoming eerily still right before the clouds let loose their fury?
The answer is quite clear to me... "Nothing!"
Jesus has some simple sound advice and counsel for us who live in this world.
"What I say to you, I say to everyone: "Watch!" (Mark 13. 37)
Be on your toes.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Be mindful of those things that lead you astray.
Listen to the wise counsel of those who know better and have more experience.
Pay attention to your blindspots and weak spots.
Take the necessary shelter.
There is no dishonor in turning around and running and seeking the safety of the Savior's arms.
Jesus' words awaken us out of our non-chalant, novocain induced smiling stupor that everything is just hunky dory and we can just mindlessly mosey our way through the day with blinders on.
"Watch!"
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
72
I looked at the phone after I had hung up.
72:14 was displayed on the mini-screen, telling me how long I had just talked with Jason and Ragella in India.
72 minutes and fourteen seconds.
6.6% of my waking hours yesterday was spent talking to someone thousands of miles away.
My brand new computer was not working correctly.
I called customer service.
Come to find out... the hard drive is bad.
Jason is going to send me a new one.
It should arrive next week.
When confirming my address Jason laughed at himself trying to say, "Dubuque."
We said our good-byes to one another.
I was rather shocked when I discovered how long I had been on the phone.
My iWitness...
The "hard drive" of my life comes broken.
Only One person can fix it, save it and install a new one.
I wonder how long I will be talking to "Customer Service" today who is not miles away but rather as close as my own heartbeat.
I have a feeling that I won't talk for 72 minutes.
What percentage of my waking hours will I be talking with the grand designer of the Universe?
More than likely, the most shocking part of my day will be discovering just how long I was off the phone rather than how long I was on it.
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
"pray without ceasing..." (1 Thessalonians 5. 17)
72:14 was displayed on the mini-screen, telling me how long I had just talked with Jason and Ragella in India.
72 minutes and fourteen seconds.
6.6% of my waking hours yesterday was spent talking to someone thousands of miles away.
My brand new computer was not working correctly.
I called customer service.
Come to find out... the hard drive is bad.
Jason is going to send me a new one.
It should arrive next week.
When confirming my address Jason laughed at himself trying to say, "Dubuque."
We said our good-byes to one another.
I was rather shocked when I discovered how long I had been on the phone.
My iWitness...
The "hard drive" of my life comes broken.
Only One person can fix it, save it and install a new one.
I wonder how long I will be talking to "Customer Service" today who is not miles away but rather as close as my own heartbeat.
I have a feeling that I won't talk for 72 minutes.
What percentage of my waking hours will I be talking with the grand designer of the Universe?
More than likely, the most shocking part of my day will be discovering just how long I was off the phone rather than how long I was on it.
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
"pray without ceasing..." (1 Thessalonians 5. 17)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The Haves and the Have nots...
It was such a simple project (you already know where this is going don't you!).
Hang a brand new storm door on the front of my front door to my house.
Easy enough.
What I had were the directions...
What I had was the brand new door...
What I had was about three hours of daylight...
What I had was a multitude of different size screws...
What I had was a sense of full confidence going into this project...
What I had was my whole family and then some waiting and watching me put the door on...
What I had was all the necessary tools...(surprise, surprise)
Piece of cake!
What I didn't have was a wood frame surrounding my front door. But rather a metal frame. This proved to be problematic when trying to screw in "one inch" wood screws into a hollow piece of metal that is 7/8 of an inch wide.
What I didn't have was an extra battery pack on my cordless drill. After having the drill "die" on me on several occasions, I went to the hardware store and bought a "corded" drill. (Quick aside - I love my new drill!
What I didn't have was the directions on how to "secure" the screen door into the frame. The screen kept falling out of the door... over and over and over again! I found the directions the next day under some other papers... Ugh!
What I didn't have was the one piece of the frame where the door closes and latches on to. What a mystery. How is the door supposed to stay closed when it has nothing to close against. That piece was found in the bottom of the box two days later...
What I don't have is a door that is completely functional...
What I do have is hearty material for a blog... once again!!
My iWitness...
One thing I have learned over the years is that my life is full of "the Haves and the Have nots".
I have so much and am so blessed on so many fronts.
And yet I yearn for the things I don't have.
For some reason I believe that there must be a missing part in the bottom of the box out there.. somewhere. And once I find it then my life will be complete.
I search and find, search and find only to discover that the "missing piece" didn't fit, or didn't work or took something very valuable away from me that I truly treasured all along.
What is this all about?
What about you?
What do you have?
What don't you have?
What if we became content with the blessings we have?
What would happen then?
I wonder if I will ever find out...
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
"...be content with what you have, for he (God) has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13. 5)
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Philippians 4. 11)
Hang a brand new storm door on the front of my front door to my house.
Easy enough.
What I had were the directions...
What I had was the brand new door...
What I had was about three hours of daylight...
What I had was a multitude of different size screws...
What I had was a sense of full confidence going into this project...
What I had was my whole family and then some waiting and watching me put the door on...
What I had was all the necessary tools...(surprise, surprise)
Piece of cake!
What I didn't have was a wood frame surrounding my front door. But rather a metal frame. This proved to be problematic when trying to screw in "one inch" wood screws into a hollow piece of metal that is 7/8 of an inch wide.
What I didn't have was an extra battery pack on my cordless drill. After having the drill "die" on me on several occasions, I went to the hardware store and bought a "corded" drill. (Quick aside - I love my new drill!
What I didn't have was the directions on how to "secure" the screen door into the frame. The screen kept falling out of the door... over and over and over again! I found the directions the next day under some other papers... Ugh!
What I didn't have was the one piece of the frame where the door closes and latches on to. What a mystery. How is the door supposed to stay closed when it has nothing to close against. That piece was found in the bottom of the box two days later...
What I don't have is a door that is completely functional...
What I do have is hearty material for a blog... once again!!
My iWitness...
One thing I have learned over the years is that my life is full of "the Haves and the Have nots".
I have so much and am so blessed on so many fronts.
And yet I yearn for the things I don't have.
For some reason I believe that there must be a missing part in the bottom of the box out there.. somewhere. And once I find it then my life will be complete.
I search and find, search and find only to discover that the "missing piece" didn't fit, or didn't work or took something very valuable away from me that I truly treasured all along.
What is this all about?
What about you?
What do you have?
What don't you have?
What if we became content with the blessings we have?
What would happen then?
I wonder if I will ever find out...
And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
"...be content with what you have, for he (God) has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13. 5)
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Philippians 4. 11)
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