Good Intentions

Whatever happened to the lazy, hazy days of summer? Ok, hazy still often applies during the summer months in these mountains of Southwest Virginia. But somewhere along the way the lazy days I remember so sweetly from my youth slipped away…

Yesterday, my nephew Noah’s Cub Scout Pack caravanned up from their somewhat more urban North Carolina surroundings and landed in my neck of the woods with plans to bike along the Creeper Trail from Whitetop to Damascus, Virginia. I met them in Damascus and brought my sister-in-law, Kimberly, back to Abingdon for lunch at Pop Ellis Soda Shoppe & Grill—the newest hot spot in town for lunch. After enjoying a couple of grilled pimento cheese sandwiches, we made a too-quick tour of the Virginia Highlands Festival ...just long enough for Kimberly to purchase the obligatory bag of kettle corn, which I suspect didn’t even make it to Wytheville on their trip home. Then it was time to head back to Damascus and meet the trail-weary boys (and men). Everyone made it off of the mountain in one piece—victory!

On my way home, I stopped at our local vineyard. I'd talked with friends about taking an after-work trip to Abingdon Vinyard and Winery, but we hadn't made it happen yet. So I took the opportunity to go on my own (hey, I was in the neighborhood). My only regret this visit was that I didn’t have time to take a tour and enjoy a glass of wine in the shade beside the South Holston River. At home later, as I was riding in my own personal rodeo, leveling my weeds (you’ll understand if you’re a regular reader), I thought, “This was a good day.”

Today was another good day. Filled with worship, music, and a sweet infant baptism at historic Madam Russell United Methodist Church in Saltville, Virginia. (Welcome to God's big, wonderful world Anna Marie Patman Petty!) My day may not have been lazy, but it was definitely another one to savor. Grilling chicken on my back deck in the cool of the evening, I recognized one of many differences between my childhood and my adult years: The days of summer don’t stretch out endlessly for me anymore, with absolutely nothing to do. Now there’s always more to do than I can get done. But to truly make the most of each day, I have to be intentional about enjoying all of the gifts God sends my way.

With my youngest heading off to college in a month, I’m making a vow to be intentional about some things I’ve let slide lately… I want to be intentional about writing, and that includes more blog posts. I want to be intentional about reading more good books, trying new recipes, staying in touch with friends, and enjoying the many cultural opportunities my community has to offer. I want to be intentional about seeing the BIG PICTURE. And I want to be intentional about listening to God and being available to Him, wherever He may lead me.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” ~ Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

Hope for All

A traditional July 4th brings to mind flags, cookouts, parades, and fireworks. This year I was invited to a true red, white, and blue cookout at beloved matriarch Betty Dolinger's house, where family and friends gathered to enjoy each other’s company and count their blessings. I fall in the “friends” category, but I’m just waiting for the day when I discover I’m actually related, albeit distantly, to the huge Dolinger clan. In spite of the rain (which we counted as a blessing), there was much hugging and laughter, and I felt blessed to be there. I was especially humbled when the children climbed onto a bench, flags in hand and resembling Olympic medal winners, for us to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. And I was very grateful to be in the circle when we all held hands around the picnic tables and Betty gave thanks. God is good.

Earlier this week I was blessed to be part of a very different sort of gathering. Twenty-three Ugandan children, ranging in age from 5 to 12 and rescued from lives of poverty, visited my home church to sing and dance their hearts out to the glory of God. Hope for Africa Children’s Choir and Academy, touring the United States through the end of this month, was created when United Methodist Bishop Daniel Wandabula asked Lydia Namageme and Tonny Mbowa, both orphans once themselves, before being rescued and made part of the African Children’s Choir, if they would be interested in building a new African children’s choir. They both answered with a resounding yes, and Hope for Africa was born. Lydia Namageme, known to the children as Auntie Lydia, is the conductor and manager for the choir and school; Tonny Mbowa serves as the choir’s director.

There is so much I could say about these children, taken from refugee camps in a country that has seen Civil War for 20 years. Many have lost one or both parents, and all have seen much suffering. That they are in our country now, fed, clothed, and being educated and loved on by everyone they come in contact with, speaks volumes about God’s goodness, both in their lives and ours. Their performances are amazing; they practically vibrate with excitement while they’re singing God’s praises and dancing for Him. They each have a personal testimony, and they all have high aspirations for the future. These children know exactly what they want to be when they grow up, and when they are adults back in their own country, they really will be the hope of Africa.

But as I watched them singing and dancing, this was the truth that God laid on my heart: These children know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, where they came from and where they’re going. They remember the dire circumstances from which God lifted them up, and they know what Jesus has done for them, changing their present and securing their future. I only wish I was always so mindful of my testimony.

One of their songs included these lyrics: “The Holy Spirit will come down, and Africa will be saved.” But in the same song they sang, “The Holy Spirit will come down, and America will be saved.”

I believe there is always hope, no matter where we live, as long as we let the Holy Spirit take the lead. Give God freedom in your life.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)