IS THAT ALL I'M GOOD FOR?
He's still one of my favorite people, although his name's been shortened. He's more Nate, now, than Nathaniel. Long ago, his dad was my boss. And we are still friends. Good friends. Stan was a really good boss, but he's an even better friend.
So, back to Nathaniel. When he was a little kid, and not a lawyer, he loved stopping by my office in lower Lane at Gordon College. His Dad's office was nearby. Nathaniel poked his head into my office, flashed one of those Gaede smiles and asked, "Mrs. Carlberg, got any gum?" He knew I kept some in one of my desk drawers. So I gave him a piece, and Nathaniel, while shoving the stick of gum into his mouth, remembered to say, "Thanks!" Then, bounced down towards his dad's office. Or, perhaps, to another office where some other treat awaited.
Nathaniel was both polite and predictable. And I loved having him stop by. But one day, for whatever reason, I chose to take my time opening that drawer. So, instead of handing him a piece of gum, I handed him a question. "Nathaniel, I have a question for you. When you pop in here, which I love, you always ask me for some gum. Is that all I'm good for?" He thought, briefly, than said, "Nope. Got any candy?
It's been probably forty-five years since that happened, but it still makes me laugh at the candor and quick wit of one cute kid. But as I age, sometimes I ask myself variations of that question. What am I good for? For sure, at age eighty-five, I'm aware of the brevity of life. It's short.
So, how I spend , squander or savor today matters. It's too easy to get stuck in what was, who I used to be, and to miss what is possible today in and through me. Or you. And so I pray, more than I used to. And listen longer. Or I try to. It's a battle some days more than others. Prayer, like some music, calms, gives perspective and feeds hope, gratitude and joy. But prayer takes time. Time well spent.
Well, I like spending time with you. And thanks for using some of your time to read this blog and to respond.
So, what are you good for?
It's a question worth thinking about, but it's wise to stay flexible. Or so, I tell myself. Why? Well, because there are more possibilities and opportunities than we realize.
As for time use or abuse, after I read an article in the NYTimes, entitled,"Thinking is Becoming a Luxury Good," I wrote to my Grands. And I included some quotes on time, since thinking takes time. Here are a few:
1."How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank
2. "Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got." Art Buchwald
3. And my go-to words to help me "faith" this day and what's ahead, come from Matthew 6: 25-34 in The Message translation of the Bible, which I shared with my Grands:
So, "If you decide for God... there is far more to life...So, don't worry. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now...and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Now, that tells me that God thinks I'm good for something, and worth more than a passing thought.
And you are, too.
Plus, never doubt that God keeps more than a drawer full of surprises. Good ones. We just need to take time to stop by and ask, "Got any...?"
Then, remember to say, "Thanks!"
But also, to consider, when we come to God with our need for some version of the world's gum, that sometimes God must wonder, "Is that all I'm good for?"
Hmm.
14 Comments
Thank you Jan! Got any candy?
God is in today - in this moment - thank you for reminding us not to take on the future when this moment is full, overwhelming, and what we have to express our trust in him.
Thank you, dear Alison, for taking time to read and respond. Yes, it's easy to get overwhelmed by drawing too much of tomorrow into today. Or by bringing too much of yesterday into this moment. So, we stay teachable, focused and do what we can to help each other make it Home.
As always, Jan, you have shared such a gift of perspective with us! If we are here, God always has something for us to be good for! YOU, dear one, are good for your readers here, and I’m thankful you share that goodness!
Perspective's hard to come by some days. So thanks, dear Tara, for gaining some from this blog. And thanks for your encouragement. God does love to give gifts to all his children. Keep alert to what God may have for you today.
I love this story, Jan! I don’t think you’ve ever given me gum or candy, but you give your readers something far better, sweet truth. Salty as well! Truth sprinkled with a whole Lotta love.
Well, my dear Norwegian sister Maggie, that sounds like what I gain when I read your blog. Thanks for your encougement. Truth wrapper in love is easier to swallow, but God's Spirit is the One to help us live out that truth. Not easy but possible.
Thanks Jan,
Also in our eighties, we hear the phrase, "we will get that Dad" until it comes to picking up the dinner tab. I guess they think we are weak but wealthy. However, these are great years for sharing God's love and sharing with our adult children and now adult grandchildren what love can and should mean. Blessings, I love you dear sister. Dale
And I love you,my dear brother Dale and my dear Michigan Marty. These are great years. And grateful to still have resources to pick up the check, when possible. Receiving help goes both ways, now. Advice, too. And overall is the gift that our children and grandchildren still love to come home, welcome us to theirs. or be together. I write from California, enjoying time with Heather, Matt, Grands and their friends, many of whom have become my friends, as well. Another bonus. Blessings on your day. Hope it's at Burt Lake. Fun memories.
You are good for many things. I thank God for having you teach at Grace Chapel and my sitting under you and Cynthia Fantasia. After leaving Grace I started a women’s study at a small Church in Lexington. That study went on for 11 years. I am at another Church and with another woman have started a women’s Bible study . What are you good for? Passing on the faith and showing us how to help pass it on. Thank you. I have always felt blessed to have sat under both your teaching so I could know our God and pass that on.
JOY Bible Study at Grace Chapel! How I loved those years we shared together., dear Ann Joanna Mockler was a loving and gifted co-leader with me for those ten years. And it does my heart good to read that you have gone on to start Bible studies with women at other churches. It's good and wise to keep teachable, then to trust God to help us live out what we've been learning. You're good for more than you know. Soak it in.
Thanks again Jan for your words of wit and wisdom always seasoned with a dose of love. ❤️
And thank you, my fun and amazing sister-in-love for your wit and wisdom over many years. You were and are good for my brother,for our family and all those you taught over many years. Oh, and speaking of good, there's your coconut or pecan pie. So good that, one year, Mama hid a piece to have later!! And she was the best baker I knew. And so generous, she'd give you the "shirt off her back"...but not a piece of your pie!
I know one thing you're good for - cardamom treats! haha :)
Wish I could have seen you more while you were here. I can't believe how fast 2 weeks goes. I hope you had a good flight home. It's my turn to visit YOU!
Sending you love, Julie
Yes, come SEA me, dear Julie! Loved having breakfast together at our usual place. Thank you. As for cardamom treats, I know where we can grab some when you come for a visit. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Always good to hear from you. But seeing you is even better.