My, My, My and Life's Miss Fits
Well, here we are! "Tis the seventh day of this new year. Holy help! But remember, Here be God! We're not alone. Just this morning I read in the Petersens' One Year Book of Psalms the following: "The little word my appears nearly 450 times in the Psalms. The psalmist refers to the Lord as my God, my Shepherd, my Rock, to name a few." The Psalms are so honest, they help me know I can be truthful with God about what troubles me. Like what I love, hate, lament or fear.
So, God seems to grab my attention in odd ways. Like this morning God spoke through my coffee mug. Don't start worrying about my mental acuity. I'm ok. Just don't check with my family. But, back to the mug. My friend, Gail, gave it to me not long after Jud died. It has a wintry farm scene with sheep, lambs, birds, including a couple of Cardinals. After Jud died, friends and family gave me Cardinals, a sign, according to some, that the one who died is nearby. Or something like that. Poco painted one. It's a keeper.
While it's hard for me to picture Jud, red and feathered, I love spotting Cardinals. They remind me that winter has its own unique beauty. And death, for the child of God, isn't the end. But back to the mug. While I've had it for several years, I never noticed the fine print running underneath the scene. It reads, "Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23:6) Well, that's a bigger dose of hope than spotting a Cardinal in a tree or on a mug hanging out with a flock of sheep. Here be God. My Shepherd!
And that reminds me of a scene, a few days ago, with two of my Grand girls, Lily and Maggie. As I drove home from Boston's Logan airport, I started dreading my empty house. While the California clan flew home (all but Lily, who recently moved to Brooklyn) grief crept up on me. And I was overcome with all that was missing. I was having a miss fit. By the time I walked in the front door, I was a mess. I forgot Lily and Maggie would be there.
Well, one look at me and one of the Grands asked, "What's wrong, Momo?" So I made like a psalmist, and wept out my woes. After I got a grip, almost in unison, my two Grand girls said, "We're still here." Ouch! And once again, my Grands taught me. I don't want to miss what is because I let myself get stuck lamenting what's missing.
So, since I'm writing about miss fits, here's a twist on the subject. I thought about this when I changed my sheets yesterday. Of course, it came from Chris, via Aunty Acid. "The people who make fitted sheets need to sit down with the people who make mattresses and get on the same page. Making the bed shouldn't be like putting a swimming cap over a fridge."
Well, welcome to 2025. Remember, goodness and mercy matter, to and through us. As for miss fits, in fitted sheets and life? I hope to have fewer. I don't want to miss what is, because I'm stuck on what is missing.
Amen?
10 Comments
I am howling. Not at your "miss" fit but at your comment about fitted sheets. Imagine me, struggling to pull it on and all of a sudden, Daisy is in the middle tugging the other way,,,, She thinks it's a game. Well, perhaps it is....
Blessings to you dear Jan this New Year!
Shelly
Well, that was my fondest hope that it would leave you and others howling, laughing and considering alternatives to fitted sheets and less miss fits of all kinds in this New Year, dear Shelly. Good hto hear from you.
Amen indeed!! I love the phrase "miss fit" - I so get that. I was so happy that Stella and Riley left at different times this past holiday - it softened the blow.
My first encounter with a "miss fit" was when I was around 8 years old. My family had moved from Southern California, where my paternal grandparents lived, to Northern California. They came for a visit, and it was sooo good to see them. And then, of course, they left. I remember standing outside of the house, watching them leave. As they disappeared, I felt a deep grief and loneliness that I'd never felt before. I still tear up thinking about it! It's such a deep, difficult feeling....thank you for reminding me not to get stuck on what's missing - there's so much around us to be thankful for!
Oh, yes, dear Julie! There is so much to be thankful for and so much to take delight in on any given day. And speaking of delights, soon I'll fly West to celebrate your birthday and spend time with the California family I wept over when I wrote. For sure, time with you and them will balance any tears with laughter and new experiences. Sending New Year blessings, hope and joy to and through you, Trevor and your family.
Well, I have what they call cognitive dissonance. I really like what you say but I am not sure I want to go through what you do to get to these insights! So, if I can live vicariously through your pain, I am with you sister! The message is wonderful, and it means counting blessings can begin with a good breakfast in a warm house. Blessings, Dale
For sure, my dear brother-friend Dale, it is big blessing to enjoy "a good breakfast in a warm house." It was freezing cold and so windy when I went outside this morning to haul the trash bin out for collection. I thought of and prayed for homeless people struggling to stay warm in this weather. As to vicarious living, it's a good thing we can learn from others and from books, especially the stories in the Bible. But then again, too often I'm a stubborn and slow learner and history repeats itself. Hopefully, less often than when I was younger. What's the Pennsylvania Dutch saying, "Too soon old, too late smart"? May the New Year be one in which you, Marty and your family flourish, as you have helped many do in the past.
Amen Jan! Thank you . And may you have a blessed 2025 as you enjoy the “now”. May God continue to bless you
So good to hear from you, cousin Bill. I've thought of you and your family often as I've watched the horror of the LA area fires. And I've been praying for the winds to die down and rain to come. So many people have lost so much. Jud thought so much of his uncle, your Dad, who pastored a church for many years in West LA. I wonder how that area and the church fared during this massive fire? On a less sad note, I love whenever I see your name show up on the blog site. Praying you and your family have a very blessed New Year. .
Hey Jan….. the fires are terrible for that community but, thankfully, those I know down there are safe. Ryan’s family is far enough south to be fine, although his son is at UCLA but doing okay. I believe the church will be fine also. It’s amazing how many homes and communities have been affected!
It's such a time of mixed emotions. Great joy to know when family and friends are safe. So sad when you learn of otheres who have lost everything. Thanks for the update, dear Bill. I continue to pray for all of you and for that part of the country.