THE CALL OF THE SEA...

Several years ago I discovered a place that brought peace to my soul.  I had gone through a period of immense stress and was unable to relax.  I made a trip to Galveston Island and spent several days lost in the sound of the surf as it rushed in and then raced back into the Gulf.  This experience made me realize how much I loved the water and the calm that came with it.

The picture is from a house that stood directly in front of the one we had rented.  It speaks everything I felt as I looked into the moving waters welcoming me to the West End.  The pelicans flew in formation and the gulls danced at the waters edge.

The moment my tires hit the causeway on I45, I feel a sense of peace and calm that eludes me any other place.  The cares of life let go and I spend the next few hours visiting my favorite restaurant, beach shop and the West End.

The Sunflower Cafe is one of my destinations.  They have anything anyone would want to eat but I keep ordering their quiche. Then, I choose a chocolate brownie or cake or lemon pie or on and on.  Decisions decisions!!!

After lunch I head up Broadway to the beach.  Across the street from The Galvez is my FAVORITE spot in the world!  Murdoch's has two, not one, but two shops!  Connecting the two shops is a porch that I could live on.  There is always a breeze!  It has chairs and rockers and looks out into the vast waters of the Gulf.  If you look to your right, you can see the Pleasure Pier and the excitement surrounding the rides.

Once I have soaked in the windy atmosphere of this beautiful spot, I head to the West End.  Why?  The houses call me to investigate the beautiful architecture and drive onto the beach.  I look for shells and anything unbroken,  Once in a while there are great discoveries!  The pelicans glide overhead as I breathe slowly in and out.

My day ends as I pull into Sonic or McDonald's for a drink to sip on as I head down 61st Street and turn on I45 headng North toward Houston.

God has given me a peace and joy that is inexpensive and wonderful as I leave  the sounds of the Gulf water hitting the shore and retreating.  It is a constant thing and I am reminded of His loving care constantly moving in and out in my life.  Jeremiah 29:11

LaRue and Clara

PROVERBS 3:5,6

My Mother was a tall woman.  Her long legs made sitting on her lap secure and safe.  I would lean back, her arms locking me in place and go to sleep. (She was over 80 when she died and I still felt safe on her lap.)

 My Grandmother Treat, on the other hand, was short and wide.  Sitting on her lap was wonderful; she was like a fluffy pillow.  But, I had to hold on.  There just wasn't enough room between her stomach and knees to provide the width needed for restful sleep.

 The difference in napping on my Mother's lap and my Grandmother's, was comparable to sleeping on a king-size bed or a twin. I would take either one every chance I got!

Proverbs 3:5,6 has been a "king-size" Scripture that I have been able to embrace and in it I have found respite. Try it on.


 "TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATH."  Proverbs 3: 5,6

Remembering My Youth...

In 1963 I drove my Yellow Volkswagon through the gates of Southern Bible College at 10950 Beaumont Hwy. in Houston, Texas. For the next 9 years, I was engulfed and surrounded by an incredible group of people who nurtured and mentored my life.  I dreamed, failed, overcame and found a foundation for my youthful Faith that has never been destroyed.

This past weekend, there was a reunion of over 150 fellow SBC students in Carthage, MO.  For many years, a couple in North Houston hosted a New Year get-to-gather for those who could come to the Houston area.

Do you know what I found?  It just doesn't matter the amount of time that has elapsed - the bond goes deep and memories rise fast and often when we come together.  Time stands still and the events of 50 years drop away to the wonderful time we were young and just knew that God was speaking directly to our minds and hearts.  We were His Ambassadors.  We heard the "call" and came to learn and find His direction.

There have been many choices made over the past 50 years.  Some were exactly what He wanted me to do.  Others, I did what I wanted and missed His plan entirely.  But, there was a foundation laid that hasn't been destroyed whatever the circumstance. Friendships have lasted like the Pyramids of Egypt.  The nose may be gone from the Sphinx, but it still stands!

I know that God directed this child to that place. I was exposed to ministers who were ethical. They were who they said they were and lived what they preached.  Their lives live on in the ministries that were founded and flourished because of their example.  I miss them.

At times, I am once again 18 and excited about the future.  At other times, I am a mature alumni from a small college tucked away in east Houston, TX.

The site is now a half-way house.  Clark Hall is gone now, but the residents who lived there were convinced it was "haunted."  The Holy Spirit visited that building often during the time SBC lived there.  They were Oh So Right!

(A big thanks to Mark Pendergrass for the photos he found and posted on Facebook.)

Solitary environment...

There was one way in and one way out to Randy's Cabin.  It took three to four minutes driving about 5 miles an hour to reach the clearing.  This was the road that led to the reclusive and peaceful site.

Solitude.  No TV, no internet (except sporadically on the phone), only the fire flies and quiet.  The owners lived just up the hill.  I guess if it had gotten too difficult, we could have made friends with them and watched their dish TV.  Only saw signs of them twice during the entire weekend.

It was a place to make friends with oneself.  There wasn't any distraction from the voice inside that formerly was shouting to get my attention.  Choices and decisions paraded in front of my eyes, seeking solutions and direction.  What to do about this?  Did I choose wisely while buying the three pair of same shoe only in different colors from geek.com?  How much will it cost to return two of them?  The mustard was just too much!

It was somewhat of a relief when we were down the mountain and my phone kicked in.  Those nagging questions left unanswered were put on hold as we stopped at Pickles Gap and wandered the souvenir shops.  I found a Black Hills Gold ring I couldn't resist!

(Just kidding about the shoes.  However, geek.com is a fun place to shop for a few dollars!)

The quiet was good for me.  I sat on the porch and was able to allow myself the time to reflect and get reconnected to me.  When it is all said and done, it will just be me and my Creator.  I must find His plan daily.  To establish that, I must be willing to look myself in the eye, heart and mind and move forward.

Jeremiah 29:11  His plan.  His purpose.  His way.

The Belly of the Whale - Grief

The Belly of the Whale – Grief

I was reading the Book of Jonah this morning and the second chapter stood out like a NEON sign.

“I WAS THERE!  That is what I felt like.  During my care giving experience and following, I related to Jonah’s words:

“From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help…you listened to my cry.  You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me…the engulfing waters threatened me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.  When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You.”

I think it was the seaweed that stood out first.  Following my care giving time, I was deep in the belly of the whale.  I was “deep in the realm of the dead”.  I felt like I had been “hurled into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me.  The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me. “

several years I floated.  I went to work.  I went to church.  I surfed tv channels and the internet.  I could not land and stay put.  I was tossed to and fro by the pressures that I had experienced.  People didn’t realize the extent of my bruises because I was very good at rising to the occasion.  I had always been able to find an answer and have a ready plan at a moment’s notice.

However, grief brought a new facet to my personality that I ignored.  Maybe not ignored as much as I didn’t recognize the feelings or thoughts I was experiencing.  I had never traveled that path before.  It was new and I was alone.

Then my reading moved to chapter 4.  Jonah had gone east of Nineveh and sat down.  He built a shelter.  He sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.  He was functioning – not very well, but he was following God’s directions.

God provided a leafy plant.  He made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort.  Jonah was very happy.

BUT – it was time to move forward and not continue to stay placed in the grips of grief.

SO – God provided a worm.  It chewed the plant which withered.  God also provided a scorching east wind and sun which blazed on Jonah’s head.  He grew faint.  He wanted to die. 

I related this to the time God chose to move me out of the deep into His plan for my future.  I liked the couch.  I didn’t want to be responsible to anyone’s pain or comfort.   I hurt.  I struggled with remembering.  I was numb.

But, God had a plan to deliver Nineveh and He had a plan for Jonah.  Jonah’s time in the belly of the whale and watching Nineveh be delivered was a minute on the timeline of Jonah’s life.  There was much behind, but so much more going forward.  And so for me, too.

Happy Father's Day, Jimmie....and brothers

I found this picture of my father and three of his brothers:  Marion, Victor and Charles.  They were all entertainers,  If my dad was in a room with one other person, he would be telling jokes or dancing or playing a fiddle or guitar.

One of my memories centers around Friday and Saturday nights.  Dad's friends and brothers would come over for a jam session.  Mom, Jerry and I were usually relegated to the bedroom until break time.  At the musical break, we would have donuts or something comparable.  Then, for the next couple of hours it would be back to the bedroom to listen to a list of  music from folk to country to gospel to anything they knew.  It was serious  business that brought them together.  They loved to play.  Occasionally, my Mom (who was a really good singer) would join in with a song of her choice.

I didn't appreciate the talent my parents were gifted with until years later.  I was always a wannabe singer.  I could harmonize, but playing an instrument was not one of my gifts.  What I did receive was a great appreciation for those evenings filled with blue grass and love ballads.

This Father's day, I remember my heritage.  I thank God for those events He allowed in my life that made me the person I have become.  I miss those four men.

Happy Father's day, Jim Treat.  I love you.

Maximum HAPPY!

This picture makes me happy!

I saw it and immediately began to imagine what was so thrilling the tiny girl and her camel friend.

Was there a sand storm that rose across the desert and whipped the tents into a frenzy?
Was another camel prancing in front of them?
Could they be witnessing an oasis with palm trees and a pool of cool water?

Whatever the view, it made them extremely happy!

There are people in my life that have this affect on me.  When I am with them, I laugh.  They bring out the funny in me.  It doesn't matter how many years or weeks or days we have been separated, we pick up where we left off and relive previous times while creating new adventures.  Our eyes meet and the communication is instant and filled with fun,

If it has been some time since you have experienced this joy, contact one of those friends immediately!

Have a blessed day!!