Author Archives: Patricia Ann

I AM ONLY ONE

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It was a conversation with a friend that brought this little poem to my attention yesterday. It made me aware of how helpless we sometimes feel when things happen beyond our control; things like suffering, wars, crimes, accidents, lying, cheating, stealing, needless hurting, senseless behavior; you get the picture. And we think, that’s terrible but what can I do about it? Examining the words of this little poem, provides food for thought, and poses the question, “What is the something I can do?” And then we realize that not all things are beyond our control, and indeed we should not refuse to do the one something we can, however humble it may be.

I am only one
by Edward Everett Hale

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909) was an American author, historian, and Unitarian minister.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forever and Ever, Amen (A Love Song)

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No, this is not about The Lord’s Prayer. It is about a love song which I first heard at the wedding of one of my God-daughters in 1987. Here are the words, sung by Randy Travis, that have played in my mind over the years since that time. I’m posting it for all the loving Valentine people who are still celebrating their love whether for one year or sixty. Happy Valentines Day.

Forever and Ever, Amen

You may think that I’m talkin’ foolish
You’ve heard that I’m wild and I’m free
You may wonder how, I can promise you now
This love that I feel for you always will be

But you’re not just time that I’m killin’
I’m no longer one of those guys
As sure as I live, this love that I give
Is gonna be yours until the day that I die

Oh, baby! I’m gonna love you forever, forever and ever, Amen!
As long as old men sit n’ talk about the weather
As long as old women sit n’ talk about old men
If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful
I’ll be happy to tell you again
I’m gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, Amen!

They say that time takes it’s toll on a body
Makes a young girl’s brown hair turn gray
But, honey, I don’t care, I ain’t in love with your hair

And if it all fell out, well, I’d love you anyway

They say time can play tricks on a memory
Make people forget things they knew
Well, it’s easy to see, it’s happenin’ to me
I’ve already forgotten every woman but you

Oh, darlin’! I’m gonna love you forever, forever and ever, Amen!
As long as old men sit n’ talk about the weather
As long as old women sit n’ talk about old men
If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful
Well, just listen to how this song ends
I’m gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, Amen!

I’m gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever
Forever and ever, forever and ever, Amen!

Twenty-nine years later my God-daughter and her husband are still living their wedding song.

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/randy-travis/forever-and-ever-amen-lyrics/#6GPAkquB8DPfsAdU.99

 

 

Love Happens

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That’s the name of a movie I watched last night, starring Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, and Martin Sheen, among others. It’s a romantic drama about an inspirational author who helps people deal with their grief after losing a loved one, while all the time harboring his own.

There were some offensive language issues to get past, but the plot was good, Jennifer was her usual relaxed and believable self, and Martin Sheen closed the decidedly moving movie with some gentle humor.

It is a movie that brought tears to my eyes, a smile to my face, and a few outright bursts of laughter. It is a feel good movie that I will definitely watch again.

This is not a review by any means…just another form of feeling the love. With Valentine’s Day just ahead, feeling the love is a good thing.

 

 

Many Kinds of Love

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How often do we think love is out the window when someone or something comes along to prove otherwise? It has happened to me a few times in my lifetime, and just recently it has happened again. Just when I was mourning the perceived loss of an object of my affection, this appeared on the screen of my life and love soared to a new height once again. Does that make me fickle? It doesn’t mean that I have given up on one of my other loves, it just means that there is room in my heart for many kinds of love. Scenes like this make me happy, and happiness is another form of love. This photo was posted on Facebook yesterday, and I had to share it. I just love it!

 

 

 

 

 

Oops!

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I’m not sure where I heard or read the following, or whether or not it was meant to be humorous. What do you think?

This is about a middle-aged woman who wants a new improved self.  Unfortunately, she ends up injured in a car accident and is rushed to hospital. As she floats in and out of consciousness, she begs God to keep her alive. God tells her not to worry and promises her a long, long life.

While she is in hospital recovering from her broken bones, she figures she might as well get a few other things done. She opts for a tummy tuck, a breast augmentation, has her eyes lifted and her nose reduced. She looks and feels like a new woman and can’t wait to show the world.

She has just left hospital for home when a bus rounds the corner, slams into her and kills her. When she gets to heaven she’s furious and tells God, “You said I was going to live a long life. What happened?”

God studies her face and says, “I didn’t recognize you!”

Oops!

Hear the Spiders Walk

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Oftentimes when I open the door to outside there is an air of stillness and silence. I love that “sound” and feeling. It is all enveloping. It happened this morning while feeding the birds and squirrels…my backyard world was hushed, and I basked in it for several minutes.

Similarly indoors sometimes. When I choose to eliminate television and radio, and between the furnace cycles and telephone rings, my house is sometimes so quiet I can hear the spiders walk.

Isaiah 30:15 says in part…in quietness and trust is your strength…

Absorb the stillness when it comes, it’s extremely good for the soul.

 

Don’t Let it Fester

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A few days ago I shared a joke which had come my way. It was about people being angry and not talking to each other, but it was written to be humorous and indeed it was.

However, anger is a poisonous emotion to the one who harbors it. There are many, many things that make us angry in day to day life, whether in the media, a family, a workplace, friendships, and yes, even in a church.

The thing about anger is to feel it, acknowledge it, speak about it if we must, but then try to get rid of it as soon as possible. It can be healthy to realize that there are things that do make us angry, that everything in life is not fair, or just, or even acceptable. We may justify what makes us angry, but whether or not we are justified is something only we can decide after a good long soul search.

Anger is a very natural reaction to unnatural behaviors. But a festering anger can itself cause unnatural behaviors in the person who harbors it, and it can be poisonous…very poisonous.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…Ephesians 4:31

Easier said than done, but healthier in the long run…don’t let it fester.

 

 

 

I Am Strong

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We may experience weaknesses of many varieties such as physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, moral, etc., but there is an antidote, and that is…strength.

…let the weak say, “I am strong” (Joel 3:10)

Its a new Sunday…enjoy.

All Things Are Possible

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On the heels of an upsetting telephone conversation last night, this photo came to me from one of my delightful granddaughters who knows how much this particular saying has meant to me over many years. It was so timely, comforting, and apropos that I had to share it. Lindsay had no idea what had just taken place in my life, so I believe that this is God reminding me, through her, that indeed all things are possible, because I was immediately uplifted. TYG, and thank you, Lindsay.