A Table for Two

A Table for Two
Carol Condon
www.carolcondon5@aol.com


All throughout the year we dream and plan for when our family's calendar reaches the long awaited for days of vacation. The time where we put reality under lock down and unpack for days of relaxation and quality family time as we renew and refresh enabling ourselves to go back equipped to unlock reality and carry on our journey.  

It was toward the middle of our vacation when we stopped in a small southern town for some of their local chicken and biscuits.  We carried our trays to the table and bowed our heads for prayer over our meal. As I raised my head I noticed an older gentleman walking to a table carrying a tray that held a single meal. My heart instantly hurt. I just can't stand to see the elderly eating alone. I moaned an,"Ohhhh dear, he's eating alone." When my family turned and saw him they immediately told me to go invite him to our table as we were only five sitting at a table for six. I saw that they truly didn't mind sharing our family time with a stranger so I walked over to the older gentleman and invited him to join us for lunch. He took his hand and laid it on my arm as tears filled his eyes. He thanked me over and over but simply said, "My wife died." No other words. He choose to sit alone and I respected his wishes. I made it back to my seat but my tears turned into a sob and I had to excused myself in order to pull myself together.

His watering eyes spoke volumes to me. I questioned myself if this was their special spot that they stopped each Sunday afternoon following their morning worship service. Was this table their regular table? Was he reliving all the conversations they shared over their many years together? Were there regrets? Were there unspoken words? As I cleared our table to leave I glanced over to him and he simply smiled.

I couldn't help but think of how many are sitting alone unnoticed at a table or in only one of the two rocking chairs that occupy their front porch. Even though this gentleman's grief was too new to share with strangers his eyes spoke of his thankfulness at being noticed instead of sitting invisible to others. I repent for all the times I have purposefully turned from those that I could have shown kindness to but didn't really want to have my privacy invaded with strangers that were "most likely" content to sit alone visiting with their memories. We all search for His will in our lives but His will for everyone is to love one another showing them kindness that happens to be free for everyone to give.

Will you take the time to notice?

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another."
Romans 12:10

A Worm in the Mouth

A Worm in the Mouth
by Carol Condon
www.carolcondon.com


It was the beautiful summer weather that drew me outside. I had been enjoying the crisp air conditioned atmosphere in our home, but the sunshine coupled with the warmth it offered was beckoning to me. I had my sunglasses, ice water and iPad all ready for a relaxing afternoon reading session in the peaceful seclusion of our deck.  I started reading but the material just wasn't keeping my attention. I set it down and was perfectly content to glance around at the beauty of the Creation that surrounded me. The grass seemed extra green that day and there were flowers in bloom adding just the needed contrast of color along with tomatoes that were hanging onto each plant drinking in the sunshine as they ripened a little each day. The sky was a perfect shade of blue causing the white clouds to shine most brilliantly. The day seemed especially quiet, and time seemed to stand still as I soaked in the beauty that surrounded me. 

It was then I noticed a little robin hopping through our yard.  It is not unusual to see a lot of birds this time of year but they are usually flying not hopping.  I kept watching as it hopped closer to me.  It was then that I saw it had a worm in its mouth and that it was on a mission to feed it's offspring.  I began trying to think what it was like to be a bird.  How difficult was it to find food in the hardened summer soil? Did they ever try to serve something less than the best so they didn't have to work so hard? The grass was nearly as tall as this determined bird yet it keep hopping toward it's mission to provide nourishment to those that depended on it. 

As I researched further I learned that both the male and female robin care for their young.  Each of them take on the responsibility for those in their nests. Even after their young leave they follow them in order to provide food until they are totally capable of providing for themselves.  As the female robin prepares for the new eggs that are soon to rest in the nest the male robin keeps an eye closely on their "now on their own" babies.

Are we as committed as the robin?  Many of us have the responsibilities of our own children along with our spiritual offspring.  Are we providing the "proper" nourishment for them? Are we going the extra mile to insure that they are receiving the best of care in preparation for flying out on their own?  Once on their own are we keeping them in sight just in case they need some guidance with their new found freedom?

 In June I went from 4 children to 5 when our son, Jared married his best friend, Marissa.  However, my responsibilities do not begin and end there. God has brought me into the path of so many wonderful people and He has trusted their care to me.  I can not afford the luxury of giving up or giving in! No matter how high the grass I must press on. I do realize how exhausting it can be as a caregiver to others, but we must not get weary! Our Father is watching and offering the strength as needed. Rest in Him, He is depending on each one of us.

Galatians 6:9-10

And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, it we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

The Red Umbrella

The Red Umbrella

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

I stood in the checkout line waiting my turn, and was drawn to the little lady in front of me as she waited patiently holding her red umbrella. She turned to me and said, “My knees hurt.” Moved with compassion I told her how sorry I was. Her simple statement was then followed by a question, “Are you driving along Sixth Avenue today?” Sixth Avenue was in the absolute opposite direction of where I was going.

My day had started off with a full agenda. Our van had been in the shop and as I picked it up I was annoyed with how filthy it was. I intended to see it cleaned right away. However, here stood this little lady with sore knees. I couldn’t reject her need. My messy van and further agenda would simply have to wait.

Her grin lit up her face as I told her as long as she didn’t mind waiting for me I would be happy to drive her home.  I settled her in the front seat and she began rubbing her hand across the dash telling me how nice my van was. As she glanced around she just kept telling me how nice and “brand new” my van looked. My previously voiced frustrations kept echoing in my ears while this precious little lady was telling me how blessed I was. She then began telling me her story. Her husband died years earlier, she had gone through cancer 4 times and now she is having trouble with her knees. For 32 years she has rented a little apartment and has never had a car. My heart was getting a work over! As I neared her address she asked me to stop. I couldn’t just drop her off in the middle of the street but she said her alley was really muddy and she was just going to walk to her apartment. I was so sad watching her cross the street. I couldn’t let her do that.  I turned around and went back for her but she was gone. She was nowhere to be found.

Tears filled my eyes as I began to wonder if the Lord had sent me an angel to remind me of my need to be thankful. I couldn’t even bring myself to wash my van. I headed home. Once parked in my driveway I reach for my purse and there in my passenger seat sat her red umbrella. Will I ever find her? Maybe not, but that red umbrella still sets in my van as a reminder of the day this little lady appeared in my life and taught me a much needed lesson in being thankful.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Hope Chest

                                    





 

 

 

The Hope Chest

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

The hope chest that once stood empty was now lovingly packed full of memories, dreams, and hope for the future. For years all types of “favorite things” had been collected and placed in the chest in expectation for when hope became reality. Each item had been lovingly folded for that special day when the “hopeful” items could be retrieved and put into use.

In one corner so many memories had gathered throughout the years. There were the love notes scribbled and barely legible with “do you like me? yes or no” along with yearbooks, the first Barbie, dried flowers from that special occasion, many cards and letters that held countless memories along with hundreds of photographs representing years of special moments. As I picked up the pictures I was quickly taken back in time to relive the events that were bringing on so many nostalgic feelings.

Adjacent to the stack of memories were the folded hopeful items lovingly placed in waiting for the future. There was the quilt that Grandmother made along with vintage clothes that were now heirlooms from generations past. The teacup and saucer lovingly wrapped to preserve its appearance and future use was stacked next to the oblong package that was a mystery to me.

As the layers of tightly bound cloth were removed the valuable item was revealed, The Family Bible. The births and deaths had been entered with a shaky hand. As the pages were turned toward the Inspired Words I saw that verse after verse had been underlined with an arrow pointing toward a small note lovingly written in the margins where interpretations and personal experiences were documented.

This Priceless Book holds so much hope within its pages. Can you imagine how enriched our lives would be if we visited this Hope daily with an eagerness to use each “item” stored there? Our Lord placed His Words throughout the pages to help us set up our home and family. Tucked within its pages are promises along with examples to live by. Experiences have been documented to guide us through similar circumstances that we all find ourselves facing from time to time.

This “Hope Chest” will do us no good if it stays packed away in some corner of our room. We need to lift the cover and go for a treasure hunt of all the many hidden goodies that have been placed there so lovingly to enrich our daily lives. Let us take out His Word daily and rejoice in the hope that He has given to us all.

Romans 15:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Restrictions Apply

 

 Restrictions Apply

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

The discharge papers were stacking up as I patiently waited for the final dismissal granting me permission to bring Mark back to our home. The instructions were being repeated for his prescriptions, level of activity, nutritional diet guidelines, scheduling of doctor’s visits and so much more. Our minds were slightly overwhelmed. Just 4 four days earlier life seemed so much more carefree. Once dismissed we headed home on a mission to become “heart smart.”

The questions kept coming at me. Why Mark? He was always busy, on the go and when he did have a few minutes he would be biking, running, or walking our neighborhood. Mark was too young and active for this. However, it had happened and now there was this invisible sign following him stating, “restrictions apply.” How much was too much? How much was too little? Where were the answers?

I began taking his restrictions and started substituting them into our family’s lifestyle. Vegetable oil replaced olive oil, Mrs. Dash replaced salt, whole-wheat flour replaced the all-purpose flour and so the substitution process continued throughout our pantry and refrigerator. We didn’t just claim it as Dad’s/Mark’s new restrictions but ours as well.

So many are willing to accept restrictions leading to a healthier lifestyle. Gym memberships are purchased. Soda cans are discarded for the water bottle. Stairs are chosen over the elevator. The menu has grilled instead of fried as the only available option.

All this concentration on the heart brought me to my own spiritual heart and the restrictions that apply in order for me to live a long and prosperous spiritual life. I began to think of the substitutions that are needed in order to have a spiritual healthy lifestyle. Why does it seem that so many heart smart pursuers of a healthy lifestyle are trying to ignore the restrictions that apply to be spiritually heart smart?

As a family we have joined with Mark to conform to this new lifestyle and we eagerly await his doctor’s appointments to eventually hear the doctor tell us that he is winning this race on heart disease. It is not a race that we can afford to give up on. We must continue on each and every day.

We are all in a spiritual race. It is one we cannot afford to give up on. We are waiting for that appointment when we hear Him say that we have fought the fight and finished our race.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

The Gift of Life

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The Gift of Life

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

I am sitting next to you watching each of your heartbeats being measured on the screen.  The fragile motion of the rise and fall of each breath you take is a reminder of how precious life really is. The IV machines hum as clear drops fall into your bloodstream strengthening you for the day that will soon dawn.

Just 12 hours earlier my life jolted to a stop as I heard the doctor say the dreaded words, "Your husband has had a heart attack and there are signs of heart damage."   How could this be? Isn't life just like a light switch? We turn it on for desired light and flip it off when welcoming darkness just as we lie down to sleep when weary and rise when rested. Isn't life just that simple?

In a matter of a crushed heartbeat our life has changed. The schedule that was finalized is now tentative, our daily lunch dates are on hold, and we are now just taking life one moment at a time. The precious gift of love that we share will never again be taken for granted.  As I watch you finally drift asleep after hours of agony, fear, and disappointment, I begin to hear the rumbling snores of your slumber and it is music to my ears.

I overheard you today as you spoke with the imaging specialist while pictures of your heart were being filmed. When a close up of your heart entered the screen your voice quietly asked, "Does my love for Carol show up on there?"  I believe my own heart skipped a beat.

Life is a gift and one that is so often taken for granted instead of embraced with a passion. Thank you, Mark, for loving me, our children, our ministry, our church, and most of all our Savior who spared your life today. I am forever grateful.

II Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Updated or Outdated

Updated or Outdated

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

It seemed as if my to do list was growing by the minute.  As I remembered something I needed to do, I would write myself a note so that I could complete one thing before beginning the next.  Finally, I was ready to get to my desk and begin all my computer work. The notice to update my software kept popping up every time I was deep into a project I was working on.  Since I didn’t want to be interrupted I just clicked on the “remind me later” button and kept right on working.  I didn’t want to stop what I was doing, close out of my programs, update and reboot.  I was “too busy” for that.

The need to update my software was forgotten.  Weeks had gone by and Miquel came up to me and asked me how I like the updated software.  I explained that it had been a while since I updated but when I saw how pleased she was with the improvements I went in search of my iPad and clicked on the app store.  I was shocked at how many apps were listed as needing updated.  Did I really ignore that many reminders?

I put in my password and all the apps began updating.  So many improvements were being added.  These great additions had already been paid for all I had to do was take the initiative and time to put them into action.

Our salvation has already been purchased for each one of us.  We just need to daily renew ourselves in Him.  We need to update our life “app.” We get so busy making life happen that we sit during a sermon when we plainly see the alert of a needed update but we just mentally click on “remind me later.”  We are too busy doing “our programs” that we do not want to stop, update and reboot.  Our life’s journey would be much improved if we daily looked for our needed updates and took the time and initiative to apply them to our lives.  His perfect will awaits us.  Are we renewed enough to recognize it?

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2