Blankies

On By profhollister3 Comments

When I was little, I had a little stuffed bunny that I took camping with me and dragged a lot of places. Mom was faithful about washing the bunny, but over time he looked a little worn. I remember someone offering me a new bunny, but I wasn’t interested. I wanted my familiar pink bunny.

Each of my kids had blankies but my older daughter was particularly attached to hers. It was a Carter blanket with bunnies. She took it everywhere including our camping trip through Maine and the Maritimes. It got dragged through the mud at a campground in Bar Harbor. After that, no amount of laundry detergent and sunshine could ever make it pure white again. But it didn’t matter to her – it was familiar and comfortable.

We eventually tried to entice her into getting a new one, describing how clean and white it would be, how it probably would feel a little bit thicker and less worn, how it would look nicer….. But she didn’t want anything to do with that.

I wonder if that describes a little bit of what we feel on our final steps of our journey Home. We know that there’s a far more beautiful thing there for us – indescribably and infinitely amazing. And yet because our finite brains can’t wrap around that, we hold on to our familiar blankies.

I’ve seen some pretty amazing views here on Earth, like flying over the Grand Canyon. Or even just some of the spectacular sunsets here in Maine. But those are nothing in comparison to what heaven is like.

No tears for starters.

Rev 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Downton Abbey

On By profhollister3 Comments

We watched part of the Downton Abbey movie last night until I was too tired and simply had to go to sleep. It was nice to once again lose myself in the plot, the characters, the drama, clothing, the food. I was thinking about why so many people love the show so much. Is it because of the time period; starting off the sinking of the Titanic going through World War I ….? Is it the following of a Edwardian household with the upstairs and downstairs dramas? Is it the amazing costumes? Is it partially the rich character development?

Each episode and the movie left you waiting for more. In the second movie, will Mr. Mason and Mrs, Patmore get married? Will Edith’s husband travel with the King? What happened to the elder Mrs. Grantham?

The movie of course, outlines Downton Abbey’s preparation for the arrival of the king and queen. At one point, Cora -Lady Grantham –comments on the fact that while the house seems in upheaval, it’s reminding her of the days that Downton Abby was a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Despite the prestige of a royal visit and all the associated opulence, she reflects back to a day when times are very difficult and yet rewarding.

There are other times too, where for example we hear Lady Mary point out the incredible effect that love and marriage with Matthew had on her. Despite the horrific loss, overtime she was able to see some blessings in it all.

My life is nowhere near as dramatic or show worthy as Downton Abbey, but many of the lessons ring true. Just like many of the characters, we have to learn to be grateful for our lot in life, to know when we should strive for more, to know when to accept others for who they are, to find joy in a job well done, to recognize that life isn’t always fair, to recognize the bond of family …. and to recognize that there are times where we’ve gone through horrific things that made us stronger. I also recognize that humor can be so powerful – just ask Countess Violet. She has far more zingers than I ever will.

My body is weakening quickly. I find myself thinking more and more over things that happen and things that are coming. Like the staff at Downton Abbey, I’m trying to prepare for my King to come. I’m thinking over the way things used to be, and I’m wondering what’s next. What will it be like?

Like Daisy, we all want to belong to someone. And we do. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3

New beginnings

On By profhollister4 Comments

It might be on the cooler side for some, but we have our windows open. Because it smells like spring. Today there’s gentle rain, the birds are chirping and singing, and I think I heard my first peepers. We have beautiful daffodils and tulips and sunflowers sitting at the windows. It makes it all seem fresh and new which is what spring does.

New beginnings. They hold potential. It might be simple as a box of fresh crayons just full of the possibilities for amazing artwork. It might be some newly sharpened pencils used to complete an essay, sketch a diagram, or write a note to a friend to encourage them. It might be a packet of seeds, carefully preserved, to plant and populate a newly dug area. Or it might be what looks to be just dried out roots wrapped in muslin and waiting to be planted later in spring….. To give us boxes of luscious juicy berries.

We all need these times and moments of promise, new beginnings, and hope. For they are a reminder that winter ends. That things are not always what they seem.. and a bunch of roots and twigs that look to be dead can grow again. That the dark of winter yields to a plethora of color and all sorts of flowers. That a once almost dry waterfall rumbles anew with melting snow and spring rain. It creates streams a desert.

On the days that we feel parched, on the days that we seem to be stuck in a never-ending winter of life, on the days where we wonder if there’s hope, take a few minutes and look around to see that God has already provided.

Think about Psalm 23. Side by side you have the imagery of a dark and scary valley…..and luscious green grass and flowing water. You have fear followed by a feast in the presence of others where the results exceed your expectation.

Hope for a new tomorrow.

Go with God .

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Leaning on the everlasting arms

On By profhollister7 Comments

When I was growing up, summertime meant picnics, family reunions, camping, lots of gardening…..and some concerts. Mom and Dad would often pack us up for an afternoon in the park with the Allentown band. Or, we would head to Milford Park or one of the churches in the evening and listen to four-part harmony gospel songs. It definitely would have been easier for Mom if it was just she and Dad going, as the foster kids meant that we had to have blankets and bottles and extra diapers and all that stuff. And inevitably, the babies and toddlers would get tired, and they would want to be held. Somehow, the later the evening went, the more tired your arms got. Same thing with my own kids. I remember holding my son at a bluegrass festival, just watching him sleep. He was secure in my arms, even if they got tired.

What a beautiful picture of trust that is….. A child knowing that they could sleep wrapped in caring arms. Even with all the noise around and other people, they could sleep peacefully, trusting that Mom or Dad would take care of it all.

We too have the ability to lean on arms that are there to support us, allowing us to rest peacefully, reminding us that our Father is there to take care of us no matter what is going on around us. No matter the noise, no matter how late, no matter how early, He is there.

We can lean on the everlasting arms.

Psalm 18:2. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

My Captain

On By profhollister2 Comments

My grandmother had a beautiful picture of Jesus at the helm of a boat. I thought of that last night when I couldn’t sleep and was bouncing around blogs in my brain. Maybe the picture was to remind us of the story of the disciples during the storm while Jesus slept. Not sure, but it was a beautiful reminder that He is our Captain on the stormy seas of life.

I’ve always enjoyed reading historical fiction and nonfiction. This has included stories of smuggling and piracy as well as exploration of the New World, etc. I read the Arctic explorations of Richard Byrd. I’ve read about the Viking settlement in Newfoundland and their subsequent sailing trips to expand their world.

These books covered different time eras and locations, but some things were the same regardless. Anyone sailing needed to make sure they had the right supplies and enough of them, whether it was food or equipment like ropes and sextants for the boat, garments appropriate for the weather. They needed maps. They needed to know what rocky reefs to avoid.

And they needed a captain with experience. Men trained for years as part of teams on other boats to gain experience. Many a time both in fiction and real life, the captain’s decisions literally meant life or death for those on board.

The same holds true for each of us in life. While we don’t all follow the same shipping lanes, nor do we explore the same uncharted territory, we each can trust that our Captain is experienced. His hands are steady on the tiller, He knows where the rocky reefs are, He has plenty of supplies, and He’s watching out for our every need.

He is faithful.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2: 9 & 10

Almost Home

On By profhollister14 Comments

I was thinking about years ago when I was traveling for work a lot, maybe finding myself in the Atlanta airport waiting for that last plane to Maine. How anxiously travelers would watch the signs and the updates, because we just couldn’t wait to get home. I had people there I loved, and as much as my work had been interesting I was ready to be with my family.

Nothing like getting home sleeping in your own bed, being where you belong. I can’t wait to get home from the hospital. My Groundhog Day life here is very tiresome.

We learned  more today about my MRI as well as this whole blood pressure situation and issues with maintaining proper potassium levels.

And we made a decision that it’s time for comfort care only. It’s just about 3 years that I’ve been fighting this battle but it feels a lot longer. 

All of us believers are on our journey Home. None of us ever know the moment, but we do know God promise to never leave us nor forsake us. He goes to prepare a place for us. 

Go with God. ❤️