New York City, of All Places

You may have thought, because of the post title, I was going to write about my recent trip to the Big Apple. Yes, it was an amazing four days. NYC is definitely a destination for your bucket list.

I could tell you about going to my first Broadway play, Beautiful, the story of the life of Carol King. Her music had me in tears for most of the production. I'm a child of the sixties and seventies and the music touched me deeply.

Me and Janet

I could tell you of the lights and energy of Times Square at 11:00 p.m., and the feeling of safety in the midst of thousands of people.

I could tell you of museums and parks and famous sightings. Or, the underground subway ride with the chest of drawers on its way to a new home.

I could rave about the food...oh, the food was so good. It really was. And the ladies I broke bread with are the best travel companions. Anna, daughter of Janet, my longtime friend, planned our excursions with the finesse of a travel agent. We followed her everywhere she wanted to take us, walking 33.5 miles in four days. Did I mention the delicious food we ate? It's a good thing we walked 33.5 miles.

There are occasions in life when you're confronted with a person, event, or conversation and you must plunge into the encounter based on prior knowledge, your own gut feeling, or fear. Taxi ride, need I say more? The only time we hailed a cab, apart from the shuttle to and from the airport, was a 30 minute ride from the Upper West Side back to the center of Manhattan. It was a moment in my life, planned before I drew breath. Our days are not random or by chance.

Skyline view from Central Park

I am a committed believer in Jesus Christ. I write in this space and tell of my beliefs, my struggles, and my joys. This is a safe place to express my heart. During the ride in the cab, our driver, a twenty-something college student, began a conversation about politics and social issues. He assumed, from our accent, we were southerners. I have no idea how he knew. Anyway, he also assumed we were conservative homophobes.

For the record, I must tell you, in the past my husband would've taken the lead in friendly banter and I would've sat quietly in the backseat people watching and daydreaming. However, this time, I found myself explaining my political views, my social issue opinions, and defending my faith.

The young man boasted of being an atheist. Before leaving the cab, and this enlightening exchange of world views, I was able to tell him of God's love for him and Jesus' death on the cross for him. It was a natural progression of conversation. I didn't beat him over the head with it, and he promised he would think about all we'd said. He asked that I do the same, and I have.

It was a short conversation in the scope of the entire trip, yet it was one I will not soon forget. A seed was planted right in the middle of NYC on a beautiful Friday afternoon. We each made an impression with someone who is blind and deaf about the most important part of life, with our words, our demeanor, and our smiles. This is what we are called to do as believers, "Be ready in season..."

9-11 Memorial and Museum

Did I say all the right things? Only God knows. Will He use our words in this man's life? Only God knows, but the Bible says His word will not return void.

I want to be ready to share my faith with whomever is put in my path. I must not be afraid to share the truth of all I've learned and experienced in this life. We must be sensitive to the beliefs of others, yet firm in our own belief. Then, and only then, will we be taken seriously in this post Christian world we live in.

True freedom cannot be found in the temporal, but the eternal. That should be our message. It's not up to us to change the world, but we need to be faithful and obedient to whatever opportunities we have. He will do the rest. It's a promise.

With the summer months upon us, many will be out of their normal routine. Where, and with whom will you find yourself in a cab or hotel, on a boat or restaurant? People are looking for answers to life's deepest questions and meaning. If you're a believer, you have the answer. Be gentle and kind and let Love talk. Amazing adventures await you.

Cindy

Decisions, Decisions...One More Adventure??

Sometimes I like to go back in time through the pages of my life. Not only does it help me keep things in perspective, it helps me with the future. When I write it down in My Little Corner, it's a record for my children...a living, breathing part of me. A place they can return and know how their parents began their journey, lived their life and maybe someday figure out what made their momma tick.

It was about this time of year in 1978. We were young newlyweds with a dream of building our first house. After meeting with a builder with our house plans, those dreams were dashed, so we moved on to Plan B.



Earl (right)

My husband, ever the man of adventure, at 18 years of age, built a log cabin using The Foxfire Book as his guide. He did it the old fashioned way of cutting the trees and hauling them out of the woods with a team of horses. I'm told it was a sight to behold since we'd not yet met one another.

We decided to finish the log cabin into our first home instead of building a normal wood structure. We worked diligently throughout the autumn months and moved into our new home two days before Christmas. Nearly all of the work was completed by the two of us and we were so thankful that Christmas to have our little house to call home. We considered ourselves blessed, then and now.

I was attached to that little house. I kept it spotless...inside and out. Because of my childhood scars a home was sacred to me. We worked hard to make the house and yard something to be proud of. We rarely had visitors since we were on top of a mountain. It would never grace the pages of Better Homes and Gardens magazine but to me it was perfect.

So you can imagine my horror when he says to me one night, "What would you think of leaving West Virginia?" My answer to him was, "Well, I wouldn't!" And then I cried myself to sleep.

That was in October of 1984. We moved to South Carolina in January of 1985. I knew it then and I know it now, that it was God's plan for our lives. In July 1984 I made the statement while we were vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC, "This is a nice place to visit but I would NEVER live here." Guess where I moved in January 1985? You guessed it...Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Leaving my log house, friends and family was gut wrenching....I thought I wouldn't survive, but I did. What memories we have on that little mountain and in that town.

But God....those two little words. He knows best. He had so much waiting on me in South Carolina.

I have to keep reminding myself of these things because that husband of mine is asking questions again. Questions I don't want to hear. Oh, he doesn't want to leave our town. He just wants to downsize. It seems we're always having house issues.

Ok, now here's where it really gets difficult for me. We've lived in the same house nearly 16 years...that translates roots...deep roots. I don't want to let go of my home and yet there's the future to consider.

So I'm torn.

As women, we're made to nest...to create comfortable places for our families to feel loved and welcomed...a place where they can return and know they're home. I've been building my nest and stuffing it with all sorts of twigs and leaves making it as comfortable for my family with everything that says "home" to them. I want them to have what I missed out on as a child...a home to return to after they're grown. So that's my dilemma...

I know there are far worse things going on in the world. But I also know that each of us have decisions in our personal lives to make every day...decisions that affect loved ones. You may be trying to decide something right now that is tearing you apart...whether to stay in a marriage that you desperately want out of...maybe a decision about putting an aging parent in an assisted living facility...a prodigal child...a better job, a serious medical problem...and the list could go on and on.

 Life can be complicated can't it? It's full of twists and turns. But there is One Who never changes. He is the same today as He was yesterday and He will be the same tomorrow. He wants to be in the midst of our decisions every moment of our lives. That's why I look back at my past so much because I know that just as He guided me then, He will guide me now. He will give me peace as I wrestle with this issue. In time, He will give me the answer I'm seeking.

You are safe in His very capable hands. The hands that flung the stars in place can surely help us with our decisions. All we need to do is ask.

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which You have set in place.

What is man that You are mindful of him

and the son of man that You care for him?

Psalm 8:3-4 ESV

Blessings from My Little Corner,

Cindy


P.S. I mentioned a sick family member a couple of weeks ago...she is having a serious surgery tomorrow and prayer would be greatly appreciated for her! Thanks so much!