A View From a Beach

Today when I was getting gas at the local station I noticed a truck drive up to the pump across from me. I hate to admit it, but out and about with my truck tends to bring to the surface some of my judgmental attitudes that need to be transformed.

The truck pulled up across from me and stopped at the first pump. It could have continued on to stop at the second pump so a person could pull in behind them. I felt like asking the driver why he didn’t just move another 20 feet so someone could pull in behind him instead of having to drive around him or drive in the other way.

I tried to think of a non-threatening way I could ask him this question. Yet, every time I tried to formulate the question it came out more like a reprimand on his driving abilities than a real question seeking knowledge. Thankfully I held my tongue and just kept asking myself why he parked at the pump the way he did.

He got out of his truck and then walked toward the storefront to either pay for gas or perhaps to get a snack before he continued on his way. I noticed that he stopped about three yards from the door and then it looked like he was reading a sign on the door.

After a few moments he turned away and with a shrug of the shoulders went back to his truck to fill it with gas. I shouted, “So, are they closed?” He said, for some reason the door was closed and he had no idea why. He smiled and we agreed that you never know what is going on when the door is closed, but we were at least able to pump our gas.

I realized this was a much more pleasant exchange than if I had asked him my initial question. there was a sense of camaraderie, an agreement that sometimes we don’t know what is the reason for the closed door.

I don’t think if I had asked him why he didn’t pull further up at the pump we would have had that sense of connection. It would have been more of a confrontation and what good would have come of it. Yet, here we had made a connection of agreement and parted as friends and fellow sojourners in this world that holds many mysteries.

I don’t know his reason for why he pulled up to the pump as he did and actually I didn’t need to know. That was his business and no one was being hurt or oppressed because of his actions.

Sometimes silence can bring a new understanding of what is important and what isn’t. For now I realize that I am not here to judge, but to join with others in the journey we have been given for a life time.

Go in peace and let us learn God’s grace through our two ears and two eyes before we choose to speak with our one voice,

Blessings, Randy

I learned a new tradition in the world of kinship this week. Sunday night, while driving to our vacation spot in Grand Haven, my brother Mike told me why he had two and half dozen rubber duckies in a small cardboard box in the back of his Jeep Wrangler.

He noticed after he had purchased the Wrangler that periodically someone placed a Rubber Duckie on the hood of his car or the driver side view mirror. He thought at first maybe someone was stalking him, he jokingly said, or this was some kind of prank played by friends.

But even when he left his car in a parking garage he would find these rubber duckies on his vehicle. Finally, a friend of his did the most logical thing and googled about rubber duckies being left on cars.

Evidently there is a kinship tradition for Jeep Wrangler owners. When they park near another Wrangler they leave a rubber duckie somewhere on the vehicle.

Mike said the two and half dozen duckies he had currently were half purchased and half gifts from unknown Wrangler owners.

Monday as I drove to purchase some breakfast items at the local grocery store I noticed behind me a Wrangler parked next to the cart corral. I gleefully grabbed one of the duckies and immediately went to deposit it on the other Jeep.

There was still a woman in the driver’s seat talking on the phone so I waved before I coyly placed the rubber duckie on her hood. She rolled down here window, broke off from her conversation, and said smiling, “Isn’t this a great tradition among Wrangler owners.” She then reached on to her dash and gave me one of her six duckies just waiting to be passed on to future Wrangler kin.

I agreed with Mike that just participating in this tradition brings a smile to my face and a warmth in my heart. This little offering of acknowledgement to another owner is so innocuous, but heart warming.

My third visit to the store today I again parked next to a Wrangler and again I deposited a duckie, this time on the side view mirror. Shortly later both of us Wrangler drivers arrived at our vehicles with our purchases in hand and I mentioned, “What are the odds we both parked next to each other,” without pointing out the duckie on their mirror. We chatted for a moment and I then got in to my Wrangler. Just before I drove off the other driver noticed the duckie, he passed it on to his passenger, and she laughed, then mouthed her thank you with a big smile on her face.

As I drove home I thought what a poignant example of how a simple act of kindness can bring a warmth of kinship between people. It was like a band of brothers and sisters, though strangers, acknowledging the personhood of each other through. This silly little inexpensive gift helped create a bond between strangers. This seemed a step in acknowledging our ties to one another just because we found we have something in common.

Perhaps we could give a friendly hello just to anyone whose path we cross and acknowledge we are all in this world together. Kindness can definitely create a kinship across all lines of differences. Let us all share our duckie of kindness whenever we can and perhaps we can become more untied instead of focusing on that which separates us.

Blessings,

Randy – a Beach with a view.

This last week we had our second VBS event where we are talking about God making beautiful things, even out of the dust around us. It made me be more aware of my surroundings and to be ready for those unexpected serendipities which cause me to smile.

I was preparing my oatmeal breakfast this last week and was getting out the nuts, raisins, spices, and then opening up the oatmeal container when I saw a beautiful thing. We have one large plastic container which holds our Trader Joe Rolled Oats. We had just purchased a new bag the day before and I had refilled the red topped oatmeal container.

I started to dip my quarter cup measuring cup into the bin when I noticed some movement among the flakes of oatmeal. It was red and had legs. Much to my surprise there was a ladybug in my oatmeal container. I don’t know how she got there (are there any male ladybugs?). If she came by way of Trader Joe’s then she was packaged prior to being placed on the shelf at the store.

I was excited to see this special good morning friend. She didn’t look any worse for wear, or confinement, she was moving all her legs (do they have arms) free as you please.

I scooped her up with my fingers and walked her to the back door. She left without a backward glance and whether she knew she was now in Texas or at least in the great outdoors or not, she disappeared into the backyard.

Some may be concerned about what else might be in that package of oats, but I for one was just excited to be greeted early in the morning by a long lost fellow traveler on this planet.

God does indeed make beautiful things and if we don’t pay attention we may not see them. So, I look forward to mornings with new and exciting surprises and give thanks for another way, most unusual I would have to say, to greet the new day.

Surprises at waiting around the corner or in the bag, who knows, keep on the look out.

Blessings,

Randy McG-B

Tuesday I had a meeting with “the men.” We gather together once a week to read some scripture, talk about its meaning, and share our lives. It was a good time and I was ready to head back home, but recently had been hit by a desire for a Dr. Pepper Slushy at McDonalds.

Rarely do I stop at fast food places, but where else would I find such a delicacy. The McDonalds near us is renovating the inside, so there is only the drive-up, I avoid the drive-up if I can. I like to interact with people so if I go to a fast food place, I go inside.

Being in another town where, hopefully they are not renovating their establishment, I thought it was a perfect time to attempt to satisfy this unusual desire. I would go to the closest McDonalds in this other town. The path to the closest one I would have to go through roadwork and it was almost twice the time as well as .1 miles further.

So off I went. At the traffic light I was stopped longer than I thought I needed to be. I mean the person ahead of me was turning right, but they were staying in the regular lane not going around the person in front of them.

I tried to be patient and not attempt to squeeze by the parked car to my right and the person ahead of me. Finally, the light changed and after the semi, two vehicles a head of me, made their right turn and then the car ahead of me followed, I went.

I noticed as I looked down the street I just turned on to and saw flashing red lights signaling an oncoming train. I told myself patience may need to grow in my life again. But then myself said, “No! We are turning on to a side street.” I made my way over and went through the parking lot of a restaurant to head back towards the first McDonalds I had seen, which now didn’t seem to be so far away.

Once there I went in to order my drink, but forget to change my sunglasses to regulars. The board was lit up with a back ground that made sunglass reading impossible. I apologized to the cashier and asked her to tell me what I needed to know for my order. She was very accommodating and soon I had my medium size Dr. Pepper Slushy ordered.

While waiting for my number to be called the cashier was cleaning up the pick up counter when another employee came up to her with a Mango Smoothie. She took it and then looked at me. She beckoned me over and asked if I would be willing to have a free drink which they found out they didn’t need.

Bonus!!! Not only did I get the Slushy of my dreams, but I got the Mango Smoothie to accompany it. If I hadn’t taken the time to head down to the first McDonalds, waited at the light, turned off to change destinations and wandered in with my sunglasses I would have never had this unexpected pleasure.

I enjoyed both drinks and said I thank you not only to this pleasant cashier, but to the one who allows us to receive what we don’t deserve. Maybe it was my reward for being patient, or maybe not, maybe I just need to be reminded that there are special times in our lives when we will get a little bonus added to our lives. Patience and Gratitude seem to go hand in hand.

Blessings,

Randy, a Beach with another view.

The pandemic brought all kinds of new ways to experience “church.” The virtual church meant live people were trying to draw you into an experience which simulated what it was like to be in the building.

The few leaders who were there tried to envision those who were watching and sometimes even had the opportunity to see or hear the responses of those viewing “church.”

Scrolling through the responses on Facebook you could get a sense of those who were usually in the pew participating. It was hard to remember, but when we went Hybrid we tried to include those watching by saying those who are here and those who are faithfully watching.

Sometimes we would remember to look at the camera and say “you too are included.” When we finished the service there was the chit chatting and weekly stories for those in attendance, but those who were not there you did not hear from or converse with unless it was a later on a phone call or a shopping sighting.

I am so glad to be back in the sanctuary with old friends and making new ones. The intimacy which was lost over the virtual time is being reestablished, but there is one thing I love about the return to the building that was missed virtually.

That is the mishaps, the trying to regain your composure when the unexpected candle doesn’t light or the expressions and chuckles of the children and adults when something humorous is said.

This last week it was a community experience when the candle wick was too far down to be lit, but the adult supervisor came to the rescue. During virtual church we would probably have left it, but since people were there this supervisor tried to pull the wick up higher.

Instead of half an inch the wick was pulled up about two inches and when it was lit reminded me of the blast off into outer space in Florida. Another person said later it looked like the Holy Spirit had definitely entered the sanctuary like on Pentecost.

This put some of us on edge as the flame continued to burn at triple the size of the other candle. Was it going to run out of fuel first or was someone going to accidentally brush by it with paper and hand and we would witness the reason why we shouldn’t play with matches?

Then we had the reader of scripture accidentally knock off the parament cloth on the lectern. This reminded me that we are fumbling humans trying to worship a majestic loving God. We do what we can, sometimes well and sometimes not so well, yet God still accepts our failures and foibles with the love of a parent watching a three year old attempt to make bread. No matter how messy it gets or how raw it tastes we still praise the attempt, for willingness is more important than the final product.

We are loved not for who we think we should be, but for who we really are. Sometimes following the script perfectly and other times falteringly clownish. It is all we can do, but attempt to respond to the unsparingly love of God knowing that it is our attempt which will be honored and accept. This doesn’t have to happen in a building, but that building provides us a tangible place to gather together and not only worship together but to laugh together. Thanks be to God.

Another view from a Beach

It has been almost six months since I have written anything I wanted to publish. Sometimes freedom from our former overwhelming obligations take us to drifting aimlessly in a world without such obligations. There are so many things I could be doing, that I am almost paralyzed into doing nothing.

These last six months I have been doing a lot of soccer refereeing and recovering from soccer referee injuries. It seems the refereeing is going well and then I tweak a calf muscle or twist a knee and then I am doing intensive physical therapy for two weeks so I can get back on the pitch.

Summer has completely truncated by refereeing, with the 95-100 degree temperatures and no one daring to initiate a soccer tournament during this kind of hazardous weather.

This also means that summer trips and sporadic day trips have taken precedence over consistent rigorous exercise. It is so much easier to meet physical obligations, those things which require moving the body, instead of non-physical activities, such as writing, relearning Hebrew, studying the influence of Aramaic on the biblical writings, and home projects.

Yet, today I noticed that our Turks Cap plant had a blossom. It has been at least three months since we planted this native plant and I’ve seen numerous plants blossoming in other yards, but today was the first day we have a blossom.

It made we realize that it takes time to develop new patterns of living when you move. It takes time to grow new friendships in a place completely unfamiliar to you. It takes time to uncover or discover your place in a new environment. Being in a new place seems to have restricted the flow of energy I usually have to envision new ways of experiencing the world, to create opportunities to expand my horizons, and to participate in whatever place I am now.

So today I am committing to being more active in where I am this moment. I am still missing those patterns of life I used to have. I am still mourning the loss of friendships I used to depend upon to be who I am and to seek creative ways to use my time. But today the time is now, today is the moment I say “yes,” today is when the dam begins to leak and the waters begin to flow.

Hoping your day is a good day and you will find what you seek, experience the now, and give thanks for every breath you are given.

Peace to you, Randy

I don’t know why it is, but I love to listen to music. I love all kinds of music: Jazz; Blue Grass; Classical; Contemporary Christian; and of course Christmas music.

I really enjoy being informed by national news radio, be it ad paid or donor contributed, but after a time I either get bored, fired up, or discouraged with all that is going on in the world and I just want to hear that universal language that sometimes uses words and sometimes doesn’t.

The other day I started to make a list of the Christian contemporary songs I love to hear. Most of them are by Lauren Daigle or We the Kingdom.

These songs speak to me of life, it all its messiness and yet have a powerful notion of hope laced through it. Lauren Daigle especially has been a favorite because she talks about not getting what you want, but still trusting in God. She also talks about how sometimes we have been put down by those around us, even our friends or family, but God reminds us we are loved for who we are, not what we do (“You Say” is the song that I first heard about this notion).

I tried to think about why is music and the lyrical affirmations such an important part of my life. I remember at a young age getting lost in listening to and dancing with my friends to songs from various musicals I had on vinyl. We would put on the tunes really loud, no parents around at the time, and dance with coat hangers, leaping, turning circles, attempting to follow along with words that were sometime true to the record and sometimes just made up.

I found it interesting that when living in California the last fourteen years I had trouble finding a classical station, yet while here in Country Western land, I already have found and can choose from two classical stations.

I haven’t found a station which plays the mix I would like covering all the genres of music, but at least Pandora allows me to get some of the songs piecemeal, either walking or listening to them in the car.

My heart was elated that I got to hear a favorite song in church this last Sunday, where most of the time the music played are hymns or a four part choir piece, which I like also, but I have missed having some of the Christian contemporary songs during the service.

I am so glad we have the ability to not just converse through language, but also share through the lyrics and instruments which speak the universal language.

Looking forward to hearing more life giving tunes here, on the road, or where ever people gather.

Blessings, Randy

We have been in our new house for about three months now and I can’t believe what a gift it is to us.

When our realtor asked what we wanted in a house, we talked about a fireplace, a tall ceiling in the living room, lots of windows for light to shine through, a kitchen window that looked out on a backyard, maybe even a window seat or two. We also wanted to have a place all on one floor to accommodate our weakening knees and our diminishing energy for cleaning.

I wanted a yard for some garden space and room to run through the grass. It would be nice to have some space for a grape vine and maybe even a location for a beehive. We would also like to put up a basketball hoop for the grandkids in the driveway.

What we got is a place with a tall ceiling, painted dark brown (not our favorite light color), a gas fireplace with no vent, therefore only to be used a couple of hours at a time.

There are two window seats which have nice cushions on them, but then we realized if we are going to sit on them we can’t put any of our plants or bowls of intricate shells or artistically shaped rocks on them.

The kitchen faces the living area and the only window in the kitchen is in the pantry, which does face the backyard, but we can only see it if we keep that door open. The yard out back is skinny and raised beds would make the grassy area even smaller.

The driveway is long, but curves and there is not a lot of straight space for any games with a basketball, currently we have to get permission from the HOA (Home Owners Association) to put up a backboard for basketball. The space is probably too small for a stand alone hoop on the side.

All that being said we have been given a home which has well functioning appliances. There are four bedrooms, two downstairs, which one of those is ours, and two upstairs. Joan can use the larger one upstairs for her studio and there is a loft connected to the hallway upstairs for a place to play games or watch television.

The study is down stairs with six IKEA book cases, all the shelves are full, a small desk, two easy chairs and room for the cat tree. It also has a closet for a file cabinet and room for any overflow of coats that need to be hung up.

The window treatments are customized to the spaces they cover and we now have two and half bathrooms, with additional closet space. We actually have our printer in a small cubby under the stairs along with the easy to carry vacuum cleaner.

The bathtub is so big that the hot water does not last to fill it up and the shower seems a bit small, height wise, but there are walk-in closets and already built shelving for clothes.

We have a few disappointments, but we have learned to be creative with the configuration we have in this place. We did not get all that we wanted, but we have something which won’t need repair any time soon, what a blessing that is.

We are learning that some things we wanted may not have been the best for our needs, but certainly what we have is far more than we expected. When your dreams don’t match reality we are learning to adjust our thinking and notice the view of what we do have.

Looking at the houses in the neighborhood there is no other house I rather have than here. We are thankful to the one who provided us with this amazing place. It will be a good place to be, maybe even a very good place. God is good. Thanks!!!

Sunday evening Joan and I watched a most intriguing presentation sponsored by Candler Theological Seminary. It was called TheoEd, a spinoff of TED talks. Five presenters, on various topics, shared their thoughts and insights for twenty minutes each.

The one which caught my attention the most was by Dr. Kara Powell, a pastor, researcher, and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. Her focus was the three questions which those in the Gen Z generation are asking themselves as they learn to negotiate this world.

She started with the statement that this generation, Gen Z, is the most anxious, adaptive, and diverse generation we have had in the last century. It is these thee factors which cause them to ask:1) Who am I? ; 2) Where do I fit? ; and 3) What difference can I make?

These three questions are looking for answers about identity, belonging, and purpose. These areas of concern are not for which this generation wants pat answers, but they want to explore these questions with people who are willing to have a relationship with them on their journey.

Dr. Powell says for those of us who are Christian faith-based we can provide answers, but the Gen Z generation must wrestle with these questions and we can give them unqualified support.

As a Christian we can answer each question through our faith. First, Who am I? is answered by the word “enough.” Jesus tells us we are enough.

Often times when we are anxious it is because we don’t believe in our worth. We don’t feel we can measure up to the expectations of our parents, friends or employers. Yet, Jesus tells us that we are enough by just being who we are.

The second question has a one word answer also, it is we are “with” those who surround us. We fit where we feel we belong. We search for affirmation from those with whom we have a relationship. We were created for community and if we don’t believe we fit into that community or are accepted by that community we feel adrift and believe we have no place which we can call our own. God longs for us to all be a part of God’s family. It is with us even if we aren’t aware of it.

Finally, the last question can be answered by our story, our page in history is part of the history of God’s story. We are part of the great design which God continues to create in this world and our existence has a purpose. There is no one else like us and there is a page in God’s story reserved for us. We just need to start writing on it.

Dr. Powell reminds us that these questions asked by generation Z are not their questions along but they are also our questions. We, like they, must embrace these questions and ferret out our answers. Perhaps one of these questions dominates your thoughts and actions more than the others. Then that is the question with which we need to wrestle.

How best to help those around us with those questions? It is to affirm they are “enough.” That we will walk “with” them through the morass of this life. They are important for they add to the “story” of this world.

One thing I really believed is important is we can only share our journey with others we can’t tell them what to believe or give them our answers. It is also important that we don’t demand agreement with our answers, but we can offer others our humble option. But not matter what we are all in this world together, let’s work together and it will surely count.

I just got back from the store where I ran into Will and Carla, for the third time in a week. I had first met Will when standing in the local grocery store (HEB) express line, which was about 20 people deep at the time.

He commented to me, a random stranger, that this express line didn’t look like it was “too express” at that moment. I agreed, but replied, “It actually goes pretty fast.” There are seven stations in that express line, so it moves along quickly. I noticed he had coffee and Earl Grey tea, which is one of my favorites, and I told him so. I also was intrigued because of his English accent.

Our conversation was cut short, because by then there was an open spot for him at the self serve cash register. I had a place seconds later and was finished with my purchases in a matter of minutes. I touched his shoulder on my way out, as he was scanning his last item, and said, “I beat.”

He smiled and continued scanning his items. As I approached the exit door, he whizzed past me and said, “Now, I am ahead of you.” It was a brief, but fun, encounter.

I headed over to the library next to return a book. I stopped by Target on the way for one or two times and then drove the couple of miles to the library.

As I entered the lobby I saw two women talking to – guess who? Will. We both pointed at each other and exclaimed, “I know you.” We hadn’t exchanged names, but our familiarity felt instantaneous. I learned that one of the women was his wife, Carla, and the other was a friend of theirs with whom they were just chatting. I discovered that they had also just been to Target.

I joined the conversation for awhile, learned we were all from Plum Creek in Kyle, and that we all had moved to Texas to be with our grandchildren. The other woman was now moving back to Ohio, since the grandkids weren’t living in this area any longer, and Will and Carla were moving to New Hampshire after being in Texas for 12 years. Their grandkids were all grown and they no longer felt the family needed them. They were going back to be with their other daughter and her family, plus they liked New England much better than Texas.

I left them to drop my book off, put a reserve on two more and then headed back out. Will, Carla, and the other lady were still talking, so I joined their conversation for a little longer. Finally, they decided they had better get home and we all said good-bye.

So, today I’m walking into Lowe’s and guess who is coming out of the store? That’s right – Will and Carla. I noticed they had some moving boxes along with a few other items. I joked that I had just come from HEB and they mentioned they were just on their way there. I also mentioned thatI might have some book boxes if they needed any. They said sure and Will gave me his number to punch into my phone, so I could call him and then he would have my number.

They then asked about moving companies. I shared with them about our having dodged a bullet with a sketchy moving brokerage company and our subsequent great experience with using PODS.

This was actually when I learned their names and they said it was such a shame that they were moving, because our paths’ frequent crossing had been enjoyable. I felt the same.

Why is it that some close friendships begin just as you are leaving an area? It got me thinking that sometimes when you move you don’t realize how important certain places or people are in your life until they are out of the picture.

There are some friends whom I miss deeply and I didn’t realize how important they were until I moved 1,700 miles away. Oh, I can still keep in touch, but it is not the same. Before I moved I could have just taken a moment to stop by when I was in the vicinity of their home or work place.

The main thing I learned today is not to take friendships for granted. When I connect closely with someone, I need to make sure I take time to be with them and to let them know I am thankful for their presence. I also realize there are future friendships out there, and I need to make the most of them when they present themselves.

So, friends, thank you for letting me share these thoughts with you and I hope you realize when I say “Welcome In” I mean please join me in my journey, just as I would like to join you in yours.

Blessings from a beach,

Randy