Author: Pambo

An example of good originating out of bad times.

What’s your ideal family room look like? Does it have comfy couch, a fireplace? May a wall displaying photos of loved ones? Possibly a shelf holding a heirloom from a family member passed down? What is it that makes it family?

In America 1945 the “family room” originated. God knows what families heard during the war. Gathered around the high-fi radio, were broadcasts of invasions, attacks, deaths and finally surrender. A room developed that would gather the family with a bit more space that would accommodate family togetherness. Its interesting and good this room came into existence at the end of the war at a time when families reunited and friends gathered socially. This space allowed much needed interaction. The touch and feel of a hug or embrace we can only imagine for today.

Fast forward to today’s pandemic, also ushering us in psychological, economic and political unrest. Once again the world is drawn to broadcasts that give us accounts of widespread disease. We are shocked, setback, isolated. In this crisis our dreams are filled of a time when we can socially interact. We are in a season of wait for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, picnics, sports and much, much more, Much like the war, we have to find ways to unite, to come together, to believe for our best interest and the next generation, but in isolation.

In America Spring 2020, what does the room family look like? In these weeks, like you, our family rooms are computer screens with live face talks. We can plays games, discuss the news, share what we see from our windows and walks. We can see each other in our homes. We can check in and check out. We are managing our social isolated time with glimpses of one another. We are developing habits to touch without touching. In a real sense daily, whether we see it or not, we are developing faith. Faith that hopefully draws us in these uncertain times to something unseen. Faith that tomorrow will be better. To understand faith is to understand the unseen. Now fatih is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we cannot see. Keeping faith finds us in the family room before, during and after this pandemic. I pray you keep FAITH, FAMILY, FOOD and FUN going.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. John 14:1-4

What’s in your hidden room? Are you willing to share?

My first thoughts bring me to the writing of C.S. Lewis and the wardrobe leading to Narnia. If children can escape a war raging around them and fight off a witch and share in bringing spring to frozen tundra, you have my attention Mr. Lewis. A hymn like “He Hideth My Soul” by a blinded Fannie Crosby take me to a place of a covering by a hand. Hands seem to be the sanitary icon for a fight against a virus while this hymn reflects a pure, still hiding place in bigger hands. Thirdly, my homeward thoughts bring me to my cave. A revisit where I am hidden for this season of “Stay Home.” This cave of mine didn’t come welcomed the first time around nor does it today although I know what the recourse is. It came in separation, loneliness and a realization to take notice of what was in the cave with me.

Bring light into your hidden space.

All my children are thoughtful but my son has a way of being ‘simply’ thoughtful. This past Christmas he carefully chose gifts for our family. I watched each person open their gift and he found a connection with each of us in a small way. When it came to opening my gift, I was a little nervous unwrapping to find two small votive candle holders and a book on finding “Hygge.” Now, Hygge pronounced Hoo-gah is the term used by the Danish for simple happy living, a way Scandanvians live in their darkest months. It provides examples of how to live in the light, finding community with a few people and living your best through creating home. I knew my son had clued in on his mom. Tears came to my eyes and I knew I had been handed yet another tool of making the best of times. Some things overlap with Hygge and can brought into our “Stay Home” period. Light is especially welcomed. Creating light in spaces with candles provide warm energy. I invite them when I read, write or have periods of quiet. Light is such a part of dining too. It can create atmosphere, illuminating faces. Placed in windows candles can show the world you are ok and safe.

Notice changes in your surroundings and adapt to the newness.

It took several snow storms in a change of environment over a period of months for me to appreciate my cave days. My circumstances brought me inside to reexamine who was with me. God was with me. Right there in the cave. Never left. Always waiting for me. Keeping me fed and loved. Like the kids in Narnia I found newness in my surroundings. Today, I woke up to a light ground covering of snow thanking God for its sheer beauty, its white color and its covering. I remember now to look further. Underneath the snow were green stems of daffodils. I seem to always look now for the springs, springs of life, color and beauty. It takes a little examining yet seasons change and we do too. Look at the clouds, observe the sky. Nature gives us glimpses and in every cloud there is a silver lining and we have to seek and find it. Yesterday has passed. Tomorrow isn’t promised. While these seem cliche they are also very true. Take breath of what is. We have a world raging with a virus. We have been given time in our homes. Be careful to choose wisely. Take heed of the small things, the simple. They are right here with us, covered by big hands.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

We’ve all been there. There’s usually a table… Our first ones may of come as a taste test. Spitting out cereal, spinach or something so new to our young pallet we wanted to go back to the comfort of milk. By age 2 we may have opened our pallet to chicken nuggets and could stay there the rest of our adolescence if…we weren’t tested or challenged by our parents or siblings to try something new. The ‘Hey Mikey! He likes it.’ Life cereal commercial wouldn’t of been so popular. School and peers brings more testing. Ask any early grader what’s a test? If spelling doesn’t come up, Ask again.

We all are tested. Why? Well, because if Susie doesn’t learn to spell, she’s not going to be able to put phrases together and write a paragraph and explain what she’s thinking on paper to others. And make good grades and get a good job and … I believe the words that say ‘You are tested for your own good’ are true.

As we grow, we are tested with driving, boundaries and character. Parents watching the beaches in FL for spring break are thinking teens have lost all senses. Sometimes tests are to reveal character, stamina or allegiance as in joining forces or making alliances. My heart goes out to those students who are not getting to walk across the stage for all the testing they’ve come through. Sometimes we find ourselves in the test of time or test of a lifetime. Its in those tests, we do find our true selves. If we belong to Jesus, We will be tested. Jesus was tested in the desert for 40 days and nights. That is hard stuff. True Grit. Yet, he did it and I’m glad he purposely did.

What if we turned the tables and gave the test? Solomon of the Bible tested everything in search for wisdom. He set out to be wise, but it was beyond him and so deep! Sometimes finding wisdom lies in the pursuit.

When we think about testing as a nation we have hit the bullseye with the Covid 19 Virus scare. I use that word ‘scare’ as that’s what’s trying to infest our nation. Its not grasshoppers, but it could be as everything is jumping off our shelves. We are being tested by a scare to what we have known by a virus jumping from animal to human to human. What is our response? How is this test affecting our hearts, minds, life?

I can’t answer that for you. I can’t answer anything for you. I can help you understand that people are doing their best work right now in isolating measures. Families are having more time together around tables, things are being modeled and learned. Workers are doing their best in all fields when they can, while they can. We are getting to choose good measures because we are being obedient from the tests we trialed or others have. Our response remains; to show gratitude, love, and compassion to a world gone viral. That’s our testing room if we choose to go in. I think the door is open.

Wait quietly. The victory will come. Based on Psalm 62

I know…the date is over a year ago on this blog. It’s been on the back burner simmering like a fine sauce. The entree had to be something I could put my fork into. Like a tender piece near the bone. Today I’m starting again. Life is definitely at a place of waiting for EVERYONE. Thanks for reading and waiting with me. It’s been a prayer of mine to blog again. I pray you employ yourself in the wait.

THE WAITING ROOM-

Close family and friends know this place. It is a haven of hangout for news or an event. Waiting rooms bring to mind hospitals. News of a new baby, the outcome of a surgery or procedure. For me its also included areas outside of airports, court rooms and auditioning spaces. A place of waiting to be restored, judged or chosen. Recently, for my husband a waiting room was a sacred time with our daughter to walk her down the aisle.

Initallly, they can be a place of frustation, or anxiety. Generally, they are a place of stillness of soul. A time to prepare for what’s ahead. Decsions are made in us, for us and for our loved ones. Something shifts in the waiting room. If it remains a hopeful place for a good outcome we’ve fought half the battle. We can breathe. If we can acknowlege the outcome is not ours, the battle is won. We can move on and have our being.

Today like many, my waiting is at home. Whats roaring outside in the mucus of our society is threatening. We isolate for the greater good, our fellow man, woman and child. We wash our hands. We prepare our hearts. Quiet, relfective time is what we’re given. A sabbath of sorts. Time… to write, pray, make a pillow, cook and freeze a savory meal, read, learn a new song or skill. We don’t know who will need our creatvity, our time, our gifts in the coming days. We do know we have time to think about those things in our waiting rooms and then activate them.

I’m excited about how we will use our time. What will be the collective of good in our waiting rooms? New music, art, books, inventions, remedies, or even people? We have been given a pause. A place in time and space to be still. Let’s think on the good of these things as we wait.